To Kill Again: Episode One Read Online Free

embarrassed face.
    PRESIDENT : Turns out this machine’s something of a white elephant. Apparently we can’t go forward. In time. It’s all completely over my head, but they tell me you can’t go into the future because it hasn’t happened yet. Does that make sense? (off Dyson’s blank stare) Terrorism, war, crime... mankind doesn’t change. It never learns. The only thing greater than our need to advance is our desire to destroy. Something has to be done. And if we can’t use the future to our advantage, then we must utilise the past.
    Dyson looks up and meets his gaze.
    DYSON : You’re talking about... You’re talking about timecops .
    PRESIDENT : Crime is our predominant concern at the moment, but long-term the possibilities are endless. These are glorious days. There’s nothing more exciting than watching your child take their first steps. There’s an awful lot of ground to cover first. For now what we propose is a test, a dry run if you like. And that’s where you come in.
    Ratski glares enviously at Dyson as the penny drops. He double takes, struggling to breath. Rises shakily to his feet.
    DYSON : It’s the Ripper, isn’t it? You... you wanna send me back to find out who Jack the Ripper was?
    PRESIDENT : We want you to go back and arrest Jack the Ripper. Bring him back for trial.
    DYSON : Bring him back?
    PRESIDENT : (laughs) I think maybe you need that drink now.
    He goes to a drinks cabinet and pours two generous measures of scotch. Hands one to Dyson.
    PRESIDENT : I want people to know we have this technology. I want them to know what we can do. Therefore, Jack goes on trial, with full media coverage. I’m sending a message to the world, John. That no act of mass murder, genocide or terrorism will be without repercussion and punishment. We can -- we will find you. Wherever you may lurk.
    He glances over at Ratski, a nervous glance of something hidden passing between them.
    The detective doesn’t detect it. He gulps some scotch. Hand trembling.
    DYSON : And that’s why you saved... But why? Why me? And why the Ripper? There must be hundreds of more important... If you have this power, this machine, why not stop 9/11? JFK from getting blown away? Jesus, you could stop the Second World War from ever happening.
    Ratski shoots the President another glimpse and steps up.
    RATSKI : By killing Adolf Hitler and sending the world hurtling on a completely unknown path? Think about it, Dyson. Think about it. Stop those 19 individuals from boarding the planes on that September morning, arrest them right there on the spot, and what we know now, what we accept as history , is gone forever.
    DYSON : And the Ripper’s different?
    RATSKI : We believe Jack the Ripper is far enough from our current position on the timeline to cause any unnecessary ripples.
    DYSON : You believe? You have no idea what you’re doing, do you? Meddling in the past without a thought for the present --
    PRESIDENT : I can assure you, John, that is not --
    DYSON : No! No, you can count me out.
    RATSKI : You would be dead were it not for our meddling , Detective. Let’s try to remember that.
    Dyson does. He listens to the rain hammer the windows, his body slackening and pouring back onto the sofa.
    DYSON : Why me?
    PRESIDENT : When you have a crime you call the police. It’s that simple. This is a crime. Still unsolved. The Ripper murders of 1888 are your passion. There’s no one else more qualified on the subject within a police department anywhere in the world. And I don’t say that lightly. It took more than three months to find the right candidate.
    He laughs loudly, then coughs hard a couple of times. Hard enough for Ratski to shoot him a concerned look.
    PRESIDENT : And here you were, all the while. In Whitechapel, at the very heart of the murders. (to Ratski) Brad.
    RATSKI : Mr. President.
    He opens up the file. Reads from here and there.
    RATSKI : John Anthony Dyson, born December 7th, 1982... Single, both parents deceased.
    That