“Here’s your next assignment.” Director Garcia of the Paradox Patrol Office handed Agent Jones a folder.


    “Sir, they’re planning to eliminate an early 20th-century dictator.”


    Garcia nodded—“More difficult than finding a patient zero. We haven’t determined who leaked the machine’s specs.”


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    “Sir, the ripple effects going so far back would be catastrophic.”


    “I’m aware of that, Jones. You have a list. Take them out, immediately.”


    Jones scanned names highlighted on a genealogy chart—“Grandparents, sir?”


    “That’s correct. We’ve cross-checked for temporal repercussions, and our new protocol states: not too far back, but just enough to stop any ideological notions.”