May 2075
Beaumont, California
Lockheed Martin Testing Site
7:54 PM
Mr. John De Silva arrived near the Lockheed Martin Testing Site to observe the terrain and evaluate the facility's security. As he quietly surveyed the area, he noticed how few people were on duty.
"There are surprisingly few personnel around," he muttered. "They've grown far too complacent."
A faint smile appeared on his face. The operation would be easier than he had expected.
"Control 01, this is Mr. De Silva. Copy."
"Copy, Mr. De Silva. Sitrep?"
"Only ten guards are securing the entire site—five stationed at the hangar, two on the outer perimeter, and three inside the control room. There are also five civilian employees. None of the guards appear to be carrying high-powered firearms. We won't need heavy weapons for this operation. Non-lethal equipment will be more than enough. I need a five-man team and two sets of time-travel beacons for transporting our objective."
"Copy, Mr. De Silva. I'll dispatch the team immediately to assist with the operation."
"Copy, Control 01. Over and out."
The members of Mr. De Silva's organization sprang into action.
"Move! Move!" their platoon leader shouted.
Every member was excited. In 1884, the four years they had been living, this would be their very first major operation.
"Listen up! This is our first operation, and I don't want any casualties. According to Mr. De Silva's reconnaissance, there are only ten guards on site. Stay focused on the mission, and we're all going home together."
"Sir, yes, Sir!"
The platoon entered a specialized chamber connected to the traffic control room. They simply called it the Portal—the gateway used for every time jump.
"Team, on my mark... Five... Four... Three... Two... One!"
A brilliant flash of light engulfed the room.
Seconds later, the team emerged in the year 2075, where Mr. De Silva was already waiting for them.
"Welcome to 2075."
He looked over the team before continuing.
"Before we begin, here's your briefing.
"First, we will not use unnecessary violence or kill anyone.
"Second, remain alert throughout the entire mission.
"Understood?"
"Sir, yes, Sir!"
"Good.
"Here's the plan. We'll enter the compound using stealth suits. Once inside, incapacitate the guards using tranquilizer weapons.
"After that, deploy the time-travel beacons at each corner of the hangar.
"This mission is critical. Our objective is the most advanced reconnaissance drone in this timeline.
"Good hunting, everyone."
Code Name: U-2 Mk1 Dragon Lady Drone
Developed by Lockheed Martin in 2070, it was considered the world's most advanced reconnaissance drone.
The team entered the compound with silent precision, every member remaining alert.
Their first targets were the two guards stationed along the perimeter.
Pfft.
Within seconds, both men collapsed into unconsciousness.
The team then advanced toward the hangar where the drone was being stored. Three more guards quietly fell asleep after being struck by tranquilizer rounds.
Meanwhile, the remaining members headed for the control room to retrieve the drone's research files.
The personnel inside never realized anyone had entered.
The last thing they remembered was their vision slowly fading into darkness.
When they finally regained consciousness...
The drone was gone.
So were all of its research files.
"Mr. De Silva, mission accomplished."
"Excellent."
He nodded in satisfaction.
"Place the beacons in each corner. We'll begin the time jump immediately."
"Mr. De Silva, all beacons are in position. Ready for transport."
"Control 01... on my mark.
"Five...
"Four...
"Three...
"Two...
"One."
"Roger, Mr. De Silva."
1884
Manila
"Welcome back, Mr. De Silva."
"Haha! Thank you."
He looked around at his team with obvious pride.
"First of all, excellent work, everyone. Today's mission was a complete success.
"This drone will become an invaluable asset in our plans for this timeline.
"You've all earned a full day's rest."
Turning toward Albert, he continued,
"Before I forget, I'm leaving for Cavite tomorrow. I want to inspect our newly acquired land and conduct a proper survey. Make sure our research team begins analyzing all of the drone's technical data."
"Yes, Mr. De Silva. I'm sure the mayor of Cavite will be delighted to finally meet the man who purchased such a massive piece of land."
"I'm looking forward to meeting the local people as well. It's important that they see us as respectable newcomers rather than suspicious strangers."
"You're right, Mr. De Silva. I'll have the carriage prepared first thing tomorrow."
"Thank you, Albert."
Later that evening, Mr. De Silva returned to his room.
He lit a cigar and relaxed while listening to blues and jazz classics from the 1980s and 1990s—his favorite music.
As the melodies filled the room, he opened his laptop and quietly reviewed the next phase of his plans.
May 2075
Beaumont, California
Lockheed Martin Testing Site
8:00 AM
The morning shift arrived expecting an ordinary workday.
Instead, they were greeted by an unbelievable sight.
The entire night-shift staff had been blindfolded and bound.
No one could explain what had happened.
More shocking still, the facility's most advanced reconnaissance drone—and every piece of research related to it—had completely disappeared.
Days passed as investigators from the Department of Defense, the NSA, the CIA, and the FBI searched for answers.
Every lead ended in failure.
No one could determine where the drone had gone or who had taken it.
To make matters worse, every employee who had been on duty that night came under intense investigation.
Soon afterward, Lockheed Martin and the United States government announced an enormous reward for any information leading to the identification or capture of those responsible for what the media would soon call—
"The Robbery of the Century."