Zeta Disconnect

by C.B. Droege

Agent Z-4Q, of the Timeline Corrections Office has been sent into a broken, war-torn future on a seemingly routine mission. Each time he takes one of these missions, he is forced to forget everything about himself and his previous time with the organization, leaving him only with his training and the image of a pair of beautiful brown eyes, seared forever into his mind’s eye. When he learns that he is the TCO’s only remaining agent, and that the organization may not be working for the good of the people of the world, will he be able to subvert the organization’s twisted agenda, or will they simply take his memories from him once more?

Genres: Time Travel

128 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 24, 2013

About the author

CB Droege is an author and poet from the Queen City living in the Millionendorf. His influences include Philip K. Dick, Bill Bryson, Isaac Asimov, David Sedaris, and Roger Zelazny. He loves wizards and time-travel, but has an irrational distaste for time-traveling wizards. His latest book is RapUnsEl and Other Stories. He recently edited Starward Tales: An Anthology of Speculative Legends.
Learn more at cbdroege.com

Reviews

[Warren Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

What must it feel like to have pieces of one's life erased from the time line as if they never were? If someone still remembers a changed event, then did it still happen?

Many modern time-travel stories ask questions like this, but few seek to present a plausible answer. I have lost count of the number of books/movies I have come across which begin with a fascinating time-travel premise, but then degenerate into an ordinary action/thriller/mystery/horror story which simply uses some variant of the grandfather paradox/alternate timeline/parallel universe concept as a plot device.

This book is different, in that it takes time-travel more seriously; making it an integral part of the plot and presenting an overarching view of how it would actually work if it became possible. That is not to say that the novel is a dry treatise on the subject, far from it, it is bound up with a very human story of invention, discovery, friendship, and sacrifice.

When we first meet him, Z-4Q (pronounced Zaq) is a timeline correction operative, an agent who is sent backwards and forwards in time to police the timeline. In order to combat time sickness, a disorientative condition which afflicts those who time-travel regularly, agents' memories are routinely erased between missions. There is, however, an unfortunate side-effect in that they eventually lose all but a few traces of the rest of their memories. As the story unfolds, however, we find that this is but a snapshot from Zaq's personal timeline…

Be warned, though, the timeline of the story is complex, and it is best to pay attention to the time stamps at the head of each chapter. That said, this is a well written, absorbing tale, and will appeal particularly to those fascinated by the complexities of time-travel and the effect it could have on the world around us.

[Mandy Walkden-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly riveting time travel tale set in a post-apocalyptic future. Thanks to, in the words of the author 'the War of the Consonants'. I do love that phrase, the culprits could have been any country or organisation.
Strong likeable characters, unique ideas and some unexpected twists make this a book that is impossible to put down.
Highly recommended.

[R. James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zeta Disconnect is Saturday Matinee SciFi fare, with healthy doses of time travel and plenty of futuristic drama to go around. Add in a dash of intrigue and evil doings, and you get a very enjoyable read that, while it does explain temporal physics to a limited extent, doesn't overwhelm you with burdensome details of the hows and whys of time travel. Plain good fun.

[Hugo Cervantes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, really liked the arch from Z-4Q.

It really tackles time travel as I would see it… which I do t think is says much 😅

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a strong debut for a science-fiction writer. Time-travel stories can be very difficult to write, fraught with plot loops and theoretical science. They work best when the author uses time travel to explore human character and choice, which is what I think happened here. At first, it seems like the book is going to be about agent Z-4Q going back and forth in time to correct a botched mission and prevent a destructive war. However, it morphs smoothly into an exploration of how Z-4Q himself evolved and changed. I enjoyed seeing some of his various missions, how they affected him,and how the reader was allowed to examine that which the character himself did not really remember or understand. Making this feel like a character exploration was smart; the reader doesn't have to agree with or even comprehend the scientific and literary minefield of time travel to appreciate the way Z-4Q's work affects him. My only criticism would be the length. I think it could have been longer, actions and motivations evolving a little more slowly, missions taking a little longer and relationships emphasized more. Everything's there, but sometimes it felt rushed - particularly the ending. However, I enjoyed it very much and look forward to more from this author.

[E.R. Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. It's intelligent, full of suspense and paradox, or the threat of paradox, and the principle character is fascinating from the moment one first meets him. So who is Z-4Q, anyway? I had to read it quickly to find out.