Timesliders podcasts

Transcript

6 voices: Eden [E]; Kyla [K]; Mr Mackenzie [MM]; Professor Curran [PC]; Thrace [T]; SUSIE [S]

E – Kyla, Kyla!
K – What do you want?
E – Will you sit with me on the bus?
K – We’ve talked about this, Eden. You’ve got to sit with kids your own age.
E – Buuuuuttttt …
K – No buts. Now, where’s your bag? Mum’ll be livid if you lose that. It’s got your lunch in it.
E – Fine … it’s over by Mr Mackenzie.
K – Well, go and get it. We’ll be leaving in any minute.
MM – Right, children. I need you to line up now. The bus is here to take us to the castle. Those of you who’ve been before will need to pair up with someone who hasn’t, please.
E – Pleeeeease, Kyla. We’ve got to pair up. I haven’t been before.
K – Fine. Just don’t annoy me, ok?

PC – Thrace! Thrace! Where are you?
T – Coming, Your Magnificence!
PC – Thraaaaaaaaaaaace!
T – Here, Your Magnificence.
PC – Ah. There you are. Right. Have you calibrated the temporal stabilisers with the flux capacitor power crystals so we can action a shift in the continuum?
T – Ummmmm. What?
PC – Have you fixed the time machine?
T – Oh, yes. The time machine is fixed.
PC – Excellent. Now it’s time for us to put Operation Stopwatch into action.
T – Brilliant! Just one quick question …
PC – Yes?
T – What is Operation Stopwatch?
PC – For the thousandth time, Operation Stopwatch is my masterplan to move through time, changing the course of Scotland’s history, forever!
T – Ah, THAT Operation Stopwatch.

E – So, where are we going then? What’s this castle?
K – This is the annual school trip to Culzean Castle. You only get to go if you’re in certain years.
E – What’s so interesting about a boring old castle?
K – It’s not boring! There’s lots to do there.
E – I’d rather be back at school playing football.
K – Weeelll, that’s probably better. I wouldn’t want you to get scared.
E – I wouldn’t get scared! Scared of what?
K – Oh, just the ghosts.
E – Ghosts? You never said there were ghosts!
K – You’re more interested in football, so I didn’t think you’d be up for meeting any ghosts.
E – I am SO up for meeting ghosts. I love ghosts. I’ve always loved ghosts.
K – Well, if you’re quiet for the rest of the journey, you may get to meet some when we get to the castle!
E – But … !
K – But only if you’re quiet.
E – Mmmmmmm.
K – That’s better. Now, don’t say anything until we get there.

T – Trouble! There’s trouble, Your Magnificence. Trouble! Trouble!
PC – What are you talking about, you fool?
T – Trouble!
PC – Where?
T – There.
PC – Where?
T – There!
PC – What? Thrace …
T – Yes, Your Supreme Wonderfulness.
PC – What is the trouble?
T – Well, there appears to be – and I’m only trying to give you the heads-up here – a bus full of …
PC – Yes?
T – Well, what are they called? Those small things …
PC – (gasps) Elves!
T – No, not shelves. You know, the little things. They’re really annoying. They go to school, eat sweets …
PC – Children!
T – That’s it, Your Splendiferousness. Children! You really are clever. That’s why you’re the boss.
PC – Thrace, there are not meant to be any children at the castle today. It is meant to be closed.
T – Well, according to the schedule they’ve opened especially for the school. That’s why I came running up and shouting ‘Trouble! Trouble! Trouble!’
PC – Yes, yes, well, well. This means we will have to step up our plans for Operation Stopwatch.
T – Excellent! Now, what was that again?
PC – (tuts) Fool.

E – Woah! This place is so cool. Look at it, Kyla – it’s huge!
K – Better than playing football?
E – Much better.
MM – Right, children – don’t wander too far away. We’ll be meeting our guide soon.
K – Make sure you’ve … Eden? Eden! Eden! Come back here!

PC – Thraaaaaace!
T – Yes, Your Majesticals?
PC – Are we up to full power yet?
T – Very nearly.
PC – Well, hurry up. We’re going to be late.
T – How can we be late? We’re going back in time.
PC – Are you arguing with me?
T – (gulps) Absolutely not.
PC – I didn’t think you would be. Now, give the machine as much power as you can.
T – Which machine?
PC – The time machine, you fool!
T – Oh yes, that machine.

K – Eden? Eden? Where are you? You’re in so much trouble when I find you.
E – Boo!
K – Arghh! Eden, why did you run off like that?
E – I wanted to see the castle.
K – We’ve got to get back before the rest of them realise we’re not there.
E – Or … we could go exploring on our own. Look! There’s a door.
K – So?
E – Doors are meant to be opened!
K – No, Eden. Some doors are meant to be shut, locked, never opened and walked away from. This one especially.
E – Why this one?
K – Because it says ‘Do Not Open’ on it, in big red letters.
E – Yeah, but grown-ups are always saying things like ‘Don’t do this’, ‘Don’t touch that’, ‘Stop playing with it, you’ll break it’. They don’t really mean it. Come on!
K – They do mean it. Eden!
E – Kyla, it’s a staircase.
K – Great, a really old staircase. Let’s go!
E – I’m going to have a look.
K – Eden, no! Eden, you’re going to get us in so much trouble.
E – It’s really dark.
K – Well, what does that tell you?
E – That the lights aren’t on?
K – No, it means that we’re not meant to be in here.
E – Hang on, I think I can see some light. It’s right down at the bottom.
K – Eden, can you hear that?
E – What?
K – I’m not sure. It sounds like some sort of machine.
E – Oh yeah, I can hear it too. Maybe it’s the ghosts!
K – Don’t be silly! There’s no such thing as ghosts.
E – But you said …
K – Shhhhhh! Look!
E – What?
K – Woah! Look at that! It’s like some sort of secret underground lair. Whose do you think it is?
E – Maybe Batman’s?
K – Batman isn’t Scottish! And anyway, he lives in Gotham.
E – Oh yeah.
K – Look, there’s somebody coming. Quick, hide!
E – Where?
K – Anywhere! Just hide. Look, there’s a desk. Let’s hide under there.

T – So, remind me why are we travelling back in time again?
PC – I shall explain this only once more to you, Thrace. We are travelling back in time to a number of different locations to alter the course of Scottish history. I have a fool-proof plan to bring about changes that will make me the ruler of all of Scotland. If I have to explain it to you once more, I shall take you so far back in time you’ll meet the dinosaurs.
T – Does Scotland have dinosaurs?
K – Of course Scotland had dinosaurs! Didn’t you learn that in school?
T – Agh!
E – Kyla, what are you doing?
PC – Children! Thrace! Grab them!
T – Come here!
E – Arrrrrggghhhh!
PC – Grab them, Thrace!
T – They’re so fast! I can’t catch up with them!

K – Stop it! Let us go!
E – Let us go immediately.
T – Or what?
K – Or we’ll tell our teacher about all the horrible things you’re doing.
T – Um, boss?
PC – What?
T – Should I let them go? They said they would tell if I didn’t.
PC – Of course not, you fool.
T – But I don’t want to get in any trouble with a teacher.
PC – Thrace, you can get into trouble with a teacher or you can get into trouble with me.
T – Fair enough. You two are going nowhere.
PC – How did you two get in?
K – We came down the stairs.
PC – [mocking repeat] What? Through the door that says ‘Do Not Open’?
E – Yes.
T – I told you we should have put a lock on it.
PC – Silence, you fool!
T – Sorry.
PC – Tell me, how much of my plan did you hear?
K and E – Nothing!
T – So, you’re saying that you didn’t hear anything about the plan for the Professor to go back to various points in Scotland’s history using our time machine device, and change the course of events so that eventually the Professor could rule all of Scotland?
K and E – Ummmmm, no?
T – Phew! No problem then, boss – they don’t know anything.
PC – Thrace?
T – Yep.
PC – Shut up!
T – Righto.
PC – I don’t have time to deal with you two now. I need to make a start on Operation Stopwatch.
T – Careful, boss – you don’t want to give away the plan!
PC – So, you two will stay here until we get back. Then I will transport you back in time and leave you stranded where you can do no harm. Ha ha ha ha!
T – Ha ha ha ha ha!
PC – Thrace, what are you doing?
T – Joining in in the evil villain laughter?
PC – Well, don’t!
T – Sorry.
PC – Fetch me the time machine remotes. One for me and one for you.
T – Time machine remotes. On it!
PC – I will make the final preparations and then nothing can stop us. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

K – [whispers] Eden?
E – Yes?
K – I think I can get free. We’ve got to stop these two from changing history. If we don’t, then all my homework will be wrong!
E – How are we going to stop them?
K – I’m going to steal the remotes so they can’t use the machine.
E – Ok, can you untie me as well, please?
K – Yes, but don’t look like you’re free. Hold still.

T – Right, I’ve got the remote, boss. How do they work?
PC – They’re pre-programmed with all the destinations and dates that we need to travel back to in order for my plan to work. And just for you, Thrace, I have loaded onto the device the entire knowledge of everything in history, to help you blend in. Just press that button and ask it a question. Watch. SUSIE, is Thrace unbelievably stupid?
S – Yes, Thrace is unbelievably stupid.
T – Wow! This thing is good. I am unbelievably stupid. Why’s it called SUSIE?
PC – It stands for Supremely Upgraded Subspace Information Engine. SUSIE for short. It knows everything there is to know about anything.
T – So, which button do you press to time travel?
PC – The big green one there.
T – Ah! The one that says Time Travel on it?
PC – I’ve made it so simple that a monkey can use it.
T – I certainly can.

PC – Right, you meddling children. I shall see you later on.
K – Now, Eden!
T – Hey! Give that back! It’s mine!
PC – No, stop! Come on!
T – Give it!
K – Eden, come on. Let’s run!
PC – After them!
E – Kyla, we’ve got nowhere left to run. We’re trapped.
PC – Ha! Indeed, you are. So, hand over the device and I might let you live.
K – You’re wrong.
PC – Oh really? And why is that then?
K – Hold on tight to me, Eden.
E – Why? What are you going to do?
K – Either something really brave or really stupid. There’s one more place to go. We’re not entirely trapped.
PC – And where do you think you can go then?
K – The past!
PC – What? …

T – Where did they go?
PC – They’ve gone back in time. I don’t believe it. This is why I hate children. They always ruin everything.
T – What are we going to do, boss?
PC – We are going to follow them through time and get that device back. Then we’re going to make them wish they’d never messed with us. Thrace, come here!
T – Righto.
PC – Hold on tight. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Transcript

5 voices: Eden [E]; Kyla [K]; Professor Curran [PC]; Thrace [T]; SUSIE [S]

Previously on Timesliders:

K – Woah! Look at that! It’s like some sort of secret underground lair.
T – So, remind me: why are we travelling back in time again?
PC – Operation Stopwatch is my masterplan to move through time, changing the course of Scotland’s history, forever!
K – We’ve got to stop these two from changing history. If we don’t, then all my homework will be wrong!
PC – SUSIE, is Thrace unbelievably stupid?
S – Yes, Thrace is unbelievably stupid.
T – Wow! This thing is good. I am unbelievably stupid. Why’s it called SUSIE?
PC – It stands for Supremely Upgraded Subspace Information Engine. SUSIE for short. It knows everything there is to know about anything.
K – Hold on tight to me, Eden.
E – Why? What are you going to do?
K – Either something really brave or really stupid. There’s one more place to go. We’re not entirely trapped.
PC – And where do you think you can go then?
K – The past!
PC – What?
T – Where did they go?
PC – They’ve gone back in time. I don’t believe it! This is why I hate children. They always ruin everything.
T – What are we going to do, boss?
PC – We are going to follow them through time and get that device back. Then we’re going to make them wish they’d never messed with us. Thrace, come here!
T – Righto.
PC – Hold on tight. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

And now, on Timesliders:

E: Where … where are we?
K: Did you see what happened? I just saw a big flash of light and it was like I was falling into a tunnel. Then somehow, we ended up here.
E: Wherever here is. Kyla, look, there’s nothing here. It’s just snow, ice and rocks. It’s so cold. Good job Mum made us wear our huge coats.
K: Have you still got your gloves and hat in your pocket?
E: Um … yep!
K: Put them on or you’ll freeze.
E: What are we going to do, Kyla? Where are we?
K: I don’t know. But we can’t stay out here. It’s too cold.
E: Well, where do we go then? I can’t see anything at all.
K: Hang on. I’ve got an idea. Have you still got that time travelling thing?
E: Yep.
K: Give it here. SUSIE, where are we?
S: You are currently in the part of Scotland known as the Highlands, more specifically Glencoe.
K: What? I’ve been to Glencoe and it doesn’t look anything like this. What’s happened to it?
S: The glen has not been formed as we have arrived in a time period pre-dating the melting of the glaciers.
K and E: What?!
S: This is the first stop on Professor Curran’s Operation Stopwatch.
K: So, when are we?
S: That’s a much better question. About 10,000 BC. I can’t be more precise, I’m afraid.
K: Why would Professor Curran need to come here?
S: That information is not available to me, I’m afraid. However, I should inform you that another time travel device is about to arrive at this location.
K: Oh no. The Professor. Quick, Eden. We need to hide.
E: Where? There’s nothing here.
K: Um, quick! Behind that rock over there! Don’t make a sound.

T: Aaaaaaarrrrrrrgh.
PC: Thrace! What are you doing?
T: Aaaarrrrgh! Screaming!
PC: Why?
T: Because I’m scared. That was awful. I’m not sure if I like time travel.
PC: Well, that’s no problem. I can just leave you here!
T: No! Please don’t do that. Although … where is here?
PC: You’re in the Highlands.
T: It doesn’t look like the Highlands to me.
PC: That’s because it hasn’t been formed yet. We have arrived in about 10,000 BC, just as all this ice is starting to melt. When it’s finished, in a few thousand years’ time, it will leave what you and I know as Glencoe.
T: [shivering] Oh. So why are we here then?
PC: Because, my pea-brained sidekick, I don’t want the ice to melt slowly. I want it to melt quickly. Now, come along. We’ve got to set off the thermo grenades at key points in the glacier.
T: Righto, boss. Oh, boss?
PC: What is it, Thrace?
T: What about the two kids? Kyla and Eden. Don’t we need to find them?
PC: Ha! The harsh desolate landscape of the ice age will take care of them. Look around, Thrace. Nothing could survive out here.
T: [shivering] Good point.

E: Why would the Professor want to melt the ice quickly? How is that going to help with Operation Stopwatch?
K: I don’t know, but it can’t be good.
E: Hang on. Let’s ask SUSIE. SUSIE, what’s an ice age?
S: An ice age is a long period of time when the Earth’s temperature is much colder than normal. In 10,000 BC, the Earth started to warm up and the ice sheets were melting. By 8000 BC, the ice sheets in this area had disappeared, and Glencoe was left.
E: Woah! So that’s why it looks like that.
S: That’s right. The ice would carve out the U-shape that you know from Glencoe. It took a glacier, which is a big body of ice, over 12km in size to create Glencoe.
E: 12km? That’s huge! So, why would the Professor want to melt the ice quickly?
S: What happens to ice when it melts?
E: Oh! It turns to water.
S: Correct! What happens when over 12km of ice melts?
E: Oh oh! Lots of water!
S: Correct again. What happens when over 12km of ice melts all at once?
K and E: Floods!
S: I suspect that the Professor is trying to use the ice of the glacier to cause a flood.
E: But why? There’s nothing here.
K: There might not be anything where we are, but what about other places in Scotland? SUSIE, when did people start living in Scotland?
S: Early settlers would have existed in Scotland from approximately 12,000 BC.
K: So, the Professor is going to try and use the Ice Age’s glaciers to try and flood the settlers.
E: Well, that’s not very nice! What if they can’t swim?
S: And Glencoe isn’t the only place to have been formed by a glacier. Most of Scotland and the north of England would have been covered in them.
K: We have to stop them from melting them all at once!
E: How are we going to do that?
K: I think I have a plan. But we’ve got to follow them. Quick, let’s go!

PC: Put the first one there. Excellent. Now we’ve got another long walk to plant the next one. If this works, we can do this all over Scotland!
T: Yippeeeeee.
PC: Problem, Thrace?
T: No, Your Magnificence, it’s just …
PC: Just what?
T: Well, it’s very cold and there’s lots of ice and snow everywhere, and I didn’t bring my wellies. I’ve got cold feet!
PC: Oh. Well, that’s your own fault. Now, stop your whining or I’ll leave you behind, and you can see how well you can swim when I melt 12km of ice in one go!
T: Actually, I’m not that cold anymore.
PC: I didn’t think so.
T: How are we going to set these thermo what-do-ya-call-ems off then, boss?
PC: Once all five of them are planted, I will use this remote to detonate all of them at once. They will act like microwaves and heat all the ice in a matter of seconds.
T: I should have brought my surfboard!
PC: Come on, we’ve got to set the next one.

K: Here’s the first one they’ve planted. SUSIE, what is it?
S: This is a remote thermo grenade. When all 5 of them are planted, they will be able to be remotely detonated and the ice will melt in a matter of seconds.
K: How do we stop them?
E: I think it’s got some sort of switch on the bottom …
K: Eden!
E: What?
K: Be careful! You could blow us all up!
E: Look, there’s an on/off switch on the bottom of it, right next to these flashing red lights.
K: Give it here.
E: Flick the switch and turn it off.
K: Ok. Here it goes …
E: Is that it?
K: I think so. Bring it with us. We don’t want to leave anything out here that isn’t supposed to be.
E: They went this way. Quick! I found another one!
K: How many is that now?
E: 4.
K: So, there’s one more left. Come on. Look, I can see them up ahead. Careful, Eden, don’t get too close.

PC: One more device to plant and then we shall retreat to a safe distance to watch the first part of my plan work perfectly.
T: Righto, boss – here we go. All done!
PC: Excellent. Now, follow me, Thrace. We need to get well away from here.
K: Not so fast, Professor!
PC: Ugh, that’s all I need. Meddling children getting in my way. You’re too late. The devices have all been planted and there’s nothing you can do to stop them.
T: Yeah! Unless you switch them off, there’s nothing you can do! Oh, sorry.
PC: You fool! No matter, she’ll have to get through me first.
T: Boss …
PC: You don’t have it in you, little girl. Do you really think that someone like you can take on someone like me and win?
T: Boss …
PC: You’ll never stop Operation Stopwatch. Ha! I mean, you’re nothing but a child.
T: Boss!
PC: What is it, Thrace?
T: Weren’t there two of them?
PC: Ah.

E: That’s right. There were. And I’ve found the last grenade.
PC: What? Quick, Thrace – pass me the remote detonator.
T: Here, boss.
PC: Why isn’t anything happening?
T: I think they found the off switch, boss.
K: That’s right. So, your plan is ruined and you’ll never be able to rule Scotland!
PC: Ha! You think this was the only part of my plan? I have plenty of other ways to take my rightful place as ruler. Just you wait and see. Thrace, pass me the thunder wobbler.
T: Not the … thunder wobbler!
PC: Yes! The thunder wobbler!
T: If you’re sure …
PC: Let’s see how these pesky boys cope with this! Come on, Thrace. Let’s leave these two to perish.
T: Good plan, boss.
PC: So long! Enjoy your final moments …

K: Well, we stopped the ice from melting but I think we’ve got a new problem.
E: What is it?
K: It looks like a big stick. Can you feel that? It feels like a very small earthquake.
E: Quick! Ask SUSIE.
K: SUSIE, what’s a thunder wobbler?
S: Oh dear. Oh my. The thunder wobbler is a device that sends vibrations and shockwaves deep into the earth. If you don’t stop it, the ice sheet could split and cause a catastrophic avalanche.
E: What are we going to do?
K: I’ve got an idea, but it might not work.
E: What?
K: We could use one of Professor Curran’s grenades to blow the machine up.
E: How? We haven’t got the remote.
S: I think I have a plan that might work.
K: Quick, SUSIE. The rumblings are getting stronger.
S: If you open up the grenade, you’ll find a ‘Detonate Now’ button. If you press that, you won’t need a remote.
K: But we’ll be detonated with it!
S: I didn’t say it was a perfect plan …
K: What if we time travelled out of here at exactly the same time as we detonate the grenade? We might just make it away from the blast!
S: That could work.
K: It’s our only option. Otherwise, we’ll get buried under the ice for thousands of years!
E: Ok, let’s do it.
K: Look, there’s the button. Ready?
E: Ready!
K: SUSIE?
S: Ready!
K: Here goes nothing!

E: Um … Kyla?
K: Yeah?
E: Where are we?
K: I don’t know. SUSIE, why aren’t we home?
S: This is the next destination that was programmed into the Professor’s time travel plans.
K: So, where are we?
S: Cromarty, a small town about 24 miles north of Inverness.
K: Ah, phew! At least I’ve heard of it.
S: In 1819 …
K and E: What?!

S: Ah, hello there. This is SUSIE here. That stands for Supremely Upgraded Subspace Information Engine, but all my friends just call me SUSIE. I need some help. For some reason, every time we make a jump to the Professor’s next destination, I lose some parts of my memory bank. It would be most helpful to Kyla, Eden and myself if you wouldn’t mind filling them in. It’s really easy – all you need to do is answer the following questions.

Question 1 – What size was the glacier that formed Glencoe? Was it:
a) 5km
b) 12km
or c) 25km

Question 2 – What is an ice age? Is it:
a) a long period of time where the temperature of the Earth is much cooler
b) a short period of time where the temperature of the Earth is much warmer
or c) the legal age for buying ice in shops

Last question now – When did the settlers first make their homes in Scotland? Was it:
a) approximately 12,000 years ago
b) approximately 450 million years ago
or c) 25 years ago

Thank you so much for helping me keep my system online. It means that I can help Kyla and Eden as they try to stop that dastardly Professor Curran.
I’ll see you next time!

Transcript

6 voices: Eden [E]; Kyla [K]; Professor Curran [PC]; Thrace [T]; SUSIE [S]; Hugh Miller [H]

Previously on Timesliders:

S: You are currently in the part of Scotland known as the Highlands, more specifically Glencoe.
K: What? I’ve been to Glencoe and it doesn’t look anything like this. What’s happened to it?
S: The glen has not been formed as we have arrived in a time period pre-dating the melting of the glaciers.
K and E: What?!
S: This is the first stop on Professor Curran’s Operation Stopwatch.
K: So, when are we?
S: That’s a much better question. About 10,000 BC. I can’t be more precise, I’m afraid.
PC: You’re in the Highlands.
T: It doesn’t look like the Highlands to me.
PC: That’s because it hasn’t been formed yet. We have arrived in about 10,000 BC, just as all this ice is starting to melt. When it’s finished, in a few thousand years’ time, it will leave what you and I know as Glencoe.
T: [shivering] Oh. So why are we here then?
PC: Because, my pea-brained sidekick, I don’t want the ice to melt slowly. I want it to melt quickly. Now, come along. We’ve got to set off the thermo grenades at key points in the glacier.
S: I suspect that the Professor is trying to use the ice of the glacier to cause a flood.
PC: Ugh, that’s all I need. Meddling children getting in my way. You’re too late. The devices have all been planted and there’s nothing you can do to stop them.
T: Yeah! Unless you switch them off, there’s nothing you can do! Oh, sorry.
E: Um … Kyla?
K: Yeah?
E: Where are we?
K: I don’t know. SUSIE, why aren’t we home?
S: This is the next destination that was programmed into the Professor’s time travel plans.
K: So, where are we?
S: Cromarty, a small town about 24 miles north of Inverness.
K: Ah, phew! At least I’ve heard of it.
S: In 1819 …
K and E: What?!

And now, on Timesliders:

K: Eden, we have to stay hidden. We’re going to stick out like sore thumbs looking like this.
E: I just want to go home, Kyla!
K: I know, but we can’t. We’ve got to find out what the Professor and Thrace are up to and stop them before they have the chance to do any damage.
E: So, what are we doing here then?
K: I’m not sure. Let’s ask SUSIE. SUSIE, tell us about Cromarty.
S: Cromarty is a port town that first appeared in historical records in the 1200s and was once protected by a castle. It has a rich and varied history, including trading with Norway, Sweden, Holland, Portugal and even the Mediterranean. Fishing was also incredibly important to Cromarty, particularly in the 19th century.
K: That’s all very interesting, SUSIE, but why are we here? What could the Professor want with Cromarty?
S: I’m sorry but that information is not listed in my data banks.
K: Well, we must be here for some reason. The Professor wouldn’t just travel back in time to Cromarty for no reason. Come on, Eden – let’s have a look around.
E: Ok, but what if we get spotted?
K: Don’t worry. I’ve got an idea!

T: Eh, boss. These clothes are a bit weird, and they’re really itchy.
PC: They’re not meant to be comfortable, Thrace; they’re meant to help us blend in.
T: Oh, I see. So, where are we then, boss?
PC: I doubt you’d recognise the name of the place, even if I did tell you.
T: Try me.
PC: Oh, fine. We’re in a place called Cromarty.
T: Oooh, wow! Cromarty? Excellent! Really pleased to be here. I always wanted to visit.
PC: You’ve no idea where that is, do you?
T: Nope. Is it in Scotland?
PC: Of course it’s in Scotland, you fool.
T: Oh right, so, why are we here then, boss? And why do I have to wear these itchy clothes to blend in?
PC: We’re here, Thrace, to cause a ‘little accident’ at one of the stonemason’s yards.
T: Oh right, yeah, of course. Why?
PC: Tell me, Thrace – have you ever heard of Hugh Miller?
T: Uh, nope.
PC: Didn’t you go to school, stupid?
T: I certainly did, and I came back stupid as well.
PC: Why does that not surprise me? Hugh Miller is one of Scotland’s most important heroes and was an excellent geologist and writer.
T: Oh! Wow! Boss?
PC: What is it, Thrace?
T: What’s a ge … geo … geolo … a golologist?
PC: Do you mean a geologist?
T: Aye! What’s one of them?
PC: A geologist is a special kind of scientist who studies rocks. High Miller was a geologist, and his work was some of the most important of its time.
T: So, he’s a very important chap then?
PC: Very important!
T: So, we’ll want to look after him?
PC: No, Thrace! Do you remember that little accident I was talking about, in the stonemason’s yard?
T: Yes …
PC: Well, Hugh Miller is going to be a very important part of that accident.
T: Oh right … oh! Right!

E: Great job finding these clothes to wear, Kyla. We don’t look out of place at all now. They are very itchy though …
K: Stop your whining! We’ve got to try and work out why we’re here. Why would the Professor want to be in Cromarty in 1819? We must be missing something.
E: Maybe it’s not about the place …
K: What do you mean?
E: Maybe it’s about something that happened here, or somebody who lived here?
K: That’s not a bad idea. Let’s see if SUSIE can help us get to the bottom of it. SUSIE, is there anyone important living in Cromarty in 1819?
S: Searching my memory banks … one name does appear. I should have seen it before.
E: Who is it?
S: Hugh Miller.
K: Who’s that?
S: Hugh Miller was one of the great Scots of the 19th century. He was a fossil-hunter, writer, stonemason and geologist, and his works were ground-breaking. He was born in Cromarty in 1802 in a house that had been built by his great-grandfather, who was a pirate!
K and E: A pirate?!
S: That’s right, a pirate. The Hugh Miller Birthplace is still standing in the 21st century; there’s even a museum dedicated to his life and works.
K: I’m sure we’ve read about him at school.
S: I would think so. He is a very important part of Scotland’s history, and he discovered a large number of fossils. In fact, there is a group of fossils found all over the world named after Hugh Miller, meaning that he’s not just important to Scotland but the entire world.
E: Hugh Miller must be why the Professor and Thrace are here. They must be planning to do something awful to him, to stop him becoming so important.
K: Right, we need to find Hugh Miller. Where do we start?
S: Well, if we’re wanting to find him, we must figure out how old he is.
K: What year is it again?
E: 1819.
S: Correct.
K: And when was Hugh Miller born?
E: Oh! Oh! I know this one! Oh, don’t tell me! Don’t tell me … um … 1802!
S: Correct again.
K: So, how old would that make him?
E: Well, if he was born in 1802 and it’s 1819 now … that would mean he’s 17.
S: Well done. That is some very fast maths. Hugh Miller is currently 17 years old. Right, let me have a look in the memory bank and I’ll see if I can find anything that might tell us where he is. Got something!
K and E: Yes!
S: At the age of 17, Hugh Miller started working in a local quarry as an apprentice stonemason.
K: Quick, SUSIE, we need directions. We’ve got to get there before the Professor does.

T: Wow! Look at all these people working in the quarry.
PC: Yes, they’re like ants. And do you know what we do with ants, Thrace?
T: Feed them jam and give them cuddles?
PC: No, you fool! We crush them.
T: Oh! Well, that’s not very nice.
PC: We’re not here to be nice, Thrace; we’re here to change the course of history.
T: Oh yeah! I remember.
PC: If you had a brain, you’d be dangerous.
T: Thanks, boss?
PC: Now, have you got the plans for my remarkable contraption?
T: I have. But boss …
PC: Yes, Thrace?
T: I’m not sure I really understand them.
PC: Oh, for goodness’ sake, Thrace. It could not be simpler. This rope attaches to that lever. That pulls on that weight. That then moves this pulley. Then that rope pulls on that pulley and fires that lever into that position there. Then Hugh Miller comes along, trips on that wire, and then that pulls this cord, that then catapults him into space, never to be seen or heard from again! Got it?
T: I think so. That rope fits into that lever thing. Some sort of spaceship fires another rope and … I’ll work it out.
PC: You’d better, because if you don’t, you’ll be the one being catapulted into space, never to be seen or heard from again. And we wouldn’t want that now, would we?
T: No, we certainly wouldn’t!

K: This is hopeless! We’re never going to find him among all these people. We don’t even know what he looks like.
E: Didn’t they have cameras in 1819?
K: Don’t be silly, of course not.
E: Well, how are we going to find him?
K: Hang on, maybe SUSIE can help. SUSIE, do you have any idea what Hugh Miller looked like?
S: I’ve got one or two pictures in my memory banks as well as a description. He was about 6ft tall, with red hair and large, mutton-chop whiskers.
E: What do they look like?
S: Like this!
K: Ah, I see. Right, well, 6ft is quite tall, so be on the lookout, Eden.
E: Kyla!
K: What?
E: I think we’re too late! Look!
K: Oh no! It’s the Professor and Thrace.
E: And they’re building something! This can’t be good.
K: Quick, Eden – let’s get over there.

PC: Thrace! Thraaaaaaaaaaaace!
T: Yes, boss.
PC: How long until my supremely brilliant contraption is ready?
T: Very nearly, boss. I’ve just got to put that rope in there, and then pull that lever there, and we’re good to go.
K: Not so fast! We know what you’re up to, and we won’t let you hurt Hugh Miller.
PC: Argh! Not you two again.
T: Don’t worry! We’re not going to hurt Hugh Miller.
E: You’re not?
T: No, we’re just sending him on a trip.
PC: Yes, forever! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!
T: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
PC: Thrace?
T: Yes, boss?
PC: How many times have I told you that I am the only one allowed to do the evil villain laugh?
T: Sorry.
PC: So, you think you can thwart my plans for a second time? I don’t think so. Thrace!
T: Yes, boss.
PC: Get them!
K: Quick, Eden, run!

K: SUSIE, what do the Professor and Thrace plan to do?
S: Well, from searching my memory banks I can tell you that the contraption that the Professor has invented is designed to catapult Hugh Miller off the face of the planet and remove him and his work from history.
E: We can’t let them do that! Hugh Miller is one of the most important people in Scottish history.
S: He certainly is. I think I might have an idea. All you need to do is lure the Professor and Thrace into their own trap, then one of you pulls that big lever over there, then they’ll be the ones catapulted off the face of the planet.
K: Great plan, SUSIE. I’m on it. Eden, wait!

E: Hey! You two!
PC and T: What?
K: Over here!
PC: After the little oik!
T: On it, boss!

PC: I have you now. No more meddling for you.
T: Yeah!
PC: Shut up, Thrace.
T: Sorry, boss.
E: Kyla, now!
T: Um, boss … !
PC: What is it, Thrace?
T: Hold on to your hats!
K: Eden! Look out!
E: What? Oh no!

K: Red hair, mutton-chop whiskers, 6ft tall, you’re … you’re Hugh Miller!
H: Aye. And who might you be?
E: Well, I’m …
K: No-one important! Thank you for your help.
H: Make a right use of your eyes in future.
K: Will do. Thanks!
E: What did you do that for?
K: Well, what were you going to say to him? Hi, my name’s Eden and I’m a time traveller here to save your life?
E: Well … maybe?
K: You can’t! Don’t you know anything about time travel? Anything we do in the past could be really bad for the future. That’s the very thing we’re trying to stop the Professor from doing.
E: Ok, you’re right. I wonder what will happen to the Professor and Thrace?

PC and T: Aaaaaarrrrrrrgggghhh.
T: Professor!
PC: What is it, Thrace?
T: Would now be a good time to use our time devices?
PC: Yes, Thrace, it would!
T: Alright, I’ll press the button, shall I?
PC: If you wouldn’t mind!
T: On it now, boss!

S: Hello! Um, I’ve got some good news and some bad news.
E: What’s the good news?
S: Well, the good news is you saved Hugh Miller and his work for the future generations of Scotland.
K: What’s the bad news?
S: You’re about to time slide again.
E: What? Where are we going this time?
S: Well, if my calculations are correct, and they usually are, then we will be heading not too far away – over to Brodie Castle.
K: Will we be any closer to our time?
S: Of that, I’m not quite sure.
E: Uh oh, here we go!

S: Ah, hello there. SUSIE here. Once again, I’ve lost a few pieces of key information in my memory banks, and I need you to help me fill them in. Ok, here we go.

Question 1 – What is a geologist? Is it:
a) a scientist that studies rocks and fossils
b) someone who studies geometry and maths
or c) someone who flies into space

Question 2 – How old was Hugh Miller in 1819? Was he:
a) 37
b) 27
or c) 17

Last question now – What did Hugh Miller discover lots of? Was it:
a) fossils
b) fish
or c) flowers

Thank you so much for helping me keep my systems online. It means that I can help Kyla and Eden as they try to stop that dastardly Professor Curran.
I’ll see you next time!

Transcript

6 voices: Eden [E]; Kyla [K]; Professor Curran [PC]; Thrace [T]; SUSIE [S]; Painting lady [P]

Previously on Timesliders:

E: That’s all very interesting, SUSIE, but why are we here? What could the Professor want with Cromarty?
PC: Tell me, Thrace – have you ever heard of Hugh Miller?
T: Um, nope.
PC: Didn’t you go to school, stupid?
T: I certainly did. And I came back stupid as well.
PC: Oh, why does that not surprise me? Hugh Miller is one of Scotland’s most important heroes and was an excellent geologist and writer.
T: Oh! Wow!
PC: Thrace! Thraaaaaaaace!
T: Yes, boss?
PC: How long until my supremely brilliant contraption is ready?
T: Very nearly, boss. I’ve just got to put that rope in there and then pull that lever there, and we’re good to go.
K: Not so fast! We know what you’re up to and we won’t let you hurt Hugh Miller.
PC: Argh, not you two again!
K: SUSIE, what do the Professor and Thrace plan to do?
S: Well, from searching my memory banks I can tell you the contraption that the Professor has invented is designed to catapult Hugh Miller off the face of the planet, and remove him and his work from history.
K: We can’t let them do that! Hugh Miller is one of the most important people in Scottish history.
S: He certainly is. I think I might have an idea. I’ve got some good news and some bad news.
K: What’s the good news?
S: Well, the good news is that you saved Hugh Miller and his work for the future generations of Scotland.
E: What’s the bad news?
S: You’re about to time slide again.
K: What? Where are we going this time?
S: Well, if my calculations are correct and they usually are, then we’ll be heading not too far away – over to Brodie Castle.
K: Will we be any closer to our time?
S: Of that, I’m not quite sure.
E: Uh oh – here we go …

And now, on Timesliders:

T: Aaaaarrrrrrrgggghhhhh …
PC: Thrace! Will you be quiet?
T: Sorry, boss – I’m never going to get used to this time travelling thing.
PC: Well, you’re going to have to because we’ve got a lot of work to do, and it involves doing a lot of time travelling.
T: Great …
PC: What was that?
T: Nothing!
PC: That’s what I thought. Right, follow me, oh ye of little brain.

E: I really like that!
K: What?
E: It’s just like a rollercoaster.
K: I’d rather be on a rollercoaster than travelling through time. So, this is Brodie Castle?
S: This is indeed Brodie Castle. However, there is a small problem.
K: What kind of problem?
S: We don’t seem to have arrived in any particular time.
E: What? What do you mean?
S: I’m not entirely sure. We are in Brodie Castle, but I can’t tell you when we are. It’s almost as if we’re not here in any particular time period.
K: I don’t understand. Is there something wrong with your system?
S: Maybe. I shall run a few tests and make sure. I’ll be powering down for a bit. See you later.
K: Bye! It’s so quiet, Eden. I don’t like it.
E: Me either. Look at all these paintings. They look really old.
K: Come on.
E: Where are we going?
K: Well, if we’re here, it means that the Professor and Thrace can’t be too far away.
E: And if they’re here …
K: … it means they’re up to no good! Come on. This way.

T: So, what’s the plan then, boss?
PC: It’s perfect in every way. You see, Thrace, I’m a bit of a collector. Do you like my paintings on the walls?
T: Um, yeah. Really … well painted.
PC: Look closer.
T: Ok. Argh! What was that?
PC: That was one of the people I’ve trapped in my paintings. Brilliant, isn’t it?
T: It’s scary.
PC: Oh, pull yourself together.
T: So, why have you trapped people in the paintings?
PC: Well, I needed a way of getting rid of key people throughout Scotland’s history … without drawing attention.
T: Ha ha! Ha ha! That’s very good! Very funny, boss!
PC: What on earth are you laughing at, Thrace?
T: Your joke!
PC: What joke?
T: ‘without drawing attention’! Ha ha! Very funny!
PC: Oh, shut up, Thrace.
T: Sorry, boss.
PC: The point is that I have managed to get rid of some of history’s most influential Scots men and women, and I’ve trapped them here. And the best thing is by being here, they will never have existed, so no one will miss them.
T: What?
PC: Let me explain.

S: Right, I’ve got to the bottom of when we are.
K: Great. When are we?
S: We’re not.
K: What?
S: We have entered what is known as a time pocket, which means we don’t exist in time.
E: That’s really silly.
S: I know. To put it simply, anything that exists here doesn’t exist anywhere else.
E: Why would the Professor want to be somewhere where nothing exists?
S: That is a very good question. I believe it may have something to do with all the other people here.
K: What other people?
S: Well, according to my information, there are ten people in this room as well as you two.
K: But there isn’t! It’s just us.
E: What if there are ghosts?!
K: Don’t be silly.
E: Well, alright – what’s your bright idea then?
K: Um … well … oh … I don’t know. Eden, how many paintings are there on the wall?
E: Um, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 … 10!
K: It couldn’t be … let’s ask them. Excuse me! Is anyone in there? Helloooo!
P: Hello?
K and E: Argh!
P: Oh, hello. Sorry to have scared you. It’s just been such a long time since I’ve spoken to anyone. I thought I was going to be trapped in here forever.
K: How on earth did you get trapped in a painting? How long have you been in there for?
P: I can’t remember. But that strange Professor Curran had me locked up in here and I’ve not been able to get out. The same goes for all the others. Isn’t that right?
Lots of voices: Yes! Yes! Yes! Aye! Locked up for centuries! Aye! Yes!
E: How is that possible?
S: I think I might be able to answer that. The Professor has managed to trap these people here in a timeless place so that they no longer exist. Read one of the paintings.
K: Robert the Bruce, 1310. Never heard of him.
P: Never heard of Robert the Bruce, King of the Scots? Bannockburn?
K: Nope.
S: That’s because with him trapped here, none of it ever happened – just as the Professor planned.
E: Well, what can we do?
P: The Professor uses some sort of device to trap us. You’ll need to get the device and figure out how it works to set us free.
S: Easier said than done, I’m afraid. We’ve got a slight problem.
E: What is it?
S: I can sense another time device starting up.
K: That means that the Professor and Thrace are nearby. Quick! We’ve got to find them.

PC: And remember, Thrace – you’ve got to trap them using this device. Don’t get this wrong because if you do …
T: I know, I know. You’ll hang me upside down by my ears.
PC: That’s right. Now, off you go.
E: Wait! Stop.
PC: Urgh, not you two again. Can’t you just get lost or something?
E: We’re here to free all the people you’ve got trapped.
PC: And how are you going to do that? You’ll need the device for that, and Thrace was just about to leave, weren’t you, Thrace?
T: I certainly was. Off I go! Bye!
K: No!
PC: And as for you two … I think I’ll just leave you here. Don’t worry, you’ll be back in no time. Ha ha ha ha ha! Get it? No time! Ha ha ha! Because there is no time here. Ha ha ha ha ha! Why aren’t you laughing?
E: Errrr … because you’re not very funny?
PC: Well, maybe you’ll have time to find a sense of humour whilst we’re gone. See you later, losers!

E: Oh, what are we going to do?
K: We need to find out where they’ve gone, get the trapping device off them and then free everyone from these paintings. SUSIE, where have they gone to, and can you take us there?
S: I’ll answer your last question first: no.
K: Why not?
S: Because I don’t know where they’ve gone.
K: What are we going to do?
E: We have to figure out where they’ve gone to and then get SUSIE to follow them there.
K: How do we do that?
E: I’m not sure. Think. How can we figure out where they’ve gone? Ummmm, I think I’ve got an idea!
K: Quick then! What is it?
E: SUSIE, how many people are in this room, apart from Kyla and me?
S: My systems say there are 15 people in the room.
E: Quick! Count the paintings.
K: Um, 5, 10, 15, 16 – there are 16 pictures, which means one of them doesn’t have someone trapped inside. Look for the one that’s not moving. I found it! It’s this one.
E: How do you know?
K: Well, it’s the only one not moving and I know the person in the painting. And if I know them and you know them, they’ve not been trapped yet!
E: Who is it?
K: Look!
K and E: Mary, Queen of Scots, 1563.
S: I may have some information that could help.
E: What is it, SUSIE?
S: According to my memory banks, Mary, Queen of Scots was staying at Falkland Palace in 1563. I suspect that’s where the Professor and Thrace are on their way to now.
K: Can you get us there, SUSIE?
S: I can, but it won’t be easy to stop the pair of them.
E: We’ve got to try.
S: Ok, I shall set the co-ordinates. Hold on!
P: Good luck! Please hurry back – we’ve been trapped here for so long.
E: We’ll do our best!
S: Ready?
K and E: Ready!
S: Here we go.

E: Wow! Look at this place. It’s amazing!
K: SUSIE, did we arrive in the right time?
S: We certainly did. Falkland Palace, 1563.
E: Have the Professor and Thrace arrived?
S: Yes, my systems show that they are already here.
K: We’ve got to stop them before they trap another historical figure.
E: So, what do we do?
K: That’s simple. We find Mary, Queen of Scots.

S: SUSIE here. I’ve not lost any information this time, but you could help me prepare for the next bit of this adventure. We’ve got to find Mary, Queen of Scots before the Professor and Thrace trap her in a painting forever and remove her from history. I know that she’s here somewhere, but Falkland Palace is quite a big place, and I could do with some clues to start looking for her.
See if you can find out what Mary, Queen of Scots enjoyed doing whilst she was at the palace. That will be an excellent place to start.
See you soon!

Transcript

6 voices: Eden [E]; Kyla [K]; Professor Curran [PC]; Thrace [T]; SUSIE [S]: Painting lady [P]

Previously on Timesliders:

K: I’d rather be on a rollercoaster than travelling through time. So, this is Brodie Castle?
S: This is indeed Brodie Castle. However, there is a small problem.
E: What kind of problem?
S: We don’t seem to have arrived in any particular time.
K: What? What do you mean?
S: I’m not entirely sure. We are in Brodie Castle but I can’t tell you when we are. It’s almost as if we’re not here in any particular time period.
E: Excuse me! Is anyone in there? Hellllooooo?
P: Hello?
K and E: Arrgh!
P: Oh hello, sorry to have scared you. It’s just been such a long time since I’ve spoken to anyone. I thought I was going to be trapped in here forever.
K: How on earth did you get trapped in a painting?
S: We have entered what is known as a time pocket, which means we don’t exist in time. To put it simply, anything that exists here doesn’t exist anywhere else.
PC: Oh, shut up, Thrace.
T: Sorry, boss.
PC: The point is that I have managed to get rid of some of history’s most influential Scots men and women and I’ve trapped them here. And the best thing is, by being here they will never have existed, so no one will miss them.
K: We’ve got to stop them before they trap another historical figure.
E: So, what do we do?
K: That’s simple – we find Mary, Queen of Scots.

And now, on Timesliders:

K: This place is amazing. Look at those hills over there!
S: Those are the Lomond hills – quite spectacular.
K: And as nice as this is, we can’t spend all day looking around the gardens. We need to find Mary, Queen of Scots before the Professor and Thrace do.
S: Quite right. Now, I did get some help with tracking down the queen. She was a big fan of hunting, falconry and royal tennis.
E: What’s royal tennis?
S: Royal tennis – or real tennis as it is also known – is the original form of tennis that was played indoors. It’s fairly similar to the tennis that we play in modern times, but the rules are more complicated. It was incredibly popular during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the court is still at Falkland Palace, back in the 21st century.
K: Well, let’s start there then.

PC: Right, Thrace. Your only job is to find Mary, Queen of Scots and use the trapping device on her. I’ll handle those two pesky children and make sure they don’t interfere with our plans again. Got it?
T: Got it, boss. Ooh, boss?
PC: What is it, Thrace?
T: How will I know who Mary, Queen of Scots is?
PC: She’s the queen.
T: Yeah, but what does the queen look like?
PC: Well, queenly!
T: Right! Ummmmm …
PC: Look, Thrace. You’ll know when you see the queen because she will be surrounded by guards, and lots of people, and she’ll look like the most important person in the room. Just use your brain.
T: Right.
PC: On second thoughts, don’t use your brain – we haven’t got enough time to get it started.
T: Good call, boss.
PC: Look, all you need to do is look for the person who looks like a queen. Then, use the trapping device on her.
T: Righto.

K: Can’t see her anywhere, can you?
E: No, but then I don’t really know what Mary, Queen of Scots looked like.
S: Maybe I can help. According to historical record, she was very tall and very beautiful. Here are a couple of pictures I found in my memory banks.
K: Thanks SUSIE, that’s great. Can you see anyone here that looks like that?
E: Nope!
K: Come on, we’ve got to find her. Time’s running out.

T: Oh! Hi, boss. Queen Mary! Queenie! Oooh, boss, sorry! Um, how are you doing?
PC: Urgh, I can’t find those annoying brats anywhere. What about you? Have you found the queen yet?
T: Nope, I can’t find her at all. Falkland Palace is a pretty big place, you know. She could be anywhere.
PC: Well, you’d better find her soon or you know what will happen.
T: We’ll go back home, have a nice cup of hot chocolate and watch TV!
PC: No, you fool! I’ll be putting you in one of those paintings. Now, get on with it.
T: [gulps] Righto, boss.

K: Look, Eden! Up there. What’s that?
E: That’s a hawk. Didn’t SUSIE say the queen enjoyed falconry?
S: I certainly did. It was one of her favourite hobbies.
E: What’s falconry?
S: Falconry is the use of trained birds of prey for hunting. It was very popular at the time of Queen Mary’s reign and is still practised in the 21st century.
E: So, the birds are trained to hunt for food?
S: That’s right. Queen Mary was said to be quite good at it.
E: Look, the bird is landing. Kyla, I think that’s her!
K: Quick! Let’s get over there. That’s definitely her, which means that the Professor and Thrace haven’t got to her yet.
E: Excellent. There’s still time. We have to warn her.
K: No! We can’t. Remember, we can’t affect the past. We have to try and find Thrace and the Professor. I’ve got a plan. You stay here and keep an eye on the queen, but keep your distance. If Thrace or the Professor get anywhere near her, stop them! I’ll go and see if I can find them and get that trapping device.
E: Ok. Be careful!

T: Queen Mary! Hellooooo? Queenie? Has anybody seen a queen of Scotland wandering about? This is no good. How am I ever going to find a queen in this place? It’s huge! Arrrghghgh!
K: Argh! You! What are you doing here?
T: Ur, nothing.
K: I know who you’re looking for.
T: What?! I’m not looking for anyone. I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m certainly not looking for a queen of Scotland …
K: Ha! Got you!
T: What? Who said queen of Scotland?! I didn’t!
K: Yes, you did.
T: I’m so confused.
K: Well, you can forget it. I know what you’re planning to do and we’re not going to let you.
T: What am I planning to do then?
K: You’re planning to kidnap Mary, Queen of Scots and trap her in one of those paintings in that timeless place, so that the world forgets who she is.
T: Yep, that’s pretty much it. Oh! I mean, no! That’s not it at all.
K: Oh really?
T: Yes really.
K: Look!
T: Where?
K: Over there.
T: What? Come back here.
K: See ya later!

PC: Thrace! Thraaaaaace! Where are you?
T: Oh, hi boss. You didn’t see Kyla run this way, did you?
PC: No, I didn’t see Kyla running this way. Why would … Thrace?
T: Yes, boss?
PC: Where is the trapping device?
T: Well, it’s a bit of a funny story, boss.
PC: Oh really?
T: Well, not so much funny but it is a story.
PC: Thrace! Tell me what’s happened immediately.
T: Um, well, the thing is, you see, what I was trying to do, it’s all a bit complicated. Now, don’t get mad but the thing is … this is the thing …
PC: Thrace!
T: Kyla got the trapping device!
PC: What? Where are those children?
T: I don’t know.
PC: Well, find them, you fool.

K: I got it! I got the trapping device. We’ve got to work out how to use this to free all of those other people trapped in those paintings.
E: I wouldn’t even know where to start.
S: I might, but I think we might want to get out of here first.
E: Why?
S: Because of them!
K: Ok, SUSIE, get us out of here!
S: No problem. Hold on.

PC: No! No, no, no no … quick, Thrace – after them!
T: What?
PC: We need to follow them. Where’s the time device?
T: Oh well, another funny story … I think I dropped it in the palace when we bumped into each other.
PC: Thraaaaaace!

K: Phew! That was close.
E: Thank goodness Queen Mary is safe.
K: Ok, let’s have a look at this thing.
S: It should be fairly simple. If the Professor designed the device for Thrace to use, then anyone can use it.
K: I think I’ve got it.
E: Quick, let’s try it out.
K: What happened?
E: Where did it go?
S: Ah. I have good news and bad.
K: Oh dear. Give us the good news first.
S: Well, the good news is that the person in the painting has been returned to the timeline.
E: Well, that’s great!
S: Yes, but unfortunately they are still trapped in the painting.
K and E: What?!
S: Yes, it’s been returned to the timeline and has gone back to Brodie Castle, but the person in the painting is still trapped inside. Oh, one more piece of bad news, I’m afraid.
K: What is it?
S: I think the Professor and Thrace are about to arrive.
E: Oh, what shall we do?
K: We’ll have to send all the paintings back and then deal with them in our own timeline.
S: That’s a great idea. I think I’ve got just the people to help us out with that.
K: Right, come on. We’ve got to get these guys back to the timeline before the Professor and Thrace get here.

PC: No! What are you doing? Stop it immediately.
E: We’re setting them all free and there’s nothing you can do about it.
PC: Thrace! Stop them!
T: How?
PC: Do anything.
T: Righto, boss.
E: We’ve nearly got them all. Just one more. Robert the Bruce!
K: Well, whoever you are, you’ll be back in the right timeline soon.
PC: No! You pesky brats have ruined my plans for the last time. Thrace!
T: Yes, boss?
PC: Fetch me the self-destruct button.
T: Are you sure?
PC: Yes.
T: Ok.
PC: Not only am I going to destroy this timeless place, but I’m going to destroy you two with it.
E: SUSIE?
S: Yes, Eden?
E: I think it’s time to get out of here!
S: I think you’re quite right.

K: Phew. That was close. SUSIE, where are we now?
S: Well, according to my calculations, we have arrived in Killiecrankie on 27 July 1689.
E: Why are we here?
S: I would assume that it is something to do with the Battle of Killiecrankie, fought between the Jacobites and the Redcoats. I can only imagine what trouble the Professor and Thrace are causing.
K: Well, we’ll have to find them and stop them.
S: Of course.
E: But what are we going to do about the paintings?
S: Well, the most important thing is that they are back in the right timeline, which means that they are where they should be.
E: Imagine being trapped in there like that. You’d be soooooo bored.
S: No need to worry about that. I think I’ve got just the people to help out with it. But for now, you will need to find somewhere to hide. This is not a safe place. Quickly now!

S: SUSIE here. Right, now the portraits of all the historical figures and characters from history are back in the right timeline. I’m going to need you to help me keep them entertained. They can be found all across Scotland, so if you see a picture coming to life at any point, make sure to say hello. You never know what adventures they might take you on!
I must go.
Kyla and Eden are going to need all the help they can get on their next adventure.
See you soon.