When the cold fusion reactor Marian is working on ends up being a time distortion machine, she finds herself in an alternate reality that resembles a steampunk world. In the process of repairing reality, she learns valuable information about her own fatal future from a handsome quantum mechanic from a future space-time. With his help, she attempts to change her future—as well as his.
"The Quantum Mechanic" is a 5000 word steampunk romance short story. It originally won Honorable Mention from the On the Premises' "Time" Competition.