Chrono Chaos: The Accidental Time Traveler

Lying to Hannibal Barca—A Beginner’s Guide to Not Dying in 218 BCE

“The secret to lying convincingly is confidence. The problem? Confidence is hard when you’re making everything up as you go.”

Dr. Viraj Mehta had survived a war camp, an impromptu medical emergency, and being introduced to Hannibal Barca—but his luck was running out fast.

Now, he was standing in one of history’s greatest minds’ war tent, trying to explain why he had appeared out of nowhere wearing strange clothes and knowing suspiciously advanced medical techniques.

Which was not a conversation he had prepared for when he woke up this morning.

Rule #1: Don’t Say ‘I’m a Time Traveler’

Hannibal studied Viraj in that sharp, calculating way that made it very clear he could see through lies instantly.

“You are a healer,” Hannibal said slowly, “but not a soldier. Not a trader. Not even a Roman. Yet you appeared out of thin air.”

Viraj forced a casual smile. “Yeah, funny story about that…”

His brain raced through his options.

1. Tell the truth. ("I’m actually from the 21st century. I time-traveled here by accident. My cat is partially responsible.") Hannibal would either kill him or assume he was insane. Neither was ideal.

2. Make up a backstory. ("I was kidnapped\, escaped\, and got lost in the desert.") Plausible\, but risky if they asked for details.

3. Deflect and stall for time.

Viraj chose Option 3.

“I’m just… a man of science,” he said vaguely. “I study the world. Medicine, stars, numbers. I was traveling with a group when I got separated.”

Hannibal’s expression didn’t change. “Which group?”

Oh. Right. He should’ve prepared for follow-up questions.

“Uh. Traders,” Viraj said quickly. “From… Egypt?”

Hannibal’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Egypt.”

Viraj smiled, hoping it looked confident instead of deeply panicked.

Rule #2: Never Underestimate Hannibal Barca’s Intelligence

Hannibal stared at him for a long moment, then suddenly switched to Greek.

Viraj barely caught the meaning—his modern knowledge of Greek was mostly from textbooks, and Ancient Greek was a whole different mess.

But the gist was clear: “If you were with Egyptian traders, you must speak Greek, yes?”

Viraj froze.

Clever. Hannibal was testing him.

Unfortunately for him, Viraj’s Greek vocabulary was limited to philosophy quotes, basic greetings, and a few words about olives for some reason.

His brain screamed for a solution.

He let out a long, exhausted sigh and switched back to Latin.

“Look,” he said, rubbing his temples. “I just spent hours fixing a man’s arm with barely any supplies. Can we play ‘interrogate the weird stranger’ later?”

Hannibal raised an eyebrow. “You avoid the question.”

“Because I’m tired,” Viraj said dramatically, leaning back on a wooden crate like he owned the place. “Do you want me to save more of your soldiers or spend the whole night proving I can name Greek philosophers?”

Hannibal smirked.

Viraj’s heart skipped a beat.

Oh no. That was not a ‘you fooled me’ smirk. That was an amused, ‘you’re interesting, so I’m keeping you alive to see what happens next’ smirk.

Which, honestly, was better than execution but also extremely concerning.

Hannibal finally leaned back. “Very well. You will stay in my camp.”

Viraj blinked. “Wait, what?”

“You are useful. A man with knowledge is an asset.” Hannibal gestured for a guard. “You will be given food and shelter. In return, you will treat the wounded and assist my scholars.”

Viraj’s stomach dropped.

He had just accidentally gotten himself a job in Hannibal’s army.

Rule #3: When in Doubt, Keep Your Mouth Shut

Viraj nodded quickly, not wanting to push his luck. “That sounds… great.”

Hannibal’s smirk widened just a fraction. “Good. I would hate to lose such an interesting mind.”

Viraj wasn’t sure whether that was a compliment or a thinly veiled threat.

Either way, he was still alive, and in a war camp filled with thousands of soldiers, that was a small victory.

Now all he had to do was:

1. Not blow his cover.

2. Not die in battle.

3. Figure out how to get back to the future.

Easy, right?