“If I must destroy existence to have you, then know that I do so not out of love but because I am afraid to exist without you by my side.”

“For starters, I am not from this world.  No, I’m not an alien.  I’m what has been referred to as a ‘traveler’.  I have come into possession of a method to transport myself between realities.  According to my research last night in the library, this world has a similar technology.”

“Portal Corps.”

“That’s right Dusk.  The difference is this; I do not require rooms full of machinery to enable me to jump to another world.  All that I need is contained within this suit that I’m wearing.”

“That suit let’s you travel between dimensions?”

“Yes.  I can’t even begin to comprehend the science that went into its creation, but I can verify that EVERYTHING they hypothesized is true.  In fact, there are a number of things they never imagined could happen that have come about as a direct result of my wearing this suit.  I’m not going to bother you with those details, however, because it is now clear to me that we are on borrowed time.”

“This has to do with this crystal, correct?”

“Yes Azuria.  As I have told Dusk, those crystals hold a power the likes of which you could not begin to fathom.  The gem you showed me a picture of earlier could easily power this entire city for a decade once full.  The one we found down in the mine IS full, or close to it, and the energy trapped inside it could probably jump start a sun.”

“I’ve never seen anything contain so much magical energy.”

“It’s not magical energy.  Let me explain.  The crystals act as batteries, slowly absorbing excess ambient energy.  Depending on their access to such ‘loose’ energy, it can take years to fully charge even the smallest of crystals.  However, my guess is that this crystal’s proximity to the Circle of Thorns rituals allowed it to feed off of their magical energy.  Therefore, the reason you sense this crystal as magical is because of the type of energy it absorbed.  To it, energy is energy.  With the proper equipment, that crystal could easily be used for anything.”

“What were they used for back on your world?”

“The military was pretty much the sole possessor of such things, considering how valuable they are, and they used them to replace things like nuclear drives for ships and fuel cells for tanks.  In short, the military saw them only as a way to increase the strength of their arsenal.  Other organizations were rumored to be using minute samples as conductors in super computers.”

“That’s typical.”

“I agree with you Dusk, but there really wasn’t much that could be done.”

“Back in the mine, you were about to tell me of another use just before we were so rudely interrupted.”

“Yes, a scientist by the name of Dr. Donald Brantiff theorized that they were the missing piece of an equation he had been working on for years.”

“Hmm, what sort of equation?”

“Well, Azuria, have you ever heard of the Antikythera Mechanism?”

“Yes, yes I have.  According to my research, such a device existed centuries ago, but its purpose and design were never described.  All that could be understood was that it was supposedly some sort of mechanical calculator for the stars.  Beyond that, I’m at a loss.”

“Well, on my world, we actually found one.”

“Are you serious?  A discovery like that would be front page news around the world.  Everyone from scientists to mystics would kill to see one up close, but how does that fit in to what the 5^th Column is working on.”

“Dr. Brantiff theorized that the mechanism was not simply a way of pinpointing the positions of the planets.  Through his research, he was able to discover that it was in fact the key that opened the door to universe.  It was a combination lock, if you will, that properly used could allow a person or persons to travel between worlds.”

“So that’s how you’re doing it.  You have one of these Antikythera thingamajigs built into your suit.”

“No, my suit IS an Antikythera Mechanism.”

“You’re kidding!”

“No, I’m not, but there is more that you must know before you can completely understand.”

“Alright, go on.”

“The Antikythera Mechanism that was found on my world was dated to more than 2000 years old.  Brantiff believed it to be in fact only a little over a hundred.  Of course, he was labeled a lunatic, but he had his reasons.  According to him, the mechanism was aged prematurely by the forces it is subjected to when used to cross worlds.  You see, in order to travel between worlds with drastically different timelines and histories, you must first remove yourself from time itself.  You see, one year here might equal a thousand back on my world, or it may be no more than a day.”

“I thought time was constant.”

“It is, within each world.  Why do think the bible says ‘a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years are as one day’?  It is referring to this branching of time.  I have seen countless amounts of evidence to suggest that the concept of traveling between worlds is not a new one, and the crystal we found in the mine is another sure sign.”

“What do you mean?”

“Brantiff theorized that anything or anyone traveling between worlds would be subjected to the exact same forces as the Antikythera Mechanism.  Because of this, there was no telling what would happen to an unprotected individual making such a trip.  When Garrin’s discovery of these crystals went public, Brantiff realized what they might be able to do.  He figured that time, or the passage of it at least, was nothing more than another form of energy.  If this was true, then a properly rigged Garrin Crystal of sufficient size could be used to absorb this energy and protect the user.”

“And did it work?”

“Yes, otherwise I would be a pile of dust right now.”

“So how does this fit with the mine?”

“The crystal I found was inserted into the middle of a carved section of wood along one of the beams in the mine.  The carving was in a shape reminiscent of a design I would recognize as meaning ‘tree’.  It isn’t exact, but it’s close enough for me to jump to this conclusion.  That mine was used, at some point, as the focal point for an Antikytheran Gateway.”

“Is that what I think it is?”

“Yes Dusk.  An Antikytheran Gateway is what we called the temporal rip between worlds.  After speaking with Cinaed earlier, I am now quite certain that this world is no stranger to them.  In fact, he not only recognized the name, but was able to give me the name of someone that might be able to help.”

“So the crystal absorbs the energy of transport?  Then why is this one full?  Does that mean it’s been used recently?”

“I don’t believe so.  I believe it is just as I said.  The crystal was filled by the ambient magical energy of the Circle’s ceremonies.  This world has an incredible amount of magical energy pervading it.  In fact, it has the highest mana level I have ever seen.  My guess is that the crystal was able to fill much more easily and quickly because of this high level of mana.  Magical energy, as I have long since learned, is the most potent form of energy in the entire universe.”

“Okay, then why do the 5^th Column want it?”

“I don’t believe the 5^th Column actually realize what and who they are dealing with.”

“And exactly who ARE they dealing with.”

“The man Dusk and I encountered in the mine goes by the name of Casimir Hergotz.  In short, he’s a bloodthirsty tyrant that I’ve been following since day one.  He is the reason that I came to this world.”

“Does he have a suit as well?”

“No, this suit is absolutely one of a kind.  It was the only prototype, and the research that helped create it is long since gone.  My guess is that Hergotz is attempting to collect materials to help him build another gateway.  Chances are he’s using the 5^th Column only to get what he wants.  He’s probably promised them some sort of power, but knowing him, the instant he has what he wants the Column will become a liability instead of an asset.  When that happens, we will undoubtedly know about it.”

“What about the scientist that Starbuck mentioned?  Do you know him?”

“That’s a good question Dusk, but the answer is no.  I have never seen Hergotz with anyone, so it’s possible that this scientist is simply someone he found on this world with the knowledge he required.”

“You say you’ve been chasing this guy, but what did he do?  Was he some sort of criminal on your world?”

“My reasons are my own, and we will leave it at that.”

“Well, I’ve heard enough Joker.  I think you and Dusk should stick together on this, and I’ll be sure to inform the City Rep tomorrow of your work.  You’ve done quite well for yourself since you arrived here Joker, and I couldn’t think of a better person for this job.”

“I agree with Azuria, Joker, and I want you to know that I will be there to help with whatever you need.”

“Well then, perhaps you two should get some sleep, and try to start fresh in the morning.  My only question is what I should do with this crystal.”

“I’ll take care of it, Azuria.  My guess is that Hergotz is going to make another attempt on this crystal, and when he does, I’m going to be waiting for him.”

“Well Joker, I have to agree with Azuria.  I think we both need rest, especially if we are going to be taking on that friend of yours again.  You know…my place is close…”

There was that glint again, and now there was no mistaking it.  I must admit that I was intrigued, especially considering what I had seen of her talents, but the suit wasn’t exactly as easy to change as her costume apparently was.  Couple that with the fact that it had literally been centuries since my skin had felt the cool air without the benefit of sensors, and chances are I wouldn’t be as much fun as she was hoping.  Besides, if I can not give myself mind, body, and soul to a person, then I will not even begin to contemplate such a move.

“Truly, Dusk, I am flattered, and any man in his right mind would happily jump at such an offer.  Unfortunately, it has been a VERY long time since I was in my right mind, and I do not wish to spoil such a beautiful smile with my lack of ‘enthusiasm’.”

“Well, just so you know, I don’t make such an offer lightly.  In truth, my chosen path has put a severe cramp on that aspect of my life.  Despite that suit of yours, I can see that you are an honorable man, and just so you know, the offer will remain on the table.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.  If I were ever able to find a way out of this suit, perhaps I would take you up on that offer.”

“I’m sure I could get you out, but there’s no telling what shape it would be in once I did.”

Once again I made my way back to the area known as Kings Row.  My research back in the library had told me that this area was once home to a bustling textile industry that had recently fallen on hard times.  As always it was isolated from the rest of the city by the towering war walls, but unlike the other areas, it’s aging and decaying factory buildings gave it an ominous feeling.  Despite the darkness, the intermittent flashes and explosions of countless battles could be seen dancing about between the shadowy buildings.

The window of my apartment overlooked the local police station, but even here signs of crime were obvious.  I could see why the city needed its heroes.  The police force was not equipped to handle the likes of the 5^th Column or the Circle of Thorns, and the fact that they still persisted in making their rounds was truly awe inspiring.  I had seen hardened warriors cower in the face of such powerful enemies, yet here even the average citizen had courage enough to go about their daily lives despite the horrors going on all around them.

What’s the matter Joker?

“Something’s eating at the back of my mind.”

Something to do with the Garrin Crystal?

“Yes.  It doesn’t make sense that, in all our travels, this is the first one that we have encountered.  I know that these crystals are exceedingly rare, but if there is one of this size here, why has there never been one on any of the other earths?”

As you said, they are quite rare.  Perhaps it’s possible that the one we found was brought here from your world as well.

“That thought has already occurred to me, but I am supposedly the only person other than Hergotz’s team to have left our world.”

Is it possible that the gateway was rebuilt following your departure?

“No.  The facility would’ve been completely destroyed, along with the entire island.  Unless your calculations are way off base, everything within a mile of that slice of hell will be radioactive for another millennium at least.”

And all that talk about a thousand years is as a day equals what?

“A simple exaggeration to prove my point.  Don’t even begin to lecture me about the ins and outs of dimensional travel.”

I wouldn’t dream of it.  So what are you thinking?

“In my mind, there are only 2 possibilities for how that crystal got there.  One, that it has been there for centuries, and the gateway it was keyed to has been long since forgotten by this world.  The other option is that the crystal was brought from an alternate dimensional timeline; one that is similar to my own.”

We’ve technically never found another world like your own.  This is a very surprising and somewhat disturbing fact.

“I agree.  I’ve been wondering if it’s possible that the destruction of the lab somehow lead to another dimension.  It’s possible that some person may have escaped the lab’s destruction, and that individual’s death or survival is the difference between the two timelines.”

If that’s true, then this crystal could’ve come from that alternate version of your earth?

“Exactly.  If that’s true, then it’s possible that Hergotz has stumbled upon this same line of thought.”

Then you think he’s trying to reach that alternate earth?

“Possibly, but until we have more information we are only guessing.”

I get the feeling that you are still hiding something.

“Let’s just say that I have a couple questions for Cinaed’s contact.”

Then I suggest you get some sleep.  Powering down.

Sleep was the last thing I wanted at the moment.  It had been centuries since I last dreamed, but this world seemed to be bringing back a lot of old memories; memories I would prefer stayed buried.  That’s the thing about dreams.  They are never what we truly want to see, but are, more often than not, what we need to see.

******

“Who’s the soldier?”

“Nobody important.  Now, what can I do for you today Dr. Harrison?”

“I just thought I’d stop by to tell you that the PAGERS experiment was a complete success.”

“Wonderful!  I knew the damn thing would work.  What did old Irons have to say about that?”

“I wasn’t able to tell him doctor.  His office was empty, and the doors to Green Sector are on complete lockdown.”

“They’re what?!  Are they trying to reopen the gateway?  Do you know if anyone has come back?”

“Who are you again?”

“That’s not important.  Did anyone come back through the gateway?”

“I don’t know, and I don’t think I should be talking to you about it.”

“It’s okay Dr. Harrison.  Joker here was leading the protection team for Green Sector before he was unceremoniously dumped next door to me.”

“What did you do to get landed in here Joker?”

“Let’s just say I questioned the authority of the General, and he didn’t like that.  There may have been some choice words for your dear Dr. Irons as well, but I don’t exactly remember everything that happened.”

“There were rumors that the first experiment met with problems, but I…”

“Problems?!  That damned Dr. Irons shut the gateway before the team could come back through!  That bastard sentenced those people to death, and he knows it.”

“Now Joker, that’s not entirely true.  What have we talked about?”

“I know, I know, but you said that if they didn’t use your crystal theory for their return trip, that they might not survive the trip back.”

“I see you’ve been teaching again Dr. Brantiff.  How much does he know?”

“All of it.  Now, how far along are you on building the suit?”

“I’d say we need another 3 days to incorporate the results of today’s experiment.  Once that’s done, all of the theoretical work is finished.  All that’s left is to actually put someone in the thing for a test drive.  Typically that’s a job for Green Sector, but seeing as how they’ve shut the place down, I doubt we will be able to test it until they are finished with whatever it is they’re doing.”

“Dammit Joker, that’s the emergency siren.  They’re going to be locking this place down in less than 5 minutes.”

“I know that doc, so you’d best help me get this damn thing on before they get here.  I don’t want to have to kill you, but I will if it becomes necessary.”

“Listen Joker, Brantiff had a number of other theories regarding this suit’s use that you might want to hear.”

“Trust me, he told me ALL of them, at great length.”

“Alright, the suit’s locked up tight.”

“I’d suggest you start running then doc.  This base and everyone in it are going to be a pile of slag in less than 30 minutes.  I figure that gives you just enough time to clear the tunnel entrance to the mainland.”