Chapter 1: Departure
The Light of Dawn. A magnificent hulk in the middle of space, full of purpose, life. It seemed out of place where it was, but then again so did every other Terran vessel that happened to be stationed in the middle of nowhere. Home to over 20,000 living humans, 10,000 of which would leave for a new purpose, this vessel was about to make universal history, though many didn't and wouldn't know they made history once they left.
On the bridge of the Light of Dawn, everyone was bustling, moving like a swarm of ants doing their job, for today the future would be decided based on their performance.
Yet one man stood unmoved, calm in a raging storm, starring out of the forward windows from his command balcony. This one man alone would decide everything, every command, every action, for he was the most important of everyone else on the ship. He was the brains of the whole operation, after all.
"Director, we are ready to proceed," called out a man from below the deck.
Direction James Godwinson turned from the view to face the man. He was a tall, thin man with hawkish features and Caucasian skin. He had sharp, hazel eyes and wore a gray military officer's uniform. Without this man's genius this whole operation would be faulted and the fate of unknown billions rested in their hands.
"Good," he said in a calm, strong voice, "then we shall proceed as planned."
The man nodded a yelled, "All hands, prep for launch." Warning alarms flared and men and women rushed to their stations. "Remember, if we fail the universe dies," the director yelled out.
He turned back and instead of seeing empty, star-filled space he saw a swirling multicolored hole the filled the viewport. This was what they were all here for.
He thought back to the 10,000 people that would embark on a new quest, 10,000 souls that would never see their homes or family again.
Meanwhile…
Alex stepped into the room filled with the other men and women from Alpha unit, about 1,000 strong. There were nine other groups ready for departure just as his group was. His group was the first and most important unit in the entire project and their progress was of the most importance. But instead of seeing regular men and women he saw many variations, from small, weak individuals to huge, gargantuan hulks.
And it wasn't just humans. He saw a huge variety of creatures he did and did not recognize. He recognized the orcs, aliens, Martians, SPARTANs, space marines, kroot, Klingons, Borg , predators, protoss, hydralisks, some comical cartoon animations, LEGO ninjas, walking fish, toys, even animals from animated movies he'd seen as a little kid, mammoths, sabre-tooths, tigers, sloths, deer, monkeys, and even dinosaurs.
"Hey, Alex!" called a four-toed, 7-foot tall, mandible creature that Alex recognized was from the Halo video game series, a Covenant Elite. He immediately recognized the voice and ran to the elite to greet him.
"Hey, Rick! Wow, you look nice. So Halo is your favorite thing in the entire world," said Alex. He remembered that every person had gone through the exact same process, but came out as the creature that represents their favorite thing in the whole world, real or not. Apparently Rick, his best friend who had also been chosen for the assignment, loved Halo.
"Yeah," replied Rick. "Hey, I see you're doing well. Damn, you look awesome. And it doesn't look like you need those glasses anymore. So your favorite thing in the whole world is the Lion King?"
"Hell, yeah. You know it's always been my favorite." It was true. The Lion King had been his favorite movie his whole life. Despite the fact it was made over 70 years ago, it was still Disney's best-selling movie in animation history and it still looked impressive on the big screen. He loved it so much he had an obsession for it, though many of his friends didn't know since he kept it a secret.
"So, you're ready to join your favorites and save the universe, now? Man I'm soooo ready for this."
"I know! I'm so ready for this."
As soon as he finished the alarms started to sound. Everyone scrambled for the launch stations.
"Well, it's time. Good luck to you, Rick."
"Good luck to you Alex."
And with one last stare, they separated and headed for their pods. Knowing they would never see each other again, they fought to hold back tears as they prepared to leave station.
Five minutes later …
He stood in the cramped pod, staring out the window, starring at the rows of other pods aligned in their drop tubes. The pods were a one-use-only pod and once they were used they would break down and turn into dust as soon as the user exited and it ran out of power.
Now prepped for drop, Alex waited for the inevitable sign that would send him out into the maelstrom just outside of the ship. He thought back to where this all started, when he was requested for the job…
Two Months Ago
He had been called from to the principal's office. For what, he wasn't sure. Did he do something wrong or was it a mistake?
Alex opened the door to find not the principal, but a man in grey military uniform, sitting behind the principal's desk. He closed the door behind him and turned to sit down to the only other chair in the room with a puzzled look on his face, not sure what to expect.
"I don't know what this is about, but I didn't do it. I didn't do anything," Alex blurted out.
"Relax, son," the man replied. "I'm not here because you're in trouble." Alex relaxed as he heard this. "My name is James Godwinson, Director of the United Nations Science and Technology Command (UNSTC) and I'm here for something completely different. I, uh, we need you for something very important."
Alex sat back, confused. "Me, but why would you need me? I'm nothing."
"That's not true. We need you because the fate of the world, the universe as a matter of fact, is at risk."
Alex leaned forward in his chair, suddenly interested at what the Director was going on about.
"I'm listening."
"You see, just two months ago our team of scientists had found, through extensive testing and research that the very fabric of the universe is collapsing. There have been numerous locations where tears are appearing. We have also found out that we can stop that by sending enough people through one of these breaches to close the gap."
"Yes, but why choose me?"
"Apparently, the only way to close the breaches is by securing and stabilizing certain objects that have manifested as various planets, lands, and locations. The locations appear as certain people's imaginations, so to speak."
"You mean like dreams?"
"Exactly. The thing, though, is that unlike dreams, these 'alternate realities' are not controllable, unlike a dream. They are, so to speak, premade."
"And you're telling me this because…" asked Alex, still slightly confused.
"Because one of those alternate realities is yours. Through constant monitoring and observation, we have found out that your imagination has taken form, as well as thousands of others." He stopped for a minute for Alex to process this information. "Alex, I am here to ask you to join me, to help save us all. Will you accept?"
He asked, "That depends, what will I have to do?"
"The only thing you will have to do is stabilize your world, which you have to figure out for yourself. We can't help you there. We can send you there, but first you will have to be examined and prepared. We will have to change you into something else."
"How will you do that?"
"We have created a substance that will change your body, transform it. This substance is made from energy that we managed to extract from the tear in space. It will have varying effects on everyone, so you may not experience the same thing as everyone else." He paused. "So, Alexander C. Scipio, will you join the cause? Will you come and help save the world?"
Alex stood and smiled. "I will."
Present Day
Alex snapped back from his trance and saw the 'Drop Imminent' sign. He remembered his life, his friends, and his family one last time. He remembered that he would also switch his name to something more usual, something more Swahili in origin. He chose Jasiri, which meant 'brave.' He hoped to be brave like his name suggested.
He suddenly felt the pod lurch as it moved into the tube. He had been ready for the last two months for this moment and now it was finally here.
He heard a countdown on the speaker. This was it, Alex though.
"Countdown commencing in ten…nine…eight…seven…six…"
Alex smiled at his old life and how it would soon be replaced.
"Five…four…three…"
And soon I will be where I belong, thought Alex.
"Two…one."
The pod jerked as the pod disengaged. He felt a sudden rush as gravity from the maelstrom pulled him. A second later the pod jets activated and he was sent spiraling. He looked out the window and saw a vast swirling mass of color engulf his pod as ran straight through the bright storm.
He soon felt nauseous as the pod continued to swirl, but he continue to look out into the mass.
He felt his eyelids get very heavy and tried to keep them open, nut it was too much effort.
It got darker… darker… darker… and...