September 4, 2017 a.t.b.
Europia, Germany, Black Forest, 7:00 pm
A huge metallic pedestal around ten metres in diameter is being examined by teams of scientists in an underground chamber. This chamber was clearly artificial or at least artificially altered from a natural one by a long-lost civilisation – strange glyphs were etched into the immaculately-carved stone walls. Depicted amongst the glyphs were imagery of what seems to be humans but with fantastically advanced technology, strange reptilian humanoids, and creatures that are known to be long-extinct on Earth.
At the central portion of the pedestal is an inner raised platform around seven and a half metres across. Four obelisks, each around five metres tall, were placed on four cardinal directions on the outer rim of the inner circle. Four more obelisks, placed in four intercardinal directions and standing six metres tall, were placed on the outer rim of the pedestal. Each of the obelisks were covered in the same strange glyphs as the walls were. Nearby, just outside the outer circle a control panel seems to be present.
Large wires were connected to the platform, emerging from large power generators nearby. Tables with laptops were present around the area.
Among the researchers present was Anna Clement, a 17-year old girl with green eyes and long, fluffy lilac hair reaching down to her waist. She is one of Europia's brightest scientists, an intellectual prodigy who had even completed her schooling as early as the age of 14, and was rather pretty on top of that. She was brought in from the currently out-of-commission wZERO unit for her expertise in technology to look over the strange pedestal.
She, accompanied by her assistant Chloe Winkel, and the others were looking over the data gathered so far, presented in the laptop screens before them.
"The machinery here is very advanced.", one of the researchers said. "More advanced than what we or the Britannians have."
"It's quite fascinating…", said Anna. "I've worked on technology for a while now, and I've never seen anything like this."
"It's very old…", another researcher threw in, "radioactive dating has recovered an age of approximately 11,500 years, give or take a century. Yet it's still very much functional."
"I can see it seems to generate Einstein-Rosen bridges on activation…", said Anna as she was reading over the various experimentation results.
"We have only been able to make the wormholes last between one and ten seconds so far before they collapse.", a researcher spoke up. "We have been inducing activation by feeding it sudden pulses of electric current, and we have been attempting to decipher the control panel over there."
"There are other perplexing findings around here as well…", another scientist spoke. "We've found what seems to be a suit of armour decorated with a pair of dinosaur lower jaw bones on the shoulder pads in this chamber. The jaw bones match those of Giganotosaurus, yet carbon dating finds an age of around 14,000 years, the bones themselves aren't fossilised, and DNA could even be recovered."
"This whole site is getting stranger and stranger the more we look at it…", Anna remarked.
"Power generators prime, all systems green! Sensor arrays ready! Test # 19 is ready to commence!", one of the operators cried out.
"Ms. Clement, this is your call I believe.", an operator near her stated.
"Very well.", Anna responded. "Are the safety procedures ready? We don't want any freak accidents."
"They are, Ms. Clement.", the operator responded.
"We're ready to begin then. Start the test!", the lilac-haired lass announced.
The operators pressed the switches and began adjusting the dials controlling the power generators, starting an energy surge through the cables and into the metallic pedestal. A low humming sound began which started intensifying after a couple of seconds.
Crackling electricity arced between the tops of the obelisks as the glyphs etched on them began to glow. The humming continued to intensify.
After a few seconds more, wind began blowing from the centre of the pedestal as air was forcefully vacated, leaving a forming vacuum in the middle. However, despite this repulsive force, the sensors could pick up a small gravitational field forming in the middle.
"Localised gravitational field forming.", a researcher declared. "Spacetime warping confirmed. Formation of Einstein-Rozen bridge commencing."
A strange lensing effect began materialising in the middle, as the view around and behind the central area of the pedestal was being warped as if there was a small black hole in the area. In the middle of the warped area an intensifying glow began to emerge, with a small speck of light materialising in the centre.
This point of light expanded into a pulsating sphere that grew within the space of ten seconds until it was about 6 metres across. The 'surface' of the sphere was a warped image of what appeared to be a sandy beach.
"This is…this is simply amazing…" Anna gasped out in awe.
"Imagine if we could successfully stabilise and harness this…we would be able to rid the world of that horrible Britannia once and for all.", Chloe commented. "The power to artificially warp spacetime and create wormholes…I can only wonder what kind of civilisation created these."
The wormhole lasted for about 30 seconds before collapsing.
"Wormhole duration: 30.22 seconds.", an operator declared as data taken from the sensors began pouring out into the computer systems. "This is over three times longer than the last few tests."
"I really have to get a closer look into this wonderful device…", said Anna, still in awe at what she had just experienced.
September 5
Ashford Academy, Lamperouge Residence, 8:55 pm
Lelouch was drawing up his plans. The recently-announced Special Administrative Zone posed a threat to his continued rebellion. C.C. accompanied him in his room, lying down lazily on the bed as usual.
"So you're going to crash Euphemia's reputation to the ground and stain her hands with your blood, huh?", C.C. questioned in a bored tone.
"Yes.", Lelouch responded flatly. "The existence of the Zone gives me little other choice."
"Oh really?", C.C., responded with another question. "I think you simply are too emotional to play a longer game. You do realise the risks of your idea, do you?"
"Shut it, witch.", Lelouch responded. "Once the preparations are done, the risks should be minimal. Zero will perform this miracle and rise back."
"You're being too full of yourself, Lelouch.", C.C. stated. "Okay, say, after you've crashed her reputation, made her reviled for something she didn't do on her own accord, and effectively betrayed her for your own ambitions, who's to say that Euphemia won't kill you for real afterward in retaliation? You are giving her the gun, who's to say that she won't aim it at your head for a second shot in anger? We can't have you dying before our contract is done, after all."
"I know she won't.", Lelouch replied.
"I think you're being too naïve, despite your brilliant mind.", C.C. replied. "I've learned over my centuries of life that people can be less predictable than you think. We're dealing with humans here, not programmed machines."
Lelouch grunted, not willing to concede to the pizza witch.
"Euphemia will never forgive me…but I have to do what it takes."
September 6
Ashford Academy, 12:30 pm
Sophie Wood was sitting in a bench in the Ashford courtyard, listening to music from her iPod as she gently swayed her body side to side in accordance with her tunes. Her face bore a slight contented smile.
"Meer Clyne's songs are so good…", she thought. "They really get you lost in them..."
Sophie is a lass of 18 years with purple hair that reaches down to her chest and brown eyes. A rather friendly person, she is among the Britannians that did not agree with the country's discriminatory system, much like her roommate Shirley Fenette. She had been accused of being a sympathiser by the more prejudiced students, which wasn't wrong.
In a few minutes Rivalz Cardemonde and Milly Ashford came and sat by her, the former munching on a sandwich and the latter with a milkshake.
Rivalz, a boy with blue hair and grey eyes, was pretty much Ashford's everyman, average in most aspects. A carefree person, he wasn't exactly as concerned with the current state of events going on as others are, instead just wanting to spend time and have fun with friends.
Milly, the president of the Student Council, was a tall young woman with shoulder length blonde hair, blue eyes, and notably large breasts. The heiress of the Ashford family, she had a special love for parties, throwing them rather often in the academy.
"You know, I'm getting sick of people always talking about that Zone thing over and over again. What's the big deal?", Rivalz muttered, taking a break from his sandwich.
"Well, at least Sophie here is happy.", Milly commented before taking a sip out of her milkshake.
Sophie, taking her earphones off, replied. "Well, some nice music can really soothe your nerves."
"Better share those with Shirley sometime, that lass has been quite troubled lately.", said Milly.
"I tried, but Shirley really wasn't in the mood today.", Sophie replied.
"That's too bad, at least you tried.", said Milly. "I really wonder what is going on in Shirley's head…"
"I think it would be best to give her time.", said Sophie.
"To move to a better subject, I've found something on the internet that might be cool.", Rivalz spoke up.
"Please, go on.", said Sophie.
"Well, I've heard about…to be honest nobody has any real idea of what these are even…", said Rivalz, presenting an image from his smartphone to Sophie. It showed a sketch of a wormhole generator similar to the one found in Germany.
"There's supposed to be one of those here in Area 11.", Rivalz added. "Mt. Shinoi, that's where."
"Are you sure it's real?", Sophie questioned.
"Well, a bunch of people have been talking about some strange ruins there lately.", Milly spoke up. "Maybe we can go hiking there sometime and find out?"
"Sure. It would feel nice to stretch our legs in some cool mountain air.", Sophie replied.
Europia, Black Forest, Germany, 10:00 am
The research teams had prepared for another test in their attempts to generate a stable wormhole.
"Test #25 ready to go!", an operator reported.
"Begin the test!", Anna exclaimed.
Powering up the machine, they generated yet again another wormhole.
Thirteen seconds in, the sensors began picking up an anomaly in the wormhole data.
"Something's happening...", a researcher commented. "There seems to be mass emerging from the wormhole."
A warped, moving image materialised on the wormhole's 'surface', becoming clearer as it emerged. What came out made everyone's eyes go wide as dinner plates and their mouths agape.
They were stunned as a living nonavian dinosaur, a Monolophosaurus, emerged out of the wormhole. Its body was brown in colour with faint dark spots scattered throughout its dorsal region, with a light beige underside and face, a black spot around each of its eyes, and a bright orange head crest. Small filaments were present on the dorsal portion of its neck.
"What in the world…", Anna thought.
The Monolophosaurus looked around, seemingly lost in its new environment. After a few seconds it let out a few hisses, revealing sharp teeth behind its lips as it opened its mouth to vocalise, though there were also a few close-mouthed grumbling vocalisations from time to time. It walked cautiously through the area, the people looking at the theropod apprehensively.
The wormhole, having lasted about 44 seconds, collapsed, spooking the theropod. It let out a loud hissing cry and began running across the chamber in panic, the people trying to avoid the theropod's path.
The Monolophosaurus eventually found its way to the exit after a minute or so, and escaped into the forest.
Anna, Chloe, and the others were utterly flabbergasted and speechless at what they have just witnessed.
September 7
Area 11, Special Administrative Zone registration site, 10:00 am
It was a clear morning as masses of people formed several long lines to register for the Special Administrative Zone. The venue was in a large stadium a few kilometres from the base of Mt. Fuji. For them, this was their chance for a new, peaceful life.
Standing on an overlooking balcony was a tall young woman with long waist-length pink hair with two buns at the side, violet eyes, and wore a pink and white officer outfit. She was none other than the Third Princess Euphemia li Britannia. To her side, she was accompanied by her knight and friend, Suzaku Kururugi.
"Over 200,000 people have applied so far and the number continues to grow.", said Euphemia, "This is all thanks to you, Suzaku."
"Everyone here is rallying due to what you represent for the Japanese.", she continued, "They believe in what we are doing here."
"You're giving me too much credit, Princess." Suzaku answered. "It's due to your proclamation. I'm truly thankful to you for this, I really am."
"I'm thankful to you as well. And I hope you will help me with what's to come. That's what friends do after all.", said Euphemia.
"Yes, your highne-", Suzaku was about to say before being interrupted by Euphemia.
"No need for formalities with me, just Euphemia will do.", said the pinkette.
"Yes, Euphemia.", said Suzaku.
They continued setting up the final stages of the SAZ in preparation for the opening ceremony the next day.
Europia, Black Forest, 2:00 pm
Anna was looking over the data gleaned from the wormhole generator so far.
"We have been able to make the wormholes last up to a minute or so, but all of them end up being unstable and collapse. I see a few possible scenarios on why. There could be some components that are either missing or worn out due to the age of the machine that we have missed, ones vital to stabilising the spacetime warp fields. It is also possible that this wasn't even made to generate lasting wormholes to begin with, with it being a fancy scientific experiment rather than a practical method of transportation…", the lilac-haired girl thought. "Or maybe if we can start it up properly with the control panel it could work, but we're not making good progress with deciphering the language involved…"
"There's always the option to simply press the buttons in the control panel to see what they do…", she added, "but I think there are too many unknowns to risk it before we get a grasp on what the symbols on them mean."
"Test #29 is ready to begin!", the operator announced.
"Okay.", Anna uttered, clearing her throat. "Begin test #29!"
Powering up the generator once more, producing yet another wormhole. Feeding the machine more energy than previous tests, they generated a larger wormhole, nearly 7 metres across.
For the first ten or so seconds, it seemed to be stable. However, the sensors picked up alarming data.
"We're detecting an increasing local gravitational field!", a scientist exclaimed.
The wormhole began to pulsate, as the people in the chamber began to feel vibrations passing through them, as if they were being shoved back and forth by an invisible force.
"Gravitational waves are being generated!", the aforementioned scientist announced. The gravitational waves were intense enough to be felt by humans, albeit harmless, but weakened to insignificance after a distance – an odd, extremely localised occurrence. "Wormhole instability imminent!"
The arcs of electricity between the obelisks intensified, now looking more like lightning blasts.
Everyone in the chamber began to feel a pulling force that gradually got stronger. Loose dust and objects began to be pulled in by the wormhole, its pulsations intensifying.
"Everyone, grab on to any anchored object or exit the area!", Anna exclaimed. The people around did not need it to be repeated as they rushed to either grab a stable object or flee to the exit.
The force intensified to the extent that it caused heavy objects like tables to flip over. Anna tried to make a run for a stable object, but struggled against the pull.
The wormhole glowed with an intense light as its pulsations increased in frequency and intensity. The entire room was bathed in the blinding light as the pull sharply increased all of a sudden then vanished as the wormhole collapsed.
The glow died down as the dust settled and the machine powered down. The research staff started to recover themselves from the ordeal.
"Anna? Where are you?", Chloe cried out. "Anna? Anna?"
Anna was nowhere to be seen.
Yes, I've started another fic. I haven't abandoned my other one, of course. I just had another concept I wanted to put out, and hopefully having two projects to work on should stave off writer's block.
The concept is an 'isekai' fic, although I haven't really gotten around to the isekai part yet. A few more characters will be, well, following Anna, as to speak.