Two cultures in two different worlds from two different realms… one has control over magic, while the other has mastery over science… now the question is, what will happen if the two realms meet. Find out in this story, a Familiar of Zero Fanfiction story, magic vs. science! A lot of OCs plus a time difference, and do not forget to review.
"Failure is not an option!"
Gene Kranz, the Flight Director of Apollo 13
Chapter 4: The Gambit
Part 1:
821st Space Intelligence Centre
Moscow:
0800 H,
January 11, 2011 AD
Iunius 27, 6077 AB
While a drama of failure and disappointment was unfolding in the area somewhere between the countries of Austria and Hungary, somewhere up in the heavens, flying at a speed faster than a bullet at an altitude of 33,000 kilometers is one of Russia's gigantic web of spy satellites. Although there are more or less forty countries with satellites zooming around in orbit, only a few of them have more than 30 in orbit above the Earth, and only countries with hundreds of them in the sky.
Only Russia, China, and the United States have more than two hundred satellites, which are still in working condition.
With a flotilla of satellites orbiting above the Earth, the Russians monitored the activities of the United States as they seek to test going to the other world through an eclipse. Watching in the safety of their seats, high-ranking Russian officials were attending the event live from the space intelligence center in Russia. Tensions were running high inside the Kremlin.
America is about to place a considerable chunk of its army in this brand new world.
Clear skies in the region made monitoring the progress of the US mission planes made satellite recon easier. It was an easy feat for the Russians to spy them.
However, some in the Russian high command felt down about the idea that the US progress. The Americans are about to make a new first. The embers of the old rivalry between the US and the successor of the Soviet Union are there.
A few moments passed, however, something unexpected happened. The partial eclipse is over, yet all those American planes were still there. It means only one and only one thing… the US failed in its first attempt.
The results of these historical undertakings are mixed with uncertain emotions.
Everyone in that room, under the Kremlin, was happy because the Americans failed. However, watching that the Americans have been unable to go to the other world also means one thing, the idea of going into that brand new world might just be a game of chances.
It might be even impossible.
However, not everyone thought it that way.
Inside that bunker, one man stood up with his heads held up high. "My comrades, look, and see… the Americans have failed, haven't they? Now we shall move to the next step of our plan. My comrades, as the power bestowed to me by the Russian people, I shall declare that we will continue."
"On June 1 of this year, we will send our men into that new world."
It was the Russian President, Vladimy Patin. With no traces of doubts in his face, he boldly spoke his words into the rest of Russia's most influential leaders.
"But Mr. President… as you can see, the Americans failed. We all know in this room that the Americans have a vast resource in terms of scientific and analytical capacity. If they can't do it, can we even pull this kind of operation?" the Deputy Prime Minister stood up in objection. He was simply doubtful in the President's bold declaration.
"Mr. President… I am sorry, but as your political ally and for the good of the Russian people, I say that we trash these operations right now. I am sorry, but I support the Deputy Prime Minister. We can't risk taking such an undertaking today." The President was shocked. One of his most trusted persons in the Russian government, the Prime Minister, the man that assigned into that seat of power, makes an objection and proposes to trash the plan.
"Well, that makes three objections, Mr. Patin. According to my people in the SRV, I can only say that the Americans have wasted a staggering three to four billion dollars in that operation. It is alright .for them to waste so much money. We don't care about them anyway. But if we, the Russians, are to make a great mistake of attempting such an undertaking, billions of rubles could go to waste in the space of a few hours."
"Another thing Mr. President is that, if we are to do such an undertaking this coming June, and the Americans manage to catch a glimpse with their spy network in our field of operation, then American might start investigating about how we knew such a thing," the director of SRV said. After hearing the director's speech, the President began to scratch his head, wondering how can he convince all of his people.
"Everyone! Listen to me. I know that. Yes, I do! If we fail, billions of rubles, rubles that should have been used in improving our military and our infrastructure might go to waste," President Paten paused for a moment before he continued.
"But look at it from my point of perspective. If we succeed, imagine what kind of resource we might find in there. Imagine what kind of knowledge we can harvest from the minds of those beings living in that world. Imagine the possibilities and the potentials this world has. What if this world has something that could turn the motherland back to its former military and influential glory… the power we once had during the Soviet era." Patin clenched his fist. Without holding a single word back, he made his speech loud and clear to everyone. His words were full of power.
"Mr. President, I admire your nationalistic urges and your great sense of patriotism to this country, the Russian Federation. But, I warn you, Mr. Patin, doing this kind of task, according to my political analyst working secretly for me if Russia could make a single error, a single miscalculated act, a single international incident… the United States may use its iron grip in Europe and NATO to secretly wage war against us by hitting the rubles hard or negotiating our former provinces like Kazakhstan, the Baltic States, and especially the already war-torn Caucasus region and Ukraine. If that happens, more problems will come running into our way." The Prime Minister made a stand in his word.
"I agree, you have a point, Prime Minister… and I thank you for that concern. However, this is the time to think forward and out of the box. Everyone, I shall make the biggest gambit in my term… no, in my entire career! As President of the Russian Federation, I, President Vladimy Patin, announces, full with honor and valor, that I shall not run in the next election as President or in any other positions of the government if I fail." The President raised his right arm and opened his right palm, making an oath to the government.
"Commander-in-chief, you don't need to say such things in front of this hall. I don't need to listen to the blabbering of the Prime Minister or to the deputy. You have my approval, along with the four ministers of the five different sectors of the military." Soon five hands began to rise. First, one to raise his hands in approval was the Minister of Defense, soon followed by the Minister of the Army, the Navy, the Airforce, and the Aerospace Defense Force.
"Well, the possibility of us, the Russians reaching that place would be much higher than the Americans have. I bet the American scientists were somehow expecting it. It is common sense that the partial eclipse could not open anything at all. In other words, Mr. President, I support you in this move. After all, I have read all the papers about it, and together with my team, we figured out that the possibility of success doing it in a total eclipse is 43.78% which is much higher than the American one which in our statistical calculation is equal to 7.45%," the head of an unknown scientific institution in Russia made an announcement. Soon he grabbed a laptop, type in all the values, and showed it to his superiors.
"With all due respect, Mr. Prime Minister, I think you are greatly underestimating the Russian capability. We have bigger chances this time. Why you asked Mr. Prime Minister… it is because the area involved in a partial eclipse is vast, and unknown factors and powers are behind this kind of stuff, maybe some kind of an undiscovered rule in nature or something more."
"Compared to a total eclipse, we are only required to look in a tiny spot, probably less than two hundred miles or so, and according to the data I have, we need to look for the center of the eclipse… which is quite easy than anyone might think. I don't need to explain the details, but there is a huge chance and huge rate of success this time," the man in a lab coat smiled. "so, Deputy Prime Minister and Mt. Prime Minister, forgive me for what I am going to say, but I have to tell you that you should study and asked yourself what can the second most powerful country in the world is capable of, and please, start being optimistic because your pessimistic thoughts are damaging the Russian scientific community. So, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for hearing me out. I have to go; I have more work to do. Dasvidania!" After saying that, the live broadcast from that secret facility was intentionally terminated.
Mr. Paten laughed out loud.
"Well, at least you heard the words from our science department. I trust their data, that is why… we are proceeding to the next step of our plans… we will go to that world." The President hearing all those words from the scientist from an unknown institution said, cemented his argument about the expedition.
"Prime Minister, I know you are worried about the current state of the Russian economy as well as the welfare of the country and the relationship between the people and the government, but I asked you this question, do you have some trust about the Russian might and power?" the President asked.
"I see, I get it; you win in this argument, Mr. Patin! I guess we need to try this out. It is your choice, not mine, plus the scientific and the military departments of Russia is supporting you. Therefore, Mr. President – I, as the executive head of the country, is approving the proposal. But Mr. President, we must limit our spendings to only 60 billion rubles (1.5 billion dollars)," the Prime Minister said.
"Don't worry there, my old friend, I already did. This operation will involve our usage of 13 Mi-26s, 200 tons worth of equipment, weapons and supplies, and 100 passengers – all of them composed of our shock troops, scientists, anthropologist, and explorers. Plus, for dealing hostilities, we have an anti-aircraft/artillery piece and a couple of rifles and small firearms. For reconnaissance purposes, we will also send dozens of hydrogen and helium balloons and specialized UAVs. All of that, except the military exercise that would be conducted in Siberia, will all cost 50 billion rubles (1.25 billion dollars)." The President said.
"A MILITARY EXERCISE, well it is still acceptable in my terms, we have been planning for an exercise soon anyway, Plus, I also want to show off our airforce. In addition to that, this exercise will be the Russian response to the Japanese-American exercise in Japan. This will be good camouflage for our true plan," the Minister of defense said.
"Now, the final question, who in this room is willing to take this gambit?" the President asked.
At first, an eerie silence enveloped the room, but later on, without a single word uttered by the opposition, everyone inside the room stood up and clapped their hands, showing their approval.
Part 2:
Washington DC
January 15, 2011 AD
Iunius 30, 6077 AB
The mission was a failure. A few days ago, squadrons of fifteen aircraft, including the helicopters, flew over the skies of Hungary and Austria. It was a big operation. It even involved tense diplomacy for the United States just to convince Austria and Hungary to let their aircraft, military aircraft, to enter Austrian and Hungarian airspace, using scientific research as a purpose and the United States' influence in NATO as a key to quick negotiations.
In the end, the Russian estimates about how much the United States spends were far exaggerated… for if all those 'sacrificial' aircraft were to be removed in the equation, the entire operation only costs less than 500 million dollars, much lesser than the Russian estimates, which is 4 billion dollars.
"So now Mr. President, we have finally proven that going to this new world is only possible through a total eclipse. Now Mr. President, what shall we do next?" the man in a lab coat said.
"Do next, let's try going into that world in the next total eclipse, so when will the next total eclipse be?" the President asked.
"The next total eclipse Sir, I think we have some problems regarding that," the scientist said.
"Problem, and what is it? If its diplomacy, we can talk it out, and if we are talking about technology, we can do something about it, right?" the President said.
"It's diplomacy that is the problem here, Mr. President, as you see, the next total eclipse will be taking place in northern Kazakhstan, Central Siberia and northwest of China. I think it will be hard making negotiations we the Russians as well as the Kazakhs and the Chinese in this time of year, Mr. President," the scientist said.
"Well, we can talk and make a deal with the Kazakh government… it will be easy, so when will this solar eclipse takes place, Doctor?" the President said.
"June 1, 2011 – that is the schedule for the next solar eclipse, Mr. President." The scientist asked.
"Mr. President – I think negotiation with the Kazakhs will not be possible. As you can see, China, Russia, and Kazakhstan will be conducting a military exercise on that date." The secretary of defense said.
"What did you say, Mr. Secretary of Defense?" the President asked.
"I only manage to get this news a few moments earlier through a live broadcast from the Russian media. If you wish to see this Mr. President, I shall order my subordinates to produce a copy of that announcement," the secretary of defense said.
"I see, I'll read about that exercise later on, but first, let's settle this problem we have. So Dr. Davidson, can you tell me when the next total solar eclipse after the June 1 will total solar eclipse?" the President asked.
"The next solar eclipse… ahh, Mr. President, the second total solar eclipse, will happen in Russia, Mongolia, and Northern China again, and it will take place on March 13, 2012." The scientist said.
"Tsk, damnit those Russians, ok Dr. Davidson, the next total solar eclipse after March 13, 2012, when will the next total eclipse happen." The President asked again, this time with a pissed off face.
"The next total solar eclipse after that one Mr. President will take place in the Atlantic, between Britain to the East coast. It will have its center in the northern Atlantic and is scheduled to take place on October 2, 2013." The scientist said.
"Finally, some good news, at last, a total solar eclipse will take place in the Atlantic on October 2, 2013… two years from now, am I right?" the President asked.
"Yes, Mr. President, you are right about that… the next solar eclipse will take place in the Atlantic… so what are we going to do next, Mr. President." The scientist asked.
"We will wait. We will wait until we finally have the opportunity to put our men in that world." The President said.
"So, Mr. President, if we will wait, what are we going to do here in America for the next two years?" the Secretary of Defense said.
"We will do the other things and continue with our agenda, of course, which involves spreading our influence in the Middle East and, at the same time, trying to control Chinese military growth." The President said.
"Well, if that's what you want, Mr. President… then no problem!" the Secretary of Defense said.
"Well then, Mr. Secretary of Defense, Dr. Davidson, everyone… I call this meeting to a close. Thank you, and goodbye!" Soon communication link from the White House, leaving everyone in that conference hall silent, which later on, one by one, they also began terminating their own transmissions.
Part 3:
Beijing, PRoC
February 28, 2011 AD
Sextilis 13, 6077 AB
The world has never been this busy than ever before. The Russians, while waiting for the next solar eclipse, began involving itself in the problems regarding its Middle Eastern allies. On the outside, Russia is now making more footprints in the world arena by opposing any American moves in the Middle East and Europe while further developing its infrastructure sectors like roads and rails and buildings, as well as accelerating its technological and scientific progress in the inside.
America, on the other hand, is finally making progress. American influence is sipping into the oily sands of the Middle East. The American agenda in the Middle East is moving forward. The Arab Spring is at its peak. The US NGOs are expressing its support to the democratic movements in the Middle East while increasing its military forces in the area.
However, in China, on the other hand, is not doing that much. As usual, corruption is the norm of the communist party. But it is changing.
However, throughout the communist party, both the civilian and the military side, everything is an entirely different story. Corruption crackdowns, adultery scandals, treason, and betrayal to the Chinese people and the communist party, all of those cases flooded all over China. Like a plague ravaging through the populace, for the first time in the history of the world, the largest trial full of corruption cases is taking place in China. The world, in return, began to admire the Chinese move.
Some of the admirers are from the left. But, unexpectedly, most of the admirers are from the right side of politics.
As usual, though, human rights and pro-democracy groups around the world denounced the Chinese action as many Chinese from different levels of government are being purged and being shot down.
However, there is an ulterior motive behind this move. In truth, the present communistic regime in China is just removing all those who dare challenge the President of China and the leader of the communist party. President Xing Jiangping, together with his cohorts of political, military, and economic allies, began to make a move. Like a tidal wave roaring and rolling through a vast ocean, the President of China is unstoppable.
One of the President's best agents is no other than the former senior colonel of Zhejiang, Admiral of the Eastern Sea Fleet, Hai Jun Shang Jiang Zhe Jiang (Admiral Zhe Jiang).
Since January, he has been leading the crackdowns and espionages against his superiors. Once the secrets are in, he leaks them out and reporting it directly to Xing Jianping. Due to his bold efforts, he was even regarded by the Chinese people as the Knight of Justice. However, all of those actions, just like the President, are all in the name of power.
"Admiral Zhe Jiang, reporting in!" the new Admiral went inside to the room of the most powerful and feared man in China, the President.
"Oh, comrade, come in and have a seat. So what do you have for me today, comrade?" the President asked.
"A have a proposal for you, Mr. Jiangping!" the Admiral said.
"And what is it then, Mr. Jiang?" the President asked.
"Can I ask for an additional budget of 100 billion yuan (16.1 billion US dollars)? I would like to start my own project, plus I also want to establish espionage and an information team, Mr. President," the Admiral demanded.
"A hundred billion yuan, what kind of project are you trying to make here, my friend? And why do you need espionage and an information team?" the President asked.
"For the one hundred billion yuan, I will use thirty billion of it to proceed in building my own project somewhere I province of Shaanxi, the forty billion for the improvement of my espionage team and my own special branch in the Ministry of State Security and the rest will be used for other purposes, well, you know what I mean Mr. President," the Admiral said.
"Other purposes, well… my only request to you is to eliminate the other four scums of the politburo, and if you can eliminate that guy, well, you know what I mean," the President said.
"Mr. Xiangping, are you planning to control the politburo? Well, I wouldn't mind, even if you turned yourself into the commander-in-chief of the entire military. I see you are a man worthy of commanding me, and I trust you can become a great Commander-in-Chief." The Admiral said.
"Well, what are planning to do with the additional development of your own espionage and information team? What are you planning to do, Mr. Jiang?" the President asked.
"MY plan, I want to turn China into the most powerful nation in the world, in the name of the people and the party. I want to conduct espionage missions in both the US and the Russians, and maybe I can get more information from those nations about technology and my own project." The Admiral said.
"Espionage, hmmm, well it doesn't matter, I know you are going to become an excellent and powerful man in the future, you are still young, but you already have managed to become the Admiral of the Eastern Navy… say how old are you, Admiral Jiang?" the President asked.
"I am still 28 years old, your excellency, why?" the Admiral asked.
"You are very young. You are like my son with that age of yours." President Jiangping smirked.
"If you become a trustworthy ally of mine, maybe before my term ends, I may install you to the next generation of the politburo, since if you work hard in the task, I asked you, you may open up positions in the politburo, you know that my friend," the President said.
"Oh my, a seat in the politburo, well, that's quite tempting Mr. President, but I'm already happy to have this position of mine, Mr. Xiangping." The Admiral said.
"Well then, here is your request, don't worry, I have it all covered." The President grabbed his pen and signed the document. After that, the Admiral immediately accepted the documents, after it was approved by the President.
"By the way, Mr. President."
"What is it, Admiral?"
"Our intelligence networks in Japan has given me quite an interesting find."
The Admiral gave a series of documents to the President of the People's Republic of China. The set of documents contains intel ranging from pictures, missing case reports, and police reports.
"Its related to the Pearl Harbor Anniversary Incident."
"What about it?"
"I don't have plenty of leads about it." Admiral Jiang added.
"However, we have collected a few strange stories about this. According to our sources in Tokyo, a man wearing a blue jacket a year ago went to one of our intel hubs. He said a boy came in front of one of our hubs and began talking that doesn't make sense. However, we have managed to get a video feed of the boy he was talking about."
The President looked at the documents and saw a blue-haired man who seems to be trying to hustle his way on the old man, who happens to be an agent of the Ministry of State Security stationed in Japan.
"Please continue." The President said.
"Our agent in Tokyo made note that a year ago, the boy took a piece of the newspaper. It happens to be the weather section of the newspaper. The boy then asked him where the nearest airport. The strangeness of the situation made him take note of the event, and when our spies in Tokyo reported that the Japanese have lost an aircraft, he filled this report to the MSS. The MSS, upon receiving the report, placed it on the archives for future use."
"And?" The President asked again.
"When my men discovered this while combing the archives finding international transactions between high ranking Chinese officials and the Japanese, we found these documents. Intrigued by the records, my men gave this to me. A total eclipse, a strange Japanese teenager, and a missing aircraft. It might lead us to somewhere, so I made a background check of the boy, and I got his identity."
"Saito Hiraga." The Chinese pronounced his name as he looked at the name in the missing case report.
"The boy has been missing for more than 2 years. However, the PLA cyber division managed to hack into Japanese security servers. Under my request, they took all the relevant information about the boy, and we found a person that matched his image through street security cameras. He seemed to be walking with a pink-haired girl."
"How is it related to anything?" The President asked.
"Pink hair isn't natural. In addition to that, the clothing they wore didn't match the attire everyone else was wearing. A security camera footage has been taken in the business center in Tokyo."
The President looks on the image of a security camera footage where two individuals apparently came out from a greenish tunnel-like entrance.
"I see."
"So, Mr. President, if you allow me, I would like to put the Hiraga residence under full surveillance. I have a feeling he will come back to Tokyo three to four months from now. I would also like to plant espionage cells in the vicinity of the residence."
"Do what you want." The President turned his head towards Admiral Jiang. "However, do it as to not alarm the Japanese and American intelligence agencies."
"Yes, Mr. President."
"And you're welcome… as long as you do a nice job for me, then you will have your rewards." The President said. The Admiral soon left the room and went on to do his 'business' with a big smile on his face. Back to the President, after the man leaves the room quietly, stood up, and look at the progress of the Admiral has done in the space of a few months. "Despite your young age, you can do outstanding feats. Your very efficient and trustworthy; maybe I should add you up in the politburo on the next national election," the President soon placed down his book and continued on to his work, which is to read mountains of paperwork.
"However, your still very young, Admiral Jiang. Be careful out there."
"Yes, Mr. President." The Admiral replied.
When the Admiral was about to leave the room, the Chinese President seemed to have remembered something. There was a note on the side of his table written in both Chinese and Russian.
It was an invitation letter.
"By the way, Admiral, what do you think?"
"About what, Mr. President?" Admiral Jiang replied.
"On May 30, the Russians are going to conduct a military exercise. And they extended a letter of invitation to us." The Chinese President looked at the Admiral. "On the day of a Solar Eclipse."
"Interesting, Mr. President." The Admiral replied. "I think we should participate in this, Mr. President."
"I believe the Russians are trying to cover this up by inviting us, to not arouse the attention of the Americans, perhaps." Admiral Jiang added.
"Interesting take on the situation. Anyway, just continue on your work." The President added. "I expect good results."
"I will, Mr. President."
Part 4:
Novosibirsk Oblast (Novosibirsk Province),
Russia
June 1, 2011 AD
Nontilis 17, 6077 AB
Operation Nova
Operation Nova was a large scale military exercise, held between May 30 – June 11, 2011, throughout the Novosibirsk Oblast. The exercise involved units from the Army, Navy, and Airforce of the Russian military, along with Chinese special forces and Kazakhstan, as foreign participants.
The said exercise involved about 110,000 troops along with 11,000 vehicles, 600 aircraft, and 22 ships from the Russian military. The People's Republic of China has also contributed some 600 soldiers with 5 aircraft, 30 vehicles, and 2 missile destroyers. Kazakhstan, meanwhile, has 200 soldiers in the field with 1 helicopter and 11 vehicles.
And the exercise was simulating separatist uprisings in Russia, mirroring the conditions present during the second Chechen war and the Russo-Georgian war.
Somewhere in the skies of Novosibirsk Province, in the middle of the military exercise, a squadron of Mi-26s, 13 of them, took flight. Inside of the 13 rotorcrafts is personnel, 100 of them, and 200 tons of cargo.
And their mission – Operation Odessa.
The events are being directly monitored by the Russian high command in Moscow through a separate channel.
The high ranking officials of the Russian Federation watched the event through an unmanned aerial vehicle. Watching the helicopters fly towards an eclipse, the officers observed the situation with mixed emotions. Some of them, especially in the military branch, is optimistic about the success of the operation. However, some of them, from the civilian branch, feels that something wrong will happen to the mission.
However, there is one man in the room who confident that the mission will be a complete success.
He was the Russian President, President Vladimy Patin.
Back to the Mi-26s, all of the personnel inside the choppers watched the event as it unfolds before them.
Beneath them and also around them, thousands of men, vehicles, and aircraft are conducting a full-scale exercise. Not that far away from them, a Tupolev Tu-95 held carpet-bombing activities. Around the site, the Russian EW department exercised its electronic warfare capacities. Electronic jamming was so intense in the area, necessary equipment has to be prepared, and a unique radio channel has to be set to allow communication with Moscow. The military even made decoys as a fleet of Russian transport planes flying around the region carrying paratroopers.
It was almost impossible to see the event through outside means – satellite, high-altitude recon, and radio interception.
Scattered in a 4 – 4 – 5 deployment, the two four helicopter-group occupied each of the wings of the formation and the five helicopters holding the center. To an untrained eye, it is just an ordinary military formation, aiming to defend the entire squadron of Mi-26s, while conducting anti-tank operations.
At 13:18 UTC, the sun's light is slowly but surely being darkened by the moon. It is a total eclipse. Slowly the moon began to cover the sun, and the world below them is starting to be enveloped by darkness. After one hour of waiting for the moon to cover the sun, finally there, there it is… the peak of the solar eclipse.
Watching from the UAVs, the President of Russia stretched his arms and pointed the screen. "Dr. Zylensky, was it stated in the report that a green spot formed in the solar eclipse before 2 F-15s from the US disappeared?" the President of Russia asked.
"Yes, Mr. Patin." The scientist answered.
Everyone then noticed what the President was pointing at. It was indeed a green tunnel-like object floating on the direction of the eclipse. It was as described by the Americans a year ago in a total eclipse in the East China Sea.
"Then, my comrades, the Russian Gambit, my gambit… I won!" the President said proudly with his head held up high.
As soon as the President said that in Moscow, all thirteen helicopters made a run at full speed into the green hole. A second later, it was over.
The helicopters disappeared from the sights of the UAVs. Everyone grew tensed and feeling anxious as they see nothing but the green tunnel-like hole up in the sky. For a full four seconds, there was nothing in the intercom.
But, after that helicopter broke the radio silence; it was the commander of the squadron
"Mr. President, we finally passed through the green hole. Report: we are flying in what seems to be probably an uninhabited land. No settlements found yet. Terrain description: we are flying in a grassland environment. Environment report: The atmosphere is safe. Gas levels are the same as Earth. Command, this is Odessa squadron head - mission is a success! I repeat the mission is a success." The commander of the helicopter squadron said.
Back to the helicopters, the Russian pilots pressed a button in their control module. Immediately, like a rushing torrent of water flowing in a waterfall, data about the environment, RADAR maps, and onboard computer analysis reach Earth by passing through the green hole, then to the drone relay stations and then through ground stations in Novosibirsk and then to Moscow, all in less than 10 milliseconds.
Immediately, the command center back in Moscow began receiving data feed sent by all the equipment in the area. After the commander said it was mission success, everyone just automatically stood up and clapped their hands. "Congratulations, you've just become the first Russian to step into that world." The President said.
"Soldiers of the Russian Federation, I will ask you again." The Russian President said, now with his poker face. "This is a one-way mission. You might never see your country again. You are now the Russian pioneers in an unknown land. I will give you all an offer."
"You can all abort the mission and return back to the motherland."
For a few moments, there was silence in the intercom. Meanwhile, the heads from the military and civilian sectors of the Russian government present in that room looked at President Patin. It was like they want to ask a question or want to complain at him, but instead, they kept their silence.
"Mr. President, we appreciate your offer, but as loyal subjects of the motherland, we would like to continue our mission, and plant the Russian flag on this world." The commander of Operation Odessa replied. It was Commander Sikovi Medvedev.
"Command, this is Odessa squadron, 4 minutes 43 seconds left before communication termination, launching high altitude rocket UAV module." Immediately a small rocket from one of the helicopters shoot out from its back and propelled itself all the way stratospheric altitudes. Two minutes later, with the rocket propulsion reaching speeds of 2 kilometers per second, it finally reached a height of 70,000 meters (70 kilometers up in the sky).
After it reaches the altitude of 70 km, the protective skin of the UAV peels off, exposing its sophisticated machinery. After the surface of the UAV peels off, a helium balloon instantly expands outwards. Less than 20 seconds later, the deployment of the helium balloon was complete.
Sitting at an altitude of 70,000 meters, the cameras, and onboard ground mapping radar can take readings of a circle about 1600 km in diameter. Immediately all equipment took in data like high altitude imagery, geographical features from the ground radar equipment, and upper atmospheric data.
All data gathered by the helicopters were all beamed back to the Odessa squadron and then to Moscow. With thirty seconds left before all kinds of transmission are terminated, a full geographical image of the terrain became seen. The ground is very similar to western Russia, and to be more specific, the Volga Region, the Upper Caucasus and the East coast of the Black Sea, with all the rivers and mountains in position.
It looks precisely like Russia. However, only small traces of civilization are present, with what looks like towns and small cities many kilometers away from the squadron.
"Command, this is Odessa Squadron, the mission is a success, going back to radio silence. Over and out!" that was the last words heard from the helicopters. A second later, the solar eclipse is over.
"My comrades, it looks like we succeed." President Patin walked close to the monitor. "My comrades, it looks like we are better than the Americans after all."
"Mission Complete!"
Part 5
Tristain
Decatilis 4, 6077 AB
June 19, 2011 AD
"Mr. Colbert, are you ready?
"Is this the clothes the people from your world use?
Professor Jean Colbert checked his clothes. He wears a jacket with jeans and a pair of shoes.
"Oh, you look good, darling."
A tall young woman with long, red hair tapped her fiance's shoulder. It was Kirche Augusta Frederica von Anhalt Zerbst, or for short, Kirche von Zerbst, a noble from Germania.
While Kirche was flirting with Professor Colbert, a blue-haired girl approached Saito and tugged his sleeves.
"Saito, is it really necessary that I join with you?"
It was Tabitha, or better known as Queen Charlotte Helene Orleans de Gallia, the Queen of Gallia.
"Yes, your majesty, I need as many of the nobility in the continent to see what kind of people the other side of the portal is."
Saito then turns his attention towards the elf. "That includes you, Tiffa."
"Well, if Saito-san himself requests it, I will do." Tiffa lowered her head. "I hurt Saito back then, and nothing I will do will ever repay it."
Tiffa raised her head and looked directly at Saito's chest. She was referring to the Lifdrasir. Saito immediately walked towards Tiffania and patted her head.
"Its been a year since then. That's nothing to be concern about TIffa. And besides, the past is the past."
Tiffa kept her silence.
"Plus, you're from the nobility from Albion, and you can also represent the elves."
"I see." Tiffa lowered her head again.
"So Saito, you only want us to go and see your world?" The blond-haired man standing by in the corner looked at Saito. It was Julio Chesare.
"That is just part of the reason." Saito looked back at Julio.
"I want to take as many books and pieces of technology as we can."
"You're going to steal them from your world?"
"No. I would still go and pay for all the goods that I will buy." Saito said as he showed them some pieces of gold.
"I will sell this gold in my country. I know some places where we can sell it."
"I see," Julio replied.
"So, is everyone ready?"
Saito looked at everyone, checking if they have done their clothes well.
First, we have Louise. Louise was wearing a red, black, and white striped autumn coat. She also has a couple of thin gloves, some jeans, and a pair of white leather high-heeled shoes.
Second, there is Tabitha. She wears a khaki wool coat with a white shirt under it. She also wore jeans, and also uses a pair of leather high-heeled shoes.
Third, we have Julio Chesare. Julio wears a navy wool covert coat with a navy blue polo and a matching navy blue colored scarf. However, instead of jeans, he wears black slacks and shiny black wet-look shoes. By Earth's standards, Julio wears the most professional cloth.
Fourth, we have Professor Colbert. He wears a simple jacket with jeans and a pair of shoes.
Fifth, we have Tiffania. She wears a red wool jacket with a hoody on it. In addition to that, she also wears yellowish style jeans and regular shoes.
Sixth, we have Kirche. Kirche wears the most fashionable yet the most simple clothes on all the girls in the group. She wears white simple long sleeves, similar to that of office clothing, long-sleeve ruffles. She also has a red scarf with her with a tight beyond knee skirt and long black leggings and a pair of step-in.
And finally, there is me. And as usual, I wore my usual attire.
"By the way, Saito, where did you get these clothes from?" Tabitha asked.
"I asked some of our tailors to make these clothes for us. When I saw those F-15 fighters reaching this world, I thought time will come that we need to go there. I want to go there with everyone blending into the general population."
"I'll open the gate now," Louise said as she took out the founder's book and directed the wand into the open air.
"Ken Kyoufu Hagari Soui Beoku Beoi Son Rial"
"World Door, open."
A surge of mana immediately filled the room. Saito's gandalfr rune shined bright. Soon a white dot appeared in the place where the wand was pointing at, which gradually grew bigger and bigger until it was big enough to fit people in.
And right before them, a world door was completely open.
Saito glanced one more time on the crowd. Everyone else looked back at him.
Saito nodded, "I guess this should be alright." He then turned his back away from them and towards Louise.
"Let's go," Saito first entered the world door. Louise immediately followed him, then Tabitha, Professor Colbert, Kirche, Tiffa, and Julio.
-End of Chapter-
Old me said: About me having you people root with Halkeginia, don't worry, I will never do that. I'm just giving the Halkeginia some small kind of let's say "resistance" from the mighty hordes of the human army. Do not worry, this Industrial Revolution is just like a sandwich spread meant to sweeten up the story, anyway if the Halkeginian people will start building their own wood-planes like the ones we have in World War 1, Earth would have probably something so high-tech, one unit is enough to conquer an entire world. That is way too fast for Halkeginia nobles to cope up with. Plus, I have a surprise for everyone from this story also, but I will expose it later on in the story.
New me said: Hmmm, that seems to be wishy-washy naïve interpretation of the story. The story can be more than that. Especially now that I have seen many world events since this story has been written. I also realized I made a huge mistake. I made Xing Jiangping (Xi Jinping's equivalent character in the story) to be elected a bit too early. I should have added him in 2012 storytime. But oh well. Yeah, I would like to make Halkeginia + Lothlorien (the name I gave for the elven nation) into a single sovereign force. In other words, a magical superpower. Then there are also the other nations in the other world.
Old me said: I would like to have the Halkeginians to have this false hope, the elusive hope in which the Halkeginian are aiming to cling on to when it truth there is none. They can advance to the Industrial Age, but never will they be able to compete with Earth, who is already in the age of space colonization. I say let them have industry; it does not matter to me anyway. One percent is too much of an exaggeration here, because the truth is, by the time everything is set, I would say that there is more chance for a satellite to land in front of my dormitory than Halkeginians winning this war. However, I was also planning to let them win one battle, though, a pyrrhic victory that is.
New me said: Hmmm, Halkeginians with Industrial level technology and magic is quite an impressive opponent. Plus, it's not like the Earthlings are a united force anyway, especially in a multipolar world. It might be a leveled playing field, after all. Void magic is equivalent to strategic weapons, then there is Elven magic, which isn't bad at all.
Plus, there is that Russian UAV, well, that is just a regular weather balloon equipped with a rocket that will propel itself at a speed of 2 kilometers per second in 120 seconds. This weather balloon, for Fanfiction purposes, is fitted with a high altitude camera, lithium-ion battery that will let the balloon live for two months, a RADAR device used to map the area in three dimensions, and some atmospheric equipment like a barometer. Of course, it does not exist yet in the world, I think!
Also, about the Halkeginian geophysical features, I will use the map of the Earth as a reference. Anyway, the continent of Halkeginia is already similar to the continent of Europe here in Earth – with Tristain as the Dutch Republic, Galia as France, Albion as England and Ireland, Romalia as Italy and Germania as Germany.
While this so-called 'dark lands' is the Sahara Desert. The elves living there are the Muslims in the Sahara – much like the Ottoman Empire. And like the Ottoman Empire, this nation, I will call Lothlorien, will stretch from the "Atlantic coast" all the way to Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Anatolia. Therefore, my Russian adventurers will be making a settlement in a land, which is equivalent to Volgograd.
No more time difference.
Now, here are the calendar amendments.
Since I am following a calendar similar to the Julian calendar, I will be making changes on the calendar format (although the only differences on it are only its names since I'm using the Julian calendar after 45 BC format).
These are the months, the day lengths, and their similar calendar names in the modern calendar.
Ianuarius – January – 31 days
Februarius – February – 28 days (29 on leap years)
Martius – March – 31 days
Aprilis – April – 30 days
Mauis – May – 31 days
Iunius – June – 30 days
Quintilis – July – 31 days
Sextilis – August – 31 days
Septilis – September – 30 days
Octilis – October – 31 days
Nonatilis – November – 30 days
Decatilis – December – 31 days
Well, it is quite similar to the usual Julian calendar. The day lengths are the same. However, since Halkeginia is not the Roman Empire, I made changes in the names of the months. Instead of Iulius, I named it Quintilis (the fifth month), Augustus to Sextilis (sixth month), September to Septilis (the seventh month), October to Octilis (the eighth month), November to Nonatilis (the ninth month) and December to Decatilis (the tenth month).
AD or Anno Domini will represent Earth reference time while AB or After Brimir will represent Halkeginian reference time. The Halkeginian calendar will also be 195 days behind Earth's timeline. So if the date in Halkeginia is Ianuarius 1, 6077 AB, then Earth date will be July 16, 2010 AD. And if the Earth date is January 1, 2010 AD, Halkeginian time will be Iunius 17, 6076 AB.
Finally, there is ArchimedesAckermann. I thank him for providing me the foundations and the ideas of my new story, my fourth story so far. I give him credits for this story, thank you.
Next update will be in March.
And last but not least, I am sorry for the bad grammar. It irritates me all the time. I hope you understand.
Thank you for reading When Two Worlds Collide...