An Expedition into the Unknown
When time is not on your side your advance planning comes to your rescue
Elisium. Year 5L 15/1
Just as sun was about to rise on the first day of darkness, Andrews and Matthews stood on the bridge of faith, the same bridge from where Solomon had jumped from Elisium to enter Aden and change its fortunes. Whether it was just a coincidence or an irony of destiny that this bridge was built from same the cliff, from whose replica in Aden, Andrews had slipped into this world seven years ago. It was now time for Andrews to return back to his own world and bring a new wave of transformation.
For the return journey Andrews had prepared many baggage. Bags which contained all the maps, charts, drawings and the notes he had written about his findings in this world. A couple of bags contained some samples of the Star-Rocks to carry out experiments in Aden. But most importantly he had his dear friend, his replica, Matthews with him. It was now time to show him his own world.
Since the day Andrews met Matthews they had quickly grown fond of each other. Gradually they became best friends. Andrews had realized quite early that Matthews wasn't just his duplicate from outside, but he was like him in almost every other aspect. From his mannerism, to his quest for knowledge, to his inquisitive mind to his desire to wander the world and see new things, Andrews saw every bit of him in Matthews.
A few weeks after meeting him, Andrews finally decided to tell Matthews about his reality. And also about Aden. Matthews was a little shocked, but also extremely excited to hear about the other world. He quickly expressed his desire to travel with Andrews and see that world for himself. But that wouldn't have been possible till the next Crossing, so the two twins, from two different worlds, decided to busy themselves in their experiments with the Star-Rocks. In the four years in which the two stayed together Andrews shared with Matthews everything he had learned about the two worlds. He made Matthews his equal in terms of knowledge. He wanted Matthews to lead the path of scientific discoveries and technological development in Elisium, just the way he had done that in Aden.
Now the time had come for Matthews to see that developed world with his own eyes. With the first rays of the sun the Whirlpool, the Abyss of Unknown, promptly appeared in the river below. Andrews and Matthews first pushed their bags into the whirlpool.
"Are you sure about this?" asked a nervous looking Matthews, "see, so far I have believed in everything you have told me, but this seems like a step too bold for me. I have a loving wife and two kids, and my wife is going to kill me if I get killed in the Abyss of Unknown."
Andrews smiled, "don't worry my friend, its now time for you to meet my family. Copies of your father mother wife and kids in the other world. And we will be back here in three to four days. Trust me, its all going to be great fun."
Matthews let out an audible sigh. Andrews first took the leap. Matthews followed shortly afterwards.
After briefly feeling the sensation of getting sucked in, they swiftly appeared on the other side. Andrews looked around him. The bright green grass on the river banks indicated that he was back in his world. They swam to the shores and pulled out their baggage from the river. Andrews took them to a nearby highway, from where they hired a vehicle and started their journey towards Aurae.
Samuel the Brave, heir of Solomon and the righteous King of Aden, was having a quite dinner with his family when Stuart, the commander of the Palace guards, dared to disturb his king.
"For your sake I hope it is something really important" said Samuel "You know very well I don't like getting disturbed when I am with my family."
"Yes Your Highness. I wouldn't have disturbed you if it wasn't urgent. Andrews the Explorer, is at the palace gates. In fact two Andrews the Explorers are at the palace gates," said a baffled looking Stuart.
Samuel was now starting to lose his temper "Do you know how rubbish you sound? I have told you many times not to get drunk when on duty. You know very well that Andrews has been missing for seven years."
"I know that your highness, and I am not drunk. That is the reason I have disturbed you. He has returned and there are not one but two Andrews. You must see this for yourself."
"Well I think you are going to spend a good part of this year inside the prison to set your brain straight."
"Please your highness, just have a look for yourself and then I am all at your mercy. I was just as astonished as you when the guards at the gate told me this. But I have seen both of them from my own eyes."
"Okay bring them in."
"Oh my holy angels" Samuel gasped and stood up from his chair, when he saw two Andrews coming towards him, walking side by side. Samuel had heard of people resembling each other, but this was something completely different. These two didn't resemble each other, they were identical.
"What in the name of the Holy God is this?" Samuel asked the two Andrews, clearly confused about whom he should address "Where have you been for the last seven years? But for God's sake, first tell me which one of you is Andrews and who is the other one?
"Well its a long story and I think you better sit down Your Highness, or you will have sore legs by the time this story finishes," real Andrews said with a grin "but before I begin I want you to call in a few people, so that they can also hear what I have to say. It is really important and we are very short on time."
Andrews then gave Samuel a list of few prominent people which included some high ranking ministers, chief of the army and some imminent scientists. They were all sent a message and were asked to report to the palace immediately.
Once everyone had assembled, Andrews began narrating the story of his journey into the other world. From his slipping into the whirlpool, to his exploring its different regions, to him finally reaching the Ruins and meeting Matthews. Then he told them about how that world was exactly like theirs. A replica. A mirror image. And he had Matthews as a living example of that. A walking proof of his claims. Then right in the end he told them about his most important discovery. The Star-Rock.
"I have brought samples of the Star rock in the bags, which have been confiscated by the guards at the palace gates. Our scientists can keep experimenting with those samples. But for now, we have an urgent task on our hands," Andrews said to Samuel.
"And what is that?" asked Samuel.
"The Whirlpool, the portal which can transfer us to that world is open for another six days. I want to take an expedition party, comprising of ministers, scientists and soldiers to Elisium, so that they can have a look at it themselves. I know that not everyone in this room believes in my story. And that is quite understandable. So I want a few imminent people to come with me, see everything with their own eyes, and also formulate a plan on how both the worlds can benefit from this discovery. How can we bring the Star-Rocks here and in return transfer our knowledge and technology over there. They can come and see that world, meet the people over there and then help to lay down foundations for the harmonious co-operation between Aden and Elisium."
Samuel was immersed in deep thoughts. While Andrews was telling his plans, his baggage was brought to the hall. Everyone in the room was desperate to see these magical rocks with their own eyes. Andrews lit a small piece of Star-Rock and everyone got to witness its everlasting flame. The scientists present there got a chance to have a closer look at these rocks and also on the charts and maps of the other world that Andrews had brought with him. There was enough evidence to support Andrews' story. And everyone understood that if what Andrews said about the Star-Rocks was really true, it could solve Aden's biggest problem.
"From all that we have heard and seen so far," Samuel said to the people present in the hall, "I think Andrews' story looks believable and he must be given a chance to prove these facts. So, I hereby, approve an expedition to Tenebra, I mean Elisium," Samuel corrected himself when he saw the look on Matthews face when he said Tenebra. "A team of twenty people inclusive of ministers, scientists and army officers will be selected by me and sent on this expedition."
"We have little time, Your highness, there are no vehicles in Elisium, and the journey from the Demon's Entrance, the entry point of Elisium, to the Ruins might take around two days on horsebacks. I have left some horses in a nearby village for this journey, but the earlier we leave, the more time we get there to study that world. Remember we have to jump back before sunset on the seventh day of darkness."
"Okay I will make the list now itself."
"Well, I have a few names," said Andrews "If Your highness gives the permission, I would like to take those people with me."
Samuel gave Andrews an incredulous look "I must say you had already assumed that I will approve this expedition. You look quite prepared for everything."
"I knew we had a very small window and couldn't afford to waste time. And when time is not on your side your advance planning comes to your rescue. That is the reason why I planned as much as I could before coming here. And believe me Your Highness, I have chosen these people for a very specific reason. Williams, the army chief, is one of them."
"Okay, Okay. I get your point" Samuel said with a little edge in his voice "Williams will accompany you there, and he will also do all the necessary preparations for the trip. Give me the other names you have so that we can inform those people as well. Tomorrow at sunset, you all jump into the Eye of Tenebra."
As sun was about to go down in the evening of the second day of darkness, twenty men stood on the cliff over the Eye of Tenebra. King Samuel and the whole Council of Aden had come to see off the touring party. About twenty boxes containing supplies, instruments and weapons were first pushed into the whirlpool.
This was a historical day for Aden. The future of Aden depended on the success of this expedition. Finally, at the sound of a gunshot, twenty brave men jumped into the Eye of Tenebra. Their leap took them into another world and into the pantheons of history.
Everyone present at the cliff prayed for them. They all wished for them succeed in their mission, as the fortunes of their future generations depended on it.
This collective leap, marked the inception of mass travelling from one world to another.
But it also marked the beginning of exploitation of one world by another.