What is a parallel universe? It's an alternate reality that exists alongside our own, similar yet distinct. This idea emerged early in human history but remained speculative, more often appearing in fiction than in science.
What is a parallel universe? It's an alternate reality that exists alongside our own, similar yet distinct. This idea emerged early in human history but remained speculative, more often appearing in fiction than in science.
"Vivian, how about administering a few more doses of adrenaline to that woman?" Chu Hang grinned, flashing a pair of dazzlingly white teeth.
"Wouldn't that be inhumane?"
"No, no! It's just a form of sincere care."
"The data suggests we could give her three injections. She'd wake up much faster that way."
"Vivian, you're quite helpful!"
"And you're not too bad yourself, Major."
"Of course!"
Three doses later, the woman, who had been unconscious, bolted upright from the metal bed. She looked around in confusion, and when her eyes met Chu Hang's, she screamed instinctively.
"Who are you?"
Chu Hang pressed the cold barrel of his gun to her forehead.
"Ma'am, I suggest you answer my question first. Who are you?"
After a tense silence, the woman finally complied. Chu Hang's finger had twitched on the trigger just enough to communicate his seriousness.
"Rita Witzel, Senior Engineer on *Cosmic Homeland*."
"Your nation?"
"The Federation of E."
Chu Hang finally smiled and lowered his gun. The Federation of E was an ally of the Eastern Republic, almost like brothers. "So, dear *Davai*, why are you here on my base?"
Rita looked at him quizzically. "You're from the Eastern Republic?"
"Yes. Captain Chu Hang of the Eastern Space Agency, 13th Fleet," he said, snapping a crisp salute.
Rita stared in disbelief at this young officer from the East. In her understanding, a captain's rank required a minimum of five years of independent command experience. Yet, this man didn't appear to be much older than twenty-five, thirty at most!
"Yes, that's me," Chu Hang said, presenting his officer's badge.
Rita straightened up and returned the salute with respect. "Lieutenant Rita Witzel, Alpha X Research Team of the Federation of E, reporting to you, sir!" she declared, her face full of admiration.
**2:00 AM Earth time**
In the base's cafeteria, Rita devoured her food ravenously to replenish her strength.
"So, Rita, in your world, it's now 2055?" Chu Hang asked, watching her scarf down her third piece of bread. She nodded. "The universe sure is strange," Chu Hang marveled.
According to Rita, in her universe, humanity had not opted for the Dyson Sphere project but had continued to refine the particle accelerator in their quest for unlimited energy. Her timeline was five years beyond his, as his world had seen Mars evacuation in 2050.
"So, your team made a major breakthrough with the particle accelerator?"
"Well, nothing huge. We've managed to push the start-up efficiency to forty percent," Rita replied, a bit embarrassed. Years of effort by top scientists had still left the efficiency below fifty percent.
"When exactly did you reach forty percent?" Vivian asked.
"Just recently. We were running a test when I ended up here."
Vivian looked to Chu Hang. "Major, I think we've found our anomaly's cause. Forty percent must be the threshold where the accelerator tears the space-time membrane."
Before Chu Hang could react, Rita seized a fry, dipped it in cream, and began scribbling formulas on the table. As her equations grew, her face darkened with dread, and she slid to the floor, muttering, "It's over… I've crossed dimensions…"
"D*mn Peggy! Dragging me into that test!" Rita whispered, visibly panicked.
Chu Hang could only shake his head. It took her this long to realize she'd entered a parallel universe?
"No, there must be a way back!" She looked up, desperate. "Captain, may I see your particle accelerator?"
"Yes, of course."
Chu Hang knew he lacked technical expertise and needed specialists like her. Even if Rita seemed a bit unhinged, she was still a senior engineer.
**Ten minutes later**
Inside Power Chamber I, Rita stared at the particle accelerator, visibly disheartened.
"Only thirty percent efficiency? This will take forever to improve!"
Chu Hang homed in on her words. "So, you can boost the accelerator's efficiency?"
Rita sighed. "I remember most of the schematics, but I'll need materials and engineers to build it."
"Major, could you contact Earth for additional support?"
After a pause, Chu Hang placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Ahem. I forgot to mention. My Earth… well, it blew up."
Rita: "???"
**In the Cultivation Room**
Standing before a giant glass case, Rita stared at the flourishing apple trees with disbelief.
"Major, with all due respect, growing trivial plants wastes base energy."
After a short exchange, she had learned about the hardships Chu Hang endured over the past year. Truthfully, Rita doubted she could have survived under similar circumstances.
"Thanks for the reminder, but I need you to answer me. Can you modify the cultivation room?"
"Technically, I can, but I refuse to waste resources on this."
"You have the right to refuse," Chu Hang replied coldly, "and I have the right to send you outside."
After a fifteen-second standoff, Rita agreed, knowing her chances of survival in the base were far better than outside.
"My dear *Davai*, the energy problem isn't your concern."
Rita rolled her eyes. Moments ago, he'd wanted to kill her, and now he was calling her *Davai*? Eastern men—gentle, they say? Absolute nonsense!
"I wish I could ignore it! But without adequate power, I won't even be able to modify the cultivation room."
Chu Hang grinned and gestured toward Vivian, who pulled up a hologram of the power chamber. The focusing device was charging the base, with its energy readings climbing steadily.
"This isn't some sci-fi show, right?" Rita said, feeling her grip on reality slipping.
**Ten minutes later**
At the entrance to the power chamber, Rita clung to Chu Hang's pant leg like a child.
"My dearest *Davai*, please, just one more look. No, half a look!"
Chu Hang had no patience for her antics. "I preferred you when you were rebellious."
"Forget rebellious! I'll act however you want if you let me inspect that component!"
"Get lost!"
**Elsewhere, in an Unknown Dimension**
Dozens of people watched a large screen in shock, some so absorbed that they didn't notice coffee spilling over their hands.
"Dr. Peggy, are you sure that's Lieutenant Rita?"
"D*mn! That Eastern man dares treat our brightest star like that!"
As everyone chattered, a middle-aged woman in a white lab coat gazed intently at the screen.
"Praise be! What on earth is that little device?"
"Particle accelerator? Why are we even bothering with our research?"
"D*mn it, Rita, can't you be a little more proactive?"
...