Kael stood inside the largest research facility on the Moon, gazing at the shimmering ring of energy before him. The Erebus Gate was fully operational. Its swirling core pulsed like a miniature sun, powered by the latest breakthrough in controlled nuclear fusions.
A single step through the portal could send someone light-years away in seconds.
Governments scrambled to control the technology. Treaties were signed, broken, and rewritten overnight. Wars that once took years to wage could now be fought in an instant. Empires rose and fell at the speed of light.
The facility was silent, save for the rhythmic thrumming of the fusion reactors. His team stood behind him, watching in anxious anticipation. Among them were three of the brightest minds of the age, each carrying their own fears and ambitions.
Dr. Elisa Harlow, Chief Engineer of the Imperial House, had spent her career making space gate technology more efficient. She was cautious, meticulous, and saw the Erebus Gate as the last frontier of human ingenuity—something to be mastered, not exploited.
General Atticus Ward, head of the Unified Earth Directorate's (UED) Military Science Division, represented the pragmatic view of Earth's ruling body. To him, the Erebus Gate was the ultimate strategic weapon, a tool that could cement UED's dominance over the galaxy.
Elias Rune, a corporate mogul from NovaCorp, one of the largest energy conglomerates in the system, had invested billions into Element Omega's research. He saw the Erebus Gate as the key to interstellar commerce and unlimited profit.
These three forces—science, military, and industry—had aligned only because of Kael.
And Kael himself? He had no illusions about what he had created.
This was not just a scientific achievement. It was a paradigm shift, a reshaping of human civilization.
The moment the first traveler stepped through, everything would change.
Kael turned to his team, his voice steady.
"We have reached the threshold of history. The Erebus Gate is stable. The first test subject will step through within the hour."
Dr. Harlow nodded, reviewing the last of her calculations. "All readings confirm stability. The transition should be instantaneous."
General Ward remained expressionless. "And if it fails?"
"Then we lose the test subject," Kael said plainly. "But the data we gain will ensure a safer second attempt."
Ward exhaled sharply. "Humanity doesn't have the luxury of failure. The Senate already wants this gate weaponized before we even know its full potential. You know what's at stake."
"Which is why we must proceed carefully," Harlow interjected. "This isn't just another fusion reactor, General. It's a fundamental rewrite of physics as we understand it."
Elias Rune chuckled, leaning against the console. "And a fundamental rewrite of the economy. Imagine corporate supply chains instantaneously delivering goods across the stars. The first company to master this technology will rule the galaxy."
Kael sighed. "This is why I insisted that the Imperial House remain in control of the research. The Erebus Gate is too dangerous to belong to any one faction."
Ward narrowed his eyes. "And yet you built it here, on the Moon—where Earth's governments have the strongest presence.
Kael turned back to the shimmering gate. "I thought they would understand what's at stake. I was wrong."