Transcending Space

 

TRANSCENDING SPACE

Humanity has for a very long time, longed for the world beyond the skies. Though they hadn’t fully explored the world beneath, the world above fascinated them more.

A fascinating discovery made in the early 1880’s, dark matter, happened to be the pathway to the answers humanity searched for.

Like most scientific discoveries, it took quite a while, a total of four centuries for humanity to finally unlock the secrets behind the amazing world of dark matter and how it pertained to the universe at large.

However, with a great discovery comes a whole new world of danger. Is the discovery worth the danger this time or would humanity finally learn their lesson with dabbling with the unknown?

Whatever the answers are, this is only the first step to transcending space.

Dark matter for a long time was an intangible wondrous element that escaped the hands of many who were fascinated by it.  

But by bit, for four centuries, humanity finally cracked a hole in the riddle and are expanding this hole. New technologies are produced because of this hole that is made and the universe is understood just a bit better.

The minor cracks made into this riddle however, turned Earth, the home of the humans, into a war zone. Everyone fought and fought because of the secrets of the universe. One could say it was worth it, wars have been fought over less significant reasons. 

From a scientist’s point of view, the lives of many are not worth the secrets of the universe. They are just those kinds of people. You can’t be a pacifist and survive as a scientist.

So, the wars continued. Nations rose and fell. Alliances were formed and broken. It dragged on and on for another century until people were sick of it. 

Out of the ashes of those wars arose three great nations; The Confederation of Idiya, The Empire of Terra, and The Monsoon Kingdom. They stood above the rest because they were the ones to get the secrets of the universe in the end.

Our story first takes place in the Confederation of Idiya. It is a place ruled by the military head of state. It wasn’t as strict as it sounded, except when it came to their scientific and military secrets. 

The strong point of this nation is its scientific discoveries and institutions. They led the world in that area. People came far and wide just to admire the intelligence of the great nation.

One of their best attractions is the Institute of Advanced Evolution, a prestigious institution located in District A of Central City. A hub for the truly intellectual and many of bright minds. 

In one of the lecture rooms of this institution, a lecture on quantum mechanics was going on. The lecturer, a middle-aged man named Carter Winfrey, who had huge achievements in the field of Quantum Engineering was delivering his lecture at a steady pace.

The class could not be considered dull nor lively. It depended largely on the individual moods of the students.

The door to the lecture room bolted open and a student came in right after, panting heavily. The class paused to look at the intruder.

”Mister Ibiho, you’re late” Carter said, tapping his smart watch.

“I’m really sorry but you need to come with me now Professor”

“...Why?”

“I’ve reached a breaking point in my research and I need your help. Please sir, this is of utmost importance to the nation”

“So is this class”

His answer was to be expected. He was known as a rigid man, rarely compromising for any reason, not even his favorite student.

“Sir, I already got permission from the Dean” Jensen Ibiho said, pulling out a slip that was signed by the Dean. Carter collected it with suspicion and peruses the content. When it saw he was original, he dismissed the class and followed Jensen to the lab.

A mixture of anxiety and excitement, Jensen showed the professor his work. It was a quantum generator, operating solely on dark matter itself, theorized to be able to pierce space and time. It was understandable why Jensen would be excited. 

But, Carter could see that his research was a double edged sword and he was not about to let anything happen to his most brilliant student.

“I’ve reached the final stage. All I need is a push”

“Do I look like I offer mental support, Mister Ibiho?”

“Haha, no sir. I was talking about the ignition. The kind of generator model I used was the crude kind used in the late 2000’s. They surprisingly have much resistance to force and are more malleable than the modern generators. The concept behind the ignition however is bothering me”

“Let’s see here. These wires and tubes are supposed to connect everything......”

As Carter explained and Jensen eagerly soaked in his knowledge, the dean watched the two from the door. His hand stroked his beard as various thoughts filled his mind.

“I think I get it now. Thank you sir”

“It’s fine. Now that I’m here, why don’t we finish it together?”

“That’ll be wonderful sir”

“Ahem! Am I really that invisible?”

“Dean!” The two yelled, surprised.

“I’m sorry, we didn’t see you there. Is there anything we can do for you?”

“No professor. I just came to check on the progress of your research. The head of state already contacted me. He said if it’s finished by this week, both you and the generator would be moved to the national lab”

“Really? That’s wonderful. Thank you so much dean”

“You’re welcome Jensen. With this project, you have more than enough credit to graduate. I suppose I should wish you congratulations”

“Thank you”

“You may continue”

“Dean Mikal, can I talk to you outside?”

“Sure Professor But make it brief. I have other matters to attend to”

“Alright then. I’ll be right back Ibiho”

“Take your time sir”

Mikal and Carter stepped outside of the lab.

“With all due respect Dean, was it a good idea to recommend him to the national lab? This research he’s conducting is very dangerous. I don’t want it to pose a risk to his life”

“Professor Winfrey, who’s a scientist without taking risks? Mister Ibiho is a brilliant youth with exceptional talents. The best place he would flourish is the national lab. We’ll just be cramping his knowledge here”

“A quantum time generator? What does the head of state need it for?”

“Would you prefer it fell into the hands of our enemies? Besides, Mister Ibiho isn’t a citizen of our Confederation. If I didn’t report his research and the government found out, it would be all our heads on the line. This was the best option”

“I agree but we may also lose a great talent for our Confederation”

“Professor Winfrey” Dean Mikal started, putting his hand on his shoulder.

“This was the best option. If he works in the national lab, it would be the best and safest environment for him to grow. Put more faith in your nation”

Dean Mikal pat his shoulder and left.

“I really didn’t have much faith in it to begin with. My last gift to you, Jensen, is to help you with your life work”

With a melancholic smile, Carter returned into the lab to help Jensen.

Finishing from work that day and high strung from all the stress, he drove himself to a bar and ordered a shot of whiskey at the counter.

“Rough day Professor?” The bartender asked with a warm smile.

“You have no idea Haman. I’m just tired”

“I’ve heard that before. Why don’t you get laid instead of drinking yourself to stupor every time?”

“If you’re offering your body, then sure” he said in a joking tone and winked. Haman made an unamused face. 

“Surely you jest. You can’t afford me”

“I know. Can I at least get what I can afford? Another shot please”

“Just so you know, I am not taking you home tonight if you get hammered”

“Aw, I thought we were friends”

“Stop trying to be cute Carter. That’s gross”

“Hey, can I sit here?” A rich baritone voice cut into their conversation. They both looked sideways to see a young man smile at Carter. 

“Do whatever you want. Another shot Haman”

“I thought I said to go easy on the drinks!”

“I hear you. Why don’t you serve your other customers?”

“Then I”ll have a shot of tequila” the man beside Carter said.

“Sure. I’ll be right back” Haman said with his signature smile and turned to get the guy’s drink but not without whispering ‘get laid” to Carter. The latter promptly ignored him.

“Professor Carter, it is a pleasure to see you in person, especially around these parts”

“I’m sorry, do I know you?”

“No but you’re pretty famous. You are even being spoken about in other institutions. Many people would die just to meet you”

“I know that and I wish it was just an expression”

“Wow, you’re even more interesting than I thought”

Carter sighed.

“Can’t you just leave an old man to drink in peace?”

“You’re 35. That’s not old at all. Oh, I haven’t introduced myself, how rude of me. My name is Dr. Edward Raman. I’m a resident at Idiya Institute of Medicine. Pleased to make your acquaintance”

“Nah, I don’t believe you. The institute of medicine hates our guts and you, Dr. Raman, are the pride and jewel of the place. We cannot be acquainted with each other. Please excuse me”

“Don’t turn me away just yet Professor. I’ve come of my own accord and I’ve come to make a deal. It concerns one of your top students, Master Jensen Ibiho. If I’m correct, he should be moving to the national lab by next week”

Carter slammed the shot bottle on the table and glared fiercely at Edward. Edward put his hands up in surrender, a bit afraid of the normally unbothered Professor.

“Talk! Now!”

“Can we please go somewhere else more.... private? I have booked us a hotel room”

“Alright. Hey Haman!”

“What? Finally getting laid?”

“Something like that. Put the drink on my tab”

“You’re paying if my glass is broken”

“Of course. See you later”

“Later”

The two of them walked out of the bar to the nearby hotel. Carter followed Edward with no hesitation or sense of security. 

“Look Dr. Raman, I know a straight laced man when I see one. Let’s get straight to the point. The matter of Ibiho Jensen’s existence is a secret within the Institution so I’m a bit apprehensive that the Institute of Medicine knows about it. I don’t know what you people have under your sleeves but I suggest you keep it there. He is under government protection and so am I. Unless you want the wrath of the government, you’d be wise to leave us alone”

“The institute of medicine has nothing to do with this. It is merely my own curiosity. You’re one of the greatest scientists this country has seen in decades and you take a foreigner as your first disciple, the same who is under government protection”

“I don’t see any of that to be your concern. If you don’t have anything better to say, you’ll have to excuse me”

“As someone protected by the government, your shady cooperation with the empire and the monsoon kingdom could hardly be called patriotic”

“Didn’t I say it’s not your business? What do you want from me?”

“Simply cooperation and nothing more”

“Screw your cooperation. I don’t want it”

“Think wisely. Your student’s life and the institution’s reputation is on the line. You may be a hardened man but even a fool knows those are your weak point”

“My weakness being jabbed at by a doctor, what a fierce irony. I already said I don’t want to be involved in anything with you. It’ll do you good to leave me alone”

“You may soon come to regret that decision” Edward said, letting him pass through. 

“I don’t care” Carter said, his countenance more terrible than he had first entered. He wanted to go back to the bar to drink but obvious reasons prevented him so. He just decided to head back to the lab.

Whether Edward’s words came to pass or not, it didn’t matter to Carter at that moment. But, the man soon realized, everything went downhill from there.

Carter’s trip back to the institution was calm but his mind was anything but. From the beginning, the matter of Jensen Ibiho was a complicated one. 

The boy had a parentage from both the Monsoon Kingdom and The Empire. His parents had moved to the Confederation when he was younger but it took a long time for any of the three to be granted citizenship from the Confederation.

Jensen’s talent was discovered by the dean when the boy was in high school and he was given the chance to study with his mentor, Carter Winfrey. The latter was much unwilling to accept the boy at first but after seeing pieces of himself in him and that unyielding hope that refused to be trampled, Carter finally accepted him under his wing.

Under Carter’s tutelage, the boy naturally grew in leaps and bounds, reaching his present level of creating a device that would make one of humanity’s oldest dreams, time travel, come true. It was also one that would rekindle the flames of war between the three giant nations. It was truly a double edged sword. 

The complexity of the situation was not lost on Carter but he’ll be damned if he let someone bully him into submission just because his student was brilliant. 

Carter parked his car in the underground parking lot and entered the lab through the alternate entrance. The lights were still on even at that time of the night, showing someone was still working.

That someone was hunched over a table, thick rimmed glasses on his tired eyes and his hands tapping away at his e-tablet.

This sight made Carter sigh as the boy reminded him of his younger self, always absorbed in finding the secrets of the universe. What made him stop, only he himself knew.

“Jensen”

The boy’s head jerked upwards and tilted to look at the intruder in the room. A lazy smile climbed his lips and he could only nod in greeting.

“I thought I asked you to go home and rest. I would finish this up for you tomorrow”

“Yet here we both are Professor. I’d rather not trouble you anymore Professor”

“Your presence here already troubles me. Go ahead and rest. I won’t take no for an answer”

“Alright”

Jensen stood from the desk and stretched his cramped muscles, showing his thin frame. Carter tutted at that and Jensen obediently went to lie on the bed that Carter had laid out beforehand. 

The lab coat seamlessly slipped on Carter’s body like a second skin and his dexterous hands picked equipment, ready to work on the quantum generator.

No matter how many years had passed, Jensen continued to admire his teacher’s ability. It was like seeing a beautiful piece of art, moving and breathing.

“Before I sleep Professor, can I ask you a question?”

“....ask away”

“What’s the national lab like?”

“It’s a dastardly place filled with people who would push you down and step on your head if it meant more prestige. However, such a place is safer than here”

“I know you wish the best for me Professor but I wish I could stay beside you and learn more from you”

Carter’s hands stopped moving and he was almost rendered speechless by what his student just said. Remembering how excited he looked when the dean delivered the news, Carter wondered if he somehow went wrong while training his student. In the end, he could only squeeze out this response.

“Don’t say unnecessary things and rest. Haven’t I told you the brain and heart are the most important tools for a scientist? Sleep now”

“Goodnight Professor”

It was only when Carter could hear Jensen’s snores that his tense muscles could relax. 

“Goodnight Jensen”

The morning rays from the shuttered window hit Jensen’s face, stirring him from sleep. It was early morning and his body was no longer sluggish as it was the night before.

His eyes searched the lab for the professor, finding him resting his head on a desk. The sleeping position looked uncomfortable so Jensen wondered why he wasn’t woken up.

He didn’t wonder for long, wash his face and get coffee for both of them. The smell of the piping hot coffee was what woke Carter up.

“Good morning Professor”

“Hmm morning. What time is it?”

“7:40 am”

“Alright. It means we still have time to go home. Pack up, I’ll go get the car ready. Oh, I finished the ignition yesterday. All that remains is your personal touch up. I trust you’ll have no problem with that”

“I won’t. Thank you professor”

“Hmm”

The drive to Carter’s apartment was silent. The two got into the house, went into separate rooms and freshened up.

Carter prepared a quick breakfast for the two of them and they lay to relax before going back to the lab. 

Carter went to deliver his lectures while Jensen went to finish his project. The rest of the week went by uneventful till it came time for Jensen to leave. Dean Mikal and Carter drive him personally to the national lab. Throughout the drive, only Mikal tried to make small talk. He advised Jensen on how to behave, behaving like a doting father.

The national lab was a monument built over fifty years ago. It was a national treasure, the security proving such a fact. The lab itself spanned over ten hectares, accommodating diverse parts and people. The lab itself also extended underground, proving to be much bigger than first glance. It was painted with the Confederation colors; green, white, red and grey. 

Jensen’s mouth formed an ‘O’ when faced with the majestic national treasure. Carter looked unimpressed as always while Dean Mikal kept tapping on his e-phone.

“Our escort is in the reception hall. Let’go” 

Carter locked his car and the three walked into the reception hall after passing various blocks of security checks. 

Right in front of the reception desk, five soldiers and two men and one woman stood. 

One of the men wore a plain shirt and pants, holding an e-tablet while the other one wore a long lab coat, his curly hair a mess and his mouth twisted into a sneer. It worsened when he saw Carter. 

The woman wore a decorated military vest, showing she was the head of state. They all exchanged greetings cordially, except Carter and the head scientist standing beside the head of state.

“What an honor to see the head of state come to greet me herself”

“You’re a valuable asset to this nation Professor Winfrey, It’s the least I could do. A good master should beget a great student so I’m looking forward to that”

“A foreigner picked as a student, What buffoonery! I’ve always known you were lacking but I didn’t know it was this bad Carter”

“Right back at you Vlad. Couldn’t you save the hostile welcome till the boy settled down at least? It wouldn’t kill you to be less racist and myopic”

“If I did, it would just be hypocritical. Why not show my displeasure in front of the head of state herself?”

“Can you two please not start here? I’ve had enough of clearing your messes” the head secretary of the head of state said firmly. The two men shut up but kept glaring at each other.

“I assure you we would take good care of your student, Carter. Head scientist Vlad would not harm him nor would anyone else. There’s no need to pressure us”

“It’s simply a warning Theodore. If anything happens to my student, I would hold everyone present here accountable”

“We would take full responsibility” Theodore, the head of state’s head secretary answered him. Carter seemed satisfied and backed off.

The arguments ended there and after empty pleasantries, both Carter and the Dean left the national lab.

A few weeks later, Carter received an invite to the launch of Jensen’s device. The location was the national space station and power production plant, CWS001. 

There was a major advantage to having discovered how to utilize dark matter; power production. The former means of providing energy, whether using coals, petroleum, nuclear energy or biofuel, all were extremely harmful to the earth. 

However, finding another source of power with high advantages was the focus of humanity which was very much in decline. Thus came in the first theory of thermodynamics; energy cannot be created nor destroyed, only changed from one form to another. 

The same was roughly applicable to matter so one person did what appeared to all as a miracle, converted dark matter into ordinary matter. After that, it was further converted to any form of energy needed.

With that, the crisis of a power source was solved. The nations of the earth built space stations with extensions connected to earth to channel the power source. If one looked closer to the sky, the giant flexible contraptions could be seen, just barely. It carried a message that man had conquered both the air and space. It was an overwhelming change.

The person who had brought such a miracle to life only at 20 years of age, was none other than Carter Winfrey. It wasn’t only him on the team of course but his contributions were by far the greatest and as such he earned the title of the Confederation’s most prized possession. His brain was worth more than treasures and his life value was above that of the head of state. This was precisely why the space station was named after his initials.  

His eyes scanned the message again and he made preparations for a trip. His movements were mechanical, his mind seemingly in another place. When he was done packing, he got into his car and drove to the bar. 

Haman was there as usual and gave him a smile once he hopped on the bar stool. 

“A tequila for your thoughts professor?” Haman asked, seeing his brooding expression. Carter nodded, not saying anything. Haman was perplexed but still brought him a shot. He assigned another bartender to the other customers and focused on his friend.

“What’s wrong Carter?” he asked softly.

“Haman, if you could rewrite the past and stop some things from happening, would you do it?”

Hearing such a question come from a master scientist like Carter, Haman was speechless. 

“I don’t know. There is the existence of the butterfly effect and the fact that time would definitely repair itself” he answered honestly. If one lived in the capital for a long time and didn’t have basic scientific knowledge, then they would just have lived in vain, especially for a bartender like Haman.

“You’re right. Time is a very dangerous thing that one shouldn’t mess with which is why I haven’t set my hands on it. Unfortunately, my student is a big dreamer and has invented such a double edged sword”

Haman gasped.

“You mean, a time machine?”

Carter nodded, his eyes filled with melancholy. 

“Holy shit! What are you going to do now?”

“This matter is already in the hands of the government. What can I do but to drink my sorrows away and hope to God that they won’t destroy the world”

Although Haman had a slight reaction when Carter mentioned the word God, he discarded such minor thoughts of a religion in face with the destruction of the world. 

The world they lived in could be said to be both civilized yet it was not. Due to the devastating war and the fact that the human race was almost wiped out, most of the modern world had lost its technologies. They were slowly being built from scratches that was why it resembled a cross between the 20th century and what was imagined to be a futuristic version of earth.

Religion itself was becoming a desolate matter. After the war ravaged the earth, fewer people believed in a greater power rescuing them and just took matters into their own hands. However, the existence of a greater being had been long ingrained into humans so they can’t forget so easily.

Haman could only offer basic comfort and liquor to Carter. He was a brilliant scientist so he couldn’t help out much. In fact, nobody could help him. 

On the other side of the bar, Carter could spy Dr. Raman staring intensely at him. His lips curled in a self deprecating smile and downed his last shot. Settling his tab with Haman, he stumbled out of the bar, refusing the help of the other man. As expected, Dr. Raman followed and steadied him just as he was about to fall. He led Carter by the shoulder to his car and the both of them settled in a heavy silence. 

“What is it that you want, Dr. Raman? To procure the device of my student?”

“.....No. I am doing this out of mere curiosity”

“How nice, my life is just a show for you all to spectate”

“It’s not like that”

“Oh, have you fallen in love with me?” Carter teased.

“Not that either. I admire you and your works”

“Which must be why you want to recruit me into your rebellion. No, rebellion is a fancy term for the rag tag team assembled by the power hungry men. You’re so naive doctor, which is why they thought you the perfect person to recruit me. I can only laugh at you and your stupid ambitions. I don’t know what exactly is inspiring such a brilliant young man like you to do such nonsense but I don’t care much”

“It’s not that stupid. The ruling of Idiya is a one sided affair. The Government and scientists rule this nation”

“Are you a scientist Doctor?”

“I’m not a pretentious prick who believes he can change the world”

“Oh but I did change the world. I conquered the world and I transcended space. There is no one better than me” 

“Indeed. Which is why if we want to take over the confederation, you are indispensable”

“When I said you’re stupid doctor, I meant it. Everyone praises me for being such an amazing existence but they don’t know the risk was definitely greater than the reward. You’re a doctor so riddle me this, is there a drug in the world without a side effect?”

“....No”

“Exactly. So, if I could channel and change black matter, do you really think there was no side effect? I know you don’t believe much in the government so you and your little organization have your doubts. There is indeed a side effect” 

Edward’s expression didn’t shift, showing Carter was correct. So, he continued.

“The process of converting dark matter into ordinary matter went smoothly after various tries but there was a waste product. We call it corruption. It is total darkness, it consumes light and everything that has light. 

Right now the space stations have a repellent field that keeps the corruption out but it has become weaker over time. Repairing it is very dangerous and so it has been a very disturbing issue. If i were you, I’d stop my plans for a revolt and prepare for possibly, the end of the world”

Edward’s eyes widened as he looked into Carter’s eyes which had small hints of hopelessness. For the first time since Cater met the doctor, the latter raised his voice.

“Then why the hell did you continue with the project?” 

“Military order. It was personally requested by the leaders of the three nations. How could I refuse?’

“And you still say this doesn’t call for a revolt?”

“In the first instance, I don’t care much. I have very little I value in life. Second. If you cause a rebellion and a civil war now, even with the help of the Head Secretary, you would lose and your lives would be forfeit. This matter is irreversible and nothing can be done again. The only way to solve this matter is if the project was never embarked on in the first place”

“Is that….is that why your student created a time machine?”

“That boy has very high ambitions. I let him do as he pleased even though it was doomed to fail. However, he unexpectedly succeeded”

Edward narrowed his eyes at Carter and said nothing. Carter’s complacent look gave him no clues on his thoughts. He could only frown and lose himself in his thoughts.

“Alright, get out. I’m already sufficiently sober and I have an early flight tomorrow. See you in the space station doctor”

Edward was promptly kicked out and Carter drove off, leaving the former in the dark spiral of his thoughts. 

The next day, despite his hangover, Carter was ready to go. 

The next day, Carter ordered a taxi to the airport. For flights in the atmosphere and outside the atmosphere, the airports used were the same. Due to the giant steel contraptions in the air, air travel has become more like rail travel. 

An aerial train would take them up to the space shuttle station in the mesosphere. From there, they would take a space shuttle to the space station. 

Out in the atmosphere were not only power generation plants but resorts and the likes. On the earth’s surface, the development of technology could not be truly seen. However, the civilization in the atmosphere bothering the great beyond was breathtaking. 

This view was one Carter saw and couldn’t resist an unconscious smile. He didn’t like a lot of things in his life but the sight of the space stations and the world outside of the atmosphere was truly one to behold. 

However, the conversation he had with Edward the day before quickly wiped the smile off. He sighed and let his mind wander. Then, he recalled something that happened quite a long time ago.

In the vestiges of the old world, Carter chanced upon a peculiar ruin. It used to be a library building but the creaked exposed door of the celler seemed to indicate otherwise. He descended the rotten stairs carefully and explored the cellar. On first sight, it was ordinary, a place filled with old files and books. Bored, he went through the various books and files. It was there he found something called the Transcendent Project. It was in line with his impossible research so he couldn’t help but read more. 

Ever since he was a kid, Carter had been obsessed with the untouchable and the great unknowns. One of his favorites was dark matter. The Transcendent Project listed a theoretical method of transforming dark matter into ordinary matter through different methods but from the red marks, he could see all failed.

He took this file back home with him and began his research. Dark matter was a very strong force and advanced science. It was a very tough mystery to crack. What he needed first were samples. He couldn’t work if he had nothing to work on. That was how he got involved with the government. 

When he started, the head of state then was just a major. She helped him and in turn, got promoted. He had to work with other scientists at first, severely limiting his talents. Thus, he schemed and got them kicked out, putting himself in priority position. It was also like that he earned the ire of Vlad who seemed to hate his very presence. It didn’t matter to him as long as he fulfilled his goal.

He got samples and ran tests all day long, recording his observations and coming up with more hypotheses. He tried everything, temperature, extreme light with small doses of dark matter, pressure and radiation. Trying nuclear fission to crack down on the minute particles was one of the most daunting things he ever tried. Not knowing the result of the trials kept his blood pumping.

In the end, after five long years, he succeeded. Hailed as the genius scientist of the century and the most important person in the nation. 

Look at him now, after fulfilling his life goal, he became listless. He got mood swings, drank a lot and basically went into a slump. After that, he was offered a job by the dean to teach as a guest professor which he accepted out of good measure. Along the way, Jensen got dumped on him too.

His lips curled up when he saw the CWS001 come to view. It was a huge ship, easily the size of two supermarkets combined. There were also compartments floating around it and a field of protection. Carter smiled to himself, half sincere half mocking. His masterpiece. 

He disembarked the space shuttle and got signed in to the spaceship. He held the highest authority there so he didn’t waste too much time on clearance. He went directly to his quarters to settle in. After a long day, he rested.

The launch of the quantum engine that Jensen built was a private affair. If word got out that they built a time machine, no donut the drums of war would resound again. They took the necessary precautions.

As Jensen’s teacher, Carter stood by him with a blank expression as if what was going on did not concern him. 

The head of state gave a speech and Jensen went to explain what the machine did and what it was all about. Carter’s wandering eyes landed on an expressionless Edward and upon closer inspection, the little twitches in his face. 

When it was time to switch on the quantum generator, a very loud crashing sound was heard. The whole space station shook like there was an earthquake.  When they went to check the cause, they could only look in horror. 

The shield’s integrity was compromised and the corruption had started eating through the space station. Panic ensued and people started fleeing. Even if the shield was destined to fail, it wouldn’t fail that soon so he could only imagine it was sabotaged. 

It didn’t matter in the end, they were all going to die. 

The corruption spread to the hall where the launch was going on, which was almost completely empty. Only Jensen, a few soldiers and Carter stood there. The corruption consumed everything in its path, not leaving a trace of what had just been there. It was almost as if the dark matter was reconstructing itself by using the substitutes it feeds on. It was scary. 

At the last moment, Jensen activated the quantum generator. It whirled on and he turned the pump to the corruption that was coming. The dark matter was sucked in through the pump, giving the generator more power and a wormhole opened. 

“Go professor, it should take you to the time you want. Stop all this from happening” Jensen shouted. Carter could only give a short look of regret before Jensen was swallowed. He steeled his heart and jumped into the wormhole. The moment it closed, a huge explosion occurred and all traces of the CWS001 were wiped out. 

When Carter opened his eyes, he realized he was in the cellar of the old library. He had fallen and hit his head, knocking him unconscious. Everything that happened seemed to be a mirage in his eyes but for the sake of his sanity and the greater good, he put the file away and left the place like his butt was on fire.

After a while, a dark cloud of gas enveloped the cellar and began to swallow the files and everything there. The cloud didn’t dissipate until everything in the library had been consumed. After that, it seemed to disappear into thin air. 

Truly dark matter was a force that definitely shouldn’t be played with carelessly. In conclusion, it was better to have not poked the hornet's nest at all even if you were to get stung at a later date.