Chapter Ten

An Expedition into the Unknown

When time is not on your side you must be ready for all scenarios

Elisium.

The Fifth Loop, Year 381, 1st January (5L/381/1/1)

"I came here empty-handed but we are going back with some priceless treasures."

Andrews and Matthews stood on the bridge of faith, the same bridge from where Solomon had leaped to change the fortunes of Aden, and now Andrews wished to do the same.

"What are you taking back in all these?" Matthews asked looking at the dozen sacks Andrews had brought for his return journey.

"Those two have all the maps I drew during my exploration," Andrews said pointing to a couple of sacks "Had to make them waterproof. This large black one has all my notes. These two sacks have samples of Star-Rocks."

"Why are you carrying rocks?" Matthews interrupted his friend.

"For experiments in Aden's advanced labs. They have to see these magical rocks to believe in their powers. So my friend, ready to see my world?" Andrews's friendship with Matthews had blossomed once Andrews told him the truth about himself and Aden. Matthews wasn't surprised, he too was a genius and had long guessed that Andrews was hiding something along these lines.

With the first rays of the sun, the Abyss of Unknown magically appeared in the river below. Sweat beaded on Matthews's forehead, his heart was thumping out of his chest. "Are you sure about this? So far I have believed in everything you have told me, but this is a step far too bold. I have a loving wife and two kids, and my wife is going to murder me if I get killed in this Abyss."

Andrews chuckled. "Don't worry my friend, it is time for you to meet the other Sherlyn, Gabriel, and Laura. I am dying to see the look on Suzanne's face when two Andrews appear in front of her. This is going to be great fun. By the way, where have you stored the copies of all the notes I gave you?"

"My heart is in my mouth and you are worried about notes. I have given it to Sherlyn for safekeeping. Don't worry your knowledge is safe and even if I don't return from this dangerous-looking adventure I am sure Gabriel will use it for the betterment of this world."

"You are coming with me because you want to see Aden," Andrews said pushing one of the sacks from the bridge. "Don't worry, you will return soon and lead the path of scientific and technological development in Elisium for years to come. Now, it's time to go."

Andrews leaped once they had dropped all the bags into the whirlpool. Matthews swallowed hard, took Almighty's name, remembered his family, and finally jumped to follow his friend into another world.

After the brief sensation of getting sucked in, they emerged on the other side. Andrews looked around him. The lush green grass on the riverbanks meant he was back in Aden. Now it was time to meet the king.

***

King Samuel the Brave was in the dining hall when Stuart, the commander of the Palace guards, interrupted him in his family dinner.

Samuel rolled his eyes. "For your own sake, I hope this is something really important. You know I don't like getting disturbed during my family time."

Samuel had such an imposing personality that Stuart was literally trembling. "Your Highness, I wouldn't have disturbed you if it wasn't urgent. Andrews the Explorer, is at the palace gates. Or should I say that two Andrews the Explorers are at the palace gates?"

Samuel clenched his jaw. "Are you drunk on duty? Andrews has been missing for a decade."

"I know that Your Highness, and I am not drunk. He has returned and there are not one but two Andrews. You must see for yourself."

"You are going to spend a better part of this year inside a cell to set your brain straight."

Stuart shrunk away from the king. "Please Your Highness, just have a look and then I am all at your mercy. I was just as astonished as you when the guards at the gate informed me about this, but I have seen both of them with my own eyes."

"Ok, I will give you a chance to prove your point before I send you to Tenebra."

"Oh, the Holy Angels!" Samuel gasped and stood up from his chair when he saw two Andrews walking towards him, side by side. Samuel had heard of people resembling each other, but these two were identical. And Samuel knew for sure that Andrews didn't have a twin brother.

"What in the name of the Holy God is this?" Samuel asked the two Andrews, not knowing whom he should address. "Where have you been for the last ten years? But first, for God's sake, tell me which one of you is Andrews?"

Both Andrews smiled together, however, the real one addressed his king. "This is a long story and I think you must sit down Your Highness, or you will have sore legs by the time it finishes. But before I begin I want you to call in a few people so they can also hear what I have to say. It is really important and we are short on time."

Andrews handed Samuel a list of a few prominent people which included some high-ranking ministers, imminent scientists, and army officers. They were all asked to report to the palace immediately.

Once everyone had assembled, Andrews began narrating the story of his journey into the other world. He explained in detail how Elisium was exactly a replica or a mirror image of Aden, including the whole human population. He had a whole lot of data and Matthews—as a walking and talking proof for his claims.

He concluded his story with a very intriguing proposal. "The Eye of Tenebra is open for another nine days. I want to lead an expedition party to Elisium, comprising ministers, scientists, and army officers so that they can see that world themselves. I know, quite understandably, that not everyone in this room believes in my story."

Samuel had so far quietly listened to Andrews's whole narration. "A world full of people like us. Wow! This is an enormous discovery but let us just take a deep breath and think. Why should we send an expedition there? Just for tourism? What do we gain from it?"

"You are saying this because I haven't yet told you about my biggest discovery in Elisium—one that could have an everlasting impact on our future."

"And what is that?" Samuel asked, furrowing his brow.

Andrews removed a small black stone from his pocket. "I present you the magical Star-Rocks."

Andrews held that small Star-Rock in a tong and set it alight. "These rocks produce extremely high temperatures by exhausting very little matter. Under a controlled environment, these Star-Rock could be used to release huge amounts of energy for a prolonged period. They are perfect for power plants, safe for domestic use, and could also be utilized for military purposes."

Everyone's gaze in the room was fixed on that everlasting flame. Andrews brought that burning rock near their faces, one by one, so that they could have a close look at it. "Our experts estimate that our fuel reserves wouldn't last beyond this century and then Aden would come to a grinding halt. These Star-Rocks can solve our biggest problem. Our scientists can experiment with these rocks as much as they want, I have brought two bags full of them, right now they are with the guards at the palace gates."

Samuel stood up and came near the burning rock. "So you want to work out a way to bring these rocks to Aden from Tenebra?"

"We can formulate a plan on how both worlds can benefit from this discovery. But first, we must start by laying the foundations of a harmonious relationship between Aden and Elisium."

Samuel sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers. "From all that we have seen so far, I think Andrews deserves a chance to prove his theories. So, I hereby, approve an expedition to Tenebra. A team of twenty people inclusive of ministers, scientists, and army officers will be selected by me and sent on this expedition."

"Your Highness, we have little time. There are no vehicles in Elisium and the journey to the Ruins takes more than two days. So, the earlier we leave, the more time we get there to study that world. Remember we have to return on the tenth Day of Darkness."

"Okay, I will make the list right now."

"You don't need to do that, Your Highness. All the people we need are already in this room. I had asked for these people so that we can select our touring party from amongst them."

Samuel sniggered. "So you had already assumed that I would approve this expedition."

"Pardon me, my king, but when time is not on our side we have to be ready for all scenarios. And believe me, I have chosen these people for some specific reasons."

"Ok, I get your point. William, the army chief will do all the necessary preparations for the trip and will also accompany you there. Now pick another eighteen men to go with you. Tomorrow at sunset, you all will jump into the Eye of Tenebra."

***

Twenty men stood on the cliff over the whirlpool on the second day of the Crossing. King Samuel himself and the whole Council of Aden had come to see off the touring party.

This was a historical day for Aden. A lot depended on the success of this expedition. At the sound of a gunshot, these brave men leaped into the Eye of Tenebra. A leap that didn't just take them to another world but also into the pantheons of history.

This was the beginning of mass traveling from one world to another. And the start of the vicious cycle of exploitation of one world by another.