“Welcome, class!.." Professor Adrian Moreau made a large sweeping gesture towards the cloth-covered object in the center of the classroom "To a very important event. I introduce to you…” The professor swiftly removed the dark cloth from the glass box on his desk, revealing a strange contraption that immediately captured everyone’s attention. “My Homeric Drive!” He tapped on the case that held the mesmerizing centerpiece of the lecture hall. It almost seemed to hum with some alien force. “Through careful manipulation of the resonant frequency of a very special crystal, and more careful tuning of the resonance chambers within the framework, I’ve been able to create a pocket of superimposed reality, essentially creating a rift between this world and another. It’s taken years to reach a point of comfortable stability… Or any stability, really, and lab testing on inanimate objects has proved fruitful, to say the least. I daresay it’s time for the first human trials- Nay, the first expedition into a parallel reality to finally commence! Of course, none of you are required to come along. I have only hypotheses and rough conjectures of what we may encounter on the other side. Not only would it be morally questionable, but I presume my tenure here at Highland Institute would be in jeopardy if I were to require class participation… but that being said, I’m inviting all of you and more to come with me on this first of firsts. First thing in the morning, say.. Seven am, meet me in my personal lab if you wish to join me in this adventure of a lifetime! Class dismissed!”
After finishing his short speech the professor hurried out of the room, leaving the rest of us to gawk over what he said, and his mysterious ‘Homeric Drive’. The room broke out into noise from all of the students talking about what they had just witnessed. Compelled by my own curiosity, I had to get a closer look at this potentially revolutionary device. Without even collecting my things I approached the Homeric Drive to better inspect it. It seemed to be akin to a faraday cage built around some kind of strange crystal. The air around it was warmer, probably due to the incessant low hum that resonated off of the crystal and through the cage itself. On one end, there was a collection of instruments to monitor the devices resonance and power output, as well as the controls to adjust these and other various measurements that were required to maintain the rift. On the other end of the cage, there was a projection disk. This appeared to be the end that the actual rift would form at. I couldn't help but wonder how big this formed rift would actually be when a familiar voice cut through the chatter.
"Alex!" It was Rebbeca Meadows.
"Rebbeca!" I replied. She seemed more excited than I had seen her in years.
"It looks like Professor Adrian has finally lost it. He said this thing is supposed to bridge two separate realities… Do we even know if there's such a thing?"
"Well, I plan on finding out tomorrow."
"I don't think I'll be there tomorrow. I had plans already.. And it sounds kinda dangerous, doesn't it?"
"You're right, it does. Who knows what we'll find on the other side, but I trust the professor enough. After all, at worst we can just come right back, yeah?"
"Mmm.. I suppose.. Just promise me you'll be safe, Alex. As safe as you can be, anyways."
"I'll do my best!"
"Okay. Good. I've got to get to my next class. See you later!"
"See you later!"
With an exchange of smiles the long haired-brunette left the room, and I turned back to the device. With a last, long look at the peculiar machine I took my leave of the classroom as well. With such a short class, there was some time to kill. I had been a student of applied metaphysics at Highland Institution of Prototechnology for about six years, and even before I was here the professor had been working on his magnum opus as he called it. It seemed like it was finally ready, and I only had a day to decide if I was going to participate in what could be an incredibly educational experience. That is, assuming it worked. "First thing in the morning, ehh.." I whispered to myself as I meandered towards my next class. There was a test today in Differential Equations, so I had to admit I wasn't in any hurry.
Highland was beautiful this time of year. The leaves were starting to change color, and a few select trees had already given their leaves over to the ground to conserve energy through the colder months to come. Different autumn shades of browns and yellows were scattered across the treetops, with the occasional hue of red or orange. I pulled my jacket tighter to ward off the bitter chill of a brisk wind, as a few freshly relinquished leaves tumbled past. Unique amongst the building of the main campus, the metaphysics building stood behind me, its titanium-reinforced walls meant to protect the nearby horticulture from any mishaps. Applied metaphysics wasn't inherently dangerous, but due to the abstract nature of the field, sometimes unexpected and… Violent discoveries were made. It stood out on the inside as well, with the iron-based paint used in lecture halls and labs. The building was prepared for nearly everything.
Outside of Kilton Hall, the rest of the campus looked pretty standard with brick and mortar buildings scattered about with sidewalks connecting the series of landscaped parks and various buildings together. Between myself and the mathematics building was the Hall of Prototechnology, and they had a heated park. I still had a little bit of time before the start of my differential equations class, so I decided to find a quiet place to study in the vale of eternal spring created by the consistent heat in the park.
With the warmth from the grass heaters, I was able to enjoy the day much more. The discrepancy between the various vibrant shades of blues, purples, and vivid yellows of the flowers that bloomed year-long in the Spring Park contrasted almost humorously with the pallid yellows, dark browns, and pale reds of the autumn scenery just outside the park's threshold. I set my books down and opened my notes on an appealing bench I found near the middle of a small field of flowers.
I stepped out of the classroom with a stretch and a long sigh. The test was hard, but not impossibly so. I felt I did well.
"Alex!"
"Oh, hey Carlos," He had been waiting for me.
"Me and the crew are gonna go get some drinks tonight, want you to come with. Tests should be scored then, lowest grade buys the first round. Second lowest buys the next, and so on. You in?"
"Hah, yeah. When and where?" I laughed to myself, confident I'd be getting free drinks tonight. Carlos was smart, but math wasn't his forte.
"Goin' to Wet Willie's, 'round eight forty-five."
"See you there, then" We waved goodbye and parted ways.
Now I had plans for the evening, and with no other classes to occupy my day, I decided to head back to my dorm. The dorms themselves were only a short walk from the mathematics building, and the chill had dulled in the afternoon sun.
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