“To take no risks is to take no actions and to achieve no growth.”
—Hugo Deshaies, 1956
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18:23 JST (15:23 WT), 16th of March, 1639 (16th of Marto, 1995)
Imperial Hotel, Uchisaiwaichō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
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Harold Glenn peered out the window of his hotel suite, observing Hibiya Park below with a warm mug of tea in his hand.
Today marked the third week of their stay in Japan, and they were beginning talks on opening a VROEMG embassy in Tokyo. It was an unorthodox move by VROEMG in his opinion, but he kept that thought to himself as he took another sip of his tea.
At the moment, Harold heard the suite door open behind him with a click and a soft creek. He turned to see his friend, colleague and also roommate, Isaac Yamaji entering the room with a small box in hand.
"Evening, Harold," Isaac greeted, offering a tired smile as he made his way over to the coffee table in the corner of the room.
"Evening, Isaac," Harold replied, setting down his mug of tea. "What do you have there?"
Isaac dropped the box onto the table with a thud. "Just some things I picked up from Midtown Hibiya," he said, "souvenirs y'know?"
Harold frowned. “Are you sure this is the right way to spend our time? You can always come back here after this business is all said and done."
Isaac shrugged as he peered into the box. "Maybe."
Harold did not know what to say next, so he returned to the window, letting silence fill the room once more.
It was at that moment he noticed a peculiar black dot moving rapidly across the sky. At first, Harold dismissed it as a bird before he realised it was moving too erratically and quickly to be one.
Alarmed, Harold leaned closer to the window, squinting to get a better look.
It was spherical in shape and looked to be around the size of a small car – although he couldn't be sure as it was too far away. The object seemed to be descending towards Hibiya Park, fast.
Harold quickly turned towards Issac who was still looking through his box. "Isaac, come look at this."
Isaac, who was now seated on the of edge of a bed, glanced up in confusion but complied nonetheless. "Yes?"
Harold pointed at the black sphere in the distance, pressing his index finger on the windowpane. "Do you see that?"
Isaac squinted, following Harold's finger.
His eyes widened as he spotted the mysterious object. "What in the world?" he muttered.
They watched in silence as the sphere continued its descent, growing larger as it did. It seemed to be pure black, like a void absorbing all light.
Harold was the first to snap out of his stupor. "That's an anomaly. We need to contact Site Alpha immediately."
Isaac nodded and quickly pulled out his phone and began typing rapidly before bringing his phone up to his ear. After a few moments, it connected. "This is Isaac Yamaji from the VROEMG Diplomatic Team to Japan. We have visual confirmation of a possible anomalous object. Please advise."
Harold, meanwhile, continued to watch the sphere intently as it descended to the level of the park's treetops. By then, he could see that a few people in the park had also noticed the object. Some pointed upwards, while others began to back away cautiously, uncertain of what they were witnessing.
The operator responded with something, judging by Isaac's furrowed brow. "Yes, we're at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo, facing Hibiya Park. The entity is just above the treetops of the park..."
As Isaac related information, Harold remembered he had brought binoculars with him, He quickly retrieved them from his suitcase in the wardrobe at the front of the hotel suite and returned to the window, adjusting its focus to get a clearer view of the sphere.
It was hovering as still as a statue and reminded Harold of the black holes he had seen in the science fiction films he had watched.
Isaac ended his call and joined Harold by the window again. "They're dispatching a team as we speak, but I don't think they will be arriving for at least another day."
Harold sighed, running a hand through his hair. "A day might be too late if that thing decides to do something."
Isaac nodded nervously. "VROEMG recommends we notify the rest of the team, and also the government envoys in case the worse is to happen.
Harold nodded in agreement, "I'll give Dirk, Torben and Ivana a call, you should look for the gov's men."
"I will," Isaac said firmly, already moving towards the suite door.
"Oh, and let's say we rendezvous here in an hour, we would have to discuss the actions we need take for the next day or so."
Isaac gave Harold a curt nod, and exited the room in a brisk jog.
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19:28 JST (16:28 WT), 16th of March, 1639 (16th of Marto, 1995)
Imperial Hotel, Uchisaiwaichō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
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Johann had been surprised and a bit apprehensive when their group (the Neragese diplomatic delegation to Japan) had discovered that VROEMG had also sent out their own team. What in the world could they possibly be needing to investigate in Japan?
It had gotten even weirder when a friend had spotted a black hole-like object simply floating above Hibiya Park. If it really an anomaly, Johann really hoped it wasn't actually a black hole and just a profoundly dark and strange object.
This led to him being invited by the VROEMG delegates to meet at the 12th-floor suite to discuss how they should handle the anomaly. Seeing no real reason not to accept. Johann made his way to the floor with a blond burly, yet friendly bodyguard named Philibert in tow.
"Ah, Mr. Platz, welcome!" a plain, brown-haired man greeted as Johann pushed the ajar door to the suite open. "Thank you for coming on such short notice. Please, come in."
"Thank you," Johann replied automatically, stepping into the suite with Philibert just behind him.
Johann was immediately met with quiet greetings from 4 other people in the room, one of whom he recognised as the one who had invited him to the meeting, Isaac Yamaji.
Yamaji looked slightly nervous "Mr. Platz, I'm glad you could join us, please have a seat." he gestured towards one of the armchairs.
Johann nodded and took a seat in one of the armchairs, his bodyguard Philibert standing watchfully nearby.
The brown-haired man took the initiative. "I think some introductions are in order before we continue. I am Harold Glenn. He gestured towards his colleagues "This is Isaac Yamaji, our lead diplomat and translator. Dirk Schneider" – a moustachioed man in thin-rimmed glasses – "and Ivana Petrovic." A blonde woman with a stiff expression nodded in acknowledgement as her name was mentioned."
"Pleasure to meet you all," Johann responded politely.
Yamaji spoke next. "As you have heard, we've encountered a rather unusual phenomenon over Hibiya Park." He glanced at Glenn briefly. "An experienced team from VROEMG is being dispatched, but they won't arrive for another day or so. Until then, we must manage the situation as best as possible."
"Have any attempts to interact with this entity been made?" The man named Schneider asked.
Yamaji looked as if he was about to say no but was cut off by Petrovic. "I have seen some teenagers fly a drone to meet the anomaly, but the machine simply ceased to function as it approached. It plummeted straight to the ground, much to their bewilderment."
"It has an EMP field around it," Glenn muttered to no one in particular, but Petrovic heard him.
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
"Hard to say for now whether it's an intentional defence mechanism or a side effect of its presence," Ivana Petrovic added in what Johann thought was supposed to be a professional voice but made her sound quite pompous. "But clearly, that is the case.”
"I think we should notify the Prime Minister about this anomaly," Yamaji interjected promptly.
Johann responded before anyone else could speak. "I agree. We should have them evacuate the general area around Hibiya Park as well, the thing might have a catastrophic event if it is as dangerous as it looks."
Glenn hummed in agreement. "Could you do it, Isaac?"
Yamaji nodded curtly.
"Has VROEMG encountered anything like this before?" Johann interjected.
Frowns creased the faces of the VROEMG members before Petrovic spoke first. "If you meant similar to the nature of the anomaly outside our window, then yes. I believe there was an incident in 1637 involving an object of similar description over the town of Dongwusan in Chowa." She looked thoughtful for a moment. "I will have to consult our archives for a detailed report, but from what I recall, the object – for lack of better terms – imploded and consumed everything within a certain radius. It was a miracle only around 3,000 were killed."
Looks of horror and shock crossed the faces of everyone in the room upon hearing Petrovic's grim account, Glenn in particular looked as if he had just been punched in the stomach.
Schneider was the first to recover, swallowing something painful in his throat. "What can we even do then?" He said quietly
"We can only ask them to evacuate." Johann responded.
"I-I should go inform the Prime Minister.” Yamaji stated, and exited the room swiftly.
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20:03 JST (17:03 WT), 16th of March, 1639 (16th of Marto, 1995)
Naikaku Sōri Daijin Kantei, Nagatachō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
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The Prime Minister stared at Isaac in disbelief, and then back at the live news on his computer, showing the black sphere hovering ominously over Hibiya Park.
"Mr. Yamaji, you expect me to believe that this... thing could potentially wipe out part of Tokyo?" the Prime Minister asked, his voice strained.
Isaac nodded. "Based on past encounters with similar phenomena, yes. While we cannot say what this entity's capabilities are, I don't think we should take any risks."
"I suppose we should issue an evacuation order for the area," the Prime Minister said with a sigh.
He turned to a tall bald man next to him. "Begin evacuation procedures immediately. I want the police and Self-Defence Forces to assist with maintaining order and guiding people away from the... anomaly."
"Understood, sir."
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17:21 WT, 16th of Marto, 1995 (16th of March, 1639)
Director’s Office, West Wing, Site Alpha, [Unknown County], Tirnikt, Neragon
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Evans Nott flipped through the pages of a recently compiled dossier on events that had occurred ever since Neragon's displacement and stared at the page that spoke of the appearance of I-01.
Not that there was anything wrong with it, but it was still quite strange how she had emerged in possibly a completely different dimension. How did it happen? She did not seem to want anything to do with our world anymore and seemed to just want to be left alone. But should they respect her apparent desire for isolation, or should they investigate further, given the potential implications for their world? He would have to ponder it for a few more days, he decided.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. It was a slow knock, but it felt of barely controlled hastiness.
"Come in," Evans called, setting the dossier aside and straightening in his chair.
The door opened to reveal Agent Elliot Caelum, a tall, wide man whom Evans remembered as the handler for the mission to Japan.
"Agent Lloyd," Evans greeted, motioning for the agent to take a seat opposite of him. "What brings you to my office today?"
"Terrible news from our team in Japan I'm afraid." He said gravely, closing the door behind him before taking a seat. "An anomaly has appeared over a park in Tokyo near where they are staying."
Evans sucked in a sharp breath and his expression turning serious. "Tell me everything you know."
"The anomaly manifested a few hours ago. It's similar in appearance to previous occurrences linked to E3296 in 1637." Caelum handed over a thin folder containing a preliminary report.
Evans took it and flipped through the document; his eyes narrowed. "Have there been any attempts to interact with it?"
"Some civilians attempted to fly a drone near it, but it stopped working as soon as it closed in on it. That is the only interaction so far."
Evans tapped his fingers thoughtfully on the desk. "And what about the local authorities? How are they handling the situation?"
"They've begun evacuating the area surrounding the park," Caelum replied. "The Prime Minister was briefed, and measures are being taken to keep civilians safe. However, the anomaly's potential threat remains unknown, and there are concerns about it growing unstable."
Evans nodded. "A specialised team have been sent; I assume?"
"Yes sir," Caelum confirmed.
"Keep me updated with any developments."
Caelum gave a nod, sensing a dismissal. "I will, sir." and left the office.
Evans sighed once the door to his office closed behind Agent Caelum and placed his face in his hands. The displacement has been a curse that just keeps giving, the return of I-01, and now this? VROEMG has not experienced such a quick succession of crises since the 1780s – though granted the displacement had been the catalyst of their current situation.
He took off his spectacles and placed them on his desk, leaning back in his chair. The rather dim lighting of his office now felt quite oppressive. "What should I even do." He thought aloud to himself. A clear sign of him slipping slowly into insanity that he should really get under control. He was pretty sure he had also nearly gone under during his talk with Al— Masgi a month ago.
Wait, he has nearly forgotten about her.
Evans made a mental note to visit the dream realm first thing at midnight.
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0:04 WT, 17th of Marto, 1995 (17th of March, 1639)
Place Unknown, Dream realm?
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Pitch black, that was what the man woke up to, like the void of endless midnight or the bottomless depths of an abyss that held no compassion. Yet, he could still see himself, his hands, his features... A faint tune in the background seemed to echo throu—
Wait, he's been through this before.
The man blinked. He was Evans Nott.
He had forgotten again.
He was Evans Nott.
Evans looked around the dark expanse and took a deep breath.
He thought of his office, and slowly, the void shifted. A soft illumination emerged, gradually forming the semblance of his office at Site Alpha. The details were hazy and shifting, like a mirage, but he could make out the familiar features of his desk, his chair, and the imposing walls lined with books, artefacts from his travels, and gadgets that had been made obsolete by modern technology.
Evans took a ‘seat’ at his desk. It felt like he was sitting on quicksand, although he was not sinking.
Does Masgi know he is here? Evans did not know, but he was going to wait here for the entire night if he had to.
Time was stretched into liquid; Evans did not bother trying to keep track of it. It did not really matter in this realm. If he needed to wake up, his alarm clock was set to 7 o'clock.
But finally, there was a knock at his door.
"Come in," Evans called automatically.
The door opened – well not in the traditional sense – it faded out of existence and a woman in black robes with white sleeves and a flowing gown entered the office.
"You came." She stated neutrally.
"There is no need to sound so disappointed, Masgi." Evans retorted.
Masgi made a noise between a huff and sigh, seeming to be trying to find the right words to retort with, but eventually settled with a serene expression.
"Well luckily for you, I've delivered your words to Haruhime and some news back from her as well."
Masgi did not elaborate further, causing Evans to raise his eyebrow. "And."
"They have managed to narrow down where in the cosmos you might be. Through scrying, Site Delta has found you to be around 146 billion lightyears roughly in the general direction of the—"
The sentence was abruptly cut when the office began to ripple like a disturbed pool of water, and the dreamscape around Evans twisted and blurred.
Masgi continued as if nothing happened when the setting settled down, "the North Pole star."
Evans nodded contemplatively. "Any news with the Site Delta Portal?"
Masgi shook her head. "She told me another portal would have to be at the receiving location that could – her words not mine – lock the Site Delta Portal to it when it tries to puncture a wormhole through spacetime."
Evans sighed. This was risky, what if another accident like the Fairweather Portal occurred?
"Are there any alternatives?"
"If there were, she did not speak of it."
Evans refrained from sighing again. Oh, damn it all to the bowels of the earth. "Please tell her we might try and construct a new portal for the receiving end of the Site Delta Portal."
Masgi looked like she had accidentally bitten into something bitter. "What am I, your messenger girl?"
Evans smirked. "I suppose you are."
Masgi gave a snort. "Fair enough. I will convey your message."
"Thank you, Masgi."
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20:43 LST (Leiforian Standard Time) (23:43 WT), 22nd of March, 1639 (22nd of Marto, 1995)
Gottemaker District, Leiforia, Capital Province, Leifor
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Agent Albrecht stated impassively as the roaring waves crashed against the harbour walls of Leiforia. The sun had already set a few minutes ago, but the residual hues of twilight lingered over the late-19th-century-style city behind him.
Albrecht had heard rumours of a mysterious empire across the sea he was gazing upon that had been causing whispers in the darkest corners of pubs, and between men that might have been labelled as mad by any other lesser person.
But Central Security knew better it seemed. A landmass to the west of Leifor had been identified via satellite that did not appear on any maps from the natives.
The 'Eighth Empire' they called it, also known as the Gra Valkan Empire.
Very little is known about the empire, only that it had emerged quite suddenly, seemed to be from outside the 'civilised area', and was trying to make contact with Leifor through the Pars Kingdom, an island country off the coast of the empire but was apparently rejected.
Which led to his current situation: he had been tasked to visit the Gra Valkan Empire himself, to gather intelligence and understand their intentions.
Thus, he muttered a quick spell that would make him unremarkable to anyone who laid eyes on him, and pulled out a small soft package made of cloth which he laid on the ground, causing it to expand into a nondescript rectangular carpet the size of a dining table.
"This better be worth it," he muttered to himself, and lay on the carpet, griping the edges as it ascended gently into the sky.
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Subject: Operation Steel (Gra Valkas), Date 23.03.1995
Time: 17:39
To: Dir42
From: AA4
Director C,
I have reached the so-called Gra Valkan Empire early this morning -- well morning for me. The country has been full of surprises. For one, the linguistic similarities with the Veragese language of our own world are striking. Magic seems to be unheard of, yet using our own world as a measuring stick, their technology level seems to be on par with our 1940s to 60s although this might need further investigation.
The Empire’s economy is driven by heavy industry and mechanised production, nearly half of the city I landed in is made up of factories and the skies are always full of smog. A militaristic ethos seems to pervade all aspects of life here. Constant television displays of military parades, actual military parades, and an obnoxious number of state-sponsored media extolling the virtues of the military and its leaders are omnipresent.
This is all I can gather for now. I will continue to provide updates as I gather more information.
Looking forward to writing to you again,
Agent Albrecht