Reality

Chapter 1

Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say. As it turns out, it wouldn’t matter anyway. If the aliens ever heard us scream, they would likely just roll their eyes and continue on their way. In the year 2079 when humans finally make first contact with intelligent extraterrestrial life the event didn’t go as anyone had expected. Prior to this event some people had feared that advanced aliens might be malevolent and decide to conquer us. Some had hoped that the aliens would be benevolent and help bring humanity into a new golden era. Instead, they just simply couldn't care less about us. Let me give you an analogy. Imagine meeting your favorite movie star. You run up to him or her super excited to meet them. The movie star, on the other hand, is completely bored with the encounter and cannot wait to get away from you. That is how the aliens treated us. Turns out they are neither benevolent nor malevolent. They are just snobs.

That was forty years ago. In the time since we have encountered these aliens a few times, but they would never give us the time of day. Since they gave us virtually no information whatsoever about themselves at first contact, the one and only time they even bothered to communicate with us, we do not know where they come from or why we occasionally bump into them in our own solar system. Some believe they actually originate from somewhere in our solar system but there has never been any evidence to support that theory. We call them the Hermes, after the Greek god, who among other things was known for his arrogance.

The nations of Earth are now united in a loosely organized federation known as the United Human Alliance (UHA). Under the UHA flag we have colonized both Earth’s moon as well as Mars and explored the outer reaches of our solar system. Unfortunately, the light speed barrier still has not been broken, and so other than use of telescopes, we are more or less confined to our own system. At least that was the assumption up until very recently. Six months ago, a cargo ship traveling from Mars to Earth discovered what appears to be a wormhole. To say that this excited UHA scientists would be an understatement. At this very moment, an exploration team is being assembled and preparing to be the first people to enter the wormhole.

August 6th, 2119

“As you all have heard from the news feeds, a cargo ship has stumbled upon what appears to be a wormhole of some sort. As far as we can tell, it appears to be stable and safe for travel. What you have not heard on the news feeds is what our probes have discovered on the other side.” I will remind you that what I am about to tell you is classified, and I will warn you, this is going to be shocking, so brace yourselves.”

“Stop being melodramatic doctor and just tell us what the stupid probes saw”

“Very well. What the ‘stupid probes’ saw, as you so elegantly put it, Commander, is Earth.”

“What?” Commander Wilkins blurts out. Confused looks are exchanged among the crew.

Captain Downy chimes in, “what do you mean you saw Earth?” Do you mean to say it only goes from one place in our solar system right back to Earth? Forgive me, but that seems pretty insignificant”.

“Correct, Captain. That would be insignificant, if it was our Earth.” Dr. Willibee says cryptically.

“Again, with the melodrama, get on with it doctor!” The commander shouts exasperated and clearly annoyed.

“We believe that the wormhole travels not to another place in our universe, but instead to the exact same place but in another parallel reality.” The doctor finally clarifies.

Gasps and the unmistakable sound of jaws hitting the floor are heard from around the room.

Captain Downy is the first to speak, “okay, so that would certainly be a monumental discovery, but why the rush to send people through? Couldn’t we take more time to learn as much as we can from drones, before my crew is asked to embark on such a risky journey?”

“That would be ideal ma’am, but there is one more thing I haven’t told you”

“For crying out loud doctor! Spit it out! All of it!” The commander shouts now completely losing his cool.

“The humans of this parallel universe have sent a message to our probe asking for us to send a delegation. That is why you will be accompanied by Ambassador Thomas Stark”

“Isn’t Ambassador Stark that guy that got caught sleeping with his intern?” The Commander asks incredulously.

“Yes, that guy. And before you ask me why the UHA is sending him please remember that I am just a brilliant scientist…” Everyone in the room rolls their eyes “…and so these decisions are not made by me.”

“Very well. So, when do we leave?” The captain asks, trying to focus on what is important.

“Tomorrow morning”

Later That Evening

Captain Downy has returned to her quarters onboard the Thunderbird. She decides to contact her commanding officer, Admiral Ramirez, to see if she can get any more information about this sudden and very strange mission.

“Good evening, sir”

“Good evening, captain. What can I do for you?”

“This mission, sir. Is there anything more you can tell me other than what the obnoxious doctor had to say, and what the written orders indicate?”

“I’m sorry captain, but this is a sensitive matter, and you must be kept on a need-to-know basis”.

“Understood, sir. It’s a shame we can’t wait for Lt. Commander Davis to be released from the hospital. It will be strange going on a mission without my second officer. Leave it to him to hurt himself rock climbing right before the weirdest mission we’ve ever been on” The captain laughs at her own comment. The Admiral doesn’t even so much as smile. That’s weird, the captain thinks.

“Anything else Captain?”

“No, sir.”

“Enjoy the rest of your evening captain.”

The admiral then logs off, not even waiting for a response. Okay, so now she knows something is up. The admiral has a great sense of humor and is a very personable man. Tonight, he seemed like a robot. A grumpy one at that. What in the world is going on?

The Next Day

“Anybody else creeped out about how fast we are being expected to just jump through this hole? I mean why not give us a week to prepare? And why all the cloak and dagger stuff and being briefed by a civilian doctor?” the commander asks the captain as they all find their places on the bridge of the UHAS Thunderbird.

“Yeah, this all seems a bit odd” Lt. Fossett adds.

The captain answers, “I know, but this all comes from the very top. My sense is that they want to keep this super-secret and find out as much about this other universe as possible and as fast as they can. Why that is such a priority though, I’m not sure. But I agree that there is definitely something we’re not being told.”

“Alternate reality”

“Excuse me? And what are you doing on my bridge, doctor?”

“It’s not another universe. It’s an alternate reality.”

“Whatever.”

“As for me being here, this should answer your question”. The doctor hands the captain a tablet. The captain reads it quickly and hands it to the commander.

“Oh, wonderful. Looks like we’ve been ordered to take Dr. know-it-all with us, kids”

“Yay” the entire bridge crew, including the captain, say in unison dripping with sarcasm.

“Fine. Find a seat doctor. Helm, set course for the wormhole.”

“Aye, ma’ma!”

Two Hours Later

“We have arrived at the wormhole, ma’am”

“Very well, helm. Take us though using the instructions the doctor has provided. Take it slow and steady.” The captain orders.

“Aye, ma’am”

Despite moving slow and steady, traversing the wormhole only took four minutes. The short trip was completely uneventful. As the Thunderbird exits onto the other side they are immediately greeted by another ship, presumably from the alternate Earth.

“Well, I guess they’re ready for us. Call the Ambassador to the bridge”

“Aye ma’am”

“Captain!” Lt. Fossett shouts. Pointing to the front viewer and clearly upset.

“What is it lieutenant? Oh, my God!”

“Um, that’s not good” the commander adds

What the bridge crew were staring at in shock was the insignia on the alternate Earth’s ship. The insignia included three things: the ship’s serial number, the ship’s name, which appeared to be a German name… and a swastika.