"A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."

- Albert Einstein

Switzerland, May 8, 2037, 1220 Hours

Dr. Ludwig Schmidt awoke with a jolt, the harsh beeping of his alarm clock piercing the stillness of the research headquarters nestled deep in the Swiss Alps. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and squinted at the digital clock on his bedside table. It read 6:30 AM, a reminder that another day awaited him—one filled with hope and uncertainty as the clock ticked down toward humanity's potential extinction.

Ludwig was not just a physicist; he was a leader among the brilliant minds working on Project Gaia, an ambitious endeavor aimed at ensuring humanity's survival through interdimensional travel. The urgency of their mission had compelled him to leave his family behind in Germany. His wife, Anna, and their two children waited patiently for him to return, their lives intertwined in the mundane beauty of everyday existence, while he immersed himself in the daunting challenge of navigating the unknown.

As he dressed, thoughts of his family tugged at his heart, but the gravity of his work quickly reclaimed his focus. The interdimensional portal they were attempting to create—a theoretical construct based on the Einstein-Rosen bridge theory—was still in its infancy, teetering on the edge of both possibility and disaster. Despite significant progress, countless obstacles remained, and the specter of failure loomed large.

After a quick shower, Schmidt made his way to the cafeteria, where the warm scent of coffee mingled with the crisp air of the mountain retreat. He spotted Dr. Isaac Bailey, a brilliant mathematician from the United States and one of his closest colleagues. Isaac had been an anchor of support during the long, grueling months of research, their friendship a rare glimmer of normalcy in the chaos of their work.

"Morning, Ludwig," Isaac greeted him, a grin breaking across his tired face. "You look like you could use a couple of cups of that strong coffee."

"Morning, Isaac," Schmidt replied with a weak smile, pouring himself a steaming cup. "If only coffee could solve all our problems."

They sat down together, discussing the latest developments in their research. The looming asteroid that threatened Earth hung over their conversations like a dark cloud. The energy requirements for the portal were immense, demanding fission reactors capable of producing nearly 1,000,000 megawatts. As they spoke, a palpable sense of urgency filled the air, echoing the tension that had gripped the world outside.

"Have you considered using the new quantum computers from Google?" Isaac suggested, stirring sugar into his coffee. "They might help us optimize the reactor design and analyze the data more efficiently."

Schmidt nodded thoughtfully, contemplating the potential impact. "That’s an intriguing idea. With the state and private companies backing us, we have access to cutting-edge technology. Quantum computers could provide insights that traditional methods simply can't achieve."

As they shared their thoughts, the conversation turned personal. They spoke of their families, the longing and heartache that accompanied their commitment to Project Gaia. The isolation and pressure weighed heavily on them.

"I miss my wife and kids," Schmidt admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Every day is a struggle, but I keep reminding myself of what we’re doing—what we’re fighting for."

Isaac nodded solemnly, his gaze distant. "I miss home too. The laughter, the warmth. But we’re in this together, for them, for all of humanity."

After breakfast, Schmidt and Isaac walked toward the lab, their path lined with screens displaying the latest global news. Images flashed across the screens: cities engulfed in flames, panicked crowds fleeing for their lives. The newscasters spoke in hushed tones, their voices filled with dread.

Schmidt and Isaac exchanged a worried glance. They knew that the chaos outside the research headquarters was only a precursor to the devastation that would follow if they failed

"The New York blackout has paralyzed the city," one reporter stated grimly. "There are reports of looting and widespread chaos."

"Martial law has been declared in Moscow," another added, revealing a world spiraling into turmoil. "The Russian government is struggling to maintain order."

"Riots have erupted in Beijing," a third reported, detailing how convoy of dozen of Chinese tanks was deployed to quell unrest.
The news was grim, but it was not unexpected. The impending asteroid had ignited a global panic, and the world was on the brink of collapse.

Schmidt and Isaac exchanged worried glances, the weight of their mission settling heavily on their shoulders. They knew that the chaos outside was merely a precursor to the devastation that awaited humanity if they failed.

Upon reaching the decontamination chamber, they donned their bulky radioactive protective suits, essential for shielding against the radiation emitted by the fission reactors. The suits, cumbersome and uncomfortable, reminded them of the stakes involved. With their suits secured, Schmidt and Isaac used their keycards to enter the lab.

The atmosphere inside the lab was electric, filled with the cacophony of beeping machines and the hum of scientific equipment. Scientists from across the globe worked tirelessly, their faces lit by the glow of monitors displaying complex data. It was a sanctuary of reason and hope amidst the chaos of the outside world.

As hours turned into what felt like days, Schmidt focused intently on the quantum computer, recently installed to optimize their reactor design. He had high hopes for this machine, believing it could provide the breakthrough they desperately needed.

The tension in the lab escalated as the team prepared to activate the reactor. Engineers and technicians conducted final checks, ensuring that everything was primed for the monumental task ahead.

"Activation in five seconds," an engineer called out, his eyes fixed on the control panel. "Prepare for fission ignition."

With a flick of a switch, the reactor began to glow, its core pulsating with energy. The fission reaction initiated, generating heat that radiated throughout the room.

"Generating over 30,000 megawatts of electricity," one of the engineers announced. "And it’s still climbing."

The excitement in the lab was palpable. Scientists exchanged glances filled with hope. This milestone was crucial; the reactor was producing more energy than anticipated.

"500,000 megawatts and climbing," another engineer reported, his voice rising in excitement.

As the reactor surged, the temperature in the lab began to rise. The scientists monitored their instruments closely, their eyes fixed on the readings, adrenaline coursing through their veins.

"New data from our sensors coming in!" one scientist shouted. "The fabric of space-time near the portal structure is warping!"

A collective gasp swept through the room. This was it—this was what they had been working toward. The quantum computer was manipulating reality itself, creating the conditions necessary for the portal to exist.

"800,000 megawatts…"

Schmidt exchanged a knowing look with Isaac. They were on the verge of a breakthrough. If they could maintain the reactor’s output and stabilize the portal, they might just save humanity.

Suddenly, the space-time continuum near the portal structure began to bend and warp, the very fabric of reality stretching before their eyes.

"1.000,000 megawatts…"

In an instant, a blinding spark of light erupted from the center of the structure, illuminating the lab in a dazzling flash.

Instinctively, the scientists covered their faces with their hands, shielding their eyes from the intense brightness. Some sought shelter behind nearby objects, their bodies reacting to the primal fear of the unknown.

The lights in the lab flickered and dimmed, as if the power grid itself strained under the extraordinary energy release. Then, without warning, a shockwave rippled through the building.

Schmidt and Isaac were thrown to the ground, their bodies slamming against steel-concrete walls and armored glass. The room shook violently, and for a moment, it felt as if the entire facility would collapse.

As the dust settled, the stunned scientists slowly rose to their feet. The lab lay in disarray; equipment lay toppled, and cracks spiderwebbed across the walls. Yet to their relief, the portal structure appeared intact.

When they approached it, their breath caught in their throats.

At the core of the structure, a small, three-dimensional portal gateway glowed brightly, illuminating the entire room with its ethereal light. It shimmered like an iridescent vortex—a gateway to another dimension.

The scientists couldn't believe their eyes. Some rubbed their eyes, convinced it was a mirage, while others fainted, overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of what they had witnessed. Others wept tears of joy and relief, united in the awe of their achievement.

But their triumph was short-lived. The fission reactor, overloaded by the energy surge, initiated an emergency shutdown. The power supply faltered, and the shimmering vortex began to fade, slowly disappearing into nothingness, leaving the scientists stunned and breathless.

Despite the setback, hope surged within them. They had made a breakthrough—they had activated the portal and glimpsed the possibility of a new world beyond their own. All they needed to do now was refine the process and stabilize the portal for future use.

As the day drew to a close, Schmidt, Isaac, and the rest of the team gathered in the cafeteria to celebrate their achievement. They raised their glasses, clinking them together amidst the cacophony of laughter and shouts of joy.

"To humanity’s future!" Schmidt declared, his voice booming over the noise.

They drank German beer and French wine, savoring the moment, but deep down, Schmidt couldn’t shake the feeling that their victory was tainted.

That night, as he retired to his room, he allowed himself a moment of reflection. He had worked tirelessly on this project, sacrificing so much, but now he knew that his efforts had not been in vain. They had played a crucial role in saving humanity—yet the war that awaited them beyond that portal would be far more brutal and devastating than anything they could have imagined.

As the world outside the research headquarters spiraled further into chaos, the implications of their discovery weighed heavily on Schmidt's heart. Little did he know that the shimmering portal would soon lead to confrontations, misunderstandings, and a clash of civilizations that would forever alter the course of history.

Author's Note

Sorry if the characters are a bit disappointing, I'm still bad at making characters, they act like robots here lmao.

Here is the explanation of Einstein rosen bridge