3 The Sands of Space-time

Area 51

Interrogation Room

11 A.M. Local Time

Norlan waited in the room for a few minutes before a man came in, carrying two bottles of water. He placed the bottle in front of Norlan and gestured for him to drink, which Norlan did.

"What is your name?"

Norlan, confused by this unfamiliar language, mentally cast a communication spell. He was uncertain if it would work, but if it could work with animals then it could certainly work with other humans.

"Sorry, could you repeat that? I cast a communication spell on myself."

"What is your name?"

"Kaede Norlan, Expert Wizard of the Nobian Army. Are you Sonaran?"

"No, I'm American. Nobian? That's interesting. Tell me more."

(He doesn't know about the Nobian Empire? Perhaps that blasted wizard brought us to another world…)

"My country is situated in the continent of Eanif. We are warring with the Sonaran Federation."

"How did you come here?"

"A Sonaran wizard cast a transportation spell that transferred us here."

"That's all I need to know from you. Thank you. My colleagues will ask you additional questions later. But for now, would you mind casting this communication spell on your soldiers?"

Norlan directed the surviving mages of his force and cast communication spells. Some men dressed in white clothes, who appeared to be scholars, began questioning the survivors about their culture and language. The survivors, who had never seen an enemy force who treated their prisoners well, relented and surrendered all the information they had.

Meanwhile…

2 miles south of Area 51

Zone Alpha, Codename "SG-1"

12 P.M. Local Time

Having pinpointed the source of the electromagnetic anomaly, the base commanders requested orders from the President, who directed them to send a research team, designated Alpha Team, to investigate.

This research team consists of the following members:

Scientific:

Physicist Dr. Alan Oppenheimer

Physicist Dr. Nikita Tesla

Biologist/Medic Dr. Lacey Darwin

Security:

Master Sergeant Ron Owens

Captain Henry Donnager

As the research team arrived at ground zero, they found the unconscious body of Kelmithus, next to a small portal, about the size of a man.

"He's alive!" Lacey declared. "It appears he's starting to wake up. Tesla, pass me some water."

"Uugghh where am I?"

"It's okay, you're safe now. You're in the United States of America. I'm Lacey. What's your name?"

"Kelmithus. Thank you for saving me. The United States? (I have never heard of a country with that name before. I suppose this means my plan was successful!) What happened to the Nobian army?"

"They surrendered to us after sustaining significant losses."

(Surrender?! The prideful Nobians rarely surrender!) "I see. Did you come all the way here to rescue me?"

"Ah, not quite. The objective of this mission was to analyze the anomaly here… Is there anything you can tell me about this?"

Kelmithus began his lengthy explanation of what had occurred, starting from the advancement of the Nobian army along the Plains. The team was shocked upon learning of the existence of magic.

"I don't believe it! Show us some magic!"

(What kind of savage world is this, where magic doesn't exist?) Kelmithus pondered the implications of this, but dropped the thought as he conjured a fireball and launched it at a nearby rock. The fireball dissipated on impact, leaving behind a black surface upon the unfortunate rock.

"That is.. truly incredible!" Remarked Oppenheimer, as he pondered the potential applications of magic. "Where does this portal lead to?"

Having been unconscious, Kelmithus was too disoriented to realize that there was a portal before him. Now, as he gazed upon its glory, his heart pounded with joy. He could return home!

"It leads to my home planet, Gaerra."

"Well, I hope you're not having any thoughts about returning immediately. We've got orders to take you in for questioning," Owens reminded.

(These people seem to be nice enough, and they defeated the Nobians for me. I also did open a portal into their universe without their consent… I suppose I could answer some questions they may have.) "I can go with you. There is much I would love to learn about this world," Kelmithus offered.

The team returned, viewing drones passing by as they entered a structure.

Area 51

2 P.M. Local Time

"It's magnificent, it's like this portal is an Einstein-Rosen Bridge! It's a wormhole!" Tesla proclaimed.

"It's like any sci-fi and fantasy fan's dream. Oh I hope I can go on an adventure and study the properties of this new existence!" Oppenheimer voiced.

"Perfect! You're in luck gentlemen. I'm sending your research team through the portal after our drones finish collecting data. This meeting will serve as your debriefing for this mission. Additionally, this fine gentleman - Dr. Illinois Jones - over there is an anthropologist that the President requested I attach to the group. I have already secured the assistance of the wizard to provide you with amenities and guides. Team Alpha and a diplomatic convoy will be transported. After diplomatic relations are secured, we hope to establish a base by the portal. The wizard will direct you to his apprentices, who may assist in your research. Afterward, the wizard will be accompanying the convoy to the Sonaran Capital," General Harding explained.

"Anything we should know, sir?" Donnager inquired.

"We've gathered some details on this world from the prisoners. All relevant information is included in this information packet, including a map of the continent and information on the factions of this world," Harding answered.

The information packet, which was about ten pages in length, was full of data sourced from the prisoners. The known continents of the planet Gaerra included Eanif, Feene, Arthi, North Obeg and South Obeg. On the continent of Eanif, which is roughly the size of Africa, there are three major countries: the Sonaran Federation, the Nobian Empire, and the Eanif Imperium, which was the superpower of Eanif. The Sonaran Federation prefers diplomacy when interacting with neighboring countries, whereas the Nobian Empire is expansionist, conquering their neighbors. Tensions between both countries were already bad enough, due to the cultural differences between them, but the situation escalated as the Nobians conquered an important trade partner of the Sonarans. Little was known about the Eanif Imperium. This section of the information packet would be useful for the diplomatic delegation that the President was planning to send to the Sonaran Federation. The goal of research team Alpha is to verify the validity of this information, scout for resources, and document various properties about the planet. Their mission will take about a week.

"Good luck on your mission. Dismissed."