"Back to Solaray and IE," Reina offered to explain after a while, " IE or inter-dimensional equal, is someone who is you but in a different dimension. You may have minor differences like you two have, hair colour, and a few personality traits. But overall it's all the same.”

She made an abrupt turn.

“Sometimes your IE may not even exist in a dimension.”

“There’s also a thing called interdimensional equivalent, which would be Jay and Tae's father. Both have the job of parenting you alone.

They may not be the same people but their circumstances are almost identical. The things they’ve been through are also almost similar.”

"Solaray is caused by Inter-dimensional equals only. When too many IEs come in contact with each other, the space-time fabric rips and it becomes harder for the universe to maintain an equilibrium.

 So the two or more dimensions from which the IEs have had contact with, end up being merged. 

Which explains the Dianchians. Every major Dianchian is caused when an IE comes in contact with each other. The minor ones, are just the movement of the dimensions." Anakin continued.

Nova turned back briefly and said, " However a Solaray isn't all that only. There are three outcomes. One, both dimensions get destroyed, which is most likely. Second, they partially get merged, and the debris of both dimensions drift in space. The things from both dimensions float in space for eternity and time stops for them. Even if they're in space, nothing affects them. They become like still images but suspended in space.”

"And the last outcome, which I believe is what the ASR is aiming for, is the merge."

A heavy cloud of doom fell upon them.

 A foreboding feeling for Esae, Tae, and Jay. Neither of them liked it, to say the least. 

"The two dimensions will successfully merge into one. Either way, it's going to be detrimental for the other dimensions, as the shockwaves would affect all of us." Reina said.

All that training in the academy wasted on this, Jay thought to himself. 

“But what I can’t figure out is why they would resort to this all of a sudden…” Reina murmured. 

They should be aware of the effects. Especially a risky thing like this… what are they up to?

"So what now? How do we stop it?" Tae asked.

Reina turned back, " For now you two need to stay apart. We'll handle the rest." 

She turned towards Nova and asked, " Is the containment zone ready?”

Nova shook her head," No, not yet-”

"We can just give them those bracelets." Anakin offered.

"Wait are we being put in handcuffs?" Esae blurted out. Tae and Jay looked forward to Reina and Anakin.

"Listen," Esae said putting his hand on Reina's shoulder, " It's cool and all, but it's not really my type of kink, so do you really have to- " Jay hit him hard on his head and took it from there.

"My apologies, I didn't raise this one right. What he means is would they be put in some restraints?”

Tae snorted as Reina glared at Esae.

Reina clicked her tongue and flicked Esae’s hand away as if she was touching a disgusting insect.

 “Tch. Anyway, the bracelets will be like normal bracelets, except when both Esae and Tae are in close proximity, it will send a small shock wave through their bodies. Don't worry you won't die, and it's only if you get very close.” 

Anakin followed right behind, checking the notes on the clipboard, which Nova had brought.

"Then you guys can rest up in the lounge for now." Nova offered, smiling.

Her smile was gentle. It reminded Esae of his mother’s smile- he had never gotten the occasion to witness it personally but he had seen it every morning: a photograph of him with his parents beside his bed.

He shook his head, now was not the time to miss someone.

——x——

Mischa spotted a familiar face, one he had seen in the board meeting before this.

He smiled and walked past Nova. He partly felt sorry for her, for what was about to happen to her and well, this whole place…

Thinking back at the meeting they just had, Mischa turned grim.

That was one hell of a meeting…

….

…….

And my head hurts too…

That lady had either a very bad aim or a very good one.

Regardless, he had to concentrate now. The most important part of the mission was coming up. This had to be done with maximum focus.

There was a lot to be done following this intricate plan given to him by his boss; anything could go wrong.

Besides, new developments had taken place…one which honestly him and his team had expected but to be happening that quick…

He spoke softly into his earpiece.

“How’s it going Mischa?” The stoic voice on the other side replied.

Mischa pulled out a device from his pocket and slapped it on his chest. It stuck to his suit like glue.

“I’m in East wing right now. 

"Everyone is ready, except Cai and Idris. They ran into some trouble, but it’s fine now. Though they still haven’t reached their respective positions.”

He adjusted his earpiece. 

Soon enough a black material originating from the device attached to his chest, alien to the Omegan universe, enveloped his body spreading like ripples in water.

The dark-coloured water-like currents devoured every trace of skin and cloth on his body except the face.

“Alright…” 

He bent down and opened his briefcase. A shiny silvery object greeted him.

It was tiny and round in shape. He stroked the byzantine markings on it with his finger. 

He wondered what trouble his leader had gone through to procure this.

It did not resemble any of the existing techs from his home planet; both the suit and the device in his hand were given to each of his teammates.

“Hm”

“Don’t hm me.”

“What?”

“What what? Did you listen to anything I’ve just said?”

“Yes, yes-”

“Might wanna stop ogling at the device-”

“What-how-”

“And check on the others.”

The voice paused for a second and spoke again.

“Just make sure you get him as well. On your signal, I’ll release the army as well.”

Getting up he surveyed the whole place. No one was in sight, which was a good sign.

 He took the silvery object and planted it on the nearest wall. He took a deep breath and exhaled the same.

Gazing into the window on the wall, he looked at the view- it was so beautiful outside. The rush on the road, people walking around, the lush green trees, and most of all the clear clue sky looking back at everyone, an umbrella shielding them from whatever lied above beyond that.

 Yes, he knew the troubles of this world too, but it was much better than his own home. He wondered what it would be like to live in peace, without war, having a nice house-

He shook his head.

It was all just wishful thinking.

He focused on his reflection. His ginger hair stuck to his forehead. 

He had to get this right and go back home unscathed. After all his family was back there. His two little precious children- who were probably working as hard as him right now.

He couldn’t wait to get back to them.