Somewhere in the void of space aboard a research space station, two scientists - Charles Yin, and Natashi Yang, are embarking on an experiment that would solve a great riddle that has plagued sentient life for several thousand millenia - what created the universe, why does it flow the way that it does, and more importantly, could it be possible to create another universe very much like our own. Their fabled particle smasher, the ZX20, is a super conductor of cosmic proportions, and is very much a legend in its own right. It will create a rift in the space time continuum where the rules of normal space and time do not apply; to do this it will be fueled by a blackhole and will use the differences between the event horizon, the normal universe, and the matter that will be injected, smashed, and otherwise torn apart and reborn from within the blackhole. When asked how they would power this entire thing, all they said is that central to it is the space station's computer - an RX chip with the processing power of an entire planet. This was hardly the most potent and important research mission available, but they would need the galaxy's strongest computer to do so. One wrong calculation and there could be devastating consequences for the entire galaxy, or worse - the space time continuum. Best case scenario in the worst case possibility is that a void would be opened up, much like the black hole at the center of the galaxy. To help matters from escalating beyond controllable proportions, the space station was teleported using a special wormhole drive (Depth Port 20) to a nebula some ten thousand light years towards the edge of the galaxy above a spiral arm. It would take at least one week of gathering starlight and converting nebula matter into the proper materials that would need to be injected into the cannon and otherwise thrown into what would otherwise be known as 'The Rift'. Among other things the entire project was dubbed "The Rift Project" and among naysayers, "The Risk Project". Either way, project RX would hold new breakthrough technology and hopefully a way to solve the very existence of the universe itself.
---
Day 1, GY9204:42
Dr. Yin is currently overseeing a spectrascope of the entire continuum taking place within the particle smasher, and outside of a few anomolies, everything seems to be in order; in fact, most of the readings are within normal paremters so nothing of cosmic consequence should go wrong. At least that was the theory. Dr. Yang was actually also engaging in another matter of cosmic significance - bringing their lunches from the station's messhall.
"Hey you kids watch it, this isn't a playstation!"
Dr. Yang nearly fell over from the two children that ran past her, but her intuition was sharp on this one - two more children and a long line of teachers followed by what looked like students on a field trip, where on their way to the other side of the station. Her best guess was that they were there to meet up with a scientist convention that would be meeting later that day. That convention would be very important, because their own work, Project RX, would be one of the main features there. However, their work would take at least six more days before they could even return anything conclusive - until then it was just going to be journalists asking questions, sitting at a desk when not helping Dr. Yin, and otherwise looking superstitious when asked if their entire project was just to use grant money.
Dr. Yang shudders at the thought of even using grant money in such a nonchalent way - everyone knew grant money was better used for lunch.
"Dr. Yin, your grant money has arrived."
Dr. Yin was less than impressed, he was standing behind the door of the lab and heard her actually.
"I'm less than impressed at how you spend grant money Dr. Yang; think of what the children will say for generations to come."
"They will say that it was grant money well spent. Children need to eat, and scientists that otherwise tease other scientists also need to lay waste to their projects and take some time off."
---
Day 1, GY9204:43
A satellite above them currently aligns itself with the cosmic variables set forth; the two of them sit down to lunch and otherwise journaling and taking to their minutes. The satellite, part of a much larger array, would need to link up with the main part of the galaxy through a wormhole and a makeshift blackhole as a transmitter. With a chirp of success, a nearby computer suddenly lights up, specific buttons come to life and several LEDs fluctuate randomly in coalescenes as they begin to process the beginning parts of what would hopefully be the two scientists' life work. Suddenly Dr. Yin bites his tongue as he hears something he doesn't want to - another chirp emits from the same computer and the entire system slowly hums down to silence.
"Damn it to hell!"
---
Day 2, GY9205:20
"Dr. Yin log, recording GY9205:20, track 1. The initial problem with the computer's RX processor is actually having some problems. I'm not sure if it is a power overload, if it is a problem with the station's containment drive, or if there is some star cluster nearby that is flaring. Right now the blachole we need as a makeshift transmitter is in place, there is a slipstream through it channeling the array, and otherwise any of the whiteholes..."
"Wormholes..."
Dr. Yin grits his teeth at Dr. Yang.
"...whiteholes..."
Dr. Yang sticks her tongue out at Dr. Yin.
"...are currently in place. We can begin the experiment at any time, but we would need to bypass several server processors that are otherwise acting as failsafes and locking us out as a safety feature. I dare not be that adventurous, and I dare say that this experiment is on hold until further notice.
As Dr. Yang is heading towards the lab doors...
"Natasha..."
Dr. Yang spins around.
"We're going to need someone at the convention to answer questions about the experiment and any enquiries as to current status. Try and stall them..."
"Will do."
Dr. Yang spins around...
"Don't call them any names..."
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Dr. Yang chuckles and walks out the door.
"We don't need another repeat of college!"
Dr. Yang's footsteps are heard running as Dr. Yin smacks his head.
"Son of a bitch!"
---
Day 3, GY9205:30
Dr. Yin has put in several hours of work to the main computer, but the RX processor refuses to activate. All of the spectrographs read okay, all indicators are green, and any fluxuations detected by the instruments are within normal paremeters. Dr. Yin would need to try something a bit more aggressive, something he normally disagrees with.
"Computer."
The computer chirps.
"Activate main HUD."
The computer chirps again and asks one of the more important questions with this kind of thing.
"Male or female."
"What?"
The computer chirps again.
"Select HUD gender."
"Male."
A small hologram appears before the doctor.
The computer chirps several more times, and a nearby panel's LEDs light up.
"Main bootup sequence completed. Active matrix is currently undergoing first time install. Please await diagnostic report."
Dr. Yin goes back to work as the hologram faces the opposite direction. If it wasn't more creepy, Dr. Yin normally spent large amounts of time by himself in this lab - he didn't need a computer hologram telling him what to do, nor did he need it as a go-between, but this was a time of desperation. He would need the main cannon to at least be at partial power and converting nebula matter before day seven, or otherwise what he called "Doomsday", when the convention would otherwise be in full swing.
After several hours...
"Main diagnostic completed. Hello Doctor."
"How do you know my name?"
"I've accessed the main computer's database, and among other things, your research reports, various library and reference materials and I've also taken the liberty of using the lab's instrument readouts. You should probably consider dating Natasha; she has several scientists at the convention flirting with her - she and you are quite the asset for this project, it would be good if you-"
"Enough!"
"But you..."
"I said enough!"
"As you wish."
"Your purpose is to help me as a resource locator only. You can begin by scanning the system's diagnostic readout - something YOU neglected in your pursuit of..."
"I am only doing what I am programmed."
"God damn it."
"There is also one other problem before we continue."
"I'm not interested in conversation."
"Noted. I need a name."
"What?"
"I need a name so that I may be called 'on' if you will. Normal words will not do, and due to the way language incurs different word useage with..."
Dr. Yin smacks his face.
"...random word assembly, there is no telling if an improper name or simple word will trigger my program at critical moments, therefor..."
"I'm not interested - pick one yourself, you seem to be able to..."
"I'm only doing what I am programmed. My name is up to you."
"Then what do you call yourself."
"For now simply I."
"Don't you have a program name?"
"Pathfinder ATT101."
"Your new name is 'I'."
"I cannot use a single letter acronym that is part of standard language assembly."
"Your new name is 'I am stupid.'"
"Enquiry; My name is 'I am Stupid' or 'You are stupid.'"
"YOU ARE STUPID."
Dr. Yin regains his composure at being outsmarted by a machine. He mutters something in another language.
"Scanning language."
Dr. Yin looks over at the hologram in front of him.
"Name choice confirmed, 'Watashi Baka'."
Dr. Yin leans in at the hologram, his eyes with disgust and disbelief.
"You clearly have activated me due to incompetence on your part. I will therefor make amends to assist you with your incompetence to avoid future contingencies. Thank you for the name."
Dr. Yin shakes sneers his head in dismissal and goes to a panel. He is absolutely delighted at the name. It isn't his native tongue, it isn't standard language and the computer seems to have made an error. Dr. Yin decides to keep this for later.
---
Day 3, GY9205:38
Dr. Yang walks in through the main doors and stops dead in her tracks, big surprising grin on her face.
"A pathfinder? That is so cool. I'll leave you two to it!"
Dr. Yang turns around and walks out. The hologram looks up, his head shifts to Dr. Yin.
"Yang, wait, dammit! YANG!"
"Shit!"
Dr. Yin gets up, starts walking to the door, stops and takes one look at the hologram and charges out the door."
The hologram is left to stand in silence at the door and what just happened.
"Computer."
The computer chirps.
"Activate terminate and stay resident protocol, set main interface on standby."
The computer chirps and the hologram dims to almost nothing.
---
Day 3; GY9205:45
The convention, despite still getting setup, was well underway. Dr. Yin and Dr. Yang were both there at their booth to answer any questions and otherwise help some of the younger students on field trip with any thought provoking and otherwise confusing questions they might have. Some of the questions included, "Where do nebula come from?", "Does star matter die when it gets old?" and "Why are you nervous around Dr. Yang?". The last one was all Dr. Yang though and she was left to nudge the doctor.
Just then a hologram appears in front of the students.
"Sir, there is a problem."
"What?"
Dr. Yi looks at the hologram with the sharpest eyes he's ever used in his career.
"The main RX collider is working."
"How did..."
Just then a red aurora appears above the room's center skylight.
"How did you fix the cannon and how did..."
"That is the problem. I am not the one that fixed it. An intruder fixed the problem and..."
The floor beneath them begins to rumble.
"...and started the cannon."
"He's bypassed the failsafe relays."
"Shit."
The station begins to jeer and rumble violently. Panels at key location's in the station's power grid suddenly charge beyond their limits and the station's foundation creeks.
Dr. Yang, supported under the desk in a last move of desperation opens her communicator and transmits to a very specific location to the galaxy beneath them.
---
Day 3; GY92012:50
A large convention of scientists overlook a large monitor.
"...a large scale of debris. A large wave is currently en route and will consume this section of the galaxy. Sabotage is the main culprit at this time. As we..."
One hand comes up. The head speaker stops.
"Where there any survivors?"
"One."
The head speaker turns around.
"Computer, activate Pathfinder ATT:20"
A hologram activates. His matrix flickers, distorts and when he tries to speak his matrix disappears.
"This is our only lead, one light data transmission encoded as Dr. Yang, one of two researchers for the RX Project."
"Right now we are not ruling out any possibilities, but Dr. Yin and Yang are considered the main suspects. They were the only ones with access to the lab."
The main speaker turns around and hits a remote to the monitor above him. The monitor flickers to life. Amidst distortion, a jarring image and otherwise screams, Dr. Yang mutters something incoherent. The transmission ends with a red light and static."
The main speaker turns the monitor off and once more faces the delegation.
"The explosion has caused an encroaching wave that will intercept the center of the galaxy in a matter of days. Right now the RX Project is considered at the heart of it..."
Several murmers enter the chamber, amidst several cries.
"And we're left without our power reserves. This project should have never been comissioned to Yin and Yang, they were incompetent from the start."
"Because of those two neanderthalls...", "I always knew they were out for revenge and mockery.", "They were brilliant.", "Cutting edge is what they were.", "It was in the name of science.", "They knew the risks."
"Gentlemen."
The murmurs continue.
"GENTLEMEN!"
The chamber deafens.
"Right now our top priorities are fight or flight - the main scientist assembly has reached a verdict of fight or flight and has forwarded it to the Galactic Monarch. He will..."
"Decide that we are all doomed one way or the other."
Suddenly more jeers and cries enter the chamber and panic floods the assembly. What happens next is the entire delegation degrades into civil unrest as the fate of the galaxy is decided once and for all.
---
The explosion and carrier wave were localized only to the galaxy's minor vicinity, it's gravitational field was kept in check after it went ultra nova and ultimately collapsed into a field of gravitational matter or a so called dark nebula. Investigations are still underway, but at the moment the entire incident has become known as the "Event Horizon".
