The Gateway

A Longing Beyond Worlds

Back on Dallack, Harry Kallor’s return was met with both celebration and suspicion. His miraculous survival of the wormhole experiment, paired with tales of the alien world called Earth, made him a figure of fascination. Yet, beneath the applause and attention, Harry felt empty.

The crystalline cities of Aurion, with their harmonic lights and perfect order, now seemed sterile compared to the chaotic beauty of Earth. He missed the gray skies of London, the raw energy of its music, and, most of all, he missed Mary. Her laughter, her stories, and the way she made him feel like he truly belonged.

Every night, Harry stared at the stars, consumed by a single thought: How do I get back to her?

The Interdimensional Gateway Programme

Unable to let go of Earth, Harry threw himself into his work. Drawing from his knowledge of the Zone 5 Experiment that had accidentally sent him to Earth, he began developing the Interdimensional Gateway Programme (IGP)—a system designed to create controlled and stable portals between dimensions.

Harry believed that technology wasn’t just the key to returning to Earth—it was the bridge to reconnect with Mary. He envisioned a gateway that would allow safe communication and travel between their worlds.

His initial designs focused on Quantum Transference Beacons—devices capable of sending messages across dimensions. These beacons, once perfected, could theoretically transmit sound, light, and even small objects. Harry hoped they would be a stepping stone toward a fully functional interdimensional gateway.

The Government’s Intervention

Harry’s work did not go unnoticed. The 5 Legislation, the governing body of Dallack, closely monitored his progress. To them, Earth was an unknown threat—a chaotic and resource-depleted world that could bring instability to Dallack’s harmonious society.

Officials summoned Harry to a tribunal, demanding he cease his experiments.

“You don’t understand what’s at stake!” Harry argued, his voice echoing through the crystalline chamber. “Earth is more than a world of chaos—it’s a place of resilience, creativity, and connection. We can learn from them, just as they can learn from us.”

The tribunal’s leader, Minister Aven Dral, dismissed his plea. “Your emotional attachment blinds you, Harry Kallor. You risk exposing Dallack to dangers we cannot predict. Your work is forbidden.”

Harry’s heart sank, but he refused to give up.

A Voice Across Dimensions

Defying the government’s orders, Harry retreated to a hidden lab in the remote Celaric Highlands, where he continued his work in secret. He constructed a prototype Quantum Transference Beacon, designed to transmit sound waves across dimensions.

After weeks of fine-tuning, Harry completed the beacon. With trembling hands, he activated it, tuning it to the frequency of Southwave FM, the radio station where Mary worked.

“Mary, it’s me,” he said, his voice cracking. “If you can hear this… I’m still here. I love you.”

For days, Harry transmitted messages, unsure if they were reaching her. Then, one night, the beacon picked up a faint reply.

“Harry… is it really you?” Mary’s voice came through, distorted but unmistakable. “I’ve been waiting for this moment.”

The two talked for hours, pouring their hearts out. Mary told Harry about life on Earth, how she had kept his show alive on Southwave FM, blending rock with the strange, ethereal sounds he had created. Harry shared stories of Dallack, its beauty, and his determination to return to her.

The Difficulties of Portals

Buoyed by their connection, Harry redoubled his efforts to build a stable portal. But opening gateways between dimensions proved far more dangerous than he anticipated.

On one test, the portal created a surge that destabilized nearby electromagnetic fields, causing blackouts across Aurion. On another, a portal collapsed mid-activation, sending a shockwave that damaged the lab and nearly killed Harry.

The strain on both dimensions became evident. Harry’s experiments caused unexplainable weather phenomena on Earth, from sudden lightning storms to shimmering auroras that terrified scientists.

Mary, though overjoyed by their connection, began to worry. “Harry, what if this isn’t meant to be? What if we’re putting both our worlds at risk?”

Harry wrestled with her words. Could his love for Mary justify the potential harm to both dimensions?

A Difficult Decision

Harry realized that building a stable portal might be impossible without endangering Earth and Dallack. Yet, he couldn’t bear the thought of losing his connection to Mary. He returned to the beacon, refining it to allow real-time communication without the risks of a portal.

As the beacon’s transmission grew stronger, Harry and Mary found solace in their nightly conversations. They shared music, memories, and dreams, creating a bridge of words and sound that transcended dimensions.

But the 5 Legislation discovered Harry’s hidden lab. They sent enforcers to shut down his work and confiscate the beacon.

In a final act of defiance, Harry activated the beacon, transmitting a farewell message to Mary.

“Mary, they’re coming for me. I don’t know if this is the end, but I’ll never stop trying to reach you. No matter what happens, know that I love you.”

A Better Way Forward

As the enforcers stormed the lab, Minister Aven Dral arrived, intrigued by Harry’s determination. Seeing the beacon’s success, she offered a compromise: the beacon would remain, but all portal experiments must cease.

“This is the only safe connection between our worlds,” she said. “If you truly love her, you’ll respect the balance between dimensions.”

Harry agreed, heartbroken but resolute.

Mary, hearing the events unfold, spoke through the beacon. “Harry, this is enough. You’ve given me more than I ever dreamed. We’ll make this work.”

Two Worlds, One Connection

Harry and Mary continued their nightly conversations, their voices bridging the vast chasm between dimensions. Through the beacon, they shared music, ideas, and love, proving that connection didn’t always require physical presence.

Though they remained in separate worlds, their bond endured, a testament to the power of determination and the unbreakable strength of the human (and Dallackian) heart.

And in the quiet moments, as Harry gazed at Dallack’s stars and Mary looked up at Earth’s sky, they knew they were still together, united by a frequency that defied the limits of space and time.