"Aha.. ahaha. It worked, it fucking worked!"
"Ugh somehow that was worse than the first time. Well at least I didn't go out alone."
Sofia was mentally exhausted from it all but was still overjoyed with the results of the test. But hearing him she turned towards him with a confused expression.
"Huh, what do you mean you didn't go out alone."
"I mean, I took out this big brutish guy, that broke into my house and tried to kill me. Of course that was after dying at least a hundred times in my dreams to the shield creature. Let me tell ya, worst sleep of my life."
"Wait no, screw the shield guy. You killed the big guy!?!?"
"Yep, I think he liked me too, we got along pretty well."
Sofia looked behind her at Maria with a small twitch in her eye, turning back to him there was frustration written all over her face:
"There's no way we fought the same people then. The guy I fought was huge, his strength was nothing I'd ever seen before, plus he took out two of my best androids."
"Really!? Sounds to me you just got unlucky then, cause mine threw me through a wall took a couple shot from a metal bat, and a bullet to the leg, and kept coming."
Maria stepped in between them, before they could say anything else:
"Alright alright, I've heard enough. Sit, tell me everything that happened, don't spare any details. We'll update the journal as we go. It sounds like you guys have been through a lot, so I'll go order us something to eat, while we talk."
The three ended up talking for at least an hour, going over all the things that happened in the "Alt", as they called it. It was easier than saying the alternate reality, or dimension.
They decided, that would be their main theory to study. An alternate reality where they died and ended up back in another reality where it didn't happen, it was the only logical explanation they could come up with for it all.
They decided time travel was out, considering that would make it more of a loop, where they would have to re-do everything as soon as they returned. So instead it was labeled a distortion of reality, and became their main subject.
In the end they decided to stay in the lab till two AM, waiting for something to happen. Finding ways to occupy themselves, and when the clock struck three, they finally let their guard down a little.
They waited a while longer before deciding it was really safe to go home, even then they were alert.
The night seemed long for them; as their minds ran wild with possibilities of something that never came.
In the morning Michael woke up tired once more, his dreams were full of the things that had happened that night. He was ready to learn and test a few theories, but his mind was still occupied by those recent events.
Walking out of the apartment he found a letter on his doormat:
[Dear Dr.Sun
Congratulations on your recent findings, I can tell the night was eventful for you. You seemed tired and occupied with thoughts and ideas, I can only imagine the things that are going through your head.
I've also had the pleasure of watching your most recent achievement, I must applaud you on such a thing, especially as seeing how...., unexpected it all was.
But I will try to keep it short. As I've said before you are not safe, even more so with the expedition being a mere three days away. I have faith you will make it back okay.
I urge you please be careful and watch those who join you, not everyone is on your side.
I will be watching.
Sincerely, yours truly.
Shadow.]
"Another note huh. Tsk, who are you, Shadow. How long have you been watching me, and why."
Locking the door he left with more questions than he'd bargained for. The "Shadow" was somehow keeping tabs on him, and was up to date on everything he'd learned; as if they were waiting for him to learn what they'd already known.
Another question entered his mind as he walked toward his car, what achievement could they be talking about.
As he walked into work, he constantly looked over his shoulder to see if anyone was following him, yet no one seemed to be.
He greated Sam as usual then headed down to the lab, once there he was greeted with excitement by Sofia. She was brimming with energy as if nothing had happened the night before, which slightly annoyed him; since he usually like the mornings to be calm and quiet.
"Did anything happen after you got home, cause it was pretty quiet for me.? Wow you look kinda tired, not enough sleep; or maybe you were just worried something would happen, cause I was. But like I said nothing happened, anyway would you like some coffee while we wait, Maria should be back soon."
He looked at her, trying to hide his annoyance:
"Could you please slow down, I just got here. And please don't drink anymore coffee, I'm not sure what you put in it but you don't need anymore."
Just as he was about to walk away from her Maria walked through the door:
"Ah, good you're here. Now we can get started, you can do your school work later. I've already spoke with your professors, so you've got an extension."
He looked at her for a moment then shrugged as he put his stuff in his area:
"Thanks, anyway, any news on the expedition. We've got three days right, so who's coming, I know me and Sophia, will you be joining."
She looked at him with a confused look on her face, she reached into her back pocket pulling out a sheet of paper with a few names on them.
"How did you know it would be in three days, I was only briefed on it a few minutes ago."
He looked at her slightly confused then turned to Sofia; whom just shrugged:
"Don't look at me, I'm just finding out from you. I was waiting to ask her about it too."
Maria took a moment to think, but couldn't come up with anything, so she shrugged it off.
"In any case, no, I will not be going but here is the list off people who will. You two will be our only researchers the rest will be guards and a one other from the previous expedition."
He went down the list of names, seeing if he recognized anyone, he was hoping that by some small chance someone he actually liked would join; mainly being Sam.
"Alright, but why only one previous expeditioner?"
"Well we could only have so many people go, this trip is pretty expensive. Some on the board don't quite believe the story of what happened, so they weren't willing to up the budget. So we needed someone to show us the way and the rest to protect you two when you get there."
"Right..., makes sense."
Sofia crumbled up the paper and tossed it out, she was restless and ready to get back to work. The details of those coming didn't matter to her, only the date and confirmation of herself being there.
She quickly rushed over towards the lab door already inputting her authorization, as she opened the door she looked behind her to see the two still standing in the same spot.
"Well are we doing this or not, I've waited long enough."
The two looked at eachother then back to her, Maria shrugged with a smile as she walked over towards the door. Michael on the other hand sighed and rubbed his face and walked over.
As he walked in he could see Sofia with a cup of coffee by her side as she checked the computer. Walking over he grabbed the coffee and poured it out, she looked over at him in distraught, as she reached for her cup as he emptied it.
"You've had enough, here drink some water."
He tossed her a bottle of water, she looked at it with sadness, before sitting it down beside her.
Walking over to examine the shield, he could see Maria going over the emblem on the sword:
"That was a bit harsh."
"Trust me, she'll live."
Over the next few days, they had repeatedly gone over both artifacts, thoroughly checking for things they may have missed the days before.
After multiple attempts, the could not find a way to activate them again, nor could they find any sign of the residual energy.
They had also attempted to recreate the weapons, through simulations and with the help of Sofias androids through physical means.
Each test proved unsuccessful, even through implementing their own blood the recreations were unsuccessful. There was always something missing from the equation, they were well aware of what it was but no matter what they did, they could recreate the mystery substance.
After many failed attempts, their time was up and the day of the expedition had arrived.