"The world is already a strange place to us. But what if it were created by a strange, artistic force?"
London was awakened by the first waves of warm morning sunshine.
As is the case every morning, a crowd of people with rather miserable faces walked slowly along the streets to work or school.
However, one person stood out from the crowd. This was Amelia, better known to everyone as Blackjack. The young scientist was in a terrible hurry, but instead of heading for the university where she taught robotics as usual, she was heading for the official Multiverse building.
It was not the first time she had to go there, she needed a pass for inter-dimensional travel. It was necessary to broaden the scope of her research, and in doing so she would be able to learn something new about the world 'on the other side', which her dead father and mother were mildly obsessed with, at least according to her grandfather's stories.
This obsession was not unfounded. Technically, they were the ones who had invented the way to make such a journey, but despite this fact, the average person on the street continued to think that it was just because of the university where her parents had once studied; it was never explained to Blackjack why this was so. As a result, she had to go through the same procedures to get a pass as any other citizen.
-Here it is. All filthy, but still an official building.
With a more relaxed step, she walked down the long corridor; unlike what she usually saw outside, the centre of the corridor was neat and clean, and from the windows there was a view of the beautiful city centre.
Blackjack, however, was bothered by something else, and that was the card she had to fill in, she had done it for probably the hundredth time, but for some reason it was always rejected.
She never understood why, after all, every piece of information she put out there had been checked over a million times by her. But she always had to humbly accept defeat and wait for the next date when she could apply for a permit.
In this case, however, she already had the feeling that if she had another one rejection, she would have to have a slightly different conversation with the people who work here.
After an hour of waiting, it was finally her turn. She walked up to the counter and, in a rather subdued tone of voice, said hello to the familiar expedient of what she had been seeing for a good four years now.
-Hello again, how can I help you?
The Expedient smiled pitifully and, without waiting for Amelia's reply, opened a cupboard with sheets of paper to fill in.
-I want to fill in a multiverse pass card, nothing new.
-I understand, so please fill in the card at table number one and we'll see what we can do. Maybe I'll prepare a cake for your next visit?
-...I don't think you'll need to, if Grace.
It didn't take long to fill in the card, after all she knew all the questions perfectly, the longer it took her to reread them to make sure she got everything right.
There was already a strong confusion in her mind, she felt that the problem was not in this card, but somewhere outside. After all, she had the knowledge and the scientific status. Something didn't feel right and she felt that something was wrong.
Despite such thoughts, she put them aside for a moment and stood gracefully as she walked towards the booth with the finished card. She had to succeed today.
Better to think positive, right? That's what Blackjack told herself as she handed the Expedient a piece of paper.
Her eyes moved slowly from paragraph to paragraph of the text.
It was slow, very slow, worse than usual.
It made Blackjack feel hopeful, but she also felt her heart leaping into her throat.
Perhaps this was their moment? Maybe all those theories about deconspiration were unfounded?
She gently consoled herself in spirit, but then...
-Refusal. Not competent enough to get a pass. Better luck next time.
-What the FUCK do you mean by that?!
Blackjack lost her temper and pounded her fist on the booth table. This was enough to attract the attention of anyone.
-MRS. AMELIA PLEASE BE QUIET AND CALM DOWN!
-You're making fun of me!? I've been coming here for four years and you are telling me again that this rejection is in any way justified?! What the hell is going on here?!
Without turning back to the fact of the general observation of onlookers, Blackjack began to pour out her frustrations on the expedient miraculously refraining from unnecessary insults.
-FIRST OF ALL, PLEASE DO NOT SHOUT, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE OFFICE QUIET! SIT DOWN AND TALK TO ME CALMLY!
The clerk was clearly louder than Blackjack, but she just nodded and sat down in one of the chairs next to her.
-there you go, satisfied? Now tell me, you... very understanding woman, why is there this damned rejection?
-As you probably know from theory, there are other people in the multiverse who are very close to your genes-
-And to put it simply, they are me, but from another world. Great, so what?
-This should interest you, because the amount of criminal offenses that are on the accounts of every such single persona what is you, is surprisingly high. And at the same time, the majority of such comes from travelling between worlds.
-And you're going to tell ME that I can't cross this world just because I'm theoretically the same as some savage that I don't even know?
-These are the guidelines, the only thing I would suggest to you is to have a third party as a 'guardian'. This person will bear the possible consequences, as if something had happened in other worlds.
-Don't make fun of me, no one would make such a deal.
-Normally I would suggest close family for this, but...
-...Finish with that, will you?
Blackjack got up from her chair in a huff. But then she felt someone touch her arm.
She noticed that it was a man who approached the counter unnoticed by them.
-I was waiting for Amelie at the entrance.... But then I heard her scream, so I decided to see what was happening. At the same time, I allowed myself to listen to your conversation, and I want to be her "guardian".
Blackjack was completely taken aback, but seeing this as an opportunity, she did not immediately refuse and just watched the situation unfold. Expedient, equally shocked, looked at the man in mild disbelief.
-Are you fully aware that any misdemeanour or problems caused by Miss Amelie are your responsibility, and could result in major problems and costs?
-I'm fully aware of this and I know Amelia won't do anything wrong, on the card itself I'm guessing all is well?
-Yes... it was always fine.
Blackjack felt like killing the expedient with her eyes. However, she ignored this and handed the man the documents to confirming such a decision, which he quickly signed in her shock without hesitation.
-And Mrs Amelia agrees that Mr... "Mike" to take responsibility for you, in case of legal problems in the multiverse?
She didn't know what to say at this point, on the one hand she wanted to say yes, but on the other hand she felt she needed to know more about this alleged Mike she had seen with her eyes for the first time in her life.
-...I guess?
-All right. Then, wait a moment and I will bring the pass.
The expedient walked like a penguin to the door and quickly shut it behind her. This was the perfect opportunity for Blackjack to ask Mike some important questions and she wasn't going to miss it.
-...Why have you done this for me? And how do you know my name? I don't think we've met...
Mike looked like he was out of this world. The man was considerably taller than Blackjack, and behind his hat she could see a mechanical eye patch that emitted a contrasting red light.
-You don't know me, but I know you... you've grown a lot since I saw you... I'm an old friend of your father's.
Mike looked at Blackjack with a gentle smile, revealing his eyes a little more from under his hat. There was something about them, warm and yet cold as ice.
-I understand... but that still doesn't explain why you're here. Why did you wait for me?
Blackjack asked, analyzing the situation. Even though the man's face was very familiar to her, she did not see him as just an acquaintance of her parents from a long time ago.
He seemed to her to be someone... closer, and at the same time very alien.
-I've actually been looking for you for a very long time. You see... I have some unfinished business with your father that I'd like to take care of... .... and I need someone who's practically the same as him. I think in this case it is a good idea to look for his own daughter... treat it as a job, you will gain a lot from it and not only money... as far as I know... you also need knowledge, and then you will get that too.
-...What if I refuse? I already have a job, I have responsibilities and I have my research. I don't feel that in this case bothering yet with some 'old father issue' is so necessary and important for me.
-I don't want to force you into anything. We can cancel the pass now, go our separate ways and pretend it never happened. Or we can work together to our mutual benefit? Your choice.
By this time the receptionist had managed to return to them with the pass in her hands. It was beautiful and downright golden, Blackjack had what she had wanted for years practically at her fingertips.
-This is your pass to travel in the multiverse... congratulations. Is there anything else you need?
Blackjack looked first at Mike, and then at the pass...
-...No, thank you very much.
She took the pass from the receptionist's hand. She looked at it and felt like she was dreaming.
-Thank you for your cooperation with UMM. We wish you successful travels.
Mike left the office with Blackjack. She let him take her home so she could talk to him and answer some questions.
-Have you been following me? You mentioned that you had been looking for me for a long time.
-No, or rather not really. I only followed you to the office this morning. That doesn't mean I don't know more about you.
-I understand... What is this 'unfinished business'? And why is my father involved? It's strange, my grandfather would have told me.
- Because no one else in your family knew about it. At the moment I can't give you too much more detail.... this much I can confess for the moment, that... your "job" will not be very easy.
-... Wow, that doesn't give me more questions than answers at all.
-I promise to tell you more in time.
-You know, I'll trust you more if you tell me more now, and preferably everything.... But let's just say I'll hold you to your word.
-From my side, you really have nothing to fear. I would not hurt the daughter of the person I respected more than anyone. Trust me.
-...If not you, then who should I fear?
Blackjack looked at Mike somewhat puzzled. He was clearly blown away by this question.
-Well... this job, to be honest.... won't be particularly safe. You'll have to hide often, be in the shadows, take something important or even kill inconvenient people for our business.... I don't want to beat around the bush on this one.
Mike adjusted his hat slightly while looking intently at Blackjack. She was clearly puzzled by his words and looked at him in disbelief.
-...Are you some kind of mafioso? And supposedly my father too? WHAT?!
Hearing this he laughed softly.
-No... don't exaggerate. More like a mercenary for a better cause, what we did is important for the whole world. On another note, you had more to do with the mafia than I did.
-...What do you mean?
-...Consider that I know a little more than you think. Or simply because I at least know what happened to your hand.
Mike pointed to Blackjack's hand. It was electric, designed and created by herself.
-Those are the old days... I'm not going to go back to that again.
-I honestly think differently, especially knowing you're James' daughter, I know you'd be perfect for our decon. You're a tough girl.
-I will find out how you know such details if you don't tell me.
-Trust me, you will find out in your own time, I promise.
With those words out of their mouths, they realised they were already at the gate of Amelia's house. Blackjack stopped and looked at Mike as she opened the gate.
-...Let us say that I trust in this matter. When do we start this... "work"?
-Preferably tomorrow! Be on the phone in the morning and wait for the details.
-Yeah, sure. And don't call me Amelia, but Blackjack, it scares me the way you call me by my first name.
Without saying goodbye, she entered the house and locked the door. She had had enough excitement for one day; she did not even notice that it was past midday.
-..Albedo, pickup.
As she shouted, a screen on rails by the door to her studio flicked on. Albedo was a project of Blackjack and her friend Jeremy. It is an artificial intelligence that learns with its own mind, and is a household helper and companion. It turned on the lights everywhere and came to Blackjack.
-Good morning Ms Amelia! did you manage to make the pass today? In case of a negative answer, I already have cold Whiskey and sad rock songs prepared.
-No, there's no need. I made it.
-OH, GREAT! But... you don't look happy though. More like terrified.
- Because... you know, I got it, but in a slightly different way than I would have expected.
Blackjack walked towards the kitchen. The Albedo screen moved behind her along the rails from one side to the other.
-I don't know how to explain it to you.... it's complicated.
She poured water into the kettle and prepared a bag of tea, trying to figure out how to explain the potential mob and the strange man to the machine.
-...Let's just say that I have a strange deal going with a guy who claims to be a friend of my father's. But the way he is and the way he talks, I associate him more with the Mafia.
-I hope you're not suggesting that he's going to risk you life again! In that case I'll have to do the security protocol!
-No... at least I hope not. Don't worry, it'll be fine!
She poured water into a cup and gently stirred the tea with sugar.
She felt that she had lied a little to Albedo about her safety. However, she didn't want the man to worry too much about her, after all, the machine still thought and cared about her safety.
So she looked at Albedo's screen with a reassuring, warm smile.
-But hey, I finally got a pass! We can do the winning protocol!
Her favourite metal music began to play from the speakers. Blackjack herself sat triumphantly in an armchair, enjoying her tea and firing up the games console. She decided to relax before tomorrow without worrying too much about Mike or anything else. At least for now.
-Will you please arrange for me to go on paid leave for the next two months, Albedo?
-I already did, Amelia, in case of success or failure it'll come in handy anyway.
-Thanks Alb, now turn on your game plugin, we're going to be here all day!
-I knew you would say that.
...
When she went to bed that night, she could not stop thinking about the next day.
She felt that meeting Mike could change her life forever, but she still didn't know how. Then she looked at the moon, then at the stars, and realised that it wasn't only the negative things that were waiting for her, but also many scientific discoveries, and other worlds that wanted to learn about her technology and science. This definitely calmed her down, and she was able to sleep peacefully
for the last time.
Hello! Im Poni and thank for read prologue for my webcomic!
I hope you enjoyed it! And I hope it drew you in! I'll be posting it's next chapters as soon as possible, and as soon as I can!
I also have a website for art of universe, I think it's worth a look too!
That's all from me for now, see you there!
