//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 - Science, Paranoia, Cloak & Dagger // Story: Into the Rift // by DiscordsAdvocate //------------------------------// AUDIENCE: WHEN WILL YOU BRING US MORE PONIES?!?!? AUTHOR: PATIENCE! WE'RE WORKING UP TO IT! NOW BACK TO THE STORY. The day finally arrived when the Aussies brought over their Quantum Entanglement Sensor. The QES was accompanied by two scientists who were delivering the presentation of how it works. The staff could see it in their eyes, while Tycho could hear it in their voices. They were trying very hard to mask their stress with a show of solid professionalism. It was a strange device, to say the least. Tycho had wondered what something that could detect QEOs would look like. Images from his childhood ran in his mind: old bad Scifi movies of stupidly put together metallic parts and blinking lights. Heck he imagined that was pretty much what the Hadron Collider looked like. A colleague described it for him, but the best he could do was that it looked like a spherical water-heater with massive pipes coming out of either side. Pinging the actual device, he had to agree.   Tycho had trouble keeping up with how the QES worked. How can you compact 10 years of science in a 2 hour lecture? You can't; he couldn’t even see their picture examples. Arjeta would have a better understanding, for quantum physics was her forte. His was a double specialty so he can take care of his baby that ran miles and miles under ground. All that work, he thought, and he could disappear anytime. Years in engineering, then years more in physics. Learned engineering physics to combine both principles in his spare time...he needed to date more, he thought as he drifted into a tangent in his mind. With the possibility of life ending he started thinking how he could better live his life. His closest friends were his co-workers. Arjeta was a great friend he could openly joke with, even lewdly. Johan? Most recent addition to their ‘trifecta of nerddom,’ he once joked. Johan was all about electromagnetism. Speaking of his friends, Johan elbowed him to bring him back to Earth. Well, this lecture wasn’t holding Tycho’s attention. Tycho was more interested in getting close to the thing when it turned on. Unfortunately, that moment didn’t come. The seminar ended with no official demonstration, and everyone knew why. No one wanted to know if someone disappeared. They just accepted the machine worked and moved on. Tycho, however, needed a demonstration. He carefully made his way around the crowd scrambling to get to the break room for much needed refreshments. He could still hear the two scientists up at the stage. Clenching his laptop, Tycho bumped into at least two co workers before he finally made it to the stage. "Excuse me! No one is permitted on the stage!" Shouted a security guard as Tycho got close.   Tycho cursed to himself. Of course they don't want anyone near the equipment. "Excuse me!" He hailed the Australian scientists, currently chatting to each other.   The two men turned to Tycho and approached him, staying on the stage while leaning down. "Can we help you Mr...?" Asked one in an Australian accent with a deep voice.   "Hernandez, Dr. Hernandez." Tycho reached up to shake the man's hand, who shook his in return. “Yes, I am curious if this device is currently on."   The man paused and looked to his colleague, who nodded. Tycho could hear what was probably two security guards coming up behind him. "It is now, sir. But we aren’t doing a demonstration."   Tycho smiled and reached carefully to his laptop bag and pulled it out. "I have some questions to ask you, if you don't mind."   "Plenty of time for that later, Dr. Hernandez." Said the other scientist, sounding slightly Korean (best guess) behind that Australian accent.   "I know, I know." Tycho already had skype ready and fired up on his device. "But I have so many and you can imagine how busy we are." He fumbled clicking to start a conference call. This was not a good time for him to lose his synchrony with his own technology, much less forget what questions to ask. He was too anxious to find out if that skype call really did break space-time.   "Well?" Asked the deep-voice scientist.   "So, what is the baseline for a QEO?" Tycho knew that wasn't the brightest question. He finally managed to locate what selection he had on his laptop and managed to locate the call.   "Yes, well." The scientist thought for a moment and gestured for what Tycho deduced was a tablet to brought to him by his friend.   Tycho waited for an answer on the other end...nothing. His skype ringed and ringed. Still nothing. No one was answering! His stress was building as he started to flick his tongue piercing on his teeth. This can't be happening.   As the scientist rattled off numbers to Tycho, he tried to act like he was paying attention, but he just stood there, thinking that of all the friends in his life, Ann and Alex would pull something this low on him. Of all times when people are terrified. It didn't make any sense.   "Does that satisfy you, Dr. Hernandez?" Asked the other scientist.   Tycho silently nodded as he began to put his laptop away. "Yeah." He said, holding back a combination of sadness and anger.   Then he felt it on his braille pad. The pins indicating something. He took the laptop out and noticed another skype call from someone else. The username was 'GreenAnthropologist.' Tycho accepted the call.   He then heard something faint. Like the sound of sudden increase in pitch, but low toned coming from their device.   "What is that?" Asked the least accent scientist. He walked quickly to the device.   Tycho hesitated and typed a few words into the chat of the call.   Responded Lyra.   Tycho listened carefully. "QE spike." Said the deeper voiced one. "Local occurrence...right in this...room?"   Tycho typed and quickly closed his laptop shut.   "Its gone! About five seconds!" Said the higher pitched voice. "Excuse me!" He ran to the security guard. "Something has happened! There may have been a disappearance on the campus!"  Oh crap, Tycho thought to himself. Now he may have caused a panic.   The security guard quickly bolted up the ramp between the rafters and got on his radio. "We have an emergency here! Someone might have vanished on campus!"   Security on the other side of his radio replied, "Alright we need to check that everyone here is accounted for. We'll contact administrat-" And it faded as the guard went out the door.   Tycho stood still as a statue. There was no doubt in his mind now. This was real. All of it was happening. "Hey, you alright?" Asked one of the scientists. Tycho just nodded silently. His thoughts were still cycling everything he had been going through since this whole mess began. Alex has been to Marvel, worlds of high magic and fantasy, and is contacting him from one of those worlds...in another dimension! Every scientific idea about the multiverse has been confirmed! Max Tegmark and Brian Greene are going to shit themselves!   He felt someone shake him on the shoulders. He finally returned to his senses and heard Arjeta's voice. "Tycho! Answer me!"   Tycho shook his head to bring himself back to Earth. "God, Arjeta." He wanted to tell her, but had to shut up. He couldn't tell her anything right now.   "I know!" Arjeta hugged him. "I thought you might have vanished too. Johan is still here, come on, we need to all check in to find out who vanished."  She took him by the wrist to start him on the path.   Tycho followed in tow. Now there was a world of work ahead of him. Or would it be 'worlds' of work? That would seem more appropriate. Also, ponies! Why ponies, of all things?     The staff count took 2 more hours, raising tensions among the staff. One staffer was thought to be lost, but a few phone calls by security revealed he didn't come to work today.   There was a nervous relief throughout CERN. Tycho could feel it among everyone he was near. He kicked himself for being so reckless. Back in the office he called for the scientists from Australia over to his department for a long talk. He had almost all the notes needed but wanted to clarify some things first.   It was one hour until lunch when the two scientists finally arrived. Arjeta and Johan sat up from their desks, having finally finished reviewing data gathered from Doctor Juan Yin in Beijing.   "You asked for us?" Said the deeper-voiced man. "Ah, its you." He recognized Tycho from earlier.   "Doctor Aadyn, right?" Tycho finally recalled his name, replying to him.   "Yes, and you do remember Dr. Rangi Loto?" That name sounded Pacific Island-ish, Tycho, so he wasn't Korean.   "Yes, thank you both for coming. I...should apologize for that spike, earlier, um..." Tycho could already sense a building confusion and concern throughout the room. "My laptop uses a very powerful modem for the 4g network. I am afraid it may have set off your device." He was not a very good liar, but maybe it would calm down and avoid future problems. Doubtful, but worth a try.   "Well, we'll note that as a possibility." There was doubt in his voice. Aadyn sat down at the center table that separated Tycho, Arjeta, and Johan's respective workstations. "You said you wanted to exchange information."   Tycho nodded. "I have all the data and information from China's studies on quantum entanglement. I'll provide it but I need the remaining research from Griffith University."   Loto shifted where he stood. "We already gave you everything we have, Dr. Hernandez."   Arjeta sat with them. "Except there are a few references in your articles about quantum theory that we don't have." She pointed out.   Aadyn sighed. "Well, those aren't ours. Those are from the University of Tokyo."   Tycho raised an eyebrow. "I thought you and Shanghai were the leading scientists."   Johan made a noise of a man who just facepalmed a bit too hard. "Dammit! How could we forget?!" The shook his head. "Tycho, the University of Tokyo has advanced mathematics that furthers Quantum Entanglement theory. You remember our next test?"   Tycho couldn't look, but instead diverted his face to the direction of Arjeta for clarification.   Arjeta was probably giving Tycho the 'really?' look he imagined when he had done something silly. "You didn't read the press release our director sent out, did you?"   Tycho meekly shrugged and shook his head. He only knew the work they asked him to do.   "Our next experiment was to possibly make contact with another universe. Slamming protons together!" Johan followed with a hint of scorn in his voice towards Tycho, all while making wavey motions with what Tycho deduced from the sound was a news paper. (Seriously: Check out this article. ) Tycho finally put the pieces together of why Lyra stated the LHC was needed. But the LHC’s calibration wasn’t finished. It was his job to make sure it was done correctly. Still, could this giant particle accelerator actually do the job? Could he get it calibrated to connect with Alex’s world?   Loto stepped toward Arjeta. "You realize the United Nations is going to keep CERN from continuing its experiments until it determines the LHC is safe, right?"   Aayden nodded and handed Tycho a USB drive. “We figured you’d ask. You’ve been corresponding with our boss for days.” “What do you intend to do with all this?” Loto asked. “To be honest, guys. I have no idea.” Tycho half-lied. “But it would be good if we can get other scientists to put their heads together on this. Limiting this to just a few universities won’t be helpful at all.” The Australians seemed to have accepted that without question. “Well, if anything turns up that could explain all this, even stop it, let us know, okay?” Aayden asked. "And we'll do the same." “You can count on it.” Tycho replied. The two guests didn’t have further time to chat, but did provide Tycho the remaining information he needed, including the math from Tokyo.     Tycho had just sent all the remaining data, research, math, and engineering to Twilight and Lyra, hoping they would be able to concoct something. He was in his office with his co-workers. The Aussies left to continue their work wherever they were allowed to do so. It was another hour before his ears overheard their door open and several footsteps entering. There must have been three men, Tycho guessed.   "Dr. Tycho Hernandez? Dr. Arjeta Nilsson? Dr. Johan Friedman?" Inquired one of the men.   "Yes?" Arjeta replied, turning in her chair to face them. Johan just looked over his shoulder.   "I am sorry but it has come to our attention that staff have been exchanging sensitive information about the operations at this site to foreign scientists." Said the second.   "Would you care to introduce yourselves first?" Tycho turned in his seat and lowered his spectacles to emphasize his blindness.   "We are..." There was a slight pause as if the first was weighing his answer, "security advisers from the United Nations. It would be in all of our best interests," He emphasized that last piece of context in lowering his tone, "to ensure that sensitive information isn't recklessly exchanged."   The three scientists sat silently. Tycho, being the most honest, though not always tactful, was the first to break the silence. "I wasn't aware collaboration in the scientific community was now restricted. You realize all the science involving our work here is published and available at universities all across the world, right?"   "So you did send information to others without our knowledge. What for?" Asked the third.   Now Tycho was conflicted. Lying was not his strong suit, but at the same time he didn't want to reveal all this was going to a group of friends in another universe! "To guess what was maybe going on. You should expect us scientists to do stuff like that. Its in our nature, and our job." He said nervously.   The other men seemed to stand idly as they exchanged whispers, too quiet for Tycho to hear. Arjeta finally spoke. "Listen. I know it is your job to protect the information and staff here. I also know you want to see these vanishings end. But the best way we can help is not being hindered by politics and paranoia."   "That isn't something you need be concerned about," the third replied.   "No?" Johan asked. "We've been watching the news. Half the U.N. is divided and everyone is afraid to share information because they suspect someone is going to make this worse!"   "We're trying to keep everything centralized here," said the first. "I have also come to tell you that your emails will be monitored from here on out, and we require you to submit your personal media devices whenever you enter the building from now on. If you would please hand them over now..."   Tycho broke out in a sweat. No doubt they'd search their phones and laptops, and he needed his to communicate with Alex!   Arjeta was fuming. "Under whose authority?!"   "We have authority from Interpol and the European Union to work at our discretion, doctor. It is within all our best interests that you all cooperate with us while we work to solve this problem." Said the second man. "You can trust us to take care of your devices."   Tycho did his best to turn his eyes to Arjeta with a look of concern. Being blind, it was difficult to express himself in any matter that would involve visual cues. Still, he was counting on the fact Arjeta knew him well enough to know he needed her help. His laptop was his only connection to Alex and the others. Arjeta did move her head to face him, he hoped she got his request.   Arjeta shook her head. "This is unacceptable and we will not cooperate until we hear it from the director himself."   As if answering her demands, the intercom had come on. "This is Doctor Herman, Director of Operations and Experiments. I have just received a notice from the United Nations and the European Union that they have mandated agen-” He cleared his throat, “security advisers to manage the exchange of information between CERN employees and the outside world."   "Fucking bureaucrats," Tycho muttered, now looking visually distressed   Arjeta sat next to Tycho and gave him a hug in a mock-effort to comfort them both. "Slip the laptop behind your chair," she whispered.   Tycho didn't know what she was planning, but he did as she asked. He knew there was stuff under his desk, but was unable to judge the shapes and likeness enough to hide something there. He heard something else shift on the floor, but not audible enough for others to hear, he wagered, as if she was moving something to hide his laptop.   "Furthermore, it has been requested that essential personnel of CERN not leave the facility. We will make arrangements in the building to provide places for sleep and food will always be available in the cafeteria. You may place orders through the security advisers for clothes or other provisions. We will do our best to make CERN as hospitable as possible." There was some muttering as Herman paused, almost like he was straining not to complain. Tycho could already hear staff in distant offices shouting and yelling. No doubt they were also irate about this.   "I ask you all to please understand that the United Nations believes CERN might be playing an influential role in these disappearances, and thus must complete this investigation. Please cooperate with the security advisors and hopefully this will go quickly." Herman concluded. "If you have any questions or concerns, please bring them to my office."   "Bullshit!" Johan shouted and slammed a folder of papers to the ground.   "Sir, calm down. Your temper isn't going to make matters better. Now, if you please. Your personal laptop and phone." Said the third man.   "How am I supposed to contact my wife?!" Johan shouted again as the second man restrained him by the arm.   Arjeta walked up to the second and shoved him off Johan. "Don't you dare touch my staff again!" The third looked like he was going to retaliate but the first held up a hand. Tycho stood and walked to stand by his colleagues. There was a tense moment before Arjeta calmed a little. "Will we be able to use our cell phones if we asked?"   The first nodded, gesturing the second to let Johan go. "Yes, doctor. But your communications will be monitored personally. You can come back anytime to check messages. But you will be required to play those in front of an adviser." Ajreta took out her cellphone and gave it to them. She looked at Johan who reluctantly gave his. The two then brought over their laptops while Tycho waited. "Dr. Hernandez, you should also submit whatever media devices you have." The second advisor said. "I am blind. I can't operate a cell phone." Tycho crossed his arms, towering over the so-callled advisor.   "You have a personal laptop." Said the first, slyly.   Arjeta interjected. "He didn't take it with him today, my orders. He kept getting distracted by the World Cup."   A slight chuckle came from the third adviser. He quickly shut up when the first looked at him. "Fine, then. We'll let you know how the teams are doing if you like, doctors." The adviser's joke would have been better received if the three colleagues didn't already hate this situation, much more their bureaucratic babysitters.   "One of us will be staffed with you later, everyone. Don't worry. The investigation shouldn't take long." Said the first as they walked out.   Tycho propped himself off the table, trying to lower his tension. "Shouldn't take long. It didn't take long for our world leaders to escalate this shit."   Arjeta walked up to Tycho. "Look. I need to know something. You had been glued to your laptop more than usual, and I think its because you're cooking something up."   Johan curiously approached the two after shutting the door so they wouldn't be overheard.   "Okay Tycho. What is going on?" Arjeta asked in that stern voice.   Was this how Mackenzie King felt when he had this much responsibility, Tycho thought to himself as he tried to come up with the best answer. "Two independent scientists I know who are...eclectic geniuses might be able to give us a chance to stop this." Tycho gulped. "They'd rather not be known. I don't think they'd be treated well if our worldly officials were found out."   Johan slammed his hands on the table, causing Tycho to flinch. Loud noises could do that to him. "Are you saying you are hoping two of these 'secret scientists'," he made air quotes, "are your hope in saving the world?" He asked in a mix of frustration and skepticism.   "Why can't you introduce them to us at least?" Arjeta pressed.   "They are foreign and I'd rather not know what the U.N. will do next if they found out about this. They might not be able to help us at all, then!" He wiped the seat from his brow. "I know this is hard to believe, I don't think I believe it myself, but I have hopes that if I can work with these two, we might be able to come up with SOMETHING to stop all this." He took a deep breath to calm himself down.   "Great. Tycho formed his own secret club but the unpopular kids don't get in," Johan sarcastically remarked.   "Alright! Enough!" Arjeta said in a raised voice. "We are too intense to do anything and we need to get organized to make our stay here more bearable. Tycho, did you send them everything they need?"   "Yes? No? Maybe? I sent everything we have. I haven't even checked my messages yet to learn if they received it." He sat down in the nearest chair. "Guys. I know this is crazy. This whole situation is crazy! But it wouldn't make a difference if you knew them. I am just going on any hope we have that can make a difference." The three scientists made sure to keep Tycho's laptop in a safe place on the extra desk, where they piled boxes of files in a way where it can be stashed at a moment’s notice. As Tycho worked, someone would keep watch at the door to make sure those agents (as Johan refused to call them 'security advisers') wouldn't catch them in the act.   Tycho activated his skype but kept it on chat, as a video call would cause another QE spike. He quickly typed his message:   He waited for a response. About one minute later, he go one. The words of Tycho's friend brought some relief to him. Tycho sipped some decaf coffee and replied. There was a pause and Alex messaged him again.   Tycho checked the email he got from Yin earlier. He had a narrow window to contact him, but it was there. He sent before hiding his laptop under the desk and went back to work.     By work, they meant just rereading documents and going over calibration designs on the LHC. The next day was hell. They almost had nothing to do but sit in their office. The three had trouble finding things to do. They weren't allowed to talk at length with others as the agents forbade collaboration without supervision. They could only watch the TV to get updates on the disappearances. Staff of different departments were losing their cool. Then the worst happened. Dr. Herman’s cries of despair could be heard on the other side of the building. His sister had just vanished, Tycho heard. Herman violently tried to get out of the building but was quickly apprehended by agents, then put under sedation and close monitoring in the infirmary. It was clear to everyone they were prisoners and there was a growing air of cabin fever.   There was no word on the progress of the investigation, either. Probably because the only experts were being held under quarantine. Tycho, Arjeta, and Johan kept their spirits from sinking further through card games, music, and stories, but that got old very quick. The agents were kind enough to bring board games and books at their request, but not being allowed free contact with the outside world was still trying their patience.   Finally, the breakthrough they all needed came. His laptop pinged an alert that sent a message.     Tycho quickly replied. Twilight replied.   Tycho blinked.   Arjeta slid her chair a bit closer to Tycho and leaned in. “Well?” She whispered. Tycho waved his hand for his boss to be patient. He then received a reply from Twilight. He had no idea what that term meant, but he totally understood 'stop the random jumping.'   Tycho replied and waited until it finally finished downloading. He prayed this process didn't trigger another spike.   Once the download finished, Tycho inserted a thumb drive and copied it.   "They're coming!" Johan warned.   Tycho then took the thumb drive and hid the laptop again.   No agents came inside.   "Sorry, they were going to the maintenance department." Johan nervously scratched his head.   Arjeta looked at Tycho with one eye. "So?"   Tycho inserted the thumb drive on his workstation and showed Arjeta and Johan the contents. Two pdfs. One labeled: 'FORQELABS' and the other labeled: 'FORCERN.' "Arjeta, can you look at the QE part?" He said as he gave Arjeta the the thumb drive. "Just to make sure its comprehensible."     As Tycho and Johan poured over the CERN file, Arjeta silently read her document. Johan and Arjeta must have seen something funny, because they kept giggling or chuckling. “You seeing this?” Johan asked their boss. “Your friends are bronies, Tycho.” Arjeta chuckled. “Look, I think that is...who is that...Twilight Sparkle?” Tycho turned to face Johan, confused and interested. “What?” “Sorry Tycho. There are illustrations of cartoon characters providing visual aids on this document. They’re actually helpful but it’s hilarious.” Johan explained. Tycho remembered Alex’s explanation the world he was in resembled a cartoon on Earth. Were these pictures what they looked like? He wished he could see them, then he would know what these aliens looked like. He could only imagine, sadly. Keeping the grief about his disability to himself, he continued to read. About an hour later, Arjeta said under her breath. “Eureka.” She began as if excited. “This...this is advanced stuff. Its within our capabilities too...Tycho where did you find these two?” Tycho shrugged. “They are aliens from another dimension.” He knew they wouldn’t believe that as he figured Arjeta was looking at him with annoyed disbelief. It certainly knocked her out of her amazement. Johan wasn’t affected. “Well, we just need to propose this to the director, assuming he is in the right mind for it.” Johan said sadly. “I can’t imagine what he is going through. If my wife disappears. Shit, she’s pregnant.” Tycho gave Johan a one-armed hug over his shoulders. “She’s here, now. Help me with this, and you won’t have to worry.” Arjeta looked up from her work to speak with Tycho. “Tycho...how are your parents holding up.” Tycho didn’t immediately respond to Arjeta’s question. He had been keeping contact with his family since this madness began. He’d been emailing his dad and mom to let them know he was still on Earth, and they did the same. His relationship with his father and mother was good, both encouraging him to overcome his blindness. Both his parents had Ph.Ds and emphasized scholarship. Love your education and you will love your job, his mother would say. And his dad, knowing how difficult it is for blind people to succeed used his university ties to make sure he had access to the best education. Sometimes Tycho wondered if his dad wanted him to go this far to compensate that his son became disabled. Maybe his father felt he failed him somehow. Still, his father never let Tycho stop and sulk about being blind. He kept him focused on persevering despite it. His mother was more emotionally supportive. While his dad was an Aerospace Engineer, his mother was a sociologist. She let Tycho cry when he needed to, and helped him laugh when he needed to feel better. His last conversation with them was assurance they hadn’t vanished. And that was a relief to him. The idea of them suffering the same fate as thousands others was something he couldn’t bear. Snapping out of his inner-thought exposition, Tycho simply replied to Arjeta: “They’re still here. So doing good.” He then went back to his work. Tycho managed to contact Yin and the Aussies on his personal laptop again, without being caught. Though his connection was slower. He wondered if now the 4G satellites were being monitored. He hoped not. The Aussies forwarded this data to Japan.   As Tycho awaited for replies from all three parties, he and his friends went over the calibration data one more time. It was simple a matter of making sure the beams would hit the protons at the center impact point with at least two QEOs occurring. Calibrating was just a matter of using the auto-calibration systems at the impact chamber. The rest of the LHC only needed some fine tuning to make it just right.   "How are we going to do this? We're not even allowed near the control computers. Only the maintenance and engineering team can inspect it." Johan frowned.   Arjeta nodded. "It gets more complicated. These instructions are organized between departments, and we can’t email them."   Tycho looked at the blonde and raised an eyebrow. "Got an idea, nee-sama?"   Arjeta smirked and used the print function on her terminal. The printer started doing its work to print all 259 pages. "Johan, call the cafeteria staff. I know how we can pass these around. Tycho, if Dr. Herman is in a better state of mind, talk to him."   Tycho nodded and hid his laptop before heading to the infirmary.   Herman was sleeping on a bed, still in his suit and lab-coat, Tycho saw as he entered the infirmary. No doubt this whole experience did a number on the old man’s psyche. Still, Tycho approached and shook him awake.   "How are you holding up, old man?" Tycho asked.   Herman tiredly awoke and looked at Tycho. After a pause, he choked back his sobs and put his face in his palm in grief. "She's gone, Tycho." He sniffed.   Tycho nodded and gave Herman a light, one-armed hug. "We're all here with you, boss."   "It’s got to stop, Tycho." Herman shook his head. "Have you seen the news? Riots, radicals, people are going crazy." He struggled to hold back his sobs. “Even if we can stop this, how are we going to recover?”   Tycho rubbed his back. "I've got a plan."   Herman looked at Tycho with eyes. "For what?"   "Something that might stop this. It’s... a long shot... but its better than just sitting here waiting for our world leaders to do nothing." Tycho lightly smiled to show Herman his sincerity.   He gave Herman a usb drive. Herman looked around and walked to the infirmary terminal. The nurse was on break so Herman looked at the file. It took him a while and he ignored those silly visual aids, simply grunting when he encountered them. "Perform a proton collision at the center of two quantum entanglement occurrences?" Herman read after skimming through the first couple of pages. His interest peeks. "Look at this, Tycho." He pointed. "Mathematical equation for a standard disappearance. They call it a 'jump.'"   Tycho rolled his eyes. Those two aliens insisted on using that term.   "And here, the equation for a feedback wave that will stop the instability." Herman was so engrossed he forgot his grief. He heard footsteps and unplugged the drive. "How are you going to arrange all this?"   "We're going to pass notes, Mr. Professor. What can you do?" Tycho asked.   Herman thought for a moment. "I can try to keep them from stopping the machine once activated. I can keep them out of the control room for a while but..." He mumbled. "They can still cut the power. I'll make sure they won't get close to the circuit breakers either. Weld the doors shut.”   "You think the staff and crew will cooperate?" Tycho asked.   "Have you not noticed everyone here is tired of being a prisoner and wanting to do something?" Herman whispered harshly as the nurse returned. "Look, you go back to your office. Get those instructions printed out and I'll have the sous chef pick them up. She knows every department. Just write down which department each goes to and she’ll sneak them in with lunch."   "Yeah, hide them between the sandwich bread," Tycho jokingly remarked as he walked out. The rest of the day was like a wave of dedicated caution enveloped all CERN staff. So far everything was falling into place. Each department visited Herman with make-shift ‘get well’ cards. Of course, within each card was a variant of the message: ‘we’re in.’ Tycho and his coworkers were already making preparations. First were the calibration simulations. The auto-calibration system was the most recent addition to this; it was meant to adjust the focusing array of the impact chamber. It allowed electronics and equipment to adjust itself, but only slightly, for the work they were preparing it for. So far, Twilight’s instructions were clear and feasible. The simulations showed everything should calibrate efficiently. Then they ran the beam collision simulation. Supposedly the beams should cause the proton collision just fine. The mathematical explanation was long, but Arjeta confirmed this process had a good chance to send the feedback wave. In fact, it was simpler than it appeared when she explained it. Two co-occurring QE events would temporarily synchronize as the protons collided, then the resulting impact would cause an explosive feedback wave with the QE fields reversing the QE occurrences that were jumping random people. The lunch break finally arrived and things were seemingly going smoothly. Each department showed up and received their meals, with their instructions hidden between two slices of white bread. Tycho, feeling tired and barely keeping good spirits, chuckled at and dreaded the idea of each scientist, engineer, and worker accidentally biting into it. There was nothing that indicated someone was caught (or accidentally ate their instructions) and people went right back to their departments. The three physicists waited in their office, keeping their computers on while waiting for each department to indicate they completed the task for them. They were running their LHC control software, each with red-dotted indicators throughout the system. As each one turned green, it signaled that part of the collider was ready. Slowly, each one lit up as the three waited in anticipation. Tycho then checked his email. Earlier, he sent instructions to his contacts in China and Australia to prepare for starting a QE event. His heart sank when he got an email from Juan Yin saying his government’s police were banging on his apartment door, and he will not be able to help. Well, that was it. He had no contacts in Tokyo at this moment. There will be hundreds more victims of they can’t do this now! He lightly hit his head to his desk. “...we failed.” Tycho lamented. “What?!” Johan turned from his desk. Arjeta got up and swiftly went to Tycho, then read his email on his laptop. She read it again, then sadly rest her head on Tycho’s upper-back. “We can try again, Tycho. Okay? We can pause this and tell Dr. Herman to give us another few days.” Tycho shook his head, grinding his forehead on the desk. “The equipment is getting charged and ready. We can’t simply pause it. It will overheat too many systems.” Johan’s anxiety rose. “Can’t we do something?” Tycho’s finger was still on the pin-pad when it sprung to life, indicating he had an email. Tycho then lifted his head, prompting Arjeta to get off of him. He got an email from Tokyo from a Dr. Aeko Fosiyuki. Tycho was close to jumping and shouting for joy in his desk, but kept his cool. Arjeta looked at the email exchange, then gave Johan a wink, indicating there was good news. A few minutes passed and Tycho received a reply. “Yes!” Tycho clapped his hands once in victory. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are back in business.” “Um…” Johan said worryingly as Arjeta and Tycho turned around, wondering what the man was mumbling about. "And what business would that be?” Said a familiar voice as that very same agent with his two assistants entered the office. Tycho didn’t notice a message on his Skype chat from Twilight Sparkle.