Jump Room

The thick pane of glass was the only thing that separated them. Jerome Rand stood in the center of the Jump Room, helmet sealed shit, ready. Richard stood in the Control Room, nervous, but ready.

Richard flipped the switch to turn the machine on.

The rumblings of the machine's power vibrated under his feet. It felt like the whole earth was shaking. Maybe it was. 

Richard became lost in his thoughts, staring blankly ahead, not at Rand, through him. He wondered if he would have the strength to pull the lever and send Rand to the other side. Or would his body lock up with anxiety and fail him?

Rand’s voice came over the comm link.

“Richard.” It wasn’t a question.

Richard snapped to attention and pressed the button to respond. 

“System one, complete.”

“Good.” Richard couldn’t see Rand’s face through the visor; his nod was enough.

Richard consulted his notebook. All their planning was there. The proper readings for the meter, the settings for the dials, everything needed for the experiment. 

Richard checked the readings. All good. He pressed the comm link button.

“System two, complete.”

“Wonderful,” Rand responded. 

Richard’s brain went numb as he checked the settings in his notebook and adjusted each dial to its designated position.

Inside the Jump Room, Jerome Rand stood, waiting.

Richard’s breathing grew more labored. It was starting to sink in. They were really about to do it. If their theories, calculations, and beliefs were correct, Jerome Rand, the billionaire, would be transported to another earth, just like this one, but different. Maybe with one slight variation or hundreds. He would be transported and come right back, just enough time to prove that they could do it. Then the next time, they would go even further. They would be able to explore. 

But if their multiverse theory was correct, if there are a multitude of realities, all variations on this one, then that means that there are other Dr. Richard Lucas and Jerome Rand teams out there doing the same experiment. Would Richard’s Jerome Rand be the one who came back? Or would another replace him?

Then, what if this was the reality where they don’t succeed? What if Jerome is blown apart into hundreds of pieces as he had joked about? What if the machine blows up and kills them both? What if they rip a hole in reality and kill everyone?

Richard’s forehead was wet with sweat.

“Richard?” It was a question now.

Richard adjusted the last dial.

He cleared his throat and looked at Rand.

He pressed the comm link.

“System three, complete.”

Rand lifted his hand and gave a thumbs up.

“Do what thou wilt.” 

Without an ounce of hesitation, Richard pulled the lever.

The vibration that came after felt like the building was going to cave in.

A white, hot, light pierced Richard’s vision.

And Jerome was gone.