The Time Machine

Furqon and Zafran finally arrived at the long-anticipated facility—an advanced complex where Fortex's most ambitious project, the time machine, would reside. As they stepped through its towering glass doors and into the heart of the building, they were immediately struck by its grandeur: sleek walls, ambient lighting, and corridors humming with energy. It was a place built not just for science, but for history.

However, as they entered the central chamber, where the time machine was said to be housed, their sense of awe gave way to confusion.

In the middle of the expansive, brightly lit room stood the time machine—but it looked nothing like what they had imagined. Instead of the monumental structure filled with coils, conduits, or glowing portals they'd seen in countless theoretical sketches and science fiction films, what stood before them was a compact device, no larger than a typical workbench.

They exchanged a glance, eyebrows raised.

"Is this it?" Zafran asked, skepticism evident in his voice. "This is the time machine?"

Dr. Irzi, waiting beside the device, offered a knowing smile as he stepped forward. "I understand your surprise," he said warmly. "But yes—this is the prototype. It may not look like much, but its simplicity is deceptive. The complexity lies within."

Furqon stepped closer, studying the machine's polished surface and minimalist interface. "But why is it so small?" he asked, his voice tinged with doubt. "Can something like this really be trusted with missions of such magnitude?"

Dr. Irzi nodded, unbothered by the question. "This is a first-generation prototype, designed for precision testing rather than full-scale deployment. Its compact size allows for controlled experimentation and minimizes the risk of system failure. We're not moving bodies through time—not yet."

Zafran frowned. "Then what exactly is it moving?"

"Your consciousness," Dr. Irzi replied. "This model enables temporal projection by transferring cognitive awareness to a specific point in the timeline. Your physical body remains here, safely anchored. That's why the machine doesn't require large-scale hardware. Once this phase is proven stable, we'll move forward with a version capable of full-body time travel."

The two men exchanged another look—this one tinged with both curiosity and caution. The technology was clearly far ahead of anything they had anticipated. And yet, despite the understated design, it held more power than any machine they had encountered.

"Will we be testing it today?" Zafran asked, a spark of eagerness in his tone.

"Not just yet," Dr. Irzi said with a faint chuckle. "There are still internal simulations to run. But when the time comes, you'll be the first."

A quiet moment passed as Furqon and Zafran regarded the unassuming machine before them. It wasn't the dramatic unveiling they'd imagined, but in its stillness lay the potential to reshape history.

Furqon folded his arms, his eyes narrowing with focus. "Then let's make sure we're ready."

Dr. Irzi smiled again, proud and confident. "That's exactly what I was hoping to hear."

And with that, their journey into the unknown edges of time truly began.