Chapter 2 - Invitation to the Unknown

The same day, as evening fell and the sun set beyond the horizon, the phone rang. Cooper jumped in fright, and Erich woke up and went to answer.

"Ja, bitte?"

"Hello, Erich?" a voice came through the receiver.

"Yes, who's calling?" Erich replied, yawning.

"It's me, Adalbert Triggertal. Do you remember me?"

"Adalbert... The one Markus put a dog shit into backpack?"

"Yes, that's me..."

"Ah, 'Wojtuś,' what brings you here after so long?"

"I need your help," Adalbert said with seriousness in his voice.

"What exactly is it about?" Erich asked.

"For over a year, I've been working at the Hanover University of Technology as a researcher alongside Dr. Weltzinger."

"Konstantin Weltzinger?" Erich asked, surprised.

"Yes, that Weltzinger."

"I've heard something about him," Erich replied. "Apparently, he's an expert in quantum physics."

"Exactly," Adalbert replied. "Together with him, I'm involved in research on the Theory of Parallel Worlds."

"So you're playing with the Multiverse like Doctor Strange?"

"Something like that."

"Alright. Continue."

"The situation is that a few hours ago we lost contact with our inter-dimensional 'hub.'"

"'Hub'? You mean a connector?"

"Something like that... Although we call it 'Interpolis' for short."

"What happened to it?"

"We have no idea... We fear that someone with access to inter-dimensional technology might want to use Interpolis for their own, possibly nefarious, purposes, and that's what worries us the most."

"Okay, but why me?"

"Well... I heard about how you kicked the Red Army's ass. Besides, you're... unique."

"Unique?"

"You can think outside the box. You're brave and determined. We need someone like you to find out what happened there and who's behind it."

"I don't want to worry you, 'Wojtuś,' but it could be a trap... Nevertheless, I'll help you solve this situation."

"Seriously? Thanks, man, you're saving our asses."

"Anything else?"

"We'd like to meet you in person at our university."

"It's a bit late. Wouldn't it be better to meet tomorrow at my place?"

"But, I don't know where you live..."

"In Mainz... Right next to Mainz Hbf."

"And how do we get there?"

"How else... By train! You'll take a train from Hanover to Frankfurt and from Frankfurt straight to Mainz - to Mainz Hbf."

"Alright," Adalbert said. "What time can we meet?"

"Only in the afternoon, because I still have to tidy up the house... I mean, clean up before your arrival."

"Alright," Adalbert said. "See you then."

"See you tomorrow," Erich replied laconically. Then he went to take a shower and go to sleep.

The next day, Erich woke up at eight, had breakfast, and started cleaning the apartment before the guests arrived.

"Why are you in such a hurry, Erich?" Cooper asked, who had barely woken up.

"We have guests today, Cooper," Erich replied.

"Probably Michael and his family again?"

"No, today we're hosting scientists from the Hanover University of Technology."

"Scientists? Are you going to do some stupid experiments?"

"No, damn it! We're going to talk about how to keep the apartment clean. I can't receive them in this mess, can I?"

"That's true, but you'll probably leave a mess anyway."

"My apartment is not a litter box," Erich replied, irritated. "Besides, it's quite an important matter."

"Do as you please," Cooper replied, curling up into a ball. "I'm going to sleep."

After two hours, the apartment was sparkling clean, and Erich could calmly wait for a signal from the guests. Then Erich remembered something.

"Damn it, I forgot about lunch!!"

Erich looked at the clock – it was half past twelve. So he got up, went to the kitchen and thought about what to cook while he still had time. Then the phone rang, and Erich quickly ran and answered.

"Hello," he said, stressed, knowing that time was not on his side.

"Hey Erich," Adalbert said. "There's a situation."

"What is it, 'Wojtuś'?"

"Our train from Frankfurt to Mainz is delayed by half an hour, so we'll arrive with a slight delay."

"No problem, it's normal with Deutsche Bahn. After all, it's not Japan."

"That's a fact, but I'll let you know when we're there."

"Alright, see you then!"

"Alright, bye!"

Erich hung up the phone with relief and returned to the kitchen.

"I have to cook something quick and good at the same time," he thought. "Hmm... Maybe French toast? Not a bad idea."

After a moment of thought, he took a frying pan from the cabinet and eggs, milk, and stale bread from the refrigerator. In a bowl, he beat the eggs with milk, then soaked the bread slices in them. He heated butter in the pan and placed the bread slices on it. He fried them on both sides until they turned golden.

Meanwhile, Cooper, who was watching with interest, recited a poem in the style of the bigos description in "Pan Tadeusz":

"Then Erich, hungry, sneaks into the kitchen, Where the refrigerator is empty, the bread slices pale. But an idea in his head, how to create a dish from nothing, French toast, to host his guests generously.

He takes two eggs, breaks them in a bowl, Adds milk, sprinkles a pinch of salt. A pinch of cinnamon, not in the plans today, But a little sugar, to saturate the dish with sweetness.

Stale bread, he cuts into thick slices, In the egg mixture, he soaks each slice. Butter is already melting in the pan, And Erich places the bread slices on it.

He fries them slowly, golden on both sides, Until the smell of toast spreads through the kitchen. He places them on a plate, sprinkles with powdered sugar, And waits for the guests, who will soon arrive.

Thus Erich, from nothing, made a delicious dish, To host his guests worthily, as befits a host. The aroma of toast spreads through the apartment, Waiting for the guests, who will soon arrive."

After finishing frying, Erich went to the living room and placed the plate on the table.

"I didn't know you had the soul of an artist," Erich said, looking at Cooper as he walked away from the table.

"Cats are like that," Cooper replied calmly. "Besides, it's just the tip of the iceberg."

Then the phone rang again.

"Hey Erich! We're at the station!" Adalbert's voice came through the receiver.

"Alright, I'm coming to you," Erich replied. "Wait in front of the station building."

"Alright, look out for two men in black trench coats," Adalbert said and hung up.

Erich left the apartment and headed towards the station, looking for two gentlemen in black trench coats. After a moment of searching, he found them sitting on a bench.

"Oh, Wojtuś!" Erich shouted to Adalbert, shaking his hand.

"Erich!" Adalbert replied, shaking Erich's hand. "So this is Mainz?"

"Yes," Erich replied, then turned his gaze towards the doctor. "You must be Dr. Weltzinger?"

"Indeed," the doctor replied calmly, getting up and extending his hand. "Nice to meet you, Mr. von Stein."

"Likewise," Erich replied. "So, since we've taken care of the formalities, let's go to my apartment."

A moment later, they were at Erich's building.

"I didn't expect you to live so close to the station," Adalbert said, surprised.

"It's my strategic location," Erich replied. "I don't waste a minute on my way to work."

"And where do you actually work?" Adalbert asked curiously.

"On the railway... as a train driver."

"You're a train driver?"

"Yes."

"Ah, Erich... You can surprise me."

"And how many hours do you work in a day?" the doctor asked curiously.

"Usually eight hours," Erich replied, opening the building door. "However, when there are delays, I can even work ten hours."

After going up to the third floor, Erich opened the door to his apartment and they all entered.

"Make yourselves at home, gentlemen," Erich said.

"Your apartment is quite small," Adalbert replied, entering.

"Don't expect any luxury from me... After all, it's not the Louvre."

"At least you have your own place," the doctor replied.

"Wise words, doctor. I invite you to the living room."

"Do I smell toast?" Adalbert asked curiously, sitting on the sofa.

"Indeed," Erich replied, carrying a plate of toast. "So, help yourselves, and then let's get down to business."

After a short break for eating, the doctor looked at the shelf where Erich kept various stones and minerals. Then he noticed something that caught his attention.

"Where did you get this purple crystal, Mr. von Stein?" Dr. Weltzinger asked.

"I found it during a walk in the forest near Fulda," Erich replied. "It looked interesting, so I took it with me."

"You found something incredible..."

"What do you mean, doctor?"

"This crystal may have something to do with the Tunguska event of 1908," the doctor replied, intrigued. "Some scientists suspect that the meteorite that fell then may have contained these crystals in addition to iron and nickel, which could have broken off during its fall to Earth."

"And where were these crystals detected?" Erich asked, curious.

"Several cases have been detected in Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy, and the United States, although some suspect there may be many more in other countries."

"Interesting," Erich replied. "And can these stones have something to do with the situation in Interpolis?"

"No one knows that, although I suspect they do... But I'm not entirely sure."

"And can it help us in any way with the situation?"

"At the university, we have three of these crystals, which serve as power for our inter-dimensional portal."

"And haven't you thought that it's because of these crystals that you lost contact with Interpolis?"

"Not entirely," Adalbert replied. "But the crystals lose some of their energy during teleportation, which they regenerate over a long period of time."

"Then why do you use them?" Erich asked. "Can't you find an alternative?"

"The situation that Adalbert presented is a journey to another dimension at full power," the doctor replied. "That's why we discovered Interpolis as a gateway between dimensions, where travel time reduces crystal consumption by half."

"And as for alternative sources, the crystal is the only energy source," Adalbert replied.

"Nevertheless, we have implemented a so-called emergency mode in the portal in case we lose contact with the 'hub.'"

"Emergency mode?" Erich asked, intrigued.

"Emergency mode works the same as full-power teleportation mode, except that it consumes less crystal energy and can only be used once."

"And have you used it yet?" Erich asked.

"It hasn't been used at all yet," the doctor replied. "That's why we decided to contact you, Erich."

"We were thinking about using this mode and we need your help," Adalbert finished.

Erich thought for a moment and looked at the two.

"Alright," he replied. "I can go even today."

"We appreciate your help," the doctor said. "But you must be aware that you may not come back."

"Don't worry, doctor... For me, nothing is impossible."

"Alright," Adalbert said. "So pack your things and we'll leave in a moment."

"Wait a moment," Erich said. "First I have to go to Muller... I mean, the station manager to explain the situation."

"We'll go with you," the doctor replied.

"Alright," Erich said, then went to his bedroom to pack his things.

After taking care of the matter in the bedroom, he went to the kitchen and packed three loaves of bread and a box into which he put the rest of the uneaten toast.

"We can go," Erich said, then they left the apartment.

After arriving at the station, Erich saw Bert, to whom he approached.

"Hey Bert, I have a matter."

"Oh, Erich! What is it?"

"Listen, would you take care of my apartment in my absence?"

"And what is it about and who are these guys in black behind you?"

"They are scientists from the Hanover University of Technology. I have to do some work for them."

"Ok, I understand..."

"Besides, I don't know when I'll be back and if I'll be back at all..."

"You have my word... I'll take care of your apartment."

After finishing the conversation with Bert, the trio went to Muller's office. Upon arrival, Erich knocked on the door.

"Come in!!" Mr. Muller shouted, hearing the knock, and Erich and the others entered the office.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Muller..."

"Who are these people?" he asked, frightened. "Are they... Federals?"

"No, Mr. Muller..."

"My name is Konstantin Weltzinger, and this is my assistant Adalbert Triggertal. We work as scientists at the Hanover University of Technology."

"Are you here about the train failures?" Muller asked.

"No... It's about me," Erich replied.

"We'll have to take Erich away for a while," Adalbert said. "We'll need him for a mission."

"Mission?" Muller asked. "What do you mean?"

"We are working on the so-called Theory of Parallel Worlds," the doctor replied. "Yesterday we lost contact with our main 'hub,' to which we want to send Mr. von Stein."

"And how long will it take?" Muller asked, worried. "He can't stay there for ages."

"We can't guarantee that he'll be back next week," the doctor said seriously. "Besides, we don't know if he'll come back from this mission at all."

"Moreover, this expedition may explain the cause of our train failures," Erich explained, trying to convince Muller.

"Alright," Muller said. "If that's the way it has to be, then go."

"Thank you, Mr. Muller," Erich replied with relief, then they said goodbye and went to the platform.

"So we have to get to Frankfurt first, and then from there to Hanover to the university," Adalbert said.

"Exactly, Wojtuś," Erich said. "Looks like our train leaves in five minutes."

So they went to the indicated platform and after the appropriate time, they set off on their journey to Frankfurt. From the capital of Hesse, they took a train to Hanover, where they went straight to the university.

"So this is the Hanover University of Technology," Erich said upon arrival.

"Don't waste time," the doctor said, opening the door.