The Gate
Endeavor
He looked at the machine with dread. Plans were all well and good until you actually had to carry them out. He nodded to the corporal to activate the device. Motors sprang to life, crystals glowed, and before he had a chance to breathe, the portal was directly in front of him.
On the other side of the gate was a desert, but mountains could be seen in the distance. It was hoped that there would be minerals in those mountains that could be used for the war effort, but oil was the primary concern.
He lowered his goggles and turned to the rest of the crew.
“Engines on, prepare to move forward.” He got in his truck, the third of five. He wanted to be the first one through the gate, but his father would not permit it.
“Ahead slow, one truck at a time!” The first truck lurched ahead, passing through the portal. They were dwarfed by the 50’ diameter gateway. It made it through, and disappeared to the right. A moment later the driver could be seen with a thumbs up. Eventually they all had gone through.
—
These were not pleasant times for the Human Empire 1. The negotiations with the Northmen had been breaking down for days, and the Southern would certainly take up with them. Once that happened, civil war would eventually be inevitable. It would be an impossible, but not unforeseen fight. If the Empire could not endure, then it could at least take the rest of them with it. The resources of Earendel could be the key to winning though. The crown prince just had to find them.
—
The prince checked his watch, and started the chronometer. He had 7 days to return to the portal in order to make it back. He examined his men’s progress. The tents were already set up, and the plane was almost ready for flight. A view from above was just what was needed. The geologist and the pilot finished preparations and went up. They circled for 20 minutes and landed nearby. The pilot ran towards them. “Cities!” He cried, “There are 2 cities to the north! And I believe I saw grasslands in the distance to the northwest!”
Cities. This changed everything. The prince was under the impression that this was a barren world, but if there are cities, there are people. If there are people, those people could be colonized. If they were colonized, then the rest of the work of the expedition was done for them.