Chapter 1: Crossing worlds

Strand doesn't belong in this world.

"Hm, it seems like I reincarnated or transmigrated to an alternative world."

Wrong. He doesn't know it yet but he was actually sent through a spatial rift to a faraway solar system that was almost a carbon-copy of his world, only with a much more advanced human civilization.

Due to some higher dimensional being messing with quantum mechanics of the fabric of reality , Strand replaced another 'Strand' in that alien solar system and recollected his memories. [higher dimensional being is naturally me, the author]

Strand has fully accustomed himself to his new world where humanity has progressed far enough to fully colonize the moon and just settling on Mars.

Mars. It's 2109 and Strand has lived on Mars for 4 years after his immigration Earth's moon. He was born on the moon and only ever visited Earth once for the untimely death of his parents at the age of 12. His parents were part of a deep space program that was said to span light years to another solar system.

His parent's death were never discussed on the particulars of how they returned from their destination. Only the top officials of the deep space program knew what had happened from the diary logs his parents saved externally in a chip.

Fast forward 5 years from the death of his parents, Strand now lives an average life as the captain of a small crew in Piry Exports.

Piry Exports is one of many companies in the Saprolite mining industry. As its name suggests, it deals with exporting minerals from the deep mines of Mars.

Today is Strand's off-day.

"You've got to trust me this time Strand!" Brad, a prospector, looked at his best friend Strand excitedly about one of his sudden inspirations.

"Sure, sure Brad. Let me tell you, I'm only doing this because it's your birthday alright?" having said that, Strand turned away from the camera and continued to draw.

"You're the best! Hey, a small investment never hurts, especially for your best pal!" Brad grinned

"Also be sure to wear a heavy armored space suit!" Brad added before hanging up the call.

"Yeah yeah I know"

"Hmph, better be worth my time." Strand thought.

Brad had found an abandoned section of a mine while he was operating his company's newest mining machine a few days ago. Brad immediately thought about turning that place into an exclusive hang-out for all the miners in Grotto City.

Brad was unsatisfied with his job, thus only ever doing the bare minimum before pursuing his fantastical dreams like the covert hang-out place.

Strand's work was effortless compared to Brad and on average and earning more at the same time. Unlike Brad, he likes his job and has the time to pursue his hobbies.

Finishing his drawing of the day, he looked out the window seemingly past the reddish-brown haze to the moon.

Some days he felt wistful and nostalgic of life on the moon.

Shaking off his stupor, Strand changed into his space-suit and packed away important tools for the trip to the soon-to-be hang-out.

Strand checked the time.

Strand quickly calculated that time it would take to travel, "Good, I should have time to attend the conference after this is done. Shouldn't take long. A quickie, in and out short adventure," he thought.

Strand walked out of his living quarters and down towards his terrain vehicle Behemoth Type-II which was parked in . It isn't very large, only the size of a 21st century tank. His living quarters however, was much larger at a colony standard for his status of 22' by 28'.

The Behemoth was made for long-distance travels to and from outposts between the 5 city colonies. Simply put, it was the earth equivalent of a camper van but far more advanced and larger.

With a flick of a switch, the Behemoth woke up. Head and rear lights opened as the fine Martian dust swirled around the vehicle creating a desolate feel.

On the inside, there was the control deck at the front with all sorts of complex instruments: screens, buttons, a bobble-head, a few seats and a large glass ball.

At the middle, there was a tiny compact kitchen/living room that could be moved around to make space. There was also a bathroom.

At the back, there was a mess of storage chests, various compartments and other random trinkets laid around in a messy but cozy manner.

The Behemoth was Strand's real home, he has spent days at a time modifying his vehicle to his comfort.

Sitting down with his helmet at side, he guided the vehicle slowly with his right hand on the glass ball.

The control deck was shaped like an arc office desk, with the glass ball in the middle. Most of the front of the vehicle was specially made saprolite tempered glass. It provided vision even in the toughest storms. It isn't easily damaged.

After driving out of the partial subterranean parking space, he set the vehicle to auto-pilot. The streets and highways of Grotto City are well maintained and closely watched by the THUNDERHEAD, an nearly omnipresent artificial intelligence that was actually created on Mars with the help of new material saprolite.

It's basically in charge of the entire city tabbing the data of everything while making logistical and economical decisions.

Saprolite was a general name for an element not yet completely studied which had numerous usages. It is also the main ingredient for the super-conductor in supercomputers.

The problems of quantum tunneling was no longer an issue, as processing power only increased exponentially as well as energy efficiency.

Soon, Strand reached the southeast checkpoint to exit the city. He scanned his ID which would track his location and time as soon as he exits the city.

"Have a safe trip," the perfunctory voice of the checkpoint spoke as Strand left the city.

Resuming control of Behemoth, Strand drove forward into the vast expanse. He looked back at the city with the rear camera once more.

The city was enormous with a giant glass-like dome covering it shut and tight. Inside were several more smaller domes that separated the districts of the city.

Strand lived in a smaller dome district closer to the outside.

As Strand drove into the distance, he passed through the vastness filled with red rocks, pebbles and craters alike as the dust swarm the Behemoth.