On Earth, Dr Erwin was a brilliant scientist who unlocked the technology behind Mind Travel. On Nexus, he was known as the Observer. A legendary figure believed to have been dispatched by Infinity itself.

In the vast expanse beyond Earth’s orbit, a vessel emerged. Slipstream. Its return was not driven by engines or the thrust of propulsion. Nor by machines tearing holes through time. It was the echo of mind travel.

“Check your coordinates. I can’t see Earth,” he said.

His eyes scanned the dark beyond the viewport. The stars were familiar, but misaligned.

“Earth is not present,” Slipstream said.

“Show me the solar system.”

“Solar model projection initiated. Gravitational signatures intact. Planetary positions hold, within deviation thresholds.”

“The Sphere has enveloped Earth,” Slipstream said.

“You mean the planet is inside that thing?”

“Cannot confirm with certainty.”

“Can you detect Earth’s gravitational shift?”

“Unable to detect Earth’s gravitational pull.”

“Prepare for entry. We need to go inside. I need to know what happened to Earth.”

The ship’s engines hummed as Slipstream moved forward.

Edging closer to the Dark Sphere, with the precision.

“Entering the sphere in ten seconds,” Slipstream echoed as it passed through the Sphere’s energy field effortlessly. As though the barrier hadn’t existed at all.

“Scan the surface, look for any traces of life.”

Slipstream’s sensors complied instantly, sweeping over the planet’s surface.

“No life detected. The planet is entirely devoid of human activity, animals, or insects.”

“Not a single trace?”

“Affirmative. The planet is empty.”

The adventure doesn’t end here. More Dr Erwin episodes are coming soon. Stay tuned for the next leap into mind and cosmos. Hugh Touchai