{STORY, FICTION} The Birth Of A Hero: What's Up Danger?

One collider. Two particles. In three minutes I was going to see what is beyond creation. Have you seen the beginning? It wasn't so fabulous.

...

Two weeks earlier!

"You are late! - said, my assistant, Elza - This could be the only time you have the opportunity to speak in front of a crowd about this and you are late? Oh, how predictable from you, Adam!"

Me predictable? I did not even know that the DLC of Spider-man would come this early in the month. I have been up all night trying this new gear which makes him Venom. With the super cool web shooter, but I can't just say this to her...

"I had an important appointment..."

"You did not have anything more important than this, Adam - strong words come from Elza - you either were eating pizza all night and drinking beer or you have been playing a video game. Oh, if I think about it... it is maybe both, isn't it?"

"Am I this predictable?" - said I with a confused voice and manner

"Yes, you are... now go and talk you nerd!"

"Said the biggest of them all" - I said with a provocative smile

I have always hated crowds. In my wildest dreams - I would rather be in a locked room away from humanity and never talk to anybody... eeh maybe just myself. This one was different - I gathered all of the important businessmen here in this lab to try and convince them to support the collider we almost started. Who is going to believe me that the electricity bill for the collider exceeded 1 million dollars - I did not even believe it myself. Now the government-funded project is no longer funded because we can't just continue this maniac money eating machine...but if I convince the rich people - we could have a chance of seeing this baby running. Now... into the backstage, my hands were shaking I was nervous, but I had to do this or I would not see how it all started.

Two steps away from entering the danger zone..huh...oh no I am nervous.

"What are you waiting for... go" - said Elza from the back of my shoulder

"Okay, okay...Jesus"

One, two... take a deep breath...

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen (was it evening oh shit what time is it?) - the following words made the crowd a little bit confused - we are gathered all here because we want to know how the universe started - I need to continue and not focus on my nervousness - We all have speculated about the birth of a star or a whole galaxy... maybe even the birth of time and matter, but what if we can see a totally real recreation of it? What if you can see it with your own eyes...to even take a photo, even tho I would not allow it to be out in the public. (was that a joke Adam? ) The Collider is 27 kilometres long and circles around the whole city of "New Dot". Understanding the whole structure and how it works will make our talk hours and hours long. The basics are plain simple: two atoms will be launched from the starting point of the collider. They begin accelerating to the point near the speed of light. Making a full circle and finally... if we have enough energy and sustainability...and money for electricity, we would see the start of matter - a moment of silence for dramatic effect - making the first ever discovery of matter. Do you have any questions? - one of the guys was looking into his notepad and raised his hand - yes you?"

"Are you looking for anything specific in the chaos of the collision?"

"Brilliant question! The main event is us discovering how it all formed shape, but into the act of formation, we would be looking for some clues which can lead to a scientific breakthrough. An example would include: Black matter, black energy and the God particle. We would gladly want to have a deeper understanding of how the blackness around us was formed or what caused it. If we can, we would like to get a piece of the puzzle with us. Even the slightest matter or particle may lead to revolutionary documentations and advancements. Imprisoning a particle or a piece of the puzzle would create a brighter view upon how our reality functions - I feel more confident now, even tho I still might look like a total tree while talking - Does anybody else has any questions?"

I was praying for no more questions so I could end this torture. Even if I get more comfortable talking in front of people - I would still feel a little tingly inside. I have not developed a full comfort and maybe I won't ever meet the end of it, but for now, I just wish I could get home playing on my couch. Oh...I see a hand gently crossing its path across the crowd. It is not over...

"Yes, you!" - said I pointing at him

"Would the experiment be hundred percent safe?"

"We have combined forces from scientists all around the world. Every intelligent living scientist has contributed in one way or another. Some just gave us their opinion, others made a huge step into financing and making the steps necessary for me to be here possible. I would say that something this big and safe has never been built before. Our vacuum accelerator would ensure that every bit stays in the middle of the space into the collider. It would not have the energy to drift away and we would ultimately focus every tiny detail into the collision. After that, we would ensure we have a strong energy resistance which would keep every particle in the middle of the battleground and if we have enough time and energy we would even be able to capture it for a longer duration so we can have a piece of the cake with us. We would take every step needed for our safety and if some of us are a bit sceptical, they can watch it from the comfort of their seat at home as we provide, only to specific members, the opportunity of live footage. We would, as you may have guessed, want to have a recording of the event because it may change the course of history. One final question and that I think would be it."

"When would the event take place?"

"In about two weeks in the best case scenario. That is why we are looking for a fiscal stimulus to help us start what we almost did, but because of cuts and expensive electricity bills we could not have started this any earlier. If you feel like helping and you are interested in financing our project, we could talk business and if some of you want to even remain anonymous, it won't be a problem for us. I think that would be everything for now... you know how to find me."

The whole speech went fantastic - never have I ever expected that from me. The question was: Would we catch a fish? Oh...I mean would a rich dude get hooked, you know? Well, yeah you have guessed it or have you? A project of this calibre was pretty interesting for investments. So a guy approached me and he had a business card in his hand. Bingo!

"I would gladly hear from you as soon as possible, mister Park"

"You can just call me Adam"

"Okay, Adam! You sound ambitious and I would give your project a shot, but don't let me down boy - in the middle of giving me his card, he made a step back - Do you hear me? I do not like disappointments. I usually do not get disillusioned from a person twice, if you get my drift?"

"You have my word, mister... "- I made a gesture indicating him to tell me his name

"Call me Black"

"I would call you as soon as we have a clear conclusion on our decision, Mister Black" - I finally got his contacts

"I would love if you do so" - he smiles and tips his fedora

I don't like scary people who threaten my peace and my life in general. I don't know who likes to be warned - so I waited patiently for someone else to give me his contacts. Minutes went by and the crowd seemed so uninterested that they were just turning their back - going outside as quickly as possible.

...

"I don't get it. I really don't get it. He was the only one who was interested?!?!"

"What did he say?" - asked Elza

"He threatened us. He said: Don't fail me or you won't fail me again"

"Maybe that was just a business cancellation if things don't work out?"

" It wasn't like this...oh god - I started shaking in the office we were in, so I stood trying to walk my way to a state of peace of mind - Am I panicking? Why are you not panicking, Elza? This guy threatened us and he is the only investor who would like to help everything function" - I went to her and grabbed her around the shoulders, directly looking at her eyes, being worried as hell.

"Oh, wait a minute... he warned you, not me!"

"Haha, it is not funny, Elza. It is a serious business. What should we do? Should we accept?"

"Okay, okay chill... I tried cheering you up"

"Well, it did not work"

I was shaking and going around the room like a robot programmed to do just one thing in particular. Walking helps me think, but thinking just made everything worse. I was overthinking.

"Can you calm down for a second? Just sit down. You said that the collider is the safest and biggest project ever made... so everything will be fine" - Elza tried to calm me down

"I am not so sure. The thing is that there are too many unknown outcomes which can happen. In fact, it is more unstable than we think. This was the real reason why the government tried shutting us and they cut our funding. It never was for the stupid electricity bill" - with a head looking up an down, out of nervousness I explained this to her

"So you lied to me?" - said she with lowered eyes

"I just changed the truth for the greater good. I did not want to lose you nor to discourage you. You have always helped me and we can figure this shit out. Okay?"

"Greater good? For how long have we been colleаgues, Adam?"

(oh it is not okay)

"More than 5 years now"

"And we even know each other from college is that right? You know how badly I hate people lying to me. You know how much I value my work and the truth I try to follow by working this job of knowledge. We discover new stuff, Adam. We have invented new technologies together. In the spotlight of our greatest creation you lie to me..." - she seemed upset and simultaneously on the brink of crying

There was no room for any other word to be spoken. I expected the outcome of the lie - she indeed got her jacket and left. I stood in the office for a while. Logically I was in the future - mathematically trying to predict it. I thought a long time about the day of the collide. I was on the edge of quitting. I can't risk losing more people and if it does not work - I may lose my life. It was too much of a gamble with space and time continuum.

...

A couple of days later!

Days go by so fast when you have an important thought on your mind... I haven't slept for days. Constantly thinking about what I need to do. What is right and wrong... even while playing Spider-man I can't concentrate and that means serious business. Messing with my mind is one thing, but messing with the game... oh boy... we would do this shit! I finally decided - days without sleep and a lot of pizza decided that we are going to lose weight. I am growing in size (just getting fatter but growing in size sounds cooler) and this needs to stop instantly. Calling mister Black would produce a massive weight loss while I sweat talking on the phone. Perfect! But maybe after this slice... uhmm delicious.

My nervousness did not go away, it just went on a new level. Every day I was reminding myself that I need to call the businessman either to decline or to accept, also I need to see how Elza is doing and apologize, but I did not have the courage to do both of them. Today was no different, but I finally was going to face my fear... Firstly we would sweat a little by calling Mr Black... maybe more than a little you know... an entire ocean... maybe I would need a mop. Oh boy, here we go...

Calling...

"Hello? Who is there?" - said with a strong voice the businessman

5 sec of complete silence

"Uhm it is A..."

"I know who you are, kid! Why are you calling me again? I think we discussed everything yesterday on the phone? The money is already into the bank account of the project and we haven't talked about an increase in the numbers if that is why you are calling!"

"We have talked about it yesterday?"

"Are you out of your mind, kiddo?- he sounded sinister - I have important work to do... stop calling me and do your part. Oh, and do not fail me or you know what would happen. Will talk to you on Friday..."

"Wait... "

He hung up.
Was Friday the day of the launch?
Who called before me?
I need to figure everything out!

---

Thank you for reading! The developing of the story and some part of it are inspired by the recent Spider-man movie: Into the Spider-Verse. It is a fantastic film and I strongly recommend anyone who loves spidey to watch it! Also, the subtitle of this part is taken from a song featured in the movie. Just to clear thing out - I do not believe in the Big Bang theory of creation, but I am using it here to develop the story as our main hero Adam believes he would see it, but what will happen? Well, find in part 2 :D

To be continued...