chapter-3 : chrono Trigger: Flicker of Time
The Lab
The lab buzzes with an intense vibe. Ransoku is lost in his signature deep-thought mode, his eyes locked on a single point, his face calm as if he’s meditating in some parallel universe. Esha, his lab partner, notices his peculiar expression and flashes a slightly confused smile. She tiptoes closer, leans in, and says in an exaggerated, dramatic tone:
Esha:
"Ransokuuu! Hello, Earth to Ransoku! Are you picking up signals, or is your antenna tuned to Jupiter?"
Stifling a laugh, she continues in a playful, teasing voice:
"You’re thinking so hard, it’s like your brain’s running a Windows Update… stuck at 99%!"
(Esha bursts into giggles, covering her mouth.)
"Seriously, dude, your face looks like you’ve already printed wedding invites… just waiting to pick the bride!"
Ransoku snaps out of it, blinking rapidly. He stretches his neck, keeping a poker face with a hint of mischief, and replies:
Ransoku:
"Nah, Esha… I was just thinking—if I were an AI, you’d be the reason for my system crash."
Esha, caught off guard, narrows her eyes and grins:
"Oh, really? What else were you thinking about, Mr. Philosopher?"
Ransoku shrugs casually, then flashes a sly smile:
"Well… I was also thinking that the world’s toughest equation, one even Nobel laureates couldn’t crack, is written in your eyes."
"But here’s the problem—every time I look into them, my processor overheats, my memory resets, and I forget my own name!"
(He pauses, raising one eyebrow dramatically.)
"Basically, one glance at your eyes, and my brain screams ‘System Failure’ before shutting down!"
Esha can’t hold back her laughter, covering her mouth as she says:
"Are you a scientist or a poet? Is this a lab experiment or a rom-com trailer in the making?"
They lock eyes for a moment, smiling warmly, before quietly returning to their work.
The Cafeteria
The cafeteria is packed and lively. Scientists at every table are either debating theories over lunch or indulging in juicy gossip. Ransoku sits at a corner table with Esha and two other colleagues, the vibe relaxed with light banter and laughter.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Suddenly…
**"TINGGG—TING—TINGGG!"**
A strange, high-pitched vibration echoes in Ransoku’s mind. His face clouds with worry. Esha notices and asks, concerned:
"Ransoku, what’s wrong? Are you okay?"
But the sound is only in Ransoku’s head—no one else hears it. He forces an awkward smile, pushes his plate aside, and mutters:
"Esha, I… I just remembered something urgent. I’ll be right back."
He hurries to a secluded corner of the cafeteria, pulls a small device from his pocket, and activates it. A holographic figure—his AI assistant, PIPI—appears, its voice audible only to him.
PIPI (in a calm yet dramatic tone):
“Welcome back, Time Unit R-9.00. Chrono Seal #472 has been fulfilled.
The action taken on October 2nd, 3:42 AM, has triggered Timeline Fluctuation #17B.
Congratulations. You will be transported to your auto-assigned timeline in 2 minutes.”
Ransoku’s eyes widen in panic. He races back to Esha, breathless, and says:
"Esha, I have to go! Something urgent came up. Please handle everything here!"
Esha, confused and worried, fires questions:
"What happened, Ransoku? Where are you going? When will you be back? What do I tell the seniors?"
Ransoku pauses, a flicker of sadness in his eyes, before saying:
"There’s no time to explain, Esha. I know you’ll manage. Bye… we’ll talk when I’m back."
He dashes back to the empty corner. PIPI’s voice rings again:
“You are being transported to your auto-assigned timeline in 15 seconds.”
Ransoku’s heart races. He glances around—the cafeteria hums with normal chatter, oblivious to his predicament.
PIPI continues in a theatrical, almost cinematic tone:
“Mission Initiated: ‘Shadow Lily – The Enemy Within.’
You will travel as operative: Agent Hoori – Gender-Reassigned Deep Cover Unit.
Timeline: June 7th, 1943-AE (Alternate Earth).
Sector: New Europa, under Vorsten Empire rule.
Objective: Infiltrate the enemy’s high-profile gala as a dancer, gain Supreme Commander Zargan Valdrek’s trust, uncover his secrets, and report intel to ensure his elimination before Project ‘Black Rain’ launches.”
Ransoku, in shock, exclaims:
“What?! Miss Hoori?! Another gender swap?! What is this nonsense?!”
PIPI (with a hint of sass):
“Brace yourself. Transport in 3… 2… 1…”
In an instant—a blinding flash! Ransoku vanishes.
Back in the cafeteria, Esha sits at the table, still reeling from Ransoku’s sudden exit. She turns to a colleague and says:
“This guy, Ransoku… sometimes I swear he’s the hero of some sci-fi blockbuster. Now what am I supposed to tell the seniors?"
(The scene fades with Esha shaking her head, a faint smile on her lips as she sips her coffee.)
