The Rift

Rift

Chapter 1: The Seeds of Change (1910s-1929)
The aftermath of World War I leaves Europe in turmoil and sets the stage for future conflict. Germany is humiliated by the Treaty of Versailles, Italy feels marginalized, and Japan begins its imperial expansion. In the United States, a top-secret project named Eldridge begins, initially focused on harnessing new forms of energy. Only a select few understand its ultimate potential.

Chapter 2: The Rise of Militarism (1930-1934)
The Great Depression ravages the global economy, fueling political extremism. Adolf Hitler consolidates power in Germany, while Mussolini's Italy and militaristic Japan aggressively expand their territories. The US makes significant progress on Project Eldridge, moving from theoretical research to practical experiments. The project’s potential for altering time is glimpsed, but not yet fully understood.

Chapter 3: March to War (1935-1939)
Germany, Italy, and Japan achieve even greater successes than in known history. Germany annexes Austria and Czechoslovakia without significant opposition. Italy successfully invades Ethiopia, and Japan's hold over Manchuria solidifies. Project Eldridge advances in high-energy physics, inching closer to unlocking time travel. The looming war becomes inevitable as Axis powers grow bolder.

Chapter 4: Blitzkrieg (1940)
Germany invades Poland, sparking World War II. They sweep through Europe with alarming speed, employing Blitzkrieg tactics. Italy and Japan support these efforts, leading to swift and decisive victories. In Nevada, Project Eldridge makes breakthroughs in energy manipulation, but the focus remains on winning the war.

Chapter 5: Pearl Harbor's Fall (1941)
The US faces its darkest hour as Japan launches four air raids on Pearl Harbor, followed by a massive ground invasion. All Pacific Fleet carriers are destroyed. Within 72 hours, the Hawaiian Islands fall under Japanese control. The US, paralyzed by fear of further invasions, hesitates to commit fully to war. Project Eldridge continues in secrecy, overshadowed by the immediate military crisis.

Chapter 6: Expanding Shadows (1942)
Japan rapidly conquers the Pacific, including the Alaskan islands. The fear of invasion spreads across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Germany and Italy make sweeping advances in Europe, with greater success than in known history. The US declares war on Japan, galvanizing its allies. Despite setbacks, Project Eldridge makes significant progress in high-energy experiments.

Chapter 7: The Home Front Under Siege (1943)
Japan relentlessly bombards the US and Canadian west coasts, stalling American efforts to rebuild its Pacific forces. Project Eldridge faces both setbacks and breakthroughs, inching closer to a viable time travel solution. The tide of war turns grim for the Allies, who struggle to mount effective resistance against the Axis onslaught.

Chapter 8: Normandy Nightmare (1944)
The D-Day invasion at Normandy becomes a catastrophic failure. Over 100,000 Allied troops are killed, and the remaining forces retreat in disarray. Germany's anticipation of the invasion allows for overwhelming air and tank defenses. Germany begins its invasion of southern England, solidifying its dominance in Europe. Meanwhile, Project Eldridge nears a critical breakthrough.

Chapter 9: Atomic Terror (1945)
Germany's atomic bombs devastate Washington, D.C., and New York City, killing millions instantly. The US government is decapitated, and chaos ensues. Germany demands unconditional surrender, threatening further destruction. Facing annihilation, the US surrenders on August 13th, followed by Canada, England, Australia, and New Zealand. Interior resistance in the US buys time for the final stages of Project Eldridge.

Chapter 10: Occupation and Resistance (1946)
The US is occupied by German and Japanese forces. The resistance movement in the interior states continues, causing significant difficulties for Japanese forces. The dismantling of the US military industry is underway. Project Eldridge reaches its climax as scientists prepare to send three brave men back in time to alter the course of history.

Chapter 11: The Roswell Incident (1947)
A time-traveling ship from Project Eldridge crash-lands in Roswell, NM. Initially reported as a UFO, it is later claimed to be a weather balloon. Inside, history books detail a dystopian Axis victory, shocking those who find them. The bodies of three time travelers, burnt and mutilated, spark rumors of alien beings. The government covers up the true nature of the incident, burying Project Eldridge and its implications forever.

Chapter 12: The Rift's Secret (1947-1960s)
The knowledge from Project Eldridge is secretly preserved and utilized. The Cuban Missile Crisis is averted through re-rifting, preventing nuclear holocaust and resulting in a perceived US victory. Attempts to save JFK from assassination repeatedly result in global conflict, leading to the decision to let his death occur with the least disruptive impact.

Chapter 13: Rift's Legacy (1969-2020s)
Apollo 11's mission is re-rifted to ensure its success after initial failure. Ronald Reagan's assassination attempt is re-rifted to save his life, avoiding potential nuclear conflict. The events of 9/11 are mitigated through re-rifting, reducing the impact of the attacks. The US continues to use Rift technology to alter history, becoming the dominant global power, but at a great moral and ethical cost.

a reply to: Genfinity

And every time they go back and change history, we are hit with another mandala effect.




To be fair, I don't believe in time travel. Time is a man made construct, so I hear....just like binary genders. And I am sure, species are made up too...

To be serious, if time travel did exist, the history we know, would be the history that was. If someone goes back to the year 1000, and changed history, when we are born, all those changes will have taken place, and we would be none the wiser. Even if someone from the year 3000 goes back, all those changes would still have happened before we are born. Again, we wouldn't know.

I am of the belief that we are fed a line of crap to keep us from knowing our true spiritual nature. As man fell, we started devolving. We lost our spiritual side, and instead of finding it, we are replacing it with materialistic wants.

Time travel to me is a way to say things can/will change when we have the tech. It is a lie.

a reply to: theatreboy

There are a few glaring holes in the summary but all in all, it was fun throwing this idea together.

During the Roswell incident, a re-rifting of WWII was complete. A minor detail I left out. Reagan's death resulted in Bush Sr. being president for the remainder of Reagan's term, plus two more. The wall never falls and nuclear war happens. So the event was re-rifted in an attempt to save Reagan and, in effect, the world.

You get the general idea. Thanks for the reply.