January 1884
The Dark Headquarters
Manila, Philippines
The underground conference room gradually filled with elite operators, engineers, scientists, logistics officers, and intelligence analysts gathered from different timelines.
A massive world map covered the wall at the front of the room. Colored pins marked strategic locations across the globe—the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean.
Standing before the map was Mr. John De Silva.
With the press of a button, the lights dimmed, and a projector illuminated the wall. An image of a magnificent Spanish frigate appeared on the screen.
Across the top were the words:
Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes
The room fell silent.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Mr. De Silva began, "our next mission is not about changing history."
He allowed the words to sink in before continuing.
"It is about securing the resources needed to build our future."
The next slide appeared, displaying the history of the vessel.
Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes was a 36-gun Spanish Navy frigate assigned to escort a treasure convoy from Peru to Spain. In October 1804, while sailing toward Cádiz with millions of silver and gold coins aboard, she was intercepted by a British squadron off Cape Santa María, Portugal. During the brief engagement, an explosion in her powder magazine sank the ship within minutes, taking hundreds of sailors and the treasure to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.
Another slide replaced the historical summary with the ship's cargo manifest.
Rows upon rows of inventory records appeared on the screen.
Gold bullion.
Silver coins.
Minted currency.
Official documents.
Mr. De Silva looked around the room.
"History remembers the battle."
"But history also left behind an opportunity."
He pointed toward the cargo manifest.
"The Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes carried one of the largest treasure shipments of the Spanish Empire."
Albert stepped forward.
"If we succeed, we'll solve our financial problems overnight."
A wave of excitement spread through the room.
Mr. De Silva raised his hand, immediately restoring silence.
"Do not underestimate this mission."
"The Atlantic Ocean is unforgiving."
"We will only have one opportunity."
The projector changed once more.
A large digital display appeared.
Destination: Atlantic Ocean, southwest of Cape Santa María
Target Date:October 1804
"Our time jump is scheduled for October 1804," Mr. De Silva said. "We'll arrive before the historical engagement begins, giving us enough time to complete our objective before events unfold."
The projector changed to another image.
Unlike the wooden Spanish frigate, this vessel possessed a sleek steel hull.
Its polished exterior reflected the conference room lights.
Painted across the bow was its name.
SS Manila
"Our expedition vessel," Albert announced proudly.
Originally designed as a research and logistics ship, the SS Manila had been extensively modified by The Dark's engineering division to support long-range missions across different timelines.
From the outside, it appeared to be an ordinary cargo vessel.
Inside, however, it housed advanced laboratories, engineering workshops, medical facilities, secure cargo vaults, and navigation systems centuries ahead of the nineteenth century.
"This ship will become the backbone of every expedition we undertake," Albert continued.
"It won't simply cross oceans."
"It will cross history itself."
One of the intelligence officers raised his hand.
"Sir... what if someone else eventually discovers time travel?"
The room grew quiet.
Mr. De Silva smiled calmly.
"I've already prepared for that possibility."
He walked toward the massive world map before turning to face everyone.
"Our Traffic Control Room was designed for more than coordinating missions."
"It continuously monitors every known timeline."
"If a new timeline is created..."
"If an existing timeline is altered..."
"Or if an unauthorized time jump occurs..."
"...our system will detect the anomaly immediately."
Albert nodded.
"So, as of today..."
Mr. De Silva finished the sentence.
"...there is no evidence that anyone else possesses time-travel technology."
He folded his arms.
"That does not mean it is impossible."
"It simply means we remain the first."
He looked around the room.
"But never become complacent."
"Our greatest enemy is not another organization."
"It is overconfidence."
"As long as our monitoring system remains operational, no change in history will escape our notice."
He tapped the image of the Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes displayed on the screen.
"Now, let's focus on the mission before us."
"This treasure will become the foundation upon which we build our future."
Later that evening...
Albert walked through the underground shipyard on Panay Island, where the SS Manila rested inside a massive concealed dry dock.
Mechanics inspected the engines while engineers supervised the final preparations.
Crates labeled Medical Supplies, Engineering Equipment, Food Rations, Machine Parts, and Scientific Instruments were carefully loaded into the cargo holds.
Nearby, the expedition team stood in perfect formation.
Only a few months earlier, they had lived completely different lives in different timelines. Most had never met.
Some had been soldiers.
Others were engineers, scientists, mechanics, or pilots.
Now they stood together as members of The Dark, preparing to sail across history aboard the SS Manila—the world's first vessel capable of traveling through time.
Inside his office, Mr. De Silva stood before a wall covered with maps, naval charts, engineering blueprints, and operational reports.
He quietly picked up his fountain pen.
Beneath the title Operation Golden Tide, he wrote a single sentence.
"The future cannot be built on dreams alone. It must be built on resources."
He closed the notebook.
Outside his office, the headquarters of The Dark remained alive with activity.
Machines echoed through the underground tunnels.
Scientists continued their research.
Engineers worked through the night.
Elite operators inspected their equipment one final time.
The logistics department prepared supplies for the expedition ahead.
Far beyond the shores of the Philippines...
Beyond the boundaries of time...
The Atlantic Ocean awaited.
And with it...
October 1804.
The first overseas expedition in the history of The Dark.