Announcement

**Jasonian** · March 12, 2000, 22:26

Chapter One: Union Headquarters
Part One: Flipping Coins and Moving Balls

The two probes stood impatiently at the final checkpoint as the Cyborg guards scanned then for contaminants, hidden weapons, and other anomalies. They had only gotten a few hours of sleep before being summoned to Union Headquarters. They were used to this schedule of course, but that didn’t make it any easier to stand straight while the guards sweeped them.

The first probe was known simply as Slash. He picked the name himself, and many figured he picked it for the small scar beneath his left eye. He was strongly built, agile, and seemed to always have a glare in his eyes. His parents were Peacekeepers, gunned down by Hive troops in the early years of the perpetual Hive/Peacekeeper war. He joined the Union to be able to protect his family, although they were killed in a Planet Buster attack on U.N. Enforcement Base. After that, he almost had a nervous breakdown. It was rumored that he was chosen to leave Planet out of pity, but those who knew him knew of his excellent marksmanship and strength in battle. He stood rigid, staring straight at the doors before him.

The second probe was named Tahndelaya. She was an experienced agent from Free Drone Nation before it was eradicated. She was a special ops agent, excellent at evading enemy troops and coming up with plans under pressure. She made quite a name for herself against the Cyborg forces before the Drones joined the Union. After the fall of the Drones, she became a Data Angel and honed her skills in demolition and code cracking. People said that she cracked the Union database and added herself to the list of those to leave Planet. She always smiled when someone brought that rumor up.

“Ok. You’re clear. Please proceed.” The guard said mechanically, and the two probes entered the office.

Inside, the faces of all three Union leaders greeted them. At least, they were all present. Their faces were quite a different story. Zakharov looked somewhat saddened, Aki-Zeta stood emotionless, and Sinder Roze had an obviously fake grin plastered on her face.

“Welcome. I’m glad you could be here. We have a mission for you two, and it’s time you started your briefing.” Aki said.

“Oh sure. Our pleasure to be here.” Slash replied with obvious sarcasm at being woken up.

Zakharov paid no attention to them, and activated several monitors. Then, he turned and said, “What do you two know about Quantum Mechanics?”

Slash just gave a puzzled look. Tahndelaya said, “I have a basic understanding of it. Nothing too shocking.”

Zakharov smiled, “Someone once said: ‘Those who aren’t shocked by Quantum Mechanics don’t understand it.’ Then again, someone else once said: ‘No one understands Quantum Mechanics.’ I don’t remember who said either. The point is; it’s some pretty strange stuff. Let me explain.”

Zakharov activated a monitor. There was a crude drawing of a corridor dead-ending into another corridor. Someone walking down that corridor could only go left or right at the end. A small ball started moving toward the dead-end, then stopped. “Tell me, which way do you think the ball will go? Both of you, please.” He said.

“Left.” Slash said. At the same time Tahndelaya said, “Right.”

He smiled again, “I’m going to black out the ball now. It’s still moving, but we can’t see it. Allright?” Both probes nodded. The display showed no change, and after a moment, Zakharov said, “OK. It turned. Now, let’s check the left corridor.”

He pushed a few buttons, and the ball appeared in the left corridor. Slash smiled.

Zakharov said, “There it is. We checked the left corridor, and it showed up. Now, let’s check the right corridor.” A few more buttons. The ball disappeared from the left corridor, and appeared in the right.

Both probes frowned. Slash said, “I don’t understand. How can it be in both?”

Zakharov replied, “That’s how Quantum mechanics works. In short, ‘anything that can happen, will.’ The ball could go left and it could go right. So it went… both.”

“Why?” Tahndelaya asked.

Zakharov shrugged, “Hold on. I have more to explain.” He picked up a coin and flipped in into the air. It landed heads up.

“See? The coin landed heads up. But, it could have landed tails up, right?” The probes nodded. “In our world, that coin landed heads up. But, in another world, it could have landed tails up. The probability for both is 50%.”

“Another world?” Slash queried.

“Yes. In an exact copy of this world, this universe, it could have landed tails up. Does that make sense? Good. To put it all together, all of these possible universes is called the multiverse. In 50% of them, the coin landed heads up. In 50%, it landed tails down. For every action, two universes are created: one that the action succeeded, and one that it didn’t. In the multiverse, both happened. That’s what the ball test showed.”

Slash felt his head spinning, “Whoa… where are you going with this?”

“I could just put the necessary information in their minds, Zakharov” Aki commented.

“No! They need to understand this. It might help them on the mission. I’ll give you a better example. What were the odds that you were born Slash?"

“100%.” He comments simply.

Zakharov almost shouted, “No! NOT 100%! Maybe 99%, maybe 99.99%, but not 100%. Nothing is sure. Maybe you were never born, and someone just assumed your identity at birth. It’s very unlikely, but if it is possible, then the odds can’t be 100%. Do you understand that?”

“Yeah, sure. I guess so.” Slash said doubtfully.

“Good. Now, if someone went back in time and injured your father before he met your mother, the odds may drop to, say 80%. Or 40%. Or even 0.001%. But again, not 0%.”

Tahndelaya said, “Wait a second… I think I see where this is going…”

The old scientist grinned, “Tell me, Slash. About what are the odds that Union won the war against the Usurpers already?”

“0.00001% or so.” Slash said.

“Very good. And, would the odds go up if we sent someone back in time to, say, destroy the Usurper nuclear weapons inside their capital city?”

“Yes! They would go up a lot.” Slash said, finally getting the point.

“Time travel is not possible.” Tahndelaya said dryly.

Zakharov shrugged, “No, it is not. But, some of these universes are set in the past. If we alter one of them, then we have a chance of changing our own.”

“But… how do we travel between them?” Slash said nervously.

“I’ll explain more later. Aki, clean them up and scan them. After that, bring them into the Transmission Room.” Zakharov said. Aki motioned to the probes, and the three left the meeting room.

“You’re sure they can handle it, Roze?”

“Of course. Piece of cake. Easy for brains like them.” She replied with a false smirk.

“I sure hope you’re right…”
[This message has been edited by Jasonian (edited March 12, 2000).]

**Jasonian** · March 13, 2000, 20:24

Part Two: The Briefing

“This,” Zakharov said proudly with a large hand gesture, “is the transmission room! Well, actually, it’s the 3rd transmission room. This is the last room you’ll be seeing in this bleak world when you leave.”

The room was actually a medium-sized cavern near the core of the asteroid they called home. Extensive metal plating and water tanks for surrounded it. Near the center of the room, two cage-like devices stood, surrounded by a score of technicians.

“When you were getting cleaned up and suited, Aki scanned your DNA for transmission. She also placed the necessary mission information into your minds. To clarify, you’ll be leaving here and will appear in a drop ship near the end of the Usurper/Union war. The drop ship will land Pavlov Biolab, which will have just been built. From there, you will travel to Academy Park. It will be in ruins, but using the new button on your MMI’s, you will be able to call the cages to your location from an Academy Park in the past. After you travel through the multiverse again, you will be in the period between the first and the second nuclear strikes. University Base will be gone, as will the other human capitals, but most bases will remain standing. This period only lasts for several days, so you must be quick.”

“It was at this time that the Cyborgs created a hand-held PSI gate device that would transmit the users to a PSI gate of their choosing, from wherever they were. Unfortunately, in the haste to evacuate, it was forgotten and destroyed in the nuclear strike on Epsilon Center. You must infiltrate Epsilon Center, get the device, and return to Academy Park before Academy Park is hit with a Planet Buster itself.”

“From there, you will be transported to the final destination: the days before the first Usurper Planet Buster strikes. For one reason or another, you can only remain in an era for 10 days before the cages won’t come when you call them. In the other two eras, this wasn’t a problem because the technology existed to The trip to Courage : To Question takes at least 6 days. That is why you need the PSI gate device. Infiltrate Courage : To Question, detonate the nukes inside of it, and use the PSI gate device to return to Academy Park in time to activate the cages within ten days.”

Both probes looked a little uneasy, “Uhh… that’s… some mission there. You want us to travel to three different universes, steal an undoubtedly highly guarded device, and get inside the most secured Usurper room in their entire empire… and you have to put a time limit on it?!” Slash complained.

“I won’t lie to you. This will be the longest, most difficult, high stakes probe mission in the entire history of humanity.” Aki said with no emotion in her voice. Slash wondered if she COULD lie at all. Maybe that would be better right now.

“BUT!” Zakharov added, “You will not be alone. The shuttle’s mission was to place several operatives in the various universes you will need to enter. Those operatives will help you pass through hostile territory and accompany you on the two hardest tasks. For security reasons, we can not reveal their names, but they will be—“

“Security reasons?!” Tahndelaya exclaimed. “Don’t hold back! We’re going do need all the help we can get here!”

Zakharov sighed, “The Usurpers have no doubt detected the shuttle’s launch. If they track it here, and invade this base… humanity will fall. Worse, if there is any record of these operatives on any recording here AT ALL, they could use our technology to go and eliminate them, and you. We have to be careful.”

“In any event,” Roze said, “you will have help. Not that you will need it, since you two have Data Angel training already.”

“All right. Whatever. Let’s get this moving.” Slash said, and he took a step towards the cages in the middle of the room.

“Whoa there!” Zakharov said, “We don’t leave for 10 hours. Get some more sleep. Have a good meal. Talk to your friends here. Do whatever, because you will never be coming back to this rock again.”

Never coming back… seemed to echo in the cavern as what this meant clicked in the probes head’s. If they succeeded, then Union would never have to set up the base here. If they failed, well, then their troubles were over.

“Go. Enjoy the rest your time here, and try not to think about the mission. Our people will find you when we need you to come back.”

The probes left the room with Aki’s hollow words nagging at their minds.
[This message has been edited by Jasonian (edited March 13, 2000).]

**Jasonian** · March 14, 2000, 22:54

Part Three: Transmission

Ten hours, Slash learned, isn’t as long as it may seem. He spent the first few getting some more sleep, then said his good-byes to his comrades. He was just enjoying a new variety of Synthshake when a Cyborg guard found him and informed in that it was time to return to the Transmission room. According to Slash’s chrono, only eight hours had passed. But he followed the guard anyway.

As the Cyborg guards helped them suit up in the old breathers they would need on planet, it explained that they were leaving after 10 hours, and they would need the rest of the time to get their final instructions and be transmitted. Slash and Tahndelaya silently suited up, the silence hanging in the air like a barrier. Both knew that they would never see this world again. They finished suiting and entered the transmission room, where Zakharov was waiting.

“You’re suited up? Good. The machines have finished their start-up checks. We’re ready, if you are.”

“What EXACTLY is going to happen to use in those cages?” Tanhdelaya asked nervously.

Zakharov wrinkled his face; “The finer details would probably do your more harm then good. Basically, you will be shrinking down to enter a space in the Quantum foam. You’ll remain conscious during the whole process, and there is no pain or discomfort. I am told it is like watching a movie.”

The technicians nodded to Zakharov, and the probes knew it was time to see what would happen. They entered their cages, and the technicians closed the doors behind them. They were not locked, and the walls were nearly transparent, but Slash could not help feeling slightly claustrophobic.

“Try to stay as still as possible. It speeds the process.” Zakharov said over what must have been a built-in loudspeaker inside the cage itself. “Countdown began. One minute and counting. Get ready.”

When the countdown reached zero, there was a brilliant flash. Slash blinked, and he saw that the entire room had grown. After a series of less-bright flashes, the room grew more and more until the flooring tiles were ominously close to his cage. He looked over and saw Tahndelaya, now very far away. She was grimacing, but didn’t show signs of pain.

The floor tiles rose above Slash, and he cringed at the size of them. The flashes were little more then slight increases in light now. And still, down he went. He was apparently in a small indentation in the floor. Soon, the rim of the indentation rose above him, giving the impression that he was in a large crater.

And still everything grew. There were now indentations in the crater and indentations in them as well. Down deeper. Farther and farther. Finally, the world lost all order and color, and he was floating among tiny pulsating spheres.

‘Are those atoms?’ he mused. And then he realized that he himself was still humanoid, and he was still conscious. Why? It defied all science that he had ever heard. And yet, there it was. He was living proof against the things he was taught. The concept almost overwhelmed his mind as the cage lurched.

Slash felt motion for the first time in the process, but he stood in the middle of the cage. The cage was lurching forward, toward a small blank space not near any spheres. Slash thought he saw something enter the hole ahead of him. ‘Must be Tahndelaya…’ he assumed as he entered the hole.

‘Must be Tahndelaya’ was the last thought that Slash ever thought before he died. The Slash of the universe he had lived his entire life in was dead and gone forever.

The new Slash, created by the foam, emerged from the hole in another universe, over 100 years in the past of his first universe. Its first thought was:

“We are here”

End of Chapter One

**Jasonian** · March 16, 2000, 21:36

Chapter Two: The Dying World
Part One: Warm Welcome

Slash was fortunate that he had blacked out after coming out of the tunnel. The rebuilding process wasn’t as orderly as the breaking down had been. Chaos was all around, and Slash might have gotten sick from just watching it all spin by him. However, it was a lot quicker of a process. In the universe they had traveled too, the Quantum foam knew how to put people back together after they died, with all of their memories intact. This was a key in choosing which universe to send the probes too.

Slash awoke lying face down several feet above a hard metal floor. He groaned and twisted up. His body felt normal, but stiff. Although he didn’t know it, he was moving his muscles for the first time. Beside him floated Tahndelaya, who was also gazing around the room they were in. There was no sign of the cages, or evidence there ever were cages. For all they knew, they had been drugged and thrown in prison. Except, of course, for the fact that they knew exactly where they were. They were in the drop ship, and they were floating in zero G

*Ding*. Drop ship security detects the presence of two humans. Identify yourselves, now. The mechanical voice droned over the loudspeakers. It was a standard routine to ID yourself after getting on board of one of these clunkers.

Slash sputtered, then managed to spit out his name. Tahndelaya had less success, but also managed to get it out. ID confirmed: Slash and Tahndelaya. Please proceed to the passenger deck. The drop ship will begin its predefined course to Pavlov Biolab in five minutes. Thank you.

The probes recovered their strength quickly, and hurriedly swam toward the passenger chairs before the ship began its race toward Planet.

************

Course complete. Please exit the drop ship. Thank you

Slash snorted. The presence of gravity and the fact that they weren’t moving gave away the fact that they had landed. He unhooked himself and helped Tahndelaya out. They walked in a half daze toward the airlock, put on their breathers, and walked out the door.

Right into a semicircle of University guards pointing Gravitron guns at them.

“Don’t make a move! Put your hands on the side of the ship and stay there!” one of the guards yelled over the breather communicators. Tahndelaya knew that if they were shot at, the blast from the Gravitron gun would kill the guards too, and vaporize a good chunk of the ship. She also knew that saying so would end their mission real quickly. They both complied.

“I’ll handle this,” came the voice of a large man approaching the group. He was well built, and wore the badges of a talent.

“Ok, you two. Why were you on that ship? Are you technicians from Nessus Mining Station Fourteen?” he asked.

“Uhh…” slash mumbled.

Tahndelaya was faster, “Yes we are. Code epsilon-beta-gamma-twenty-eight. We’re inspectors that went on a routine inspection of the station, and you’ll be in a lot of trouble if you don’t let us get on our way right now!”

“Oh! My appologies then. I’ll be sure to have these guards accompany you away from here…” the man, taken aback. Tahndelaya nodded and began to move away from the ship.

“… and put you into a detention cell!” he finished, “Code epsilon-beta-gamma-twenty-eight is that of a Morgan Entertainment holovid production worker. You’re messing with the wrong guy here, miss. I know my codes. Take them away!”

Defeated, Tahndelaya hung her head as the probes were marched towards the base.

[This message has been edited by Jasonian (edited March 16, 2000).]

**Jasonian** · March 20, 2000, 18:19

Part Two: Laser Crawler Prototype

According to Slash’s MMI, they had been locked in the cell for just over five hours. Surprisingly enough, that was about how long it felt. Since they had been locked up, he and Tahndelaya had been discussing possible escape options. The door was shut tight. The ceiling ventilation system was laser guarded. They were undoubtedly being watched, so any attempt to use their probe gear would be stopped before they could break out. That left only one option: the new button on their MMIs.

In theory, if they pushed that button, the cages would come to their location. They could get in and leave before the University guards had a chance to stop them. In practice, the cages never came at all when they pushed that button. This was a startling revelation: the probes were trapped in the very base that was supposed to be set up for their arrival.

Finally, after five long hours, the probes slumped to the floor. The travel through the Timescape had drained their energy, and since there wasn’t anything better to do, they promptly fell asleep.

************

The MMI informed Slash it was in the middle of Planet’s night when he awoke. Someone was at the door. But they weren’t coming in. What was going on? With a click, the lock released and the door swung open. Their cell was black, and the hallway outside was lit. This illuminated the figure as a silhouette. But Slash could tell instantly who was there. It was the well-built man that had locked them up.

“Wake her up” he said in a harsh whisper. Slash nudged at Tanhdelaya, who gave a groan of protest. He put his hand over her mouth to silence her, and quickly mumbled to be quiet.

“Get up and follow me. Don’t make a sound,” the man said. Slash and Tahndelaya hastily got to their feet, despite their fatigue, and followed the man out of the cell into the deserted hallway.

After passing through many empty corridors, they arrived outside. Before them was a vehicle that looked like an old hovertank.

“I’m sorry for having to do that, but Union didn’t want to inform any more people about this project then they had to. Before they realize we’re gone, we’ll be off the LCPT and to the sea, on the way to Spartan-controlled territory.”

“Right… so Union sent you to help us get out of here?” Tahndelaya asked.

“Right. My name’s Jakjon. Union gave me a whole new background here by messing with the Timescape. I used to be a president of a University-controlled corporation that fell to the Morganites due to competition. Now I’m a part time security chief/part time historian.”

“Of course,” he went on, “I don’t remember a bit of this. What I just told you was done by a ‘me’ from a different Universe. Confusing as hell, but a perfect background, as long as I don’t slip up.”

“Uh huh… Well, nice to meet you then, Jakjon. So, what is the LCPT?” Slash asked.

“LCPT stands for Laser Crawler Prototype. It’s a supply crawler with a hidden Gravitron Gun on it. The people here won’t like us stealing it, but it’s the fastest transportation out of here. Plus, that gun might come in handy. Now, let’s go.”

The probe team of now three members climbed on, and the LCPT hovered silently south toward the seas.

Announcement

Timescape

Timescape

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