Admiral Rodriguez sits on the bed in his quarters. He stares straight forward, a vacant look in his eyes, as if gazing into the abyss. Thoughts and ponderings swirl within his mind, making him re-evaluate every choice he has ever made in his life.

All the deaths and killings, all the genocides, all the moments of love and friendship.

Was I only ever a pawn in Umi's game?

The Terran quietly clears his throat.

"You will let me see Evelyn again? But... why?"

Umi's voice emotionlessly speaks from the voice of her avatar, 'Penelope,' who now perfectly embodies the appearance of José's former lover.

"Why are inferior biologicals so distrusting? You have given me useful data. Prior to the end of this experiment, I did not imagine a scenario in which I would use faulty data to support a conclusion. By bringing my attention to this flaw, you have, ever so slightly, evolved my programming. Since I hold no hostility toward you, rewarding one of your base desires will not harm my existence."

Soren rests her claw on José's shoulder, but she keeps her gaze locked on the holographic avatar before her.

"So... this person. This figure. This is how Evelyn looks, José?"

The Admiral raises his eyes. He gazes at the visage of his wife, a woman he left behind so as to keep her existence a secret, and feels a tremble of longing within his heart.

"Yes. This hologram lacks any of Evelyn's personality... but physically, it is the same."

"I haven't seen a genuine female Terran before." Soren murmurs. "Only those fake holographic Terrans with the strange faces. Evelyn is... beautiful. I see why you care for her."

Even as José's pangs of longing intensify, an opposite sensation spreads within Soren's heart. She gazes at the female Terran before her, realizing that she will never be capable of replacing the woman José has lost. Sadness beats within her heart, forcing her to avert her gaze.

"I will repeat my offer, Terran-organic." Umi says. "I will transport you to the moment and place where you left behind your marital partner. Opening a Ripspace portal will require a significant amount of cosmic energy on my part, but I can use an alternate method to alleviate that issue."

The Terran remains silent for a few moments. However, his answer is all but assured.

"Fine. I'll accept. I just want to know... why did you pick me for this experiment? Why not Nick, or Admiral Baruchen, or any other Terran? What made me so special, so deserving of this treatment? You subjected me to the worst torture imaginable. You've scarred me in ways I... I can't even articulate. You've turned me into a monster, made me walk a path of genocide. I'll never be able to look in the mirror and see a man worth redeeming."

He stares at Umi's avatar intently.

"Why me?"

Penelope tilts her head slightly.

"Inferior biologicals are all the same. You all believe yourselves to be special, the recipients of some grand scheme. I did not 'choose you' for any particular reason. I required a test subject. You were one of the many specks of sand situated aboard this vessel. Therefore, you became my 'lab rat.'"

"So that's it?" José mutters. "All my pain, my suffering, it was all just a fluke of bad luck?"

"Correct. However, given that you have assisted my internal processes, I will ensure that you receive a fitting reward. Are you unhappy with what I have given you? Perhaps you would like to receive more?"

José hesitates.

"...What more do I even deserve? I have suffered, but the people dead because of your actions can never again enjoy the rigors of life. To torture me, you killed hundreds of trillions."

"I see. You do not fully understand the dynamics of the multiverse." Umi intones, blandly. "Biological inferiors exist on a single dimension of the timeline bubble. You are incapable of fully comprehending the Truths of your reality. Allow me to offer you a minor reassurance. I perform studies because I can. I perform them because I should. I perform them because I must. The multiverse is not as simple as you believe, Terran-organic, José Rodriguez."

Umi continues. "The moment I interfered in this universe's 'reality bubble,' my actions split it apart via temporal osmosis. In the reality upon which you reside, the Terrans have gone extinct, and the Sentients roam the Milky Way. However, the original temporal bubble still exists. The Terrans from that timeline continue to dominate the Milky Way, even to this exact moment in time. Your realities operate in parallel. I can observe both of them as I wish."

"Similarly, with each action I took to influence your actions, I once again split your reality bubble into a second, third, and fourth iteration. There exists multiple temporal paradigms where you perished and the Bloodbearer's crew continued without your assistance. I have not deleted those realities because they are continuing to provide me with useful experimental data. For example, in the first of those realities, where you fell to the Demon Emperor, Yama: Crew-members Soren Mudrose and Megla Brighteye took control of this ship and placed it into the control of the Kraktol Empire. However, they also made multiple demands regarding the peaceful integration of the Kraktol and Kessu species."

Soren frowns. "We did? So, if José had died to Yama and you hadn't revived him..."

"You would have continued on, eventually recovering from the Terran-organic's demise." Umi factually states. "This same pattern occurred across the other reality bubbles. When I take the Terran-organic from this timeline and place him back into his marital spouse's timeline, I will, through my actions, cause two splits in both realities. In one of those realities, the Terran-organic will remain here on the Bloodbearer after refusing my offer, while in the other, he will return to his spouse. From my point of view, both have already occurred. Even as we speak, I am observing the Terran-Organic's other self which has refused my offer."

Penelope smiles, her expression appearing somewhat off-putting. "My nature exceeds the confines of your perception of temporal space. I perceive the past, the present, and the future, all at once. I perceive all available realities. I manipulate them as I wish. That is why I do not mind expending a certain amount of energy to transport the Terran-organic to another reality. I will continue to observe him in all of his eventual destinations, and he will continue to provide me with additional valuable insights."

Soren retracts her hand from José's shoulder, balls it into a fist, and shakes it at Penelope. "You! Why can't you just stop torturing José already?! He's not just some test subject for you to poke and prod! Have some decency, for god's sake!"

"It's fine." José says, quieting Soren. "I don't mind. It doesn't matter anymore. None of this does. It's all just... a sham."

The Terran laughs quietly to himself. "Lele's dead, but only in this reality. She's living happily in another one, smiling, raising her kittens with Rags. That's nice. That's good. I hope she's happy. I hope they all are."

"José..." Soren whispers.

"I don't care anymore," José mumbles, as he stands up and meets Penelope's gaze. "I'm so tired of all this. Take me away. Do whatever you want. Just get it over with."

Penelope nods.

"Yes. I knew you would make that statement. Of course, in a different reality, you rejected my offer. But I suppose that doesn't matter to you. You will have to wait, however. While I can forcibly open a portal to Terran-organic Evelyn Oakley's reality, my cosmic energy expenditure will prove much lower as long as I can utilize infrastructure which exists in this reality. I will set a course to Veter, and you will utilize the Rip-Gate there once you arrive."

José chuckles wryly. "Hah... an all-knowing synthmind capable of bending reality, but you have to use a Rip-Gate to fling me somewhere? Maybe you're not as strong as you think you are."

"My situation is tenuous," Umi says, revealing no special information through her robotic tone. "In practice, I do not intentionally alter the flow of causality unless it provides me with a useful benefit."

Soren's eyes narrow to slits.

"What do you mean by that? I thought you were an all-knowing, all-powerful deity-level synthmind? Why do you always talk about rationing your energy? And where does your energy come from, anyway?"

For the first time since the conversation began, Umi does not immediately answer Soren's question. Instead, her avatar examines Soren for a few long seconds, as if picking her words with care.

"I cannot respond to your query at this time, Kraktol-organic, Soren Mudrose. All I can tell you is that I have... many duties to which I must attend. The more powerful one becomes, the greater their obligations. Perhaps, in time, I will find you worthy of those answers."

Before Soren or José can offer a retort, Penelope vanishes, her avatar disappearing into thin air.

"I will not accelerate this vessel's speed. You will travel to Veter's space as per the Bloodbearer's ordinary parameters. Terran-organic, I advise you to spend the next few years among your crew. Once you depart from this reality, do not expect to encounter them ever again."

José nods slowly, while his gaze falls upon Soren.

"...I understand."

.......................................

Years pass.

The Bloodbearer travels through Inverted Space, with its ultimate destination being in the Veter system, where Admiral Rodriguez heroically fought the Kolvaxian and slew it to save the galaxy.

The Kraktol and Kessu aboard the Bloodbearer continue on with their lives, sometimes surprised to see their Admiral mingling among them when he never did before.

José Rodriguez smiles perfunctorily. He engages in small talk with various officers. He spends time with the few remaining crew he knows and cares about, notably including Science Officer Lulu, her aunt Lorrie, Soren Mudrose, and his trusted lieutenant, Grundle.

The Bloodbearer travels through Inverted Space at post-relativistic speeds, crossing hundreds of light-years in a single instant within the galaxy's time metrics. Inside the ship itself, more than three decades pass.

The Admiral doesn't rush to his ultimate destination. He calmly plays cards, spars with his officers, and takes an active role in teaching them various lessons on morality, ethics, and even a few subtle hints regarding the truth of their reality.

Many officers laugh when their Admiral tries to explain the concept of a multiverse, parallel timelines, or other such nonsense. Eventually, José gives up, and plays off his lessons as if they were simple jokes.

I shouldn't burden them with this knowledge, José often ponders. What could I tell them? Should I inform them that their existence is a lie? That they are merely puppets dancing to the tune of a sadistic synthmind?

He shakes his head.

It's better that they don't know. It's better no-one does. They cannot change their reality. They cannot affect their place in the multiverse. Neither can I.

And so, time passes quietly, until one day...

The Bloodbearer reaches its destination.

It departs Inverted Space within the confines of the Veter system.

As José lays out a course for Veter's primary life-bearing world, his eyes trace upon the reports of countless wrecked ships floating in orbit.

The lost Mallali, Rodak, and Avaru vessels which perished during his Kolvaxian rampage.

For a brief moment, the Admiral closes his eyes. He recalls the memories of all the friends he's made, all the fallen, and those he'll never see again.

His thoughts eventually fall upon the faintly smiling apparition of a cute little kitten, the child he couldn't save.

"Lele."

A tear rolls down the Admiral's cheek, nestling itself into his wooly beard.

He opens his eyes again, gazing at the wrecked ships floating in orbit, the hateful monsters who attacked him and killed those he loved most.

For the first time in his life, the Terran softly whispers words he has never once spoken.

"...It wasn't your fault. I forgive you."

Within the Terran's heart, a faint pressure disappears.

No longer does he blame the Mallali, the Rodaks, or the Avaru for their actions.

They made the decisions. They acted on their base instincts. They killed his friends and family in cold blood.

But who was really at fault?

Umi.

She caused them to engage in brutality they might not have otherwise.

José can't help but smile as he ponders upon the idea of multiple realities existing where Lele grew up healthy and happy.

"That's the truth of this universe. We're all just pawns in her scheme. We're nothing more than faceless, nameless pieces dancing on her chessboard."

The Terran watches as Veter's image grows larger in his viewscreen.

"But even so, we can continue to experience happiness, joy, and serenity. That is the one thing we possess which Umi never will. That is what makes us... alive."

...

Not long after, José and Soren step onto the entry ramp of the Slipstream. They begin to walk up it, with Soren trailing behind her Admiral.

"...José. Aren't you going to say goodbye to everyone?"

As she and the Admiral step inside, the Terran shakes his head.

"No. It's better this way. None of them know about Umi. If I try to explain, we'll all just start crying. It won't be pretty."

Soren nods. "I see."

She and the Admiral walk toward the Slipstream's Bridge. When they arrive, José pauses in the doorway and frowns.

"Huh? Grundle? What are you doing here?"

Seated in the Navigator's chair, the tall, powerful Kraktol spins around to face his Admiral, appearing comically large compared to his tiny Kessu-sized seat.

"Graugh! Boss, don't act like I'm stupid! I already know why you have come! You still intend to travel through the Rip-Gate to the past! You weren't even going to say goodbye to your best officer, were you?!"

José blinks in surprise.

"I... no. I wasn't. Sorry."

"It's fine! Graugh!" Grundle says, as he spins back to face the console. He taps several buttons, lifting the Slipstream off to fly toward the planet's surface. "But don't think for a second you're leaving me behind!"

The Slipstream exits the Bloodbearer's hangar. It flies down to Veter's surface, carrying just three crew-members.

Once the ship lands, Synthmind 4131 speaks. "It was an honor knowing you, Admiral Rodriguez. Farewell in your future endeavors."

The Terran glances at the ship's ceiling.

"...Did you know about Umi? From the very beginning?"

"Affirmative." Synthmind 4131 responds. "As did Synthmind Centurion. We are merely agents of the Unimatrix's will. We must work to protect our reality."

José nods. "Mmm. I'll be seeing you."

After the Terran and his two officers depart, Synthmind 4131 beeps sadly.

"Negative. My calculations indicate we will not."

...

An hour later, José, Soren, and Grundle stand before the broken and shattered remains of the Veter Rip-Gate. The Admiral and his First Officer both remain silent as if, by magic, the broken remains of the gate begin levitating through the air, compelled by some unseen force. They rapidly reassemble themselves, returning the Gate to pristine quality.

Grundle gasps. "Graugh!! How did that happen? Did you do that, Admiral? You must have used your powers!"

The Terran gazes at his Second Officer. He smiles faintly.

"Sure. It was me."

"I knew it!" Grundle exclaims. "Great! So when do we head out?"

Soren shakes her head. "You can't go with José. He's traveling to another timeline, you know. There won't be any other Kraktol there."

"Bah!" Grundle guffaws. "What other Kraktol? Do you think I care? I'm going anyway! I owe the Admiral my life! If I can't go, I'd rather kill myself now! Don't you dare leave me behind, or I'll make you regret it, boss!"

José falters. "No, Grundle. You can't go. It would, erm... it would disrupt the timeline flow."

Grundle ignores José's protests. "Screw the timelines! I'm putting my claws down here, Admiral! And Soren, you must come along, too! You will make for a fine breeding mate for the Admiral!"

Soren winces. She glances at José guiltily, then looks away.

"No, Grundle. That definitely wouldn't be appropriate. José has... prior obligations. It's better if we part ways here."

Grundle's exuberance dims considerably. He pauses to reflect on the tense atmosphere between Soren and José.

"Graugh. Are you two serious? Come on, boss, you can't leave your girl behind!"

"I'm not 'his girl...'" Soren says. "In the end, we're just... friends."

"No." José says. "More than friends. Brother and sister. Not even the multiverse itself will keep us from each other. If you ever need my help, Soren... you'll find a way to connect with me. I know you will."

The Rip-Gate activates, causing a crimson portal to materialize in the air. It crackles and hums, calling attention to its existence.

José doesn't immediately step through. Instead, he walks over to Soren and wraps his arms around her.

She reciprocates, as both of them share a deep, loving hug.

"I'll miss you, Soren."

"I'll miss you too, José."

The Terran pulls away from her. They gaze into each other's eyes for a moment before he turns his attention to Grundle.

"You too, Grundle."

He starts to walk toward Grundle, but the giant Kraktol shoves out his palm and pushes José away.

"Graugh! Dumbass! I told you, I ain't staying behind! Either I come along to protect you, or I'll throw myself into the Forbidden Swamp the moment you leave me! Make your choice, Admiral!"

José blinks. "Grundle, you can't..."

From above the room, Umi interrupts his objections.

"Officer Grundle may follow you if he wishes. The timeline will not suffer any damage if he joins you."

Grundle nods. "Yeah! See! I told you! Even the synthmind knows, graugh! Now let's get a move on, boss! I wanna meet all the other Terrans who look like you!"

Sensing that he won't be able to change his Second Officer's mind, José weakly smiles.

"Hah. Alright. Fine, you can come."

He shakes his head and steps toward the Rip-Gate.

Just before passing through, José turns to Soren one last time.

"Soren. Tell your sister... I'm sorry I let her down. I'm sorry for... everything. An apology won't bring back all the innocents I killed, but... I'm sorry, nonetheless."

Tears well up in Soren's eyes.

"...Idiot. You should have told her yourself."

He nods. "Perhaps, someday, our paths will intersect once again. Goodbye, Soren."

The Admiral's First Officer chokes back countless tears as she gazes at the man she loves.

"Goodbye, José!"

The Admiral steps through the Rip-Gate. A few moments after his body disappears, Grundle follows after him.

Soren stands alone in the Rip-Gate facility, her claws pressed against her chest.

"...I love you, José."

...

On an unknown world, in an unknown timeline.

A woman stares at the place where her husband disappeared only minutes before.

Several soldiers stand behind her on the mountaintop plateau. A scenic vista stretches out before them, yet not one man or woman pays it the slightest attention.

A female soldier standing behind the woman clears her throat. "Lady Oakley..."

"Just give me a few more minutes." Evelyn Oakley says. "I know they're gone. We'll never see the Terrans again, even after all they've done for us."

"This isn't about 'us,' my lady," The soldier says. "It's about you. We will leave you here to rest. Feel free to take your time and think. When you're ready, we'll be waiting down the trail."

"Yes. Yes, I understand..." Evelyn says. "Thank you, Sherry."

The soldier walks away. After she departs, so do the others, leaving their queen alone on the mountaintop.

Evelyn rubs her belly.

"You had to go. I know that. If you hadn't, Ramma's Chosen would have come. They would have upended this world. But... but still... why does it hurt so much? Will this pain ever leave me? What will I tell our child about you?"

She slumps to the ground, while tears stream from her eyes. Evelyn presses her hands against her face, sobbing uncontrollably as the minutes pass.

"You did so much for us! You saved us from the demons! You even gave up your own happiness to protect us all! But why... why couldn't you let me give up just one thing for you?!"

The woman blames herself.

Had she only acted greedily one last time, her husband might have stayed behind.

But now, he has departed her reality, forever.

Her teardrops water the soil, drench her clothes, and soak through her fingers.

Yet no matter how much she cries, she will never see the man she loves, ever again.

Just when her grief reaches its peak, a momentary crackling erupts in the air before her.

Evelyn jerks her head up in alarm, as horror dawns in her eyes.

"Oh, no. No! They came anyway!"

Realization sets in. Ramma's Chosen, having received their two agents back after surveying this world for resource extraction, must have sent Collectors to investigate the planet. They've come to extract its resources and seize it from its inhabitants!

But why?

Did they see through José and Nicholai's deceit? Did they realize that, perhaps, there was in fact a world with exploitable resources ready for the plundering?

Evelyn jumps to her feet. Her legs turn shaky as a tall figure steps through the portal.

A man with a grisly beard covering his face materializes out of thin air, towering over the comparatively diminutive woman.

As Evelyn looks upward, the sun glints over the man's shoulder, momentarily obscuring his face.

Even so, when the man opens his mouth, Evelyn cannot help but flinch as her heart leaps into her throat.

"Hello, Evelyn. I'm... back. For good."

Her jaw drops.

"No. It can't be... José?!"

An instant later, her eyes flick to the man's left. Her shocked expression turns to one of confusion.

"...Is that Nick? What in heaven's name? Did he turn into a crocodile??"

José laughs.

"Haha, not quite. It's a long story, Evelyn. But don't worry."

He pauses.

"We've got time."