Speaker 1: Hello, I'm welcomed stories all the time. The glad you
are here. Let's get into it. The stars looked the
same as they always when Captain Marcus Web stowed out
from the bridge of this promise is cold, distant, and
filled with promise. He never thought this routine serve emission
would be his last town seeing them as a normal
human being. Captain were approaching the target coordinates, reported Lieutenant
so Him from her navigation station. Her first carried the
excitement that always came with reaching a new star system.
After three years of deep space travel, the crew still
felt that throw when they found something new. Web nodded
and walked to the center of the bridge around He
and his officers worked at their stations with the quiet
efficiency they came from years of training and months of
working together in a black void between stars. The Prometheus
was as most advanced ship built for long range exploration
beyond the known boundaries of human space. What do our
since is show where bath the system? As seven planets?
Captain Tim replied, studying her displaced reop in the habitable zone.
No immediate signs of intelligent life, but were detecting some
unusual energy readings from the fourth planet. Web felt a
familiar tinkle of curiosity. That was why they were out here.
After all, Earth had joined the Galactic Confederation only fifty
eight years ago, making humanity one of the newest members
of the vast alliance of alien civilizations. Most of the
galaxy had been mapped and claimed by older races like
the Zipians with their mastery of energy, or the Corfex,
who could reshaped living matter like clay. Humans were still
the newcomers, still proving themselves worthy of a place among
the stars. The Confederation had given Earth a small territory
on the galact Aquarrin to explore and develop. It was
much compared to the vast empires of the elder races,
but it was home. Take us and for a closer look,
were bordered and notified. The science teams tell doctor Martinez,
we might have something interesting for her. The Prometheus moved
deeper into the system, its engines humming with barely contained power.
Webb watched the main screen as the fourth planet grew larger.
It was a barren world, all red rock and deep canons,
but their censors were picking up energy signatures that didn't
match anything in their databases. Do doctor Elina Martinez arrived
on the bridge forteen minutes later, her dark hair tied
back and her eyes bright with scientific curiosity. She had
been studying senor geology for most of her adult life,
hoping to find traces of the ancient civilizations that once
filled the galaxy before the current powers rose to dominance.
What do we have, Captain, she asked, moving to the
science station. Unknown energy patterns from the surface. Web replied,
could be natural phenomena, but the reading's unlike anything we've
seen before. Martinez studded the data scrolling across her screen.
A frown deepened with each passing second. Captain, these readings.
They are not matching any known energy types. The patterns
are too regular to be natural, but they don't fit
any technology in our daya basis either. Webb felt that
familiar mix of excitement and caution that came with real discovery.
Could it be from one of the elder races, something
they left behind, possibly, Martina said, but she didn't sound convince.
I'd need to get closer to be sure, maybe send
down the survey team. Before Webb could respond, the ship
shuddered slightly. It was barely noticeable, just a small vibration
that ran through the hull. But on a ship like
the Prometheus built to handle the stresses of deep space travel,
any unexpected movement was caused for concern. Engineering report Web
called out, we're showing some unusual readings done here, Captain,
came the voice of Chief engineer Thompson over the come,
nothing dangerous, but our quantum field generators are acting strange,
like their responding to something external. Webb and Martinez exchanged glances.
The quantum field generators were what allowed the Promethist to
travel faster than light. They created a bubble of altered
space time around the ship, letting it slip between the
normal dimensions, where the speed of light was just a
suggestion rather than a law. Could the energy source on
the plan of be affecting our systems? Webb asked, it's possible.
Martinez replied, some of the ancient races had technology that
could manipulates base time directly. If this is a remnant
of their civilization, dot dot. She didn't finish the sentence,
but Web understood the ancient races were gone now, their
empires fall into time and war, but their technology was
still scattered across the galaxy and most of it was
far beyond anything the current civilizations could understand was safely use.
Take us to a safetyame stons Web ordered, we'll observe
from ubit, and the ship shuddered again, more violently. This time.
The lights on the bridge flickered, and several warning alarms
began to sound. Webb grabbed the arm of his command
chair as the deck tilted beneath his feet. Captain Lieutenant
Kim called out, her voice, tight with panic. Something's wrong
with our navigation systems. The quantum field is fluctuating wildly.
Webb looked at the main screen and felt his blood
turned eyes. The stars were moving, not the slow, steady
movement of a ship changing course, but a violent, twisting
motion that made his eyes hurt to watch. The familiar
constellations were stretching and bending, like reflections in disturbed water.
I'll stop, he shouted, chuted down the quantum generators and trying.
Captain Thompson's voice came through the com strained with effort.
But they are not responding to commands. It's like something
else is controlling them. The ship shook again, hard of
this time. Through the bridge windows, Webb could see space
itself seeming to ripple and fold around them. The planet
below was becoming storted itself, is stretching into impossible shapes.
Doctor Martinez was working frantically at her station, her fingers
flying over the controls. Captain the energy source in the planet.
It's not technology. It's some kind of dimensional anomaly, a
weak point in space time itself. Webb felt that she'll
run down a spine dimensional anomalies with theoretical constructs that
most scientists believed were impossible. They were supposed to be
tears in the fabric of reality itself, places where the
normal laws of physics broke down if one actually existed.
Dot Dot Dot duck. Can we break free? He asked,
I don't think so, Martinez replied, her voice verily above
a whisper. We're being pulled into it. Whatever this thing is,
it's drawing us in. The ship grown around them. As
forces beyond human understanding took hold of the Prometheus. Webb
watched helplessly as the stars outside continued their impossible dance,
stretching into long streamers of light that hoped to look
at directly dot. He thought about the eight hundred forty
seven people aboard his ship, scientists, engineers, support staff, and
their families, people who had volunteered for a five year
mission to explore the unknown reaches of space. They had
signed up for adventure and discovery, not for whatever was
happening to them now. Dan a distress signal were bordered
full power, all frequencies already trying capain, came the reply
from the communications officer, But I don't think any one
will receive it. Space around us is too distorted. Whbegripped
his command she had tighter. As the ship was pulled
deeper into the anomaly. The hull was making sounds he
had never heard before, metal groaning understresses it was never
designed to handle. But some other ship was holding together
through the chaos. He heard doctor Martinez speaking quietly to herself,
reading off numbers from her instruments. The dimensional barriers are
collapsing around us, were falling through layers of reality. But
didn't understand what that meant, but the tone of her
voice told him everything he needed to know. They were
going somewhere that no human ship had ever gone before,
somewhere that might not even exist in the same universe
they called home. The last thing he saw before for
the walls of reality closed around them was Earth's Sun
visible as a tiny point of light millions of miles away.
Then even that was gone, swallowed by the twisted space
time that was dragging a Prometheus into the unknown. The
ship fell through dimensions that had no names, carrying its
human cargo toward a realm where the very concept of
existence would be redefined behind them in normal space, the
dimensional and nominally glapsed and disappeared, leaving no trace that
the SV Prometheus had ever been there at all. For
three years, Earth search fleet scoured the sector where the
Prometheus had vanished. They found nothing, no debris, no energy signatures,
no clues about what had happened to one of humanity's
most advanced ships, in the eight hundred forty seven Souls
Aboard Hower. Eventually the search was called off. The SV
Prometheus was officially listed as lost with all hands, another
casualty of humanity's bold push in to the dangerous and
known of deep space. Memorial services were held. Famili's grieved
life went on. In the years that followed, Humanity continued
its careful expansion into the galaxy. S Colonists grew slowly
but steadily, always mindful of their places as junior members
of the Galactic Confederation. The major their powers tolerated human
expansion as long as it didn't interfere with their own interests.
The Cephrians control vast energy networks that spend multiple star systems.
The Gorthas had perfected biological technology that let them reshape
living matter at the molecular level. The ancient Veil manipulated
quantum forces that most races couldn't even detect, let alone understand.
Compared to such powers, humanities achievement scene small. They had
achieved faster than light travel independently, which earned them some respect,
but their technology was still primitive by galactic standards. F
provided raw materials and served as a curiosity for the
older races, who found human adaptability interesting but not particularly threatening.
Nobody expected the missing exploration ship to return. Nobody was
prepared for what it would become during its fifteen year
journey through impossible realms, and nobody could have predicted that
humanity's lost children would come home as something far more
dangerous than anyone in the galaxy could imagine. The ESV
Prometheus was gone, lost in the space between realities, but
something else was coming back. Wearing its name and carrying
its crew, Something that had learned secrets for Galaxy was
not ready to face. Admirals Ayri Channel was reviewing supply
reports in her office aboard the Earth Defense Station when
the emergency alarms began to sound. She had been Humanities
Representative to the Galactic Defense Council for eight years now,
and in all that time she had never heard the
station's priority alert system activate. The Sun cut through the
normal hum of activity like a knife. Red light flashed
in the corridors outside her office. As crew members rushed
to their emergency stations. Sun dropped her data pad and
headed straight for the command center, her mind already running
through possible threats reports, she called out. As she entered
the bustling command room. Commander Jackson looked up from his station,
his face pale with confusion. Admiral were detecting a massive
spatial distortion at the edge of the Soul System. Something
big just appeared out of nowhere. Monitoring stations throughout the system,
what she saw made no sense at all. There was
a tier in space itself, roughly circular, and several kilometers across.
The edges of the tier rippled like water. And strange
energies poured out of and patterns that made this sense.
It's malfunction. How is that possible? John asked, Space doesn't
just tear open unknown? Admiral Jackson replied, but something's coming
for As they watched, a shape began to emerge from
the impossible rift. At first, it was just a dark
outline against the swirling energies, but as it moved closer
to normal space, Chen could see that it was a ship,
a human ship, though something about its design looked wrong.
Can you identify the vessel? She asked dot Jackson worked
at his console for several seconds before looking up with
an expression of disbelief. Admiral, the computer is saying it's
the s V Prometheus, but that's impossible. The Prometheus was
lost fifteen years ago. Shun felt her heart skip a beat.
She remembered the Prometheus well. It had been Earthpright, the
most advanced exploration vessel ever built, when it disappeared during
a routine survey mission. The loss had been devastating, both
militarily and emotionally. The ship had carried nearly a thousand people,
including families of the crew members. Are you certain, she asked,
the hull configuration matches, Jackson said, but his voice was uncertain.
But Admiral, the ship looks sought not different. The senses
are having trouble getting clear readings, but the hull seems
to be covered in materials we don't recognize, and the
energy signature is unlike anything in our databases. John started
the main screen as the ship that claimed to be
the Promethiust move steadily toward the inner System. It was
definitely human in design, with the distinctive elongated hull and
rotating habitat sections that marked outh steep space vessels. But
Jackson was ripe. Something was very wrong with it. The
hull showed signs of damage and repair, but the materials
used in the repays didn't look like anything human technology
could produce. Strange geometric patterns covered sections of the ship,
designs that seemed to shift and change when she looked
at them directly, and most disturbing of all, the ship
was moving without any visible propulsion system. Admiral came a
voice from the communication station. We're receiving reports from monitoring
stations throughout the system. The ship's presence is caused wide
spread electronic interference several stations have reported complete sense of
failures Sean Frown. The Galactic Confederation maintained monitoring stations throughout
the Sole system as part of their standard security protocols.
These stations used to chnology far more advanced than anything
Earth possess. If they were experiencing failures, whatever was aboard
the ship was beyond current understanding. Have we tried to
make contact, she asked, yes, Admiral, but there has been
no response. The communications officer replied, all frequencies are either
being blocked or the ship simply isn't receiving our signals.
Chum watched the ship continuous approach. It was moving at
a steady pace that would bring it to Earth in
approximately six hours. The trajectory was perfect, as if the
ship knew exactly where it was going, despite having no
apparent navigation systems active. Get me a direct line to
Galactic Defense Command, she ordered. They need to know about
this immediately. Within minutes, Chen was speaking with Admiral Vexxide Zephian,
who served as the current head of the Galactic Defense counciled.
A zephy in senergy based form flickered on the communication screen.
Its patterns of light shifting with what Chen had learned
to recognize as concern. Admiral Chan Vex's translated voice Kane
through the speakers, We are already aware of the situation.
Our long range senses detected to spatial and normally won't appear.
What can you tell us about this vessel? It appears
to be one of our lost exploration ships, Chan replied carefully.
The s V Prometheus missing for fifteen years, but something
is clearly wrong with it. The patterns of light that
made up Vex High's form pulls rapidly, indicating deep thought.
A human vessel returning after fifteen years with unknown modifications.
This is most concerning. We are dispatching a task forced
to investigate Sun felt a moment of alarm. Falactic Defense
task forces were not sent to investigate. They were sent
to neutralized threats. Admiral, with respect, this is still human vessel.
We should be allowed to make first contact negative, vex
High reply. The energy signatures from the ship are unlike
anything we have encountered. Until we understand what we are
dealing with, it must be treated as a potential Threaticalactic security.
The communication ended, leaving Chan staring at blank screen. She
understood vex High's position, but the thought of alien worships
moving to intercept a human vessel made her deeply uncomfortable,
specially one that might contain survivors from the Prometheus. Commander Jackson,
she said, turning back to her tactical officer. How long
until the Confederation task Force arrives based on their usual
response times, approximately four rows? Admiral Jackson replied. The Prometheus
will reach Earth orbit about two hours after that. Chun
nodded grimly. She had four hours to figure out what
was happening before the most powerful military forces in the
galaxy descended on her home system. Four arrows to make
contact with the ship that had been missing for fifteen
years are now defied every law physics she knew. Keep
trying to establish communication, she ordered, and get me everything
we have on the Prometheus mission. I want to know
exactly what they were doing when they disappeared. Ass staff
rushed to carry out her orders. Chun continued to stare
at the main screen. The ship that might be the
Prometheus continued its steady approach, still showing now signs of
act of propulsion, but moving with purpose. Tes order. Two
hours later, her communication attempts finally received a response. This
is Captain Marcus Webb of the s V Prometheus requesting
a media conference with Earth Defense Command and collected Council representatives.
Shohn felt a chill run down her spine. She had
known Marcus Web personally before his disappearance. They had served
together early in their careers, and she remembered his voice clearly.
But the voice coming through the speakers was different. Somehow.
It had the same tone and inflection, but there was
something underneath it that didn't sound quite human. Captain Webb,
she replied, trying to keep her voice steady, This is Admiral,
sir chan or if Defense Command we show you as
missing for fifteen years, what is your status? There was
a long pause before Web responded. Time flows differently where
we have been, Admiral, we have much to discuss, but
not over open channels. We are aware of the approaching
Confederation Task Force. This is acceptable. Chun exchanged glances with
her staff. How could the Prometheus know about the task Force.
The censors should not have been able to detect ship
still liars away, specially ships using Galactic Confederation stealth technology. Captain,
we need to verify your identity in the status of
your crew, Chan said, can you provide current personnel council
mission status. All eight hundred forty seven souls aboard the
Promethees remain alive and functional. Web replied the word functional
struck Chan as an our choice, However, we have undergone
significant changes during our time away. We request immediate audience
with appropriate authorities to discuss matters of galactic security. Galactic security,
Chan asked, Captain, what exactly happened to you out there?
Another a long pause. When Web spoke again, his voice
carried what sounded like infinite sadness. We learn things, Admiral,
things about the nature of reality that will change everything.
We did not choose to become what we are now,
but the choice was made for us by necessity. En
Fortuen could ask what he meant. Alarms began sounding throughout
the command center. Her tactical displays lit up with new contacts.
As the Confederation tell Us Force dropped out of faster
than light travel at the edge of the system, Admiral
Commander Jackson called out his voice tided retention. The task
force consists of twelve heavy cruisers and four dreadnoughts. They
are moving to intercept the Prometheus. Chen watched as the
most powerful warships and the galaxy took up positions around
the approaching human vessel. Each of those ships carried enough
five part level of planet, and their commanders would not
hesitate to use at ahipacy of the threat. Captain Webb,
she said into her communicator, you need to understand that
you are now surrounded by Confederation warships. Any hostile action
will result in your immediate destruction. We understand, Admirrel Web replied,
and there was something in his voice that might have
been amusement. We harbor no hostile and tend toward the
Confederation forces. However, they may wish to maintain safe distance
from our vessel. What do you mean by safe distance,
Chawn asked. Her answer came not from Webb, but from
her own sense or operators. Admiral one of them called
out panic evident in his voice. The Confederation ships are
reporting massive system failures. Electronics are shutting down across her
entire fleet. Kin looked at her displays in horror as
one by one, the most advanced warships in the galaxy
went dark. Their engine shut down, their weapons powered down,
and their communication systems went silent. Within minutes, succeeen of
the most powerful vessels ever built were drifting helplessly in space.
Captain Webb, Chun said, her voice barely above a whisper.
What have you done? Nothing intentionally, Admiral Webb replied, our
presence has unfortunate effects on technology not designed to handle
certain types of energy. This is why we must speak
with your leaders immediately. There are things coming that make
our little demonstration he seen Treville by comparison. Chun stared
at the main screen, where the Prometheus continued it approach
to Earth. The ship that had left human spase fifteen
years ago as an exploration vessel had returned to something
that could disable and entire Confederation battle fleet simply by
existing near them. Whatever had happened to the crew of
the Prometheus during their time in the unknown, they were
no longer entirely human, and af Webb was telling the
truth about things coming that were worse than what they
had become. Then the entire galaxy was in more danger
than anyone realized. The Prometheus was coming home, but the
question that terrified John was whare at home? Would survived
their return? The ESV Prometheus took position in high Earth
orbit exactly where Captain Web said it would, ignoring the
disabled Confederation fleet drifting helplessly around it. Admiral Chun watched
from the Earth Defence Station as the ship that should
have been familiar looked increasingly alien with each passing ire
the whole modifications more extensive than their long range censors
had indicated. Sections of the ship seemed to FaZe in
an out of visibility, as if they existed only partially
in normal space. Strange geometric patterns cover the entire vessel,
designs that her to look it directly, and seemed to
move when observed from different angles. Admiral Commander Jackson reported,
his voice drained. We were receiving multiple reports of electronic
malfunctions throughout the system, everything from personal communicators to industrial computers.
The closer they are to the Prometheus, the worse the
failures become. Chun nodded grimly. The ship's presence was affecting
technology across had the Solar System. Even their own station
position much farther away, was experiencing into Midden system failures.
Whatever energy to Prometheus was putting out, it was fundamentally
incompatible with normal electronics. Had the Confederation ships regained any functionality,
she asked, negative, Admiral, They're completely dead in space. Their
crews are alive, but they are having to use back
up life support systems that were designed to work without
computer assistants. Jun looked out through the observation windows toward
Earth below. The planet looked peaceful. From this distance. It
splew and white surface are marked by the crisis in
folding in orbit, but she knew the down on the surface,
billions of people were beginning to experience the same electronic
failures that had crippled the alien warships. Admiral Chan came
Captain Webb's voice over the communication system. We are ready
to receive your delegation. However, we recommend that your representatives
bring no electronic devices. They will not function aboard our vessel.
Chun had been dreading this moment. Meeting face to face
with what head of the crew of the Prometheus had
become was necessary, but the thought of boarding that ship
filled her with unease. Still, as Earth's senior representative, the
responsibility was hers. Captain Webb, I'll come aboard personally with
a small diplomatic team. She replied, but I need to
know what precautions we should take. No special preparations are required,
Admiral Web said, and once again there was that strange
quality to his voice that didn't sound entirely human. We
remain who we were, though we have become more than
we were. You will understand when you see us. Two
hours later, Jan found herself aboard a small shuttlecraft approaching
to Prometheus. The shuttle was one of the older models
that relied more on mechanical systems than computerized ones, but
even it was showing signs of malfunction as they drew
closer to the mysterious ship. With her were doctor Elizabeth Foster,
Earth's leadings and no biologists, and Commander David Torres, a
military specialist in first contact procedures. All three wore simple
environmental suits without any electronic components. Admiral Torres said, as
they approached the Prometheus docking bay. I've never seen anything
like the ship's energy signature. Our instruments coun't even classify
what type of power sources. Using Chun could see what
he meant through the shuttle small windows, the Prometheus looked
more like a living thing than the starship. The hull
scened to pulse with internal light, and the geometric patterns
covering its surface shifted and flowed like living tissue. And
just remember, she told her team, these are still human beings,
whatever has happened to them, They were once our people.
The docking bay of the Prometheus opened to receive them,
but instead of the mechanical doors chun expected, the opening
seemed to simply appear in the hull, like a mouth
opening and living flesh. The shuttle settled on to a
landing platform that looked normal enough, though the metal had
a strange rainbow sheen that hadn't been there fifteen years ago.
Dot As they disembarked, Jun immediately noticed that the air
inside the ship felt different. It was breathable, but it
seemed to carry a faint electrical charge that made the
hair on her arms stand up. The gravity was normal,
but her inner ear kept insisting that up and down
went quite what they should be. Welcome aboard the Prometheus,
Admiral Chan turned toward the voice and had to struggled
to step backward in shock. The man approaching them was
definitely Marcus Webb, but he had changed in ways that
went beyond simple aging. He looked exactly as he had
fifteen years ago, not a day older, but his eyes
had depths that seemed to go on forever. When he moved,
it was with a fluid grace that didn't look entirely natural.
Behind him came other members of the crew, and Sheen
felt her breath cash in her throat. Like Webb, they
showed no signs of aging, but each of them had
been changed in subtle ways. Some seemed to shimmer slightly,
as if they weren't entirely solid. Others moved in ways
that defied normal human coordination, taking steps that should have
been impossible given the laws of physics. Captain Webb Chan said,
forcing herself to maintain military bearing despite her shock. It's
good to see you alive, all of you. Webb smiled,
and for a moment he looked like the man she
had known years ago. It's good to see you too, Sarah,
though I suspect you'll find our reunion less pleasant than
you might have hoped. He just stured for them to
follow him deeper into the ship. As they walked, Chun
noticed that the corridors of the Prometheus had been extensively modified,
The walls were covered with the same geometric patterns they
had seen on the hull, designs that seemed to move
and shift when she was looking directly at them. What
happened to you out there, Marcus, she asked quietly. Web
was silent for a long moment as he led them
through corridors that seemed to stretch farther than should have
been possible given the ship's eyes. We fell for a
crack in reality, Sarah, into place where the rules that
govern our universe don't apply. They entered what had once
been the ship's main conference room, though it too had
been changed. The table was still there, but it seemed
to be made of a material that was simultaneously metal
and crystal and something else entirely. The chairs appeared normal
until Chun sat in one and realized it was adjusting
itself to her body in ways that felt almost alive.
You said you fell for a crack, doctor Fosster, spoke
up her scientific curiosity, overcoming obvious nervousness, What do you mean?
Webb sat across from them, and when he did, Chun
curbs warn she saw other versions of him sitting in
the same chair, ghosely images that overlapped with his real form.
The dimensional anomaly we encountered was natural, he explained. It
was a wounded space time. Its created by beings that
exist outside our normal reality. Outside our reality, Commando Tours asked,
that's impossible. Webb's smile was sad and knowing. We used
to think so too. But the universe is far larger
and more complex than any of us imagined. Our galaxy,
our entire dimension, is just one bubble in an infinite
foam of realities. And in the spaces between those bubbles,
there are things that make our most advanced civilizations look
like children playing with toys. Heine felt a chill run
down her spine. Are you saying you met these beings?
We call them the Architect's web reply. They exist partially
outside of normal space time, which allows them to manipulate
reality in ways that seem impossible to us. When we
fail through the dimensional crack, we landed in their realm.
Doctor Foster leaned forward, her eyes bright with scientific fascination
despite her of sphere. What did they do to you?
Web was quiet for a moment, as Shen could see
pain in his ancient young eyes. They saved us. Our
ship was falling apart. Our crew was dying. The dimensional
transition had damaged us in ways that normal physics couldn't heal.
So they changed us. Changed how Sean asked. Webb stood
up and walked to the far wall of the conference room.
As he approached it, the wall became transparent, showing them
a view of Earth below. Now Ken could see that
the image wasn't coming through a window, the wall itself
had become a display. Responding to Webb's thoughts, they gave
us the ability to exist partially outside normal space time.
Web explained. We can manipulate matter and energy directly with
our tools or machines. We can see across dimensions, perceive
realities that exist alongside our own, But the price was
our humanity. One watched in fascination and horror as Webb
placed his hand against the transparent wall and the entire
section began to reshape itself, flowing like liquid metal before
solidifying internew patterns were still human in our minds and hearts,
Webb continued, but our borders, our very existence has been
fundamentally altered. We can no longer age or die in
any conventional sense. We exist in multiple dimensions. Simultaneously, our
presence dispups technology because we operate on principles that our
machines can't understand. And why did they do this to you,
Torus asked. Web turned back to them, and this time
Chin could clearly see the multiple overlapping images of him,
as if she were looking at several different versions of
the same person existing in the same space. Because something
is coming, Web said, simply something that the architects fear,
which should terrify everyone in this galaxy. They call them
the devirus. Doctor Falster frowned. The virus of what reality itself?
Web replied, They exist in the void between dimensions, consuming
entire universes and leaving nothing behind the move from reality
to reality like a plague, destroying everything that exists. J
nfelt her mouth got dry, and they're come in here.
The dimensional crack that we felt through wasn't an accident,
Webb explained, It was a probe sent by the virus
to test the stability of our reality. They found us, serah,
and they are come in. The room fell silent as
the implications of Webb's words sunk in. Chun thought about
the Galactic Confederation, with all its mighty civilizations and advanced technologies,
the Zephyrins with their energy manipulation, the Gothics with their
biological mastery, to ancient Veil with their quantum technology, all
of it meaningless against beans that could consume reality itself.
How long do you we have, she asked quietly. The
architects don't measure time the way we do. Web replied,
but in terms he would understand, Perhaps, so a few
years may be less. And you're supposed to stop them,
Torres asked. Web's laugh was bitter and huller. We was
supposed to try. The architects changed us in something that
can fight concepts with concepts, reality with the reality, where
humanity's first line of defense against the impossible. Doctor Foster
was studying Web intently, her scientific mind clearly struggling to
process what she was hearing. The electronic interference, the way
you can manipulate matter, thesosie effects of your transformation. Partly,
Web nodded, we exist in multiple dimensions now, which means
we interact with your technology in ways it wasn't designed
to handle. But it's also a sign of what's coming.
When the divirus arrive, they'll disrupt reality on a much
larger scale. Kune stood up slowly, her mind reeling from
everything she had learned Marcus. He said, All eight hundred
forty seven of your crucified were out and outspread throughout
the ship, learning to control the new abilities. Web replied,
some are having an easier time adapting than others. Of
the children seem to adjust fastest, which the architect said
was expected to the children. Chan repeated, thinking about the
families that have been aboard the Prometheus, a stale children
in spirit, Web said, but they've been changed just like
the rest of us. In some ways, they're better adapted
to our new existence than the adults. They don't fight
against what they've become. Chun looked around the impossible conference room,
at the walls that responded to thought, and the furniture
that seemed alive. She thought about the disabled Confederation fleet
floording helplessly outside, victims of technology that operated on principles
beyond the understanding, what do you need from us? She asked. Finally,
Webb's expression grew serious time. Primarily, we need to prepare
Earth and the Confederation for it. What's coming. The devirus
can't be fought with conventional weapons or traditional tactics will
need every advantage we can get. Then the Confederation verses
will need to accept that humanity has changed, Chun said,
understanding the political implications more than that. Web replied, they'll
need to accept that we've become something beyond their ability
to control or understand. Some races will see us as
a threat that needs to be eliminated. Others will try
to use us for their own purposes. Chann nodded grimly.
She could already imagine the chaos that would errupt when
the needs of the Prometheses return spread throughout the galaxy. Panic,
political maneuvering, and probably attempts to Captchu or destroy. The
ship and its crew will help however we can, s
she promise, But Marcus, I have to ask, are you
still human enough to care about saving humanity? Web looked
at her with those ancient eyes that had seen things
beyond normal reality, and for a moment his smile was
purely human. Sarah, we may have become something else, but
we're still human where it matters most. I'll remember what
it means to love, to hope, to fight for something
bigger than I resolves. That's why we came home outside
the ship hath continued its ancient rotation, unaware that its
lost children had returned as something beyond human understanding, carrying
news of a dread that could end everything that had
ever existed. The real test was just beginning three days
after Admiral Chran's meeting with Captain, where emergency sessions were
being held in government buildings across the galaxy. The news
of the Promethees' return had spread quickly to confederation channels,
causing panic and confusion among the major powers. Dot In
the Great Crystal Halls of the Zephyrian Empire, energy beings
flickered with patterns that srre deep distress. The Zephyrians had
built their civilization and the mastery of electromagnetic forces, but
the human ship's mere presence had it down their most
advanced technologist. If humans could do this accidentally, what did
it mean for Ziphrian dominance? Aren't The bioballs of the
Kothax collective living computers that served as their government councils
were struggling to process the implications. Their entire society was
based on the manipulation of biological systems, But the reports
from the Prometheus suggested tchnology that went far beyond anything
they understood. Even the ancient failed masters of quantum manipulation,
who rarely concerned themselves with the younger races, were calling
emergency gatherers and dimensions that other species couldn't even perceive.
Admiral Jean stood in the main conference room a Versus
government center, watching the chaos and fold on communications screens
from around the galaxy. President Morrison sat at the head
of the table, her face pale with the weight of
decisions that could determine humanity's future. Admiral President Morrison said,
give me your assessment. How are we looking at a
threat or an opportunity? Chang chows her words carefully. Both,
Madam President, Captain Webb and his crew represent capabilities beyond
anything in our current understanding. But they are stole human
and they error of warning us about a threat that
makes their abilities seem small by comparison. The devious Morrison said,
pronouncing the world like acas. Do you believe Webb's claims
about these beings? Before Chen could answer, one of the
communication screens lit up with an incoming priority message from
the Galactic Defense Council. Admiral Vexiyest energy form appeared as Padins,
more agitated than Chen had ever seen, President Morrison vex
High said, without preamble, the Confederation Council has reached a
decision regarding the human vessel in your system. It must
be destroyed before its technology conspired to other species. John
felt her blood turn to ice. Admiral vex High that
ship contains nearly a thousand human citizens. They are not hostile,
Their intentions are irrelevant. Vex High replied, the technology to
possessed represents a fundamental threat to galactic stability. How finest
ships were disabled by their mere presence. If other species
gained access to such capabilities, it would destroy the balance
of power that has maintained peace for censuries. President Morrison
leaned forward, her voice dilly calm, Admiral Wherey declaring war
onor Vex's energy patterns flickered with what might have been uncertainty.
We prefer a diplomatic solution. Surrendered the vessel and its
crew for study, and Earth will be granted significant territorial
concessions in return study. Chen repeated, her voice filled with disgusted,
I mean dissection, that technology must be understood and controlled.
Vex High said, this is not negotiable. The communication ended abruptly,
leaving the room in tense silence. Chein could see the
fear in President Morrison's eyes, and she understood it completely,
as sintire military couldn't stand against a single confederation dreadnought,
and now they were facing the combined might of multiple
galactic civilizations. Options, Morrison asked quietly limited Turnel replied, we
could try to evacuate the Prometheus crew, but I doubt
they leave their ship, and even if they did, where
could we hide nearly a thousand people with abilities that
disrupt technology. The discussion was interrupted by a new voice
coming through the communication system. Was then Webb, speaking directed
from the Prometheus. President Morrison, I apologize for interrupting, but
we need to speak immediately. Events are moving faster than
we anticipated. Morrison looked at Chan, who nodded a captain
that this is President Morrison. We're listening, madam. President were
aware of the Confederation's ultimatum. We also know that three
separate fleets are currently moving toward the Sol System with
orders to destroy us if we don't surrender, Chan Felderchell
their own intelligence hadn't detected any fleet movements yet, How
could the Prometheus know about military actions before us, though
in monitoring systems. Captain Morrison said, if you know about
the fleets, then you must understand our position. Earth cannot
fight the entire confederation, ath warned. Web replied, but we
need to show you something first, something that will change
how you view this crisis. The air in the conference
room began to shimmer, and suddenly Captain Webb was standing
in the room with them, not as a hologram obrojection,
but fasically present, as if he had simply stepped through
the walls. President Morrison and his staff jumped back in alarm,
but Web raised his hands peacefully. I'm sorry for the
dramatic entrance, but time is short, may if. He jested
toward the large display screen at the front of the room.
Without waiting for a permission, he approached it and placed
his hand against the surface. The screen flickered and chained,
showing an image that made Chen's breath catch in her throat.
It was space, but not space as they knew it.
Instead of the familiar backdrop of stars and galaxies, she
was looking at something that resembled a vast from with
countless bubble like structures. Floating in an endless void. Each
bubble contains word in lights and patterns that had to
look at directly. This is reality, Web explained, not just
our universe, but all of existence. Each bubble represents a
complete dimensional layer, containing billions of galaxies and trillions of civilizations.
The image umed in on one particular bubble, as Sheen
could see that it contained familiar structures, the Milky Way Galaxy,
in Drameda Galaxy, and all the other stellar formations. She
knew this is our dimensional layer, Web continued. Everything the
Confederation knows, everything they've explored, all exists within the single bubble.
For resident Morrison stared at a display in fascination and horror,
A how many bubbles are there at infinite, Web replied simply,
and in the space between them, in the void that
separates one reality from another, live the devirus. The image
changed again, and showing dark shapes moving through the endness
between dimensional bubbles. They were difficult to focus on, seeming
to shift and change form constantly, but their purpose was clear.
As chen watch, one of the shapes of roached a
bubble of reality and began to feed on. The bubble
dimmed and shrunk as the creature consumed it, billions of
galaxies in countless civilizations, simply ceasing to exist. Within minutes,
an entire dimensional layer was gone, leaving nothing but empty
void where an infinity of wells had once been. They
consume reality itself, Webb explained, not just matter and energy,
but the very concept of existence. Everything that was, is
or could be in the dimension simply stopped being. Schuenfeldt sik.
How many dimensions have they destroyed? Thousands, millions? The Architects
have been fighting them for rions, but they can only
saw the divirus down, not stop them. That's why they
changed us. The display shifted again, showing the dimensional crack
that had swallowed the Primethus fifteen years ago, but now
Chen could see it from the Archaec's perspective as a
control breach designed to pull the human ship into their realm.
The crack wasn't random, Webb continued. The architects had been
studying our galaxy for some time, looking for a species
that might be able to adapt to the changes necessary
to fight the divirus. They chose humanity. Why us? Morrison asked,
there are species in a galaxy with form or advanced technology?
Webb smiled, Sadly, technology isn't what matters in this fight.
The divirus can simply decide that advanced technology doesn't exist
and it starts working. What matters is adaptability, creativity, and
the ability to accept impossible truth without losing sanity. He
judtured toward the display, which NAS showed emidges of various
Confederation species. The Zephyrans are masses of energy, but they
think in terms of electromagnetic principles that the virus can
simply ignore the code that's work with biological systems that
can be unmade with the thought, even the veil, for
all the quantum mastery are still bound by the laws
of physics and humans chinnast humans are chaotic, were replied,
and there was pride in his voice. You adapt, improvise
and find solutions that shouldn't work, but due anyway. You
can accept contradictions and paradoxes without breaking down. Most importantly,
he can hold on to you humanity, even when everything
around you becomes impossible. The conference room door burst open
as one of Morrison's AD's rushed, Madam President, we're detecting
massive energy signatures throughout the system. Something's happening, Web, not
a grimy. The first scouts have arrived. The display screen
changed once more, showing that space around Earth at first
turn couldn't see anything unusual. Then the stars began to
flicker and dim, as if something was passing between them
and the Solar System. Where are we looking at? Morrison
asked de Viros. Scouts, Web replied, exists partially outside normal
space time, which makes them difficult to detect with conventional senses.
But they're here testing our realities defenses. As they watched,
sections of space began to distort the fromelio patterns of
stars and planets tisted into impossible shapes that may chance
eye water. Reality itself was being proved and tested by
beings that existed in the spaces between existence. The Confederation
fleets approaching our system wouldn't be able to fight these things,
Web continued, Their weapons are designed to work within the
normal laws of physics. The Scouts can simply decide that
these laws don't apply. President Morrison Gritiage of the conference table.
What do we do we show the galaxy what humanity
has become, Web replied, and we hope they are wise
enough to accept our help instead of destroying us out
of fear. That display showed the approaching Confederation fleet free
massive formations of washps carrying enough fire Protocrat planets behind them,
moving like shadows through dimensions the normal sensors couldn't detect.
Came the Devirus Scouts. The fleets will be here in
six iOS Web set. Scouts will test them first to
see how this dimensions and inhabitants respond to their presence.
Based on what they learn, the leader call from more
scouts will begin the process of fall invasion. Chann understood
the implications immediately. The Confederation fleets are going to be
used as test subjects exactly Web nodded, and when conventional
weapons prove use US against the Scouts, Paddock will spread
throughout the galaxy It civilizations will fall into chaos, making
the mesa prey for the main Vision force. Morrison stood
up a free set with determination, Captain Web, what do
you need from permission to engage the scouts when they arrive?
Web applied and support when the Confederation demands answers for
what they are about to witness? You of both, Morrison said,
without testation, what about his have respectfully, thank you, Madam President,
but I should warn you what you're about to see
will change how the galaxy views humanity forever. We're no
longer just another young species struggling to find our place
among the stars. He began to fery from view, becoming
translacent as he prepared to return to his ship. Were
about to become something that the older civilizations and the
galaxy will either worship of fear, and I'm not sure
which would be it was for our future. As Webb
disappeared completely, the display screen show of the Prometheus beginning
to move from its position in Earth, or if the
ship's hull was glow and brighter now and the geometric
patterns covering its surface were shifting faster as if the
vessel was preparing for battle. Can watch the ship that
had once been Humanitys pride transform itself into something beyond recognition.
Whatever happened in the next few hours would determine not
just as fate, but the future of everythinking being in
the galaxy. The Scouts were coming, and Humanity's lost children
were the only things standing between reality and complete annihilation.
The first Confederation fleet derived at the edge of the
sol sysm just as the de Virus Scouts began their
assault on reality itself. Admiral chammosch from the Earth Offense Station.
As space around the alien warships started to behave in
ways that violated every law of physics, she news. Starts
flickered and went out, not because they were destroyed, but
because the scouts were deciding that they had never existed
in the first place. Planet shifted position without moving, purving
multiple locations simultaneously. The very concept of distance became meaningless
as ships found themselves millions of kilometers from where they
had been moments before. Admiral commanded. Jackson called out his voice,
Tide with panic. The Confederation fleet is reporting complete system failures.
But it's not like what happened before with the Prometheus.
Their ships are just stopping. Pyan understood what he meant
as she watched the displays greens the advanced alien warships
when being disabled by electromagnetic interference. They were simply season
to function because the scouts were rewriting the local laws
of physics to make advance technology impossible. Where's the Prometheus,
she asked, moving to intercept. Jackson replied, but admir Our
senses can barely track it anymore. The ship keeps phasing
in and out of normal space. Through the observation windows,
Chen could see flashes of light in the distances. The
EESV Prometheus engaged enemies that existed only partially in their dimension.
The battle that was taking place to fired every principle
of warfish she had ever learned. Captain Webb's voice came
through the communication system, but it sounded strange, as if
he were speaking from very far away. Admiral Chan were
engaging three scout entities. Be advised that reality in this
region may become unstable during the fight, and stable Hapchun asked,
but she got her answer almost immediately. The stars outside
the station windows began to move in patterns that had
to watch. Up and down lost all meanings, gravity shifted
direction randomly. The metal walls of the station groaned under
stresses that shouldn't desist, while computer systems throughout the facility
started displaying impossible data. On the main screen. Chen could
see the Confederation ship struggling to understand what was happening
to them. The proad vessels of the galaxy's greatest civilizations
were helpless against an enemy that could simply decide their
weapons didn't work in their engines could in function. Then
the Prometheus struck back. What happened next was impossible to
describe in normal terms. The human ships seemed to multiply,
existing in dozens of locations simultaneously while firing wehbres that
want made of matter or energy, but of pure concept.
Reality tisted around the battlefield as a transformed crew fought
beings that existed in the spaces between thoughts. Watched as
one of the Devirus scouts simplicies to exist, not destroyed,
but convinced that it had never been real in the
first place. Another scout tried to erase the Prometheus from existence,
but the ship refused to be a made as crews
were holding their reality together through sheer determination. How are
they doing that, doctor Foster asked, joining Chun at the
observation windows. The scientists had been monitoring the battle from
the research station. Their fighting impossibility with impossibility, Chan replied,
beginning to understand what Web had meant. Scouts can rewrite reality,
but so can the Prometheus crew. It's not about technology anymore.
It's about who has the stronger will to decide what's real.
The battle raged for what felt like Io's but might
have been minutes or days time itself had become unreliable
in space, a random fighting Chan could see members of
the Prometheus crew materialize in open space without protective suits.
Their transformed bar is able to exist in environments that
should have killed them instantly. One figure she recognized as
doctor Martinez, as an archaeologist who had been studying the
dimensional and normally when the ship first disappeared. But Martinez
was no longer entirely human. She existed as a pattern
of living mathematics, using equations as weapons against Scouts that
tried to erase her from existence. Another crew member, chief
Engineer Thompson, had become something that looked like a mobile
constellation of stars. He reached into the holl of a
disabled Confederation ship and began repairing it by convincing its
atoms to remember what they were supposed to be. The
children of the Prometheus crew were the most changed of all.
They moved through space like living thoughts, adapting to each
new impossibility the Scouts created without fear or hesitation. Chan
watched a ten year old girl fister solid matter to
reach a Scout entity and destroy it by imagining it
out of existence. They're not human any more, doctor Foster whispered,
but Chun could hear all rather than horror in her voice.
Note Chuan agreed, there's something more, something that can protect
humanity from things that shouldn't exist. The tide of battle
turned when Captain Webb himself entered the fight directly. He
appeared a space near the largest Scout entity, and Chin
could see that he had become something that existed in
multiple dimensions simultaneously. When he spoke, his voice carried across
space without any communication system. You are not welcome in
this reality, Web said, and his words had the force
of absolute law. You will leave now or face the consequences.
The scout ended to try to erase Web from existence,
but he simply refused to be are made. Instead, he
reached out with hands that existed in several dimensions at
once and began to dismantle the scout piece by piece,
convincing each part that it belonged somewhere else. Within minutes,
the remaining Scouts fled back into the void between dimensions,
carrying news of what they had encountered to their masters.
The immediate threat was over, but chinney this was only
the beginning. The Confederation featsh in space, their crews stunned
by what they had witnessed. Weapons that could destroy platets
had proven useless against him is that barely seemed to
notice they existed, But humans transformed beyond recognition had fought
those same enemies, and one, Admiral vex highest voice came
through the communication system, the energy being's patents flickering with
what can now recognized as fear. Human vessel Prometheus responded
to mediately, this is Captain Webb, came the reply. Webb's
voice sounded more human now that the battle was over,
but there was still something in it that spoke of
vast distances and impossible knowledge. What are you, Vex, I
asked bluntly. Webb was silent for a long moment before answering,
we are what humanity becomes when it chooses to survive
them possible odds. We are the price that was paid
to give this galaxy a chance against the Divirus and
the entities you fought. Scouts were replied, They came to
test our realities defenses. They found them lacking except for us.
Now they will return to their masters. Would use that
this dimension as guardians. Chum could imagine the chaos that
was spreading through Confederation commands centers across the galaxy. Everything
they thought they knew about power, about technology, about the
nature of reality itself had just been proven wrong. Captain Webb,
she called out, what happens now? Now we prepare? Webb replied,
the Scouts will report that our reality is defended, but
not how well. The diviers will send a larger force
to test us again. Each time the attacks will get
stronger until they either decide were too dangerous to bother
with or they commit to a fall invasion. President Morrison's
first joined the conversation from Earth's surface. Captain, what do
you need from us more guardians? Woods said, simply, we
can't protect an entire galaxy with just the crew of
one ship. We need volunteers willing to undergo the same
transformation we did. Chun felt her breath catch. The transformation
that had saved the Prometheus crew had also costomed their
humanity in many ways. They were still human in their
hearts and minds, but their bodies and abilities were beyond normal.
Understanding the transformation process is dangerous, Webb continued. Not every
one survives it, and those who do or change forever.
But without more guardians, this galaxy will fall when the
main Divira of Force arrives. Admiral vexed highest energy patterns
pulsed rapidly. You're asking us to trust you with the
lives of our people. I'm asking you to choose, Web replied,
trust us or watch everything you've ever cared about be
consumed by beings that exist to destroy reality itself. The
communication channels fell silent as the implication sank in. The
mighty Galactic Confederation, with all its advanced civilizations and powerful technologies,
was helpless against the cosmic threat facing them. Their only
hope lay with humans who had been transformed into something
beyond normal existence. Chun looked out at Prometheus, floating serenely
in space, as if the reality bending battle had never happened.
The ships hill still polls with in a light, and
the geometric pasants covering its surface continued to shift and flow.
Admiral chan Webb's voice came through privately on her personal communicator.
There's something else you need to know. What is it, Marcus?
The transformation isn't just about gaining the power to fight
the divirers, Web said quietly. It's about becoming capable of
holding reality together when everything else fails. The children adapt
fastest because they haven't learned to believe that things unpossible.
Chun understood, You're not just creating warriors, You're creating living
anders for existence itself exactly, Web replied. When the main
invasion comes, the Diviers will try to make this entire
dimensional layer. They'll attack the very concept of existence here. Well,
need guardians spread throughout the galaxy. Each one serving is
a fixed point that refuses to let reality be erased.
The weight of what Webb was describing hitch unlike a
physical blow. They weren't just talking about a military defense.
They were talking about fundamentally changing what it meant to
be alive in this universe. How many volunteers will you need,
she asks, thousands? Webb replied, maybe tens of thousands, and
they'll need to be distributed across every major star system,
every important world. The Diviers will attack everywhere at once
when they finally come in force. Shun looked at the
disabled Confederation ships, their crew struggling to restoch systems that
had been convinced not to work. Then she looked at
Earth beautiful and blew against the block of space, completely
unaware of how close it had come. Simply ceasing to exist, Marcus,
she said, finally you have your first volunteer. Webb silence
stretched for a long moment. Sarah, you don't understand what
you're offering. The transformation changes everything. You'll still be you,
but you'll also be something that can exist in multiple
dimensions simultaneously. You'll see reality from perspectives that will make
normal human life seemed like a half remembered dream. Well,
I soll care about protecting Earth, she asked, more than
you do now, Web assured her. But you'll also care
about protecting realities you've never seen, dimensions that exist parallel
to our own. Your perspective will expand beyond anything you
can imagine. Tron nodded, Then I accept. Over the following hours,
similar conversations took place throughout the galaxy. The Confederation's finest
officers and scientists, faced with the choice between transformation and extinction,
began volunteering for a process that would make them into
something beyond their current species. The Zephyrns, masters of energy,
sent their most gifted manipulators. The Corvacks contributed their greatest bioengineers,
even the ancient Veil emerged from their quantum moalms to
offer candidates for transformation. But it was humans who volunteered
in the greatest numbers, perhaps because they had already seen
what their own people could become, or perhaps because they
had always been the species most willing to adapt to
impossible circumstances. The E. S. V. Prometheus became the center
of a new kind of fleet, one made up of
volunteers from every corner of the galaxy who were willing
to sacrifice the normal existence to become guardians of reality itself.
The ships transformation chambers, grown from technology that existed in
multiple dimensions, began the slow process of creating a new
generation of beings capable of fighting impossibility with will alone.
Captain Web stood on the bridge of his transform ship,
looking out at the stars that now seemed small and
fragile compared to the vast threats looking in the void
between realities. The immediate battle was won, but the war
for existence itself was just beginning. Behind him, Admiral Chen
emerged from her transformation chamber, no longer entirely human, but
still recognizably herself. She could see across dimensions now perceived
thrust that normal senses couldn't detect, and hold on to reality,
he threw sheer force of will. Welcome to the Guardians,
Webb said, his voice carrying warmth, despite the vast distances
it seemed to cross. Are you ready to defend everything
that exists? Chen looked at it, the galaxy spread before them,
knowing that somewhere in the void between realities, ancient enemies
were preparing for war. But she also knew that humanity
had found its purpose among the stars, not as conquerors
or explorers, but as the species willing to become something
impossible to protect the possible. I'm ready, she said, amend
it completely, and that is the end. Thank you for listening,
and i will see you in the next one.