As the Emperor of my Empire, I sought out the greatest minds and skills of the people from the annexed territories, leading one of the most brilliant people in research and technology. This lead to greater advancement in medical and weaponry for the Empire.
One day, they brought to my attention what I supposed was the greatest downfall of the Empire. An advancement in controlling the fickle straits of Time. I supposed that I was to blame for their zeal. A way of means to control Time itself would allow us to win irregardless of odds.
I approved the budget to proceed with the plan.
The first setbacks came not soon after the approval. There wasn't enough energy to power even the most rudimentary prototypes. I had to divert the energy of a Black Hole factory to one little piece of tech. The high energy source should have warned me of the risks back then, but I was too obsessed with weaponizing Time to notice, or to care.
In the beginning I enjoyed myself in jumping from one era to another, observing what people of the past did in their own period of Time. I went back to prehistoric Earth to observe the lifeforms there. I met people from alternate Timelines. The scientists warned me of touching anything or anyone that I met in my travels. I knew the risks too. Of the many risks, I have always wondered on what would happen if I were to meet myself, but I was never able to find myself in all the Timelines that I went to.
Even when I went to the Empire of old. There were statues of me and I was even able to pass off as the Emperor of that Timeline. I met up with old lovers and friends, with enemies and allies. I did not linger too long in the Timeline to cause any changes. I was always quick to move on to the next Timeline, to prevent myself from having heartaches.
