Finding Time

Chapter 1 - Nova Universe 5

Time isn't linear. The idea that there is a beginning or an end to this universe is, unfortunately, the reason why nobody understands time and space travel. It's a story that has had to be told over and over again until one's head just feels like they are going to explode. This is a new way of telling it - this is the story of how Universe 6 was created, and how they had to save Universe 7 from certain death.

The walls rumbled, and so did the ship. Nova sighed, and her eyes popped open. She was in a cryo-chamber. Gasping and frantic, she banged her hands on the chamber, and it opened.

"Welcome Nova. Number 1 of 469781. Planet Oshir."

She crawled out and observed around her. Robots stood over chambers where other humans slept - checking vitals. Others patrolled, arms on ready. None seemed to notice her. She was very frightened.

"Hello? Is anybody there?"

The ship rumbled once more.

"My love" answered a robotic voice echoing through the ship.

"Where are you?"

"I am everywhere."

"This isn't funny" scolded Nova angrily.

"If you don't believe me, come to the crypt in the center of the ship. It is below the big computer and megaphone if you do not believe me. Don't worry, the robots will not harm you."

She walked to the center. There she found a burial crypt more than a cryo-chamber.

"Look inside."

"I don't know..."

"You can do this," said the computer.

She looked at where she expected to see a face. Instead, she found a skeleton. She shrieked.

"Yes. I sucked out every bit of my life in order to make sure this mission succeeds. It took me hundreds of years to die, and a couple thousand to decay completely. My body and my brain were used as energy to power this computer."

"Who are you?"

"I am the male version of you. Your twin flame and soulmate. I have known you many lifetimes - sometimes as siblings, sometimes as lovers, and sometimes as rivals."

There was a robot arm that suddenly restrained her. A bed lifted from the ground, and two other robots helped and strapped her down.

"Do not panic. The ship is coming dangerously close to the center of a black hole, and so it is necessary to show you why we are doing this - so that you may make your decision. Let's start with the year 2018."