Sparrowhawk: Futures Imperfect - Connecting The Dots
The Black Valkyrie gun feels heavy in my hand, heavier than it has ever been, as I slide it into its holster. People fear death, and with good reason. Its a common reaction. Its when people fear living is when we realize that we have reached an impasse. I reach for my goggles. currently draped around my neck, and lift them upwards around my face and into place. Sensors light up inside them, the AI system known as MOTHER activating. My surroundings turn digital as the goggles adapt and respond to their wearer.
I was perplexed when I started seeing the way that society began to shift, away from the bright glow of their super powered champions and more towards the seedy politicians who called for crackdowns on those who defended the common man. My mind struggled to understand the prominence that Doctor Kaufmann, whose extensive criminal background was well known and documented, had reached across the masses. Most people live in the moment, accepting the world around them for what it is at any given time. I have never been one of them. I zip up the skin tight black bodysuit, the sound of each tooth connecting emanating in my ears as I continue to prepare myself.
One hundred and thirty four. That was the number of times I discovered that our timeline had been tampered with, each version reset with slight alterations to prevent us from directly changing the course of things. The worst part is that no one knew... no one knows. Each time was like a child learning and growing, evolving to ensure that they would finally succeed. Everyone locked currently into this timeline is bound by certain rules, guidelines we are unable to break free from. You see, the Doctor wasn't behind the turn of events that led to us being ostracized by those we were sworn to protect. In fact, he was just another pawn in this game.
Here's another fact that took me some time to grasp: we won't win. People will die. Friends will die. I've run the numbers and I've played out every possible scenario MOTHER could present. I don't believe in hope, it's a luxury for children. I believe in the reality of the situations we face in life, balancing the pros and cons, causes and effects. From across the room, my two Bio Electric Batons await, their silver sheen glistening off the light from outside as it cascades in. I come to collect them, yet I'm in no hurry.
I've lived a life of secrets, and the largest one I'll be taking with me. We are all puppets; I'm just one that noticed the strings. As I've said, however... I can't personally change the world or its impending future. It's been ordained as such. That doesn't mean that I have sat idly by, awaiting the future with eyes shut. The loss of Tesseract, years ago, had me begin looking into utilizing gravity to stall and even stop time. I found that it would serve a different purpose... not in finding her, but in stopping him. In addition, I've tethered chronal spheres beneath the Barlowe that are operated by PORTAL. If anyone is out there, they can find us. Unfortunately, time is unpredictable, full of variables. Help could come tomorrow. It could come in twenty years.
Reaching for the batons, I connect them into one long jo staff and securing it on my back. My walk to the Barlowe's main meeting room seems like hours, though I'm there in under a minute as I enter the elevator and am taken three floors down. Again, time is fluid. Your first kiss can feel like forever. Looking back, your youth feels like it is encompassed in moments.
Fear has never been something I've understood well, but worry is. I worry about the fates that will befall each of my friends in succession, how their lives will unravel and how this story will play out. I've seen the strings, and yet I also cannot ignore them or tear them away. The fabric of our reality would just be torn asunder and it would all come back again to where we are. I know this. I continue to move to the main control hub, past a hall that was outfitted from the memories and wonders of former adventures. Better times, for sure.
"MOTHER, please tell the Protectors that I'm looking into a lead concerning Doctor Kaufmann's current enterprises. Something is not quite adding up. I'll let them know when I learn more," I say, addressing the omnipresent AI within the headquarters.
I know that I'm lying as the words are uttered from my lips. I'm sorry, Erin. I'm sorry, Razira. I'm sorry Carter, Audrey, Sunny, Doll, Craig... you all deserved better. Perhaps I am doing the wrong thing, perhaps I should let them know. Though by exposing the truth, we are doomed again. And again. And again. That's simply a variable I cannot commit to.
Taking the elevator to the Barlowe's hangar, I saddle up on my gravity cycle, the Nightbird. I know I won't be coming back again. My own story is concluding. Its now simply a matter of finishing that final chapter. What I set into motion, however, is the long game... and although my conscience will always be haunted by my actions, at least I have always done what was needed. What was necessary. What was right.
As my bike takes to the skies, my puppet strings guide me to my end... and yet perhaps, a new beginning.
