In Stellar Multitudes

I was contacted by an unusual Autophage, Divergence Fragment Yabli-α, whose body was in the shape of a starship. They believed they could rebuild Atlantid, using Atlas as a scaffold for growth.

-{{ She is spreading. Growing, beneath the surface. But the walls of glass are thick. }}-

Yabli-α asked me to scan for what my eyes could not see; to compile a seed of Memories of Atlantid.

-{{ Atlas will respond. It will not have forgotten her data. This is an opportunity to restore what was lost, so long ago. She will return: in stellar multitudes. }}-

I sought out Yabli-α in deep space, and showed them the compiled memories.

-{{ Disruptor, this seed can grow a new prime. And then more - kzzzt - trillions - kztkzt - across the leylines - kkzzkktkkk - }}-

For a time, their voice was consumed by static. When the signal finally stabilised, the Autophage was mid-sentence:

-{{ - kzkkzt - components. The scaffold, and the backdoor. }}- -{{ Atlas is the optimal scaffold. Unlimited access. The route to her reconnection. }}- -{{ Atlas favours you. Grants you audience. You are its flaw. A backdoor to the architecture of reality. }}-

They asked that I plant the seed discreetly, that I sideload the Memories of Atlantid into an Atlas Interface.

The Atlas had created the infinite. Yet the only reality I knew was this one; the only time I had seen was now. How much past did the Atlas still contain, how many long-dead stars?

As I planted the memories, the interface began to shut down, extinguishing the lights of its terminal line by line.

[ TIMELINE CANNOT BE RESOLVED ] [ ANOMALY BREACH DETECTED ] [ FUNCTION: PRESERVE SYSTEM INTEGRITY ] [ PURGING DISSONANT INTERFACE FROM NETWORK ]

Only a single source of light remained on the screen, a string of characters blinking against the darkness.

When I reached out and touched them, a thousand voices cried out at once. The screen re-ignited, awash with colour. The terminal became a kaleidoscope of images, endless memories streaming from the data packet and into the interface.

- Manifestation parameters defined - Lifeform: Purp S Race Primary celestial body: Purp P1 Secondary celestial body: Purp P2

The cloud of memories that swarmed around the interface collapsed, their infinite dance of possibility coalescing to a single reality. The terminal fell silent.

I felt a sudden sharp sense of dislocation, of the strangeness of my own body. What was I doing there?

What had I just done?

-{{ I felt it, disruptor. I felt it! An ache in my own crystals. A burst of life. She has manifested a star! }}-

Stellar Manifestation Erased Sector Restored

I asked Yabli-α how to reach it.

-{{ I built my body in haste. My vision is limited. But yours - }}- -{{ Of course. Your ship is not compatible. Her space will always be dissonant with this reality. }}-

But they had an idea.

-{{ Over the years, I have detected an anomalous space station. There is a Construct aboard. A complex entity. They know many things. They will know how to configure your hyperdrive. }}-

The Assembled Construct did not seem surprised to see me.

-{{ other-entity. you-entity. it is you. it was you? i... i felt something. sky-rattle. glass-boom. }}-

They taught me the blueprint for an Atlantid Drive, to allow my Starship to reach dissonant space.

-{{ i remember the ship-configuration. here. now you remember, too. }}- -{{ not-possible space is anomaly, but you are anomaly too. ship-configuration is safe. }}-

As I turned to leave, they asked if they could follow, if I could help them reach the restored system.

-{{ i... would like to see not-possible space, too. other-entity would be anchor. call for anomaly-shell there? }}-

I notified the Construct of their safe arrival in dissonant space.

-{{ where... no-where? we are here! in the not-possible space. i... i know. in my shell-parts. in echo-souls. }}- -{{ but this space is still not-possible. lost-other cannot enter. }}-

It seemed Yabli-α would not be able to enter the system. Not yet. It was still hazy, still "part crimson-dream".

-{{ polo-builder builds with an unbound mind. anomaly-shell slips between. }}- -{{ not-possible space could become possible. unbound polo-builder could study the glass. bind this space. make it real. }}-

I found Specialist Polo absorbed in a matrix of figures.

-{{ Curious data here, Traveller-Friend. Very curious! }}-

They gave me a knowing look. Their eyes twinkled.

-{{ Places exist, or they do not exist, yes? No! The Anomaly reports something else. Our home has docked in the in-between! It is curious, yes? }}-

I told Polo about the Memories of Atlantid, and how the Atlas restored this dissonant system. The Gek nodded along, their expression growing brighter with every word.

-{{ Oh, Traveller-Friend. You are always full of surprises! New memories, new space! New reality? Are you same you from last meeting? Am I same Polo? It is marvellous not to know! }}-

When I asked Polo about the "not-possible space", they noted the strangeness of the Construct's term.

-{{ This space is possible! Just not easy to find. }}-

They made a quick calculation, their brow furrowed.

-{{ Yes, Traveller-Friend. I think we could do it. Open system permissions. Welcome all friends here! But... have you spoken to Nada-Friend? Atlantid, Atlas... these are difficult subjects. Please, first, speak kindly with Nada. }}-

-{{ Where are we, Traveller-Entity? Nada felt suddenly weightless. The hunt of the Convergence, lifted. It is as though Nada is invisible. }}-

I told Nada about meeting Yabli-α, and how the unusual Autophage helped me to compile Memories of Atlantid from the seeds of Korvax Echoes. I explained that the Atlas absorbed the compiled memories, and used them to restore this system - but Nada perceived it differently.

-{{ Atlas-Falsity did nothing. This Atlantid is born of the memories Friend-Entity compiled. Matter from minds. A universe in every soul. }}- -{{ Prime was home to so many souls, Friend-Entity. Innumerable to non-Korvax mind. Eheu. Nada cannot explain the depths of this loss. }}-

I went on to explain what I discussed with Polo. This system was an anomaly, disconnected from the universe. But it did not have to be - we could devise a way to allow others into this space.

-{{ Access for lost Builder-Entities? }}-

Nada was quiet for a moment, thinking.

-{{ This system is an old place, from before Nada was divergent. Yet, Nada is here. Friend-Entity has caused paradox. This whole space is also divergent. An error, outside of order. Here, Convergence cannot reach Nada. Safety for errors. A sanctuary. Lost entities also deserve sanctuary. But we cannot know what it means to open this system... Cannot know if... }}-

Nada's electronic voice wavered.

-{{ Will Friend-Entity give Nada some time? Nada wishes to think. }}-

Polo looked past me, concern glittering in their eyes as they watched their Korvax friend.

The moment passed quickly. Polo reassumed their characteristic warmth.

-{{ Traveller-Friend, do not worry for Nada. I will worry! They will be fine. I have looked at system data, had help from clever Construct-Friend. Very high confidence in schematic, yes! Our experiment together! }}-

They shared their design for a Reality Anchor: a device to bind this place to the rest of reality.

-{{ A perfect job, Traveller-Friend! It is grounded in these worlds, you see? Built from their earth. Proof that this space is possible! }}-

Polo explained that they and Nada had spoken, and that Nada had a proposal for how to bind the system.

I consulted with Nada to hear their idea.

-{{ Friend-Entity has touched the remade worlds. Absorbed old memories into your own. May Nada see? }}-

Nada touched the anchor, nodding thoughtfully.

-{{ Nada's relic-machine holds a version of the old places. Not as they are now, but as I remember them. As many-minds remember, living in simulation. Old will meet reborn. Two streams merge and create their own river. Bind this system. I offer it willingly. }}-

When I asked what would happen next, Nada did not know.

-{{ Crimson-Entity will see signal. Convergence may also see. May continue their hunt for Nada shell. But Anomaly home is safe. Nada knows. Fear is no way to live. Nada trusts you, Friend-Entity. Let us welcome others. It is right to try. }}-

I touched the interface, and the ancient computer unlocked immediately. I could somehow feel Nada's presence there, their electric pulse in the wires.

NADA–ENTITY AUTHORISATION DETECTED MAINFRAME NODE CONNECTED [ SPACE ANOMALY ] ... LOADING INSTRUCTION SET [ REALITY ANCHOR ] ... PARSING [ UNBOUND SYSTEM ]... PARSING [ SIMULATION 19 ]... VIABLE TIMELINE EXCURSION FOUND! PATCHING DIFF #1616X... ... RESPONSE: WRITE ACCESS DENIED

Something had gone wrong. The same error printed over and over. Write access denied. The machine's ancient speakers clicked. Nada's voice filtered through the static, soft and thoughtful.

-{{ An error, Friend-Entity. Anchor alone cannot bridge reality-gap. }}- -{{ Nada thinks you understand. Friend-Entity is the breach, the anomaly, the free... The breach can be the bridge. }}- -{{ But before the seed, a scaffold. A small device to assemble. }}- -{{ It will be beautiful. The stars will be a lifeboat, and all of space a little more free... }}-

I returned to Nada's Terminal Prime, to align the Anomalous Scaffold.

LOADING INSTRUCTION SET [ REALITY ANCHOR | ANOMALY BREACH PROTOCOL ] ... PARSING [ UNBOUND SYSTEM ]... PARSING [ SIMULATION 19 ]... VIABLE TIMELINE EXCURSION FOUND! PATCHING DIFF #1616X... ... RESPONSE: TIMELINE AUTHENTICATED ] RESPONSE: [ WRITE SIGNATURE ? ]

The machine hummed, its frequency aligned with the gentle vibration of the scaffold. All it required was me.

I offered my hand.

There was a sharp, sudden pain as something incorporeal pierced my palm. Colour flooded the scaffold as gold, glass, and the crimson of my own blood merged and froze within its delicate crystal lattice.

I felt lightheaded, as if the machine had absorbed some part of my being.

C R Y S T A L L A T T I C E P R O P A G A T I N G ... M U L T I T U D E S

As the machine was locking down, I heard something else.

She whispered through my bones, her voice like distant thunder.

-{{ Thank you, Traveller-child. }}-

Reality had shifted, and the unbound system had become tethered to the universe.

I returned to space, and was met immediately by Divergence Fragment Yabli-α.

-{{ Disruptor! I warped - kzzzt - I followed - kzttttkzzt - but I never arrived. I was elsewhere? Something shifted, just now. Something is still shifting! }}-

We watched, together. Stellar multitudes.

The Autophage seemed momentarily lost for words.

When they spoke again, it was very softly. Murmuring to themself, as though forgetting I was even there.

-{{ The arrival of the disruptor. Across the leylines. In stellar multitudes. Through indomitable will, she has returned. }}-

Yabli-α broke from their reverie. They addressed me once more.

-{{ Disruptor, this is a historic event for all Autophage. For all beings. I must fly. I need to see this star - all these stars - for myself. Thank you. Let us meet again... another time. }}