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[dark, rythmic music]

[unintelligible alien dialogue]

The final item on our agenda today is the planetary asset known as Pyom.

This remote backwater was acquired over 800 years ago by our Royddin subsidiary

an undeveloped resource-rich “gem” of a property

with the convenience of a preexisting atmosphere.

After mineral extractions were completed,

Pyom was still quite valuable as a manufacturing base,

boasting a profitability index of 127.

Sadly, operations on Pyom fell victim to

the economic collapse in that system 73 years ago

and a freeze on maintenance expenditure remains in effect.

Compounding the planet’s woes,

decades of grade 3 smelting without any

environmental remediation have taken a toll,

and no funds have been allocated for cleanup.

Models are being run for various divestiture strategies

including both cold pullout and sale,

in which case the indigenous labor force will presumably be included.

And now if there are no questions, this meeting is adjourned.

You were not chosen.

It was purely coincidental that the sum total of you was the key.

It has begun.

[loud crashing sound]

Are you OK?

I’m fine.

How long have you been here?

Just a few minutes.

I’m glad I got to see you this morning.

They posted my new schedule for the week — mostly nights

but it means I'll get to see more of you.

Hope I’m worth it.

When you’re not I’ll let you know.

[loud buzzer]

Lineup. I have to go get dressed.

Kana, I hate it when you leave.

See you in a few days.

[atmospheric music]

[music continues]

[music builds]

Senn! My favorite widge maker.

How’s your week been?

Ahh, same as always.

Working my fingers down to almost nothing.

Pretty soon you’ll have to call me “Nubby.”

Seriously, what happened to your hands?

Aaaw, nothing. Just some new chemical on the finish coating line.

Burns like a nudge rod, but on the brighter side,

it gives me a massive buzz and makes me really horny,

so I can’t complain.

That’s why I love you, Resh, always the optimist.

It’s OK! I’ve been showering my considerable charms all over Crew Chief.

You know she’s bound to transfer me to the fluff-line any day now.

I think she likes me. If only she knew…

She doesn’t stand a chance.

Solidarity!

Alright. Oh! Before I forget...

I’ve got a certain rare item for a certain special someone.

You found a copy?

How’d you get your hands on one?!

I’ve got my ways.

And, you sir, are forever in my debt.

No. Forever is not long enough.

I’ll pay you back, I promise.

That smile on your ugly face is payment enough.

Come on! Those widges won’t make themselves.

[atmospheric music]

[loud buzzer]

[clanging assembly line noise]

[choral music begins]

Senn, get over here! There’s another one for you.

This was not your fault.

You didn’t deserve this.

None of us deserves this.

But… at least you don’t have to be here anymore.

[crashing noise]

[assembly line noise]

What’s going on with you Senn?

You don’t seem like yourself lately.

Nothing special.

I’ve been having these weird dreams.

Could be from stress... When’s your next day off?

Our group doesn’t get any until the next prod cycle.

Bastards!

I knew I’d find you two love units up here.

Hi, Resh.

Kana, darling! Mind if I join?

I brought newfangled snacks.

Ohhh, my favorite kind!

Thanks.

Which planet did these come from?

Don’t know, but I can’t stop eating them.

What’s the prize this time? Or, is it a comic?

No, it says “Personality Test: Put your thumb here.”

You have an aptitude for…

“animals.” Hey! How’d it know I like animals?

Is this one of those “join a cult” things?

No. I think it’s a sneaky way for them to track what you like

so they can get you to buy more stuff.

Sure is wasted on us.

What you love most…

“your family.”

Sorry.

If only this stupid thing could tell me where my family is…

I know exactly where mine is.

I hear from them all the time.

Especially when I’m late getting them money!

But, it’s the only thing that keeps them alive,

so, you know, what the hey!

Sorry, folks. I don’t have much to contribute.

Family’s never been one of my big concerns.

[choral music]

At least you don't have anyone to miss.

Huh - I heard there’s an ExWorld passenger transport leaving next week.

ExWorld?! It would take two lifetimes as our wages to afford a ticket.

Those shuttles are so old they, they blow up half the time anyway.

And if you could get a ride to another rock

in our system, they’d just deport you.

Well, I can still dream.

I’m gonna find my sisters some day.

We’re not going anywhere.

All we’re good for is making weird junk

we don’t understand and could never afford.

That’s what fills all the shuttles that leave here…

off to rich people in other systems.

They probably have no idea where Pyom even is!

Yeah. Those suckers probably think everything the buy is made by robots.

Right! For the price of one synbot you could buy this entire busted planet!

Hmm. Well, we must be good for something else.

Ever known anyone to jump the line and prove it?

Look, you two might not be good for much, but I tell you what I’m good for:

OK, loving, fighting, scheming, and surviving — in that order.

Gotta go. Got lots to do...

We should head back soon too.

When can I see you again?

I don’t know. They keep changing my shifts.

Damn. Guess I’ll just have to miss you then.

I don't know what I’d do if you didn’t.

[melancholy piano music]

I hate feeling so broken.

Senn, you should be proud.

All the other kids that get sold are hopeless!

Enjoying all the big words?

I’ve been so buried I haven’t gotta chance to start reading it yet.

You know, most people ask me to smuggle in

perk patches, drama vids, smutlets…

You’re the only one who wants books.

What can I say? I enjoy using my brain.

It’s either that or dying of boredom.

Hey, whatever turns you on.

Hey listen, I have something to ask you.

What?

You remember that groupmate of mine

who was transferred to Biohaz about a month ago?

Uhh, the one you liked… what was his name?

Lann. Yesterday he was mouthing off about that

video they made us watch for “entertainment.”

I think it was called…

[cheezy sound effects]

It’s good that we have the good communication systems we need

or else we’d be blown up just like all the other planets.

Ahaa! This is the last planet we have to blow up.

Now – destroy them!

[cheezy laser blast]

We will destroy the base by laser cannon.

Good.

[cheezy sound effects]

Red alert! White people in the area!

Now, let’s go inside and free the slaves!

It looks like it was made by a 12-year-old!

It was. The head foreman’s kid made it.

No wonder!

They forced us to watch that a few day ago.

So ridiculous. Huge spaceships don’t land on planets.

Everybody knows that.

So, what about Lann - don’t tell me…

He’s delisted.

Aw, that’s awful, you must be crushed.

Look, you know the crew chief on Bio, right?

Do you think you could talk to her for me?

I mean, maybe she’ll take him back.

I know there’s not much of a chance, but…

[strange metal sound]

Cuff me! What was that?

You mean you can see it too?

I thought it was just me.

If that’s the grid shorting out again, let’s get out of here.

I do not wanna get deep fried like those guys in Bunk 12.

No. It’s not that.

I want to show you something.

Cuff my balls! What is that?!

I don’t know. It comes and goes.

Whatever you do, don’t touch it.

Oh. I’m definitely gonna touch it.

You really really shouldn’t touch it.

I have to touch it.

Resh, do not touch it.

I need to touch it.

[piercing scraping sound]

Ahh!

It’s OK. No damage.

What is it?

I wish I knew.

Wait a sec. No, I’ve seen something like this before.

It was in a spy vid.

Some sort of surveillance device.

You’re being spied on.

C’mon, Resh. Those trashy vids you watch aren’t real!

It looked exactly like that! I swear!

Alright, if it is what you say it is,

it certainly isn't well hidden.

No, this is big.

There’s got to be some reason why it’s there.

[wind noise]

[atmospheric music]

How’s the book you got from Resh?

Oh, it’s super interesting.

There’s a character in it with a job that would be perfect for you.

What job?

It’s a medic for animals, just animals.

Really!? There are people who just treat animals?

Apparently so.

I’d love to do something like that.

It’d be pretty nice, huh?

Who’m I kidding?

The only experience I have with animals is from watching them in vids.

I’ve never even seen a real animal in person.

I’d be hopeless.

No, you’d be terrific.

You’re the most caring person I know.

Stop it! You’re just trying to make me feel better.

Ow!

What is it?

Ummm…

just a sharp pain behind my eyes.

Happens now and then.

Do you think it’s related to the…

what did you call them again?

Uh, I don’t know… vivid dreams?

I wish I could see them.

You might not want to.

I don’t know if I should be afraid of them or not.

I’ve been seeing other things too… while I'm awake.

It’s starting to worry me.

Well, you’ve definitely been dazing out

more and more lately.

Pretty soon you’re not going to be able to work, and then…

I can still manage, OK?

You’re fooling yourself.

They’ve already had to stop the line twice because of you.

If it happens again they’ll throw you out.

You’ll have to dig through the trash dunes with the other discards.

What can I do?

I can’t control the visions.

I can’t stop them from happening.

Maybe you should see the group medic?

Medic!? I might as well go to the Foreman and resign right now.

You know what’ll happen?

At the third word out of my mouth about “the visions”

that’ll be the end of it.

They’ll brand me unfit.

It’ll be over. And not just for me, for both of us.

Senn, we have to do something.

I’m worried about you,

you’re sick and you don’t seem to be getting better.

Kana, I’m not sick.

Alright. I,

I know the things I’ve been seeing are weird and hard to explain.

But, you know, they’re important somehow.

It’s not a sickness.

I just wish I knew what it was all about.

All I want is for you, to be OK.

I care about you.

I love you.

I wish I were good at telling you how much you mean to me.

You know, you’re about the only thing in this cuffed up place

that isn’t rotting from the inside out.

I just wish I didn’t feel so helpless.

We’ll figure something out.

[ music]

What are you?

What do you want from me?

Why are you even here?

What are you waiting for?

Whatever you’re here to do, just do it.

Alright, just get it over with already.

Just quit hiding and fucking show yourself!

[music continues]

Senn!

Senn, snap out of it!

You won’t believe this.

It was amazing.

I busted through a new part and

all of space opened up in front of me.

It all makes sense now.

Forget about that. It’s opening up right here!

Come on!

What?!

[loud booming music]

Wait! Senn, you’re going into that thing?!

I have to, Kana.

Everything that’s happened up to this point,

every cell in my body is saying that this is the right thing to do.

I want you to come with me.

Go? But, we don’t know what’s in there or what the hell it even is.

Look at it. It goes on forever in both directions.

It seems crazy, but

but, I'm asking you to trust my gut on this one.

Alright. Remember? Remember when you said

"We'll figure something out."

Things have been figured out!

But, this is insane, Senn.

How can this be happening?

I don’t know exactly, but it has.

It’s not something I’m dreaming. It’s here.

And it’s not a broken down ExWorld shuttle.

You knew this was going to happen?! You saw it?

No, no. I didn’t know. But… I do now.

The goons are coming, you better go.

[alarm sounding]

Resh is right. If we stay here we’re dead.

I can’t believe I’m doing this.

Resh! Resh, I want you to join us. Right. I know…

Senn, my mom…

I’m torn up leaving you here, man.

You know me. I’m a fighter. I’m going to get by.

Get that brain of yours out of here before the wash it for you.

Go, go!

[music continues]

[music continues]

What is all this?

I don’t know.

Welc’…

Who are you?

Wel-come.

Welcome.

Make yourselves comfortable.

Ummm. Thanks.

We’ll try.

We hope our arrival was not too disruptive.

Only a bit.

This is a space-ship, right?

That is correct.

While you are here, please, make yourselves at home.

Sure.

Maybe you should explain what’s going on.

We have been tracking an unknown entity

which has reached deeper and deeper strata within the Polychronom.

Levels never reached before.

Polychronom?

It’s the giant construct I’ve been seeing in my dreams.

I’m assuming I’m the entity.

Yes, exactly.

So, what is the Polychronom?

We have been studying the “construct,” as you call it, for some time.

But, we still do not know its purpose, or who created it.

Wait. You mean, you didn’t build it?

Oh, no. Our technology is primitive

compared to the sophistication present within the Polychronom.

Incredible!

When I’m there, in my mind,

it feels like I’m trying to solve something.

But, at the same time, I’m not.

It’s more like an emotional test. But…

It’s hard to explain.

What’s going on in there?

We hope you can answer that for us.

Entire civilizations have devoted themselves

to deciphering the Polychronom.

But, none have accomplished as much as you have.

Not to mention, in so little time.

We did not even know in which part of the galaxy to look for you until recently.

Why Senn? What’s so special about him?

That is a mystery as well.

Surprisingly, he is able to connect to the construct from afar.

So, why did you come all the way here?

We see ourselves as stewards of the Polychronom.

In that role, we desire to aid whomever the construct chooses to grant access.

I just want to be there. See it in person, more than anything.

It is a real, physical thing, right?

Yes. It is quite, as you say, “real.”

Do you require rest?

Please, take some time to get acclimated,

and then we can discuss further.

Our voyage will take many of your days, so there is time.

Before you go, what should be call you?

What’s your name?

We… have no name.

Did he say his name was “We?”

And, I was wondering…

What about a place to sleep?

Food? You know, things like that…

Of course.

Our apologies.

Will this do?

That’ll do. Nicely.

[atmospheric music]

[loud crashing sound]

Hi, umm... This thing you’re doing right now -

please, don’t do it again.

To what are you referring?

Standing here, watching me while I sleep.

It’s disturbing.

So sorry.

Uh, since you’re here, can I ask…

how far is it we’ll be traveling?

The Polychronom is in a system approximately

1,041 of your light years from our present location.

One thousand light years?! Wow!

The distance is of no consequence to us.

Can you imagine the amazing stuff

you could discover with a spaceship like this?

Strange phenomena, undiscovered races!

That is a difficult question to answer.

Oh, it’s not really a question, I was just thinking of the possibili-

The cosmos is so vast

that the likelihood of coming across something of interest is very remote.

And time is even more vast.

Almost all of the advanced races we find evidence of perished long ago.

Oh, well. That’s too bad.

I can still dream, though.

Hey! Senn - ask for some new clothes for us.

Oh, oh, and some books.

Of course.

Still can’t believe this is happening.

Me neither, it’s so strange.

Well, imagine if we were transporting an insect somewhere. Right?

We wouldn't have the first clue what would make it happy.

True.

I hope Resh is holding up all right.

He made the right decision to stay behind.

He’s a tough one. He’ll be OK.

You’re right.

At least I hope you’re right.

What are you doing?

Cooking!

I see! Umm…

I don’t mean to interrupt, but I have a question.

So, there’s a higher level part of the construct

that I can’t seem to get past and I don’t know why.

Describe it, please.

The shapes there are tightly packed together,

into a sort of wall. And I can’t seem to get around it.

Ah, yes. You are confused

because you are not used to dealing with multi-dimensional space.

Multi-what?

Some of the “shapes,” as you call them,

in that strata exist in dimensions higher than our own.

What you are seeing is not the object itself,

but a shadow of the object.

Huh?

To explain…

Take a two dimensional object, for example, a square.

If we introduce a light source onto the plane the square lives in,

the resulting shadow is a one-dimensional line.

In the same way, a three-dimensional object, like a cube,

casts a two-dimensional shadow.

Finally, a forth-dimensional object casts…

…a three-dimensional shadow!

Exactly. The objects that are confusing you

are cast shadows of four-dimensional volumes.

So how do I tell which shapes I see are regular,

and which ones are shadows?

It is simple. Shadows cannot cast shadows themselves.

I see, so all I need to do is look for shapes

that should be casting shadows, but don’t.

Yes. The difference can be subtle, but it should be noticeable.

Be cautious though - shadow shapes are inherently unstable.

Thank you!

It’s so beautiful here.

I don’t care if it’s not real.

I bet you’re thrilled with the animals.

Yeah. But, honestly, the big ones kind of scare me!

Uhh. Home feels so far away.

I can’t even imagine going back there.

We would have been blacklisted by now anyway.

There’d be nothing to go back to

except digging through the trash dunes for food scraps.

The factories should be smashed.

What they do, or more so, how they do it is immoral.

Yeah but, to be replaced by what?

Some other entity that exploits people like us in the same way?

There must be something we can do.

I don’t know, give it some time.

Did you ever think we’d be traveling on a massive spaceship

to a strange construct a thousand light years away?

Clearly, anything’s possible.

You always know how to make me feel better.

[emotional electronic music]

[music continues]

Would you like some?

Yeah.

Sure.

Cow juice?

Umm

OK

Alright.

I was wondering, and I hope this isn’t rude

but, I assume this isn't your natural form.

What do you really look like?

It is complicated.

There is a physical component to our being,

but it is only visible in a part of the

electromagnetic spectrum your eyes cannot see.

If artificially shifted down, it would appear to you as noise, or static.

It was worth a try.

How did you first come across the Polychronom?

Long ago, we discovered an object

in the center of the iron core of our home world.

It was communicating with thousands of other objects like it.

We followed this complex signal web until we reached the Polychronom.

Once there, we discovered evidence of others

who had attempted to unlock its secrets.

But, by the time we arrived, they had long perished.

And no one knows what it’s for?

There are many hypotheses, but no certainty.

We assume it is essentially in a dormant state,

waiting, for reasons unknown.

Why are you so fascinated with it?

In all our travels we have never come across anything

as advanced or intriguing as the Polychronom.

We feel that studying it is worth the

dedication of unlimited time and resources.

Sounds like you almost worship it and you don’t even know what it is.

Haven’t you ever thought about the fact that you might end up

like all the others and their dead ships floating around it?

This concept is not one that we have contemplated.

Aren’t you scared that it might be some sort of powerful weapon?

Seems risky to tinker with things that you don’t understand.

It’s not a weapon.

Don’t ask me how I know. I just do.

I don’t know,

something that powerful could easily convince us into thinking…

anything.

We feel that the possible scientific advancements outweigh any risk.

Just be careful, Senn.

[bright, atmospheric music]

Hey, Kana!

Wow!

Senn, do you think it’s OK for us to go in there?

I think all this stuff’s here for us.

What do you think this place is?

I think it’s someone’s house.

Or, more accurately, a copy of someone’s house.

What?

What’s wrong?

These are Manufactory documents.

Internal memos…

Let me see.

What’s that one about?

It’s um...

It’s about, acquisition of, labor resources.

Oh, that.

This says the practice has been banned in two systems

because of what happened — the abuses.

I can’t even imagine how horrific it must have been.

They wanted workers who were the fastest and most compliant.

You know, ones that were a good return on their investment.

So they’d drill us all day long on how quickly we could assemble a widge.

How well we followed orders.

Ones who weren’t so good at it got the yoke, or were beaten.

Ones who could never meet the standard

always mysteriously came down with Dranitic fever,

and then they were gone.

The worst thing they ever did was pit us against each other.

The one tiny ray of light were the friendships I made with the other kids,

but they had to go poison that too.

If there’s one thing I learned there it’s that hating is easy –

it’s kindness that takes guts.

When did you get out?

At 12 we graduated into the workforce.

Shifts on the line were a vacation in comparison.

I wish there were something I could do.

It was so long ago.

You don’t need to do anything.

Let’s just enjoy being here, now.

[foreboding music]

Senn!

Senn - are you OK?

I thought I lost you there for a minute.

I don’t know. I don’t know anymore.

You're back, for now.

Come on, we’re going to be late for dinner.

Wait - dinner?!

Yeah, We’s making some sort of special meal. Here.

Oh, great! I’ve seen his cooking.

I’m keeping and open mind.

Fish or bird?

Fish.

Fish or bird?

Umm… bird.

Please, enjoy. We hope the food does not disappoint.

Uh, thank you for cooking.

Yeah, thank you.

It is our pleasure.

Oh. Um… I was wondering…

about the others before me who had the dreams…

were they OK mentally afterwards?

Did they experience any… problems?

We have never encountered any being who has accessed the Polychronom before you.

I thought you’d met others, who didn’t get as far as Senn.

We have been able to recover and analyze several data archives

from the dead ships that surround the construct.

They tell of those who had your ability.

But, the data was difficult to decipher, and incomplete.

Oh. Um, well, did the records mention any issues they had?

I’m afraid so.

It appears that some of those who were able to access

the Polychronom experienced, mental disintegration.

What?

But, you said some, not all.

No, not all. The rest died.

They died!?

Why didn’t you tell me that before?

Can’t you do anything to help him?

There is not much we can do

as we do not fully understand the processes at work.

If you would allow us to temporarily remove your brain

we could attempt a more detailed analysis.

No! Please, do not do that!

Are you serious?!

It is a simple procedure.

How could you even suggest something like that?

Who do you think you are?

We have, arrived.

[atmospheric music]

Wow.

For a day or so I’ve felt the presence more strongly,

the connection more tangible.

At first I thought I was just going crazy, but now…

now it all make sense.

I wish I could have seen this from the beginning,

I might have understood.

Oh, there’s no way for you to have known.

So what do we do now?

Get into some sort of shuttle and fly into it?

No.

The physical structure of the Polychronom

fluctuates too violently for travel within.

It is much better to access it from a safe distance.

I agree.

I think I have a lot of work to do.

Any suggestions on how I should continue?

We wish we could be of more assistance.

But we have no knowledge of the advanced strata you have reached.

That's OK. I'll figure it out myself.

[music continues]

Resh!

Country A invades country B vowing to wipe out all its in habitants.

Which country is good and which is evil?

What?

Country B, 50 years earlier colonized its current lands

decimating the native population in the process.

Now, which is good and which is evil?

Both, I guess.

Millions are dying on a planet because of drought –

do you help them?

Yes, of course.

What if the drought is caused by overpopulation?

Oh. Uh…

Should holy books be an acceptable source for determining a society’s moral code?

What about ones that contain rules for keeping slaves?

I don’t know.

Could the conditions ever exist where the extinction

of a civilization is preferable to its survival?

If an artificial intelligence is indistinguishable

from a person is it murder to erase it or shut it down?

An artificial what?

You did whatever the guards wanted even though

you knew it’d make life harder for the other kids.

You were the guards’ pet.

And then you pretended to be friends with everyone

as you knifed them in the back.

What did you say?

To get special treatment

you would even take the jobs that no one else wanted,

like helping to get rid of all those bodies.

It wasn’t like that.

Do you know why you agreed to do every filthy thing that they wanted?

Because you felt nothing.

You looked at those bodies and you felt a big fat emotional zero.

You’re dead inside.

You’re a fraud. You’re a failure.

You left your best friend behind on a hideous planet

left him to rot.

Resh. Resh, if you’re in there somewhere, I'm sorry.

I’m not proud of what I did. OK?

If I could go back and change things, I would!

Resh, I would do anything for you!

If saving your life meant losing mine, I wouldn’t hesitate.

[foreboding music]

My arms felt bare without them.

I don't know what I'm…

[emotional electronic music]

Making progress?

I’m so close to getting it.

I’m right there and then the construct shifts and then I’m blocked again.

You know what? Let’s go for a walk –

maybe it’ll help clear my head.

Wait! Over there.

Oh, oh - I see them.

What are they?

I don’t know.

Ah, they’re beautiful.

The papers we were looking through…

Yeah?

…the worker roles. I found one of my sisters in them.

Really!? That’s great! Where did it say she was?

It didn’t say.

She was moved to another system a year ago.

I don’t know which one.

Well, you know, that's a start I guess.

Yeah. I’m just glad to know she’s still alive.

Me too.

I’ll keep looking.

[foreboding music]

What is it?

My hand - it’s not there.

I don’t exist.

What are you talking about?

I don’t cast a shadow.

Look - there’s your shadow, but under my hand, nothing!

What do you mean?

It’s like the shapes in the construct -

I’m just a projection of a higher dimensional object.

I’m… I’m not me!

How is that possible?

I don’t know.

I still feel like myself, but…

I’m clearly not really here.

Senn, you feel fine, you’re just imagining things.

No, you don’t understand, alright?

What you’re touching isn’t real.

Someone has some explaining to do.

Senn!, where are you going?

You knew about this?

Sorry, please explain.

You knew, that I was, switched out, or changed,

or whatever happened to me…

You knew that I was just a three dimensional shadow all along?!

Yes, we knew.

How could you not have told me?

You did not ask.

What else are you keeping a secret?

What else were you not going to tell me?

How can I trust you about anything!

This is all about you, isn’t it?

You’re just using us, we're like puppets to you.

You, you don’t even care that my real body’s probably dead.

The conversion happened before we came for you.

In fact, it was the conversion itself that alerted us to your presence.

Without it, we would never have found you.

Can’t you do something, anything?!

There is no way to influence or reverse whatever process changed you.

Alright well, whatever I am now, it’s unstable, right?

I’ll eventually just disintegrate like those shapes?

Yes. The probability of that outcome is high.

Then I'm going in there.

Into the Polychronom?

Yes, I am physically going in there, alright -

maybe there’s a chance that I can get my real body back.

It is too dangerous to enter.

You’re going to send me in now!!

We refuse.

Well, if you’re not going to send me in then I’ll…

I’ll communicate to the Polychronom that you’re trying to destroy it!

No, we beg you, do not do that.

We will ready a transport device.

And don’t try to trick me - I’ll know.

Kana, I’m dead.

I don’t even know what I am anymore. I’m just a shell.

No, Senn. You’re just confused.

I’ve let you down.

I promised I’d be there for you, but now…

now all you have to hold on to is a ghost!

I don’t want to lose you!

You already have.

Senn, we didn’t come all this way for things to end like this.

I’m not giving up yet.

Things that I never thought I could ever do, like find my sisters.

There’s a chance I can do that now.

I wish I could know what you’re feeling right now, but I can’t.

Is it wrong of me to feel like having you here

as you are is better than losing you entirely?

No. No, it’s not wrong.

But this is something I have to do.

I can’t stay like this.

No - I could start disintegrating at any moment.

It feels like I’m dead.

So what are we supposed to do?

Start mourning your death?

I don’t know.

How do you mourn your own death?

We must insist you reconsider -

we cannot allow you to endanger yourself.

It would be the ultimate betrayal of our role as stewards of the Polychronom.

I already told you. I'm going.

How can we convince you otherwise?

You can't.

We understand.

Please, remain where you are.

The craft will be leaving shortly.

[loud bang]

Senn, go quickly!

I love you, Kana.

Just promise me you’ll make it back.

[rhythmic electronic music]

[loud crashing noise]

[metallic noise]

[metallic noise]

[atmospheric music]

It has been a long time, but finally, you have come.

There is much you would like explained.

You’re me when I was young, aren’t you?

Yes.

Why are you here?

This is when it first began.

When what began?

The connection. It first started when you were at this age.

Why me? Why was I chosen?

You were not chosen.

Your home world was implanted with the Beacon like all the others.

It was purely coincidental that the sum total of you

was the correct key to activate the Beacon.

Wait, the sum total of me?

Your physical form, your thoughts and actions, your experiences.

The details are not important.

So the Beacons are part of the Polychronom.

Yes.

What is the Polychronom’s purpose?

What does it do?

You know the answer to that, already.

[stirring electronic music]

Welcome back.

Kana.

Do you remember everything that happened?

It’s a bit foggy, but, yeah.

How, I don’t know.

Thinking about higher dimensional space gives me a headache.

Glad to be me again.

I never did find out exactly why they switched me out.

Something about needing to protect me…

So? What was it like?

What did you see?

So hard to explain!

Well, tell me what it’s for - what does it do?

Kana, do you feel any different compared to before I left?

What do you mean?

How do I feel right now?

Your side hurts,

and your head feels like it was hit by a metal folding machine.

But, you’re happy to be back, and to see me.

That’s what it does.

What?

It connects us.

It makes us aware of how everyone around us feels,

how everyone we’re connected to feels.

And with that comes self-awareness, and differentiation.

That’s incredible!

It’s going to change everything back home.

The effect reaches that far?

It reaches everywhere!

Well, within this part of the galaxy, we believe.

Thank you for everything you've done.

Please, accept our apologies.

We should not have tried to stop you.

You were just doing what you thought was right.

Now that the Polychronom has been awakened,

we have much research to do.

Do you know of any way we may connect to it directly, as you have?

Please. It is very important to us.

When I was in there I discovered why you’ve never been able to access it.

Because of the function that it was designed for,

it only recognizes biological life forms.

But that means…

Yeah. Since your physical composition isn’t biological,

the Polychronom doesn’t even know you exist.

[scary rumbling sound]

So many thousands of lifetimes, wasted.

The object we have devoted our entire existence to

has no idea who we are, or what we have sacrificed?

I’m sorry.

This cannot be understood!

[fires burning, rumbling]

I, I want to help but

I don’t know what, I don’t know what to do.

If, wait if he can create animals,

why doesn't he just create some sort of biological component to his being?

[bright, rhythmic music]

Of course!

Here, this might help.

[music continues]

Do you think We going as an animal is going to work?

I have no idea, but, come on,

let’s go get Resh and find your sisters.

[unintelligible alien dialogue]

I appreciate everyone assembling for this meeting on such short notice.

As you can imagine, the recent psychological phenomenon,

which I can confirm all of our subsidiaries are experiencing,

necessitated this unusual step.

It appears the automated forecasting systems we have always relied on

are no longer useful to us.

We are in uncharted territory.

In view of this development,

we all agree we need to decide quickly

about managing our populated planetary holdings

and living conditions for their inhabitants.

Contact has even been established with regional persons’ rights organizations

to explore more sustainable options.

For the time being,

all new acquisitions will be limited to uninhabited worlds.

I share the apprehension I feel from you all about

the economics of this new reality,

but also in your collective relief

that policy changes are being investigated.

Thank you for your thoughtful participation in this process.

The floor is now open for discussion.