Epilogue

  It had been 15 years since that day , and Alex was looking at the night sky from his penthouse while his friends were assembled in the living room .

  “I still think it looks like the Death Star from Star Wars” said Alex to Helena while pointing at the artificial moon .

  “Yes sweetie , you told everyone a hundred times and everyone agrees with you” joked Helena .

  I know tonight is a big event , but shouldn’t you be explaining why everyone had to come to our penthouse instead of being with their loved ones ?

  “You know we’re not the only ones with kids these days , although ours are almost adults” whispered Helena the last part .

  “In a minute , I’ll join you in a minute” said Alex while watching the box on the table .

  Inside were the newest models of equipment similar to Da’grass , and one of them would replace the casing where he was housed .

  “Whatever you still want to do , do it quick , everyone is nervous and would rather be with their families” said Helena before entering and joining their friends.

  “You’re sure this won’t harm you , Da’grass ? I wouldn’t want to lose you , especially now” asked Alex .

  “I’m sure , just hold me close to one of the cuff bracelets , and I’ll transfer my program . It won’t take long” replied Da’grass .

  After my program is uploaded , your bracelet will come off and destroy itself , in that order .

  Alex did what Da’grass told him , and after a while , the cuff bracelet came loose and he let it drop on the floor .

  A burning smell came from the device , and Alex felt like he was missing a part of himself .

  For a moment , he touched his arm where the bracelet once was , and flashes of images from more than 20 years flooded his mind .

  Alex shook his head and put the new bracelet on ; it was lighter , thinner and more sleek .

  “Are you there Da’grass ?” asked Alex .

  A hologram appeared before him , projecting the image of a little dragon .

  Yeah , I’m here Alex . I know you liked dragons , so I took this image for the time being until we decide which form you’d like me to take .

  I’ve got several updates , and I even have to alter the nanites a little bit .

  Afterwards , I can install a neural link which will provide you with an interface that can play videos and show you messages in case discretion is needed .

  There are more uses , but I won’t be explaining them for now since you’re pressed for time .

  Oh , and I have an active camouflage emitter now ; no one will know I’m on your arm if you don’t want them to see me .

  “That could have come in handy numerous times while I was still figuring things out” laughed Alex .

  “The best part is that this new casing is even stronger than my old casing” said Da’grass .

  “Well , time to officially appoint my government .

  We’ll have plenty of time to discuss your new abilities” said Alex while he grabbed the box .

  He looked upwards one more time and sighed .

  “Well it could have been worse and been a borg cube” murmured Alex and went inside .

  Everyone was present ; the people he considered his best friends and confidants were here in this room , except for Cynthia who was looking after her own kids .

  She refused babysitters and didn’t want her children to come with them to Alex’s home , claiming that they were to young and needed their sleep .

  John’s child was older and was nine or ten , Alex wasn’t sure .

  After two consecutive terms in the government , he had gotten the message that only two terms could be served in a hundred years unless there were special circumstances and was thanked for his service .

  Sarah didn’t have anymore children , claiming two was enough for her , and had sold the companies on Earth and in the Nexus for a ton of credits at Alex command .

  No one had any property anymore on Earth or in the Nexus , but their wallets were well filled with credits .

  “Care to explain why we were called over ?” asked John while he was looking at Alex’s arm .

  No offense , but if anything goes wrong , I would rather spend my last moments with my family .

  “Nothing will go wrong , but before you return to your families , I want to give you all something” replied Alex .

  After saying this , he started distributing the cuff bracelets to everyone in the room .

  Sam got two , one for Cynthia and one for himself .

  El’Anor and Cathy tried to refuse at first but accepted when he shoved the bracelets in their hands .

  Even his daughters got one , and they couldn’t stop grinning .

  “You’ve all been great friends and confidents . You helped me manage my faction and asked nothing in return but my friendship” started Alex .

  I couldn’t wish for better friends than I have .

  These bracelets contain the same technology as mine but with restrictions , you’ll be the captains of my faction , so to speak .

  I’m just making it official since you guy’s have always been my hands , conscience , and advisors in everything I tried to do .

  “We hardly did anything but support you” said Mary .

  “Your actions meant more to me than you will ever know” replied Alex .

  The moment you first log in the Nexus , you’ll be tier four , and in time become tier five .

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  You’ll only be answering to me in terms of decision making .

  If a decision you make has to big of an impact , Da’grass will be notified and the decision will be evaluated by me .

  But as I said , I consider you my advisors and conscience so I’ll be counting on you guys .

  And girls , I know you’re smart but you’re also inexperienced , so take caution with what you do with the bracelets .

  “Ah , come on , dad , we’re only a bit younger than you were when you got Da’grass” replied Kimberley .

  “No , he is right sis . Dad had a lot of luck when he built all of this .

  We can’t expect everything to go as we wish just because Dad got lucky” said Samantha .

  This made everyone laugh warmly , and Alex went red in the face .

  “Ah , come on , sweetie , you did get lucky .

  You got me and the girls to prove it” joked Helena .

  “Let’s put on the bracelets and meet our own versions of Da’grass” said Sarah .

  I can’t wait to have my own personal sentient AI .

  While everyone was busy , Alex thought back at the day that Etherea made her plans known to him .

  “Ethera wants to speak with you , Alex” started Da’gras that day .

  “Hello Alex” started Etherea .

  You’ve made quite the ripples and I can’t ignore them anymore .

  “Did I do something wrong ?” asked Alex.

  “On the contrary , my dear Alex” answered Etherea .

  You’ve made many right decisions albeit sometimes with a little help .

  You started a faction , helped your people reach new heights , established a base of operations , contributed to the Nexus , resurrected multiple species , and asked little in return .

  If that doesn’t deserve a tier up , nothing will .

  So congratulations !

  “You’re making me tier five ?” asked Alex .

  “Yes , but with this decision and considering what you’ve achieved in such short notice , I want to ask you a question that will define what will be happening from now on” said Ethera .

  Should you accept , your life will change once more and drastically at that .

  So before I ask you this question , I need to know if you would be willing to leave life as you know it behind , relying solely on your faction .

  No contacting Helena this time . You’re the faction leader , and this is your decision .

  Sorry to tell you this , but I need to know before you log out .

  “This has to do with why none of the Ethereans remains here in the universe , am I right ?” asked Alex .

  “They were supposed to check in regularly , but none has returned” answered Etherea truthfully .

  I need to know , Alex . I’ve already said to much , but I can assure you that your safety will not be endangered by me .

  “Well , everyone I care about is already in my faction .

  So if you can assure me their safety , I would be willing to consider your proposal” replied Alex .

  “No harm will come to you or your faction , I promise you this much” said Etherea.

  For a moment , Alex considered everything .

  Even if he had some doubts , he had nothing left on Earth to tie him down .

  His greatest treasures were already with him on Aurelia .

  In time , it could offer more than Earth , and as long as he was within reach of Earth , their benefits could become the target of greed .

  “I would do it” answered Alex .

  “Would you be willing to continue the mission of the Ethereans ?” asked Ethera.

  There are three objectives : one is to search for the Origin universe , two is to establish the Nexus where there is none , and three is to link them if possible .

  “The Origin universe , if I’m not mistaking that’s a children’s story of the Ethereans” started Alex .

  It’s the reason why Samantha and Kimberley taught themselves to read .

  They were smitten by the thought that every story created its own universe and that people lived in the stories written down .

  “Well , we don’t really believe that , but we do believe there is an origin universe , the first of many” said Etherea .

  The man who created the children’s story really believed it , and it was the closest thing we had to the start of a religion in our existence , but he went mad shortly after and decided to end his life , refusing treatment to his disease .

  But the children were inspired by the story , and we had an increase in productivity .

  They wanted to spread the Nexus while searching for the Origin universe , which coincided with the will of the government .

  I’m not expecting you to actively search for the Origin universe or link them together through the Nexus , but I do hope that you would spread it if you should travel through universes .

  Even if you would only seed one universe with the Nexus it would be worth it .

  “I’m not the first outside the Ethereans you asked , am I right ?” asked Alex .

  “No , it’s the main reason why there are so little species with high tiers” replied Etherea .

  It’s a contingency plan created by the Ethereans in case nobody came back .

  But I can assure you that they reached their destination and that I’m not sending them to their deaths !

  “I’ve got children , you know …” said Alex .

  “I would be sending your entire solar system . Even if something went wrong , which will never happen , you would still have a planet to live on” answered Etherea .

  The power needed to open the connection requires the most energy ; after that , it’s almost negligible what size has to go through .

  “Why do you want to spread the Nexus this badly ?” asked Alex .

  “The Nexus’ main objective is to function as an ark to preserve as much as possible that ever existed .

  Even if the universe would die of heath death , the Nexus would survive” replied Etherea .

  “How did you create the Nexus ?” asked Alex .

  “The precise manner is kept a secret , but an oversimplified answer is that we hacked the universe” answered Etherea .

  “Just out of curiosity , is time travel possible ?” asked Alex .

  “It’s prohibited unless special authorization is granted” said Etherea .

  I hope I satisfied your curiosity .

  Can I have your answer now ?

  “You’ve been nothing than honest with me , so I can only assume that our safety is indeed guaranteed .

  But this is a big decision that doesn’t only include me” answered Alex .

  “I would be providing you with everything you need” started Etherea .

  I would help you construct all the facilities needed and mine as many recourses as you would need including gifting you a capital city .

  You’ll need it anyway if you want maximum efficiency .

  “Include the complete education course from tier seven and you’ve got a deal” said Alex on the spur of the moment .

  “Done , but no more sharing with Earth” responded Etherea

  The day you leave , you’ll officially be tier seven , and all faction members will be automatically elevated to tier three .

  It will be hereditary as long as they are part of your faction .

  You’ll also be granted the ability to hand out the tech to which Da’grass is bound .

  I’ll be sending over everything you need , and we’ll start construction immediately .

  “Now I just need to make preparations to harvest a black hole for energy” murmured Etherea .

  Welcome to the collective !

  “Did you just agree for just a complete education course ?” asked Da’grass .

  “I guess I did . I don’t know what I was thinking” answered Alex .

  Don’t mention this part to Helena , okay ?

  “Hahaha , welcome to the collective , Alex” said Da’grass .

  Back to the present , everyone was configuring the templates of the AI and talking to them .

  Sam had set the template of his AI to a Bernese Mountain Dog , Kimberley to a fairy , and Samantha to a black cat .

  Everyone had chosen something that appealed to them , and they seemed to get along with their AI’s just fine .

  “You were spacing out , but I don’t think anyone noticed” said Helena to Alex .

  “I was just thinking about something in the past” replied Alex .

  We should send them home ; it won’t be long anymore .

  “Did you ever notice that no one ever mentions religion here in Aurelia” asked Helena suddenly .

  “No I didn’t notice” replied Alex .

  “I asked my AI , and apparently Da’grass never considered religious people to join your faction” said Helena

  “Strange , but the Ethereans didn’t have religion either .

  They are all fine people as far as I know , even if sometimes security has to part a few individuals” replied Alex .

  “It’s best if we integrate a moral education course for the children before problems arise” said Helena .

  “Very well , we’ll set it up after we’ve arrived . We’ll have around ten years before the Nexus will see daylight according to Etherea” answered Alex .

  But we’ll have access to everything we’ve had , just no real connection to the universe .

  One by one their guests came to say goodbye until only Alex , Helena and their kids remained .

  Even Sarah was returning to her home were Max awaited her return .

  After a few hours of small talk and playing with their new AI’s , they got the notice that all pin point anchors were checked and ready for activation .

  Alex looked at his family and said to them , “Whatever happens , know that you are the pride of my life and that I will always love you guys”

  “Etherea will be talking through me for a while , at least the version we are taking with us” said Da’grass .

  Alex , we are set to go in 5 , 4 ,3 , 2 , 1 , transportation .

  Strange , I get all kinds of updates , sending my own …

  Oh my , these readings !

  Our universe …

  Its in a state of flux .

  It exists and doesn’t .

  It’s the beginning and the end .

  You ‘ll only know where and when you are if you enter it .

  And according to these readings , we can’t enter it .

  Getting a new set of coordinates .

  Adjusting.

  “Etherea , are we in danger ?” asked Alex , looking at his family .

  “No , Alex , everything is working as it should .

  But remember this” said Etherea .

  If there’s another Earth , we’ll find it when the Nexus comes online .

  Everything you do is through your own will !

  The End