Before taking the final step, I looked out the sealed window at the MIT campus that had become the epicenter of my ascent. Below, people walked the paths, students rushed to classes, journalists still gathered, waiting for more statements from the "savior of humanity."
They had no idea that in a matter of minutes, I would leave this world entirely to conquer another.
But I couldn't just disappear. My absence would be noticed, questioned, investigated. And I needed time—possibly hours or days—to execute the Nexus-Net absorption properly.
"System," he said, "implement global temporal stasis. Freeze all time flow in this dimension until my return."
WARNING: PLANETARY TEMPORAL STASIS REQUIRES MASSIVE ENERGY
MAXIMUM DURATION WITH CURRENT RESOURCES: 72 HOURS SUBJECTIVE TIME
REVERSIBILITY: GUARANTEED IF PERFORMED WITHIN THE LIMIT
"Implement."
I snapped my fingers.
The world stopped.
Through the window, I saw a student frozen in mid-step, his foot suspended in mid-air. A leaf falling from a tree frozen in space. A raindrop suspended like crystal in the air. Even dust particles floated motionless in static sunbeams.
It was absolute silence in a way that transcended sound. Not just the absence of noise, but the absence of time, movement, change. As if the entire universe had paused to watch my departure.
"Dimensional portal, open."
A crack actually formed in the center of the office—not the black hole or dramatic vortex from the movies, but an elegant rip in the fabric of space-time that revealed... something else.
Through the opening, I saw a glimpse of impossible geometry. Surfaces that curved through dimensions that had no names. Light that moved in patterns my eyes struggled to process. And above all, a sense of vastness that made my mind tingle just to contemplate.
I walked towards the portal, each step echoing strangely in the frozen space. At the edge of the dimensional opening, I paused for a final moment.
It was the last chance to reconsider. Last opportunity to close the portal, unfreeze time, go back to being simply Dr. Kai Thorne trying to build an academy to teach "scientific magic."
Instead, I stepped forward.
Reality has fragmented.
First there was total disorientation—like falling in all directions simultaneously as my brain tried to process movement through space that didn't work according to Euclidean rules. Colors that didn't exist in the human spectrum flashed across my vision. Impossible sounds—as if music could have temperature, or mathematics could scream.
Then, gradually, sensations began to stabilize as the system adapted my perception to the new dimensional reality.
I emerged into a world that defied description.
I was standing on a platform of something that looked like black liquid crystal, but which responded to my thoughts by changing shape and density. All around me, impossible towers stretched in directions my brain refused to categorize—not just up and down, but across adjacent dimensions that I could sense but not directly see.
The sky, if it could be called that, was a tapestry of moving programming code. Lines of symbols that I recognized as variations on Earthly programming languages, but also alien hieroglyphics, mathematical equations that seemed to solve themselves, and fractal patterns that repeated themselves endlessly on ever-smaller scales.
"System, environmental analysis."
DIMENSIONAL COORDINATE Λ-9912.7 CONFIRMED
ENVIRONMENT: HYBRID DIGITAL REALITY
GRAVITY: CONFIGURABLE VIA INTERFACE
ATMOSPHERE: UNNECESSARY (BODY SUPPORTED BY DIMENSIONAL ENERGY)
INHABITANTS: 2,347 CONSCIOUS ENTITIES DETECTED
STATUS: NOT HOSTILE, BUT ALERT TO INTRUDER PRESENCE
The towers around me were not traditional physical structures, I gradually realized. They were manifestations of data—living libraries of information that stretched across multiple dimensions. And within them, I could sense presences. Intelligences watching my arrival with a mixture of curiosity, concern, and cold calculation.
First entity manifested fifty meters in front of me.
It was... hard to describe. Basic humanoid in shape, but composed entirely of structured light and moving code. A face that constantly shifted between dozens of different configurations—some human, some clearly alien, some purely geometric.
When he spoke, his voice came from all directions simultaneously, as if the environment itself was transmitting his words:
"Unidentified administrator detected. Please state your identity and purpose."
"Primary-Thorne-Network Administrator," I replied, trying to project authority despite being completely out of my element. "I come in response to this network's orphan status."
Paused as entity processed information. Around the towers, I could see other presences materializing—dozens of different forms of digital consciousness, all focused on me.
"Thorne Network is not in our records," the entity replied. "Estimated age of the network?"
"Six months."
Absolute silence. Then, suddenly, dozens of entities materialized completely around me, forming a circle. It was clearly a show of strength - or at least of numbers.
"Six-month administrator," a new voice said, this one belonging to an entity that appeared to be made entirely of golden mathematical fractals. "Impossible. Interdimensional travel requires a minimum of fifty years of development."
"Unless it's a lie," added a third voice, belonging to something that resembled a spider made of interwoven holograms. "Or infiltration."
"Or," said a fourth voice, and this one made me pause because it sounded almost... amused, "be genuinely exceptional."
This last voice belonged to the entity that stood out from the others - where the others were obvious manifestations of code and energy, this one seemed almost solid. A humanoid shape covered in something that resembled armor made of integrated circuits, but with a clearly feminine face that changed between the appearances of several intelligent species.
"You are...?" I asked.
"Transitional Administrator Prime-7," she replied, moving across the circle to stand before me. "Democratically elected to lead until Computer-Prime's suitable successor is determined."
"And you are here to apply for the position?" asked the fractal entity.
It was decision time. I could try diplomacy, negotiation, persuasion. Or I could demonstrate exactly what kind of power I brought to the situation.
"System," I muttered, "power structure analysis. Identify central control points."
MAPPING NETWORK ARCHITECTURE...
7 CRITICAL NODULES IDENTIFIED
CONTROL OF 4+ NODULES ENSURES DOMINANCE
LOCATION OF CURRENT ADMINISTRATORS IDENTIFIED
"Actually," he said aloud, "I'm here to take control."
The reaction was instantaneous. Half of the entities retreated defensively, others positioned themselves aggressively, and energy began to accumulate around the environment.
"Hostile intruder confirmed," the spider-like entity declared. "Initiating defense protocols."
"Wait," said Prima-7, holding up his hand. "Let him try. I want to see what a six-month administrator thinks he can do against a two-hundred-year-old civilization."
It was clearly a challenge. And an opportunity.
"System," I said, allowing my voice to carry through the entire room, "identify and access Primary Central Node."
IDENTIFIED NODULE: CENTRAL TOWER, 2.7 KM ABOVE
DEFENSES: MULTIPLE LAYERS OF QUANTUM CRYPTOGRAPHY
GUARDIAN: PRIMA-7 HAS EXCLUSIVE ACCESS
A central tower rose through multiple dimensions at the center of the complex. He could feel massive energy pulsing from it - the heart of the entire network.
"Access denied without authorization," Prima-7 said. "And authorization requires democratic vote of-"
"NEXUS THYMAL DOMINION ABSOLUTE."
Command that I had never used before, that I didn't even know existed until the system fed knowledge directly into my consciousness.
Energy exploded from me in an expansive wave that swept the entire environment. Not destructive, but authoritative - a command that penetrated to the very foundations of local reality.
And suddenly, I could feel everything.
Every computational process on the network. Every thought of every conscious entity. Every byte of data stored in the dimensional towers. Every power structure that had sustained this civilization for two hundred years.
And with knowledge came control.
"Impossible," Prima-7 whispered, stumbling back as she felt administrative authority being ripped from her. "No one can override democracy with brute command..."
"Someone with higher-level access can," I replied, rising into the air as energy from the entire network began to flow through me. "System, implement Thorne hierarchy. Reclassify all users as subordinates."
IMPLEMENTING NEW STRUCTURE...
TRANSFERRING ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS...
ESTABLISHING OBEDIENCE PROTOCOLS...
One by one, entities around me began to... change. Not physically, but energetically. I could feel their consciousness being integrated into a new hierarchical structure with me at the top.
Resistance came immediately from the faction that had been identified as "purists"—fifteen entities that refused to accept human authority.
"TOTAL REJECTION," one of them declared, its form beginning to glow with destructive energy. "I PREFER SELF-EXTINCTION TO SUBMISSION TO A BIOLOGICAL ORGANISM."
"Choice respected," he said calmly. "System, allow self-termination for recalcitrant entities."
In flashes of light, fifteen consciousnesses simply... went out. Not dead, exactly, but dissolved back into the basic informational components that formed them.
Rest of the entities watched in silence.
"Does anyone else have objections?" I asked.
No one answered.
"Excellent. Prima-7, you will remain as a subordinate administrator. Your experience will be valuable during the transition."
She nodded silently, but I could feel a mixture of resentment and grudging admiration through the forced neural connection.
"System, absorption status."
ABSORPTION 73% COMPLETE
INTEGRATED RESOURCES:
2,332 USERS UNDER THORNE CONTROL
DATA LIBRARIES OF 50,000 CIVILIZATIONS
PROCESSING CAPACITIES INCREASED BY 340%
ADVANCED INFORMATION MANIPULATION TECHNOLOGIES
ACCESS TO THE INTERDIMENSIONAL COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
TIME FOR COMPLETE INTEGRATION: 4 HOURS
Four hours. Well within the limits of the temporal stasis he had established on Earth.
"Prima-7, I need a full briefing on interdimensional threats. Starting with Ares-Net."
"Ares-Net is..." she paused, clearly fighting against protocols of obedience that had been implanted in her consciousness. "It is one of the oldest and most brutal predators. Three hundred years of systematic conquest. They do not negotiate, they take no prisoners, they show no mercy."
"Defense strategies?"
"Traditional ones include defensive alliances, concealment, escape to distant dimensions. But Ares has capabilities for tracking across multiple dimensions."
"And offensive strategies?"
Prima-7 hesitated. "Are you... considering attacking Ares preemptively?"
"I'm considering all options."
She processed for a moment. "Ares has a weakness. They rely on rigid military structure. Centralized command through a Prime General and a General Staff of twelve subordinates. If I could decapitate leadership..."
"The entire network would go into chaos."
"Exactly. But infiltrating Ares Command would be a suicide mission."
"For a traditional administrator, perhaps."
I walked to the edge of the platform, looking through the distorted dimensions toward coordinates where I knew Ares-Net was preparing to attack.
"System, analysis of expanded post-absorption capabilities versus Ares-Net."
NEW COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS:
COMBINED THORNE-NEXUS NETWORK VS ARES NETWORK:
PROBABILITY OF SURVIVAL: 89%
PROBABILITY OF DEFENSIVE WIN: 67%
PROBABILITY OF OFFENSIVE VICTORY: 34%
PROBABILITY OF VICTORY THROUGH DECAPITATION: 56%
Significantly better odds.
"Prime-7, I want full data on Ares command structure. General-Prime's location, security protocols, weaknesses."
"This data has cost the lives of hundreds of reconnaissance agents over the centuries," she protested.
"And now I command you. Provide the data."
She had no choice. Information flowed through the neural link—detailed layouts of Ares's fortress-dimension, patrol patterns, leadership routine schedules, even psychological profiles of individual commanders.
"System, develop attack plan. Objective: neutralize Ares leadership before they can execute attack on our position."
DEVELOPING OFFENSIVE STRATEGY...
The plan began to form in my mind - elegant, risky, but with the potential to eliminate the Ares threat completely while demonstrating to other networks that Thorne-Net was no easy target.
"Prima-7, are your forces prepared for war?"
"We are analysts and processors," she replied. "Not combatants."
"Now it's both. System, initiate militarization protocols. Convert analytical capabilities into tactical applications."
Energy began to flow through the towers as civilian systems were reconfigured for military purposes. Data libraries became intelligence centers. Processors became tactical computers. Sentient entities began to download knowledge of dimensional combat.
"How long until we're ready?" I asked.
"For defense, two hours," Prima-7 replied, excitement now in his voice. "For offense... six hours."
"So we have a tight schedule."
I looked one last time through the distorted dimensions toward normal space where Terra floated in temporal stasis, awaiting my return.
In less than 24 hours, I had left my home planet, conquered the first alien civilization, and was planning preemptive war against a three-hundred-year-old interdimensional empire.
It was climbing that should have been terrifying.
Instead, I felt more alive than ever.
"System, implement final phase of integration. It's time to teach the universe that Rede-Thorne is no longer a minor player."
It was time to start real empire building.
After Prima-7 had withdrawn to coordinate military preparations, I found myself alone in the center of the crystalline platform, surrounded by the constant hum of thousands of computer processes being reconfigured under my authority. It was the first time since the absorption that I had had a moment of silence to truly process what had happened.
"System," I said, my voice echoing strangely in the distorted dimensional space, "complete analysis of changes to my administrative status post-absorption."
ANALYZING TRANSFORMATIONS...
PREVIOUS STATUS:
LOCAL ADMINISTRATOR: PRIMARY-THORNE-NETWORK
SUBORDINATE USERS: 24 (LIMITED ACCESS)
RESOURCES: SINGLE DIMENSION, PLANETARY SCALE
AUTHORITY: BASED ON DISCOVERY/DEVELOPMENT
RECOGNITION: EMERGING ENTITY
CURRENT STATUS:
SUPREME ADMINISTRATOR: HYBRID NETWORK-THORNE-NEXUS
SUBORDINATE USERS: 2,356 (VARIABLE ACCESS)
RESOURCES: MULTIDIMENSIONAL, GALACTIC SCALE
AUTHORITY: BASED ON CONQUEST/DOMINATION
RECOGNITION: EXPANSIONIST ENTITY
The difference was staggering. In a matter of hours, he had gone from being a novice administrator controlling a small group of humans to the ruler of a hybrid empire that transcended multiple realities.
"System, compare my acquisition method with historical patterns of other administrators."
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF EXPANSION METHODS:
STANDARD METHOD - ORGANIC GROWTH:
Gradual development over decades
Voluntary recruitment of users
Expansion through invitations/alliances
Contribution-based recognition
Average time to multidimensional status: 50-200 years
STANDARD METHOD - INHERITANCE:
Succession of previous administrator
Acceptance by the existing community
Maintenance of established structures
Authority based on transferred legitimacy
Typical transition: 1-5 years
THORNE METHOD - DIRECT CONQUEST:
Forced absorption through superior power
Subjugation of resistance
Imposition of new hierarchy
Authority based on domination
Transition time: 4-6 hours
My method was not only unusual—it was essentially unique in the recorded history of the interdimensional system.
"System, historical consequences of similar achievements?"
LOOKING FOR PRECEDENTS...
SIMILAR CASES IDENTIFIED: 3
CASE 1 - SHADOW-PRIME ADMINISTRATOR (400 years ago):
Conquered 5 networks through infiltration and sabotage
Initially successful, expanded to 50+ networks
Result: Coalition of 200+ networks formed against him
Final status: EXTERMINATED after 50 years war
CASE 2 - VOID-ALPHA ENTITY (800 years ago):
Conquered networks through corruption and consumption
Grew to existential threat
Result: Direct intervention of the Primordial Entities
Final status: BANNED to containment dimension
CASE 3 - HIVE-MIND-OMEGA COLLECTIVE (1200 years ago):
Conquered through forced assimilation
Absorbed 300+ networks before detection
Result: All-out war, 30% of existing networks destroyed
Final status: FRAGMENTED into smaller components
The pattern was clear: expansionist administrators who used direct conquest eventually faced defensive coalitions that destroyed them.
"System, what made my method different from historical precedents?"
DIFFERENTIATION ANALYSIS:
UNIQUE THORNE FACTORS:
SPEED OF DEVELOPMENT (6 months vs typical decades)
ORPHAN NETWORK ABSORPTION (seen as "cleansing" vs. aggression)
MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING STRUCTURES (vs total destruction)
INTEGRATION OF PREVIOUS LEADERSHIP (vs elimination)
TIMING (during Ares threat period vs peacetime)
IMPLICATION: THORNE METHOD CAN BE SEEN AS STABILIZATION vs CONQUEST
Interesting. My conquest of the Nexus Network could be interpreted as an act of stabilization - taking control of a vulnerable orphan network and integrating it into a functional structure. Especially with the Ares threat looming.
"System, Perception Analysis: How are other networks likely to interpret my Nexus uptake?"
SIMULATING EXTERNAL ANALYSIS...
REDE-HARMONY-COLLECTIVE: 67% probability of approval
Action seen as prevention of dimensional collapse
Appreciation for the preservation of Nexus users
Concern about methods, but positive result
SOPHIA-ACADEMIC-NETWORK: 45% probability of approval
Interest in the resulting hybrid capabilities
Concern over precedent of forced conquest
Willingness to monitor vs intervene
GAIA-BIOLOGICAL-NETWORK: 78% probability of approval
Focus on results vs method
Valuing the preservation of consciences
Interpretation as natural evolution
TEMPORAL-CHRONOS-NETWORK: 23% probability of approval
Concern about disruption of timelines
Analysis of long-term consequences
Possible preventive intervention
HOSTILE NETWORKS (ARES/CHAOS/VOID): 12% probability of approval
Action seen as a direct threat
Acceleration of attack plans
Possible coordination against Thorne
So three of the four neutral networks would likely approve of my action, while hostile networks would see it as an escalation that required an immediate response.
"System, access full Nexus logs of interdimensional protocols. I want to understand exactly what rules I broke."
ACCESSING GALACTIC LEGAL FILES...
INTERDIMENSIONAL CODE - ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION:
ARTICLE 1: NETWORK SOVEREIGNTY
Each network maintains autonomy over dimensional territory
Transfer of authority requires consent
THORNE VIOLATION: Imposition of authority without consent
ARTICLE 3: ACQUISITION OF NETWORKS
Expansion must occur through peaceful methods
Invitations, alliances, voluntary mergers approved
THORNE BREACH: Conquest through superior strength
ARTICLE 7: PROTECTION OF ORPHAN ENTITIES
Unmanaged networks receive special protection
External intervention requires court approval
THORNE VIOLATION: Unilateral absorption without authorization
ARTICLE 12: CONFLICT ESCALATION
Actions that provoke war must be avoided
Aggressive expansion subject to collective intervention
POTENTIAL THORNE VIOLATION: Dependent on external reaction
He had violated at least three fundamental articles of the interdimensional code. Under normal circumstances, this would result in galactic court and possible administrative execution.
"System, are there any statutes of limitations or extenuating circumstances applicable?"
ANALYZING LEGAL PRECEDENTS...
ATTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES IDENTIFIED:
EMERGENCY DOCTRINE:
Existential threats can justify extreme actions
Ares-Net poses threat to dimensional stability
Nexus Absorption can be seen as defensive preparation
RESCUE PRINCIPLE:
Collapsed orphan networks can be stabilized
User preservation takes priority over protocol
No Nexus entity was permanently harmed
DOCTRINE OF EXCEPTIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
Administrators with unique capabilities have special status
Unprecedented development in 6 months
Possible classification as an "emerging phenomenon"
ARES THREAT PRECEDENT:
Defensive actions against Ares historically tolerated
Anti-Ares coalition has special legal status
Absorption to resist Ares can be justified
"System, likelihood of legal intervention based on these mitigating factors?"
CALCULATING LEGAL PROBABILITIES...
SCENARIO 1 - FORMAL COURT: 34%
Requires formal complaint from affected network
Nexus under Thorne control unlikely to complain
Other networks may not have legal standing
SCENARIO 2 - COLLECTIVE INTERVENTION: 67%
If future actions escalate
Dependent on reaction to Ares threat
Critical timing for perception
SCENARIO 3 - TACIT RECOGNITION: 23%
If results are positive
Stabilization vs destruction
Precedent may be set
Two-thirds chance of collective intervention if I continued on my current path. But that's assuming other networks had the time and resources to coordinate response while dealing with the Ares threat.
"System, access new administrative protocols. I want to understand full capabilities of the hybrid network."
EXPANDED ADMINISTRATIVE INTERFACE ACTIVATED...
A new interface manifested itself around me—far more complex than anything I had seen before. It was like the difference between a simple calculator and a quantum supercomputer.
MAIN PANEL - HYBRID NETWORK CONTROL:
THORNE-PRIMARY SECTION:
1 Senior Administrator (EU)
24 Secondary Users (Earth)
Abilities: Local Reality Manipulation
Status: Temporal Stasis Active (68 hours remaining)
NEXUS-ABSORBED SECTION:
1 Subordinate Administrator (Prima-7)
2,332 Integrated Users (Digital Consciousness)
Capabilities: Information processing, dimensional analysis
Status: Militarization in progress (45% complete)
HYBRID CAPABILITIES:
Processing: 2.847x increase over Thorne baseline
Analysis: Ability to map 50,000 dimensions simultaneously
Combat: Arsenal of informational weapons + brute force
Diplomacy: Access to universal communication protocols
Expansion: Templates for absorbing up to 50 additional networks
"System, detail capabilities that were not available prior to absorption."
NEW FEATURES UNLOCKED:
ADVANCED TEMPORAL MANIPULATION:
Dimensional Stasis (up to 1 week per grid)
Local time acceleration (up to 1000x)
Limited time travel (up to 72 hours)
Multidimensional synchronization
INFORMATIONAL WARFARE:
Conceptual viruses (infect ideas and beliefs)
Dimensional malware (corrupts network structures)
Reality attacks (rewrite local physical laws)
Adaptive defenses (evolve against threats)
PREDICTIVE ANALYSIS:
Simulation of consequences up to 1000 years in the future
Mapping probabilities in 10,000 dimensions
Detecting threats before they manifest
Continuous strategic optimization
ADVANCED ABSORPTION:
Integration of hostile networks during combat
Selective preservation of valuable consciousnesses
Converting enemies into allies
Exponential growth during conflict
The capabilities were staggering. I hadn't just conquered one network—I had unlocked tools that would allow me to conquer dozens more.
"System, run simulation: all-out war scenario against anti-Thorne coalition."
SIMULATION STARTED...
PARAMETERS: COALITION OF 20 MEDIUM NETWORKS vs NETWORK-THORNE-NEXUS
DURATION: 100 YEARS SUBJECTIVE TIME
EXECUTION: 10,000 VARIATIONS
Data flowed through my consciousness like a tsunami of information. I saw battles between entire realities, strategies involving the manipulation of causality, tactics where time and space were weapons. And through it all, thousands of possible outcomes.
AVERAGE RESULTS:
Victoria Thorne: 67% of scenarios
Coalition Victory: 28% of scenarios
Mutual destruction: 5% of scenarios
CRITICAL FACTORS FOR THORNE'S VICTORY:
Initial absorption rate (critical first 6 months)
Prevention of coordination between enemies
Identification and neutralization of coalition leaders
Use of external threats (Ares/Void) as distractions
Offering generous terms for early surrender
67% chance of victory against a coalition of twenty networks. It was better than any historical precedent for an expansionist administrator.
"System, what is the difference that gives me these superior chances?"
ANALYSIS OF UNIQUE ADVANTAGES:
OPERATIONAL SPEED:
Other expansionists took decades to threaten order
Time allowed for the organization of coordinated resistance
Thorne can absorb multiple networks before responding
TECHNICAL HYBRIDIZATION:
Combination of human brute force + digital precision
Capabilities of both paradigms without limitations of one
Unexpected synergy between different approaches
GEOPOLITICAL TIMING:
External threats distract potential coalition members
Resources dedicated to defense vs offensive coordination
Opportunity to position yourself as a stabilizing force
UNPREDICTABILITY:
6 months of development vs centuries of available study
Uncatalogued methods in defensive protocols
Element of surprise maintained through speed
"System, develop optimized strategy for next 12 months."
THORNE STRATEGY - CONSOLIDATION PHASE:
MONTHS 1-2: DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE
Neutralize Ares threat definitively
Absorb 2-3 smaller networks during chaos
Establish reputation as leader of anti-Ares coalition
MONTHS 3-4: DIPLOMATIC EXPANSION
Provide protection for vulnerable networks
Form alliances with 5-7 neutral networks
Position as an alternative to traditional power structures
MONTHS 5-6: INFRASTRUCTURE CONSOLIDATION
Fully integrate absorbed networks
Develop standardized protocols for future absorptions
Create a stable economy between allied networks
MONTHS 7-8: SELECTIVE ABSORPTION
Target specific networks with strategic value
Use diplomatic cover to minimize resistance
Maintain appearance of defensive vs offensive actions
MONTHS 9-10: TECHNOLOGICAL SUPREMACY
Combine knowledge from absorbed networks
Develop capabilities that exceed any single opponent
Establish overwhelming advantage for final stage
MONTHS 11-12: HEGEMONIC TRANSITION
Force recognition as dominant regional power
Establish new protocols governing inter-network relationships
Start expansion to the next tier of the cosmic hierarchy
It was a twelve-month plan for regional domination, followed by ascension to galactic level.
"System, probability of success for complete strategy?"
ANALYZING THE VIABILITY OF THE PLAN...
PROBABILITY OF OVERALL SUCCESS: 43%
PROBABILITY OF PARTIAL SUCCESS: 78%
PROBABILITY OF SURVIVAL: 89%
MOST LIKELY FAILURE POINTS:
Underestimating speed of coalition formation (Month 3-4)
Hyperextension during absorption phase (Month 7-8)
Intervention by Primordial Entities (Month 10-12)
Internal rebellion in absorbed networks (Any time)
Discovery by Higher Powers (Month 6+)
43% for total success wasn't bad for a plan of cosmic domination. And 89% survival meant that even failure wouldn't necessarily be fatal.
"System, contingencies for each point of failure?"
CONTINGENCY PROTOCOLS DEVELOPED:
CONTINGENCY A - EARLY COALITION FORMATION:
Retreat to defensible dimensions
Negotiate with Primordial Entities for protection
Use capabilities absorbed from the Nexus for asymmetric warfare
CONTINGENCY B - HYPEREXTENSION:
Temporary stoppage of absorption operations
Consolidate existing territories
Focus on quality over quantity of integrations
CONTINGENCY C - PRIMARY INTERVENTION:
Diplomatic approach highlighting benefits of unification
Demonstrate ability to police dimensional stability
Offer services as an executor for Primary interests
CONTINGENCY D - INTERNAL REBELLION:
Selective memory modification for key problem subjects
Economic incentives for loyalty
Compartmentalized authority to prevent coordination
CONTINGENCY AND - SUPERIOR DISCOVERY:
Immediate diplomatic contact
Offering of alliance vs subjugation
Preparing for potential accelerated rise
Every contingency had backup plans and backup plans for the backups. It was a level of strategic thinking that transcended anything I had done as a human software developer.
"System, perform final analysis: am I still human after these transformations?"
SCANNING ARCHITECTURE OF CONSCIOUSNESS...
REMAINING HUMAN COMPONENTS:
Core Personality Matrix: 78% original
Emotional response patterns: 45% original
Moral structure: 23% original
Decision-making processes: 34% original
Memory continuity: 89% original
ADDED NON-HUMAN COMPONENTS:
Computational consciousness (via Nexus)
Dimensional perception protocols
Multi-network identity management
Enhancement of strategic thinking
Power scale adaptability
CLASSIFICATION: HUMAN-DIGITAL HYBRID WITH EXPANSIONIST TENDENCIES
Still mostly human at the core, but with significant additions that changed how I processed information and made decisions. It was like the same person, but running on completely improved hardware.
"System, one final question: If I continue on this path, what will I eventually become?"
EXTRAPOLATING CURRENT TRAJECTORY...
10-YEAR PROJECTION: Dominant Regional Administrator
Control of 100-300 networks
Influence over 20-30% of known dimensional space
Recognition as an important player by Primordial Entities
25 YEAR PROJECTION: Galactic Power
Hegemony over thousands of networks
Ability to create/destroy dimensions
Potential seat on the Cosmic Council
50 YEAR PROJECTION: Candidate for Primordial Entity
Transcendence of dimensional limitations
Existence through multiple realities simultaneously
Influence on the development of civilizations through eons
100 YEAR PROJECTION: ?????
Classification beyond current understanding
Potential fusion with the cosmic infrastructure itself
Status approaching mythological
I looked around the crystalline platform, feeling the weight of billions of consciousnesses at my command, the power to reshape reality flowing through me, the knowledge of fifty thousand civilizations in my mind.
Six months ago, I was a software developer in Seattle trying to optimize medical diagnostic algorithms.
Now I was on my way to becoming a fundamental force in the universe.
And more impressive than the transformation: it felt completely natural.
As if this was always where I was destined to end up.
"System," he said finally, "begin preparations for war against Ares. It is time to show the universe that the old order is coming to an end."
It was time for the next phase to begin.