All Roads Lead To Here - A Talk With Dr. Loti Brakaniz.

Eden. 1871 (Earth Equivalent Year)

"So, now, we have Dr Loti Brakaniz who is here to answer questions on his new book, 'All Roads Lead To Here'. So, without further ado, Dr Brakaniz, the floor is all yours".

The hall erupted in applause as Dr Brakaniz took to the stage. The Edenics all dressed in their almost uniform clothing with Dr Brakaniz wearing a red version. In Edenic culture, Red signified you were a scientist. And this he was. He was an Akaran physicist, this meant he dedicated his work to the study of time and everything that could happen to time from a physical perspective. Brakaniz was a pioneer. And this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the great man as he was usually a recluse.

Brakaniz took to the seat opposite the presenter.

"Dr Brakaniz, can I just say what a pleasure it is to have you here!"

"Thank you very much for having me".

"Ok, so, shall we go to the first question? Let's take a question from...the man at the back with the blue hair!"

The man stood up.

"Hello Dr Brakaniz. Thank you very much for listening to my question. I'd like to ask you if it would be possible for you to explain in simpler terms the idea of the Infinity Paradox? I read your book but I didn't quite understand it. I was wondering if you could perhaps simplify it further?"

Dr Brakaniz nodded.

"Of course. I'd be glad to. Being on Eden we see time as normal. Our planet was created from the very fabric of time. We, as a race,are time sensitive as a result and we feel little fluctuations in time. So temporal physics for us is a completely normal way of life. However, time is a delicate thing. As is the Akara. Just like us, the Akara can be hurt but little fluctuations in time. A change in time to her would be like a punch to the gut for us. Now imagine, for a moment, that there was a change in time so substantial, so heavy, that it was like a stab to the heart for the Akara. Or a bullet to the head. We're all taught in school about the different types of time paradox. The Butterfly Effect, The Predestination Paradox, The Grandfather Paradox, the Correctional Paradox and vice versa and we're taught that the universe can accommodate these to an extent, as long as they can be fixed in time. But what if every time one of these paradoxes was created, it left a lasting scar in the fabric of reality? What if it was like a hole in a dam? Little bits of water seeping through piece by piece and, the more holes that are created, the more potential there is for the structure to fall apart. And that in a nutshell is the Infinity Paradox. The Dam in this scenario is the universe and the holes are the little paradoxes that have been created by Edenics and other time sensitive races throughout the universe's existence. Too many of them and the flood will come and wash everything away".

Another person puts their hand up.

"Hello Dr Brakaniz. My name is Griya Mandraf. I'm an Akaran Physics student at Pretori University. You talk about the universe as some kind of damn. Is this purely to help us with imagery or do you think the universe really is holding back something?"

"A fair question. The truth is I don't know and no-one knows. It could be holding back something, it might not be. We can speculate for as long as we wish but we won't come up with a definitive answer and I don't think we ever will. We know for a fact that the multiverse theory is correct as there have been a number of Edenics, and indeed humans, who have managed to traverse the multiverse at some stage. But I'm not suggesting for a second that the universe is holding back another universe. Because, logically, there must be something in between the universes in order to keep them separate. A void of some description. Some physicists suggest that there is actually some kind of liquid that keeps the universes apart. Which, if true, would definitely make my Dam metaphor a reality! But it could also be something I like to call a 'Failed Universe'. A universe that tried to get started but ultimately failed for whatever reason. In turn, this could be terrible kind of vacuum. The truth is that we don't know. But I purely talk about the Dam for imagery. What could really be in between the universes might be infinitely more sinister!"

"Hello, Doctor. I was wondering, what do you think would happen to the universe if an Infinity Paradox ever occurred? Given that in your book, you claim that the universe would never be able to sustain an Infinity Paradox?"

"Honestly? The universe would end. It would become too unstable to cope with all the damage that's been caused. The universe would, at some stage, cease to exist. Poof! Gone. To take the Dam metaphor further, if the Dam broke, it would flood everything around it. Well, an Infinity Paradox would work the same way. Once the universe broke, everything would end. How everything would end is up for debate. Though I think that, given the nature of what we're dealing with here, the universe would probably end suddenly. No one really noticing or realising that the cataclysm has come. That's my own personal theory anyway based on the research I've done all these years. But we can't know for certain. And it's not an experiment we can test. If we did, the universe would end. And that's widely regarded as 'unethical' by many. But my best guess is that the universe would end very suddenly. Time would run out and everything would just end as a result. I'd be very surprised if it was a violent ending!"

The room, now slightly depressed as to what Dr Brakaniz was saying, were very subdued. Brakaniz laughed a bit.

"I'm not surprised that everything's gone quiet. It is a very depressing subject. But what you all need to remember that this is just a theory. It's a theory that cannot be tested but it's practically impossible anyway. We'll never get to find out for certain whether this theory is correct or not".

There was another pause in the hall until one more hand went up. Brakaniz acknowledges.

"Doctor, hi. My name is Jody Kent. I'm a big fan. I just wanted to ask, if you are able to travel in time in some way, what tips would you offer in order to avoid the Infinity Paradox? Can I just say that I myself have travelled through time just to come and see this lecture so, if possible, please give me some pointers so I don't destroy the universe!"

"Haha. I'm not sure if you're joking or not. But for the sake of the question I'll take you at your word. For anyone wishing to travel through time and not cause any major damage to the timeline, up to and including an Infinity Paradox, I would suggest not interacting with your surroundings any more than is necessary, avoiding major universal events if at all possible and, for Akara's sake, do not change anything. Even if it's a little change..."

"But what if that change isn't caused by you? And you're there to correct the change? I'm sorry, but I've been time travelling for some time now and I've been in the situation where I've had to correct a change that wasn't caused by me. Have you inadvertently caused an Infinity Paradox or has the person who originally went back and changed something caused one?"

"You can't just create an Infinity Paradox on your first try. It has to be something major or the culmination of a number of different changes that can't be sorted by one universe giving birth to a parallel. The situation you describe cannot alone create the environment needed for an Infinity Paradox but it has probably contributed to it in someway. The original change AND the correction you purport to have made.

"So what would you define as something major? Because the change I had to correct involved another speedster called Speed-Demon trying to prevent the birth of my late ex-girlfriend..."

The presenter stood up.

"I think that's enough questions from you, sir. Allow others to ask..."

"No, it's ok. The young man has a point. Mr Kent, wasn't it?"

"That's my Earth name, yes".

"Something major would be the complete change or erasure of a fixed point in time. As hard as this might be to hear, the birth of your ex-girlfriend does not count as a major event!"

"Harsh"

"A major point for Earth would be the assassination of the man known as 'JFK' or the Second World War never actually occurring. Events like this that have had a collective impact on time rather than just one mini corner of it. We know that one day, the humans and the Edenics will go to war with one another. You, being a time traveller, you may already be aware of this fact..."

"I'm a veteran of that war".

"Imagine if that never happened. Something on that large a scale. Imagine if it never happened. That's what I mean by a major event. Not just the removal of someone from existence. Admittedly, that would have consequences. So well done to you if you were able to prevent it. But it would not constitute a major event in the same way the prevention of the Edenic Wars would. I hope you can forgive me for being brash and cold but I'm afraid, you asked a direct question. I'm just giving a direct answer".

"Ok, what if I told you that you were wrong about something?"

"What would I be wrong about?"

"About never finding out if it'll come true or not".

"Why am I wrong about that?"

"Because I've come from the year 2016. And we've been visited by someone who has told us they've kick started an Infinity Paradox...I'm just here in the vague hope you'll be able to tell me how to prevent what's coming..."

The audience once again becomes subdued. Brakaniz looks uneasy.

"Ok, Mr Kent. If what you're saying is true, then you cannot prevent it. I'm sorry...but you cannot. It's impossible. If an Infinity Paradox has started then there is no stopping it. You can only hope that the theory of Quantum Suicide comes true and you'll make it into the next reality. But if what you say is accurate, then I'm afraid you've made a wasted journey. You cannot stop an Infinity Paradox no matter how hard you try..."

Jody puts his head in his hands.

"Thank you, Doctor. It was definitely worth a try!"

He speeds off. The audience look confused and concerned. Brakaniz sighs.

"2016. I'm currently 759. I should be around to see it. Who knows. Maybe I'll die a happy man after all..."

*****

Jody returned to the Archive. Everyone waits with anticipation. Sarah, Jessica and Liz run over to him.

"Well!?" Jessica asked with hope in her eyes.

"Apparently, there's nothing we can do. We're on our own..."