Prologue
It waited. An enormous slab of grey flesh, continent sized, loitering in the empty void of deep space. Distant stars lit its ancient surface, and only the occasional flash of red suggested that it was anything other than a drifting rock. The surface was pitted and corroded, the product of space itself taking its toll. However, it was very much alive, its powerful mind processing all it needed to do, and all it had been commanded to do. It had existed for a long time, more ancient than some of the stars themselves, and had mastered the art of shifting through space, time, and all the areas in between. It had a mission, rules that had to be upheld. Law and order was important, even on a scale such as this. It had seen many worlds and places, and encountered many races, some of whom had matched its abilities. Almost in all cases, those creatures were not the ones that caused problems. They broke no laws, none of the old treaties that had been established for millennia. The younger species, impetuous and rash, seemed to not be able to control themselves. Most could be intimidated into submission, the merest appearance of the creature’s enormous size in their skies enough to dissuade their activities. However, there were a smaller number still that would train their weapons to the sky, fiercely fighting for whatever world they called their own. It held them no ill regard, but law was law. All life was responsible, as soon as it was able to comprehend. Yet, despite its age, and the wisdom that had been accumulated over millions of years, this vast creature was irked.
It had only just only just pacified a non-compliant population, ensuring they were removed from the planet without destroying it. Disappointingly, it was very familiar with this world. The natives called it Earth. The species in question were called humans. Only this time, it had met a particularly resilient human. One who had escaped from its sight. That was a blemish on its otherwise perfect record. It had set plans in motion, determined to not to fail again.
Now, it felt something, an alert, a call to arms. Something was happening on another version of Earth, a different timeline. Without as much as a thought, it translated through space and time, appearing in the relevant solar system. The nearest planet was called Saturn. This version of Earth was in flux, timelines contrary and messy. This situation was not supposed to be. What had happened here?
As it slowly drifted towards the inner worlds, the massive creature spoke to whoever could hear, the vibrations transmitting through the vacuum itself.
ALICIA MCTRAVERS, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
