Volume I ― Genesis

* Prologue ― The Nature of Existence an extract as written by Professor Zedhyrx Xuan PhD.

It’s always tricky trying to quantify the nature of existence in terms of a mind trying to understand its own existence. When you start considering the nature of existence, creation, the very concept of everything, questions begin to layer on one another with what seems no clear and single answer. You’re left with more questions than answers. Now this might that seem all too grand and far from our understanding, simply because there is no conceivable way a being could ever grasp this let alone understand all its complexities. There are ways a mind has of overcoming this shortcoming, it starts by reducing the idea of everything by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable pieces. To simplify this process a series of questions must first be asked to lay the foundations upon it all, these questions are the most pertinent, basic and fundamental to get the ‘gist’ of everything, who, what, when, where, why and how. For this purpose, also the use of first, second and third person will be used interchangeably to further personalise the experience.

To start us off on this existential journey is who? Who created everything, if there is indeed a who. Now this may depend on your various spiritual beliefs and there is no right or wrong answer. Throughout the known universe there are religions, cults, consortiums, organisations that are centred around and form a belief that an all-powerful, impartial entity, deity or God created everything and that’s fine. As I said there is no right or wrong answer it’s a matter of perspective and individual belief. Most beings believe for their own understanding that a divine maker created everything to give meaning and a purpose to their lives. That this being’s will is paramount in which to live their lives. Which brings us to what created everything? This ties back into the who, because as a species of intelligent thought we are driven to understand what exactly this is 'who'. Is it a being like us? Or something else? Or is the 'what' something centred around in the various scientific theories rather than spiritually based. For example, was it a single sub-atomic particle, cloud or gas that led to everything there is today.

Then there is the 'when' of it all, and this question is quite probably one of the most profound questions as it lends scope to the universe. When did everything begin? Was it today, yesterday, hundreds, millions or billions of years ago, how long will it last? Through the application of science, we can get a rough estimate of the age of the universe. Faith orientated doctrines claim that the universe was created over a period or still is being created without a determined origin point in time. Following on from the when is the where. Where did all this take place? Was there a specific quantifiable location where all this happened or is the location in which everything manifested from is random. Next you ask how, in the sense of scientific questioning. How did this all come about, what were the processes that lead to this, how did it all unfold. In cases with a belief-based system, how did the god or deity in question perform this feat, was it by some higher power, magic or something entirely else that cannot be explained by conventional or rational means. Lastly and quite possibly the quintessential question and that is, why? Why did all of this happen? What was the reason behind it all? Why did this being create everything? Why did these processes caused by a chain-reaction of chemicals, gasses and particles cause all of this? Why is most important as it will ultimately achieve the meaning to everything. Without the why, beings are left unfulfilled. They need a reason to explain what happened. It is frustrating to think that something like the universe happening without a reason.

Why is everything here and what is the purpose for it all. But how could such a being experience this meaning without being driven mad by the idea if it conflicts with an already established view or understanding of what they already know. Which is why perhaps we are not meant to know such information. Or perhaps that is the journey of life. Not to seek out the answer to everything, but the journey you take to discover it. Perhaps the journey is enough meaning. Perhaps that is the meaning. Because what then? You have discovered what you’ve set out to do. What then do you do with it all?

» Creation ― The Architects an extract as written by Professor Zedhyrx Xuan PhD.

We think of the universe and reality as one in the same. The universe is this thing that contains all of reality and parallel universes are alternate realities. But what if it was the other way around. Multiple universes co-exist within a single reality, rather than each reality is its own universe. If you think of it in terms like that you could have multiple realities with thousands of universes within them. So, what does it all mean? If there are multiple realities with multiple universes contained within them, then where did they all come from? How did they all come to be? Well while throughout the ages there have been theories, religions, equations, myths and legends how everything came to be. But what if it was all true, all of it, up to a point. What if there were a being or beings that created everything by using science or magic? Beings so powerful they could create something from nothing. How would one begin to explain that? How did they become to be, did they create themselves, did they just come into existence? How can you begin to fathom that there is something out there which is capable of birthing realities and universes? To most they don’t concern themselves with these ideas.

So how many realities are there? According to the archives of The Wanderer: ‘Since Orion’s days with Rosenbridge 42 billion years ago, when they were assigned with mapping the multiverse (among other things), we have expanded our search to not only map the multiverse but mapping the multiverse of multiple realities. Please note this is an extensive undertaking. The current estimate puts it about 40 separate realities, with at least thousands of universes within them. Thus, we have been able to determine that our reality is relatively small and young in comparison to the others with only 42 universes within our reality.’

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Respectively then, where did these realities come from? The most concrete evidence once again comes from the archives of The Wanderer: ‘While many believe that God, a singular supreme being or some sort of cosmic event created everything here today. I am here to say that they are one in the same. The creation of our universe the other universes in our reality and the multiple other realities around us were in fact created by omnipotent beings we can scarcely begin to comprehend. They call themselves The Architects and they have been responsible for the creation of everything.’

The Architects are beings with indescribable power. They can produce new realities, universes, stars, galaxies, planets, life and atoms. Impartial, unconcerned with the plights of those in their creations, they have rarely been seen. While there has been some exception to their motivations and movements in more recent times, they have generally kept to themselves floating through dimensions, voids, surveying their creations. While they may be the creators, there are also beings whose sole purpose is to destroy the Architect’s creations. Destruction is necessary to keep the cosmic balance. In all known space and time, the Destroyers have only ever acted three times without instruction from Zarathos the Architect of Death and Destruction. While it’s not known for certain why or what caused The Destroyers to go against their master. Another extract from The Wanderer’s archives provides insight ‘While every attempt is made to keep The Destroyers under Zarathos’ (nice guy) control, they are not immune from the corruptive forces of evil. Even among omnipotent beings, evil still exerts it’s influence and malice.’

* Creation ― Sovereign’s Universe Overview

Sovereign the Architect of 42 was curious if he could create a Universe where it’s inhabitants could unify themselves on a universal scale. From the other realities and universes, co-habitation was more the norm than total cohesion. In the early days of the universe when life was starting to advance, he tried to subtly influence such co-operation. Starting with a few species at a time within multiple star systems, within the same galaxy. As more and more species began to develop, he lessened his influence to see if alliance and partnerships would naturally emerge. But as it was when these creatures were left to their own devices they often were met with mutually assured destruction.

So, he tried it again, this time furthering his influence to create myths and legends. It worked for a time, but when his influence diminished, species who seemingly worked together for mutual benefit ended up turning on one another and again destroyed themselves. In his final attempt to unify his universe, rather than let it take its course, He descended into the universe and became its overseer, rather than its ruler, he decided to influence favourable outcomes. Sovereign rarely intervened, but, if necessary, he would do so subtly. Religions, alliances, consortiums and communities all spurred their own versions based on him. These alliances would last aeons and from it all his goal to bring total unification to his universe was born. An accord struck; The Sovereign Declaration was formed creating The Sovereign Administration. After a few million years after The Sovereign Declaration was signed, Sovereign vanished, but the idea stuck. The legend became a fairy tale, the god who united galaxies you could only dream of visiting. There has been some speculation whether such a god ever existed in the first place and has been chalked up to mere folklore.

With galaxies all connected a revolution boomed in political relations, trade, art, culture, cuisine. To ease the burden of interstellar travel on a galactic almost universal scale, a technological renaissance cultivated new means to passage the incredible distances of space. The Rosenbridge Array a hyperspace slingshot that allowed to cross vast distances within and between galaxies. Compatible with almost any starship, cruisers and star liners. Manufactured in the Zurvan Galaxy, the Rosenbridge Array became the gold standard for interstellar travel. Advancements and overhauls were made in hyperdrive and warp engine technologies. Additional construction and regulation of hyperspace lanes and freeways, as well as trade routes were implemented. Matter Sublimation and the Interstellar Upload and Download allowed for instantaneous transport of goods utilising a hybrid teleportation matrix and a quantum entanglement connection. Finally, the Deep Space Interchange, fully self-sufficient artificial micro-worlds placed in strategic positions across the universe. The DSI are central hubs for all commercial and private travel throughout the universe.

Though The Sovereign Administration a governing body had great power it was also considered limited. They had more direct executive powers rather than the standard powers a normal government possess. The very core of the Sovereign Administration is no more than 42 galaxies out of trillions. This isn’t to say that every galaxy or cluster of galaxies aren’t represented. The idea is that out of the trillions of galaxies only 42 at a time assume the control of the Administration. Each galaxy, planetary system has their own alliances, empires, republics, federations, monarchies, parliaments and so on. But when a universal law is passed by the Administration every galaxy in the universe must enact it, as well as all legislative changes and amendments to The Sovereign Act. The Sovereign Declaration and The Sovereign Act are two key and vital pieces of legislation that must be adhered to. From there it’s up to the individual galaxy or star system how they govern. However, in the interest of simplicity, a majority of those who are a part of the Sovereign Administration modelled their governments and constitutions after the administration.

» Prelude to Adventure ― Before the Voyage an account by a crew member aboard The Einstein

Out past the ion reefs of Designation Five and deep into the plasma rifts of Eridani Vale there seemed to be a storm raging, bursts and flashes of white and yellow light pulsated continuously. We looked out from the bridge amazed and somewhat unnerved by what was before us. This is where we were headed into the far out reaches of the Universe into this tempest, into the certainty that returning may not be an option.

Space. It is unquestionably, extraordinarily massive and just mind-boggling. They said eons ago “space is the final frontier” and we believed it was. Then came the Empires, Alliances, Consortiums and the Sacred Hallowed Factions. Then we knew, space was just the in between, a medium in which everything existed in the universe. One planet to another, galaxy to galaxy, dimension to dimension, it was all there, and it was both terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time.