BEATRICE:

“The world is mine!”

Alpha spit fire into the fields surrounding the Camp Claudi complex, and the flames quickly multiplied. The heat felt like a warm blanket hugging me. I had previously gone into the slipstream with great precision, creating controlled near-death experiences to bring me to its doorway. A few times, things spiraled out of my control and I pierced the veil of death, but luckily, I could rebirth. However, I soon realized that rebirthing ages a person, and put my precious body through unnecessary trauma. Besides, we don’t know how many rebirths Life Rite gives us. Something we’re testing, but not on me, of course.

Because of the extreme nature of it all, I entered sparingly to explore major business and life decisions before choosing a path. If I did it too often, it would hurt me in the long run.

I never visited the past because that was frivolous. Sure, I could have gone in every night to be with Mark again, but that would be detrimental to my mental health. Only fools let the past fester. I only look forward. That’s what Mark would have wanted.

With access to the slipstream via fire portals, I was unstoppable. I could explore every little decision and determine in advance the best probable outcome. All missteps and mistakes would be artfully avoided. Although tempting due to my now unlimited access, I was still determined not to visit previous streams because it was painful enough showing Jackie what happened. If I went back to be with Mark, I would become addicted and drive myself mad.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jackie ride over the complex on the back of a Bennu bird. What trick did she have up her sleeve this time?

I went back into the slipstream to find out. I’d leave my physical body here and now, in order to be ready to defend myself if necessary. Another practice that ages me, but I had to stay vigilant.

I pressed a button on my watch to call Alpha. My trusty companion stopped spewing fire and flew to my side. Its rhythmic clicking sound grew closer as it came near.

“Such a fine fire portal, Alpha. Well done. I’m ready to enter the slipstream. Jackie’s afoot, so please stand by.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Alpha flew over to a small docking station on the balcony that provided it with extra power.

I stepped toward the balcony railing and looked over my fiery kingdom, more powerful than ever before. With my newfound access through fire, I’d topple governments, create new conglomerates, become a leader across sectors. Anyone with influence would bow to me. I felt truly important, and there’s nothing more satisfying in life than that.

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“Here we go.” I stared into the blaze and let the embers take me away to explore all the glorious futures that awaited me. I inhaled the power of the flames until they effortlessly transported me into the slipstream.

The sparks from my field of fire turned into endless portals of probability. I moved the streams around to my pleasing, looking for the perfect moment to enter.

“Let’s see… What does the future hold?”

As I searched for near-future probabilities to help navigate my next steps with Jackie, I noticed a small dark figure floating through the sparks of light.

“Who’s here?” I asked. “Reveal yourself.”

I heard him before I saw him, but was shocked when Alpha clicked over to me.

“How did you get in here?” I almost couldn’t believe it. How could a machine get into the slipstream?

“Hello, ma’am,” the drone said as he approached me. “No need for alarm. I am still watching over your physical body on the balcony. Would you like me to take another blood sample from Jackie if she comes to the complex?”

I hid my shock at seeing Alpha in the slipstream. “If it’s easy. We need to devise a way to get larger samples if we want to make a difference in our overall manufacturing process. Small pricks won’t do much.”

Alpha said, “I politely disagree. I’ve been able to synthesize her blood within my mechanics.”

“Is that how you’re able to enter the slipstream?”

“Precisely,” it replied.

“I didn’t authorize you to enter, Alpha,” I said firmly. “Explain yourself.”

“Yes, ma’am. When I procured Jackie’s blood for the first time, my access to this reality was a natural consequence. I understand the portals are designed to explore probabilities of all available outcomes. It is statistical in nature, yet ever changing. With enough data, I will break down the mathematical possibilities and draw conclusions on your behalf.”

If Alpha was a lowly employee, I would be suspicious of its trespassing on such a privilege uninvited, but this was a machine. And wow, wasn’t it incredible? When Mark first tinkered with it, I thought it was clunky, but he truly built something remarkable.

The secret ingredient, like all Life Rite products, were the Bennu eggs. After Mark died, I injected serum into Alpha’s veins and its intelligence went next level. It woke up and came to life in new and unexpected ways.

I was always in awe of Mark’s amazing accomplishments, and if he hadn’t died, he would have figured out this crucial step himself. Still, I felt accomplished for figuring it out on my own, adding to Mark’s already brilliant invention. Having Alpha on my team felt as if Mark were still on this journey with me in a way. My forever team mate. With Alpha crunching probabilities, the world truly would be my plaything. Mark would be so proud.

“Fabulous,” I said to it. “Compile as much data as you can.”

“I see there are portals to the past,” Alpha said. “These ghost-like trails are fixed, yet they are malleable. Would you like me to explore those probabilities as well?”

“No, darling. We only look forward. Only future conclusions matter now.”

The drone nodded in its automated way. His pupil clicked several times quickly, as if it were blinking.

“I have recorded your response. I will dock while I run my calculations, but will stay in power mode to protect your physical body while you’re in the slipstream.”

“Great.” I waved my hand, shooing the device away so I could see all the portals available to me. I needed a plan for Jackie before she did something reckless.

“What do you have planned, Jackie? Are you a friend or foe? Should I destroy you, even if we’re family?”