Exiting out of the second ring, the stream of electrons passed through a layer that tasted of copper before accelerating into a third and final ring plate, this one composed of even more rollers whirling at an even faster velocity.

I realized then that I was touring an electrical generator, a never-ending circuit of electricity powered solely by the internal tensions of the atoms themselves—atoms whose negatively charged electrons were being perpetually drawn into the device’s positively charged neodymium core like bees to honey. There was no build up of heat, no fuel expended, nor toxins released. Powered by the infinite ocean of atoms that surrounded us, the alien device was, quite simply, a source of endless, clean, free energy.

As these thoughts came to me, I felt my consciousness drawn out of the centrifuge and away from the shrinking power generator, so that I was again gazing upon its ring plates. The object progressively grew smaller until it shrank once more to a red singularity and disappeared.

And as it disappeared I felt my own atoms reappear, gaining mass as I re-entered the physical dimension, materializing inside the private home library of my mentor, Joe Tkalec.

The moment I saw the alien entity, I remembered everything—every missing minute of existence, every experienced death, culminating into the now.

“Welcome, Zachary. But not ‘welcome back.’ Tell me why.”

“Welcome back refers to a past moment lived. Had I actually experienced any of those moments other than this last one, I would not be here.”

“Correct. And yet you experienced all of them, each choice creating its own branch of reality, each decision generating its own parallel universe. In some of these universes, you never made it back to your submersible. In others you returned injured, only to find Ming dead and Ben piloting the sub. Countless parallel universes created by a multitude of choices, and yet in only one distinct set of circumstances did the life of Zachary Wallace culminate in his returning to the mountaintop. And because time and existence are dependent solely upon the consciousness of the observer, all of the other multiverses have now disappeared.

“Or have they? Do you remember our discussions about the two theories of time?”

“I remember discussing McTaggert’s theories with Joe…”

“How can you be so sure I’m not Joe?”

“Stop it.”

“What if I told you I am your old mentor and friend, that I was summoned to this moment by the same forces responsible for your being here? Only your belief system is preventing you from accepting me as the real deal, despite the fact that your five senses tell you I am Joe Tkalec.”

“Common sense tells me you’re not.”

“Funny. Common sense tells me that I am the real Joe and you are Alien Zachary.”

“It’s your show, pal. You want to waste time playing mind games, go for it.”