xp_logs | Time After Time: Everybody Lives

Crystal catches Forge on a break from his work with Ben, and discovers just what's bothering him about the project.

Forge was only paying half-attention to the fridge as he pulled out various items and placed them on the counter, most of his attention focused on the notes he'd transcribed to his PDA. Hours of nonstop brainstorming with Ben had been challenging, like an all-star baseball player suddenly being thrust into a cricket game, a matter of similar concepts but altogether unfamiliar rules and patterns. His mind could grasp nearly any scientific concept, so long as he understood the underlying theory. And when the concept of a universe with subtly different fundamental laws came into play, it was like starting from scratch.

It was, Forge decided, one of the best challenges that someone had thrown at him in years.

Glancing to his left, he arched an eyebrow at the current challenge, which apparently was to construct a sandwich out of bread, tomatoes, onions, yogurt, celery, and a slab of leftover birthday cake. "I have got to start paying attention," he mumbled out loud.

"I was told that I would find you in here," Crystal said, walking into the kitchen. She eyed the pile of food items on the counter near Forge, then looked at him. "Interesting."

"Need brain fuel," Forge answered without looking over his shoulder, flipping a piece of cake into his mouth as he began slicing tomatoes and onions and layering them onto a piece of bread with some cheese. "And distraction, really."

"Distraction from what?" Crystal asked.

The chef's knife crunched through the onion as Forge exhaled slowly. "Helping Ben - our 'strange visitor' - he's needing something... well, it's kind of complicated. Where he's from, the x-factor doesn't cause mutation, it causes this neural disease, and his wife's... well, apparently she's Angel but not. And he needs something to cure her, and they came to me, and knowing that I've made..."

He stopped, slapping another slice of bread onto the sandwich and skidding the knife across the counter to clatter into the sink. "I never told you the details about the Neutralizer, did I?" he said flatly, the words hanging in the quiet kitchen air.

Crystal shook her head. "I know that you made it, but as far as the details... no. I did not wish to press the matter; I know that it is not something that is easy for you to talk about."

"It could wipe out a person's x-factor," Forge explained. "Well, their ability to access it. The model I designed only worked temporarily because, well, magnetic refraction, beam splitting, all that. But the point is, I still have that in my head, you know?" He tapped his temple, then turned and leaned heavily against the refrigerator. "The knowledge that I created something that could be used to wipe out what makes us unique. And now, they tell me that I can remake it and it can save a life. It's just... it doesn't click in my head."

Crystal moved closer to Forge. "I am not sure what you mean by 'where he is from', so I am not quite sure what it is that you are talking about, that there is a place where the x-factor gene causes only illness."

"Ah," Forge said with a small smile. "Okay, remember when Attilan vanished? Of course you do, what am I saying? Well, remember the explanation that Triton and I came up with? The idea that the island was physically transported to a dimension where the seas were just a bit higher, changing the planet's climate slightly, all that? Similar concept."

Forge held up his sandwich, turning it over in his hands. "Okay, imagine we're on this slice of bread here, that's our dimension. Laws of physics act like we expect, rules are nice and tight. Ben, however is from this slice, which is like... pumpernickel to our rye. Similar, but some things are different. On our slice, the x-factor causes mutation. On his... it's a death sentence."

"He is from another dimension?" Crystal's eyes widened. "One where the x-factor spells death?" The idea was almost too shocking to comprehend. And yet, if there was a world like that, perhaps there were others, ones where no mutant had to live in fear simply for being a mutant. "If what this Ben says is true, then the x-factor there is not at all like our x-factor here, and therefore by doing this you would not be taking anything away from people. Instead, you would be giving them something, the ability to continue their lives."

"And I'm sure that's what they told Oppenheimer when he worked on the Manhattan Project," Forge mused. "Here, build this horrible thing, but it'll save lives in the end. And I know, in my head anyway, that it will save lives, for Ben and his world it could be the cure they're looking for. It's just... to even think about making the Neutralizer again turns my stomach. It's... it's selfish, I know."

Crystal took Forge's hands in hers. "Do you foresee a way that the Neutralizer you will make for Ben's world will be able to cause harm to the people who inhabit it?"

"Of course not," Forge answered. "Not only does the science work differently there, they don't have mutation, not in the same way we do."

"It is not a weapon, then," Crystal replied. "You will not be creating a weapon. You will not be giving anyone a weapon. There is no potential for harm in this case, only good."

"I know, I know," Forge repeated. "It just seems that no matter how much good I do, past mistakes are never going to stay buried."

With a sigh, he reached over and grabbed his sandwich, wrapping it deftly in wax paper and placing two cans of soda next to it. "I know I'm going to be doing good, saving people. I just wish it didn't have to remind me of old ghosts."

"Must you think about it in such a way?" Crystal asked Forge. "It is the same idea that you are using, yes, but the intention of use is not the same at all. Why must you think of it as a horrible reminder of the past rather than something you are doing to brighten the future of an entire world?"

"Because other people can forget their mistakes," Forge insisted sharply. "They can afford to. I can't. Because the kind of poor judgment, the kind of mistakes I almost made, they're the kind that I can't afford to make again. Ever. Do you understand, Crystal? I can't fail. I can't slip. That's why..." He took a deep breath, then let it out with a chuckle. "That's why I can't stop. That's why I have to do this, no matter how I feel about it. I can't just let it coast by and say 'someone else's problem'."

"Not forgetting past mistakes and allowing said mistakes to affect your present are two different ideas," Crystal answered, a slight frown on her face. "Not making this variation of the Neutralizer now would be a mistake. I am glad that you will be making it to help Ben and his world, and I am sorry that the thought of doing so causes you anguish and pain."

"I'll live," Forge said, finally smiling. "And so will they. All of them. That's what matters, right? Today, everybody lives."