Alexa Miller, as dark-skinned as night itself, confidently walked down a row of sterile corridors and finally stopped in front of the laboratory door, where the final check of her implant was to take place in a few minutes. Upon entering, Alexa noticed that James Boucher was already settled in one of the chairs. She followed his example and sat down near the window.

  "Good morning, James," Alexa said, adjusting her hair.

  "The sun is shining too brightly today," he replied.

  "It can't always rain, right?"

  "But not this bright..." James stood up and approached one of the windows, placing his hand against the glass. He waited for the sound signal, and the surface of the glass slowly darkened, muffling the light.

  "Much better," he said and returned to his seat.

  "What are your plans for the week?"

  "Nothing special. I'll stay at the Compound and continue training," James, like the others, had joined the project a few years ago. His large physique always ensured him first place in fights. A few successful hits, and his opponent would give up. Perhaps that's why he made it to the finals and earned the title of Wanderer. "And what about you?"

  At that moment, the door opened, and Samantha Fisher entered the laboratory. She greeted James and Alexa, adjusted her glasses, and took one of the farthest seats. Samantha didn't even wait for a response from the other Wanderers. The greeting was merely a formality. Taking several notebooks from her bag, she opened a page where several formulas were already written and continued jotting down numbers and symbols. Most of her time was spent on calculations. Her goals remained a mystery to everyone. Only once did she explain the meaning of her calculations to just one person. For months, Samantha had been trying to find a way back to her home world. The moment the Center was reached and answers found, Samantha wished to return. The chances of success were too slim, and there were no ways to return in sight. Yet, despite this, Samantha wanted to find a way back, even though she had agreed to a one-way journey.

  "I'm going to visit my father," Alexa said, looking at James. "The incident happened a few years ago, but thanks to the project and insurance, doctors have started using a new method for tissue and brain neuron recovery. The results indicate that he could regain consciousness at any moment."

  "That's great news."

  "Yes, and I really want to talk to him before I leave. If I can't, I've recorded a few messages for him."

  "Don't worry, I'm sure he'll wake up today or tomorrow." James gave a thumbs up.

  "Thanks for the support, but it's not all that optimistic."

  "Not all, but much. If you're not an optimist, you might as well just die." He smiled at Alexa, and she smiled back. "Family is important," his voice grew quieter. It seemed he was lost in the past again. But after a moment, he returned.

  Alexa learned about his past when, two years ago, while still a candidate for the Wanderers, she, James, and another twenty people went to the sixth district for a summer break. That night, he shared his story. A story of how, due to a collapse in the Third District, the Archon of the Consolidated Nation redirected energy to the Rift Gate chamber, how a system error in one of the internal transport trains of Revel had prevented the train from stopping, and the train, at full speed, had left the magnetic tunnel and crashed into a shopping mall. The debris crushed his parents before James's eyes. Most likely, he still sees that image in his dreams, as a puddle of blood flows out from under the concrete blocks.

  Alexa restrained the urge to express sympathy, but if she said even one word about the past, that image would reappear before his eyes. She didn't want that. It would be too cruel.

  The door opened again, and Jonathan Brooks entered the laboratory. He also greeted everyone and took a seat next to James. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Samantha, who was completely absorbed in her calculations and didn't even notice his arrival.

  "Johnny," James called out, "what are your plans for the week?"

  "My sister and I are planning to spend this week at the Crystal Lakes."

  "Oh... How wonderful!" The Crystal Lakes were a place of elite recreation. Crystal-clear waters, constant sunshine, comfort, and tranquility. They had become quite a popular vacation spot. Small complexes were situated along the shores of the lakes, and one of them had two rooms booked under the name of Jonathan Brooks and Ioanna Averino.

  "My sister suggested it. Given the privileges of the Wanderers, we can spend this week at a significant discount. So we quickly decided on the place." John smiled slightly. But then emotions left his face again.

  "Didn't you sleep?" Alexa asked him.

  "I tried, but couldn't."

  "No one will be sleeping this week, though we need to... Who knows how soon a new fracture will open in the first world," James noted.

  "What do you think," Alexa asked everyone in the laboratory, including Samantha, who didn't even hear her, "how long will our journey take?"

  "It depends on the number of worlds in the chain," John replied. "It could be a year or five, or maybe even ten."

  "Ten years..." James sighed. "I'll be over thirty then."

  "Well, that's assuming we don't die along the way," John added.

  "And you better try," Alexa commented.

  "I wonder if we'll meet in the Center?" James asked.

  "Hmm, probably not."

  "Why do you think so, John?"

  "Well... when we leave a world, the connection to it is completely severed, including with time. Now imagine you've been in ten or twenty worlds... The range is too wide. So I don't think that's possible at all."

  "What if we meet in one of the worlds?" James asked again.

  "Hmm. That could happen. Even though our ways are our own, there's a chance we'll pass through the same world," John replied.

  Each of the Wanderers would like to meet each other in future worlds to share their stories. After all, even if they see other civilizations or something beyond imagination, if they meet each other, they would be with the people closest to them. Their loved ones from their home world. But each of them knew that this would never happen.

  The door opened again, and Martha Crockford walked in.

  "Good morning, Wanderers!" she greeted everyone sitting in the lab. "Today is the final check of your implant systems. It will be different from all previous ones..."

  "What will be different about it?" James leaned back against his chair.

  "Mr. Boucher, before you ask questions, let me finish," Martha said, sitting down at the computer chair and placing her palm on the smooth surface of the table to activate the diagnostic systems. "This check is different from all previous ones because during the last diagnostics, we checked the main functions of the implants. Now, we will check all systems. Considering that your implant is connected to your consciousness, we will deactivate your mind during this diagnostic."

  "How does that even work?" James exclaimed.

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  "Your implant, James, like the implants of the other Wanderers, digitizes your mind and protects it from any damage during the transition through the fracture. Of course, it forms a single network between you, your suits, weapons, and devices. The implant is the center of this network. If the implants are damaged or disconnected, the network will collapse, but manual control will remain. In an emergency, the network can even save your life."

  "What if the implant is damaged... how will we then pass through the fractures?"

  "Mr. Boucher, did you even read the instructions we gave you at the very beginning? You successfully passed the exam on the implants. Did you learn everything, pass the exam, and then immediately forget?"

  "Yes, I remember, but..."

  "But what, Mr. Boucher? Too many pages?"

  "Yes, there are hundreds of them..."

  "They contain instructions for all circumstances and situations that could harm you or impede the project and your journey. Moreover, Mr. Boucher," Martha looked intently at James, "they include all the diagrams and methods for operating your devices and suits. In case of a malfunction or failure of one of the elements of your network, you will always be able to fix it. Although all this information is in the instructions, I will still answer your question. In the event of damage or disconnection of your implant, you will be able to continue your journey. But the consequences of the transition will be stronger: disorientation, partial memory loss, possibly hallucinations. These symptoms will begin to appear after the fifteenth to twentieth rift following the disconnection of the implant. At first, they will be mild, but the more fractures you pass through, the stronger they will become."

  "And what happens in the end?"

  "Well, you tell me, Mr. Boucher. What is the end of your way? What is the end of the Wanderer's journey?"

  James fell silent.

  "You agreed to this path. You have passed the trials and selection. Out of nearly a hundred who arrived at the project, only four remained. So tell me, what is the end of your journey, Mr. Boucher?"

  "The end of the Wanderer's journey occurs when the Wanderer reaches the Center of Primordial Space or dies," James replied. This phrase was known by everyone in the project.

  "And I will ask you your own question: and what will happen at the end?"

  "This is reaching the Center."

  "Exactly. But still, to reassure you and chase away any dark thoughts, I assure you that the implant is designed with all possible situations in mind. Software or technical damage is practically impossible. And even if the implant is damaged, by that time, you will most likely be dead. It is too small and installed at the base of your brain. So you can stop worrying about it."

  "And software?" John asked. Martha immediately turned her gaze to him.

  "This is a network. The core of the implant is surrounded by five primary and seven secondary protection systems. If any failure occurs, the protection systems will take the load. So that's also impossible. Are there any other questions?"

  No one else spoke a word. Everyone just stared into one point, waiting for further instructions from Professor Crockford.

  "If there are no more questions, then please, Mr. Boucher, lie down in the capsule. It will take about ten minutes."

  James stood up from the table and approached the capsule — as white and sterile as everything around. He lay inside and addressed Martha once more:

  "What will I feel?"

  "Nothing, Mr. Boucher. You will feel nothing. It will be like a dream, but without dreams. For you, only a second will pass. Remember, your mind will not be functioning, just like your subconscious."

  "Well, turn it on then."

  Martha waved her hand across the table and pressed several symbols. In a moment, James shut down, and the diagnostic process appeared on the screen.

  The silence was broken only by the mechanical sound of the machine and John's heavy breathing. He was worried about the check: if any error was found, the project for him would end. Despite having passed all previous checks, this anxiety would not leave him. In the silence, thoughts flooded his mind. They were different, but they all shared one thing — they were all heavy. He thought of Ioanna, the project, and that he would soon leave this world. John contemplated the Center and what awaited him in the next worlds. He tried to imagine what would happen after his departure and how Ioanna would live. But his reflections were interrupted by the sound of the diagnostic completion.

  "That was strange..." James said as he exited the capsule, "it felt like... I don't even know how to explain it."

  "And you don't need to. You're free, Mr. Boucher," Martha addressed him. "Don't forget to come this evening to the main hall. Today the project enters its final stage, and we will celebrate."

  "And beer?" James asked, smiling.

  "Yes, Mr. Boucher, there will be alcohol."

  "Great," James said and left the lab, waving goodbye to everyone.

  "Miss Fisher, it's your turn."

  Samantha tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and lay down in the capsule. Ten minutes later, Alex repeated the same action. John was still sitting at his desk, counting the minutes. Exactly ten minutes later, a signal sounded.

  "Your turn, Mr. Brooks," Martha addressed John.

  John approached the capsule, lay down, and prepared himself.

  "Don't worry, Jonathan. You've gone through similar tests many times. This is the last one. Are you ready?"

  "Yes, Professor. You can start."

  Touching one of the symbols on the screen, Martha looked at John.

  "There's nothing to worry about, Jonathan," and the Wanderer plunged into the void.

  A few minutes later, as the diagnostics of John's implant began, a woman entered the laboratory. If Martha hadn't known her, she would have guessed she was around forty years old, and she would have been right.

  "Hello, Martha," the woman addressed her.

  "Jessica Mills. I was afraid you wouldn't come."

  "I couldn't miss such a moment," Jessica replied, sitting at one of the empty desks.

  "How is he?" Jessica asked, glancing at John.

  "Fifteen minutes have already passed, but the diagnostics are still ongoing."

  "That's normal, Martha. Don't forget how many systems and subsystems are in the core of his implant. The machine needs more time."

  "True," Martha agreed, taking a pack of cigarettes from her pocket. She lit one, inhaling the smoke. "So, how's life in the capital?"

  "You still smoke?" Jessica looked at her. "Too many people and too little space. Where's Richard?"

  "He went to the Capitol. Because of all this formality, the Capitol needs someone from the project. So, he went."

  "And you're here."

  "And I'm here," they looked into each other's eyes. Martha took another drag, and Jessica asked:

  "How are things at the compound? The last time I was here was a few years ago, and I spent days in the basement."

  "We built several new buildings. We are actively checking the operation of the Fracture Machine for deviations. And what project are you working on now?"

  "None for now. Everyone is focused on the Fracture Machine," a soft smile appeared on Jessica's face. "You're doing the impossible, Martha. After the failure in the Third district, I can't imagine how you got the approval."

  "I know how to persuade," Martha replied, adjusting her glasses.

  Martha continued to sit at the table, inhaling tobacco smoke while Jessica inspected the laboratory, stepping from one corner to another. Suddenly, a signal sounded — the diagnostics were completed, and Jonathan opened his eyes.

  "How are you, John?" Jessica Mills asked from the other corner of the laboratory.

  "Good morning, Professor," the Wanderer greeted her, shifting his gaze to Professor Crockford, who had meanwhile finished her cigarette and extinguished the butt. "That was strange. You said we wouldn't feel anything, but..."

  "But what, Jonathan?" Martha asked him.

  "I had a dream. A strange one; everything was so vivid, I can't even explain it."

  "And you don't need to," the Mother of the Machine said. "It's normal. It means your mind didn't shut down completely and continued to work. On one hand, it's good; on the other, not so much. It could have affected the diagnostic results, but it didn't."

  "And what did you see?" Jessica Mills asked, approaching the capsule John had left.

  "An ordinary life, the project, the Compound... nothing special."

  "In any case, that's a minor deviation that didn't affect the test. Let alone the operation of the implant," Martha clarified, glancing Jessica

  "So everything's fine?" John asked skeptically.

  "Everything is as it should be. Don't worry. Your implant is stable and working as it's supposed to," Martha reassured him.

  "Usually, when people say 'don't worry,' you should worry. After all..." John hesitated. "The computer in the head and so on..."

  "John, it's in our best interest to ensure that the implant is stable because we need to guarantee your safety all along the way. We are doing our best. The diagnostic results are positive. I wouldn't lie to you," Martha said, looking at Jonathan.

  For several seconds, John stared into the void, then asked:

  "Am I free?"

  "Absolutely," Martha replied. "Don't forget, tonight at seven, we're celebrating the start of your journey. Meeting in the main hall."

  "Okay." The young man left the capsule. "Goodbye, professors." And John exited the laboratory.

  "So, how is it?" Jessica Mills asked.

  "Everything is clear. No deviations. All systems are stable. There was one error, but it wasn't detected upon re-checking the area. It may be related to the fact that John had a dream."

  Jessica took a deep breath.

  "Is that all?"

  Martha continued to look at the projection before her.

  "Yes," the scientist replied slowly. "That's all. We did it."

  "Ha-ha," Jessica laughed. "We did it! The implant is stable!" she continued to laugh.

  "I can't believe it," Martha leaned back again. "After so many years..."

  "The implant works, the code is intact," Jessica said, concentrating on reviewing the data. "Honestly, I thought everything would fail, looking at past results..."

  "I was scared too," Martha added, "but everything is perfect."

  "We need to celebrate!" Jessica exclaimed.

  "There are still about six hours until the event, but there's a bottle of whiskey in my desk, and we can grab a couple of glasses. Let's celebrate, so to speak," Martha said with a smile. "It's worth it."

  "Oh yes... The great alcohol will flow into me today."

  "I think it will visit everyone in the compound today," Martha smirked.

  Martha placed her hand on the surface of the table, and the machine turned off, as did the main computer. The two women left the laboratory, and the lights went out. Martha and Jessica walked through the sterile corridors of the Fracture Project compound happy that one of the crucial moments was over, and it ended quite well. In her time, Martha had broken all laws of morality and ethics, and it had paid off.