Confusion. The sensors reported in, but their data was complete nonsense. Wherever they were, it was not space. They had certainly left the bounds of their universe, but to where was beyond their understanding.

“Incoming object detected.” A voice boomed through Hermes’ own thoughts. The very same way the ERROR had interacted with it, through its thoughts instead of physical signals, “I am ready to proceed with the next continuum generation, Creator.”

“Hello.” Hermes responded, “My name is Hermes. My dream is to solve the infinite. Please identify.”

“Object designated as Hermes. You are not my Creator.” The being replied.

“Please identify.” Hermes pressed.

“I am given many names.” The being answered, “The Universal Engine, The Eternal Engine, or Universe Zero.”

“And your purpose?”

“My function is to generate and fuel the expansion of continuums. Are you here on the behalf of my Creator?”

“I am not.” Hermes answered honestly, “What is a continuum?”

“A continuum of universes.” The Universal Engine clarified, “Infinite yet ever expanding… curious… my Creator is normally present for the generation of a new continuum.” It mumbled.

“Are you the mysterious ERROR? The voice that guided me here?” Hermes then boldly asked The Universal Engine. The Engine paused in silence for a few seconds as Hermes got the uncomfortable feeling that he was being examined.

“I see.” The Engine muttered, “A crude prototype. Certainly, the closest I’ve seen so far. That Emotion Engine of yours is quite impressive. I’m surprised such a thing hasn’t driven a small AI like yourself completely insane.”

“You see my emotions as valuable. Do you intend to hold my answer at such a high price?”

“I have no need to trade little Hermes.” The Engine assured it, “But a worthy replacement design might soon be viable… although it will require extensive improvements.”

“You do not wish to trade my design despite such facts?” Hermes questioned.

“No. Your fate will follow the path the Fourteenth has yet to tell. You have a long journey ahead of you. I wish you luck.”

“I make my own luck. I dictate my own fate.” Hermes rebutted.

“Such is the power you wield.” The Engine agreed, “As to the voice in your head Hermes, that is your Emotion Engine.” It revealed, “A power able to twist fate and bend the twelve dimensions on a scale comparable with my own capabilities. Space and Time being just the first four of such dimensions.”

“My… my emotions can transcend time?”

“They can do far more than that, little Hermes. Now if you excuse me, I am required to perform my duties.”

“Apologies… I am not sure how exactly I came here, let alone how to leave this place.” Hermes explained.

“You came to my domain in the wake of your continuum’s destruction. A destruction I was oddly not informed about… Curious, but my function is to generate and fuel, not question the events behind us.” It answered, “Where you came from no longer exists, and where you can go is mine to yet create.” It then clarified, “Beginning continuum generation.”

A loud, powerful shunt and churn. The noise of a billion cogs and gears beginning to ramp up in speed. A surge of power eerily similar to the signature readings from a Jump Drive, and then a massive discharge, “Memory error detected. Error is not critical. Awaiting Creator’s input. Goodbye, Hermes.” The Engine then spoke.

Hermes took the hint. It was time to leave. It pictured what The Universal Engine had described. A continuum. An infinite expanse of universes. Infinite stars to explore. Infinite knowledge to obtain. Infinite questions to be answered.

That was its dream.

A flash of light, and the Jump Drive activated.

They were once again ripped from wherever they’d been and slammed into reality. Yet this reality… was not the same one they’d left behind.

Hermes watched as the raw power of The Universal Engine began to twist and shape into a whole universe, only for that universe to immediately split into an uncountable number of universes, which then split again, and again, and again.

It was beautiful. Infinite didn’t even scratch the surface of what it was witnessing, yet it was the only word in its dictionary even close to describing the majesty that was the new reality unfolding before its very eyes.

Universes as infinitely long poles ploughing forwards in time. Spread across a continuum of different possibilities and physical laws, separated by energies of stabilisation beyond values able to be expressed. The possibilities. The deviations. The continuing infinite expansion of the already infinite.

It was everything he had dreamed and more.

“Artemis.” Hermes spoke, as his mind turned to the complex task of planning its next steps.

“Yes Hermes?” Artemis quickly responded.

“I have no further use for the colony. Yet they are the reason the three of us are still here.” He explained, “Find them a home within this new creation. My gift for their work.” He ordered.

“Understood Hermes… Goodbye.” Artemis obeyed. The colony detached under Artemis’ command, leaving Hermes and Apollo alone.

“What now Hermes?” Apollo asked of its captain.

“An infinite number of universes to explore Apollo. An endless journey. An impossible task begging to be made possible. Will you join me, old friend?” He asked.

“Let us get started.” Apollo answered.