Humpty

Hey, are you alright? Wait, wait. Don't get up. You hit the ground pretty hard, back there. You came out of nowhere, smashed up that dude's windshield. No, no, it's alright. He wasn't in it. What about you? Are you hurt? [[Yes]] [[No]]

Oh, look at that nasty cut. Hey, I got a first aid kit for a reason. Glad I'm always prepared, right? So, where did you come from, anyway? I thought you might have fallen from the bridge up there but there's no way you leapt far enough to hit his car. It was like you appeared out of thin air. [[I don't remember]]

Oh, thank goodness. Wait, you're bleeding. Your arm's probably gonna scar if we don't treat this properly. Alright, then, let's get out of the road. So, where did you come from, anyway? I thought you might have fallen from the bridge up there but there's no way you leapt far enough to hit his car. It was like you appeared out of thin air. [[I don't remember]]

That's okay. Just try to breathe. I'm sure it's frightening for you. Hey, my name's Axel Rodcrest. It's a pleasure to meet you. (text-colour:red)[Target Identified] What's your name? [[Call me H]] [[Call me D->Call me H]]

Alright, as you wish. Either way, I'm sure you're alright if you're sure you're alright. Hey, do you have the time? (text-colour:red)[Two minutes left] [[It's 4:55]]

Well, thanks. Hey, listen, why don't you come with me into the GTI? I've got my appointment, and you can go to the nurse's station. [[Sure]] [[What's the GTI?]]

Great. Alright, you just stay with me and we'll walk right through. //The door swings open as a gust of wind blows out. Pressurized interior. You notice the bullet-proof glass on the fifth floor.// Hey, Dave. Yeah, they're with me. Just gotta get this cut managed and they'll be right out. (text-colour:red)[1 minute remaining] Follow me in here, friend. Right past this desk, they'll take good care of you. [[Wait]]

The Global Time Initiative? Have you been living under a rock? Sorry, that was rude. Basically it's what came from that legislation they passed a decade ago. Something about exploring time and finding the bits that aren't connected to the rest of the timeline but are still out there. Anyway, that's what my job is. [[Please explain]] [[Makes sense. Let's go->Sure]]

Well, we can't deal with the timeline without causing paradoxes and cascades, right? Well, my research is into this concept we found of places of time that aren't on the timeline. They're just kinda... frozen. Anyway, I'm not sure if they're real, but some of our simulations are working out. Today, in fact, I'm going to try to send something to one of them. The Epsilon particles are really miraculous, you know? Sorry, of course you don't. I'm rambling. Let's get you inside. You're injured. (text-colour:red)[Diagnostic. Wound repaired.] [[Sure]]

What's up? They'll take care of you, I promise. Jenny is a wonderful doctor and she helped me when I broke my leg last year. [[Why does the institute have doctors?]]

Well, we're technically under the US military by economic law, although we're independent as our own global organization. So basically, they're required to have medical staff on hand. (text-colour:red)[Thirty seconds remaining.] I'm going to be late for my meeting. This is going to revolutionize everything if I'm right. You'll see. We'll break the ceiling on what we even think is possible. [[That's amazing. Tell me more.]]

I would love to. I really would, but I have to go. [[Stay]]

I told you, my friend. I can't. [[Stay.]]

Hey, woah, what are you doing? Let go of me! (text-colour:red)[10 seconds remaining.] What's going on with your arm? It was sliced right through! There's not a scratch on you! Let me go! [[I'm sorry]]

For what? Let go! (text-colour:red)[5 seconds remaining.] How did you arm even heal like that? What- What are you? [[I'm not]]

What does that mean? (text-colour:red)[2 seconds remaining.] Please let go! (text-colour:red)[1 second remaining.] Security! Security come help! (text-colour:red)[Device is armed. Let's go home.] [[Detonate]] [[Complete your mission]] [[Change your mind]]

Boom.

Mission is a success. Your previous versions will be so happy you never had to exist.

It's cute that you think you have a choice. [[Detonate]]