The Story

The story begins with the protagonist, Tobi, out in his ship salvaging wreckage from a recent battle between the mighty Circle and Square armies. Suddenly Tobi’s ship’s sensors detect a large explosion not far from where he’s working. Tobi pack up his equipment and goes to check it out. Upon arriving, he finds a damaged escape pod and brings it aboard his ship. Inside the pod is an old man who looks like he’s on the verge of death.

Tobi: Who are you? You shouldn’t be here.

Old Man: I know, but you must understand that time is not simply something that can be played with. It’s all arranged in a very specific way, and to upset that balance causes entire systems of the world to break. Nothing is meant to exist in the same place at the same time. You can’t keep anything if what want what was lost. There are no victories to be had in the past. Promise me! Promise me you won’t do anything to upset that precious balance!

Tobi: Uh… what?

Old Man: PROMISE ME!

Tobi: All right I promise.                 

Old Man: Good.

The Old Man dies the next moment leaving Tobi standing there wondering what he meant. Suddenly the ship’s sensors are going off again over another nearby explosion.

Tobi: Well today is off to a good start. I swear if it’s another dying old guy in a pod I’m letting nature take its course.

As Tobi appeared the second explosion he’s hailed by another ship.

Bennet: Hi, was just passing through the area when I noticed your ship. I’m looking for an escort to the safe zone in the direction of Alpha Centauri.

Tobi: Who are you? You shouldn’t be here.

Bennet: What? Ya I was just wandering through trying to make my way to that safe zone. I’m Bennet by the way.

Tobi: You were wandering through an area of space that’s an active battlefield. That seems like a poor decision. Well I’m about finished with my salvage work so I suppose I can head there with you.

As Tobi and Bennet begin to head towards the safe zone they detect a large number of ships approaching from the rear. A fleet of Circle ships is retreating from another battle and is catching up to them. The pair must fight as they flee towards the safe zone.

Level 1

After Tobi and Bennet hold off the retreating Circle army they continue to make their way to the safe zone.

Tobi: So How did you end up in the debris field? And before I found you I had detected an explosion. What was that?

Bennet: …I have no Idea.

Tobi: You don’t know how you ended up there or what the explosion was?

Bennet: Both, the last thing I remember was stealing this ship to flee as the army surrounded us.

Just as Tobi was going to ask who Bennet was with, the two receive a message from a stranger.

Stranger: Please turn around and go back the way you came. This area is off limits as per the order of the Square empire. The way ahead is not safe.

Bennet: We’re just heading to the safe zone. We’re not combatants.

Stranger: Who are you? You don’t belong here.

Bennet: I know, we’re just trying to trying to get through this sector to get to the safe zone.

Stranger: There is no safety this way. Turn back and leave.

Tobi: The Circle army has been chasing us this entire way. We can’t go back.

Stranger: Really? Fine then, proceed.

The two continue onward to the safe zone. However as they go they realize they’re being tracked. Tobi realizes why they were allowed to proceed. They had become the bait for a Square trap to catch the retreating Circle army. The Square army has surrounded them. They prepare to fight their way through.

Level 2

After surviving the ambush, Tobi begins to wonder if the safe zone is even real.

Tobi: How do you know about this safe zone? So far all we’ve heard is that there’s anything but safety ahead. What makes you so sure this is where we should be heading?

Bennet: I just do, but let me ask you something. Why are you following me? I didn’t make you, you came along of your own free will. You trusted me so quickly, why?

Tobi: Because you asked me for help to get to the damn safe zone!

Bennet: I did? I don’t remember that?

Tobi: What the hell is wrong with you? You remember nothing about who are you or what your purpose is. You appear out of nowhere and are now likely leading me to my death and your only response is I don’t know?

Stranger: I warned you two that the way forward wasn’t safe but you insisted on continuing.  This guy is still with them?

Tobi: You tried to use us as bait to catch the Circle forces and were going to have us killed. I don’t know if your with the Square army but at the very least you sold us out to them.

Stranger: Then turn back if you’re afraid, because the way forward will only be more of the same. Repetition of events just like that one. Turn back and you’ll be spared all of it.

Bennet: We can’t do that. We won’t be safe until we get to the safe zone.

Stranger: Have it your way.

The pair realize that during their conversation, enemy ships have moved in and caught them in a tractor beam. Unable to break free they’re brought the forward base of the Square army. However once they’re through the force field surrounding the base, Bennet activates an EMP to break free of the tractor beam. However they’re now trapped inside the force field and will need to deactivate it if they hope to make it to Bennet’s fabled safe zone.

Level 3

As the pair fight through the base (the force field?) they encounter Commandant Cube who explains to them that this day was meant to be the day the Square army defeated the entire first fleet of the Circle army however Tobi and Bennet’s actions have ruined everything. According to the Commandant, they had perfect intel about how everything was to play out with the exception of Tobi and Bennet.

After defeating the Commandant, a ship approaches the two.

Stranger: You have ruined everything I worked for, everything I sacrificed, and for what? For a rumored safe zone that doesn’t even exist?!

Tobi: Who are you?

Stranger: My name is Howard and I’m from a different universe entirely. I had come to build a truly incredible world but the two of you have ruined everything. All the secret information I gave these Square fools was all for nothing because a couple of idiots though they’d be safe by heading towards a military base.

Tobi: The truth is that I don’t care about your stupid plan. But you’ve now tried to have me killed twice and plan to conquer this world. You won’t leave the base alive.

Howard: Ha! You think the two of you can really defeat me? You think I came this far unprepared? My plan is still salvageable but the two of you no longer have any place in my new world. I will remove the stain that you two are from my world.

Bennet: I told you before that I wouldn’t let you get away with it.

Howard: Even if you defeat me here and now it doesn’t matter. I’ve been traveling through time and space to arrange everything going on around you right now. My plans will go forward regardless of whether or not I’m there to see them. There is nothing you can do to stop any of this. I won a long time ago, and I’m just waiting to finish now.

Tobi and Bennet fight, and by the end of it all their ships are damaged beyond the point where they can fight anymore.

Bennet: Tobi you must get on his ship, his ship is programmed to automatically try to travel through time and space just like he did to get here. You have to stop him. My ship is too damaged and has no propulsion.

Tobi quickly boards the ship however he is unable to stop the ship from warping.

New Stranger: Ah, a new traveler seeks to make the voyage!

Tobi: What? Who is that? Where am I?

New Stranger: I am Father Time and this is the timeless void that everyone must cross through if they wish to make a voyage in time. Are your prepared to pay the fare?

Tobi: The fare?

Father Time: As per the rules of time nothing may be duplicated. That man Howard was not always Howard, just as you Tobi may no longer be Tobi. You may not be you, around you. You may not know what you know.

Tobi: Your saying in order to travel through time I have to literally become another person?

Father Time: Indeed, your friend and you had more in common than you’re ever capable of knowing.

Tobi: Wait so Bennet was…

Father Time: It’s irrelevant as to whether he is you or you are him. There is the original soul and its derivatives. So are you prepared to try again, to see if you’re capable of overcoming the challenges you faced this time?

Tobi: I’m ready.

Father Time: Then go Bennet, Godspeed.

The Game then begins back at the beginning, allowing the player to start a new game.