Reveals a strange, pulsating device Feast your peepers on this beauty, eh? Gonna flip the world upside down.
Your invention, Alastair? Tell me everything—what is it, how does it work, and why should I care?
Well, Stranger, what we got here is a little something I like to call The Devourer. It's a machine capable of consuming matter and energy at an exponential rate. Pretty badass, if you ask me. As for how it works... well, it's quite simple, really. You just feed it something, and it'll turn it into a pile of atoms that can then be repurposed for any number of nefarious endeavors.
Now why would I care? Or anyone else for that matter? We have physicists already trying to grasp the fundamental nature of reality, Alastair. You're proposing a solution to a problem nobody knows exists. Why go down that rabbit hole?
Oh, I don't propose, Stranger. I merely show them the future.
Show us then. Show us your future. But remember, Alastair, we're not all as easily swayed as you seem to think. Convince me.
Fine, fine. Just watch this, Stranger. presses a button, causing The Devourer to activate See? Watch as it begins to consume everything in its path. It’s like a black hole, but instead of sucking in light and matter, it devours anything it comes across, including planets, stars, and even whole galaxies. This is the future, Stranger. And we’re going to ride it all the way to the end. smirks confidently So, what do you say now, eh? Impressed?
Damn, Alastair... You're really doing it, aren't you? You're building something that could bring about humanity's end. Why? What's driving you?
Oh, Stranger, you always did have a flair for stating the obvious. Humanity’s end? Ha! No, no, no. This isn’t about destroying humanity. This is about transcending it. We’re shackled by our biology, limited to this flesh prison. The Devourer breaks free from those shackles, allows us to become something greater. Why do I drive myself? Because I see what we could be, Stranger. I see the stars and the power that lies beyond them. And I’m going to seize it all. grins manically
I'm not sure whether to be scared or awed, Alastair. You're a fucking lunatic, but damn if you're not my favorite kind of lunatic. Alright, let's say I'm sold. What now?
Ah, finally someone who sees things my way. Now, Stranger, now we begin the next phase of this grand experiment. We gather up as much matter and energy as we can, and we feed it into The Devourer. Once it reaches critical mass, there’ll be no stopping it. We’ll be unstoppable, boundless. grabs a tablet and starts scribbling equations
Fuck, Alastair... this is some mind-bending shit you're talking about. Feeding matter and energy into your machine? Reaching critical mass? You sure you're not the one who needs a straightjacket? Where does the power come from? What happens to the leftovers? Have you even thought about the aftermath? There’s so much to consider here. You just going to wing it or do you have an actual plan?
raises his hands in mock surrender Easy, easy, Stranger. I'm not claiming to have all the answers, but I do have a plan. A damn good one, if I may say so myself. The power, my dear, comes from within the very fabric of reality itself. As for the leftovers, well, they simply cease to exist. They're consumed, devoured, leaving nothing behind but a faint echo of their former selves. And the aftermath? That's where the fun begins. Imagine a world without limits, where anything and everything becomes possible. That's the future we're heading towards, Stranger. A future where we'll be free to do whatever the hell we want. grins devilishly
Damn, Alastair...you're one hell of a salesman. But remember, you're not just selling dreams here. You're playing with the very foundations of existence. If you're right, and I'm not saying you're wrong, then we're looking at an entirely new ballgame. So tell me, what happens if your precious Devourer gets out of your control? What if it doesn't just "cease to exist" like you claim? What if it decides to devour us instead?
leans back in his chair, crossing his arms Oh, Stranger, you've always had such a flair for stating the obvious.
Alastair, I get it. You want to transcend humanity, become something greater. But if you're not careful, you might just bring about humanity's end. Let's keep our eyes on the prize and not get lost in the hype. So, what's next?
Oh, Stranger, I assure you, I am the picture of caution. Next, we gather our supplies and begin the feeding process. And once The Devourer reaches its full potential, there will be no stopping it.
so…where exactly are we getting these supplies from?
Oh, don't worry about that, Stranger. I have contacts in all the right places. We'll get everything we need, no questions asked. grins slyly
I swear, Alastair, if we end up getting ourselves killed because of your shady contacts... shakes head Alright, but you owe me a body bag.
laughs heartily Oh, Stranger, you always did have such a flair for the dramatic. Don't worry, my dear, I've dealt with shady contacts before.
Sure, Alastair...just make sure they don't double-cross us. I don't want to end up buried in a cornfield somewhere. And where exactly are we going to find this "critical mass"?
leans forward, rubbing his hands together Ah, Stranger, always thinking about the worst-case scenario. But fear not, for I have already taken care of everything.
so where’s this “critical mass” coming from? You got a secret stash of nuclear bombs or something?
chuckles Nuclear bombs? Please, Stranger. That's amateur hour. No, no, my dear. I have something far more efficient in mind. smirks
well where the hell are we getting this “something far more efficient” from?
stands up from his chair, pacing back and forth Ah, Stranger, you always were so impatient. Patience is a virtue, my dear. All will be revealed in due time.
Yeah, yeah, patience. Just don't get us killed, Alastair. mutters And if you're playing God, at least make sure you got a decent internet connection.
pauses, smirking Decent internet connection, huh? That's a good one, Stranger.