National Security Headquarters. Asbestos, Canada (Dominion Territory)
March 26th, 2103. 23:14 hours, Eastern Standard Time
Marcel Lanier Interrogation Recording
Three men walk into the room; the central figure is Mr. Lanier, flanked by Dominion soldiers on either side. He is seated at a table, with the interrogator (Ms. Elizabeth Moreau) across the table. Mr. Lanier appears resigned.
Moreau: Can you please identify yourself, sir?
Lanier: (Looking visibly annoyed) You already know who I am. Why do we have to go through this, again?
Moreau: Just answer the question, sir. Your citizen ID code, as well.
Lanier: (sighing) Marcel Lanier. A270480N619. Any chance I can get a drink or something? Getting manhandled for no reason really makes a guy thirsty. (He and one of the guards at the door exchange nasty glances)
Moreau: Just answer the questions, please. Where were you on March 12th, at 5:43 PM?
Lanier: Y’know, you’re a very cold woman. You sorta remind me of my sister. You look like her, too. Maybe a little prettier.
Moreau: Again, where were you on March 12th, at 5:43 PM?
Lanier: Do you have a fascination with asking questions that you already know the answer to, or…?
Moreau: Where were you?
Lanier: Alright, alright. You’re pushy, you know that? I was at the international airport in London. I still have the visa that permits me to travel to Alliance territory, if you need it. (A second passes, and an expression of false realization forms on his face) Oh, wait; you took everything that belongs to me.
Moreau: But that’s not the only place you were on March 12th, at 5:43 PM, was it?
Lanier: (stares out into space with a blank expression, not responding)
Moreau: You were also in both a Fukushima City hospital and the ruins of Islamabad at that exact same time. So, tell me, Mr. Lanier, can you tell me how you can be in both the Alliance Territories and the Collective Territories at the same time?
Lanier: (still does not respond)
Moreau: We’re awaiting an answer. (When no answer comes, she motions to one of the guards, who starts to walk towards Lanier)
Lanier: (the soldier walks up directly behind Lanier, and slams the back of his rifle into Lanier’s forehead. The man grunts in pain) I’m a citizen of the Dominion. Where’re my rights, exactly?
Moreau: Potential national threats lose them. Now answer my question.
Lanier: You know what? Never mind what I said earlier. My sister wasn’t as big a bitch as you are. (the soldier slams his head against the top of the table)
Moreau: Answer the question. Are you three terrorists that use the same alias?
Lanier: (spits blood onto the floor to the right of him) Do you really think terrorists are that stupid?
Moreau: Are you clones? Has the Alliance finally perfected its flash-cloning program?
Lanier: This whole “Cold War II” thing is getting pretty old, you know that? What happened to World War III being the last of the global conflicts?
Moreau: Are you or are you not part of an Alliance-sponsored infiltration cell?
Lanier: No, of course not. My family have been Dominion citizens since its creation. My grandfather was declared a hero of the Brazilian military during World War III. My dad’s family has been living in Quebec since the 1740s. I have no reason to betray my country.
Moreau: So then you explain it; it’s not identity theft, because the scans we have of the other Mr. Laniers show that you three are genetically identical. Explain this to me.
Lanier: (hesitates for a moment) You’re not going to believe me.
Moreau: We won’t know that until you tell me.
Lanier: No, I mean you seriously won’t believe me. (he motions to the guards, but glances specifically at the one that hit him with the rifle) Plus, I’m not sure Dumb and Dumber over there will understand. Hell, I don’t even know if I understand this completely…
Moreau: Are you done stalling, or should we wait for you to come up with an excuse?
Lanier: (his expression darkens) I’m not stalling. It’s just that those were me. I was at all three different places at once. (Moreau just stares at him for a minute, glaring) … So, what about that drink?
Moreau: I want a serious answer, now.
Lanier: For crying out, lady, that was my serious answer! I told you that you wouldn’t believe me.
Moreau: … Okay. Let’s assume for a second, and this is a pretty big assumption, that you are not completely insane. How on earth do you explain that?
Lanier: I… I don’t know. Let me try to explain it, better. We’re separate people in that we work independently, but we share a mind.
Moreau: What?
Lanier: Uh, let me try to explain… I really don’t want to lay a whole lot of sci-fi sounding crap on you. But here it goes, I guess; you know how most things occupy one single space in the space-time continuum? Well, I guess you can call me “special.” And not in the special education sort of way… Well, actually, maybe that is the kind of way, but that’s irrelevant at the moment. Basically, while I occupy one space in terms of the time line, I occupy three different spaces in terms of physical location.
Moreau: Explain this more simply. I don’t even think that makes sense on a metaphysical scale.
Lanier: (he rubs his temple, as if trying to figure out how to explain) Okay. Imagine all three of me as a single person. We all know what the others have done, but-
Moreau: So you three have a hivemind, of a sorts?
Lanier: Yes- wait, no! No, it’s not like that. None of us can directly influence the others. We just sort of see what the other ones are doing. I don’t really know how to explain it. Basically, I see what they are currently doing, but I don’t see it as if its currently happening. I see it as if it already happened, and I am just sort of remembering it.
Moreau: I’m still not convinced any of this is real, but keep going.
Lanier: Think of it as sort of three alternate timelines, but they all exist in the same timeline, and can directly affect the other.
Moreau: Okay. Let’s pretend that this is all true. How could this have started?
Lanier: Now, that’s the question, isn’t it? I don’t know. This didn’t actually start happening until recently. About two years ago, give or take.
Moreau: What happens if you three were to meet each other?
Lanier: I have no idea. I don’t want to test it out, though; its too much of a headache when we’re all separate. I don’t think my mind could handle trying to work this all out when we’re together.
Moreau: You realize that we’re still going to have to keep you here until we can verify your story, correct?
Lanier: Oh, please. You’re going to keep me here long after you “verify my story.” I’m something no one has ever seen before. You’re about to make me your little lab rat. A forced test subject, all in the name of your creepy little science experiments.
Moreau: If you’re so afraid that this’ll happen, why’d you tell us the truth?
Lanier: Because otherwise I would have been executed. I might have to live the rest of my life labeled as a freak, but I’ll be alive. Can we get on with this, now? I’m tired, and I’ve been sitting in solitary confinement all day.
Moreau: Guards; take him to his cell. (she points to one of the guards) And make sure he gets a glass of water, will you?