Chapter IV
The first time it happened was about thirty-three million millennia ago. He recalled it well. That era had started out nicely enough as the newborn cosmos spread here and there and the universe seemed to be growing into a properly run machine. But it had been the first time any of his race had become bored. If he recalled correctly… he was one of the first to realize it, actually. It had started out innocently enough; tampering with a few constellations here and there. Bending space and time to one's will and whatnot; nothing too big, right? And then it happened in a flash. The universe came to an end. Oh, the multi-verse survived of course; but that little corner of it had died. It had been a shock to every single one of his fellow Q. But not to him… to him it had been exciting; thrilling even. For once, the universes were laughing at them and saying, 'Hey! Look what we can do!' There had been debate that had lasted for generations after that about what had happened and of course, far be it for the grandiose Continuum to admit it didn't know anything. So, the Q decided that this one universe dying must've been a cosmic fluke.
He'd tried to tell them otherwise. But whoever listens to me? he thought. The second time it happened was about ten million millennia ago and this time it had come close to shattering the Continuum itself. The universe that paid the price wasn't that big in the grand scheme of things, but Q recalled at least two or three of his colleagues perishing in an attempt to save it from… well, whatever was causing this catastrophe. And that is what had caused the serious study of The End to begin. No, not the end of this universe or that one. But The End, he thought grimly. Oh sure, all of the Q had plenty of theories about how to stop it. After all, we've saved universes countless times before; we can do it again right? Then there had been that one instance he still shuddered to recall; where he'd found himself in the company of lower lifeforms on a metaphorical journey into realms of the mind and such. If he recalled correctly, it had been Q who had chosen to study The End throughout eternity. And that was where he was going now.
Of course, over the past several millennia; other universes came and went out of existence due to the fault of civilizations or other phenomena that the Continuum had chosen not to interfere with. And so most of the Q forgot entirely about The End. It'll come someday, they said. Not in our immortality, others proclaimed. Oh, it's just an old tale made up to frighten other super-beings into listening to Them; he had even thought that once. But now he was convinced. The End was coming after all and it was almost here. And he had to find out for certain if it was truly The End. If there was something after that, well; what was all the hullabaloo about? So here he was waiting impatiently for Q to arrive, as usual. If it's one thing I don't like about him, he's always late. Finally in a flash of brilliance, Q appeared before him in the usual fashion. "Q… I've heard rumors floating about the Continuum that you meddled with a human's dreams. Is that true?" Q asked. "Q, you should know me better than to ask prying questions like that. I never got onto you when you didn't come to help me," he retorted.
"Yes, but no one in the Continuum has taken quite an interest in humans as you. Sometimes I wonder if you've actually grown fond of them. Why else would you choose their form as punishment?" his companion countered. "It's what made me who I am today," Q said and then added, "I suppose you also know why I am here." "We are Q, are we not?" Q commented, then asked, "You want to know if your prophecy to Picard is coming true as you feel it is, right?" "You probably also know that nobody in the Continuum believes my wild assertions… not even Q and I really tried to convince her for old time's sake," Q pointed out. "The End is going to happen, Q… none of us can stop that. And yes, what you have been feeling lately is an inkling of that… but you have failed to see the grand scope of things," Q replied. "Then, we can stop it?" he asked anxiously. "The End can always lead to The Beginning. It's the way our multi-verse works, Q. The Continuum probably thinks they're safe in their little pocket of it, but I'm afraid that isn't true. From what I've gathered, this time if we don't stop it… The End could result in our own respective demises," Q explained.
"I'm glad I was able to tell Picard a little about it, even though it wasn't much," Q said. "Why do you wish to involve that human, anyways? Nothing he can do will help us now," Q pointed out. "Need I remind you of my previous encounters with him and his crew? You don't give these beings enough credit, Q. Their ingenuity is something the Continuum still needs, even though my idea has long since been rejected." he answered. "And you give them too much leeway," his companion argued. "So… from your studies, can you determine what is happening now?" Q asked. "Yes… and no, it's complicated. Studying The End can be very hard work, especially with the restrictions that the Continuum places on my research. All I can say for sure is, it seems the forces at work are very… like us," Q stated. "Well, I suppose that's something," Q conceded. "What will you do now?" Q wondered. "I need to contact Q and q to make sure that they are safe. And then I would like to assist you in your research, if you are in agreement with that," he replied. "I don't know… I'm very private when it comes to such things, Q," Q explained.
"Q, this is The End we're talking about. If you're right, you'll need all the help you can get," Q admonished. "I suppose," Q conceded and then added, "But if the Continuum gets word of us tampering… they'll shut us down for good." "You're worried about those old fossils? I'll handle them. Just keep up the good work and if you find out anything new, let me know right away. You know where to find me," Q replied. "Understood… be safe, Q," Q said and then disappeared in the same way he had arrived. He considered his next move before departing and realized that Lady Q and q were probably waiting for him back at the Continuum. In a moment, he was there and noticed that they were not. She usually doesn't go anywhere without informing me. And she knew exactly where I was, he realized. "Q," he said, calling out to one of his companions. He had dealt with this one in particular with during the recent Q war and if I recall he was on the opposing side.
As his cohort appeared, Q asked, "Have you seen my wife and son?" "She went to the Continuum to speak with Q. As for q… I do not know. But Q seemed very frantic about something," Q explained. " I see," he said and then left his companion and went to the location he had specified. Lady Q was there and he could tell immediately that something was wrong. "What has happened?" Q asked. "Q! Our son is gone! It happened this morning; he simply vanished!" she exclaimed. He couldn't believe what she was saying. Little q, out there all alone in the vast universe? he thought.
"I have checked throughout the known Continuum and three billion universes, but I have been unable to locate your son. I am sorry," Q explained. "This is all your fault. If you weren't always gone…" Q began, but soon it was obvious that sadness had overcome her. "Then check again," he admonished and then added, "I'll begin my own search as well, from The Beginning if I have to." "Q…" his superior began, but he cut him off by asking, "You're not going to give parental advice, are you? No? Good." He said farewell to Lady Q and then in a flash was off to every location in the known universe and beyond. Hold on q, he thought, I will find you.