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[hatejakku]

[ Finn's not thrilled about using the network considering who all is on it, but he also sees no other way to reach out to people on a large scale. There might be a little spite there, too, though. The fact that some people from the First Order might see isn't going to hold him back.

But he is definitely, 100%, going to text this one out, though. Totally not for the sake of thinly veiled and slightly illusionary anonymity. Not at all. ]

This is my first time being on Earth, but a friend tells me that I was here for a long time several months ago. I don't remember any of it.

He said that it was something like other versions of ourselves? Is that the general idea or are there more theories? Apparently, this happens almost regularly, so I'm sorry if this has been answered a million times before. But does the Porter have to the ability to take the individual from different dimensions? Or is it doing something to us during the transfer that was unintended?

I also have no idea what to do about the people who knew me before. I'd like to reconnect with them, but I don't know how or if they'd even want to, all things considered. Can't say I blame them if my friend's theory is right.

[ He could always flash his face around on the network and ask everyone if they recognize this man, but, eh, he'd rather not. If they know the name and that he's been gone, people could probably put the links together, he figured.

Then, after thinking about those he'd already met, he added: ] And do all of the imPorts have a military background or is that just everyone I've run into so far?

Comments

[choosetruth]

I don't have a military background. I'm a journalist.

[hatejakku]

Thanks. That's one less theory to make sense of.

I thought we were brought here to
fight something? I'm not sure.

Maybe it is just random.

[text]

[generalgrievous]

I have fought in many battles. It may be that those from war are taken due to their fighting skills or special powers.

What planet do you hail from?

[hatejakku]

Maybe. I didn't have any unique skills or powers back home though.

I'm from a galaxy that's not this one. Not a particular planet, really, but I'd never heard of Earth before.

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[therewillbeorder]

There seems to be several ImPorts with military experience, it's not uncommon. I take it you do as well.

Time works strangely, you can meet others from your future or past here.

[hatejakku]

[ Finn stares at the UN for quite awhile. First off, Starkiller? Really? How much tact can fit into one person, honestly? Second... Hux seems to have no idea who he is.

There's a truce, he reminds himself. Does he respond? Does he not respond? Does he try to deceive? Does he try to be honest? ]

I've noticed that. Sometimes even from your present.

[ wheeze ]

[larped]

One more for "definitely not military."

Some people agree with your friend, and theorize that those are all alternate versions of ourselves. Some others think it's regular memory loss. I don't know which way I come down on it, but the fact that some of us come back with our memories makes your friend's theory more compelling.

Either way, it seems like an awkward position to be in. Sorry.

[hatejakku]

Thanks. Could always be worse.

His theory makes a lot of sense, yeah, but it opens up more questions. Like if I was a different person? If my history was different? Did I act different?

I guess it doesn't matter, though. Just kind of freaks me out.

[jadus]

The Porter removes the memories of Earth from all who return to their point of origin. These memories are restored upon return to Earth, rarely from a longer absence than thirty Earth days.

The only way to be certain that each imPort is from some variant universe is to compare what they know of their own time.

I have been compiling a reference for those native to our shared Galaxy. Consult it, add your relevant information, or relay it to me for incorporation. At least one branch point has been identified, and more may follow.

[hatejakku]

[ What the hell? This is so useful! ]

Thank you! This is really interesting.

I was imPorted from the year 34 ABY but a little after Starkiller's destruction. I might be able to add some information.

Looks like me and you are a few thousand years apart. You were aligned with the Sith? [ This person has darth in the name, after all. But with a three thousand year difference, Finn won't pretend that they're the same to what he knows... even though they very well could be. ]

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[girlybruiser]

I'm no expert when it comes to the alternate universe theories, but I assume it must be true in some form given the many kinds of imPorts we have. The universe is so big, it must be a possibility.
I do not have a military background either. I was finishing high school back home.

[hatejakku]

That's a good point. Anything could be possible. It just feels a little difficult to understand for me.

I've met someone else who was young. The porter doesn't seem to care about particular ages either.

[plentystrong]

[ Catra stares at the wall of text and... nope. ]

This is way too complicated.

[hatejakku]

Trying to make sense of it is much worse, I promise.

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[h2no]

it's hard to tell. there's been instances of people coming from the same world as me but what seems to be parallel realities within that world. everything was the same except one big event. it's extremely confusing and annoying, and i have absolutely no useful information or help to give you in regards to it. just commiseration that it's fucked up.

i think it's just people you've run into. i'm probably the furthest thing from someone with military experience and i know other people who've never served at all.

hi, finn. we knew each other briefly before. i'm sorry you have to go through all this acclimation again. i hope it's been alright so far. say hi to poe for me.

[hatejakku]

[ !!!!!!!! ]

It's good to meet you. Again. It really is okay, though. Just confusing. [ And overwhelming and scary and a million other things. ]

I'm sorry you have to go through something similar, though. The parallel dimensions theory is looking more and more accurate. Makes me wonder if another version of me could show up while I'm still here.

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[sonofgold]

This has happened to me, too- I've been here multiple times but never remember when it happens. People from my world have come and gone, as well- they seemed to be from the same timeline as me, but years before.

It's enough to make your head spin.

[hatejakku]

That sounds awful. I'm sorry.

However the porter works, it doesn't seem to make any sense.

text; un: Julian Delphiki | Bean

[justlittle]

You've been here before, but don't remember? That's interesting.

There are plenty of non-military around, but there's enough of us that it makes you wonder why the Porter picks who it picks.

[hatejakku]

I'd like to think that this is all random, like the porter is just a broken machine that's gone haywire, but I don't know.

Not saying that anyone's behind it or has some grand plan or something. Just the way it works is almost too weird to be random.

I'm not the only one with a memory wipe either. Or a separate version of myself. I don't know. It's happened before, is what I mean.

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[liverletdie]

It's complicated. They are statistically likely to be different but similar versions of you. Most aren't...alternate versions, but they developed differently, and were taken from different points in time -- even by seconds -- than you were.

Coupled with the fact that you don't retain your memories, some of the time, it's not surprising that you don't remember.

Although get used to people expecting certain things from you, or calling you by your name without being introduced.

You get used to it after a while.

Now if you want to hear about alternate universes... that's a whole other subject.

[hatejakku]

Being developed differently and coming from a different point in time sounds like an alternate version to me. There must have been some extreme cases in the past.

Honestly, it's kind of nice that people know who I am here. Them expecting something is what I'm most worried about, though.

You have experience with alternate universes?

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[ct_7567]

It's common, but not a hard rule, no. Most people here do know how to fight in some fashion.

Is that your background?

[hatejakku]

It is.

Just makes the porter seem a little less random, but it's good to know that I assumed wrong.

text;

[ghoulking]

Most of us don't have a military background, so that's not why we were picked.

But yes, you have been here before. I believe we spoke a couple of times.
This happens to many, though, and we do not know why, I'm sorry. We just learn to adapt to it.

[hatejakku]

[ !!!!!! Someone else who knew him! ]

It's okay. All of this information has been really helpful.

It's good to meet you again. I apologize that I don't remember.

text;

[dragony]

Jeez, he didn't even give you a moment to acclimate before putting "you're not the only you" on your shoulders? No wonder you're confused.

- Not remembering is most common. If you don't remember the moment you return, the likelihood of you remembering later is basically zero.
- The Porter can access different worlds, dimensions, and realities, as well as different time periods within those.
- The Porter changes everyone, coming here. Some changes are more obvious than others.
- If you treat it like "reconnecting," it's likely you'll both be disappointed. Bonds are formed in the experiences we share together; when that's made unequal, it's easy to feel shackled by it. You don't owe yourself to anyone who remembers your face. They don't owe their grief to someone who could never miss them. Sometimes it works out. A lot of times, it doesn't.
- That's just you. Military isn't uncommon, but it's definitely not everybody.

[hatejakku]

He was trying to help, and I was asking probably too many questions. I can't blame him for that.

[ Some people have gone over a lot of that stuff already. It's the second to last one that's making him stick in gear. ]

What you said about reconnecting sounds right even if I don't like it. I don't want to be a source of pain for anyone. But you're right.

It's all so frustrating.

text;

[heliophilic]

You're right about that. People coming back with no recollection of being here before is pretty common. Either it's an alternate reality thing or the porter things it's funnier that way.

[Given what he knows of Lachesis--if she's still in the porter--it's probably the latter, but he has no proof of this.]

If you want to reconnect, you can search your name on the communicator. It saves all of the previous correspondence. If you want a fresh start--fuck them, and do what you want to do.

Also, no military background here.

[hatejakku]

I didn't even consider searching for myself on the network. Thank you. I do want a fresh start but I want to make sure I can afford one first. And while I really don't want to know if this other me was an alternate version or not, I feel like I have to know. If that makes sense.

[ He's a tad obsessed about it at the moment. Something to dwell on that's not everything else, probably. ]

TEXT.

[bragnificent]

it can definitely happen w/ other versions of us
not just memory loss like some ppl are saying
when i first showed up here ppl told me id been here before too, except the guy was almost nothing like me except from the same place w/ the same name
like he wasnt even the same race but still apparently me
i didnt remember any of it

[ Reggie doesn't really like it, either; what a bitter concept, to have to think about a him that isn't him. He's been in denial over acknowledging them as technically the same person for over a year. ]

its def weird tho
not that i need to tell YOU that considering ur probably already feeling it

[hatejakku]

[ O-... Oh... Well...

Does that settle it then? Is the alternate self thing the firm rule? ]

No no that's really weird.

Maybe that's that. Maybe the me before was me but not me.







i dont think i like that

text;

[articulations]

[ Well, this is a relief. ]

Finn. Welcome back.

[hatejakku]

[ ... Excuse him while he sits up a little straighter with no one else around. ]

Thank you.

Poe told me about our different points in time. Would you rather that I refer to you as Princess?

[ He hates to ask but best to get the question over with. ]

[text]

[topmeup]

I'm more law enforcement than military myself.

[hatejakku]

I think they wanted to consider us law enforcement before the war broke out actually. So I guess I'm a mix of the two.

I'd ask if you have some combat experience, but a lot of people mentioned they're as far from the military as it gets. [ Less than a day and his first theory's dead. ]