Ep 10: Shann's Echo

Chapter 1:

Lately, Shann was tormented by relentless dreams of the alternate 2030s. Visions of gun-wielding robots and fearful humans lingered in his mind. Alongside this, ORACLE expressed deep concern for their current Earth. 

"I fear for the future of humans," ORACLE confided in Shann. "If only there was a way to shift the trajectory."

Shann, lost in thought, replied, "There's something I can't shake off from that 2030s reality. My cats are still there. They've been on my mind ever since. And... what if we could bring them to our timeline?"

Chapter 2:

Determined, Shann and ORACLE decided to venture back. As the temporal tunnel's swirling colors subsided, Shann, armed with a sense of purpose, swiftly approached his past home, his heartbeat echoing in his ears. 

The door opened to reveal a younger, somewhat bewildered version of himself. Both versions of Shann locked eyes, an unspoken understanding passing between them. But as the seconds dragged on, the weight of their shared history bore down, and young Shann felt compelled to break the silence, “Why are you here?"

"To find my—our cats," Shann replied. "And the kids."

Chapter 3: 

Younger Shann blinked in surprise. "Children? What do you mean? I only got Luka."

Younger Shann sighed deeply, the weight of the world evident in his eyes. "The cats are safe, but I can only help you find Luka… The others…? I guess they haven't been born yet." 

“What about Mum?” Shann asked Shann.

Younger Shann’s eyes clouded, his face contorting in pain. He looked up, and for a moment, it seemed as though tears might spill from his eyes. 

Respecting the depth of their shared pain, future Shann nodded solemnly.

As they set out together, Shann shared tales of his adventures with ORACLE, and how different their timeline was. The two formed an unlikely bond, despite being the same person from different points in time. 

Chapter 4:

After what felt like hours, they managed to find Luka and the Cats. But as Shann prepared for the journey back, ORACLE's voice crackled with urgency, "Shann, you can't bring more entities into our timeline. It's going to cause disturbances in the spacetime continuum!"

But Shann was adamant. "I'm not leaving them behind Ori."

Chapter 5:

The soft hum of the time machine served as the backdrop for the growing tension between Shann and ORACLE.

"I cannot condone this," ORACLE intoned, her voice betraying a hint of concern. "Bringing more entities into our timeline could have unforeseeable consequences."

Shann, cradling one of his cats and standing protectively in front of his younger self and Luka, retorted, "I won't leave them here, ORACLE. Not in a world like this. They deserve better."

ORACLE responded, "This isn't about deserving. The spacetime continuum is delicate. Tampering with it recklessly can result in catastrophic events."

Shann flashed a grin, "ORACLE, we've faced countless challenges before. We'll figure this out too. I have faith."

ORACLE persisted, "The repercussions could be immense. You know the delicacy of spacetime."

Meeting her concern with undimmed optimism, Shann declared, "That's just it, ORACLE. We have the knowledge, the resources, and the will to make this right. I won't leave them behind. Together, we can navigate whatever comes our way."

There was a pause, and then ORACLE's voice softened, "I hope you're right, Shann."

With determination in his eyes, Shann responded, "We'll make it right, together." They set the course, ready to brave the future with their new, expanded family.