Chapter Text
I have been an idiot.
The nuclear force in the other universe had been strengthening due to the influx of material from our universe, matching exactly the reciprocal weakening here. That strengthening is no longer taking place. The weakening of the nuclear force in our universe is still happening. Yet the forces must balance -- there is no possible way it can be otherwise.
Except one.
The other-beings must have established another Pump, one that allowed them to exchange matter with a universe having an even weaker nuclear force, therefor balancing the effects and causing the otherwise inexplicable stability. But the odds of them establishing contact with another extra-universal civilization is nearly nonexistent -- far more likely that they're tapping a universe with a nuclear force so weak that the entire universe is filled with matter, thus negating the need for an exchange. Just punch through anywhere, and extra-universal matter would flow through for the taking.
It was much like what we'd eventually hoped to have with their universe -- the power from their exploding sun would have made cooperative material exchange unnecessary, the energy would've simply forced its way through the opening once used by the Pump. It was with this thought that the true level of my stupidity was made manifest: What the other-beings had done in finding a universe suited to their needs we could just as easily do. And even better, rather then finding a universe of extremely weak nuclear force, which would cool our sun even further, we could find a universe with a nuclear force so strong that the whole place was in a higher-energy state than even the stellar explosion we had tried to create -- just punch through anywhere, and extra-universal energy would flow through for the taking. And, just as a side effect, our own sun would last longer! I could have done this at the beginning, if I hadn't just gone along with the plan that had been conceived already.
I would tell the others this, and once it worked they'd have to listen about the Mids...wouldn't they? Or would they? My mental competence isn't really the issue. They don't want to educate even a few of the Mids because it's never been done. Wiping out a whole other civilization is infinitely less frightening than changing our own, even a little bit. They'll never---
I remember being Tritt, I remember stealing the "food ball", I remember doing it because I wanted my little mid. I was terrified, but I did it anyway, because otherwise there would be no little mid for our Triad. I did it for her. I did it for Derala.
I am not just Odeen made hard, I am not just the Super-Rational he -- no, I! once thought the Hard Ones to be. I am Dua, and I remember what injustice feels like. I am Tritt, and I'll do anything I have to for my little mid, and all those like her. I am Odeen, and I know what to do.
I will tell the others that I know what's caused the stability in the other universe, and that I know how to cause the same here with more energy production than the original project could have ever provided. I'll tell them that I'll only give them this if they agree to educate the most intelligent of the Emotionals. And I will not back down.