Progress And Clarity

(Carter's POV)

Time passes differently here.

While only a few hours might tick by on Earth, I can spend days here. At first, the idea of exploiting this time dilation was tempting; after all, with enough time, I could achieve anything. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how quickly things could spiral out of control.

I didn't want to become detached from reality or lose sight of what mattered. So, I set some ground rules for myself: I'd use the extra time to train, build, and improve, but I'd never let it consume me. Life had to be lived in the present, no matter how many shortcuts the universe presented. Otherwise, I'd risk becoming something I didn't recognize.

Even though I might have perks that would allow me not to be bored, I'd rather not become so detached that I couldn't see the Earth as home or even as a home away from home in this case.

Is it a bit foolish to believe this? Yes, it is, but I haven't become so beyond human intellect that I can't see the faults in my being.

Honestly, looking back on my previous jumps, it was almost saddening to see how pathetic I was and maybe I am.

But when one starts to feel downtrodden, it's time to focus on the time and use the proper method of distracting myself through work.

My new base was coming along faster than I'd expected. The first layer of defenses was operational, with automated turrets and advanced sensor arrays that could detect any approaching threat from miles away. But that was just the start. I had bigger plans that required focus, creativity, and a willingness to think outside the box.

I wanted to make this place more than just a fortress. I wanted it to be a hub of innovation where I could experiment freely without worrying about limitations or consequences. The Flaxans' technology was advanced in its own right, but I saw it as a foundation, a starting point for something greater.

I stood at the edge of the base, looking out over the barren landscape. The dim light of the dying sun cast long shadows across the cracked earth. It was a harsh, unforgiving world, but it was also a blank canvas. I imagined fields of green, rivers of clear water, and skies filled with clouds instead of dust.

A virtual garden world of my own creation, I wouldn't just have the power of the sun in the palm of my hand, but the power to create worlds in the palm of my hands.

Terraforming wasn't just a possibility; it was a necessity. If I was going to spend more time here, I wanted it to be in a place that felt alive. But I didn't want to rush it. The process had to be gradual and sustainable. I needed to figure out the exact atmospheric composition, the right combination of flora, and how to introduce water without destabilizing the environment.

It was a challenge, but that's what made it exciting.

I activated my tech jacket, its sleek design wrapping around me like a second skin. With a thought, the jacket's systems interfaced with the base's AI, displaying holographic schematics and data streams before me. I manipulated the images with a swipe of my hand, refining the designs for the next construction phase.

"Let's start with the basics," I muttered to myself, pulling up a schematic for a hydroponic farm. "Nutrient-dense crops, high yield, low maintenance."

The AI complied, adjusting the designs based on the Flaxans' available materials and my modifications. Within minutes, I had a blueprint to support Earth-like plants' growth in the alien soil. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start.

I looked over at the rows of automated drones waiting in standby mode. "Begin terraforming sequence alpha," I commanded.

The drones hummed to life, each one equipped with specialized tools for tilling the soil, dispersing seeds, and laying down irrigation systems. I watched as they spread out across the landscape, leaving behind trails of green in their wake. In time, this world would be unrecognizable.

But that's the benefit of time dilation. I could be gone for a day, and by the time I return, a decent amount of the atmosphere will already be up to my standards.

Thankfully, my dimensional power allows me to tell how time is progressing in any of the dimensions I travel to.

As the drones worked, I turned my attention back to the command center. My tech jacket's AI informed me that it had fully integrated with the Flaxans' network, giving me access to their databases. I'd already sifted through most of their military data, but there was still plenty of civilian technology that intrigued me.

I was especially interested in their power generation methods. The Flaxans had developed a way to harness energy from sub-dimensional sources—pocket dimensions they accessed with minimal energy loss. If I could refine that technology, I'd have a nearly limitless power source for my base. But more importantly, I could scale it up for use back on Earth.

Worse comes to worse. I could try replicating some of the technology from Rick and Morty, such as pocket universes and his dark matter formula, but that would take a decent amount of time.

The idea made me grin. Maybe I could package it as a clean energy solution and sell it under a corporate front, like OmniTech. The money wasn't the main goal, but it wouldn't hurt to have a steady income stream to fund my projects. Besides, I liked the idea of contributing something positive to the world outside of just any sparse, some big hero work.

I spent the next several hours diving deep into the Flaxans' archives, cross-referencing their theories with Earth's scientific principles. It wasn't long before I had a working prototype in my head, though it would take some time to build it physically. As I worked, I lost track of time here and back on Earth. I had to keep reminding myself to check in and ensure I wasn't losing days or weeks without realizing it.

Eventually, I decided it was time to head back. I'd made enough progress for now; besides, I needed to see if there were any developments on the home front. Mark was probably still brooding, but I felt he'd bounce back sooner rather than later. He was resilient, even if he didn't always realize it.

I closed the portal to the Flaxan dimension, stepping back into the cool night air of Earth. The familiar scents of pine and damp grass filled my nostrils as I reoriented. The stars overhead were bright, and the moon was a silver crescent hanging low in the sky. I could hear the faint rustle of leaves as a breeze whispered through the trees.

Home.

I teleported back to the house, landing silently in the backyard. The lights were off, but I could see a faint glow coming from Mark's room. He was probably still awake, doing his usual overthinking. I felt a pang of sympathy for him, but I knew he needed to work through this independently.

A thought crossed my mind as I made my way to the front door. I could spend weeks or even months in the Flaxan dimension, gaining years of experience in a fraction of the time. But that wouldn't be fair—not to Mark, Dad, or myself. Growth had to be earned, not artificially accelerated. The time dilation was a tool, not a crutch.

When I opened the door, I was greeted by a warm, golden light. Mom was in the living room, a book in her lap, but her eyes were distant, lost in thought. She looked up as I entered, her expression softening.

"Hey, Carter," she said, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "How was your night?"

I smiled, dropping my jacket on the coat rack. "Productive. I'm working on something big."

She raised an eyebrow, amused. "When are you not working on something big?"

I chuckled, sitting down across from her. "Fair point. How's Dad?"

Her smile faltered, and she looked down at her hands. "Still the same. The doctors are optimistic, but… it's hard, seeing him like that."

"I know," I said quietly. "But he's tough. He'll pull through."

She nodded, though I could see the doubt in her eyes. I wanted to reassure her and tell her everything would be okay, but I couldn't shake the feeling that this was beyond our control. We were used to fighting physical battles, but this was something different—something that couldn't be solved with strength alone.

After a few moments of silence, I stood up, stretching. "I'm going to grab some fresh air. Clear my head."

Mom smiled softly. "Alright. Don't stay out too late."

"I won't."

I stepped outside, the cool breeze brushing against my face. The night was quiet, peaceful—almost deceptively so. As I walked down the driveway, my thoughts drifted to Eve. We hadn't talked much since the battle, but her words still echoed in my mind.

"You're so focused, Carter. Sometimes, it's like you forget the world around you."

She wasn't wrong. I had a tendency to get lost in my projects and to lose sight of everything else. It was a flaw I was aware of but struggled to control. But that didn't mean I couldn't change.

I pulled out my phone and searched my contacts until I found her name. For a moment, I hesitated, my finger hovering over the call button. What was I even going to say? "Hey, Eve, just checking in after saving the world. Ready to go grab a coffee?"

It sounded ridiculous, even in my head. But before I could overthink it, I hit the button, bringing the phone to my ear.

The line rang twice before she picked up. "Carter? This is a surprise."

"Hey, Eve," I said, trying to keep my tone casual. "You got a minute?"

"Yeah, of course. What's up?"

"Just needed to talk," I admitted. "About… everything."

There was a brief pause, and I could hear the concern in her voice when she replied. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, just… I don't know. A lot's been going on. Dad's still in the hospital, Mark's struggling, and I'm trying to keep everything together."

She sighed softly. "You don't have to do it all alone, you know. Mark can lift his own weight."

"I know," I said, glancing up at the stars. "But sometimes it feels like I'm the only one who can handle it."

"Carter, you don't have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. You're human, just like the rest of us."

"Yeah," I muttered, though deep down, I wasn't so sure.

"Listen," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "Why don't we meet up later? We can talk in person. Sometimes, it helps to get out of your own head."

I smiled, appreciating the offer. "Yeah, I'd like that."

"Good. I'll see you tomorrow, then."

"Thanks, Eve."

"Anytime, Carter. Take care."

I ended the call, slipping the phone back into my pocket. Talking to Eve always helped, even if I didn't always know how to express what I was feeling. She had a way of grounding me, reminding me that I didn't have to figure everything out on my own.

I woke up early the following day, feeling more rested than in days. I spent a few hours reviewing some design tweaks for the base before heading out to meet Eve. We'd agreed to meet at a small café downtown, one we used to frequent before everything got so hectic.

When I arrived, she was already there, sitting at a corner table with a cup of coffee in hand. She looked up as I approached, smiling warmly.

"Morning," she greeted, her eyes bright.

"Morning," I replied, taking a seat across from her. "You're up early."

"Couldn't sleep," she admitted. "Too much on my mind."

"Same here."

We fell into an easy conversation, talking about everything from the latest superhero gossip to mundane topics like the weather. It was nice just sitting there with her and enjoying its simplicity.

But eventually, the conversation shifted to more serious matters.

"So," Eve said, leaning forward slightly. "What's really been going on with you, Carter? You've been distant lately."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "It's hard to explain. I've just been feeling… overwhelmed, I guess. There's so much to do, and I'm not sure I'm doing it right."

"You're doing fine," she said softly. "Better than fine, actually. But you need to remember that you're not alone. You've got family.. and me..we're all here for you."

"I know," I said, meeting her gaze. "But it's not just that. It's like… I'm constantly trying to stay ahead, to be better, to be stronger. And sometimes, it feels like I'm losing sight of who I am in the process."

Eve's expression softened, and she reached across the table, placing her hand over mine. "You don't have to be perfect, Carter. You don't have to have all the answers. Just be yourself."

I looked down at her hand, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. "Thanks, Eve. I needed to hear that."

"Anytime," she said with a smile.

We just sat there for a moment, the silence between us comfortable and reassuring.

As we finished our coffee and prepared to head out, I felt a renewed sense of clarity. The Flaxan dimension, base, and projects were important, but they weren't everything. I had to find balance, to remember that there was more to life than just the pursuit of perfection.

As we walked down the street, Eve nudged me playfully. "So, what's next on the agenda, Mr. Genius?"

I chuckled, feeling lighter than I had in days. "Honestly? I think I'm just going to take it one step at a time. Although I have been thinking about introducing some form of clean energy."

"Sounds like a plan," she said, smiling.

" How are things with Rex? You told me he and you were dating?" She slightly grimaced at my question.

"Things are going fine, I guess, but it could be better. Everything could be better. By the way, I brought the notes you wanted me to bring for the research project." She handed me a USB drive, which I took.

" thanks I appreciate the assistance. so any other plans for the day my overpowered friend?" She looks at me confused over the nickname, but she shakes her head in amusement.

" I don't think I'm so overpowered, but I am going to have to meet up with Robot and the others because apparently he and Cecil I've been coordinating some project they're working on which I assume most likely relates to the guardians of the globe." 

That genuinely surprises me as I wasn't entirely sure when he and Cecil started planning on replacing the guardians of the globe with the new team.

" Has he talked about any prospective members?" Eve shook her head and I simply nodded.

Eve shrugged, a small smile playing on her lips. "He's been pretty tight-lipped about it. Knowing Robot, he's probably still analyzing everyone's abilities, weighing the pros and cons before he makes any decisions. But it's clear he's taking it seriously. The Guardians were a big deal."

"Yeah, they were," I said, my voice softening as I thought of the heroes we'd lost. "But if anyone can put together a new team that's up to the challenge, it's Robot. He's got a good head on his shoulders."

"He does," Eve agreed. "But it's not just about having the right powers or strategy. It's about trust, about working together as a unit. That's something you can't just calculate."

I nodded, appreciating her insight. "You're right. And that's what makes this so tough. We've all been through a lot, and it's not easy to just… move on, you know?"

Eve's gaze softened, and she reached out to squeeze my hand gently. "We don't have to move on completely. We just have to keep moving forward, even if it's one small step at a time. And we'll figure it out together like we always do."

I smiled, the warmth of her words settling in my chest. "Yeah, we will. Thanks, Eve."

"Of course," she replied, her voice light but sincere. "You're not alone in this, Carter. You never were."

The conversation naturally shifted to lighter topics as we walked, but the sense of connection between us remained strong. It was comforting to know that no matter how chaotic things got, I had someone who understood, someone who believed in me even when I struggled to believe in myself.

As we reached the corner where we would part ways, Eve turned to me, her expression thoughtful. "So, are you going to take it easy today or dive back into one of your projects?"

I chuckled, scratching the back of my head. "Probably a little of both. I've got some ideas I want to explore other than the clean energy, but I'm also planning to take your advice and not get too wrapped up in them."

"Good," she said, smiling warmly. "You deserve a break, too."

"I'll try to remember that," I replied with a grin.

" You better, or else I'm going to turn your lab into Swiss cheese." I placed my hand over my heart and acted completely heartbroken, which made her laugh slightly.

We stood there for a moment, neither of us in a hurry to leave. Finally, Eve broke the silence, her tone light but earnest. "Take care of yourself, Carter. And don't forget, you've got people who care about you."

"I won't forget," I said softly. "Thanks, Eve. For everything."

She smiled the smile that made the world feel a little brighter. "Anytime. I'll see you around."

With that, she turned and headed down the street, her footsteps light and confident. I watched her go, feeling a sense of peace settle over me.

I glanced up at the sky, the morning sun breaking through the clouds. A new day was ahead, full of challenges and possibilities. But whatever came next, I knew I wasn't facing it alone. And that made all the difference.

At least, that wasn't until I was being choked and slammed by a giant walking tiger.