The video message began playing on the monitor.
Sarah watched, tears streaming down her face, as Elias explained everything. The brain condition she'd never known about. The desperate upload attempt. The research he'd hidden. His reasons for keeping it secret.
And then, at the end:
"I noticed your feelings. I want you to know that I... reciprocated them."
Sarah's hands covered her mouth, stifling a sob.
"It seemed kinder to say nothing. You deserved better than silence. You always deserved better than I gave you."
The message ended. Sarah stood alone in the laboratory with a corpse and the knowledge that the man she loved had loved her back.
And she'd never get to tell him.
Flashback - Earth, One Hour Later
Sarah sat in Elias's chair, staring at the quantum upload helmet. Her hands shook.
It was insane. The success rate was 71%—high, but not guaranteed. The destination was unknown. The process was potentially irreversible.
