Ask Julia: Alternate Timeline vs. Alternate Dimension

By Julia Crumpleman

Today’s question comes from Doris:

Dear Julia, what’s the difference between an alternate timeline and an alternate dimension?  I keep hearing it on the news, but they don’t explain it very well, and nothing on the internet helps me.  Are they different from parallel universes?  Thank you kindly.

Ah, that’s a tricky one, Doris.  I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t quite understand it all myself.  Dr. Amazing has a web-series that tries to explain all about the multiverse and the space-time continuum, but most of it flies over my head.  (It also doesn’t help that Dr. Amazing seems to only speak in eight-syllable words when discussing physics, but that’s another thing entirely.)

But I do know enough that I think can help.  Basically, alternate timelines exist within our universe while alternate dimensions/parallel universes (which are the same thing more or less) are not our universe.  An alternate timeline is when some event in history went a different way which altered the course of our universe.

For instance, Hellena was just in the news recently, and she’s an alternate timeline version of Titana.  In Hellena’s timeline, Napoleon had conquered all of Europe and drove the Amazons into Hades.  Then, she sacrificed herself to save her people and became possessed by demons (hence the horns, red skin, and impractical clothing).  One of Titana’s adventures brought her to this timeline, and somehow Hellena followed her to our timeline.  Hellena can’t return to her world unless our timeline is changed to resemble hers, which is another difference between the two.

Alternate dimensions can exist completely on their own.  They run by themselves, and without a portal generator, we can’t change their universes.  Think of one as being about space and the other being about time.  It can get tricky sometimes, I know, since alternate dimensions can act almost exactly like alternate timelines, but it’s really about self-sustainability.  Apparently, there’s some variation between alternate dimensions and parallel universes, but then we’re delving into the deep, deep stuff.  I recommend reading some of Dr. Amazing’s books for further illumination.

Happy trails, Doris!

NRPD: Hellena Tried to Restore Her Timeline

By Packie Williams

The NRPD have determined that Hellena stole an undisclosed item from ATOM Labs yesterday with the purpose of restoring her timeline.  And she likely caused the déjàvu that many people felt as well.

Hellena is the evil alternate timeline version of superhero Titana, who was brought to our timeline during one of Titana’s adventures.  The circumstances of that adventure have never been fully disclosed to the public.  But Hellena, who sacrificed herself to Hades to save the Amazons from Napoleon and turned evil as a result, has been a fixture in our timeline for the past eight years nonetheless.

The item stolen from ATOM Labs may’ve been activated inside the labs by Hellena or one of her associates, who were seen but not apprehended.  A source within the NRPD has indicated that the déjà vu experienced around the world was likely caused by Hellena trying to restore her timeline in the past.  So far all indications are preliminary, but given Hellena’s continued quest to return to her timeline, it’s a safe bet she was behind it.

No one at ATOM Labs is confirming the suspicions, and Dr. Amazing, a co-founder of ATOM Labs, has not spoken since the incident.  Hellena is currently being held in Granite Prison in a depowering room.

New App Tracks Superheroes

By Julia Crumpleman

A new app, Cape Finder, has hit the market, and it’ll allow users to track sightings of superheroes, supervillains, and other super-powered people and creatures with one tap.

Argon Studios, the developer of Cape Finder, says the app will utilize the phone’s GPS software to pin a map when users see a superhero or supervillain, much like Foursquare does.  “All it’ll take is a tap on your screen,” said lead developer, Chad Markins.  “Then you type in the person’s name or description and hit send.  You’ll go into the map where you can see other users’ pins.”

“You can use this to track supervillains’ movements throughout the city, for instance,” he said.  “Usually, they move in one direction or another, and this can be useful to know where to go in case of emergency.”

But not everyone is so enthusiastic about this app.  Janice Montana, attorney for many superheroes including Titana and the Amazings, said this could undermine her clients’ activities.  “Many superheroes still have secret identities for a reason,” she said.  “If the bad guys knew who they were, they’re going to target their families.  This tracking software could seriously jeopardize their operations if people were to follow them to their homes or underground lairs.”

Markins refuted that concern.  “We’re not using anything that people don’t already have at their fingertips,” he said.  “There are websites set up for this, and people tweet superhero sightings.  It’s out there.  Superheroes have been doing this for decades.  They know what they’re doing.”

Titana Defeats Hellena at Bayland

By Packie Williams

Supervillain Hellena was back in New Romford today, jumping several miles in just a few jumps before being defeated by Titana at Bayland Amusement Park.

Hellena, an alternate timeline version of the superhero Titana, had apparently stolen something from ATOM Labs this morning.  NRPD and ATOM Labs are keeping quiet as to what the item was, but it was small enough to be carried by hand in a metal container.  After stealing the item, Hellena proceeded to jump several stories into the air (as she cannot fly) towards downtown.  She landed first just outside of PFHQ and then in the middle of the New Avenue and 4^th Avenue intersection, causing pile-ups in the dozens in every direction.  Titana flew in from the north and knocked her alternate self into the Bayland Amusement Park.

Witnesses reported that the two Amazonian princesses talked for several minutes before they fought.  They destroyed several small game stands and the carousel before ending up on the Ferris Wheel. 

Hellena’s fighting style was erratic and very limber, according to Diana Price.  “She was doing all these weird backflips and contortions.  She must have a super spine to do this stuff.  And then her breasts flopped out of her costume.”

“I don’t know what world she came from, but superwomen need to support their girls like everyone else.”

Despite her wardrobe malfunction, Hellena proved formidable for several minutes until Titana threw baseballs from a bottle-knock-down game at her.  Eventually, she went down with a fastball to the face.

Titana waited for the NRPD to arrive and arrest Hellena.  She spoke with an office and flew away with the container in hand.

Bayland Amusement Park closed for the rest of the day and indefinitely until repairs can be made.

PFHQ Abuzz with Activity

By Stan Hopewell

The Peace Force-Atlantis Meeting has gotten underway at Peace Force Headquaters.  The Royal Circle is talking with their counterparts in the U.S. cabinet and state department over hors d’oeuvres in the main hall.  Various members of the Peace Force are chatting with the Atlanteans as well, but Adonis, Titana, and Secretary of State are separated on the balcony with the royal couple.

The press has been allowed to wander around as this opening hour is left open to the public.  So far, most of the Atlanteans have kept their conversations with reporters brief as many of them aren’t fluent in English.  Aja N’jorna, who is part of the Atlantean city project council, was the best English speaker of the Royal Circle and most open to comment.

“I believe much good can be done today,” she said.  “Our benevolent King Morn is wise and honorable, and the Peace Force is great force for good.”  Asked about whether she thought the Atlantis Underway could be built, she said, “Yes, I think it can.  Atlantis has wonderful engineers, and you overlanders have the great Dr. Amazing.  There is none reason we cannot build it.”

After an hour of mingling, Adonis and King Morn called for everyone’s attention from the balcony.  Adonis said, “Thank you everyone for coming.  It is always a great pleasure to have our friends, the Atlanteans, here in our home.”  He spoke for another few minutes, greeting specific members of the Royal Circle, and offered the King a chance to speak.

“You overlanders have been most gracious to us this day,” said King Morn, “and I thank you.”

Adonis thanked everyone again and encouraged the press to hang around the main hall until later in the day.  Then, the Peace Force, Atlanteans, and U.S. officials retreated into various hallways and rooms for their meetings.

More information to come throughout the day.

King Morn A’Ganor Greeted at Docks

By Stan Hopewell

Left to right:  Titana, Adonis, King Morn, Queen Rosn'elia

A little after 9am, the Atlanteans arrived at pier 34 as the M’ranic surfaced from Winston Bay.  Several Atlantean troops, wearing the country’s patented SCOBA devices around their gilled necks, exited the giant ship to form a royal procession for their king.

Morn A’Ganor, along with his wife, Rosn’elia, exited the M’ranic to greet Adonis and Titana.  They had a small conversation at the pier, and then greeted Mayor Lawrence and the U.S. officials before entering their limousine with some of their Royal Circle.  As the limousine drove down Trevor Rd, King Morn and Queen Rosn’elia waved to the onlookers behind the police barricades.

The rest of the Royal Circle joined the U.S. officials in their limousines and proceeded to follow the royal couple.  Adonis and Titana flew away to PFHQ while Dr. Amazing wrapped his arms around two light posts and slingshot himself into the air in the form of a bouncing ball.

The remaining Atlanteans stayed with the M’ranic.  More to come later today from PFHQ.

Atlantis-Peace Force Meeting to Begin at 9am

By Stan Hopewell

File photo:  King Morn A'Ganor

The Atlantis-Peace Force Meeting is set to start in an hour, and downtown New Romford is abuzz with activity.  The NRPD has barricaded Trevor Rd, 31^st St, and 4^th Ave to make a clear path for the Atlanteans.  Adonis, Titana, and Dr. Amazing are waiting at the docks to greet King Morn A’Ganor and his Royal Circle, along with Senator Saluzzi and Secretary of State Clinton.  The rest of the Peace Force is waiting at PFHQ.

Adonis and Titana could not be reached for comment, but Dr. Amazing was able to step away for a few moments.  “I think we can expect a thorough and engaging discussion today,” he said.  “King Morn is a very smart man and always has the best and brightest in his Circle, so I predict a spirited discussion.”

Asked about the possibility of the Atlantis Underway, Dr. Amazing was excited but subdued.  “This would be an amazing project.  So many ideas and goods could be exchanged with this, but unfortunately, it’s also an expensive endeavor.  We’ll have to see how the government and Atlanteans approach it and go from there.”

Behind the police barricades are hundreds of onlookers and Atlantean fans, waiting for a glimpse of the Visitors from Down Below.  Several of them are dressed up in Atlantean clothing, some are holding up signs they’ve made (some written in Atlantean), and everyone has their phone or camera out.

But not everyone is so excited.  Most of the store keepers along Trevor Rd grumbled about the intrusion.  “I have to deal with this every year,” said Sal Coulton.  “Nobody wants to buy my seafood when they’re around.  Everybody thinks it’s their cousins or something.  But guess what?  They eat fish, too.”

In the rest of New Romford, it’s business as usual when the Atlanteans emerge.  “There’s always something like this going around town,” said Julie McCalister, owner of Floral Dreams, just a few blocks off the barricaded roads.  “Yesterday, it was bug people.  Today, it’s fish people.  I’m sure tomorrow will be some other kind of people.

“Nothing we can do about it, so we just carry on.  Just another day in New Romford.”