He is vulnerable, left himself open, and Rush has him flipped and held under. His breath stutters and catches and fails to come again. His eyes are locked on Rush's even as his vision begins to blur and blacken.

No, no, not like this, not so simply and through such rank failure. Not after everything he lived through, plotted, executed.

Perhaps it will be final this time. No strange other worlds. Nothing. Or, perhaps, if he is rerouted again, then perhaps Max will be there. Waiting for him. Perhaps, even, he will not be angry.