History of QDOT

"The History of QDOT: Celebrating 50,000 Years of Travel" (or informally known as "History of QDOT") is a book written by Tonal Preston that provides an overview of the Quantum Department of Transportation (QDOT). While the book offers insights into QDOT's achievements, operations, and future plans, it is important to approach it with a critical mindset as it may not present a completely unbiased or comprehensive representation of all historical items. Readers should consider seeking alternative sources or perspectives to gain a more balanced understanding of QDOT.
== Summary ==
QDOT, the Quantum Department of Transportation, is a multiversal transit authority that has been in operation for millennia. It uses advanced physics to transport passengers across the multiverse in a comfortable and affordable manner. QDOT is led by a Council of Conductors, who are responsible for making decisions about the department's affairs, including line expansion and maintenance, rules and regulations, station master allocation, TRAM harmonics, and scientific research and advancement. The Superconductor General, a highly skilled philosopher and driver, answers to the Council of Conductors.
One of the main technologies used by QDOT is the Transmonic Rift Access Mechanism, or TRAM, which allows passengers to travel through rifts, or tunnels in space-time. These rifts allow for travel between different planes of reality, and the TRAM protects passengers from the energy streams and deadly metaphysic radiation found within a rift. QDOT strongly advises against attempting to travel through a rift without the protection of a TRAM.
The department is currently researching a phenomenon known as convergence, which occurs when material objects or beings from different regions of the multiverse instantaneously fuse together. Most convergences only last for a few zeptoseconds before the merged matter reverts back to its normal state, but the convergence connected to Denver is unique in that it is the only stable convergence in recorded history. In 1994, Denver was nearly pulled into Convergence with other planes of reality, but the process was interrupted and the convergence stabilized. QDOT is still investigating the cause of this event.
As the Earth Relations Liaison Officer for QDOT, Tonal Preston's duty is to help newcomers from Earth learn about the multiversal community and the cultural norms they will encounter. He notes that there is no concept of "first class," "business class," or "economy" when it comes to QDOT's transportation, as the department believes that riches should have no bearing on the quality of municipal transit. Additionally, the use of the word "fact" in this context refers to consensus about a single, shared reality, rather than fictional or preferred realities. As such, there is no need to contest the "facts" presented in this document.
== Transcript ==
=== An Introduction ===
Hello, Earthers! My name is Tonal Preston, and I’m the Earth Relations Liaison Officer for the Quantum Department of Transportation.
We here at QDOT understand that intergalactic culture may feel overwhelming to newcomers. Given that your planet was recently added to our multiversal transit family, it's natural to feel bewildered by the breadth and depth of the larger cosmic community. But that’s what this compendium is for: to welcome you to the QDOT network of worlds.
In this book, you'll learn all about QDOT’s millennia-spanning history of connecting peoples, expanding frontiers, innovating travel, and a great deal more, including:
* The legend of QDOT’s Original Operator
* The bond between the Original Operator and the First Fare — the commuter who started it all 
* The Grand Omni Station Hub, the headquarters of QDOT
* The Last Stop, a travel destination unlike any you’ve heard of before 
My duty as QDOT’s Earth Relations Liaison Officer is to help you learn about exciting new peoples and exciting new cultural norms you’ll experience in the multiverse. Here are some things you should keep in mind:
* You will see no reference to “first class,” “business class,” or “economy” while discussing our famous Transmonic Rift Access Mechanism (TRAM) System. While we respect your species' preference to determine the inherent value of all creatures by wealth or caste, QDOT discovered early on that riches should have nothing to do with quality municipal transit.
* We use the word “fact” to describe consensus about a single, shared reality, rather than fictional or preferred realities. As you read about the “'facts” in this document, please understand there is no use contesting them, as you may feel accustomed to on your planet 
With this handy guide in your pocket, you'll be prepared in no time to speak intelligently to the larger multiversal community about TRAM Lines, fares, municipal transit, quantum superpositional zoning, and newsagents. Wow! 
-Tonal
=== What is QDOT and How Does It Work? ===
QDOT is the oldest and largest multiversal transit authority. We use advanced physics to transport passengers across the multiverse at extreme comfort and affordable prices. 
QDOT is led by our Council of Conductors, a group of cosmic decision makers who determine every aspect of the department's affairs, including line expansion and maintenance, rules and regulations, station master allocation, TRAM harmonics, and scientific research and advancement. The Superconductor General, a philosopher driver of the highest order, answers to this council. 
Whether you’re on your morning commute or visiting the neon beaches of Portals Bermuda, your TRAM would go nowhere without a rift. What are rifts, you ask? It's simple: rifts are essentially tunnels, or gaps between fibers of space-time that allow one to travel across planes of reality. Our TRAM protects travelers from the energy streams and deadly metaphysic radiation found within a rift. Rumors persist that it’s possible to travel rifts without this protection, but we strongly caution against this. Without rift-stabilizing technologies like ours, “fares” could easily become “flares.” 
=== The Science of Convergence ===
What exactly IS Convergence? A convergence occurs when material objects or beings from different regions of the multiverse instantaneously cross vast distances and fuse together.
Convergences occur periodically throughout the cosmos, though most only last for a few zeptoseconds before the merged matter reverts back to its normal state. For all you know, you might be converging and deconverging right now! The Convergence connected to Denver is very unusual, in that it is the only stable convergence in recorded history and QDOT was there from the moment it happened.
The Convergence occurred in Earther year 1994. We know this because Earth very nearly Converged itself! That's right, the city of Denver was almost pulled into Convergence with Eemia's Cathedral, Ossuary’s Library, and C Street. For reasons QDOT is still exploring, the process was interrupted, and Denver was prevented from fully joining Convergence.
Interestingly, a “tether” or “rift echo” still exists from Denver to Convergence today. In fact - this tether has served as the “cosmic framework” for the structure that QDOT has used to create the Denver TRAM Line, allowing us to open Convergence Station. (see fig. 5b) 
According to eye-witness reports, Convergence was a confusing event to live through. From a Mx. Wardical of C Street (formerly of Immensity):
“It was late at night, I think, my memories from then are all mixed up with my neighbor’s. It was windy. There was electricity in the trash piles. It was quiet. Then it was loud. Then a large passenger vehicle crashed into the section gates. Right by where the Psychic Shop is today. Back then it was the way into D Street. I had family on D Street! I think I saw someone exit the vehicle. I blacked out.”
From well-known scenery-chewing actor Grahnt Dremmle:
“With a cosmic screech this city block traveled across untold leagues of space, through the heart of the multiverse, and ended here, in Convergence. Eemia fused next with a blast of icy wind. The Ossuary next. As our memories externalized in a psychic cacophony of nostalgia, Numina converged next. Convergence had begun. We crawled about in confusion. We were dust in some cosmic eye!”
This entire random combination of Eemia, C Street, Ossuary, and Numina — now functioning as one within a pocket universe — is held together by simple quantum entanglement. “Convergence” both refers to the event that formed this new world and the world itself.
=== QDOT’s Role in Convergence ===
When parts of Immensity, Eemia, Ossuary, and Numina first converged, they were only tenuously entwined. Convergence’s collection of patch worlds was unsustainable, and many of our top scientists believe the initially weak bonds between worlds is what caused the harrowing spark of memory storms in the early years.
Thanks to QDOT’s sophisticated technology, we were able to permanently stabilize these bonds and prevent the destruction of Convergence. Much of this is thanks to QDOT’s own Superconductor General, Oleander, and his actions in those fateful first hours.
Your elementary education system on Earth should have mentioned the ideas behind quantum entanglement, so we won't offend you with the basics here. While the full details of his actions are proprietary technology — we can tell you that Oleander used an extension of entanglement theory in order to bond principal sources of Convergence energy and quell the memory storms, securing Convergence's bonds once and for all. 
=== QDOT: An Origin Story ===
Our story begins in the mists of ancient time, about 50,000 Earth years ago. It begins with a person known to history only as the Original Operator (OO). Stories of OO begin to appear in graffiti 35,000 years ago. We can’t know for sure if there actually was an OO but their stories are foundational for QDOT’s mission. While there are many stories, the following is the most accepted version.
One morning, Original Operator was hard at work pulling a primitive wagon on their unknown homeworld. It was thankless, grueling work. There had to be a better way!
OO had an epiphany. How much easier if an oxcart could be pulled around physical space instead of through it. Why not connect two holes in space and push a cart through? OO envisioned cosmic wagon trails stretching away from their world into the cosmos. Wagons, laden with not just one or two passengers but hundreds! People traveling by wagon to all other worlds, all other realities, across the multiverse.
And when all these worlds were connected? Surely, these paths must lead to a crossroads of all places. In this nexus, it would take no work at all to push a wagon to any point you could imagine. Personkind would finally be free. OO began in earnest searching for this nexus, this “heart of the multiverse.”
Filled with cosmic purpose, OO etched the design for the first Transmonic Rift Access Mechanism on a brass plate.
OO took to the streets of their village, waving the plate above their head and offering TRAM rides to all they met. Most called QDOT mad, but one very special person, a person who longed to see the multiversal byways, listened to OOs idea. This person accepted OO's offer, They are known to tradition as First Fare (FF). FF bartered for their seat with a small flightless bird, and in that instant QDOT was born.
Quantum Knowledge
“Now, In the village square you'll meet a fare. First Fare. First Fare. Going beyond the rim of everywhere.”
- Uriah Dolton,
The Ballad of Original Operator and First Fare
The cart pullers celebrated for weeks when OO and FF returned from their trip unharmed. OO taught the ethics and economics of transit to other operators and together they took a TRAM to what they thought was the very center of the multiverse. OO wanted this center to be the headquarters for QDOT. According to legend, OO dusted off his overalls upon disembarking the TRAM and built the Grand Omni Station Hub (G.O.S.H.) in a single night.
Quantum Knowledge
Stationmaster lore says OO's original wagon wheel is interred in the heart of G.O.S.H., waiting for the day a worthy driver needs to change a flat.
Quantum Knowledge
We know there is no “center” to the multiverse, not in physical space anyway. If you'd like to learn more, speak to a friendly QDOT scientist about the “Last Stop” project.
Over time, OO was beset by the looming possibility that they may never link every world in the multiverse, not if they lived to be ten billion. OO, who lived to be nine billion, believed that the real heart of the multiverse must be a nothing-space. A glimmer that exists both nowhere and everywhere. A point from which all points can be reached. 
Late one night, without a single fare to accompany them, OO took a TRAM in search of the real “heart of the multiverse.” They never returned. Operators say OO is still out there, linking worlds to worlds through their marvelous TRAM. 
=== G.O.S.H ===
Grand Omni Station Hub
The beating heart of QDOT's entire multiversal operation is the Grand Omni Station Hub. G.O.S.H. is a transportation station the size of a star system, the home of millions of operators and one very busy mechanic.
Legend has it that G.O.S.H. was built in a single night by Original Operator, who used only ports of their original ox cart and no nails. OO mistakenly believed G.O.S.H. was the center of the multiverse, a mathematical constant on which OO based all quantum travel. Modern physicists know this isn't the case, but after 50,000 years, we’re committed to a good yarn.
The first thing one hears upon approaching G.O.S.H. is the sound of two hundred thousand street performers and street evangelists. G.O.S.H. has served billions, perhaps trillions, of fares It is considered to be the largest space-faring megastructure outside of the Charters PYRAMID and the secret Meow Wolf exhibition on the aetherial plane.
Quantum Knowledge
Fact: Operators call this noise the “Wah-wah-wah-wah wall” a phenomenon that seems to compress empty space into a dense material of sound.
=== Notable Moments in QDOT History ===
C-50,000
OO and FF take the first TRAM to the “center” of the Multiverse., 
C-30,000
Archeologists claim the QPASS first emerged around this time. Before this technological breakthrough, fares bartered for their seats with small livestock and cool-looking rocks. 
C-49,999
OO Builds G.O.S.H. in a single night, a building that experts say is “far bigger” than the Charter’s PYRAMID.
C-22,000
Charter agents cite QDOT with 30 million charges of violating the Charter's ban against inter-universe travel. Stationmaster Enoch Strongarm responds by throwing the charges away like so many unpaid parking tickets. “Become ungovernable.” - Enoch Strongarm.
C-20,000
Start of the Thousand Year Doople War. Quantum pirates from mirror universes systematically took over their doppelgangers’ jobs and commandeered TRAMS for deep space privateering.
C-25,000
So-called “Star Barons” make high profits by physically moving stars out of the way of QDOT rifts. Snalplax Galaxy, the richest being who ever lived, made their fortune this way. The technology seems to be related to that of Eemia's sleeping Navigators. 
C-10,000
The Splitline: Ideological differences regarding the “Heart of the Multiverse” led to an ideological split within QDOT. Splitlines left to start their own transportation entity, the Interversal Rift Line. It folded after a dismal millennia of runtime and QDOT incorporated the lines into the TRAM system. Splitliners are infamous, even today. Legend says those tracks are haunted by the ghosts of dissatisfied fares. 
C-2,500
HelloFood is QDOT’s oldest third-party contractor. Their CEO traded a recipe for their 11 million herbs and spices in exchange for a ride to an industry conference.
C-5,000
Malthuseus Time is the only person in history to visit every station. He used black market gene therapy in order to achieve this record. Malthuseus evaporated with a satisfied sigh immediately upon disembarking the last TRAM. Today Malthuseus would have to visit 3x the number of stations to set the record. Punks who bum around stations are called “Malthusites” in his eternal honor.
The Convergence
(Earther Year 1994) 
Oleander and Julius Finch witness Convergence, a one-of-a-kind spatial anomaly composed of different worlds brought together from across the multiverse. 
C+26 (Earther Year 2020)
Thieves steal the “The Jewel of the Station Masters,” a unique and priceless Oss rock that has the last twenty thousand years of receipts. Thieves felt remorse for stealing the rock and returned it with a sincere apology.
Today 
Convergence Station in Denver opens allowing Earthers access to the worlds of Convergence! 
=== “...To the Last Stop.” ===
The Future of QDOT:
The hum of machinery, the furry scent of ozone, serious people in lab coats grimacing at whiteboards — witness the undeniable scientific acumen of QDOT’s Department of Quantum and Mnemonic Research.
Inside these sterile labs, Superconductor General Oleander leads his crack team of memory scientists Julius FInch and Chya in their efforts to unlock the secrets of Oss, memory, and what is causing the recent return of memory storms to Convergence.
QDOT under Oleander’s leadership is ready for the future, but we’ve already done so much for this backwater freak of nature. Let’s recap:
* TRAM Lines to Immensity were shattered during Convergence. These shattered lines make it impossible for the people of C Street to rejoin their home planet of Immensity. We are on year 27 of a hundred year plan to rejoin Immensity to the TRAM Line system.
* Eemia and Ossuary exist in uncharted territory outside of QDOT’s purview. We are in the process of trying to locate these far away worlds. The multiverse is big!
* Memories become fluid and are externalized in Convergence. It can be a lot of fun, but what about our most precious memories? QDOT’s Share-A-MEM Foundation allows us to collect the earliest memories of Convergence and preserve them for all time in a secret location.
* While we did not build the Convergence Exchange or MEM economy, we will take credit for supporting it.
Having accomplished so much, we are ready to tackle our biggest challenge yet: getting everyone home! 
Convergence —inspiring as it is— is not for everyone. These are pieces of worlds and people are homesick. There has been a growing movement of “Divergers,” or people who want to leave Convergence and return to their home worlds. Well, the way out is through. With Oleander's ambitious "Last Stop” project, rifts will soon be a thing of the past. Why build lines for TRAMs when it would be easier to drive through the center of the multiverse itself? 
This “heart of the multiverse,” as OO poetically foresaw it 50,000 years ago, is our next destination. “All roads lead to the Last Stop,” as Oleander says. This means all destinations can be reached through the Last Stop. Travel will be cheap, sustainable, and instantaneous. We’ll never have to push an oxcart again!
QDOT’s ambition moves me to tears, even now. In spite of everyone quibbling about the details of memory storms, memory stockpiling, and “hubris,” our intrepid scientists will one day break the barriers between universes. We look forward to announcing more details on the Last Stop project soon.
“Thank you for choosing QDOT. From your doorway, to the Last Story. Our Future has arrived.”
-Tonal Preston
Earther Relations Liaison 2021/C-27
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