Empty. Barren. These were the true conditions of the Universe, she thought; life, and variety, and energy… — Stephen Baxter

The river of time flowed unmarked, towards the endless seas of timelike infinity.

Maybe it’s time we humans abandoned our species-specific chauvinism—our petty outrage that the Universe has unfolded in a way that doesn’t suit us.

“But that’s insane,” Morrow protested.

Uvarov hissed, “No one ever said it wasn’t. We’re human beings. What do you expect?”