Revenge, maybe. But my uncertainty is really about the machine's primary effect, not Walternate's goals. Does it save one universe at the expense of the other, or does it destroy one universe and the hope is that that destruction will save the other?

It's open question, I think, whether the possibility of saving his universe without destroying the other universe is one Walternate would prefer, or even consider.

Huh. I'd never considered Walternate going for revenge. I thought they were being straightforward in indicating that the B side was fighting for their survival, and that although it made them cold and do regrettable things, their motives were completely reasonable.

That's why they're able to be viewed sympathetically.

Walternate's a bastard, but he's a bastard whose kid was stolen, and who's fighting for a world's survival. And who won't (so far) experiment on kids.

It's weird what one person thinks is the message, and other people read differently.

I don't necessarily think he's motivated by revenge, but he might be. It's unclear. On the whole, the people of his universe are just trying to survive, but he's a little murkier.

Whereas for me, the story falls apart if he's motivated by revenge. I hadn't even considered it, and I will lose interest if it turns out to be anything other than a fight for survival.

why is that, ita?

I suspect it's not an either/or question. Walternate wants to save his world; but I think there's also an element of punishing those responsible for kidnapping his son and putting his world in danger, as well. He's not above some cruelty.

That's really what I mean, Consuela - it's one thing in his mind, save his universe/destroy the other - but if those propositions can be separated would he choose saving without destroying? I find the uncertainty interesting.

`Yes, that's my take too: he wants to save his world AND the icing on the cake is punishing the people who stole his child and endangered the world as well.

Because if he's going for revenge (rather than accepting or even relishing it as a side effect) he's a bad guy, and the story just got 2D instead of 3.

The story I like is a dilemma started by our side with selfish but well-intentioned motives, and has two sides of equal "rootability" fighting for their futures.

The minute one of them becomes base so it's easy to side with the other, is the minute the story becomes significantly less interesting.

Difficult choices, regrettable things. That's the story that grabs me.

I am more interested in seeing these characters find ways to avoid the regrettable things that appear to be necessary choices.