: I have always thought that the player himself is not actively travelling back
: in time of his own volition or instinct. He is always SENT there.
I disagree... I think throughout MI the player slowly gaining ultimate control, first over himself and his potential, then his destiny, then the destiny of everything and becoming destiny itself. The first step would be to start making his own decisions, no longer being a pawn in someone else's game. When Durandal sent the Marine back from Ne Cede Malis, he would have shown him that he had these abilities and how to use them (I believe one of the stages in the development of Joseph Campbell's eternal hero is the point at which the master says, in effect, "There is no more I can teach you, now go."). Then that "main" Durandal is completely cut off from the Marine, as he is now a universe away (and lacking Jjaro abilities himself) and possibly destroyed by the W'rk shortly after sending the Marine on his way. No one's commanding him any more.
