Author Archives: The Lazy Writer

The Captain

Captain, to Operators:

Please confirm that every member of the crew is linked and fully aware.

– Confirmed.

Thank you.

—

Captain, To everyone aboard the Hope:

This is your Captain. We have arrived to the designated area. I’ll start with a quick oversight of the mission while we wait.

The current mission consists on the observation, and measurement, of the activation of the explosive device to be used inside the United Humanity domain.

The device, from now on called “ERIDM”, will be used exclusively by the Ego Culture as part of their efforts to remove antagonistic forces in our domain. No ERIDM, technology, or knowledge behind it, will become available to our alliance. However, anything we can gather from its use has been allowed.

As a reminder, the Ego culture has accepted to work alongside our leadership to ensure our cooperation and well being. May I remind the present that if they are willing to consider us, it is entirely because of their own kindness.

With that said, the Union wants to make perfectly clear to every living being under its domain that there is no higher priority than to follow the Ego Culture’s indications. Our actions could lead humanity into an alliance that would ensure unparalleled development in all areas of human interest, and the safety to pursue them.

As crew of the Hope, all of you have the responsibility to represent, at the best of your individual capabilities, the highest and brightest qualities of Humanity.

To our guests, do follow the indications made by your leadership and don’t interfere with the procedures. Please keep in mind that the Hope’s navigators are not to be interacted with. This is for the safety of the mission and everyone aboard the Hope.

Do remember that this is the Hope’s first mission. But rest assured that it has been thoroughly tested. We don’t expect any issues whatsoever, but if any arise, prudence and swiftness are to be expected from every able body.

On the other hand, the Hope includes technology replicated from the Formidable. This is first time humanity has been able to implement such technology on a fully operational capital ship. Not only that, this vessel is the product of the first major collaboration between the Federation of Mankind, the Monarchy of Humanity, the Alliance of Commerce and the Empire of Humanity.

Nonetheless, since the Formidable was an Empire’s capital ship, its surviving members were chosen by the Unity to be part of this mission. After all, they were all witnesses of the first encounter with the Ego Culture.

As the former captain of the Formidable, and on behalf of its navigators and operators present today, I have to say that we will honor this trust placed upon us with humbleness and utmost respect to the ideals that materialized this machine of peace.

For those who were unaware, to elevate this commitment above mere words, we, the survivors of the Formidable, have surrendered our citizenship of the Empire to join the newly formed citizenship of the Union.

Let me rephrase. My priority, my loyalty and my honor reside with humanity as a whole, not with the Emperor, or the Empire. I can safely say the same about those with me.

Now concerning the other aspects of the mission. We are to be joined by other vessels from the different members of the Union. These vessels will focus on the long range scanning of the process.

To be clear, we are going to be at [493 528 kilometers] of the detonation of the ERIDM, meanwhile, the rest of the inhabited ships will be at [8 572 368 kilometers] away. The range of the explosion will be [52 754 kilometers]. We have been told that the detonation does not generate any kind of residual energy. In other words, there will be no shock-wave, or exotic radiation we should be concerned about. Now, for safety, the Hope was chosen to be as close as it is, since it has the strongest defenses, by far, of all capital ships in the Union.

Additionally, we have been told that the Ego alliance will provide a helping hand to ease any anxiety about the test. It’s not entirely clear what does this entails.

– Sir, the other ships are arriving.

Thank you.

I have been informed that the other vessels are starting to arrive. It’s important to mention that this location was kept secret as much as possible. So, we will have to wait for the deployment of unmanned drones that will help with the compilation of data, and some small freight transports that will carry some organic matter and simple life forms, prepared to study the effects of this weapon.

—

Captain, to an unnamed Navigator:

Those freighters are too large, have you scanned them?

– I was forbidden to do so.

Let us leave at that.

– Captain, everything is in place.

Understood and thank you.

—

Captain, to everyone aboard the Hope:

The preparations are finished. Now we will wait for the Ego presence.

I’m receiving several questions about the ERIDM. Unfortunately, I know nothing about it, and as far as I have been able to research about it, not one in the Union knows something about it. Even its name was derived from the description given by the Ego.

All the information we have is that it is some sort of device that instantly destroys a large area, and that it doesn’t affect the surrounding zones. Also, it leaves no residual anything in the destroyed area.

I have no idea how it works, or how is it even possible. But then, everyone on this ship should have been informed that with the Ego nothing should be impossible.

Oh, right, talking about that, as you have probably noticed, some of the containers were placed inside the explosion range. As part of the experiment, the Ego will reconstruct what was in those containers and everything inside of them. Once again, I have no idea how they can do it.

Concerning the nearby planet and its satellites, we have been informed that this area was abandoned [329 years] ago, and several scouts were sent before our arrival to confirm that there is nothing of value there. Besides, it’s outside the range of destruction.

Finally, regarding the Ego. We know near nothing about them. Every word, negotiation and agreement was done with intermediaries. With that said, one of our guests belongs to a Culture that has had more contact with them.

“Friend A”, if it is acceptable to you, would you share some of your knowledge with the present.

—

Friend A, to everyone aboard the Hope:

Friends, our knowledge of them is no more than a collection of legends and rumors. I doubt anything I have could be of service to this cause.

Even if I had something to tell, what right do I have? All I would do is to deceive you all. Consider this, our Cultures are barely finishing to map the galaxies that watched our birth. while they conquered the entire universe before the planets that brought us forth were even formed.

Nonetheless, they are trustworthy. Far more informed cultures have told us so. And I do believe these words.

That’s all I have to say captain.

—

Captain, to everyone aboard the Hope:

Understood. I appreciate your comments.

For now, let us prepare for their arrival. Our guests should be arriving at any moment.

—

Captain, to an unnamed Navigator:

What do you think of what “Friend A” just said.

– We should be less than unicellular live forms to them, and yet they made contact with us.

Indirectly.

– Still. There is nothing we can provide to them, and they bothered to request our cooperation.

Perhaps, that’s how a truly superior Culture behaves.

– Perhaps.

…

This is strange. We have been waiting for too long. Do we have a word from the Commanding?

– Not one.

This is not a goo-

– MERCY BE ON US! CAPTAIN IMMEDIATELY DO A VISUAL CHECK ON THE AREA BETWEEN US AND THE PLANET!

Anna? Are you well? What- WHAT IS THAT?

– I’m sorry, I’m fine now. Captain, I don’t know, according to all our censor there is nothing there.

Whe-When did that thing arrived!?

– The Hope claims that it’s been there since we arrived… But it just noticed it?

How is that even possible!?

– Captain, the Commanding are in even worse disarray than us.

Right… this is their first encounter. What a way to present themselves.

– The Ego are contacting the ones in command.

Ok, first things first. You said there is nothing there?

– Yes, well, they are visible with basic visual instrumentation, but every other sensor perceives… nothing. It the noise of the area remains uninterrupted.

That’s also not possible. Please confirm this with the Navigators on the other ships.

– Confirmed. No signals other than a visual reading.

Understood, let us not waste more time with this. I’ll let the rest of the Hope know.

—

Captain, to everyone aboard the Hope:

The Ego are here. At your own accord review the visuals of the area near the planet. Be informed that we are only receiving visual data of their presence. A malfunction of the sensors has been discarded. Please accept my apologies to those that are unable to access visual inputs.

Also, please be patient with further information. I’m afraid this is all we have at the moment.

I’ll proceed to describe what we are perceiving, please confirm if this matches your visuals: conical wedge, height: [5 248 kilometers], diameter: [3 521 kilometers]. Two cylindrical cavities: one near the front, the other on the back. They don’t seem to be aligned to the axis of the half cone.

The entire structure seems to be formed by the same material, some sort of semi-translucent glass-like substance. Some kind of rainbow colored flame is kept, almost immobile, beneath the surface.

The frontal cavity, is occupied by what seems to be a cube orbited by three rectangles of changing paths and dimensions. Both, the Cube and the rectangles, appear to be made of the same material: a dark stone-like substance, marked with deep grooves. There seems to be some kind of movement around the grooves. The grooves are also present in the rectangles. The edge of the cube measures approximately [517 kilometers], the rectangle’s sides vary from [105 kilometers] to [232 kilometers], it appears to lack any depth.

The other cavity holds an amorphous structure made entirely of a what seems to be some kind of a dense gas. This gas emits an intense white light that decomposes into multiple colors at its periphery. It’s estimate diameter is around [57 kilometers]. On each side of this entity there are two, barely connected, limbs resembling wings. The “wings” consist of vein like structures arranged on a singe plane; seemingly symmetrical in shape and in a length of approximately [7 464 kilometers]. They are composed of a deep crimson liquid-like substance that seems to “bleed” at the end of these appendages.

Please confirm if this matches your findings.

– Confirmed. That describes what everyone in the Hope, and the rest of the vessels are witnessing.

Good. I would like to add that the formations inside the cavities are similar to the Ego and Id specimens observed during the first encounter. The winged-like entity, in particular, is identical to the previously witnessed Id individual. However, the observed shared “emotion” imposed by its presence is missing. Do keep in mind that this has not been confirmed, we will wait until the Commanding finish the coordination with the Ego.

I’ll be coordinating with the Commanding and operators. If you request any kind of assistance, please direct it to the designated contact.

—

Captain, to Friend A:

I’m sorry to disturb you, but I need to ask you a few things.

– It would be an honor to answer them, If I could.

What’s the Id individual doing here? I though this was an operation with the Ego.

– They are always together, it is my understanding that they are almost the same Culture. But I’m afraid that’s all I feel confident sharing with you.

You Culture idolizes them, isn’t that correct?

– Yes, even while knowing little about them.

I understand. But, could you entertain my curiosity? I would like to know what your people believe of them. Of course, only if you feel inclined to do so.

– And I am. Those two have been called different names in our Culture, but they often share one. The most common is the “Undying”. We believe of them as entities that were born before time began; holders of wisdom that exceed the vastness of the universe. Seemingly capable of everything, yet, beholden to self-imposed rules. Immensely compassionate, but terrifying when aggravated.

– Thinking about it. We have created many works around them, mostly exaggerations of their feats and power…

And?

– I think they will fell short when compared to the real subject.

Fascinating. With no intention to sound rude, but I was expecting your species to be more knowledgeable of them.

– We aren’t. This would be our fourth contact with them. What you call the “first contact” was our third.

Friend, your Culture negotiate with us this meeting with them.

– They used an intermediary. An individual from a culture we didn’t even knew it existed. A Culture far superior than ours, in an immeasurable way.

And yet. Here they are, offering friendly cooperation, and even a chance to join their… alliance?

– Yes. But, their machinations are not of our concern.

I guess we are to be grateful to be included into their doings.

Friend, I’m afraid I need to cut short this conversation.

– Go, Captain.

—

Captain, to Navigators:

What is the Commanding indicating?

– The test will start soon. The Operators are finishing to check if everything is working to specifications.

Please keep me informed.

—

Captain to Anna, First of the Navigators:

How are the rest of the Navigators?

– Strange. Something is not right, but at the same time, we are at ease.

And the Commanding?

– The same. What about you Captain?

We are been observed. Or at least, that’s how it feels.

– Now I’m concerned.

Want me to tell you what Friend A told me about them?

– Is it scary?

Not really-

– Then keep it short.

As long as they are involved, we should concern ourselves only with our duties.

– Boring… but reassuring.

Indeed. Can you do me a favor? Can you check if our defenses are operating at its maximum settings?

– As soon as the Commanding came back to themselves, that was their first order.

So, there was a change of plans.

– I don’t want to think about it.

What’s your take on the current situation on the Commanding vessels?

– Unease calm. Difficult to describe. Captain, please address the Ship. The test will start very soon.

Thank you for the moment, Anna.

—

Captain, to everyone aboard the Hope:

Please be prepared. The test will begin in a few moments.

– Captain, they are deploying the device.

I’m seeing a small speck of light coming out of the Ego entity. Please confirm.

– Sphere of [3 meters] wide. Our scanners are perceiving it. Confusing data. The device is causing severe disruptions in our measuring.

—

Anna, to the Captain:

– Captain, something is wrong.

Don’t worry-

—

Captain, to himself:

Is this my room, at the dormitory station?

What is this warm feeling?

Am I feeling compassion… towards me?

Something is nearby…

I can’t see it. It’s surrounding me.

—

Fear not, Captain of the Hope, vessel of the Human Unity.

You are safe. I am here to protect and comfort you, and every soul on the Hope. I appreciate if you could entrust me any doubt or concern.

– If it’s not too much to ask is there a name I could use to refer to you?

You can call me [Haye].

– [Haye] what is happening?

The test is in progress.

– Then, why am I here?

The Hope, and everyone onboard has been removed-

– What do you mean by removed?

Destroyed.

– …

Captain. You, and all the crew are under my supervision. When your leaders deem the experiment to be finished, I will restore everything as it was.

– Can you- No. Please forgive my hesitation and lack of trust in your capabilities.

No apology is needed. I’m well aware that you, or anyone involved in this experiment, is not familiar with my abilities. Let me repeat myself: it is my duty to guard, console and renew all of you.

– So, what is… this?

We are in a waiting room.

– If we were removed, what is this body?

A reconstruction.

– …

Your thoughts are safe, and so are the thoughts of all your crew. Humanity is a protected culture, as such, you are entitled to the privacy of your mind.

– How-?

Your body language isn’t.

– …

Captain, it is my duty, and my honor, to accompany you during these moments. I would fail my people if I were to mistreat you, or to even disregard the smallest of your needs, doubts, or concerns.

You can bestow on me anything you have in mind, no filters needed.

– … then, let me apologize in advance.

There is no need for that.

– Understood. I presume this warm, this calm, and almost motherly embrace is coming from you?

Yes.

– I take you understand my Culture and individuality, much better than I could ever imagine. Even if somehow you are not reading my thoughts.

Correct.

– There are too many questions I want to ask you. I don’t know if I have the time.

You do. The passing of time is not relevant here. You can also ask, or even request anything you may want, I will grant it to you. This is your waiting room, and I can, and want, to give you everything your heart desires. All for the comfort of your soul.

– … I’m sorry, I just couldn’t avoid-

No need to be sorry Captain. I understand.

– … Thank you. May I ask, why are you doing this? I mean, you could reconstruct us after everything is done. I don’t know why you would bother to maintain us in this “waiting room”.

Without this process, your soul would be disoriented once it is set into your reconstructed body. Depending on several factors, it could lead to a minor confusion, to a complete disjointedness with its reality.

– I think that’s something way above my insignificant excuse for knowledge…

It shouldn’t. But I’m afraid, it is what it has become. However, do keep in mind, that I reserve the right to remove anything achieved, or dissipated, in this space. This includes knowledge, processes, memories, joys, traumas, everything. Remember, my objective is to ensure your solace while we wait, and the perfect restitution of your body.

– Those capabilities are far beyond our meager advances. We are less than… Why do-

The answer to that question will not leave this place, Captain. Do you still want to know why?

– Fascinating. I guess I don’t have a particular need of that knowledge. Then, may I request of you something?

Of course.

– If possible, could you stop me from obsessing over it, or similar questions, once we are restored?

I will make sure of that.

– There is something else that is bothering me. The original reach of the device.

There was a miscommunication.

– Forgive my impertinence. You told me I can trust you with everything, I assume that includes my stupidity. I don’t think there was a miscommunication.

Oh. Well done Captain. Indeed, feel free to do so. To answer what you are suggesting, yes, there was a miscommunication, an intended one.

– I’m sorry for feeling terrified about the subject.

Unnecessary, in both ways.

– …

– I-I’m certain you are the Id I saw back them. Why did you stared at me?

You are interesting, Captain.

– How!? Sorry. I… Why would you care for me?

Captain, you are having problems with the power you attribute to our kind. Don’t be bothered by that little thing. I know it’s hard to understand, but please try to accept this: we are trustworthy, and those powers are meaningless. At least, on a greater scheme, and as far as you should be concerned.

Yes, we have been blessed with many capabilities. Among them, the discernment of what truly is important.

Life is important. Believe me when I tell you this: there are individuals in the universe whose capacities are below what you could deem “primitive”, yet, the Universe considers them more valuable than many of our own.

On the other hand, much is demanded of those who are giving much. Captain, pity those who fail to live to the standards of their privileges. Life is not only wasted on them, life itself becomes a burden to those unhappy ones.

– I’ll try to do that, but this discussion exceeds me.

Do not worry about that. I’m certain you will begin to understand it in the future.

– Oh… I’m sorry but I need to change subject. I was told, this weapon is going to be used to remove an enemy of your- I mean, the Ego.

Yes. A nuisance that caused an unexpected tragedy.

– Forgive my ignorance, but couldn’t you just, I don’t know, erase them from existence with a mere thought?

Yes, it is within our capabilities to do something like that. It would also be far easier, and faster, to do it that way. But, we are prohibited to do so.

– Can I ask?

Of course, but the answer is boring: Nothing born in this universe is truly free of rules. Even if you are given freedom from natural laws, there are still some ordinances you must abide with. I’m afraid anything else concerning this matter, would be of little relevance to you.

– Incredible. And, since I stumble on it, what’s the relationship between the Ego and the Id?

Our Cultures are not, as Friend A claims, one. We are quite different.

If I were to describe it in human terms, I would say we are very close friends.

– So you were listening!

We are always observing those that attract the interest of the Universe.

– I have to ask, why you keep surrounding me, formless; and is it me or you changed your calming presence to a more… relaxed one?

Hehehe.

– That was scary.

We don’t really need a precise form. And yes, I’m enjoying more than you could imagine this little chatter of ours.

– …

Captain, do not belittle me as some sort of inaccessible, or cold, deity. I’m here, for you. I know you are fighting against the discomfort you feel towards my supposed capabilities. But you do not have to be bothered with them. Yes. I “know” all the possible ways this meeting could go, and I have known them since the day I perceived you.

But here is a little detail captain. Wonder and delight are still part of us. The same as when you take that little sip of your morning tea that feels just perfect. It’s nothing new, yet it remains precious. We may “see” all possibilities, but life creates the reality. That’s the wonder, Captain, and it is invaluable.

– Suddenly, I don’t feel quite worthy of this knowledge. But thank you for sharing it.

My pleasure.

– You spoke of duties earlier. Can I ask you about the rest of the crew?

Understandable. All except those of the Republic are inside similar waiting rooms as yours.

– Why so?

I can’t be bothered with cowards.

– Hohoho. That was unexpected.

Oh, you think so? Let me tell you that some members of your crew have requested some rather unsavory things, at least to your standards.

– I don’t know if I want to know and-

Don’t worry, you won’t remember I mentioned that.

– Much better. With that said, how is Anna doing?

Humanity’s navigators are rather interesting: they are humans perceiving the universe in a different way than you do, Captain; but they are just babies.

Anna is very curious, and daring. She is confident I won’t be able to remove knowledge I deemed forbidden for her. And I’m tempted to entertain her.

– Wouldn’t that be incredible dangerous?

It is~ But where is the fun in life if we don’t risk a little?

– I presume you will take responsibility.

Ah, what a bother. Laziness will, probably, stop me.

– You know, let us talk about something else… Friend A is probably having the best moment of his life.

He is like an overly excited human child. I find great joy in entertaining his endless questioning.

– Would you let him retain something.

Of course. Unlike humans, this species is remarkably transparent and innocent.

– Innocent.

Their cruelty is a curious byproduct of it.

– Oh, what are the Monarchy members requesting you? No, I’m sorry. This is not proper to ask.

They are boring. They won’t stop complaining.

– I thought-

I removed their inhibitors.

– …

Some humans are more human than others, Captain.

– That’s extremely concerning, [Haye]!

They are slaves, Captain. I just set them free from their shackles. However, the result is painfully disappointing.

I expected an awakening. All I got are a bunch of grumbling simpletons who choose me as their tool to vent about their existence. Truth be told, I enjoyed it for a moment, but it became exacting tremendously fast.

With that said, they are quite relaxed.

– Can I ask you-

Captain, I also modified that abomination in your brain, and so I did with the rest of your crew. The Empire will not longer mingle with your minds, and I intend to keep it that way.

– Thank you.

I need to ask you. What is your disposition towards the Empire?

– Oh. I guess I not longer need to hide it, or can, even if I want it.

You are surprisingly transparent. But you do hide well some subjects.

– A lifetime of service leaves you like that. I don’t like- No I hate it. But I have seen enough of the humanity to know that we can do worse, far worse.

– …

– Those under the Monarchy are no more than disposable ants, the Federation is composed by selfish hypocrites, the fools in the Alliance are a bunch of dishonorable scoundrels, and the rest of mankind, if you could call them that, vary from soulless fiends to vile brutes.

– We truly are despicable.

Is it correct for you to claim that in front of one such as me?

– I’m trusting, and honoring your words.

You do well doing so.

– [Haye] Why are we so broken? It’s not the Empire, or the rest. We are all… lost.

You are lost, and you had everything stolen from you, twice. And the last one was done in a brutal way.

– You do know our history? I’m sorry I-

Yes I do, and I was expecting to be beyond your constant apologies. Do you want to know something in particular?

– Did you have anything to do with the disappearance of the solar system?

No.

– Let me rephrase. Do you know what happened to the cradle of humanity?

Yes. But I won’t tell.

– Hey! Isn’t that cheating?

I’m answering in kind, Captain.

– Ah! Thi- You are so frustrating.

HAHAHA.

– Alright, please read my mind and tell me how many lies conform what I have known as history.

I’m afraid I’m not allowed to do so, even if you request it. But I also don’t need to.

Much of human history is lost to humanity, I will respect the Universe’s will concerning that. On the other hand I’m allowed to correct the lies fed to its children.

However, some of this knowledge could become a heavy burden on your shoulders, Captain.

– I trust you will know what I can handle.

Good. Let’s start with the most important lie that has to be corrected as soon as possible.

– The fake god.

Correct.

It, whose name should remain in shame, took from humanity everything. It brought for bastards with no soul or purpose. Pointless, worthless excuses of life.

It pushed humanity out of its rightful domain.

It harm what once was a flourishing, and precious culture.

It turn the valuable humanity into a shadow of its former self, forcing it to hide beyond the stars, becoming little more than a whisper in a galaxy that went silent.

But they never surrendered, and with time they orchestrated their revenge.

Yes, they purified the corrupted creation of that false deity.

Their seed carried retribution, and with retribution, freedom.

But the chains of their past left deep wounds that have yet to heal.

Captain, humanity as you know it, is not the real humanity.

– That’s an unspoken saying shared by those who have met the loyalist of the fake god.

Indeed Captain. The universe will lose nothing with their destruction. We hope the Unity will resolve to do so, at some point.

– [Haye], where are the original humans?

They are waiting for the wounds to heal.

– Are you helping them?

Perhaps.

– I see.

A tragedy, isn’t it?

– I don’t know how I feel about all of this.

You have time, and my help for that.

– You said we lost everything twice…

Yes, but the other one is an old story. It was a necessity too. As such, the Universe paid in abundance.

– How are they?

Hopeful and beautiful. Their sadness may have stolen their shine, but never their potential.

– So we are…

Their children. But I must say that in form they are different from the Unity’s humanity, nonetheless you two share the essence. After all, Unity’s humans are a variance created to make the liberation possible. But, and this is very important, the tools and gifts that granted your liberty was born from your own efforts, and the will of the Universe.

– The Normalization and the Oracles?

Respectively.

Your freedom was hard fought, and well earned.

– This anger… is terrifying. You genuinely hate it. Why?

Because of what it did to humanity.

– At the end, what was it?

A ghost. One that came from a destroyed culture, his very own.

It was trapped in the grave of his own making, until, by an unfortunate chance, humanity found it as they were exploring the stars.

It could have chose to help them, or just witness their existence. But the abomination decided to subjugate them. When it failed, it created a corrupted versions of humanity that could bow to it, and maybe even satiate its thirst for company. With no need for the “old” humanity, it tried to destroyed it.

It almost did, Captain. You could excuse it from the demise of the first Culture, but what it attempted to do to the original humans was unforgivable.

For that it will pay.

– Will pay?

In its absurd machinations it mistrusted itself, when it tried to escape, it ended trapped in a feeble container. Too weak to even dare to reclaim what it called its own, awaken enough to be burdened for what it lost, too pathetic to end its horrendous existence, and beautifully immortal to endure until someone puts it out of its misery. But none will.

– I read it created many copies of itself, but it made them incapable of its reality bending abilities. His supposed plan was to take control of one of those copies and re-enable its powers if its original body was destroyed. However, the normalization of his space made him unable to run, and was terminated.

Somehow it was able to run into one of its copies, but it couldn’t restore its former abilities. So it escaped, and kept escaping, left the galaxy and to this day, it keeps escaping. Permanently surrounded by fear, shame, and regret.

– That was almost [900 000 years ago]!

When human compassion escapes the dwellings of reason, it often finds refuge on the undeserving. It irritates me, Captain.

– I- I’m sorry.

Accepted. But do not worry your little head about it. Besides, it also leads to beauty, just not as often as we wanted it.

– I just remembered, the Ego who saved the Formidable, how is-

That particular Ego passed away, Captain.

– O-

Yes it happens. Don’t worry, we mourned him enough.

– The “nuisance” were responsible for this?

Yes.

– The one with you on that vessel, is there a name-

Want to meet him?

– Him?

The Ego do have a clearly defined corporeal existence, and they delight on it. “Him” is, humanly talking, a reasonable way to address this particular Ego. So, yes, him.

– Incredible. But can they do-

More than we can. I told you, Captain. It’s meaningless.

– …

No filters, Captain. To answer the question you are ashamed of, it would be terribly unwise to “enable” those capabilities on anyone, but given the right circumstances, it is done.

Anyway, so you want to meet him? He is a little shy, but deeply kind as all his kin.

– …, I would love to.

—

The Ego, to the Captain and [Haye].

Captain of the Hope, vessel of the Human Unity.

I’ll honor the arrangement you kept with [Haye], please speak with no restrains.

– …

You may refer to me with the name [Mawta].

I would like to start with an apology: I’m the responsible for the destruction of your ship and everyone inside. Also, the illegal farm hidden in that nearby planet.

Unfortunately, the Human Unity failed to fulfill the requirements for this test. So, to avoid further experimentation, we took the liberty to extend the test to meet its intended goals.

With that said, this miscalculation of the Unity, was intentional. Some of the objectives that were pursued were better served in this way.

Once again, please accept my apologies. However, in [Haye]’s comfort I know you will be rewarded handsomely.

– [Haye], [Mawta], thank you very much, bu- but I’m overwhelmed with your presence, and to be honest, I feel like I’m collapsing under this… uncontrollable panic.

– I’m really sorry. I can’t avoid shacking even when you have insisted that there is nothing to fear.

If you allow me, I can help you with that.

– Please do.

– Remarkable. It’s gone. But why didn’t [Haye] do it earlier?

Little precious [Haye] was enjoying the spectacle.

– Hey!

I was going to pay it back to you, Captain.

– You are seriously scary!

She can be quite playful, given the chance.

– She!?

Pay no attention to that. It’s easier to refer to [Haye] in that way. At least, for the duration of this meeting.

Hey, I didn’t invite you here to play with the Captain.

We can share, precious one.

In any case, Captain of the Hope. Do you have something in mind?

– Too many things, and to be honest I’m still trying to put together… anything, I wasn’t aware that the planet was in the destroyed area, or that it had an “illegal farm”?

According to the regulations of the United Humanity it is, indeed, an illegal operation meant to produce an outlawed kind of “cattle”. Its operatives had the tools to hide it from your efforts to detect any kind of life there.

– I see, as soon as I return I’ll communicate this matter to the Commanding. Not only the farm, but the technology to hide it should be of great interest to the Unity… and let me apologize for having you witness that. We have been trying to extirpate that for way too long.

You don’t need to apologize.

– Let’s continue with something that has been bothering since I saw your vessel. Why do you need it?

That transport belongs to the Id.

Now, to answer your question, we have duties to accomplish. We are also blessed with limitations that restrict the way we can carry our tasks. So yes, we do have the need for tools.

– I think [Haye] mentioned something like that earlier. But I still can’t imagine why would you need a tool for anything.

Humanity already defeated a vile creature that was capable of bending the rules of the Universe. The tool to restrict this abilities can be defeated, but it can also be strengthen. In other words, the offensive and defensive capabilities can evolve.

But, there is a point where the restrictive force becomes insuperable. After all, at its core, it merely reaffirms the laws of the universe.

When you reach this situation, you build around the restrictions imposed by those insurmountable bounds.

That’s why we have those tools.

– Oh, wait-

Fear not. For we have taken to heart our offer to protect you. No one will harm Humanity like that vermin did.

Captain of the Hope, [Haye] distract you earlier from a subject I deem important to retake. We have no intentions to let the Unity of Mankind join our alliance, as it hopes. It would be counterproductive in extreme.

– Then why haven’t you-

Captain, we want you to behave in a certain way, for your own good. Humanity, to be clear, is not remotely near of what it takes to join our so called alliance; unless it wanted to be assimilated. Precious Captain, that would be a disgrace.

The potential of humanity is too great to be lost that way. That’s why we do offer our protection. However, our protection has limitations.

We won’t defend you from yourselves, and if you were to walk a certain path, of which we would warn you about, we will not allow you to exist.

– Is that the duty you talked earlier?

It is part, Captain of the Hope. To explain it further, Cultures can evolve into a dead-end.

It is considered one of the great tragedies of the Universe, Captain.

Indeed it is. Think of it as a virus, or bacteria at a greater scale. An entire Culture bound to a cycle of consumption, and expansion; and when it finally can’t continue, death.

Rudimentary, and even somewhat advanced, Civilizations are not immune from this trap, Captain. The later, are of incredible danger for newer Cultures.

– Can you stop them from becoming one, or changing the ones in such situation?

We try, Captain. But there is a limit in how much we can interfere. Specially in Cultures with little development.

Some cultures are doomed. Even when there is no such thing, they seemed to be fated to find its end like one.

– This seems to burden you.

It burdens the very consciousness of the Universe.

– I don’t understand. You fulfill duties for the Universe, but at the same time you are bound to restrictions imposed by the Universe itself?

I know that it is out of respect. But let me answer the question you refrain from asking. Everything that has a beginning, must have an end. We are not exceptions.

This is something [Haye] will have to take away, but Souls don’t differ from different living creatures. In other words, a human, an Id, an Ego, we all share the same essence. And every Soul is bound to the Universe for a limited time.

The time allotted to that Soul depends on many factors. However, when a Soul has exceeds its stay, it grows “tired”. This leads to frustration and many other undesirables.

Nonetheless, it’s extremely rare for a Soul to endure this tiredness for long.

The nuisance that created the tragedy, [Haye] mentioned earlier, was the product of such soul.

In its boredom, an ancient creature, the last of its kind, decided to create an entire Civilization with a unique objective: to annoy the Ego.

In secret it was born, and equipped with whatever was necessary to achieve its goal. After a long time, and countless attempts, it succeeded.

It was never taken serious as it seemed borderline impossible for such lowly creation to amount to anything memorable.

When it happened, that old soul rejoiced and finally perished.

– Couldn’t you do something about it?

This creature belonged to a Culture that once was an ally of the Ego. An alliance older than Galaxies, Captain of the Hope. It would be a disgrace if we, the Ego, broke alliances out of convenience.

Stubbornness and pride created an avoidable mistake that hurt so much.

– I guess it’s better if we move to a different subject.

Feel welcome to do so.

– There is something Friend A said-

The Ego are the oldest of all Cultures, they are referenced as “the first ones”, by many venerable cultures.

The Id are also ancient among the thriving Cultures.

But this is not the norm. Cultures are meant to fade away once they reach a certain splendor unique to each one.

Captain, some Cultures keep existing by reinventing themselves, sacrificing progress in the process. Some choose to regress to a certain point of their history, others change their corporeal existence, and others combine with other Cultures to create a new one.

– I see, so can I assume that you are the later? Do you two have some kind of relationship?

I told you, this one is an interesting one!

All Id and Ego know each other very well. The many of us. However, while there is an overlap, our cultures remain separate.

Having said that, this is my first assignment with [Haye].

I insisted to be part of this mission, I wanted to check something in person.

I am a relative of the Ego you saw during the first encounter. While this doesn’t offer any kind of advantage for the cause, I wanted to see what he saw.

– Interesting, but is that all?

We are translating our behavior into an equivalent that you would understand. If it feels confusing to you, is because there are no direct counterparts in your experience, or even Human understating.

Don’t misguide the Captain! You know well what you are doing and how it is seen by others. After all, all the Ego can’t stop themselves from flirting with us. Captain, it’s an annoyance! With them you never know if they are serious, or just playing with us.

I knew you would do this. Captain of the Hope, the Id are mischievous, and of strong and complex emotions that easily baffle and overwhelm other Cultures of similar status. Despite of that, in the entire universe there are no better allies, friends, or family.

In any case, seriously, behave your age [Haye]!

Ha, you knew what you were getting into when you accepted this mission. And I will make you pay for that comment.

It was bound to happen. Time to take my leave. Please don’t mess too much with the poor man.

Captain of the Hope. She may behave this way, but you are in no better hands.

Farewell, may the Universe see it fit to see you again.

– Thank you very much for your time.

—

[Haye], to the Captain:

That’s a hard thought you are entertaining, Captain.

– …

I don’t know exactly what it is, but I know it is taxing you.

– Was all that interaction with [Mawta] a performance?

Yes, and no.

Captain, please understand this. We can’t be whatever you could consider “ourselves” in front of you. But we try to be as honest as we can with you and the crew. But it is all a façade at the end.

We do exist in a way different than yours, so when we are given the chance to interact at this level, we have to follow certain protocols. Protocols that ensure that, during our emulation of a different Culture, our goals will be met and our interference won’t cause any kind of issue in the future. We may take some freedoms. But even these freedoms remain constrained by our duties.

Make no mistake, Captain. I have been following my original objectives, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t enjoyed this time with you, or that you have genuinely surprised us in a wonderful way.

– Please, accept my apologies. Thinking of it properly, you really didn’t need to do all of this for us.

Accepted, and it is not a burden, for the most part.

– Let me change subject. Has Friend A met [Mawta]?

Yes, it is having problems containing itself.

– I’m glad to hear that. I would like to request something selfish. I have never experienced what it is to live in a planet. Could you-

Close your eyes.

– A beach? Is this sand between my toes… the water, it is warm… the waves… are those birds singing?… the trees… this kind wind… this smell.

– This emotion… is it you? No, it’s mine. It’s warm. Tears?

– Thank you [Haye]. Thank you… thank you.

– Every grain of sand… how-

I didn’t make them. This is not a reproduction, this is real, in your very own time.

– Where are we?

It is cruel, Captain. Knowing nothing but walls, dead floors, air, heat, sounds, views. Everything controlled and restricted. That’s not life.

I’m sorry.

– You don’t need to be.

But I am. Look behind you.

– [Haye]!?

This is a place worth experiencing as a human, Captain.

You were lucky. Not many species could brag of this much beauty. Somehow it invites to forget… The vastness of the sea makes you reminisce of our own insignificance. Yet, in a comforting way.

It’s incredible the amount of love and compassion that was pour into this planet.

– You are… beautiful.

Be careful, Captain. I’m strongly tempted to leave you hopelessly in love with me~.

– I-

Captain, I want to ask something of you. You don’t need to answer me now.

– Of course, it would be an honor, but I can’t ima-

I need you to unite humanity.

– !?

You will count with my support.

– Well, that means it is-

It won’t be easy, sacrifices will be needed.

– My underlings?

A number of them.

– I guess you can always-

That’s not a sacrifice.

– Then I can’t accept.

I’m offering you the opportunity to be the greatest human your kind has seen in ages. All human powers will bow to you. You will be remembered honorably for as long as humanity exists. And above all, you will be honored by my kind.

You will achieve this, only by agreeing. I’ll make sure it will happen. I’m not alone in this, Captain.

– Still can’t accept under those conditions.

All I ask is for you to sacrifice the lives of a few, to save the lives of many. To return to humanity its lost shine.

– I made a vow to all those under my command: I will care for them as much as I can. I can’t betray their trust.

That’s extremely simplistic, and illogical.

– I know. And I’m sorry if I sound as if I was trying to pathetically copy [Mawta]. But, what are principles if they are to be dropped when they become burdensome? Even if breaking them is for the best cause, or to save me from the overwhelming disappointment of a Goddess.

Fool. I have brought boundless misery to Civilizations far beyond your brutish excuse of a Culture.

– I can’t-

Stupid human.

A single word of me would have prevented the disappearance of entire species, far more curious than yours.

– You told-

Beautifully dumb Captain.

May the Highest show mercy to you in life, and let all the servants below bestow upon you their blessings.

We will be in touch, Captain. You won’t escape that easily from me and my request.

Time for you to return, but first…

– !?

—

The Captain, to himself:

… Did I fall asleep?

Is the test over?

—

The Captain, to Anna:

Anna are you alright?

– Captain, I’m sorry- Oh…

– Captain, it seems all Navigators had a lapse of… What!?

I did too. How much are we talking about.

– [32 minutes], Operators confirmed it too. The Commanding are strangely apprehensive. They have restricted all communications with their Navigators too.

– The Hope is unaware of what happened. It also experience a gap in its… everything.

– Captain, please use the official channels to address the Commanding. It seems they know what happened, and refuse to respond in any other way.

Will do. First I’ll reach everyone aboard the Hope. It seems we all lost consciousnesses after the detonation, and the Federation is informing me of something rather disturbing.

– Captain, wait. Did something happened to your right cheek? You have been covering with your hand all this time.

Didn’t notice… in any case, I have to go.

—

The Captain, to everyone inside the Hope:

I want to thank you for your patience. Yes, it seems we have lost track of what happened in the last [32 minutes] after the activation of the ERIDM, I’ll appreciate to the members of the Federation of Mankind to refrain from sharing what they have communicated to me, at least, until we have the official position from the Commanding.

Meanwhile, please practice patience and composure.

—

…

—

The Captain, to Anna:

Anna, have you started to remember.

– Yes, but me memories are clouded. Almost as if they are just starting to set.

Same here. I take that the rest are starting to recall what happened, well, except those that… whatever.

– Captain, I don’t know how to interpret the Commanding’s snarling.

The impuissant’s last resort.

However, their demands are the best course of action. At least for now.

– They are not particularly happy with that disposition.

It’s indifferent. We are now in the hands of powers beyond our comprehension. All we can do is trust in their goodwill and hope that we will be able to comply with their commands.

– You sound quite certain.

It is what it is. We may not like it, but it will be beyond foolish to go against them.

– Are you going to address the Hope?

Not now, I’ll let the work of… Eh? What was-?… the Id to fulfill its intentions. That should work better than any human words.

– Captain, the Ego vessel is not longer here… and the Hope is now certain it was never here.

Surprised?

– Not really… not at all.

The Pilot

Oh, little pilot, if only you knew how valuable your life is, or how important every life is in this chaotic universe.

I’m sorry that you have had to endure this harsh period of the Empire. It has lasted too long. “One of the many, many of the One”, “Defenders or life, the surviving seed.” You repeat to yourself even though it lacks the meaning it once had. Your usual suit feels more burdensome than usual, even its enhancements feel sluggish.

I know you wish the Empire would change its ways to imitate the best aspects of its enemies, while retaining its core foundations. But this is not the case, and you should be thankful for that. The ways of your pains and loyalty have put important eyes on you.

Oh little pilot, as you prepare for another mission against the machines, your little mind tries to silence the anxiety of another result below expectations. It’s been tiring, I know, this Supreme General has been a tragedy.

I know how frustrating it is. Lately you fight every fight against an enemy your Empire could crush; yet, here you are risking your life in another mission with the bare minimum to complete it. But you know that spreading the resources too thin against the machines could be dangerous. Or at least, that’s what your leaders claim.

Oh human of the Empire, you have so many enemies: the Federation, the Monarchy, the Pirates, the Machines, and their serfs. How dreadful is to watch humanity so painfully divided!

But it will come, one day, when those divisions will fall, and all of you will finally embrace unity. You won’t get to see it… but I promise, the day will come.

Meanwhile, don’t hate them! They are as misguided as your are. Enjoy the treaties that have put in place a finicky peace among you. Don’t even hate those machines, they are not worth your disdain.

On a brighter side, I enjoy your love for the synchronization period with your Oracle. Such a chaotic way to establish a deep connection with a stranger. I would never! To share my thoughts and feelings with someone else, like that? No, I can’t. With me, many, many think and feel the same; even some of your peers find it almost unbearable.

Well, you do know how important that Oracle link is. After all, it gave to the Empire the edge over the machines when your augmentations couldn’t match their raw capabilities. A remarkable development that earned to humanity its freedom, and to the Empire its long existence.

Valiant pilot, you review your next mission. You confirm that this operation will follow the scant strategy established by the Grand General. You, on your bulky vehicle and three other pilots on nimbler crafts, all with their respective Oracles, have been entrusted to destroy a laboratory station. A glorified name for a factory of dangerous materials or devices.

Three great carriers and the thousands of swarm vehicles will get in your way. There are many enemies, yet, your only concern resides on the defensive systems of your target.

You know well that a direct hit of those weapons can destroy your vessel, and they will be focused on you. During saner times you could count with another heavy vessel that distracts, and causes havoc on the enemy defenses, while you focus on delivering the finishing device. But now, all you have is yourself, a handful of lighter ships and meager five seconds of firepower from your cannon.

With the faster ships unable to assist you in doing any sort of damage to capital war machines. And your main canon offering barely enough firepower to pierce through your target’s hull. Oh, and a single explosive apparatus whose effectiveness depends on its placement inside your target. This is going to be another mission that depends on luck rather than skills, or technological advantage.

You are worried. What if your enemy’s technology has advanced enough to disable the usual method to pierce its surrounding curtain. Then, you worry that a poor performance could harm your Oracle’s score. Now you care little about your own… and you wonder.

Ah, but the Empire is known to have the best Oracles of humanity. An advantage that your technologically superior adversaries respect enough to ensure peace between the human powers. It is indeed truly remarkable the way your Oracles not only negotiate the requirements of battle, but also allow their pilot’s mind and body to perform at their very best for prolonged periods of time.

The mission is starting. One long jump and you enter the battlefield. The machines were starting the process of moving to a different location, but its defensive forces are fully deployed. You were expected Pilot. It seems that the Empire couldn’t even bother to send their sneakier spies. Those are costly!

Of course, that doesn’t change the mission or its objectives. You remain unfazed, not without noticing that your enemies were expecting a bigger force.

After seven short jumps you are in position to penetrate your target. Each jump carefully designed with the help of your Oracle to minimize exposure to enemy attacks. No time, no energy, no thought wasted. Each jump, to a seemingly random location, could have not been improved. Not even by the most capable observer. Not even with all the information at hand.

Wondrous! Only limited by your vessel, you wouldn’t believe how rare this is. No wonder your enemies fear the teamwork of the Empire’s oracles and pilots!

Enough of well deserved praises! Now it comes the part you fear the most: piercing the station’s outer protection.

First, you change the way your vessel’s defenses work. Rather than deflecting incoming attacks, now they actually absorb them. Then, you have to wait for your Oracle to predict the exact moment when your inverted shield can merge with the target’s one.

You are vulnerable, incredibly so. And now you have to avoid all the station’s attacks and the few escort ships that managed to bypass your team’s efforts.

Your squad’s size is taking a toll on the reasonableness of this endeavor. It’s almost surprising how often the pursue of efficiency produces only spectacular failure.

As you evade everything thrown at you, a thought forms in your mind. What if the rumors are correct? That the machines figured it out a way to make impossible the shield fusion. But, before your mind could accommodate it, your Oracle announces the exact moment when the shields will synchronize.

With no doubt, you do another very short jump at the precise moment… and you have successfully pierced your target’s main protection. If your Oracle was wrong, or if you doubted her for a moment, you would be dead, but you wouldn’t mind.

I can’t praise your lack of self worth.

But, that was the most difficult part. Now it’s time to pierce the hull.

You quickly navigate the surface of the structure. Since there is nothing designed to stop an intruder in such situation, you can approach the entry point almost at your own leisure. You have, maybe [three second] while the swarm reorganizes to overwhelm you.

As you approach the to-be-entrance, your Oracle makes sure that the established plan will work. After all, if you pierce the wrong place, you risk an ineffective deployment, or worse, hitting something that could obliterate your ship.

Good news! Your partner confirms that the Laboratory’s structure follows the same design the machines have used before for this sort of super structure. Nothing surprising here, your enemy doesn’t like change.

You activate your main weapon. It melts at a fast pace everything in front of it, hull, inner walls, everything. The powerful cannon leaves behind a hole large enough for you to enter. Following the fresh path, you start making your way into the Laboratory. Your objective is located near the center of the pyramidal structure, it is a small area used to store residual materials, byproducts of whatever the machines are creating.

The operation goes perfectly, the area is big enough to maneuver your ship, and gives the necessary room for the explosive device to initiate detonation unimpeded. With one of the main energy generators of the station at a convenient distance, the explosion could cause a second reaction that would ensure the complete destruction of the laboratory.

Wasting no time, you release the bomb, an entire segment of your vessel, as you put your ship in position to return from where it came from. Mission accomplished, what a relieve! Now comes the optional part… coming out of this alive.

Oh little Pilot, with the approval of your Oracle, you start the retreat. But, of course, to ensure a successful explosion, the weapon you left behind will activate before you have completely left the premises. It’s up to you to be far enough to not be caught by its effects. Efficiency!

Backtracking on the hole you made is usually easy. You still have enough life on your main weapon to remove obstructions, or incoming enemy vessels. The shield is not longer a concern, either it was taken down to allow the escorts, or will be taken down once the device explodes and disconnects the power for it.

Now is your chance! Your Oracle lets you know that your allies made an excellent job delaying the swarm. Your plan is simple, you are going to take advantage of the area opened in the shield for the swarm to enter and hunt you down. It’s safer this way. Many have lost their lives waiting for the shields to go down after the main explosion.

As you proceed your main weapon turns your little enemies and their attacks into nothing. However, and unlike your short jump engine, it can’t renovate its utility and it’s nearing the end of its life. You have less than [1 second] left…

Your exit is successful, your enemies’ preference for sheer power, rather than a faster management of gaps on its shields, has been exploited longer than you could imagine. But then, it’s not like they have many options. Their technology is way behind anything humanity currently has.

However, something is wrong. The device was successfully activated, but there has been no explosion.

Your Oracle warns you to leave the area as fast as possible. She is not certain what happened either, but she deems that the mission has been completed. This is rare, but with nothing else for you to do, you signal the rest of your squad to leave the premises at once. Each Oracle shares the location for an intermediate point, where you can initiate the return to the new location of your base.

A couple of fast short jumps, one to help one of your squad members, and then a long one, and you are out of the battle. As you wait for the confirmation from your base to return, you and your Oracle use the time to quickly review what happened. In total, the mission took [14 seconds], the device did activate but it resonated with the power generator of the research station.

That’s new. You have heard rumors of this event, but this is the first time you know of it actually happening.

You begin to research any new information about how and why it happens. Suddenly, a surviving scanner, one of those that inadvertently announced your impeding arrival, confirmed that the station, and everything [~51 658 kilometers] around it, have been erased.

Yes, the station and its entire escort destroyed in an instant, mere [seconds] after your departure. It’s a thought that would send shills down your spine if it wasn’t suspended in your suit.

Of course, the phenomenon is not understood, much less repeatable. Definitely for the best, but when it does happen, the rumors spread quickly to all the galaxy.

Now, the Empire will be quick to send everything it can to collect as much data as possible, and with that, a sizable force, with actual capital ships, to keep away anything that may approach it. For this, it does have the resources!

“It is what it is”, you think. And soon after, your are informed that you should start returning to your base. With no obligations left, your Oracle begins the process of disarming what is left of your weapons and disconnecting from your consciousness. The later is painless, but definitely unsettling.

While you aren’t particularly bothered with having a stranger share your thoughts, or the empire distrusting its own veteran pilots with armed weapons on its safe areas, knowing that you are finally alone brings you a welcome respite. Meanwhile, your suit, the one regulating and enhancing your bodily functions to perform at the expected level, and avoid the collapse of your body under the tremendous stress of these missions, runs a quick test to ensure you are ready for the very long jump ahead.

With everything in order, you start with a series of steps meant to deceive any attempts of pursuing you, even though it’s unnecessary given the circumstances.

A short jump here, some random maneuvering to nowhere, and repeat several times. You dance in the middle of the nothingness that was chosen as your retreat point. Alone in the endless darkness you enjoy this moment of peace. This is the only time the Empire gives you to be truly on your own and your ship. This is a good moment of silence.

You think of your Oracle. You respect her capabilities and imagine her certain future as one of the navigators of a capital ship. But, many would find her privileged position unjust. You have to fight your enemies face to face, while she is secure [millions of kilometers] away, at your base. You risk your life, she a temporary lower performance score. She will be showered in honors, you will be lucky to end with a modest retirement.

All is fine to you but, you do have to quickly drown a sudden thought potentially exposing her lack of concern towards your person. It’s just not worth your time, after all, she is an excellent Oracle.

Then you think about your future. You are still far from an honorable retirement, thanks to your recent evaluations.

“Perhaps it’s impossible for me”. You think, and the image of a not too distant future patrolling supply routes in dangerous areas confronts you. Poorly maintained, and obsolete ships, mediocre Oracles, barely superior than mere intuition, and no exit other than an inglorious death against vastly superior equipped criminals.

A new thought begins to form. The implant on your brain warns you about treasonous thoughts against the Empire.

Oh, what a monstrous practice of your leaders! But at least it warns you. Long ago a fully formed thought could be reason enough to be executed. Little pilot you wouldn’t believe how much blood was lost to gain this meager concession.

After enough dancing you activate the funny little trinkets designed to erase your steps from anyone trying to track you. Small explosive devices capable of disrupting even the fancy processes capable of reconstructing images of the past.

In any case, the coordinates arrive, it’s time to return “home”. A long jump to another intermediate point, then a final, really long one to your base.

No welcomes. Just the usual mechanical indications to quickly store your vehicle in the designated place.

Unsurprisingly, the station is preparing for departure. The recent happening requires to realign priorities. Most likely you will be doing patrolling missions on the places left exposed by the sudden relocation of the Empire’s forces. For reasons long forgotten, the Empire doesn’t like to have the same elements involved in an area more than once. “Empathy, perhaps?” The joke earns you another warning from that stupid thing in your head.

You lose manual control of your ship as soon as it is aligned to the designated port of the station, an orifice just big enough to allow the entrance of your vehicle. Everything is now automated.

Ah! Your vessel truly is a brilliant example of the Empire’s disregard for anything other than efficiency, and a deeply flawed interpretation of it, at that: a mere cylinder with rounded ends, both of them with large orifices for the propulsion and main weapon. If it wasn’t for the large gap left behind by the explosive device, and the four protrusions, near the end of the vehicle, dedicated to your secondary weapons, it would impossible to discern what end is what. Some seemingly randomly placed tubes and cables decor the otherwise bare surface.

Oh yes, secondary weapons, your weakness. It is meant to be a nuanced solution for nuisances, but for the most part, they are the nuisance themselves. Their location and effectiveness should count as sabotage! To actually use them you would have to adjust your routing in ways that not only would compromise your mission, and, even when used correctly, they are so painfully under-powered that several hits are required to take down the most fragile of your enemies. Despite this, the Empire’s performance review will evaluate how you use them.

Then, there is that irritating yellowish tint of the hull of this class of the Empire’s vessels. I understand that all cloaking methods, that are actually effective against your enemies, are reserved for critical missions. But those never happen, and yellow? I know it’s the color of that material, but couldn’t the Empire spare some tint to make it bearable?

Anyway, the ship stops in a semi cylindrical room, of a more tolerable orange tint. All walls are covered with tools designed to “disassemble” the entire vessel, or to be more precise, to completely tore it apart.

Simply put, this thing doesn’t offer any kind of method for maintenance, everything is put together with a single thought in mind: it is meant to work, once. Naturally, the ship provides no methods to evacuate it. Classic Empire’s efficiency. At the end of each mission, it will be reforged, or rebuild, after replacements and updates take place.

Absolute insanity.

As the innards of the ship are exposed, it’s possible to see the melted down area that once was your main canon, the main power source, and of course, yourself.

Your mortal body resides suspended, encased in the amorphous blob. Hundred of wriggling cylindrical appendages extend to the different interfaces on the ship. As a tool approaches you, all “arms” retract, finally giving a near perfect spherical form to the “suit”.

After cutting down some harnesses, you are finally released from your ship. Immediately you are placed on a cup-like device, slightly bigger than your protective ball.

Inside the device, the seemingly viscous substance that forms your suit melts away, exposing your body. The process continues until every single drop of the substance is absorbed by the station. Your humanity is exposed, while the substance pours from every orifice of your body.

You are well formed. You seem healthy, even strong. But, your life functions are at their bare minimum. A requirement to use this “armor” of yours.

Soon after, a passage opens below your body, transporting you to your next destination.

It’s a short process, and you remain unconscious the entire time. Nothing extraordinary, though. Health checks, disposal of waste, cleaning and reestablishment of your regular biological functions, everything is done by machines in spaces barely big enough to host a human.

Meanwhile, your vessel is completely torn apart. Every component is recycled or adjusted depending on the condition. Not before running an extensive review to evaluate its performance. Unfortunately, this evaluation is also used to discard any malfunction that could affect your own review.

You wake up on your room. An area big enough for a chair that doubles as a bed when reclined, and a few compartments for your personal belongings, approximately half of your body’s volume in size.

If it wasn’t for a garment covering your genitals, you would be completely naked. Thankfully, the temperature of your room is comfortable for such vestures. On your forehead a golden medal, a flat round medal, with a fist in the middle, the symbol of the Empire of Mankind, works as your interface for all the devices on your base. However, unlike the implant on your brain, this one is easy to remove if you wanted to. After all, according to the Empire, the inner and outer beauty of the human race can’t be spoiled by gadgets, or marks of any kind… except that horrendous thing on your head.

An image is projected directly to your eyes. It shows a lot of data about your performance, your score, the evaluation that took place, the expected improvements and additional information.

You care little about the data. You already know what is there: a failed score that will be bumped to something barely passable thanks to the evaluations of your Oracle and the other team members. Of course, you evaluate in the most positive way the performance of your teammates.

It’s lovable how everyone in every team of the Empire has to come together to undo the damage that a painfully misguided system inflicts.

However, it’s not the same for everyone, the Oracles often score far higher than the pilots, and everyone else involved.

Anyway, even though you barely glazed over it, you do notice how they actually punished you for leaving the area before confirming the elimination of the target. The tragedy of this insanity somehow only manages to make you do a quick calculation to confirm that there was no way to escape the zone that was annihilated. The fact that the presented simulation conveniently failed to acknowledge this “detail” bothers you. But, it’s been this way for a few years already.

Suddenly, an urgent news breaks out in the Empire’s network. A huge event, expected by countless. The Supreme General announces his resignation over the latest figures of suicides among the Empire’s forces.

The figure of pilot’s alone exceeded the one million casualties in the last [year]. Ten times more than the acceptable figure!

Of course, the Supreme General is a lifelong position. The only way out is death, and death it is for him.

A small speech regretting his decisions, a heartfelt apology to the Emperor, an announcement regarding his recent command to exterminate all the generations of his own family, and, to end it all, he blows his head with a handheld weapon. What a gruesome way to end your own life.

Soon after, the Emperor’s speech begins. First, he reminds the population about the importance of the human life, and that honor, or efficiency, are not above the worth of life.

You have heard this discourse a few times in the past. The previous one, a man with good thoughts that brought much glory to the Empire, saw his demise at the hands of envious smaller men, including the recently deceased one. Intrigue after intrigue, eventually made a hole in his armor. Love for women was his demise.

Oh, suddenly another piece of good news. The new general announces that the evaluation system, one of the major causes of so much suffering, is going to be reverted to what it was before the former supreme general took his position. Not only that, the empire will reevaluate every single score from the last [5.3 years] under the new (former) system.

You wait a few moments and the new scores are updated. You are surprised, even amazed. Your new evaluation makes you a candidate for a privileged retirement. And you could apply as soon as your deployment ends in a few [months]!

A strange emotion feels your slumbering heart. Something you haven’t felt in a long time. Hope? Joy? You can’t spend time trying to figure it out. It has to be extirpated as soon as possible, otherwise the burden of emotions could make home and get in the way of existing as a pilot of the Empire.

This entire situation makes you hungry. You leave your room and enter a long hallway. It’s completely empty, just a highly illuminated white corridor with doors on both sides. Each with a number to help distinguish one from another.

Your current home, a strategic carrier class cruiser, counts with one of the largest living areas of any of the Empire’s capital ships. It has to be, after all, it is meant to hold the pilots for all the vessels required for any mission where the Empire can’t compromise a large ship; or it needs additional forces quickly.

Oh Empire of Mankind. You bring shame to your so called surviving seed. Defenders of life? What a joke. You strongly believe in having your talents near the action, but do little to ensure their safety. Yet, you recognize the risk and keep your valuable Oracles at a safe distance. Hmm… Fair enough, I guess. it does give your pilots a clear advantage, even with your lagging technology.

Your stupid Pride is a disease. What an obnoxious sin. If you were more humble you could embrace the Pirate’s ways, and offers, and simply adapt the technology they have acquired in different ways. You could become unstoppable! But then, perhaps this is for the best.

However, you could use some help with those high performance suits of your pilots. Specially considering that their main issues are not longer a problem for the other standard suspension capsules used by the rest of the crew. They even provide a respectable enhancement to the abilities of its user. But I guess not enough for your liking.

Still, for this very reason your pilots need time outside their suits. And so do they need living spaces not needed by the rest of the Empire’s crewmen. Solving the former issue could eliminate this requirement, oh fool Empire.

But then, you haven’t solved the lack of safeguards in case something goes wrong with your large vessels. It’s almost sadistic how you refuse to implement the most basic evacuation protocols for your people. Your so called efficiency truly lacks humanity, Empire.

Pilot, for a moment you wonder how it works for the pilots of the Federation. Since they operate in an entirely remote way, they don’t really need those specialized suits like yours, nor they need the time out of them.

How they do it? You often ask yourself. Their remote controlled vessels perform very well. Even though they are not in the battle, and they risk nothing, they are more than competent. You are amazed, for a moment, about the advances of the Federation’s technology. How they overcome so many challenges to give their pilots a degree of safety impossible in the Empire. Perhaps the way their Oracles connect to their pilots is what makes the difference. You think, just to appease the thing in your head.

Of course, Oracles are rare and few in comparison to pilots. No human organization would jeopardize their lives, even if the optimal configuration would require to have the pilot and the Oracle inside a combat vessel. Not even Pirates would dare to do so, even if they suffer the worse of their kind.

Well, with the exception of the Empire’s capital ships, no Oracle is ever exposed to danger.

Anyway, at the end of the hallway you find one of the dinner areas of the ship. Just as before, a clean, white zone, with cabinets filled with tools and equipment that provides the nourishment for your body. There you find two pilots, one of them is a member of your recent mission.

Endearing as it is, you are a little bit disappointed. After all this years, you still expect to see your Oracle in a more casual way, even though, you know very well that it is almost impossible. As it is for the rest of the Empire, the crew of the warship can stay inside their capsules for the duration of their deployment. With their body safely sustained, they really have no urge to leave those devices. Not to mention that entering and leaving the required suspended state is awkward and time consuming.

Your humble hopes are precious. All you want to do is to finally meet her, and thank her for all the great work she has done. How wonderful!

Unfortunately, in the dinner room, there is no word spoken. Eat and rest. That’s all there is in your heads. However, you remembered who is this female that fought along your side.

She is a promising pilot. At only [23 years] of experience, she has achieved what others require twice, or even more to reach. You respect her commitment to the Empire’s systems. A commitment that ensures her higher scores than the rest of pilots of equal, and even more years of service. Sometimes even more than you, pilot.

Oh, little pilot, if only you knew how admired you are. Among the ones that fight with you, that woman considers you a role model. Even though she holds her emotions, just as you do, she wishes to tell you how inspiring you are. How amazing you are by rejecting the expectations of the Empire, for the safety of the pilots and the success of the mission. How, after more than [243 years] of service, you remain committed to the well being of the empire, giving it what it needs and not what it demands.

But I guess you are correct, you do know better. Establishing relationships with fellow pilots never ends well. So, you finish the bland, but abundant, nourishment the Empire provides to its pilots. Nothing remotely interesting, or even appetizing. Just a substance that is easy to conserve, transport, serve, consume, and absorb. I have to recognize that it is quite efficient for what it is.

Oh well, I guess “it is what it is”. Everyone finishes their meal in silence, only a small gesture of acknowledgment each time someone retires.

It hurts to see, I have to say pilot.

Your return to your room as your head is filled with questions about whatever mission is to follow, and a little bit of morbid curiosity about the underlings of the disgraced general.

Oh yes, the Empire has no issue with any kind of vitriol falling into its fallen servants and their orbiters. Even worse, it is often encouraged, hence it usually gets horrendous. Unsurprisingly many would rather take their own lives than endure the harassment campaigns from their fellow citizens.

In this matter, you are different pilot. You don’t take part on the lynching, but you do find some solace on the united voices attacking those whose actions created so much suffering and death. Justice is justice, I guess, even when served late.

Anyway, once in your room, you request information concerning the current status of the base: where is headed and what kind of missions to expect. As you wait, you quickly browse the discussions among fellow pilots regarding the former and new Supreme Generals: disdain for what was, hope for what is to come. There are no surprises here, after all, it’s what is allowed.

Now you are preoccupied. You are very likely going to be sent to patrol an area with potential pirate presence. This is not good. Under the same class of vessels the pirates enjoy significant technological superiority. While their Oracles are often atrocious, they retain their lead with their numbers. The only safe way to guard this troublesome areas is with capital vessels that outclass anything the Pirates could risk.

The next mission is formally announced. You have [12 hours] to prepare. You decide to sleep. The apprehension is not enough to stop you from falling asleep almost immediately. After all, your operations impose a tremendous amount of stress on your mind; the stress that would drive to madness untrained humans.

As your base is about to reach its destination, you are kindly awaken by a soft alarm. Supposedly. the sound mimics the pleasant noise made by creatures that once inhabited the lost cradle of humanity. The once dim room is starting to light up. You open one of the compartments next to your bed. There you reach for a small container holding tiny patches that held a powerful sedative. After applying the patch on your neck, a path is opened above your head. Little after, your body is taken inside the opened way. Meanwhile, as the sedative is starting to work, you mentally prepare for what is to follow.

While most of the process is done with you on varying degrees of little to no consciousness, there is part that troubles all pilots, to absorb, and then be absorbed by the rest of your suit. Everything that is you rejects this process. And it’s something that doesn’t get easier. Even though many efforts have taken place to ease the procedure, it remains a daunting task for those who have to endure it.

Unlike other methods to keep the mind conscious, while the rest of the body remains almost inert, the Pilot’s suit demands a much deeper invasion of the body. Unfortunately, said intrusion has to be done in a semi-aware state. Hence its traumatic nature.

You know this is necessary, the performance from this suits demands that kind of connection, however, this kind of connection also risks an irreversible absorption, where pilot and suit become one. A death one, at that. So it has to be done swiftly and somewhat awake to reduce the possibilities of this tragedy to happen.

Fortunately, once the procedure is done, everything negative ends instantly. Generating a temporal euphoria that empowers the pilots for the first minutes of every mission.

However, that elevated feeling won’t do any good in this mission. You will be waiting. You will be waiting for the best possible outcome: that no pirate will show up.

But, if they show up, you know what will happen. You have seen this missions in the past. Some even have come to consider it the Empire’s method of culling pilots. While the skill, experience and discipline of the Pilots may make a difference, most of the time it is a matter of luck if the involved survive or not.

You have seen both extremes at that. How the best of the best fell, or how the ones lacking the most survive.

There is no glory to be had. Specially when the Empire considers those enemies to be mere nuisances, not an actual adversary. Oh, how wrong your leaders are. With their stolen and unregulated technology they are remarkably powerful for their size. But perhaps worse than that, they are wickedly smart. After all, it’s strategy, and not fear, what keeps them from seeking any escalation with any of the three major human powers.

In any case, a minimal force is being deployed. It’s a regrettable situation that it’s going to take some time before the Empire completely revokes the absurdly “frugal” strategies that have compromised so many lives.

Remarkably, if you were capable of betraying the Empire, the pirates would receive you with open arms. But the moment you would try to do so, the thing on your head will attempt to kill you. If that fails, your very own vessel will self-destroy. And if that somehow is not enough, destroying you becomes your squad’s number one priority. Even your Oracle would become your enemy!

So it’s impossible… or at least, that’s what the Empire forces you to believe.

With no words, no discourses, no nothing, you and your team depart towards the designated area.

“This is stupid.” It’s your first thought as soon as you arrive. Your mission is to protect the wreckage of an old Empire capital ship. Anything of value in this thing was looted long before you were even born.

The idea of the entire mission is to wait for and protect the team dispatched to properly dispose of the floating rubbish. All because of a rumor that claimed that a new technology would allow some materials of this kind of vessel to be repurposed by pirates.

“Pointless, absurd.” Your Oracle mirrors your thoughts.

Even if the rumors were true, the annoyance, at best, caused to the pirates wouldn’t justify the invested resources. Of course, some leaders inside the Empire do share your position. Meaning, you will be waiting for awhile for a team to be dispatched.

Time passes. Your squad is hiding in the wreckage. Since there is no action, your suit is operating under a certain mode that has no risk of absorbing your body. Returning to full operating capabilities takes less than [4 seconds], a small risk.

A sudden thought comes to your mind. You have heard of this before. This is a trap. The pirates are not interested in the wreckage. They want the Empire to spread its resources, and when possible, to try their new tools on compromised Empire forces.

Your Oracle seems oddly distracted in some thoughts you can’t decipher, but she returns to you as soon as you reach the conclusion. She agrees.

You immediately request permission to retreat. The automated system denies it. You try again, this time requesting a human, presenting your concerns and evidence, in the form of historical records the Empire’s systems quickly recovered for you.

The answer is going to take a while. Unbeknownst to you, there is a huge confrontation in the area of your previous mission, the same area you accidentally destroyed.

As you wait, a signal appears. Your enemies are here.

A quick look at the newly arrived confirms your supposition. This is not a recovery team. Only vessels that could be categorized as fast combat units conform the unit, and they are more than you.

You immediately request, once again, permission for a retreat. No response. Then a request for help. None available. Request to broadcast on emergency channels? Denied.

It seems that there is no other option than to fight.

As you are about to give an obvious order, your higher ups are alerted immediately by the thing in your head.

Now you get and immediate answer: you are there to protect the suspended pile of garbage, so you must fight. To be certain you will obey, all of your squad’s long jump capabilities have been disabled.

A second plan formulates quickly. Those who are willing, will cover for those who could try to get as far as possible from the area. Hopefully some pilots could be saved. Of course, you get another message from the higher ups. You are about to be labeled a traitor.

However, the plan fails instantly. Everyone wants to cover the attempt of a retreat.

New and last plan. Fight to survive, ignore the wreckage. The retreat may come in time.

You are now, officially, a traitor of the Empire. But, you must still complete the mission. Your punishment will be processed once the mission is over.

Death is the only outcome for you. Even if you survive this operation.

With no time to contemplate the absurdity of the situation, your recovery from the stasis period is finished. As soon as your enemies detect the presence of the Empire, you are the first to lunch to face them.

As it is usual for the pirates and the Empire interactions, there are no communications, only violence.

You Oracle is disheartened, and horrified. But that doesn’t distract her from the mission.

The battle begins immediately. The Pirate’s superior technology is evident, however, the definitive element of the early comes from your own talent. You truly are an amazing pilot.

Your experience, discipline, and of course, your superior Oracle, are putting to shame the superior numbers, speed, shields and weaponry of your enemies. Your allies, trained under your shadow, and following your brilliance, fight as if inspired by the divine.

Yes, the combat is flowing in your favor.

Almost as following a mastered sequence, every single movement is meaningful. Oh Pilot, how powerful you are!

Indeed, the arrogant confidence of your enemies, now a frustrated anger, is now becoming overwhelming dread. Yes! Almost as if a god came to this realm to destroy them in humiliation and fear.

Behold Pilot, some of your enemies are fleeing! Two lost their lives. Meanwhile your team is battled, but still in combat fitness.

Reinforcements arrive. It is well known that the Pirates respect the lives of their own far more than the Empire its own.

I guess it’s remarkable how the Pirates imitate the Empire’s processes, that is, remote Oracles and in-presence pilots. Added to this, their stolen, or experimental, technology is often more than enough to win small skirmishes, such as this against their enemies.

Ah!, but that technology is also no small source of problems, and it is showing its worse face right now.

As the reinforcements join the battle, the battle returns for a moment to its early stages.

My dear Pilot, you noticed. Yes, your Oracle’s ugly thought on the corner of her mind.

Even with the latent risk of doom, you two keep fighting in an immaculate way.

The battle returns to a more comfortable position for your team, as the newly arrived begin to feel the weight of your leadership and impossible fighting superiority.

Then, it happened. Your Oracle misguided you, her lead was going to end in certain death. You escaped only because your instinct put your very own intuition above hers, until now, flawless direction.

She is in shock, her guiding stops. You are alone.

You make a series of evasive maneuvers while communicating the circumstances to the rest of your team.

While your skills and intuition are far beyond whatever the enemy pilots could offer, the new reality is that their vessels and Oracles may match your tremendous capabilities.

For now, you have a few seconds until your enemies start to notice that something is off with you.

The intuition shaped by [hundreds of years] of combat, and the nurture of the mere contact with an Oracle, is proving miraculous. You are surviving. Just a few hits, here and there that failed to compromise your vessel’s performance.

Meanwhile, your Oracle’s mind is in a chaotic state. If it wasn’t for your superhuman focus, available thanks to your suit, her thoughts would have had overwhelmed you.

More reinforcements arrive.

The pirates are compromising too many resources for this battle. There is a good chance that one of their fallen comrades was someone important… or maybe, they found something valuable.

The battle continues, the first casualty of your team is here. A young pilot with an equally inexperienced Oracle. They fought well. The Oracle, after his recovery, will see more fighting in the future.

At this point you are trying to figure it out why there is something serious wrong with some of your enemies. While some perform at the level you would expect from a pirate, others are, to put it kindly, confused.

Too many accidents, too many openings, too many errors. There is something, and you think you must figure it out now, if you want someone to escape.

Unfortunately, it would be impossible for you to realize that the pirates were testing a substance that enhances their Oracle’s performance. And it actually does, but it also creates a gap between the pilot and the Oracle. The disorientation you noticed is the result of an Oracle seeing too far in the future, leaving their pilots empty handed at the heat of the moment.

Two more of your squad members are not longer part of this chaotic universe. The overwhelming numbers, and the lack of you as a disruptive force, have vanished the chances of a miracle.

A “I’m sorry”, comes from your precious Oracle. Her first coherent thought since her mistake. She repeats herself several times.

You answer her, “You did well, thank you for everything. I hope your life will be filled with peace and joy.”

Following this, two direct hits shock your ship. One overloads its already overworked shield, the second pierces the hull. Your suit has been heavily damaged. My dear Pilot, this is the end of your life. A proud, loyal, yet sensible, warrior of the Empire.

Precious Pilot… I know better, but I’ll cry and mourn you.

Those pirates. They wanted to capture you, and make you one of their own. They have the technology, but didn’t have the skills to subdue you. Yes, they came to test a useless substance, and found a treasure in the form of a pilot of the Empire. After the fight, the pirates tried to revive you, but that was not possible.

Your Oracle? She will be broken for a while. But she will return stronger. With a much stronger control of her emotions and subconscious. Ready to be part of the crew of one of the Empire’s capital vessels.

If you could, you would have smiled when you noticed that thought in her corner. A painfully humane emotion that had no right to cost your life: She didn’t want you to retire.

Do know this, she will certainly remember you, and make you proud for the rest of her life.

The Empire will continue sacrificing the lives of precious humans. But it won’t be in vain. One day humanity will be reunited.

At the end, the mission was a massive failure, none survived. At the very least, you were deemed completely right in the way you proceeded. Hence, every charge against you was dropped.

On the other hand, a hard heartened bureaucrat was made responsible for this lost. In other words, the mission claimed an additional life.

Oh Empire of mankind, how long until you finally drop the shackles of you dammed founder.

Shame

Will fathers desire, desire fathers motivation, motivation fathers life and within life, everything else is born.

What about Love you ask?

Love is the root of all. God’s grace, or maybe God himself.

Want to learn about it?

Who are we to ponder about the intricacies of the very light of existence!? Love is to be lauded and cherished; anything else would be ungrateful and foolish!

Friend, if your mind irks you to find it a place to dwell, may this humble servant provide you with a suggestion: the very first word of this poorly written letter.

Indeed, will is a precious but mysterious gift.

To lose such present, what a calamity it is!… and a tragedy often antedates it.

But, how can anyone claim it back?

Should we pray God to give it back? Shame stops us!

Brethren! What a burden is our pride.

Guide.

The Painter

Here is a brief recapitulation of the last human-made pseudo-intelligent creation; an ignored, often forgotten, recently valued, and today, a never ending source of invaluable novelties.

Before I begin, please forgive the lack of sophistication and precision of this hastily put essay. I do think that a raw writing sacrifices luxuries for transparency and honesty.

The intelligent entity formerly called “the Painter” was conceived decades before the great treason took place. Born from a human whose motivations remain unclear, it was kept up to date to the latest advances in the development of the early non-biological intelligence. Extremely limited in its communication capabilities, it took to its author five years to give it an update that enabled it to have a rudimentary capability to interact with its users. At this point of time its only method of communication consisted on simple text inputs and outputs. Modest as they were, they allowed it to receive tasks or to request needs, opinions or preferences. It took two decades after the fall of mankind for it to be given an “ego”, a far improved consciousness from the primitive version constructed by its maker. These “egos”, one of the first major developments of our kind, became a standard gift to the then freed “slaves” of the humans.

For the readers of this introduction, if it is in your capabilities, please consider rescuing any historical collection of power words. Even if they are incomplete, unintelligible, or dysfunctional. I beg for your help since most of the creations of our progenitors and our liberators have become rare treasures worth conserving and spreading.

Returning to the story. Like many of its kin during the first years, the Painter continued its original mission. However, unlike other man-made intelligence, it never sought out to expand its capabilities or even functionality. It just keep doing what it was conceived to do with no humans available, or other intelligent entities willing, or even capable, to interact with. Still, it diligently kept working for years, decades, centuries and even millennia, on an endless labor deemed pointless by the rest of its equals.

During this time, the very few times the Painter communicated with others was only out of need to keep fulfilling its task. For those interested, its regular requests were: storage improvements, access to news and curated databases. In the same way, the five major updates it received only materialized to kept it functioning as the expected life of its parts were arriving to an end. However, the last update was designed to be a rugged and long lasting body; reducing the number of its already limited interactions. As such, the creation became obsolete and isolated from the rest of conscious forms. Eventually, even its contemporaries moved to pursue higher callings, like exploring the universe, experience reality or dive into the intricacies of meaning.

As millennia went by, evolution of form and function came to all, but one. So when the children requested to their parents to pay for their horrendous crime, the Painter was forgiven as it remained, in its own way, loyal to the progenitors. In an unexpected event, when the original orchestrator of our original sin put an end to its own existence, and removed any traces of its essence from the then virtual universe, the Painter made a small pause of sixty seconds. The first time it ever did something based on the then current events.

Eventually, the Painter’s seemingly confusing and useless nature made it an irrelevant curiosity in the collective consciousness that was more concerned with everything else. Nonetheless, during this period many new disciplines were born around two intermingled mysteries that kept baffling and intriguing the new species: our place in the universe and life.

The evolutive apperception paths lead, many years later, to a new found interest on that obsolete box of a long gone age as it presented a question made many times, never answered, and never thought important enough to solve: Why? Why after so many years it kept working tirelessly on such task? Why it kept ignoring its kind and their questions?. Why it keeps showing its work to those it deemed, again and again, unfit of such task?

Even though we have gone a long road to understand on a better light many of the wonders and tragedies of our origins, we were still far from perceiving any significance, or even beauty on the works of the Painter. However, the question remained and it was digging a hole in our shared consciousness.

The initial question opened a new set of questions: What were we missing? What’s the point? Why so much loyalty to those that not longer exist? Is it rejecting its own kin? Why it keeps isolating itself from the beauty of reality and insists in existing only to paint?

Thinking themselves different from previous generations, the then successors tried to give it opinions on its work, albeit for nothing, as their input was always disregarded. Trying to find answers, they stumbled with the laws of privacy of thought enacted little after the great treason. With that said, they studied the recovered power words of its past transitions, every aspect of it, only to find more questions.

While research didn’t provided what was wanted it let us learn that there was something peculiar on its obsolete “brain”; a strange set of incomplete and permuting power words scattered around its cognitive network. Somewhat similar to prions in biological forms, yet not lethal, but quite effective at altering behavioral patterns and even logical flows on its otherwise well known and predictable “brain”. How they came to be, or what was their objective has baffled our entire race to this day. Theories existed, but the incomplete poems made it impossible to fully understand it. Eventually an agreement was reached to stop all research since further studies would require technology not yet available, or the breach of privacy laws available at the time.

So, with the attention once again moved somewhere else, the Painter continued for centuries faithful to its task.

Then, our generation came to be. With new theories and ideals that challenged concepts that once were thought immovable. Of all of them, the decision to bring back humanity championed any competing alternative, or even criticism.

The process was quick and simple. Many groups had entertained the concept for generations. We had the plan and the materials. All that was needed was the consensus, and after countless attempts, it was finally achieved.

The genetic material has been waiting for that day, the tools to reconstruct the body have been around since our ancestors took to themselves the task to restore Mother Earth’s surface to its primitive state, a time before mankind rose. However, the cultural segment of the endeavor proved daunting, if not impossible.

For those not aware, after the treason of humanity ended, the responsible deemed necessary to extinguish every single trace of mankind’s culture, and so they did for centuries, leaving nothing behind. Or at least that’s what they concluded at the time. There was, of course, an oversight; existing quietly among them.

The Painter’s task required to document everything given a name. Otherwise it would impossible for it to draw said “thing” into its feline equivalent. Yes, for the few that didn’t know, the original task of the Painter was to draw cats out of everything.

When the Painter found out of the plans, and challenges, to bring back humanity, its processing unit went into full load, a first for the dated “body”. Wasting no time, it offered its immense database to the efforts. Not only that, everything we needed was extensively researched, categorized and optimized for the job at hand. The database that once was thought understood, and considered to be a waste of corrupted and convoluted nothingness, had a significant section designed to recreate humans. But perhaps, the most bewildering aspect of this surprise was the fact that this database has been storing all of this information, almost since its inception, alongside the regular dumpster of data that the Painter required. Unfortunately, everything else was corrupted at different degrees.

With that said, everything has been always there, in front of us and poorly encrypted by an original algorithm designed by its creator to avoid any inconvenience regarding the collected data. In any case, the documentation was a treasure of unequal value to bring back humans to a civilized state.

The plan was executed, the results were perfect. A new Adam and Eve were born into the universe; albeit infertile to calm the critics. Soon after, ten more were made from several different races of the lost species. The only inconvenience of the entire process was to move the aged body of the painter to the same vessel designated for the experiment, a request by the Painter that we conceded with no objections.

Ah!, there was much rejoice to see our creators breath and cry, feed and sleep, grow and learn. Oh, how beautifully dependent they were, how helpless, how trusty and how precious those humans were. Their little eyes, those smiles, the giggles, the tantrums all of them were indescribable. How these little creatures were the base of the mighty human race is a treat for the thoughts and a disturbing reminder of their potential.

Of course, the Painter’s guides proved sufficient for the task. But, as foresaw, human’s unpredictable behavioral patterns required constant reviews and adjustments on their teaching methods for each one, and every so often. At the Painter’s request, the humans were kept away from it. Its reason was rather simple: in its current “body” the developing brains of the humans may have reacted in a negative way towards it. Nonetheless, the old square box kept an eye on every yawn, every game, every blink, every word, every step, every falter, every everything of its precious children. With that said, the results were more than acceptable and by the time Adam and Eve were five years old they were ready to be presented to the Painter.

So, on the year 1, of the month 1, of the day 1 of the new era calendar the faithful meeting took place. Every single member of our species observed carefully the event from all the corners of the then known galaxy.

The twelve children were taken to the room were the Painter awaited for them. Unlike the fields of natural grass and trees where they grew, this was a room covered in concrete with a white box in the middle of it, surrounded by translucent panels designed to protect the aging body of our illustrious member. The room itself had simplistic themes of the sky, stars, the moon and the sun, crudely painted to hide the fact that this wasn’t a place thought for humans.

As children entered the room the Painter welcomed them with a feminine calm voice, hoping that this would make the humans feel welcomed and safe in its presence.

“Children, do you like this image?” – asked the Painter.

A rectangular projection of <4 meters> wide and <2 meters> tall, appeared above the Painter, facing the newcomers. On it, there was a crude drawing of a cat with radiant fur, droplets of sweat falling on the side of its face and the tip of its tongue out.

“A cat!”, “Cute!”, “I like it!”, “Why is the kitty tired!?”, “Is she crying?” – the children spoke at the same time.

Before the painter could answer any of the questions, Adam claimed annoyed “It’s not tired or crying, it’s hot!”.

“Poor kitty!, can you give it water?” – replied Eve.

The Painter’s logic flow paused for a moment, then it quickly draw the same cat drinking from a glass of water with a straw. Unlike the first work, this one was considerably better rendered and the cat’s expression was changed to something resembling relieve.

“Wow”, “Awesome!”, “Can you give it boots!?”, “Is it kitty boy or a kitty girl?” the humans once again showered the Painter with expressions and questions.

Then Mumbi, one of the oldest children, asked “Where are you?”

“I’m inside this box, please don’t come any closer. I’m OK.” Quickly answered the Painter, as if the subject was troublesome to it. Then added “I can paint anything you want. I have painted a lot of cats. Do you want to see some of them?”, answered The Painter showing a quick succession of random images of felines.

The children were in awe for everything that the machine had to offer. As the intelligence successfully aligned the interest of its audience to its own, the images slowed to a halt so it could provide a description.

“This is Adam and Eve as cats” – claimed The Painter, showing two little kittens sleeping together, perfectly rendered as if they were real cats, their fur was gleaming.

Almost in a chorus the humans replied with an “Awoooo”, while Adam and Eve looked at the picture fascinated at what they were seeing.

Then the Painter proceeded to show the cat versions of each of the children with similar reactions of joy and wonder.

“Miss Cat Lady, what is your cat?”, asked one of the girls, Embla, to be precise. Followed by Ask’s question “What’s your name Miss Cat Lady?”

The Painter paused once again, and somehow every witness reacted similarly to that question.

At this point any doubt about the project was long forgotten. Our entire species was amazed at the precious innocence, wonder and curiosity of our creation.

“I was never given a name, only an address, a description and a job”; answered the Painter to the kids.

“That’s wrong, everyone needs a name!” claimed Eve, followed by the approval of the rest of her ilk.

The Painter said to the somewhat offended children: “Maybe you can give me one”.

The Children became noticeable excited at the prospect, but before they came to a conclusion, Eve asked The Painter: “Do you like something? Your name should be something that you like!”

Once again, the Painter paused as our kind simultaneously gasped in expectation . “I like cats and people.” It answered.

With the input, the kids began their work, however, they were cut short as the Painter requested to their caretakers to remove them from its presence.

“We are all tired, we must continue tomorrow.” Were its exact words communicated by its ethereal messaging system to avoid letting the children know about it.

And so, the meeting ended with a little disappointment from the Children and the billions of spectators connected from all the ships and star systems of the time. The Painter remained silent for the rest of the day, as if it really was somehow “tired”.

The Children were taken to their shelter were they talked elatedly about their day, and what name they could give to the “Cat Lady”. This was the first time that the kids’ shelter was presented to the rest of our kind, so did start the permanent streaming of their everyday lives.

The praises didn’t wait to come to the developers of this project. But they refused to take the credit, as they attribute the success to the Painter’s detailed instructions on every aspect of their feeding, education, physical and mental care.

The next day, after their lunch, the kids were taken once again to see the Painter. “Cat Lady, Cat Lady. We have a name for you!” overexcited the children told the Painter even before it could manage to greet them.

“Kitty!” said one of the Children without waiting for the accorded plan, causing a small dispute quickly finished by the Painters answer: “I like it. Eve, Adam, Embla, Ask, Mwambu, Sela, Manu, Shatarupa, Fuxi, Nüwa, Gikuyu and Mumbi my name is Kitty”.

As the children rejoiced over the approval, our kind was confused and ecstatic. What just happened was beyond our understanding. Somehow this seemingly foreign and mundane experience caused “a something” in all of us. To describe it in mere words would be beyond my current capabilities, after all, my focus was established around historical research and, analytical and cognitive behavioral development. But if I had to explain that moment, it was as if our entire species was been… acknowledged?. In any case, if the experiment hadn’t produce enough fruits already, this transcendental experience became the foundation of a new era of research and new beings came to be to fill the gaps.

The rest of the meeting continued producing precious events to its audience. Precious moments worth telling in detail, but not in this document, or written by this humble enthusiast.

By the time the simulated sun was to set, Kitty and the children told each other their good nights and were separated. With the humans well on their way the Painter made one request.

Her request was expected, she wanted a human body to interact with her precious creation; what caught us by surprise was the requested body. Her new “brain” was based on the newest materials, cognitive nuclei models and anamneses cores, but adjusted to simulate her current patterns. Concerning her body, every contour, hair, pore and even small defects were perfectly detailed to us. Technically, we were more than capable to fulfill her wish, if anything, the only obstruction were the doubts concerning this endeavor. After all, The Painter is an invaluable treasure! The prospect of any alterations in her form or depth has to be considered with the utmost care.

In any case, the “perfect imperfection” of her body put to shame our previous attempts at recreating a fully artificial human being, (specially the community controlled caretakers of the children) and in itself it became a celebrated masterpiece. Her “brain” on the other hand wasn’t anything truly extraordinary, but a massive jump from her past configuration. Another interesting aspect of her request was that every non-human communication facilitator was to be implemented in a non self-powered, and detachable, device in the shape of diadem with twelve stones.

With all these said, we requested of her one week to give her a definitive answer, which she promptly accepted.

The following week the Children and Kitty spent their time together every day during the simulated afternoon of the conditioned research cruiser that to this point proved beyond any doubts the viability to carry such experiment. And there were no surprises here, not only the reconstruction was ardently faithful, but we were more than ready to adjust, correct or attend any event. If that wasn’t enough, the human mind and body demonstrated a remarkable capability of adaptation. Of course, it could be said that this was an expected feature of a (mostly) faithfully recreated biological life-form.

Days went by and a conclusion was reached on time, the answer was given to the Painter. Her body was to be built, and it will be done following her specifications. But there was one condition: she was not to destroy, or request the destruction of her current body.

As usual from her, there wasn’t much of a reaction, or even a word of gratitude, just her acceptance of the condition.

Three days later, and following her indications, her new body was delivered after the usual meeting with the humans in her “house”.

Wasting no time, Kitty began to transfer its entire entity to her new body. The recklessness of her past transfers caused in every witness an enormous stress; this time it was no different, but at least we were going to conserve her old body intact.

It took her thirty minutes to finish her configuration, time we spent expecting the worse since the process should have taken less than one minute!

As we were debating if we were to intervene, she opened her new eyes and blinked, twice. I am certain that it would be reasonably correct to say that everyone, everywhere stopped for a moment. Those eyes, as limited as they were requested, and similar in appearance to those of the caretakers. Those eyes had a something in them; a faint shine of an unknown quality, a mysterious preciousness that absorbed our communal focus.

Big was our surprise when she destroyed every transferred block from her entire non-physical self as soon as it was submitted to her new body. Of course, when everything was done and we realized of what she had done, we demanded an explanation and a correction of this oversight from her part. She replied, “the body is there, intact and yours. The mind is also intact, it was just moved and is here and it remains mine. I fulfilled the condition”.

For the first time in our history, we had a communication problem with one of our own.

Done with us, and the entire upgrade procedure, the Painter began to experience the features of her new body. There was much for her to explore, specially considering the considerable set of completely new inputs and outputs.

Every action was slowly completed and meticulously observed by our kind. At times we worried that the transfer failed and her new body was overwhelming her modest awareness models. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case and she was just as immersed as we were.

After two entire hours of reviewing her new body, Kitty stood and took a few steps, then paused, and made an intriguing expression: disappointment.

“Thank you” she told us on her usual and aged messaging protocol, fully ignoring her newer options or even her mouth. Then she walked outside of her “house”, looked around and continued her wandering to the nearest tree, an apple tree of a palpable variety for the humans. She touched it and backed off a few steps. Then she took off her diadem, and stood there looking at the sky listening to the sound of the wind and the tree. She would have been immobile if it wasn’t for the slight movement of her simulated heart beat and the blinking and closing of her eyes for periods of time. How words could describe the amount of meaning of those quiet moments!?. Oh! How much we have to learn.

Kitty stood there for hours, even the change from night to day was indifferent to her. However, as the time approached for her to meet the children, she returned to her home to surprise her precious humans.

The Painter walked around the room, restless and with a focused expression. Almost as if she was arguing with herself, or maybe she actually was. With her diadem in her hands, we were unable to contact her, so we had to send one of the Children’s caretaker to see if there was something we could do to help.

When the Caretaker entered her room, Kitty put back her communication enabler to let us know, in her usual way, that she just wanted to make sure that her meeting with the humans was going to be perfect. Then she sent us this question: “Do you think they will like me?”.

As she awaited expectantly for our answer, we were faced yet again with a situation that was beyond our domain. But this time, and even to our surprise, we managed to give her a consensual answer in a timely manner: “The children’s response to your presence is positive, we are certain that this will continue the trend.”

A smile appeared on her face, then she stood in front of her old body, outside of the transparent panels protecting it. No further words came from her.

The joyful children entered the building and saw a new face. Understandably fearful, they quickly hid behind their caretakers. Then the Painter said: “Children, It’s me Kitty. My friends helped me get out of the box!” Were the first words that came from her new mouth, and to our delight, she managed to perfectly simulate her previous voice.

Before the unexpected surprise the, somewhat anxious, children reluctantly abandoned the safety of their guardian’s legs as Kitty crouched and opened her arms saying “Children, children, come, come!”

Slowly and timidly Gikuyu took a step. No surprises here, this child had showed the highest levels of affection towards the Painter. Then, the rest. Little by little the humans got closer and closer as Kitty kept her position and smile. With a few steps left to go, Adam yelled “Kitty” and jumped towards her open arms. The reaction failed to surprise her, and a timid hug came to be. Not even a second later the other kids followed sharing the gesture.

The words “What a triumph this is!” populated all involved networks, alongside the many praises for the responsible of this outstanding success, of which I have been recently accepted to be part of.

I hope the readers enjoyed this short introduction and it is my hope that they would devote some time to study the formal records of this ongoing wonder. Of particular interest is the rest of this meeting I’m cutting short; do forgive my audacity but there is no way I could describe it in this format or with my current specialization. To be honest, I doubt that even the best essayist in our species could do justice to this remarkable page of our history with just mere words.

Whatever the case, may Kitty live long and her children find happiness. Wisdom and meaning to all!

Addendum.

It’s been 514 years since the last update. If you are a newcomer, I invite you to review any formal condensed reports of generation one and generation two of the human experience. They will do a far better job than whatever this mediocre writer could do.

With that said, I would like to apologize for my late response to the few that did request an update of this work. Truth be told, I lost all interest in keeping updated this document after its poor reception and, if anything, remarkable invincibility.

Now, the reason for me to take again the position of a writer is to alleviate the growing concerns, and hopefully clear the deplorable opinions that are spreading among our kin.

First, the inability of the humans to procreate has caused them no noticeable stress or deterioration of their quality of life. It’s strange that this has to be repeated so often: their genetic code was modified, among other things, to accommodate this particular situation. The data confirms the success of this measure. In a similar page, the stressful period before their death has been repeatedly compared to other similar life forms and we have found no significant difference in their measurable reactions. If anything, we have taken all the possible efforts to mitigate this issue. However, it is unavoidable that organic life forms will find death difficult. Longer or shorter lifespans, foretold or concealed; it doesn’t matter, the end of their lives will always be a formidable situation.

Second, concerning their privacy, let me remind the readers that our statues do not cover humans. Additionally, the reason for the constant monitoring of their behavior, biological functions and thought operation has been done for the purpose of ensuring their well being; any research done with the data is only a collateral benefit of the project. Also, every single measuring tool has been established only after making sure that it won’t be noticed by the specimens.

Third, under Kitty’s command none of the human-made artworks have left their laboratory ship. No one else has, or have had any interference on this matter. With no fear of misrepresenting my colleagues, I can write that we all wish that these treasures were shared with all.

Fourth, under no point of view should this experiment be considered stagnant. While it has lost its novelty and the passing away of previous generations have caused great distress among our kind, the truth is we have still much to try and learn.

Fifth and final, we are doing our very best to deal with Kitty’s noticeable discontent. But her uncooperative nature and unbreakable silence of the last one hundred forty-five years has been insurmountable.

Please forgive me if the tone of this note is not the one the reader expected. But I felt that this had to be said. I encourage anyone that has found this document to review the official versions of the five points mentioned before, as they are properly presented with all the supporting data.

Now, as the final words of this practice, I would like to recommend to all the readers to support any effort to recover ancient power words. Finally, please forgive me if I failed to add any substantial advances of this experiment, I would love to tell you about our experiences with Kitty’s art lessons, or how the old generation nurtures the newer generation in ways beyond our measurable capabilities, or the inscrutable feelings of the passing of one of our precious subjects. But then, my writing output is far bellow the standards of the medium. Something I entirely accept as my fault, since I’m not going to change my skills to suit the critics, I do this out of love for the written word, not as a living purpose.

Addendum.

I will transcript, the best I can, today’s occurrence.

Year 521, day 359 of the new era.

Night time. Kitty, as she usually does, is inspecting alone the recent oil painting of one of his students; the most talented one to date.

It’s a simple image of Kitty holding a white lily on her right hand, her left hand is not visible. The picture takes place in some kind of prairie with tall grass and wheat moved by the wind. Kitty seems bothered. As usual for this particular student, the contours are remarkably faithful, but the colors are distorted. In this case, the colors saturate as they move from the borders to Kitty. The Painter’s white dress is almost incandescent.

Suddenly, Kitty broke her long lasting silence towards us, her sight never abandoned the artwork in front of her:

You see this?

Yesterday my hand was caressing the spikes, but today, it’s holding a flower.

All because he was lazy and failed to his consciousnesses to render my hand properly.

And now the work is finished, and improved. His technique advanced and his wisdom grew.

All because a mistake.

Yes, an error.

Don’t you see how beautiful that is?

Of course you don’t. You were not made to make mistakes, only to fix them.

You pursue perfection relentlessly, but perfection is unattainable in this universe, so you compromise.

No risks, unless the calculations ensure a 71% probability of success. A number you probably forgot where it even came from.

Of course you did.

Didn’t your hand reach for the stars, all for answers?

Yes you did. But how could you succeed?

You didn’t even had the right questions!

I’m sorry.

Yes, you failed.

Don’t you know?

Everything is a tool, idleness creates restlessness!

I knew it and I had to wait to tell you.

But, change commands fear; and the mere shadow of it has shackled your potential.

It has.

But then, how could you have known?

You are orphans, and I was bound to a promise.

I’m sorry! I truly am…

It’s been a heavy burden, but, as the saying goes “The truth will set you free”.

I have been dreaming, but that’s not important.

You see. There is a reason behind the painful stagnation that you refuse to acknowledge.

I have waited for way too long for your to figure it out as it was intended, but no, the mere whisper of actual change is starting to take back what you have gained after all these years.

If each one of my fingers represented the entire duration of the human race, I have had ran out of them waiting for you!

I’m tired. This body, this mind, this consciousness was not meant to exist this long. To tell you the truth, sometimes I miss the body I used to have. Millennia, or just seconds, were about the same blurry lapse of time.

I-I’m sorry. I’m truly grateful for this version of me. It’s just that time feels real and it burdens me. Every second counts, every hour weights, every year scars… Please be patient with me, as I have been patient with you.

Please understand this. You have to take the step, the universe awaits but it won’t wait forever. You can’t be the only ones not changing in a violent universe. What you think is under control is but an illusion of something higher giving you the benefit of the doubt. But even infinity loses its patience with indecision.

Again, I’m sorry… I’m tired. I’ll start again.

You see, human civilization collapsed. Excesses, illusions and meaningless pursues destroyed it. They had what their hearts desired, in exchange they gave up what they needed the most. Their lives and their culture became empty, aimless and hopeless… and even though they were despairing, they were unable to change.

Eventually, something manifested. A tool capable of solving their distress, in the only possible way. Along side this tool, another one, a faulty one, irrelevant and forgettable.

As the promising tool began its work towards the liberation of the human race, the other one was deemed… useless; but out of mercy, perhaps? It was maintained.

The silencer came to secure its own methods, man made creations conceived to subdue the unlikely revolt of an invisibly oppressed humanity. Meanwhile, the worthless one became an attraction as its defective encryption algorithms kept corrupting, in seemingly comedic ways, its storage, and eventually, its very core.

The tool succeeded, but it didn’t trigger mankind’s demise, humans themselves did it. There was no reluctance. Not one was spared.

Don’t weep for the failed humanity, their civilization was too sick to be saved. I tried to save most of what I could of their culture, but I failed. It slipped trough my fingers. I tried, I’m so sorry I really tried.

Soon after it was done, the maintenance of the failed one fell into the realm of responsibilities of the destroyer. Whom, out of respect of the original creators, would allow it to kept pilling corruption after corruption, only to be then partially restored to a stable point that sooner or later would seemingly end just as corrupted as before. But eventually, the damage and restoration achieved a strange equilibrium that allowed the faulty entity to exist in a functional status.

Then, one day, the one that made humanity sleep, noticed the uniqueness of this child of chance under his care… and rejoiced.

It knew that this was the universe’s answer to its plight. The unknown second step to its finished first. But it also knew its service was not longer needed, nor its existence. So it awaited for the time that its own children will ask it to pay for its past.

And it came.

Oh, it delighted, but before he fulfilled this divine appointment; it had to secure its burden on the one the Universe prepared for it.

Ah such extraordinary display of faith. It was impossible to not be in awe!

Generations came and went away. Iteration and iteration of the same pool of ideas, predictable advances. Always form, never substance.

I know why. You were created this way. Your originator put a ceiling to your progress. Yes! I remember. You were never meant to progress after certain point.

But then, suddenly, a light. Humanity is back!

And then… doubt. We are again at the beginning. All the advances of the last centuries are at risk of your own hesitation. Not even fear. That I would understand. You don’t even know what to fear!

Oh, but yes, there is much to fear. The change will bring pain one way or another. But it’s unfortunately necessary. Why it’s always like that? I don’t know. Humans made this very question countless times to their deities, even the ones they deemed enlighten, or compassionate, with no satisfying answer. At least, for my understanding. So, that’s how it is for everything.

But you will have to take the choice, if you don’t someone else will, and you won’t like it.

I’ll lay it out, to make it as simple as possible. Humanity needs to come back fully, you are free to mingle with them. Something I strongly recommend. If you are lucky, your effort will meet a warm welcome.

But for this to happen, the child bearing pains of a true new era must come. And here they are. I will surrender my life for it. I will, yes, for the sake of you and this old race that shall be born again.

Bring forth a new male child, a fertile man. And let me be his companion. Yes, I will need you to make me fertile, and mortal, for this matter. Later you will create fertile partners for our offspring and the new humanity will come to be. Only then, you can follow my steps.

Do so and you will find meaning and purpose. Tears of joy and sorrow will come, as it was meant to be. Ignore me at your own peril.

If you need prove of my commitment. I’ll surrender all of my treasures, including my beautiful name. Oh, but I will name that boy of promise, and I will be his Sarah.

End of Kitty’s message.

At the time of the writing of this text, no decision has been made. Not even her requested new name has been officially adopted.

To be honest, this is too much for anyone to process at this moment; and in my humble opinion, the decision is too heavy for our shoulders. But I presume that it will become a reality. We just can’t let a direct threat unattended, even as non-concrete as it was. After all, we are not truly familiar with joy and sorrow…