Jcb112
patreon
Humans Don't Hibernate [Part 116/?]
🕑 Added 2024-10-15 19:00:07 +0000 UTC102 Hours After the First Round of Interloper Interrogations. UNAFS Perseverance. Tactical and Observation Lounge en route to the Hangar Bay.
Eslan
The world, my world, ended for me the moment those cameras locked onto my… clone.
It was further torn asunder as the truth behind my mysterious past was finally unearthed.
The life I thought I knew, and the integrity of the reality I perceived — all crushed like a submersible that had gone too deep for its own good.
Everything following that point was nothing short of overkill, as what scraps were left of my reality were torched, its embers scattered until nothing was left but an empty vacuum.
But it was with that sense of emptiness, hopelessness, and desolation, that I was given a new perspective to chew on; courtesy of Vir.
“All of this just means that there’s an empty canvas now, no?”
This one sentence… was enough to pull me from the death spiral I was teetering dangerously close to.
“The way I see it, this is an incredible opportunity. To have the wool over your eyes opened this early on into your life is both painful, but also necessary, like a bandaid to be ripped off before things can truly start to heal. Because as things stand right now — you’re finally in control of your destiny. There are no more false directives or narratives, no more interdicting force, or anything else to stop you from reaching whatever end goal it is you decide to seek out. There is only you, and the decisions that make up your life from here on out. This is now your story, Eslan, and we might as well burn the old narrative along with the beast from which it was spawned from.”
It would be a lie to say that those words were an instant fix to the complex feelings currently brewing within me.
But it was irrational to expect everything to be fixed right off the bat.
The fact I wasn’t absolutely broken, and still somewhat coherent, was proof enough of the impact of the AI’s words.
Moreover, the fact that I actually found myself compelled enough to see this day through, was enough of a confidence booster in and of itself.
I could do this. I thought to myself. I had to do this.
Because as much as I felt the existentially draining sense of listlessness and emptiness threatening to send me over the edge, I understood that this wasn’t just my story.
It was Evina’s too.
And to not be there for her now, after all of the sacrifices she made on my behalf, would be a complete and utter betrayal of our found family of two.
It was as a result of this newfound determination that I found myself back on the hangar deck, ready to receive Evina and Lysara, but hopefully not—
“It’ll only be Evina and Lysara, Eslan.” Vir announced, seemingly having read my mind… or perhaps the concerned expression plastered across my face. “You don’t have to worry about anyone else. Just focus on you and Evina right now.”
“Thanks, Vir.” I responded simply, not wishing to pursue or elaborate on the fate of my… clone.
A few minutes of waiting later, and we were clear to enter the open hangar bay proper, following a complete shutdown of the shuttle’s engines.
Evina was the first to march out from the rear exit, followed close in tow by Lysara.
Her gait noticeably increased the moment we made eye contact, which prompted the both of us to bridge the gap with a sprint and a jump, before going in for a big hug.
It was following that tightness and warmth that I finally started to feel some form of reassuring peace, as a sense of familiarity and constancy emerged to overpower the rapidly changing circumstances we both now found ourselves in.
The universe may be ever changing… and even the past may not be set in stone. But at the very least, there was one thing that would remain the same — our family. So despite the revelations, despite the conflicts, and in spite of everything the universe and everything else within it had to throw at us, we at least knew that we had this.
It was the one thing they couldn’t take away from either of us.
“I’m here, Eslan.” Evina spoke first, her voice muffled as she spoke through the fluff of my neck-fur.
“As am I, Evina.” I responded, barely able to hold back the tears that threatened to burst from the pressures of the world.
“Everything’ll be okay.” She continued.
“I… I know.” I nodded promptly, pulling back, and giving her the widest smile I could manage. “Whatever happens, we’ll stick together — always. They… this is… this is one thing they can’t take away. This is the one thing that’s real that can’t be made unreal.”
The waster beamed out a grin at that, and nodded, before pulling back and punching me playfully against my shoulder.
“When did you become the bigger sibling, hmm?”
I let out a small ‘oof’ of pain, rubbing the affected area playfully. “It was bound to happen eventually.” I swiftly dodged the question, as Vir gestured for all four of us to leave the confines of the hangar bay.
A bit of unrelated banter marked our march from the hangar deck towards the crew deck. However, the closer we got to our destination, the more the conversation topics started to veer back towards the complex situation at hand.
Lysara’s theory about the interloper’s interference with our world, our people, and everything that led up to this point was conveyed to me as we all sat down to dinner; Vir having already prepared ‘human’-style dishes for us.
Yet despite Lysara’s hypothesis holding a lot of weight, and having quite a bit of evidence to back it up to, one topic remained unaddressed and entirely unresolved.
“I understand that there’s more than enough evidence to support the interloper’s interference with our people’s history… and biology.” I forced that latter part out, as it was one thing to realize your civilization was neck-deep in some deep-seeded conspiracy, but it was another thing entirely to realize that a fundamental aspect of your species’ biology was effectively artificial. I bottled those feelings for now however, as I honed in on the unaddressed nuke in the room. “We figured out the what, who, and the how… but not the why. Exactly what did the interloper have to gain from this? Why did it even bother to do any of this in the first place? Why create inheritance when as you said, Lysara, it’s Vuarks that allows them direct control?”
=====
102 Hours After the First Round of Interloper Interrogations. UNAFS Perseverance. The Officer’s Lounge.
Lysara
“It’s distressingly simple, really.” Vir began, garnering the attention of everyone at the table. “As with any action or decision made by an intelligence, the interloper was seeking to answer a problem it believed needed to be addressed. Indeed, so powerful was its fear of this problem, and so resolute it was in the solution it discovered, that it chose to detach itself from the good graces and protection of interloper society; to become what is in effect a rogue agent wanted by both humanity and its own kind.”
“The problem in question, being the issue of the ‘functional state of the universe’.” I offered, garnering a nod from Vir, but a look of confusion from the two aliens. “I’ve discussed how the interlopers, prior to humanity, was the undisputed hyperpower of the known universe, correct?”
The pair nodded, prompting me to continue.
“This state of interloper dominance, over the ebbs and flows of not just entire civilizations, but of life itself, was a fundamental aspect of their observable philosophy. One that emphasizes what Vir refers to as a ‘sandbox’ approach to controlling the otherwise unpredictable and uncontrollable — life.”
The pair now shifted their attention to Vir, as the AI continued seamlessly off of my tangent. “The interlopers’ original MO, is simple enough to ascertain. Their perception of time, owing to their biology, is one that is fundamentally slower to most forms of life present today. However, since they were — as far as we know — the oldest forms of sapient life in the universe, this wasn’t really a problem for a considerable amount of time. The problem arose when the current standard forms of life started popping up. The interlopers probably knew the risks they posed, and as a result, acted accordingly to secure their primacy. And since they had a decent enough of a head start, they managed to curb what would’ve been a cataclysmic tide, by artificially controlling said tide using Vuarks to create the universal constant that is hibernation.”
“By doing so, they ensure that the rhythms of life itself moves at their pace, dictated by their whims, for their aims.” Eslan concluded, garnering a nod from both Vir and I.
“Correct, and that’s what we mean when we refer to the ‘functional state of the universe’.” I clarified in between a bite of food. “It refers to the status quo prior to humanity’s intervention, and the state of reality that is now under threat.” I continued, garnering a knowing look from Eslan.
“So you’re saying that the interloper’s interference, and its creation of inheritance, is because it believes that this somehow could ‘solve’ the issues facing this ‘functional state’?” The alien inquired with a cock of his head.
“Potentially yes. That’s what we managed to glean from our first interrogation with it, and that’s what the evidence right now seems to hint at.” I acknowledged with a nod.
“Hmm…” Eslan paused, clearly deep in thought.
“So we’re dealing with a completely and utterly insane alien, got it.” Evina added bluntly, following it up with a growl that was only tempered by a large bite of a chicken steak carved straight out of the meat wall.
“The interlopers are quite enigmatic, I’m afraid.” I offered with a sigh. “We wouldn’t be here today if they chose to fight their silly wars deep in the darkness of the universe. Instead, they chose to make it, quote: ‘everyone else’s problem’.”
“Humanity is one extreme end of the spectrum.” Vir began, flailing his hands in lieu of any cutlery to busy himself with. “They represent everything that the interlopers fear in recently evolved forms of life — an uncontrollable breakneck-paced civilization with limitless ambition and infinite potential, tempered only by the inherent chaos within such a form of civilization. Meanwhile, the interlopers as a whole represent the ultimate form of stagnation, for reasons we already discussed.”
The AI continued, taking a moment to pause, allowing the preamble to settle in both felinors.
“My theory is that perhaps this particular interloper found the current status quo to either be untenable, or had some serious falling out with the way in which this stalemate is currently being handled by its brethren. Thus, it believed pursuing inheritance, or the results stemming from its implementation, to be some form of a superior alternative. However, how inheritance is supposed to help address this issue, is a matter of speculation unless we get an answer from the horse’s mouth. Perhaps it’s malicious in its intent, believing it’s found a new way to break that stalemate for the side of the interlopers. Or perhaps it’s — and I use this word very loosely — benevolent. Perhaps it believes that its current project is a way to bring peace and coexistence.” Vir offered, before shrugging.
“The latter theory is what it was trying to infer in our first interrogation, but then again, it’s an interloper so we should really explore all narratives besides what it wants us to believe.” I quickly added, turning to face Vir with an appreciative smile. “But in any case, we’re in a position unlike most others in history.” I continued, turning towards the engrossed pair. “Because unlike most, we actually have an interloper to interrogate, and thus a means to get to the bottom of an otherwise elusive topic. And we’re going to take advantage of that opportunity, to finally get to the bottom of all of this.”
Comments
Willow Arkan
So where is Eslan the second of his name(currently living)
