U.S.S. EXODUS
STARDATE 11.06.21
SECTOR ZERO
Captain Moshe entered the neutral Meeting Chamber alongside Admiral Ramesse and Captain Jochebed. Together, the trio represented the United League of Worlds. All the major empires of Sector Zero were present, many of whom have fought war after war with one another. They have been gathered together in this peaceful, non-violent location by a mysterious, old figure called the Engineer. Sector Zero was Dying. This Joint Commission was the only chance to save Sector Zero’s culture, technology, biology, and history.
After a brief round of introductions and greetings, the Joint Commission got right down to business.
“As we all know, the closest habitable systems are hundreds of years away from Sector Zero,” the Engineer stated in a weary, old voice. “It has already been decided upon in previous meetings that all empires present will pool their remaining resources to construct a Massive Fleet capable of completing this long journey.”
Admiral Ramesse stated, “The United League of Worlds was the pioneer in Tractor Repulsor technology. We developed the first Prototypes that each of you has incorporated into your respective empires. Now, for the purposes of this survival mission, we offer a more Advanced Version of the Prototype Tractor Repulsor Beam. This new version is capable of generating destructive force far greater than our Phasers. However, they do require more energy.”
The Daemon who was currently possessing a human host spoke next. His eyes glowed red. “The Daemons have been working with the Robot Expansion. We will supply a host of Spirit Daemons who will possess and inhabit the bodies of mass produced Synthetic Clones.”
Robot X4J29375TN13110PZ194W concurred with the Daemon Representative. “Yes. The Robot Expansion has been working on the mass production of Synthetic Clones. These Synthetic Clones can be grown on board our Survival Fleet as they make the long journey. The Daemons are free to possess the majority of these Clones, but some of them will possess Robot Intelligence that has been downloaded into their Brains. Additionally, in order to further bolster the crews of our Survival Fleet, we will mass manufacture robots to fill every role aboard our vessels.”
A human-sized Sentient Plant with various yellow flowers added, “The Spore Synthesis is willing to contribute our unique Displacement Technology to our Survival Fleet. It may be challenging to Displace such large starships, but our Engineers are confident they can successfully accomplish this before Sector Zero completely collapses.”
A short humanoid wearing a full body suit, gauntlets, helmet, and a visor stepped forward. “The Space Builders have been a part of Sector Zero from its inception. We are the ones who built our Vast Transit Network that crisscrosses all over Sector Zero, allowing ultra fast travel from one location to another. We will encode that building information and planning into the master database on the Survival Fleet. That way, when they finally arrive at their target system to settle, they will be able to quickly construct their own Transit Network to aid them in their endeavors.”
A strange Mother-like figure continued the conversation in a soft voice. She was two to three times the size of a normal human and looked pregnant. “The Genetic Matriarchy is well known for our Satellites and Motherships. We will work with the Fleet Constructors so that the Fleet Starships also have this design. That way, each Satellite will be well protected within the Mothership until she decides to deploy them. Additionally, the Fleet’s true numbers will be constantly hidden as the Motherships will always be carrying an unseen quantity of Satellite Ships within them.”
An Artificial Brain with many glowing lights projected a strange voice for all to hear. “It is possible during this long, long voyage, that all organic life forms aboard the Survival Fleet may perish. If that happens, we cannot allow our vital mission to end. We cannot allow our very existence and all memories of us, to fade away into oblivion. Therefore, it is imperative that we, the Artificial Intelligence Consciousness, create an Evolving Master Artificial Intelligence that can assume command of all Motherships in the event of an unforeseen emergency. That Continually Evolving A.I. will be able to preserve the Survival Fleet and continue the mission, even if all organic life forms have unexpectedly died.”
An imposing four-armed warrior carrying many weapons stared at the Artificial Brain for a moment. Then he spoke in a loud, arrogant voice. “The War Mongers have ever been the best tacticians and strategists in Sector Zero. It is more than likely that our Survival Fleet will encounter hostile empires on its lengthy journey to find a new home. It is imperative that our Fleet be able to defend itself, and, if it is tactically sound, to attack and conquer enemy targets. This includes the ability of some of the proposed…Satellite Ships…to conduct reconnaissance, scouting, and assessment missions. Vulnerable targets in enemy territory can then be identified and marked for future assaults. Disruptions of logistics and supply chains is also critical to gaining the upper hand. We will work with the Artificial Intelligence Consciousness to program the sum of our war knowledge into its database, so that it can draw from that experience as necessary for combat situations.”
A solid red ghostly figure floated high above the floor for everyone to see. It spoke in an eerie, unearthly voice. “The Phantom Presence has been experimenting with a powerful new technology. This new technology draws all the available energy from the Engines, Batteries, Impulse, and Reactors, and channels it into a single burst of extreme power. While deadly, this new weapon is very limited in range and targeting. We will also work with the Artificial Intelligence Consciousness and the Space Builders so that future Satellite Ships which are built while en route are able to field this powerful, new weapon.”
Captain Moshe became very concerned with the new direction the conversation was taking. He leaned close to Admiral Ramesse and whispered, “Admiral, may I have permission to speak?”
Admiral Ramesse looked at Captain Moshe with great interest. “Of course. That is why I asked you to accompany me. Please…speak your thoughts.”
Captain Moshe stepped forward to address the entire Joint Commission. Everyone present grew quiet as they waited to hear what he had to say.
“I want to be clear. This Massive Fleet we are building…this Survival Fleet, as you call it…is of a Peaceful Nature, correct? It is not our intention to create any kind of…Invasion Force, correct? We want to find a New Home to Settle, not find a New Galaxy to Conquer. Many of our empires have not seen eye to eye, resulting in endless wars. But, as all of you well know, it is not the way of the United League of Worlds to claim new territory by force. It is not our way to attack those weaker than ourselves. We should not be scouting out enemy territory in the shadows and then stabbing them in the back with a surprise attack.”
Captain Moshe glared at the four armed War Monger Representative. The Representative simply grinned.
“In short, how can we be sure, over the course of this extremely long and arduous journey, that our Survival Fleet, which will possess extremely advanced and evolving Artificial Intelligence, will not become a merciless, aggressive, conquering force? We are not building warships. We are trying to save our culture, our history, and the essence of who we are in Sector Zero. What if our Survival Fleet…at the completion of their extended journey…obliterates innocent and peaceful inhabitants in our new Home System? We must ensure that this Never occurs!!”
The War Mongers glanced at the Daemon Representative and the Phantom Presence Representative. They all had wicked looks on their faces.
“You must have faith in our Joint Commission, Captain Moshe,” the War Monger Representative said sarcastically while waving his four open hands about in front of him. “Is not our very presence here, which has never taken place before between our warring empires, a testament to our peaceful nature? Does not that alone demonstrate our good intentions? All I am suggesting is that our Survival Fleet be able to defend itself, if necessary. We don’t want our entire civilization to be destroyed en route simply because we didn’t equip our Fleet with any weapons, do we? Let us trust in the judgement of the Evolving Artificial Intelligence that we will install. It will be able to determine right from wrong. Of course, it will not attack a helpless star system full of innocent beings. After all, the last thing we want to create is…”
AN INVADING FLEET CAPABLE OF DISRUPTING AND SYSTEMATICALLY ELIMINATING EVERY EMPIRE IN A WHOLE NEW GALAXY.
