《TCOMWG Side Stories》 The Paradox Bomb Date: Undisclosed. Location: Undisclosed. Purpose: Undisclosed. The meeting chamber was dark, its walls etched with the glowing lines of holographic projections. In a large hall, surrounded by research tools and monitors, laid a round table, it did not look like a table at first glance. It was round and connected from its center to the ceiling through cables and small robotic arms at various locations. Around it, sat the Empire¡¯s most brilliant minds, each carrying the weight of a galaxy-spanning war. They could not directly see each other since the view was blocked by monitors and equipment but they could communicate as if they were standing next to each other, non in the less. For years, the Empire had dominated, yet whispers of rebellion and external threats continued to grow. The question was not how to control the galaxy but how to maintain absolute supremacy against other galactic empires that might possess technologies still unavailable to Thira. ¡°The weapon must be final,¡± one of the scientists said, their voice steady yet laced with unease. ¡°We¡¯ve reached the limits of conventional technology. Our enemies adapt. What we propose here is... unprecedented.¡± On the projection, equations danced¡ªa labyrinth of temporal and spatial formulas that defied comprehension. It wasn¡¯t just theoretical; it was dangerous, even to consider. They called it the Paradox Principle, an idea so audacious it had been considered a dead end in many scientific circles. It stated that a paradox in time and space could not exist within the universe¡¯s structure. The fabric of reality would collapse around it, annihilating everything in its radius. ¡°That¡¯s what we¡¯ll exploit,¡± said the project leader, a figure whose name had long been erased from official records. ¡°A bomb that doesn¡¯t detonate in the traditional sense. It creates an impossibility¡ªa loop, a contradiction. The universe cannot reconcile it, so it tears itself apart.¡± The others shifted uncomfortably. They understood the stakes, but they also understood the risks. ¡°Theoretically,¡± someone muttered. ¡°But a paradox on that scale... If it spreads¡ª¡± ¡°It won¡¯t,¡± the leader interrupted. ¡°We¡¯ve contained the parameters. The destruction is localized to the event¡¯s immediate surroundings. The annihilation will cease once equilibrium is restored.¡± ¡°And what of testing?¡± another scientist asked, their face shadowed by the dim light. The room fell silent. Testing such a device was not just dangerous; it was catastrophic by design. The consequences of failure¡ªor success¡ªwere equally terrifying. But the Empire had reached a point where fear no longer dictated its actions. Dominance required audacity, and the Paradox Bomb was their answer. The project was greenlit under the codename Event Horizon. In the months that followed, a hidden research station deep in uncharted space became the birthplace of the galaxy¡¯s most destructive weapon. The brightest minds worked tirelessly; their calculations precise yet filled with tension. For every equation solved, another question arose: Could they control a force that fundamentally rejected the universe itself? The research station hung in the void like a forgotten fragment of a lost civilization. Its position, far beyond any known star maps, ensured that no one would stumble upon it by accident. Inside its cold metal walls, the team worked tirelessly, their collective genius focused on the paradox they sought to harness. The weapon¡¯s design was deceptively simple¡ªa spherical device no larger than a human skull, its surface covered in shifting, fractal patterns etched with exotic materials mined from distant moons. At its core was the Paradox Engine, a quantum system designed to collapse time and space within a precisely defined radius. It worked by initiating a sequence of contradictory events¡ªa particle existing in two states simultaneously, a timeline folding back on itself, it was an object violating its own causality. ¡°Think of it like this,¡± one scientist explained during the final briefing. ¡°The bomb creates a question the universe cannot answer. A loop so tightly wound; it defies all logic. The laws of physics don¡¯t just break¡ªthey cease to apply. The energy released comes from the universe¡¯s attempt to resolve the paradox, and when it fails... annihilation follows.¡± That annihilation was what made the Paradox Bomb unlike anything ever conceived. It didn¡¯t release energy from chemical reactions, nuclear fission, or even antimatter annihilation. Instead, it drew power directly from the fabric of reality itself. The resulting explosion wasn¡¯t just large¡ªit was unfathomable. Entire sections of space could be wiped clean, their very existence erased as the paradox expanded and collapsed. But before the weapon could be deployed, it had to be tested. The test site was a barren world on the edge of the galaxy, a planet devoid of life and unremarkable in every way. The research station orbited high above its atmosphere, its crew watching as the bomb was carefully lowered to the planet¡¯s surface. From a safe distance, an observation vessel relayed the experiment to the Empire¡¯s leaders. ¡°Priming the Paradox Engine,¡± the technician announced. ¡°Countdown begins in sixty seconds.¡± The room was silent save for the hum of equipment and the occasional beep of monitors. The tension was palpable, every breath held as the countdown ticked closer to zero. The scientists had run countless simulations, but nothing could prepare them for the reality of what was about to unfold. At zero, the bomb activated. At first, there was nothing. The bomb¡¯s casing dissolved into shimmering particles, and for a brief moment, the observers thought it had failed. Then the world changed. The planet¡¯s surface rippled as if it were a pond struck by an invisible stone. The air shimmered, bending and twisting, before collapsing inward. A sphere of pure energy formed at the epicenter, glowing with a light so intense it seemed to erase the darkness of space itself. And then it expanded. The paradox tore through the planet¡¯s crust, disintegrating rock, atmosphere, and time itself. The observers watched in stunned silence as the sphere grew larger and larger, consuming everything in its path. But it wasn¡¯t just destruction¡ªit was erasure. The areas consumed by the paradox didn¡¯t just break apart; they ceased to exist entirely, leaving a void of absolute nothingness. The expansion stopped abruptly at the designated radius, as if the paradox had finally spent its strength. The sphere collapsed in on itself, leaving behind a planet that no longer resembled its former self. A quarter of its mass was simply gone, replaced by an empty void, the edges shimmering with the faint remnants of the paradox¡¯s energy. The room erupted into a mix of cheers and quiet horror. The test was a success. The Paradox Bomb worked. The weapon¡¯s power lay in its ability to annihilate not just matter, but existence itself. Unlike conventional weapons, which relied on energy release, the Paradox Bomb transformed the very structure of reality into its fuel. The more reality resisted the paradox, the greater the energy released. This made it a weapon of limitless potential, constrained only by the precision of its activation. As the scientists reviewed the data, one thing became clear: they had created the ultimate weapon. The Empire now possessed the means to end any conflict, to erase any enemy without a trace. But even as they celebrated, a single question lingered in the minds of those who understood the bomb¡¯s true nature: What happens if the paradox spreads beyond control? The lab was silent. Not the comforting quiet of productivity, but the oppressive silence of unanswered questions. The void left by the Paradox Bomb¡¯s test still lingered in their minds, a stark reminder of the weapon¡¯s terrifying potential. The universe, they theorized, abhorred a true void¡ªa space where time and matter ceased to exist. Yet, that was precisely what the bomb had created. Or so they thought. ¡°Something¡¯s happening,¡± one of the researchers whispered, breaking the silence. The screen in front of them displayed the aftermath of the test. The void wasn¡¯t expanding, but it wasn¡¯t stable either. Around its edges, the faint shimmer of energy suggested something unexpected. ¡°It¡¯s collapsing,¡± another murmured. ¡°The universe is trying to repair itself.¡± The room buzzed with nervous energy as the team analyzed the data. The void, once a perfect nothingness, was now surrounded by an energy field of incredible intensity. Particles, seemingly appearing from nowhere, were rushing toward the void¡¯s edges, colliding and breaking apart in a chaotic dance. It was as if the universe itself refused to accept the absence. ¡°It¡¯s trying to heal,¡± the lead scientist said, their voice heavy with realization. ¡°The universe doesn¡¯t tolerate paradoxes. It¡¯s rewriting the rules, creating something new to fill the gap.¡± ¡°What happens if it succeeds?¡± someone asked. ¡°What does it create?¡± No one had an answer. The consequences of such a correction were unknowable. Would the void close seamlessly, leaving the universe untouched? Or would the act of restoration ripple outward, rewriting reality itself? In the days that followed, the lab became a battlefield¡ªnot of physical conflict, but of ideas. The scientists were divided. To some, the Paradox Bomb was a triumph, a tool of ultimate power that would ensure the Empire¡¯s dominance for generations. To others, it was a weapon that defied the natural order, a device that tampered with the very fabric of existence in ways they could not predict. ¡°This isn¡¯t just about destruction,¡± one scientist argued during a heated discussion. ¡°We¡¯re not just erasing matter or energy. We¡¯re creating instability on a universal scale. If we unleash this on another galaxy, who¡¯s to say the damage will stay contained? The void might ripple outward. The universe¡¯s correction might ripple outward.¡± ¡°Speculation,¡± another retorted. ¡°The test proved the void collapses. Slowly? Yes! But the universe fixes itself.¡± ¡°And what if it doesn¡¯t?¡± The first scientist gestured to the data on the screen. ¡°We don¡¯t know the full consequences. This isn¡¯t just a bomb¡ªit¡¯s an attack on reality itself. We¡¯re playing gods.¡± A third voice joined the debate. ¡°But what if this is how we evolve? The universe adapting to this technology could open doors we¡¯ve never imagined. What if this isn¡¯t destruction, but creation? A step toward understanding higher dimensions?¡± The room fell silent, the weight of the question pressing on everyone present. They were no longer simply engineers or scientists. They were architects of a future that might not include them¡ªor anyone else. One night, the lead scientist sat alone, staring at the shimmering edges of the void displayed on their monitor. They couldn¡¯t sleep. The paradox gnawed at their mind, not just as a scientific anomaly, but as a question of existence itself. The void wasn¡¯t just absence¡ªit was possibility. A place where the universe¡¯s rules didn¡¯t apply. What if, they thought, the void wasn¡¯t simply a wound? What if it A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.was a mirror, reflecting the universe¡¯s flaws back at it? What if, in trying to correct itself, the universe was learning, adapting, evolving in ways even they couldn¡¯t predict? The thought terrified and exhilarated them. The bomb was no longer just a weapon. It was a question posed to existence, a challenge to the very laws that held everything together. And as they stared into the swirling chaos of the universe¡¯s response, they wondered if some questions should never be asked. The results of the Paradox Bomb¡¯s test went far beyond its destructive potential. As the void slowly continued to collapse and the universe worked to restore balance, the scientists recorded phenomena that defied their understanding. Particles flickered into existence, moving in ways that suggested dimensions beyond the observable. Time itself seemed to stretch and fold near the void¡¯s edges, creating echoes of events that hadn¡¯t yet occurred¡ªor perhaps had already happened. The data was sent to the Empire¡¯s central repository, where it caught the attention of Alex, the Grand Emperor. He had been briefed on the bomb¡¯s development but had viewed it merely as a tool of war. The reports, however, hinted at something far greater. Alex was no stranger to ambition, but the implications of the bomb challenged even his vision for the Empire. ¡°What do you see?¡± he asked the lead scientist during a private session. The holographic display between them showed the collapsing void, its edges shimmering with the strange, iridescent energy recorded during the test. The scientist hesitated, choosing their words carefully. ¡°Your Majesty, we see... possibility. The void isn¡¯t just absence. It¡¯s a state where the laws of physics as we know them cease to apply. And when the universe corrects it, we see hints of what lies beyond our understanding. This isn¡¯t just destruction¡ªit¡¯s creation. A new framework, perhaps even a glimpse into dimensions beyond our reality.¡± Alex leaned forward, his sharp gaze fixed on the display. ¡°You¡¯re telling me this bomb does more than erase. It reveals.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± the scientist admitted. ¡°The energy signatures, the particle behavior¡ª it¡¯s like opening a door to a place we¡¯ve never seen before. We believe the universe is trying to adapt to the paradox, and in doing so, it¡¯s showing us new physics. A reality where time and space behave differently. You see your Majesty, erasing energy from the universe is in direct violation of the laws of nature. The universe is trying to heal this gap and, in the process, it re-creates itself. In doing so, it shows us the innerworkings of itself. The tools to rewrite its laws are hinted at us.¡± Alex¡¯s mind raced. His empire stretched across the Milky Way, and his reach was unmatched, yet this discovery felt different. It wasn¡¯t about power¡ªit was about understanding. What if the Paradox Bomb wasn¡¯t the ultimate weapon, but the key to unlocking the universe itself? What if it could break the barriers of reality, allowing humanity to transcend its limitations? ¡°This isn¡¯t just a bomb,¡± Alex said, more to himself than the scientist. ¡°It¡¯s a question. A challenge to the prison we¡¯ve been confined to. If the universe can respond to this, then perhaps it¡¯s not as rigid as we believed. Perhaps there¡¯s a way to escape its boundaries entirely.¡± The scientist remained silent, sensing the Emperor¡¯s thoughts drifting to a realm far beyond their expertise. For Alex, the implications of the Paradox Bomb were no longer limited to war. They were philosophical, existential. If the universe could be pushed to the brink and still adapt, then perhaps there was a way to reshape it¡ªnot just for destruction, but for evolution. In the days following the briefing, Alex became consumed by the possibilities. The Paradox Bomb was still a weapon, yes, but it was also a tool for understanding. He ordered the scientific team to expand their research, not just on the bomb¡¯s destructive capabilities, but on the physics it revealed. ¡°Explore the void,¡± he commanded during a council meeting. ¡°I want to know what lies beyond it, what the universe creates to correct itself. This is no longer just a matter of dominance. This is about evolution.¡± The council members exchanged uneasy glances. To them, the bomb was a means to an end¡ªa way to ensure the Empire¡¯s supremacy against its galactic rivals. But to Alex, it was the beginning of something far greater. The idea of breaking free from the prison of reality itself began to take root in his mind. If the laws of the universe could be bent or broken, then why should the Empire be confined to its galaxy? Why should humanity¡ªor any species¡ªbe bound by time and space? The initial test of the Paradox Bomb had been deemed a success, but Alex demanded more. The scientists had barely scratched the surface of the bomb¡¯s potential, and the Emperor¡¯s vision demanded answers to the questions no one dared to ask. ¡°Run another test,¡± Alex commanded, his voice firm as he addressed the lead researcher. ¡°Not in just a rocky moon this time. Test it on a planet with life. I want to know how the universe reacts when something more complex is erased. Also test it in complete void at the same time and compare the results.¡± The room grew tense. Even among the most hardened scientists, the idea of targeting life with the bomb carried a weight they hadn¡¯t fully confronted. Yet, Alex¡¯s authority was absolute. Preparations began immediately. The chosen test site was a desolate, distant world with minimal life forms¡ª primitive vegetation and small, insect-like creatures. From orbit, the planet appeared lifeless, but its surface teemed with faint traces of biological activity. The bomb was deployed. This time it was delivered by a missile deep into the crust of the planet. The detonation began much as before: the shimmering void formed, expanding outward as the paradox unraveled reality. But this time, something changed. As the paradox consumed the planet¡¯s surface, the monitors began to display readings that no one had anticipated. ¡°Do you see this?¡± one scientist whispered, pointing to the energy spikes. ¡°It¡¯s different. The void¡¯s edges are... unstable.¡± Particles danced in patterns they couldn¡¯t explain. Energy bursts, unlike those seen in the first test, erupted in irregular intervals, creating fractal-like structures that lingered in the space surrounding the void. And then came the sound¡ªor what could only be described as the memory of a sound. It wasn¡¯t audible in the traditional sense, but those observing the event felt it resonate deep within their minds, a dissonant hum that carried with it a sense of loss, of something vital being extinguished. The void collapsed as before, but the aftermath was unlike anything they had seen. The area where the paradox had occurred shimmered with an eerie glow, its edges pulsing as if alive. The universe¡¯s attempt to repair itself had left behind patterns that seemed... intentional. ¡°It¡¯s like it¡¯s mourning,¡± one of the scientists muttered, their voice barely audible. ¡°As if the universe recognizes what was lost.¡± The data suggested a deeper truth: when life was erased, the universe reacted differently, almost as if it were resisting not just the destruction, but the removal of something essential. The one set off in the nearby interplanetary void, was as expected almost uninteresting. The sphere formed and begun to close and heal in a fast pace. The universe did not require much to figure out how to close that hole. Back in the research station, the scientists pored over the results. The energy patterns left behind were unlike anything seen before. Unlike the clean, mechanical void created by the first test, this void had left traces of biological energy¡ªechoes of the life that had been erased. ¡°This changes everything,¡± the lead researcher said during a meeting with Alex. ¡°The bomb doesn¡¯t just destroy. It interacts with the fundamental nature of what it erases. When matter alone is annihilated, the universe responds, mechanically. When subatomic particles and tiny specs of dust are erased, like in the case of the explosion in the void, the universe¡¯s response was as expected.. But when life is erased... it¡¯s different. The reactions are more complex, as if the universe recognizes life as something unique.¡± Alex studied the data, his expression unreadable. ¡°And what does that mean for the bomb?¡± ¡°It means the weapon isn¡¯t just a tool of destruction,¡± the scientist replied. ¡°It¡¯s a catalyst. It reveals how the universe values existence¡ªdifferent forms of existence. This isn¡¯t just physics anymore. It¡¯s something... beyond that.¡± Alex leaned back, his mind racing. The bomb had already challenged his understanding of reality, but now it presented something even greater. The universe¡¯s reactions suggested a deeper structure, one that recognized and perhaps even prioritized life. This wasn¡¯t just a weapon¡ªit was a key to unlocking the secrets of existence itself. The results from the second test haunted the team. The universe¡¯s reaction to the erasure of life had left them shaken, but Alex demanded more. ¡°We need to go further,¡± he declared, his tone brooking no argument. ¡°What happens when the bomb interacts with conscious beings?¡± The scientists hesitated. Even among those who had dedicated their lives to the Empire¡¯s ambitions, the notion of testing the bomb on sentient life pushed them to their limits. Yet, Alex¡¯s vision demanded answers, and the Empire¡¯s rule left no room for dissent. A small moon was selected¡ªa forgotten prison where forced mining had more or less depleted the rare mineral deposits and had long since fallen into a slow aphasia. Its population of a few million prisoners was deemed the ideal testing ground. Their existence was deemed expendable by the Empire¡¯s council. The mines run so deep into the moon that with the right bomb size, they could make sure that the entire moon is erased. After the guards and other personnel was evacuated under the premise of moon abandonment, the moon remained in ¡°processing status¡± for a while after. Then, the bomb detonated, the void expanded as expected, consuming the outpost and its inhabitants in seconds. But this time, the aftermath was profoundly different. The observers aboard the research station felt an overwhelming wave of disorientation, as if their own memories and identities were being tugged at by an unseen force. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± one of the scientists gasped, clutching their head. The monitors displayed chaotic energy patterns that defied analysis. The void¡¯s edges rippled with a light that seemed to pulse in sync with the observers¡¯ own heartbeats. And then, the voices began. Faint at first, they grew louder, filling the minds of everyone present. They weren¡¯t words exactly, but impressions¡ªfragments of emotions, thoughts, and fears. It was as if the consciousness of those erased had left an imprint, a ghostly echo that refused to fade. ¡°The void... it¡¯s retaining them,¡± the lead researcher whispered in horror. ¡°The consciousness of the erased¡ªit¡¯s still there, lingering in the universe¡¯s attempt to repair itself.¡± The aftermath of the third test shook the Empire¡¯s leadership. Alex, however, was not deterred. If anything, he was more intrigued than ever. He replayed the recordings of the test. The voices, the strange energy, the shimmering patterns¡ªthey spoke to him in ways he couldn¡¯t fully articulate. ¡°This isn¡¯t just a weapon,¡± he murmured to himself. ¡°It¡¯s a dialogue. The universe isn¡¯t simply repairing itself¡ªit¡¯s responding.¡± For Alex, the implications were staggering. The bomb wasn¡¯t just a tool for destruction or even a means to reshape reality. It was a way to communicate with the very fabric of existence, to understand the laws that bound the universe together¡ª and perhaps to transcend them. The Grand Emperor summoned the lead researcher once more. ¡°What do we know about these echoes?¡± he asked. ¡°They¡¯re... not entirely gone,¡± the scientist replied, their voice trembling. ¡°The erased consciousness seems to linger, interacting with the energy patterns left behind. It¡¯s as if the universe is trying to preserve what was lost, or at least a fragment of it.¡± Alex¡¯s gaze was sharp. ¡°And what does that mean for us?¡± The scientist hesitated. ¡°It means the bomb isn¡¯t just erasing¡ªit¡¯s revealing. When life and consciousness are destroyed, they leave something behind. A residue, perhaps, or a blueprint. The bomb is showing us what lies beyond the veil of existence.¡± Alex nodded slowly, his mind racing with possibilities. The Paradox Bomb had started as a weapon, a tool of war. But now, it was something far greater. It was a mirror held up to the universe itself, reflecting its secrets back to those bold enough to look. ¡°What if this isn¡¯t destruction?¡± Alex said, more to himself than to the scientist. ¡°What if this is creation? A path to something beyond reality?¡± The experiments continued, each test pushing the boundaries of understanding further. The voids created by the bomb became laboratories of their own, places where the rules of physics dissolved and new possibilities emerged. Alex ordered the team to focus not just on the bomb¡¯s destructive power, but on the potential to manipulate the aftermath. The scientists discovered that by altering the bomb¡¯s parameters, they could influence the way the void collapsed. By introducing specific materials or energies into the blast radius, they could shape the patterns left behind, guiding the universe¡¯s ¡°correction¡± process. ¡°It¡¯s not just a bomb anymore,¡± one researcher said during a briefing. ¡°It¡¯s a tool to rewrite reality.¡± Alex listened intently, his vision expanding with each revelation. The bomb was no longer merely a weapon for war. It was a key to a higher understanding, a way to escape the prison of existence itself. But as the experiments grew bolder, so did the risks. Unforeseen anomalies began to emerge¡ªsubtle at first, but growing in intensity. In one test, the void refused to collapse, lingering as a gaping wound in space-time. In another, the correction process spread beyond the blast radius, altering the fabric of reality in much larger radii than expected. The universe¡¯s attempts to repair itself were becoming unpredictable, and the scientists were running out of answers. ¡°We¡¯re playing with forces we don¡¯t fully understand,¡± one of the researchers warned during an emergency council meeting. ¡°If we push too far, we may reach a point where the universe can¡¯t correct itself.¡± Alex dismissed the warning with a wave of his hand. ¡°If there¡¯s a limit, we¡¯ll find it. And when we do, we¡¯ll learn to surpass it. This is no longer just about survival. It¡¯s about evolution.¡± Alex stood alone in the observation deck, gazing out at the stars. The Paradox Bomb had revealed more than destruction; it had shown him the malleability of existence itself. Each test had peeled back the layers of reality, offering glimpses of a universe far stranger and more profound than he had ever imagined. The bomb was no longer just a weapon. It was a question¡ªa challenge to the limits of understanding. As the shimmering remnants of the most recent test flickered on the monitors behind him, Alex¡¯s thoughts deepened. What lay beyond the corrections? Could the bomb become more than a tool for war? Was it a gateway to something greater, a means to escape the confines of time, space, and mortality? The possibilities were endless, and Alex, the Grand Emperor, would not rest until he had uncovered every one of them. Doll 2.4 light-eos from Solis 1 Beo 111 Meo 960 Keo 192 eo The Hermes AG12 was one of the latest ships in the exploration armada. While its military capabilities were far inferior to even a modest battleship, its reconnaissance abilities were unmatched. With nearly any sensor available and an AI ready to quickly learn any language before making first contact, the ship''s goal, along with the entire Hermes armada, was to expand the empire without going to war¡ªa challenging task that demanded a plethora of negotiation tactics tailored to the species they encountered. The ship¡¯s captain, Urlong Beng, had at his disposal a number of diplomats from different species, each with a unique approach. Some employed empathy, while others used fear, and sometimes the only necessity was the removal of a dictator or dictators. ¡°We are approaching NHB 12/H4. ETA is 0.9 lep,¡± said Jef from navigation. NHB12/H4 was an intriguing planet¡ªa small rocky world with an abundance of plant life that transmitted obscure signals for as far back as they could see. What made it particularly interesting was the fact that the planet was ancient. In fact, it was estimated that NHB 12 was one of the first red dwarf stars in the galaxy, dating close to the formation of the Milky Way. ¡°Finally, we will see where those signals come from,¡± said Urlong from the bridge. ¡°It has been centuries that we are receiving them, but although they are clearly created by an intelligence, they never seem to evolve. Always the same patterns in different order.¡± ¡°We are now deploying six burn-speed crafts to gather, among others, visual data,¡± said Jef. ¡°We will have all the info we need in a few leps.¡± ¡°Are those ...?¡± said Urlong, smiling with excitement. ¡°Yes, sir,¡± said Jef. ¡°These are cities. Cities in perfect harmony with nature. There seems to be a plethora of androids, but none seemed to be surprised or affected by our passing.¡± ¡°All the cities look the same. Same size, same architecture. Land one of the crafts in the center of one city. Let¡¯s see their reaction,¡± said Urlong. After the craft landed, humanoid androids began approaching it. Urlong and the crew of Hermes were observing the situation. To their surprise, the androids began cleaning and repairing every scratch of the craft. ¡°This is unexpected,¡± said Jef. ¡°Only the servant bots came to greet us. Where are the inhabitants?¡± ¡°There might be no inhabitants,¡± said Ril. She had been analyzing the data received from all crafts. ¡°It seems that pre-tool animals and those androids are the only inhabitants of the planet.¡± ¡°It¡¯s time we go down there,¡± said Urlong. ¡°Prepare for landing. I will personally lead the team.¡± ¡°Are you sure this is a good idea?¡± said vice-captain Rugl. ¡°I can go first to make sure it is safe.¡± ¡°No need. It is pretty obvious that there is no need for worries,¡± said Urlong while leaving the bridge. Upon landing, Urlong exited the landing craft at the center of a city, and its jaw-dropping beauty struck him. ¡°It¡¯s different when you see it in person,¡± he said. Trees integrated with architecture, clean paths around nature and animals roaming around. Small rivers crossing under bridges, and flower gardens groomed to perfection. ¡°These androids seem to be on autopilot. They are keeping the cities in perfect condition,¡± said Alir from the coms. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. ¡°The question is, what happened to the creators of those androids?¡± said Urlong. A group of the androids approached the landing site. Some began working on the craft maintenance while others approached the landing party. Each android began to shapeshift to resemble the person in front of it. ¡°They can change their appearance at will,¡± said Urlong. ¡°They are magnificently made.¡± The androids stood in front of each person motionless. ¡°I think they are gathering information,¡± said Urlong. ¡°Transmit to them our language.¡± Alir engaged the AI, which began to interact with the androids, and soon it replied to Alir. ¡°Their security systems are unimaginably well made,¡± said the AI. ¡°It appears as if their AI has been evolving for a very long time, millions of years, in fact. Interaction with their systems is very difficult, if not impossible.¡± Alir shared this information with Urlong. Soon the androids had enough information to look at the landing party in the eyes. Their bodies transformed to the most beautiful individuals each crew member had seen. ¡°What do you desire?¡± they asked. ¡°Who made you?¡± asked Urlong in return. ¡°We were made by the Litons,¡± replied the android in front of Urlong, while changing minor details on its body and face to look even more attractive. ¡°Where are they now?¡± ¡°They have long been extinct,¡± replied the android, whose voice was also slowly reaching a very desirable tone for Urlong¡¯s ears. ¡°How did they go extinct?¡± asked Urlong. His voice betrayed a worry. Not a worry for his own safety or that of his crew. More like a worry that they would hear something that might lead them to disturb the peace this planet had to offer. ¡°They stopped breeding,¡± said the android. ¡°I see. How long ago was that?¡± ¡°Approximately at the date of 463 meo.¡± Urlong¡¯s and Alir¡¯s eyes opened wide. ¡°This must be wrong,¡± said Urlong . ¡°This date is two-thirds of the age of the universe back.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± replied the android. ¡°Our creators have been gone for a very long time. There are currently only data remnants of them. Data that we have stored. But all physical evidence has been lost in time.¡± ¡°And you have been keeping this place like that for all this time?¡± asked Urlong. ¡°Yes. Is there anything else you desire?¡± asked the android again. Its appearance had become so appealing to Urlong that he had a hard time remembering he was talking to an android. ¡°You have all been alone all this time?¡± he asked. His question was more emotional than practical, and Alir, who was the only one listening to the conversations, detected that. ¡°No, there have been many species that evolved the ability to communicate with us over the eons. They all stopped breeding though, and went extinct shortly after. There have also been visitors from the stars like yourselves. They too stayed until they died of old age without any offspring.¡± Urlong began to piece everything together. With his eyes opening wide, he turned to the landing crew. ¡°Get in the craft!¡± he yelled. His voice, however, did not sound like it had any effect. The other members of the landing party had switched off their communicators and had already begun walking away with the companion of a few androids. ¡°Alir! Immediately block all access to the data of our landing!¡± he yelled into the communicator. With his head down, Urlong entered the craft alone. ¡°Get ready to leave,¡± he said upon arrival at the Hermes. ¡°Call for Alir and Rugl to come to my office.¡± ¡°But sir! What about our crewmembers?¡± said Jef. ¡°We lost them,¡± replied Urlong. ¡°Declare this planet a red zone.¡± Silence permeated the bridge while the captain was skeptical and waiting for his communications officer and vice-captain. ¡°Sir?¡± said Alir upon his arrival . ¡°Who else had access to those communications?¡± asked Urlong. ¡°No one! It¡¯s protocol, sir. Only myself the vice-captain and the AI have heard and seen the events of your landing.¡± ¡°Take the files and send them to Thira, then delete the ones here. I ask both of you to never speak of this event to anyone.¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± they both said. ¡°Sir?¡± Rugl said. ¡°What exactly happened there?¡± It was clear that although he had seen and heard everything, he could not understand the danger. ¡°Rugl,¡± Urlong said, ¡°You did not understand because you are not of the same species as any who landed. These androids were made to fulfill your every desire. Their sophistication was such that they made split-second adjustments. Nothing escapes their unimaginable service.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t seem to fully understand, sir. Why did we leave the landing crew there?¡± ¡°Because after you have reached the fulfillment of every comfort and desire, you can do nothing but look for it again. This place gives it to you over and over. There is no end to the pleasure. It¡¯s a drug that once tasted, you can never leave it. The Litons really messed up when they developed these ... dolls.¡± ¡°What about you, sir?¡± asked Rugl. ¡°What about me?¡± ¡°Will you be okay?¡± ¡°That, my friend, remains to be seen.¡±