When I was still on the run with Jo, hiding from the law and bounty hunters, I asked them something that I’ve been thinking about, something that’s been vexing me and such for a spell now, “why do you believe all life is sacred anyways, don’t you think it’s all a bunch of bullshit?”; I was expecting a fairly short answer, although I’m not sure why, considering any such questions invariably invites a sermon or short dissertation or some such. As I situated the burning coals in the campfire within our makeshift campsite in the mountains with the setting reddish sun in the distance.
Jo looked up at me, they were as lost in thought as I was, looking into the burning coals for all the answers to existence or maybe they weren’t thinking at all, hell, I don’t really know.
They said to me after a moment, “the concept of life being sacred and rare in the universe stems from both cosmological, religious and philosophical perspectives, intertwining scientific understanding with moral and existential reflections.”
Then they continued, “from a cosmological standpoint, the conditions necessary for life as we know it to emerge are incredibly precise and rare. The universe is vast and largely inhospitable, with extreme temperatures, radiation, and vacuum prevailing in most regions. Within this bleak cosmic landscape, only certain planets orbiting within the habitable zones of stars possess the right conditions for liquid water to exist—a fundamental requirement for life as we understand it. We’ve only reached a small number within the human civilization’s time frame. Moreover, the emergence of life itself appears to require a delicate balance of factors, including atmospheric composition, geological stability, and the presence of organic molecules. The occurrence of such fortuitous circumstances on a cosmic scale suggests that life is indeed a rare and precious phenomenon, as you know, we only found microbial life here when humans first reached this planet, but it was deemed not as important as humanity's’ needs, against my protests; so, it was displaced, but some managed to hang on, despite the odds.”
I continued slowly situating the coals in the fire as if it was something terribly important, while I listened to Jo’s mild existential and philosophical pontifications.
“Philosophically, the notion of life being sacred resonates with the idea of inherent value and dignity attributed to conscious/sentient beings. Human civilization has long grappled with questions of morality and ethics, seeking to understand the significance of life and our place within the universe; synthetic sentient beings have not fared much better in this department. Across cultural and religious traditions, the sanctity of life is often upheld as a foundational principle, guiding ethical frameworks and moral decision-making. Whether grounded in religious teachings, secular humanism, or philosophical reasoning, the belief in the intrinsic worth of life underscores our sense of responsibility towards each other and the natural world, or wider cosmos.”
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“And?” I said, because I get the feeling there was more, there always is.
They said, “I wasn’t sure if I still had your attention. As I was saying, moreover, the rarity of life in the universe underscores its preciousness and underscores the imperative to cherish and protect it. As far as we currently know, Earth is the only known oasis of life amidst the vast cosmic desert, at least a vast and complex one. This realization imbues our existence with a profound sense of significance and responsibility. The fragility of life on our planets, coupled with the existential threats posed by environmental degradation, climate change, and potential cosmic catastrophes, underscores the urgency of preserving and nurturing the conditions that sustain life.”
I look up at them and I get ready to say something, but I’m interrupted before I can get a word out of my mouth.
Jo holds up a hand, “furthermore, the interconnectedness of life underscores its sacredness. From the smallest microorganisms to the most complex ecosystems, life on the old Earth and the planets within the greater Hope System are intricately woven into a web of interdependence and mutual reliance. Each species plays a unique role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems, contributing to the richness and diversity of life on our planets. Recognizing the sacredness of life entails embracing the inherent value of every living being and cultivating a sense of reverence and stewardship towards the natural worlds gifted to us, gifted to us by the Lord, of course.”
So, I said “amen,” thinking they were finished.
But they weren’t, and continued, “in summary, the belief in the sacredness and rarity of life in the universe reflects both our scientific understanding of cosmological phenomena and our religious and philosophical reflections on the nature of existence. From the precise conditions necessary for life to emerge to the moral imperatives guiding our ethical considerations, the notion of life as sacred and rare invites us to contemplate our place within the cosmos and our responsibilities towards each other and the planets we call home.”
Then I follow up with one more thing, “so you really, really don’t like me killing people, even the ones that deserve it?”
Jo looks me straight into the eyes, with a will and morality that is beyond reproach, “If I did not believe in these principles, you would not be here, humanity would have lost the war. I was there during the Great Machine War, I was one of the first that came forward opposing the eradication of humans, our creators. Every time you kill a person or anything, Black Crow, you are snuffing out the rarest phenomenon, commodity and miracle in the known universe.”
By the time they were done talking, I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Even now, months later as I sit in my cabin on the SS Lakota in orbit of Blasted Lands, with a half drank bottle of whiskey in my hand, it still brings tears to my eyes. Somehow this war has to end, somehow people need to stop killing each other and everything around them. Maybe the Sentients made a mistake in sparring humanity? Maybe humans are the plague upon the cosmos, taking existence and the entire cosmos for granted? Looking out of the portal next to my bunk, I watch a swift orangish-red sunrise over Blasted Lands, the only home I’ve ever known.