Mandatory researcher ID, Xenobiolagist Resesn Siika.
Reason for mandatory service, twenty seven cases of unethical conduct with sapient creatures,
fourteen of which died or had to be euthanized.
Alternative sentence, capital punishment.
Sentence length (modified to terran years), roughly 12000 years
Date (by terran calendar) 12/23/1961
I pulled the breathing apparatus off my face and queried the station AI for a status update.
After a split second delay, “All other crew consciousnesses corrupted, you were the only viable one for transfer into a clone.” I gripped the sides of the vat and stared at the wall across from me. We’ve only been on the drives for (a few hundred years) how could they have been corrupted so quickly? Why did they have to leave me alone?
Why did they corrupt so quickly while I didn’t, everything I can think of would have affected everyone… other than a virus, but there was no reason to stop a minor exploration mission.
Might as well continue the mission, I’ll just be put into a new body if I die.
I pulled myself out of the vat and stood up before grabbing some coveralls and exiting the room.
I pulled the clothes on outside of the cloning chamber and headed to the sensor station.
I climbed up to the sensor deck and checked the displays, nothing out of the normal, just a yellow star and several uninhabitable planets. I just stared at the slightly warped picture of the star. It is sad that they had to go, I guess that leaves me here to continue the observation alone… couldn’t at least one have stayed with me.
I didn’t know how long I stared at the star, but it was long enough to leave me ravenously hungry. Did I just sit there for hours? I queried the AI and it responded that I had sat there for six hours. It just seemed like minutes.
I entered the galley and grabbed some synthetic nutrients and quickly gulped them down and threw the packs into a recycling bin, getting out as quickly as possible to avoid the unnatural silence that was thick enough to cut with a blade. Alone.
I climbed back up to the sensor deck. Nothing in my specialty to do, no one to talk to, I need to get out of here… maybe I can smash the drive my memories are housed on and use the shuttle to catapult myself into the star.
I got up and headed to the data storage center. I entered into the chilled room and the AI queried me as to what I was doing. I responded with a simple, “checking something.” I found the rack with my data set and pulled the screwdriver and torch out of my coveralls. I was able to pull it out and was about to torch it when I heard clunking and I turned around.
I could have destroyed the core if I had not turned, but I did and the next thing I knew was a loud crunch and I was unable to move. The last thing I knew was the words, “data backup complete.” in my vision.
…
(2 years later by the terran calendar)
I grimaced as I pulled the breathing apparatus off my face, I could still feel the lack of sensation caused by my neck getting snapped. That didn’t work. You should have known that the AI would protect the core… stupid.
The AI cheerily said, “Your access to the data storage and several other rooms has been revoked.” That sent me into a yelling fit, the nerve. After I calmed down I queried as to why.
After a split second it responded, “You have been deemed too unstable to be allowed into any system room that could cause major disruption.”
I just sat there and blinked. There goes any chance of not spending a hundred lifetimes alone…
I stood up and stretched. Might as well try to enjoy it. I got dressed and went up to the sensor station. I sat down next to the screen and pulled my tablet out and started playing the first game I saw pre-downloaded on it.
About half way through the shift I requested something I could eat. A little later a small cleaning bot came up the bot chute with a few packs of synthetic nutrients. I do have to admit that is a funny image. I grabbed the food and went back to my station to slowly eat while beating my high score. This is boring.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
After a bit I had a good idea. I requested the AI to use stored samples to grow something I could work with. After a noticeable delay it responded with, “I cannot accept that request, it was put in the category of unallowed activities on your personnel sheet.” That took me off the slight high at the idea of actually being able to do something of use other than look at an empty array of stars.
I tried everything I could think of to try and get it to change its decision, it all failed. This is torture, not being able to actually do anything… sure one can look at stars but that means almost nothing to a biologist… I need something to actually work with… wait… I do have something…
After a bit I decided to try another idea, I asked what happened to my last body. After a while it responded with, “It was put into cryogenics for collection and study when the next cycler comes by in (half a millenia).” I requested for access and was denied. Well, there goes that opportunity.
I stopped instantly at the realization. I have virtually infinite subjects… it may be painful… but it would cure the boredom and create progress… this might work… but then again the AI might take the equipment away.
I exited the sensor room and went to the science lab. As a continuation of my previous project this is a very bad idea with the results, but the potential is high… and I have time… not to mention pain is temporary.
I entered into the science lab and went to the bio-nanite cryostorage chamber, looked up a certain sample and was exhilarated to see it was there. I ordered a sample to be retrieved and regrown. After the sample had doubled in mass and half of it was put back into cryostorage I grabbed the small cylinder and put it into the re-programmer.
But all good things must end and the AI queried me about what I was doing. I responded with, “Carrying out an idea.” Thankfully it seemed pleased with that. I input what I remembered of my last experiment. Even though the manipulation was pretty simple I was dead tired when I was done. I ran a simulation and I got the data inconclusive.
So I grabbed the canister and put it in an auto injector then stabbed it into my arm. If this fails it will be over pretty quick and It’ll have the happy side effect of skipping (twoish) years from my perspective.
After that I made my way to the galley for a quick bite and headed to the cabins. I entered my assigned cabin. I looked around and saw a long term storage drawer. I pulled out a chip and inserted it into a digital display. I pulled out a few small items and set them neatly by the still frame. I turned it on for a second before quickly turning it off.
I held the picture in my head thinking back to that moment, remembering every detail, every sensation… The last moment without at least a touch of sorrow.
I drifted off to sleep casually noting that this had been the first time I truly slept in the station.
My original body was killed in the mind upload process what was most likely (years) before the launch of the seed ship that built the station. It was either that or permanent death. No take backs, no mercy.
...
I was hardly able to breathe when I woke up. A medical bot was already there. I got up and dashed into the sanitation room and vomited into a sink. I looked at it and it was almost completely blood. A failure I guess.
I entered into the main corridor and submitted myself to the medical bot, but I knew it was already too late, it was mostly so the body could be preserved. My vision quickly darkened and I collapsed. I was awake for what seemed like an eternity so I had time to contemplate, at least it was not too painful for that. Same problem as early tests, solution after symptoms start, none. Solution to the problem, easy. Pain raked my body and I didn’t think after that.
…
(2 years later by the terran calendar)
I pulled the stupid breathing apparatus off my face. Look at the bright side, less than (two days) perspective time for (four years) contract time. The AI basically screamed, “You made quite the mess to clean up, your last body basically fell apart at the seams.” I had to smirk at that.
After a bit I said, “The lab is out of access now I guess.” the AI responded, “Yes, yes it is.”
I frowned. I guess it is playing video games and looking at stars from here out.
I climbed out of the vat for the third time. I made my way to the sensor deck and started the routine that would plague me for the next (twelve millenia).
Date, 4/13/2117.
I shot upright in my chair as I saw it. The signature of an (Orion drive) propelled ship in the KS-99203 star system (also known to humans as sol) I quickly focussed the telescope on it.
Finally a break, finally. I quickly jotted down all the aspects I could identify.
I went to the galley for a celebratory meal for finding a new civilization. I ate a double helping of synthetic nutrients and rushed back up to the sensor station. I queried about their trajectory and received an answer from the AI telling me the system. I typed it down and typed a message to (SETI) command. Maybe they’ll cut my sentence short, that would be wonderful.
After I was finished I sent it. I had to move, the excitement was just too much. I climbed up and down the station, when that was not enough I paced, and paced, and paced.
// message to (SETI) command: From researcher Resesn Siika. Date (By the Atraxes’telet calendar.) 14/23/7938
I am proud to state that I have identified a signature from a nuclear propelled starship launched from the star system KS-99203 in route to QS-69433. I am requesting instructions as to my approach to contacting them, or if I am not supposed to contact them.
Please respond as soon as possible.\\
After (A few hours) the high wore off and the routine returned with a new ferocity. No escape, not even in insanity. Why did I have to choose this punishment?... I wanted to live, but I didn’t know the cost.