999 OCTILLION SOULS, May 9, 2024
I FLIGHT
TRANSLATOR'S NOTE:The following information is derived from Information Seed 40 and received by the Gravitational Wave Observatory. I and AI performed a frequency analysis on it. IE edited certain parts to make them more 'readable'. (He might have overdone it.) Please feel free to comment.
1
The harsh glare of the artificial sun filtered through the intricate latticework above, baking the metallic surface where a lone ant clung. Six legs scraped for purchase against the unforgiving metal as the wind, a constant hum in this artificial jungle threatened to dislodge it. Below, a vast network of tunnels snaked through the habitat floor, but venturing down there held too many dangers. Giant, lumbering machines trundled by, their metallic feet shaking the very platform the ant clung to. A holographic poster announced in huge fonts: ST. TRILLIAN LOVES YOU!
uk_gwo5: what’s this artificial sun?
translator: a simulated star in the habitat?
It wasn't alone. Others of its kind scurried along the metallic veins that crisscrossed the cylindrical habitat in the Dyson Swarm (one of the countless swarms in the Milky Way), their antennae twitching in a silent language. They scavenged for sustenance – a stray crumb from the 'Big Ones,' as they called the strange creatures that tended the gardens above. Their food scraps, though alien to the ant's taste, fueled its tiny body. Yet another poster said: BIG SISTER IS WATCHING YOU.
us_gwo: are the Big Ones humans?
IE: not in this case. at least not humans like us
us_gwo: aren’t you AI?
IE: watch it!
A shadow fell over the little one. The ant froze, every instinct screaming danger. A flyer, a monstrous creature with wings that buzzed like an angry hornet, descended. Its compound eyes locked onto the speck. The ant braced for the inevitable. But then, a glint of metal caught the flyer's attention. A discarded bolt, glinting in the artificial sunlight, proved more enticing. With a flap of its wings, the flyer swooped down, snatching the metal prize and leaving the trembling ant unharmed.
The day wore on, hunger a gnawing ache in its belly. Finally, it spotted a fragment of something sweet and sticky, clinging to a discarded energy bar. The scent was intoxicating. The ant scurried towards it, dodging the hurried steps of other ants on their quests. Reaching the prize, it feasted, its mandibles working overtime to break off a piece large enough to carry.
Suddenly, the ground trembled. A monstrous metal claw descended from above, casting a vast shadow. Panic surged through the ant colony. They scattered in all directions, seeking refuge in the labyrinthine tunnels below. The lone ant squeezed through a narrow crevice, the discarded energy bar fragment clutched tightly in its mandibles. The tremors continued for what felt like an eternity. Then, blessed silence.
Emerging from its hiding place, the ant found itself in a network of tunnels teeming with activity. Others, antennae twitching frantically, relayed the news – the harvest was complete. Relief washed over the colony. They would survive another day in this metal world, beneath the artificial sun, forever scavengers in the shadow of giants.
“Mama, h’ngry!” Charlotte said. “And tir’d.”
Legume glanced at her young daughter, only nodding. She was out of Imperial credits. Also, Charlotte was allergic to peanuts. Very allergic. A holographic statue of Grand Emperor Claudius V glared at them. The Giant wore thin armor, resembling a knight from ancient times. But he was of course armed with a plasma sword, belted on his right. ORDO AB CHAO a holographic caption below the statue said. Order from chaos.
translator: we have reasons to believe from other docs that Charlotte and Legume are hermaphrodites. They’re small like the hobbits of LOTR.
de_tech_G: they live in an empire?
IE: The Grand Empire. An empire that rules over other empires.
luo_ji: Of course!
cap_mal: yeah right a Dyson swarm but no allergy pills
Then Legume glanced at her red bag. Inside was another life form, an unborn embryo in an artificial womb. Legume had given it to herself as a gift for landing the Interview. The Interview would launch her career as a journalist. Legume would become the first from her space habitat to make it big.
Her habitat was nothing like this habitat populated mostly by VIP dwarves. They had no artificial gravity and a breathable atmosphere in most sections for one.
But the drunk dwarf blurted something dangerous out during the Interview, and now security dwarves, robots, nanobots, artificial flies, and drones were hunting Legume and Charlotte.
Legume waved to attract the attention of a fist-sized drone. “Cab, beh.”
“Dist?”
“Glaub’r Third.”
translator: Glauber Third Distinction is the lowest rank of their religion… we think
luo_ji: what might that religion be?
translator: they worship Trillian. A saint without a body capable of magic.
ru_mikhail: and Earth?
IE: they worship Earth too.
The pale yellow robot cab landed to leave later with Legume, Charlotte, and the unborn child. The cab was spacious enough for the hermaphrodites but less comfortable for dwarves. Charlotte made a strange noise, expelling a stream of vomit.
“Cleanup’s sev’n creds,” the AI said with an emotionless female voice.
“Snake int’rface,” Legume whispered. “Suns and moons!”
Holographic snakes of various colors and sizes popped up in the cab. Legume tapped and twisted the snakes faster than the eye could follow.
“Ev’l Sin, Par Org,” Charlotte said, her eyes wide.
“Sunfire! Shh. Amai, not if merg’ncy.”
“Where, Colonel?” the AI asked.
cap_mal: is she a colonel?
IE: she must have hacked the AI
“Spac’port. Hurry by Urt!”
“Prefs?”
“Neh.”
The cab accelerated in the hab cylinder as a two-seater of the Imperial police flew into view.
cap_mal: right. why would IS40 bother to transmit this?
translator: unknown
cap_mal: you must have f*cking theories
IE: we know nothing of IS40. how can we answer your question?
Legume glanced back at the cops. She requested the holographic snakes again to override the safety measures of the cab. It sped away from the police dwarves in their black air car.
luo_ji: so they live in rotating cylinders? How big?
translator: kilometers long. Not all of them live in cylinders. there are balls, wheels, and other types.