The following is my submission to a prompt from the r/WritingPrompts subreddit. The full Reddit post can be seen here.
Prompt: “There’s a problem on Terra 5. The hominids are still creating advanced systems of war, but they’re also developing a social consciousness. Despite our best efforts and meddling, our weapons are evolving empathy. Again.”
____________________________________________________________________________
“What exactly does ‘evolving empathy’ mean?” General Cross asked Dr. Vorgul, the scientist.
“Well, sir, we don’t exactly understand the mechanism, but we’ve observed a strange phenomenon occurring. As the hominids weaponry evolves, it seems to be having an effect on the surrounding environment. The myriad of flora and fauna on the planet are starting to respond and encourage a social consciousness to prevent warfare. It’s almost as if they are all interconnected—as the hominids advance, so does everything else,” the scientist responded.
“That’s a good thing, right?” the General questioned. “We want to discourage the wars that are happening on the borders of Gilderath and Bladion. If the planet—the flora and fauna, as you say—wants to stop that from happening, then that means one less problem for us.”
“Well, not exactly, General,” Dr. Vorgul responded nervously. “It’s possible that the hominids, with the help of the species living on the planet, could develop at an exponential rate and surpass even our own capabilities. The hominids may view us as their captors and retaliate.”
The General let out a brazen laugh in the face of the scientist. “I’d like to see them try,” he said smugly. “This is a non-issue. Why don’t you keep running your little experiments and let us handle the situation?”
The scientist stared at the floor. With one final effort, he said meekly, “I don’t think you understand, sir. This could be catastrophic.”
Now irritated, the General barked, “No, I don’t think YOU understand. The hominids are an inferior species, far behind our current intellect. And even if they did become more advanced, we have more firepower than they could ever imagine. I can extinguish them with the snap of my finger.” Getting closer to the scientist's face, he concluded his rant, “Never question my authority again.”
The General turned and walked out of the lab. Dr. Vorgul looked over at his colleagues with a look of defeat and disappointment. Finally, an assistant researcher by the name of Kae came to his side. “You tried your best, we just have to find another way,” she consoled Dr. Vorgul.
“Thank you, Kae,” he replied, “But I fear we may be too late. Our only chance now is to communicate with the hominids directly.”
“But that would be a direct violation of Interplanetary Law,” she cautioned. “The penalty for that crime is death.”
“I know, I know,” agreed Dr. Vorgul, “But I think I have another way. There’s something I want to show you. Follow me.”
Guiding Kae through the lab, Dr. Vorgul approached the restricted zone and swiftly entered the code, pressing his finger to the lock pad before leading Kae into the room. In the corner of the space stood a small vault, which after a few moments of deciphering the entry code, Dr. Vorgul unlocked to reveal its mysterious contents. From it, he pulled out a worm-like creature, roughly the size of a caterpillar.
“This is a baby Xekpo from Terra 5. It thrives in cold, dark environments. We extracted it from the planet months ago, but I never told anyone about it because I feared it would be confiscated. My theory is that if all life on Terra 5 is interconnected, there might be a way for us to use this Xekpo to communicate to the hominids,” Dr. Vorgul speculated.
Dr. Vorgul passed it into the hands of Kae. In a sudden burst, it shimmered and shone, casting forth a radiant aura that spilled across the room in a cascade of vivid light.
Shocked and unsure what was happening, Kae held the creature in her hands away from her body.
Then, to both scientists' surprise, the creature trembled and spoke, “Where am I? And what have you done with my family?”
.png)
The following is my submission to a prompt from the r/WritingPrompts subreddit. The full Reddit post can be seen here.
Prompt: “There’s a problem on Terra 5. The hominids are still creating advanced systems of war, but they’re also developing a social consciousness. Despite our best efforts and meddling, our weapons are evolving empathy. Again.”
____________________________________________________________________________
“What exactly does ‘evolving empathy’ mean?” General Cross asked Dr. Vorgul, the scientist.
“Well, sir, we don’t exactly understand the mechanism, but we’ve observed a strange phenomenon occurring. As the hominids weaponry evolves, it seems to be having an effect on the surrounding environment. The myriad of flora and fauna on the planet are starting to respond and encourage a social consciousness to prevent warfare. It’s almost as if they are all interconnected—as the hominids advance, so does everything else,” the scientist responded.
“That’s a good thing, right?” the General questioned. “We want to discourage the wars that are happening on the borders of Gilderath and Bladion. If the planet—the flora and fauna, as you say—wants to stop that from happening, then that means one less problem for us.”
“Well, not exactly, General,” Dr. Vorgul responded nervously. “It’s possible that the hominids, with the help of the species living on the planet, could develop at an exponential rate and surpass even our own capabilities. The hominids may view us as their captors and retaliate.”
The General let out a brazen laugh in the face of the scientist. “I’d like to see them try,” he said smugly. “This is a non-issue. Why don’t you keep running your little experiments and let us handle the situation?”
The scientist stared at the floor. With one final effort, he said meekly, “I don’t think you understand, sir. This could be catastrophic.”
Now irritated, the General barked, “No, I don’t think YOU understand. The hominids are an inferior species, far behind our current intellect. And even if they did become more advanced, we have more firepower than they could ever imagine. I can extinguish them with the snap of my finger.” Getting closer to the scientist's face, he concluded his rant, “Never question my authority again.”
The General turned and walked out of the lab. Dr. Vorgul looked over at his colleagues with a look of defeat and disappointment. Finally, an assistant researcher by the name of Kae came to his side. “You tried your best, we just have to find another way,” she consoled Dr. Vorgul.
“Thank you, Kae,” he replied, “But I fear we may be too late. Our only chance now is to communicate with the hominids directly.”
“But that would be a direct violation of Interplanetary Law,” she cautioned. “The penalty for that crime is death.”
“I know, I know,” agreed Dr. Vorgul, “But I think I have another way. There’s something I want to show you. Follow me.”
Guiding Kae through the lab, Dr. Vorgul approached the restricted zone and swiftly entered the code, pressing his finger to the lock pad before leading Kae into the room. In the corner of the space stood a small vault, which after a few moments of deciphering the entry code, Dr. Vorgul unlocked to reveal its mysterious contents. From it, he pulled out a worm-like creature, roughly the size of a caterpillar.
“This is a baby Xekpo from Terra 5. It thrives in cold, dark environments. We extracted it from the planet months ago, but I never told anyone about it because I feared it would be confiscated. My theory is that if all life on Terra 5 is interconnected, there might be a way for us to use this Xekpo to communicate to the hominids,” Dr. Vorgul speculated.
Dr. Vorgul passed it into the hands of Kae. In a sudden burst, it shimmered and shone, casting forth a radiant aura that spilled across the room in a cascade of vivid light.
Shocked and unsure what was happening, Kae held the creature in her hands away from her body.
Then, to both scientists' surprise, the creature trembled and spoke, “Where am I? And what have you done with my family?”
