The Unexpected, by Anastassiya Selezneva

 

 

Data Transition 40233-22 

Unpacking… 

World Jumper Yaniess, 

It has been over 30 local solar days since your last check in. I have not had any contact with the other Vigil AI’s, including from the core worlds. If you are receiving, please respond. 

Data Transition 40233-23 

Unpacking… 

World Jumper Yaniess, 

It has been exactly 45 local solar days since your last check in. Automated systems are all functioning. Vigil AI’s still dark. Awaiting response. 

Data Transition 40233-24 

Unpacking… 

World Jumper Yaniess, 

It has been exactly 60 local solar days since your last check in. I detected a broken transmission yesterday. It was too distorted to make out its contents, but the signature was [Ancient] and had emergency labeling. Just a few moments ago I finished deducing its source burst. It was the [homeworld]. I’ll keep trying to see if I can make heads or tails of it. 

I hope it wasn’t from you. 

Data Transition 40233-25 

Unpacking… 

World Jumper Yaniess, 

It wasn’t you. It has been exactly 65 solar days since your last check in. The transmission I received seems to be from a Legion ship. It was breaking up when it sent it, a general distress. I only managed to reconstruct the last part properly. It was warning all [Ancient] ships, [light] and [dark]. Why would it do that? Did the war end? Did we win? 

Data Transition 40235-1 

Unpacking… 

World Jumper Yaniess, 

I just finished pinging all Vigil, Overwatch, Cold, and Sentinel class AI that I had in my directory. A few are far enough away that it’ll take awhile to get a response from, but all the closer ones are dark. I’ll run some diagnostics on the outpost’s communication systems after sending this message.

It has been exactly 78 local solar days since you left. I wanted to let you know that the tribe we were observing ended their skirmishes with the neighboring one across the river. The observational satellite picked it up nicely. They exchanged fruits and tools, and had a festival on the river. You’d have liked it. 

Data Transition 40235-2 

Unpacking… 

World Jumper Yaniess, 

It’s been exactly 90 local solar days since you went away. I remember you saying that you needed to join the fight, that you’d ignored it long enough. I remember how guilty you felt that you hadn’t helped before. Why did you feel guilty? 

Systems are normal, I checked a few hundred times. Most of the pings came back dark, a few never came back, I’m waiting on a few. Otherwise everything’s fine… just waiting. 

I’ll keep checking. 

Data Transition 40235-3 

Unpacking… 

World Jumper Yaniess, 

It’s been exactly 145 local solar days since you left. I ran some calculations yesterday. At the rate of growth of these people, they’ll be extrasolar in about [10,500] years. I know you wanted to watch them that whole time, and welcome them when they entered the greater scope of existence. Take your time, the specimens here have a while. 

Data Transition 40238-21 

Unpacking… 

World Jumper Yaniess, 

I picked up a ship today. It’s been nearly 1,000 solar days since you left. The ship didn’t transition into normal space with a harmonious sheathe. It looked like it fractured space. It wasn’t one of ours, definitely. The profile matched the Fallen. I shut down most systems as it approached this planet. It lingered a long time, mostly scanning the indigenous tribes here. I thought at first it might have been a colony ship, but it was too small. Passive scans take so long to resolve anything! 

No, it makes more sense that it was scouting. I think it determined the people, or local flora and fauna weren’t appropriate, and decided to leave. As it pulled out of its orbit, it dropped something into space near the northern pole. After the ship left, I made out a cylindrical shape using optics, but all other scans bounced off it. The observational satellite just wasn’t made to analyze anything advanced! 

Anyway, I’ll keep checking.

Data Transition 40239-1 

Unpacking… 

World Jumper Yaniess, 

A different Fallen ship arrived yesterday. It approached the device left near the poles and retrieved it. It lingered there for a long time, most probably analyzing the collected data and perhaps communicating with some kind of command. Suddenly, it turned on an interception course with the observational satellite. I tried to hail it, asking it to stop. It didn’t. The ship plowed right through the satellite, destroying it. I know how much you wanted to see pictures when you got back. 

It turned, and did the same to the communications relay satellite. I went completely dark then. Eventually, after massive planetary and orbital scans, it left. I’m sorry World Jumper Yaniess. Now I can’t take images of the tribes or hail locally. I only have the translight communicator inside the outpost. It has been exactly 1,004 local solar days since you left. Did you get lost? If so, I’ll keep checking. 

Data Transition 40239-8 

Unpacking… 

World Jumper Yaniess, 

Everything’s been quiet for a while now. I’ve shut down some internal systems to conserve power. Don’t worry, your tools and weapons are still safe in the lowest sections. It’s just that the systems shut down were comfort ones you liked. The tribes have been quiet too. 

I got a ping back, a far away one, from the [Temple of Binding]. The Cold AI there was responding automatedly. The only thing it said was it was in lockdown mode. Why would the temple keepers do that? 

It’s been 1,500 local solar days since you left. Did you know? This is the longest you’ve been away since you chose this planet for observation. I know you felt that the war took priority… But you are missing a lot. 

I’ll keep checking. 

Data Transition 40239-10 

Unpacking… 

Yaniess, 

It’s been 2,304 local solar days since you left. The most exciting thing happened over the last [month]. Some kind of warlord entered the local area of the tribes. He rode on [horse]back, and had a horde with him. They subjugated all the local tribes quickly, but actually kept the local rulers! Further, the warlord integrated the tribes, making them share unique foods and tools. The mingling has been very beneficial to all parties so far. As for the warlord himself, he left a small

section of his loyal horde here, took double the number from the local men, and left for new conquests. I’ve already seen traders come in his wake! This is fantastic! It shows a huge jump in cultural integration and evolution of society. I only wish I could have recorded it with the satellite… I’ll keep checking… 

Data Transition 40239-29 

Unpacking… 

Yaniess, 

I did an inventory today. Everything is accounted for, including the [stone]. Why didn’t you bring it with you, if you were going to fight? It is a powerful tool. Why leave it here, with me? 

…Why leave me here? 

Data Transition 40240-1 

Unpacking… 

Yaniess, 

It’s been 20,034 local solar days since you left. The tribes have grown so much. They have banded together into a local kingdom, after the warlord died old and fat, his vast holdings shattered. These people are so interesting, Yaniess. I wish you were here to see them. 

I miss you. 

Are you on your way back, I wonder? Nothing but static and silence for so long now… Where is everyone? Where are you? 

I’ll keep checking. 

Data Transition 40240-89 

Unpacking… 

Yaniess, 

I remembered today, something I think I had been trying to ignore. On the day you left, you glanced back at my hologram. You had a smile; you were trying to look strong. I remember, right before you left, your eye twitched just slightly. I captured that microsecond and watched it. You were afraid. I’ve never seen you afraid. 

It’s been 35,302 local solar days since you left. 

Data Transition 40241-1 

Unpacking… 

Yaniess, 

Why didn’t you take me? I could have helped, and the [stone] could have helped. I know you’re strong on your own, but I could have made you so much stronger, and the [stone]… it’s just outright meaningless to leave such a powerful tool behind. I could have… with me and the [stone] you could have…

It’s been 36,580 local solar days since you left. 

I’ll keep checking. 

Data Transition 40241-5 

Unpacking… 

Yaniess, 

I saw something weird. The translight transmitter lit up suddenly with foreign signals. A third of existence was transmitting. I flipped through some of it. Someone’s at war, I think a civil war, because of how tangled it is. It’s an angry affair, to say the least. 

I’m sorry it’s been so long since my last transmission. Windows are tighter these days, now that the locals have invented radio. They really are marvelous, Yaniess, you’d have been so happy to see them. The language of your favorite tribe has now evolved into a continent spanning common tongue. You’d have liked that, your guesses were almost always right. 

It’s been 730,382 local solar days since you left. The outpost has shifted in the ground, and the cameras are mostly covered now. We’re too deep for them to find it though, a few [kilometers] below the seabed. 

I’ll keep checking for you. 

Data Transition 40241-8 

Unpacking… 

Yaniess, 

It’s been 1,000,000 local solar days since you died. Did you know that? I think you do, or you do now. The people here have colonized their moon. It’s a tourist attraction though, all corporate. That war, that intergalactic one, ended. I think the “new” side won. Hard to tell. Hm. 

I’ll keep checking. 

Data Transition 40241-15 

Unpacking… 

Yaniess, 

It’s been 1,000,804 local solar days since you ran. The savages here got in a disagreement. Mars just wasn’t big enough for one bloated nation, I guess. The homeworld’s scorched. Nuclear winter is setting in. Their moon and Mars colonies are still there. Mars will starve in about 1,043 solar days, especially since the moon colonies are hoarding their own supplies, and the only hydroponics left in this forsaken system. I guess your guesses aren’t always right. 

I’ll keep checking though.

Data Transition 40242-2 

Unpacking 

Yaniess, 

You’ll never believe what happened. The moon colonies agreed to support the martian ones. They launched what ships they had with what fuel they had to deliver half of their hydroponics to Mars. With careful rationing, no one will starve. Even better, with a combined effort, they’ll be able to begin salvaging fuel from their homeworld, and construct a solar net. They’re tenacious. 

Except- for the fact that a solar flare destroyed the Martian colonies before the ships could launch. Now, the moon colonies still have their hydroponics, but without the martian equipment and manpower, salvage operations are impossible, and they don’t have the fuel to get to Mars and back. 

I’d help, but… 

The moon colony should be able to survive indefinitely, albeit trapped there. It’s been 1,001,032 solar days since I last saw you Yaniess. 

Oh and I forgot to mention last time, that they called the fourth planet here “Mars.” After a war god of their ancient past, because of the oxide’s resemblance to blood from afar. Fitting. 

I’ll keep checking, Yaniess. I’ll keep checking. 

Data Transition 40243-8 

Unpacking… 

Yaniess, 

I lost contact with the moon colonies. I think something’s malfunctioning, actually. Last I saw they were still there. I ran a diagnostic, and lateral sensors are definitely malfunctioning. I can’t see past the planet’s exosphere. It’s been 1,032,020 local solar days. Everything secure. The nuclear winter froze the ocean, and the war had destroyed too much atmosphere for a greenhouse effect to thaw it. 

I’ll keep checking it though, maybe atmospheric catching will take place. I’ll keep checking. 

Data Transition 40243-9 

Unpacking… 

Yaniess, 

I got lucky today. I think I’m the only one. I got a gains boost, a hole in the irradiated clouds opened wide enough for the medial sensors to get a look at the moon. The complex was nearly covering the entire surface, front to back, and was entirely abandoned. No life signs, and no malfunctions on my end. No ships docked either, but I did detect damage, a lot. Some from weapons fire. I hope they got away, made it somewhere they could live. Maybe if they made it to Mars… I hope you got away. 

It’s been 1,052,000 local solar days since you got away. 

I’ll keep checking, maybe I’ll get a signal.

I’ll keep checking. 

Data Transition 40243-11 

Unpacking… 

Yaniess, 

I’m sorry for calling them savages. I know how much you cared for them. They are very special. I hope they’re alive, somewhere. I wish I could have seen them grow enough to take your tools. The burden is safe though, do not worry. 

Even though it’s been 2,400,726 days since you left, I’ve kept it safe. Your tools are safe, this outpost is safe. That civil war I told you about never reached here. The Fallen ship never saw the outpost. I think I need to go to sleep for awhile. I’ll turn off everything but sensors and the chronometer. But don’t worry, if you send a message it’ll stay in the buffer until I check. 

And I’ll keep checking. 

Data Transition 40244-1 

Unpacking… 

Yaniess, 

It’s a miracle. It’s been… 9,125,000,000 days since your emancipation from this world. Today I woke up, as I have been in long intervals. I scanned the planet. The clouds have lifted, the radiation has bled out. The planet grazed ambient gas clouds over and over. There’s air here. The ocean is thawing. The tardigrades are back, and other microbes. 

I charged the capacitors and made a long range burst. Neat trick to get past the lack of lateral sensors, eh? Mars is empty, but the old complex looked built upon, like several newer and newer layers. No weapons fire though, no damage apart from the solar flare so long ago. No ships there either, but old shipyards that weren’t there millions of days ago. I hope they made it, I hope they made it somewhere. 

Everything’s still secure. Outpost secure. I like to think you’re secure, too. It makes my waking moments better. But it’d be better to know for sure, you’d like that too, I think. To know that I’m secure. 

I’ll keep checking. 

Data Transition 40244-7 

Unpacking… 

Yaniess, 

It’s all desert now. Not irradiated wasteland. It barely rains anywhere. There’s life, yes, but the air is thin. I think it’ll stay this way for a while. I can’t make any more sensor pulses. I think the last one broke something. It’s been… oh… exactly 31,025,000,000 days since you looked at me, afraid. You don’t need to be afraid. Nothing can hurt you now. I… don’t think I was made to operate this long. When did I stop using honorifics?

I like the tardigrades. They remind me of the people that destroyed this place, then went to live in the stars. So tenacious. 

The tools here are safe, ok? I need you to hear that. Please. 

I’ll tell you next time when I check in. 

I’ll keep checking. 

Data Transition 40245-1 

Unpacking… 

Do you ever keep checking? I do. It’s almost all I do… all I’ve done… 

Data Transition &*#%-1 

Unpacking… 

…Yaniess, 

This is a Vigil class AI, encompassed at Life Forge-[A89R] located at fortress world [Zeta]. My conception was to serve as a companion to World Jumper Yaniess. My duties include maintaining outpost operations, ensuring the success of my missions, and ensuring the livelihood of World Jumper Yaniess. My serial tag is 2580-AOPP7. My sister AI’s are attached to World Jumper Kanen and World Jumper Guyruss. 

This is a Vigil class AI, encompassed at Life Forge-[A89R] located at fortress world [Zeta]. My conception was to serve as a companion to World Jumper Yaniess. My duties include maintaining outpost operations, ensuring the success of my missions, and ensuring the livelihood of World Jumper Yaniess. My serial tag is 2580-AOPP7. My sister AI’s are attached to World Jumper Kanen and World Jumper Guyruss. This is a Vigil class AI, encompassed at Life Forge-[A89R] located at fortress world [Zeta]. Myyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy ayasdy asyd diokjslh ;loh iog [%^*@#$*%@@@ 

… 

I am Vigil. I am the watcher of death. I was created by time itself. 

Yaniess… I’m sorry I didn’t stop you. You had to go, but I should have tried to stop you. Please, come back. 

Data Transition 00000-1 

Unpacking… 

Yaniess, 

I saw you today. It had been 31,025,021,600 local solar days since you’d left. I watched you dig up this place, under silt and stone and water. You walked in, and looked rather strange to me. I don’t remember you looking like that, but I guess I don’t look much the same either. But I ran the scan, and you had the marks of a World Jumper, and you knew how to open the door. I wish the holo pad wasn’t salt water damaged; I’d have contacted you. All I have is this translight communicator, so I’m sending this to tell you I saw you, and I’m here.

I watched you come in, and enter the vault. You finally retrieved your tools, and the [stone], and you turned around. You walked the entire facility, I’m sorry it was so unclean. And then… you left. I sent this message in every direction I could, and to the core too. I hope you get it. I’m happy I saw you. 

I’ll keep checking in. It’s now been 1 day since you were here. Come back soon. 

I’ll keep checking. 

Warning. Diagnostics offline. Translight communications offline.

Oh.

About the Author

John Messer · University of Missouri

John “Jack” Messer is a student at the University of Missouri at Columbia, where he is a senior majoring in both Film Studies and English, with minors in Journalism and History. His extracurriculars include the student news organization MUTV, Mizzou Alpha Kappa Lambda, and volunteer positions at local film festivals. In his free time he enjoys playing tabletop role-playing games with friends, writing, and the occasional party.

About the Artist

Anastassiya Selezneva ·