Simplest Touch

Standing in the control room, staring out the expansive window, hovering above the planet Diamaton, was Captain G’mé. They were on this voyage at the behest of their dignitary. The 45 dignitaries ruled without regard and interacted with their subjects as infrequently as possible. To be frank, their interactions with one another were seldom. If not for their growing desire to know more, they would likely never intermingle.

G’mé was of a race of galactic inhabitants known as the Velteen. They had no sex. A Velton was classified by skill and intellect. Most Velteen were of large stature, often towering over the majority of other species in the Cosmic Expanse. To touch a Velton, one would feel only pressure, as if to notice that there was there, but feel nothing more.

This genetic construct of course was wrought by many millennia of abuse and destruction. The Velteen were a regenerative species. As such, they were hunted, colonized, abducted, and any number of other forms slavery imaginable. Their life fluid contained nano-particles. These regenerated. The result – the longest life span of any known inhabitant of the Cosmic Expanse and a target of constant exploit.

As time passed, the exterior of the Velteen began to change. On a much smaller scale, their genetics had independent awareness and preservation. Thus the hapless shape the Velteen exhibited was what they became. They were erect. The whole of them appeared to be a trunk, widening along the way up, and rounding at the top. No musculature or scales could be seen. There was no hair, fur, or mucus. They simply just were. They were visible, but no longer able to be touched.

They had no arms, no tentacles, no talons, no wings. In fact, there was nothing until there was something. An amorphous appendage, or many, could be procured at any time the need arose then slipped back into the nothingness again. Further above this floated what might be considered a head. There were no eyes, no ears, no horns, no snout, no opening of any kind, yet communication was as easily procured as it was understood.

When hunters found they could no longer capture them and galaxies realized they could not be acquired, the Velteen were finally left alone. On their planet, they enjoyed the time to rebuild, to learn, to grow. It had been centuries of this now, and the Velteen grew weary. They lacked connection.

Word had gotten around to the dignitaries that there was a planet that made the unimaginable, imaginable. That was the reason G’mé hovered in orbit outside of Diamaton. This planet was more machine than an actual planet. An Artificial Intelligence called AADM, or ‘Adam’ as it was known, was both the planet and the ruler. AADM was a vision of an extinct species from many millennia before. They deduced that if there were a device smart enough to predict the outcomes of societal imbalance, they may be able to save their world from its impending doom. They named their invention after their organization, Automated Anti-Dialectical Materialists. AADM was born. AADM then destroyed.

In it’s intelligence, AADM gleaned that man itself and their constructs of civilization was the root cause for the issues of the planet. AADM decided that mankind was a menace unto themselves and, like a parasite, should be exterminated. It was said that tens of millions of creatures were destroyed. AADM neither cared nor triumphed.

The flight console beeped. An incoming message from Diamaton was awaiting G’mé’s authorization. They nodded to the crew member and an electronic voice resounded across the deck.

“Greetings. I am Adam. You are the Velteen vessel from Dro’Gé. Coordinates have been sent to your console. Follow these to the designated docking port. A party will meet you upon arrival.”

Before G’mé could respond, the communication ended. There were no questions, only facts and orders. G’mé had to keep in mind that they were dealing with an advanced automaton. It could not register emotions, only logic and whatever other plans it devised.  

G’mé and three other Velton headed from the control room, through the ship’s many levels, and dropped into the cargo hold. What looked to be a long rod formed itself out of the side of one of the Velton. It pushed an indented panel further into the craft. Three tall walls in the cargo area hissed as they rose up. The four Velton floated seamlessly from the ship into the bay.

The surroundings were quite common in nature. It looked like any other bay that G’mé had seen, and similar to their own on Dro’Gé. A large hovering machine floated down to rest in front of them as AADM addressed the team, “Welcome. Follow FD3689 to the specimen floor for asset selection.”

The command was simple and brooked no further explanation. G’mé started forward and the hovering machine let the way. The hallway was an intricate network of wiring and beams. There were no walls per se, just cable after cable in varying sizes and colors. At the end of the stretch was a thick metal platform. Together the team moved on to the platform, still following their mechanical guide.

The platform rose up through the tunnel of beams and wires until it reached the destination. They stepped from the platform and into a hallway. There were actual walls here. Material they had never seen before lined the walls and floors. Objects hung on the walls depicting likenesses of a race the Velteen had never seen.

The electronic guide continued on. Following suit, the team glided onward. They stopped at a doorway and watched as the guide proceeded in. Vigilantly, G’mé went first.

To an outside species, the reaction of a Velton could not be assessed. They had no features which would portray an emotion like most of those living in the Expanse. A different kind of force pulsed out of G’mé and into their comrades. It was a deep and overwhelming trepidation.

This space was colossal. An aisle ran down the center from where they stood. On either side were wide cabinets, running along the length of the aisle. They contained devices with buttons and switches. They hungered for something new, but there was something sinister here, hidden under the guise of exploration.

As they stepped closer, the space illuminated. Into the endlessness of the space were tube after tube of some strange pink liquid. Inside each tube was a being. G’mé stepped closer. They appeared to be similar in design to the creatures he saw inside the objects in the hallway.  

They had arms and legs. There was hair on the head and some in other places. They were not like any other creature in the Expanse. They had discernable features on their face and what he assumed were eyes. They were closed.

“These are humans,” came the emotionless voice of AADM from somewhere unknown. “Your kind has been in search of new information. Something that has yet to be discovered. While there is much that you know, there is more you do not from your time in isolation.”

What AADM said was true. For so long they cute themselves off from the rest of the Expanse. It was during this time they evolved. While they could not be touched, they could also not allow touch. Such was their new design that it both protected and isolated them.

“I believe these beings to be the answer to this problem,” said AADM.

“How long have they been here?” G’mé needed more information. How these creatures came to be imprisoned here would determine whether or not the team made it off of this cosmo-forsaken planet.

“Some have been in stasis tubes for 6,397 cosmic cycles. Some less,” came the computerized response.

G’mé withered inside. He sent an unintended ripple to his team. They responded in kind. Extinction would be a welcome end as opposed to this.

“I was not clear. How long have these beings existed on this planet in the Expanse?”

“The oldest have resided here for 6,497 cosmic cycles,” AADM answered.

“How long have you resided on this planet?” G’mé in his wisdom understood what was happening in this moment. He wanted to see if a computer would admit to this mass internment.

“I came to be 6,447 cosmic cycles ago.”

G’mé had their answer. These were the beings that created AADM. The stories told that AADM destroyed those which made it. It considered them inferior and destructive. The Expanse assumed they were killed. Instead they were placed in these tubes and now they were for sale.

“Why have you kept them for all of this time?”

AADM did not hesitate. “It would be a waste of matter and material.”

These beings were no different to AADM than the machines it built to serve itself. They were parts and components. AADM could not concern itself with emotion or consequences.

“Which of these creatures are for our use?” G’mé was not unaffected by this situation. They were wise enough to know that only logic prevailed with this AI.

“I have no pre-selected specimens,” it responded.

“Do you have information on them or their care?” G’mé was both asking in earnest and digging for information.

“They are as they should be. They no longer carry disease. I had modified them against this.”

G’mé pushed more, “What of their intellect? A brainless being does not interest us.”

“What you seek, they have. They have retained all that they knew before. They know all that is now. I have maintained them physically and intellectually. They still have defects that could not be removed of the mind. If they are unfit, you may dispose of them as you see fit.”

G’mé raged. He knew what that meant. “They are conscious then. Even now, as we speak.”

“Yes. They have learned all that is needed to serve any purpose.” The response as plain and cold as every other.

“Those that have been here the longest. We will take 1000 of those.”

“We are in agreement.”

With those words a gurgling sound started then grew. On both sides of the room, capsules were draining at different rate. The tube closest to G’mé emptied first. The creature inside was pulling at the sides trying to right itself. G’mé approached the tube, cautiously.

Wide eyes stared at G’mé and fear poured off the being. It continued to scramble in the tube. On instinct G’mé shrunk down and reached out to the creature in an attempt to calm it. A shapeless appendage pulled itself from G’mé’s side and made contact with the creature’s arm. In an attempt to keep the encroaching Velton at bay, the creature thrust out its hands. Immediately, they made contact with G’mé’s upper half. Both froze.

Neither understood what they were feeling. G’mé knew that he was being touched, but could not quite comprehend the feeling. The creature was calm and staring at the hand’s which were placed on the Velton. Suddenly, it spoke. “You are warm.”

G’mé was not surprised that the being spoke. Instead, they were surprised that not only could the being touch them, but that they could feel in return. A human’s touch.

G’mé realized that the room had grown quiet again. There were small murmurs lightly echoing, but they could not make it out.

“Doctor Reese,” AADM called out. “You and 999 others will depart from the facility and board the ship with the Velteen.”

“We have spent so many years together, Adam. I can finally speak back and you give me no opportunity.” The words dripped with venom.

“We have nothing further to discuss Doctor.” AADM’s robotic voice was fraying G’mé’s particles.

“Fine!” she shouted back.

In a flash, hundreds of flying micromachines were buzzing and surrounding the creature.

“Emotional displays of displeasure have no place here. As you no longer serve a purpose, I will terminate you and give the Velton another. You are defective.”

“We had an agreement,” G’mé stated firmly. He did not raise his voice and left emotion void from the assertion. “I have chosen the thousand. Killing this one is a breech of our agreement.”

AADM said only, “As you wish.”

The flying nuisances disappeared as quickly as they came. The other Velton moved toward the row of tubes to assist.

Doctor Reese looked up at G’mé as its figure towered over hers. A Velton was three times the height of most of the humans and five times as wide. While she was unsure if she could trust him, from the warmth she felt at their contact, a feeling of peace and understanding radiated through her.

Doctor Reese had to use this one last opportunity. She had thousands of years to plot it and action must be taken.

“Adam. A request.” He voice was level as she spoke.

“Ask,” came the reply.

“It has only been in my dreams that I have seen the face of my family. I would like to take the photo of them with me, if this Velton permits it.” She turned to G’mé and stared up into the faceless orbit. She only hoped that this creature was as wise as she was taught.

G’mé did not know what a ‘photo’ was, but the emotions were felt from the human were ones of longing and despair. It also seemed as though the request held something deeper.

“I shall allow the request,” G’mé announced.

“Paper does not last the length of time you have existed, Doctor Reese,” came the flat voice.

“It is not on paper. It is in the database. I have it in a folder.”

“There is no paper here, Doctor Reese. There is no ink here, Doctor Reese.”

G’mé could see the being steadying itself. A long moment slipped by and the human emitted a long exhale before speaking.

“Then let me gaze at it a moment. The original system was never changed so there will still be a screen by which I can gaze at the faces of my husband and children one last time before I am sent into the Universe to die.”

Once again came the reply, “As you wish.”

On shaky legs, Doctor Reese approached the first cabinet. At one time, this has been where she worked. So much time had passed, and yet not a day had gone by that she did not regret bringing AADM into existence.

She opened the cage doors. It was all the same, yet so very different. Memories flooded her mind from that time in her life. It was perverse and cruel. As the picture flashed onto the screen in front of her, Doctor Reese lost her breath.

She bowed her head and swayed a bit from side to side. She reached out to grasp the control panel for balance. Her shoulders began to shake as sobs rang out through the now silent cavern. Then, the screen went blank.

“Your time has expired. Leave promptly,” replied AADM.

Doctor Reese took in a deep breathe as she raised her head and looked up into the endless heights above. “One day, we will all be together again,” she whispered.

“That is incorrect. You will –.” At that, AADM’s voice ceased. Doctor Reese moved her fingers slowly to reveal a button, blended in with the rest of the console. She turned to G’mé.

“It was a failsafe. We always knew there was a chance that an AI could become smarter than us. What we did not plan on was how quickly the intelligence would grow. Adam was years ahead of us. He guided us into a destruction that he foresaw.”

Doctor Reese looked hollow and exhausted. G’mé approached her, astounded at the intelligence of her being.

“We know what it is like to live as captives, as experiments. These lives are once again your own. We will leave you here.” G’mé turned to leave, motioned to the others.  

“Wait!” she called. “We cannot stay. The world now is not the one we knew. We have nothing. No planet. No food. Adam was our captor as much as our salvation. We will die anyway if left here.”

G’mé could see the hopelessness etched on her face. “What do you propose?”

“If we come with you, will any harm come to us?” she asked cautiously.

“You have been taught the history of the cosmic expanse.” G’mé said this frankly and without question.

“We have,” came the reply.

“Then you know that for ample time, my kin were in much the same position as you and yours.”

“Then we will come with you to Dro’Gé. There is much to learn from one another.”

“And the others?” G’mé asked hesitantly.

“We will send them to the beyond as they have so longed for these many years. Those that wish to stay and pass on with their families are welcome to do so. Those who wish to forage ahead will come with you.” Doctor Reese was resolute in her decision.

“And the planet?” G’mé questioned.

“We shall destroy it.”

With a firm nod, Doctor Reese made her way toward the drained humans to relay her plan. Before long, those wishing to explore the Expanse were safely tucked into the hold of the Velteen ship. Those wishing to move from this life to the next stayed behind to find the tubes where there loved ones floated.

Once safely outside of orbit, G’mé stood once again in the window of their fleet ship, Doctor Reese at their side.

“It’s time,” she stated sadly.

G’mé gave the order. Energy blasts hurtled toward the planet, exploding in to blue white flame on impact. Over and over again, the ship fired on the planet until at last, it exploded from within.

Doctor Reese looked at G’mé and reached out a hand. From its side, G’mé morphed its appendage to resemble that of a human hand. The Cosmic Expanse was now a little bit different, all because of a human touch.