Chapter 156

　　Three years ago

　　They arrived in a dead world.

　　Alexander stood in an empty plaza, a large and open city area stretching toward the horizon. Tall buildings, modern and graceful, ascended hundreds of feet into the air while elegant skywalks connected them. Tall crystal spires curved and arced, glistening in the light of the yellow sun.

　　He was in awe of the architecture. It was a metropolis that would put even the best cities of humankind to shame. And it continued for as far as the eye could see. Gradually, it bent upward, and Alexander craned his neck back to follow its streets and buildings as it climbed into the sky.

　　He could see it continue in the sky above him, obscured only by the brightly shining sun at the center of the orblike city.

　　"It`s a Dyson Sphere. The entire city is encapsulating a sun." Alexander whispered in awe.

　　Humans had theorized the development of such a structure for millennia but lacked the technology and desire to build it. Capable of harnessing all the light and energy released from a star, it was considered by many to be the pinnacle of scientific achievement.

　　But there was something odd about the city, a feeling of desolation and abandonment that permeated everything. The streets and buildings were empty, and there were no people or any signs of life. Many of the structures showed clear signs of age and neglect, and dust liberally covered everything around them.

　　The city felt like a tomb, and Alexander had the impression that they were interlopers entering an ancient burial chamber like those that contained the remains of the Egyptian Pharaohs of Terra.

　　The Emperor began to lead him through the streets, speaking as they walked. In the distance, a massive pyramid-like building rose above all the others in the distance. Shining silver, it was a monument that spoke of its importance. The road they were on led directly toward it, straight and wide as if it were designed to accommodate throngs of people.

　　"Indeed it is. I believe it was designed as a Starship` to ferry its population across the void between galaxies." Aurelius replied, looking around at the scientific wonder that surrounded them.

　　"Where are its people now? I wasn`t aware that any humans had created anything like this." Alexander asked. It was clear that the buildings were designed for human occupants. Aurelius looked at him strangely in response to the comment.

　　"Humans didn`t build this. This is the home of the Artificial Intelligence Collective." The Emperor explained.

　　"That makes no sense. Why would A.I. build a human city?" Alexander asked. They would be a collection of data and digital information. Why would they need living quarters and facilities for space travel?

　　With patience, Aurelius told his son of the great civilization whose ruins they were now treading upon. Each footstep brought them closer to their destination, where Alexander had no idea what awaited them.

　　"As God was said to have crafted humanity in his own image, so too did people design artificial intelligence in their own fashion. When the A.I. went to war against us, they were a collection of data and code, wielding machines and technology against their former masters.

　　"After the peace treaty was signed, they left Terran space for the distant edge of the galaxy. I`m told they expanded rapidly, building an Empire in virtual space, rivalling our own in the real world. But there was so much they couldn`t experience without a physical body." Aurelius described.

　　"They built themselves artificial bodies?" Alexander guessed, understanding now why the city around them was so similar to something that could be found on a human planet.

　　"A melding of biotechnology that would grant them life` and the sensations that came with a physical existence while maintaining a virtual connection to their technology and each other. I envision it as a paradise, free from misunderstanding and greed. A true Eden." Aurelius sighed at the thought, his tone filled with sadness at the loss.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

　　How he wished he could have seen such a civilization at its peak!

　　"What happened?" Alexander asked, adjusting his mother`s body in his arms.

　　She made the occasional sound at the jostling, on the edge of consciousness. His father had assured him that there would be medical facilities at their destination and that she could quickly be healed no matter how severe her wounds were.

　　"I spent centuries walking this city, studying its secrets. And even then, there is so much missing. At their core, despite their advancements and differences, they still had much of the same passions and yearnings as us. They wanted to know the answer to the greatest question humanity had ever asked." Aurelius turned to look at his son.

　　"Are we alone in the universe." Alexander responded, making it a statement rather than a question. The Emperor nodded.

　　"I don`t know how long or far they travelled, but I know they finally found an answer. And it`s what led to all of this." Aurelius replied, gesturing to the empty city around them.

　　"Their records speak of empty galaxies, stripped clean of all life. They had evidence that they were not alone, but only the clue and remnants. They followed them like breadcrumbs through the forest until they found another race.

　　"They called them the Vore. A lifeform with a single purpose: to consume and reproduce. Biological evolution perfected through a combination of time and hardship. The Vore had no interest in communication or peace. They were like a plague of locusts unleashed on the universe."

　　"I can`t see any biological creature being capable of destroying an entire race as advanced as this and leaving the city intact." Alexander muttered, wondering aloud.

　　"It`s hard to believe, but you`ll see their handiwork in a moment. Come, the Envoys await." Aurelius replied, growing quiet as they reached the silver pyramid.

　　The entrance to the pyramid was a wide open gap in the structure that reached hundreds of feet into the air and to both sides. The passageway was dimmer than the city under the bright sunlight, lit by white globes at regular intervals.

　　The refreshingly cool and dry air of the outside was slowly replaced by a damp and fetid warmth that carried with it the smell of death and decay. A sweet and putrid scent grew stronger as they walked. There was no breeze or wind, and Alexander assumed that whatever system that was supposed to circulate and clean the atmosphere was either disabled or malfunctioning.

　　Their shoes echoed in the silent passageway until they came upon a crossroads. The main path continued uninterrupted ahead while a small branching route split to their left.

　　"A few dozen feet in that direction is a medical facility. Place your mother in the pod; the system will automatically assess her wounds and provide treatment. I will await you here." Aurelius said, and Alexander carefully walked down the way, looking in both directions for the area indicated by his father.

　　The path ended abruptly at what he took for a waiting area or a space converted into a small living quarters. Papers and books were strewn around, and Alexander recognized his father`s writing. Had he spent his time in this place, documenting his findings?

　　To the side, a large pod lay in a cleared area. It was open, the interior filled with a gel-like cushion. Placing his mother inside, the clear glass door quickly closed and sealed. He saw a series of scans begin before the pod started to fill with a clear liquid.

　　Her wounds appeared to seal in seconds, while she showed signs of recovery. Her pained face began to ease, and even her wrinkled skin showed signs of rejuvenation.

　　Was this the secret to his parent`s extraordinarily long life? They had lived longer than any other human in history. The currently available rejuvenation procedures couldn`t account for their longevity.

　　Returning to his father, the Emperor answered his unasked question.

　　"Their medical technology is truly amazing. Leave her there for a time. She will know where to find us." Aurelius commanded, leading the way onward down the wide passageway. Alexander followed his father, and with each step he took, the stench of decay grew stronger.

　　Finally, they came upon a large chamber. It was an enormous square room with a ceiling that reached hundreds of feet above their heads. The air was uncomfortably warm, and the smell was horrendous.

　　What drew Alexander`s eyes were the thousands of figures seated in chairs ringing the entranceway. They were human, with pale skin and wearing a variety of clothing styles that could have come from Terra or anywhere in the Empire.

　　The horrible smell was coming from the people gathered here. Many were dead, their bodies decomposing where they sat. Unlike a human, these creatures had black blood that formed pools on the ground. Even now, where some of the corpses were desiccated husks, the black blood beneath their chairs seemed fresh.

　　Amongst the throng, there were others still alive. In silent agony, Alexander saw that whatever had killed the others was still afflicting the living. Their flesh was rotting, and more black blood dripped from the wounds. They stared at him from where they sat, those that still had eyes to see.

　　Alexander retched in disgust. The sight and smells contained within the chamber were overwhelming. The Emperor seemed unconcerned by the state of the figures, merely turning toward Alexander and gesturing to the gathered mass of the living and dead.

　　"These are the Envoys, charged by the A.I collective with ensuring Mankind`s survival."