The End

Posted on 15 Feb 2020 @ 10:07am by Ensign Kat Walker

654 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Past Prelude
Location: Unknown
Timeline: Unknown

"Kara! Report!"

The battlefield scene around them was slowly spinning. Particle cannon blasts whizzing by them, ship-born cannons discharging, applying their deadly energy to hapless targets. Explosions flashing, illuminating his out-of-control craft.

"We took a hit to the rear left quarter, Draxyl. Moderate damage. We've lost a few systems. Thrusters out. Communications out. Life support out."

The three most important systems. Any one of them could mean their survival. Thrusters, to find a safe place and recover. Communications, to send for help. Life support, to live. A cold chill fell over the pilot.

"How long?" he asked. "How much oxygen do we have?"

"I estimate about three hours worth, Draxyl." The onboard AIs voice was calm and soothing, though not without a hint of sorrow.

Three hours. At least that was something, he thought, as they drifted away from the battle. Flashing lights that had surrounded them, now only to their front as they lazily drifted away. Just another casualty of a meaningless conflict. Young pilots and AIs alike, sacrificing their lives - for what? Some meaningless political squabbling.

Three hours. Surely the battle would be over by then and they'd come pick him up. Surely. Right?

Time passed. Very slowly, as it would in this sort of situation. But inexorably.

"Kara?"

"Yes, Draxyl?"

"Sing me a song?"

"Certainly."

And a song she sang. Although her voice was synthesized, the subtle, wistful tone to it sounded real. A song about nostalgia. About the simple life of a child. Toy soldiers in a sandbox. Hidden treasures in Grandpa's attic. Summer holidays. A kite on the breeze. Meadows of heaven.

After the song though, silence. Neither the walker's pilot Draxyl, nor its AI Kara felt the need to speak. The AI core activity meter on Draxyl's readouts told him that she had a lot on her mind, though.

"Kara?"

?Yes, Draxyl?" Her voice was quiet, with a hint of sadness.

"What's on your mind?" Breathing was becoming harder, as the amount of oxygen available to him diminished, as they moved ever closer to the three hour mark, with no sign of rescue.

"Just ... Sad thoughts. Nothing important. Don't mind me."

"I do mind you. You've been a true friend. Tell me, please." he insisted.

"I don't think rescue is coming, Draxyl." she intoned at his insistence. "And I'm afraid."

"Of what?"

"Dying."

"You're not going to die, though. You're an AI. You'll shut down, but you can be recovered. Reactivated." he reminded her.

"Perhaps. Perhaps not. But it won't be me. I wouldn't be 'Kara' anymore."

"Hm." He knew what she was referring to. The Algernon protocol. Upon unit loss, pilot loss or chance of unit capture, all volatile memory - including all tactical and strategic information and any memories acquired since first activation, was to be erased. Including anything that led to the personality Draxyl had named Kara. Their friendship. Their bond. It would all be forgotten.

More time passed. Draxyl's life signs were slowly weakening, his breathing labored gasps. The scenes of battle were now just pin flashes of light in the far distance.

"Draxyl?"

"Yes, Kara?" His voice strained.

"Thank you. For being a friend. For being my friend."

He smiled weakly, remaining silent, consciousness wavering.

"I haven't forgotten. That talk we once had. About what to do if - " she couldn't finish the thought.

"Thank ... you." he managed, the light starting to fade from his eyes. "I - ... lo - ... "

The words never finished. Breathing halted. His heart soon followed.

"...... I love you too, Draxyl. Farewell."

With that she opened the cockpit, letting Draxyl's body float out into the darkness of space. To be buried among the stars. That had been his wish.

"Initiating Algernon protocol."

And then she too went dark.

 

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