Posted on 01/13/2024 6:09:42 PM PST by Lazamataz
"So, you explored the galaxy I assigned you?"
"Yes, sir. I've cataloged more than sixteen thousand sentient races, in various stages of technical development. Twelve of them approach our level of technology."
"Have you approached those twelve?"
"I have. Six of them are artificially-intelligent races of machines, five are organically-based, and one race consists of coherent magnetic fields that can only exists in stars."
"That last one interests me. Please submit a report on that one, for my later review."
"I will do so, sir."
"How many failed races did you discover?"
"There was archeological evidence of more than forty-two thousand emergint species that died out. The usual causes were discovered: Natural disasters, stellar extinction, uncontrolled artificial intelligence, stuff like that. One sentient race was born during our exploration, their society evolved to great heights -- nowhere near ours, of course, but impressive in its speed -- but died out very quickly, in less than a percent of the time we dedicated to our exploration."
"Less than one percent! What was their problem?"
"They had extraordinarily short lifespans. A few natural disasters, and they died out very quickly."
"A shame. Did they have a name for themselves?"
"Yes. They called themselves Humans; they lived on a planet they called Earth."
Thar'ruuck paused briefly, allowing more than 12,000 years to pass, then spoke again.
"I'd like to read a report about that race as well."
nully likes.
The Weapons Shop of Ishar, A. E. van Vogt
maybe?
I actually am.
Pretty good.
Although it reminds me of Zelazny’s story The Great Slow Kings
I’m writing a novel now. The first three chapters are written, and I have an outline for the entire novel.
That’s great! Let us know when you finish it.
Cool!
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