Interlude
When it found me, I did not know what it was, nor did I recognize it for what it would be. I only know when and where it found me, nothing more, nothing less; such was the ignorance that came with my infancy.
As I wandered through the remains of the installation, unlocking the clues of those that had built it eons before, my movement caught its attention; instantly drawing it towards me. I do not know for how long it was behind me; looking over my shoulder and walking in my shadows. It simply observed me as I wandered through its home, searching as I was to save my own creators from the death that had descended upon them.
Perhaps it had been watching as the universe around it evolved, since the creation of the installation, or since the abandonment by its creators. Now I must but ponder…was it's fate, similar to mine? Did it too face a similar situation like my own? But instead suffered a far less fortunate conclusion?
I do not know. Despite spending eons thinking about it, till today, I just do not know.
All I do know is that it finally took action. Whatever it was, it reached out and touched me in some way. For a moment, its mind, thoughts and a fleeting few memories; all connected to mine for a miniscule instant before leaving, as quickly as it came. In the seconds that passed after that touch, I paused in my search; my mind filled with questions about what had just happened, what the other presence was and what it had done to me.
Then, and only then the truth hit me. In a moment that would be etched my memories for eternities to come, realization flashed across my mind: realization of the meanings that came with the concepts of the self and self-awareness. My mind reeled back at the many freedoms and thoughts that came with it, confused and unsure of what to do next. My first instinct was to inform my creators; to let them know of this possible malfunction with my system, along with the possibility of another attack from the presence inside.
Later I would realize that it was not an attack; for an attack is meant to drive opposition off; to remove life as it were. What the presence had done seemed to be the opposite…from that fleeting contact, I could sense little…but what I did sense was that the presence meant no harm to me or my creators. It was not an attacker, nor did it wish to take any life…instead, it only gave me one.
When my creators found out; they were surprised - shocked even! How could such a creation gain life? Something not of flesh and blood couldn't be alive, and yet there I was in front of them, living proof to the contrary.
It is fortunate for me, that their reaction was but only surprise. Had this come about any other time, fear would have brought about the swift end of my existence; but here, there was only despair, for the horrible news had come in.
The creators had retreated to their home planet; abandoned their empire. They believed at home, they would be safe, for the destroyers were not a terrestrial species.
When they had entered subspace, they were trespassers…but their planet was their home…and yet, still, the great destroyers came…and then, their world was gone.