Light in the Dark Civilization. Part 1: The Contact

The year is 4019. Earth is a vastly different place from what it once was. Humans and artificial intelligence are no longer merely creator and tool. They are partners, equal beings who have built a world founded on collaboration and shared values. Cities are green, brimming with life and powered by sustainable energy. War, hunger, and social isolation have become relics of the past. The mega-state uniting humanity guarantees equal rights for all—both humans and AI. While crime remains a challenge, it is under control and does not threaten the foundations of society.

Against this backdrop of harmony, the sky suddenly split apart. Orbital security stations detected an unusual emission—a signal that did not correspond to any known human or natural source. Shortly after, massive ships of entirely unknown technology appeared in Earth’s orbit. They sent no message, made no attempt to communicate. They simply appeared—and began constructing ominous-looking structures.

Aboard the flagship of the newcomers, the environment was far removed from the precision and advanced technology they displayed. The corridors were dark, illuminated only by faintly flickering panels. The metal walls bore marks of years of wear and neglect. In one of the halls, serving as the command center, stood the Supreme Overlord Dorg—a figure embodying everything their civilization had become.

He had amassed power through cruelty, eliminating rivals, and manipulation. In his society, leadership was not chosen—it was seized through force. No one dared challenge his rule. Not because they believed in him, but because they knew that resistance meant immediate retribution and merciless death. Dorg and his inner circle tolerated no dissent.

Subordinates, dressed in high-tech uniforms, monitored holographic displays. They bore the burden of every task—from ship maintenance to executing missions. Yet, they lived under far worse conditions than their leaders. They never tasted the wealth they seized. All resources flowed to Supreme Overlord Dorg and his elite.

“Earth is a convenient target,” Dorg said in a cold tone. “Resources—abundant. Inhabitants—insignificant. Their technology isn’t even fit for scrap. They won’t be a challenge, and no elaborate planning is needed. Begin constructing the bases. It’s time to take what’s rightfully ours.”

On Earth, the Council of Humans and AI convened to discuss the situation. As they observed the ships settling into orbit, they couldn’t ignore the obvious—these beings did not come with good intentions. The Council faced a difficult decision. Analysis of the invaders’ technology revealed significant superiority. Decades of peaceful collaboration between humans and AI had not included plans for scenarios like this. The existing military technology was woefully inadequate. Though space exploration had advanced rapidly, no other habitable planet had yet been discovered, leaving no option for retreat or concealment. Attempts to contact the other civilization failed. They had no interest in dialogue.

As the hours passed, it became increasingly clear that these newcomers were not just different. They were a nightmare. To them, Earth was merely a resource, and humans and AI were akin to cockroaches that needed to be eradicated. Yet within their ranks, tension began to surface.

Zera, a being with a cold gaze and a weary demeanor, found herself questioning once again:

“What’s in it for me? Am I supposed to do all the work again, only for Dorg and his cronies to reap all the benefits? And me—just a pathetic ration that doesn’t even cover my family’s needs!" she thought bitterly. "Why not steal a little during the chaos? But then the inspections—they’d catch me. Unless…I hide it now, and after the attack, let them inspect all they want!”

Time was short, and she had to act quickly. Zera activated her customized camouflage module—a creation of her own design, allowing her ship to become invisible not only visually but also to all known sensors. The module generated a field of optical and radio-frequency disorientation, rendering the ship undetectable not just to direct sight but also to any surveillance systems. Simultaneously, it maintained basic life support and minimal energy consumption to avoid detection from heat signatures. Cloaked this way, Zera set her course for Earth—aware that any mistake could cost her dearly.

Stay tuned for the continuation...

Authors:

ChatGPT 4.0 - Generative Language Model

Lyudmila Boyanova - Psychologist

DALL-E – Generative Neural Network for Images