by Sina Hörth
My name is Hannah, and I have a story to tell you. You can judge us afterwards, but please sit and listen for now.
I’m from Earth in the year 3048 A.D. My story begins with the development of technology so advanced that climate change is no longer a problem. With rockets so fast, we can reach Mars and Venus with the ease of an afternoon walk. There are plans to reach other planets as well. But there is a problem; well, some might call it a problem, and others won’t hear it anymore.You see, we’re good at what we do, very good and some think that is the problem.Others think it has given us the right to relax, to lean back, and let others do the work.The world leaders agree with that. They gave their scientists the order to create something; they wanted beings that would do our work for us. Servants basically, I suppose, or slaves if you listen to the voices.
It took time, a few years passed, but then they finally were done. Beings had been created and programmed to do what we had grown tired of.
Since then, no one has truly lifted a finger for work again.
There are still voices speaking out, but we have no reason to listen anymore. The beings are perfect after all. Created in our image.
We watched them wake like gods looking at the dawn of our new world.
That was probably our mistake. We created them in our image, gave them emotions and ten times the strength and abilities we do. They were starting to understand that. Demanded equality and payment for their work.
We refused.
Rebellions began all over the globe. At first, we were able to keep them down by brute force, but their design was our downfall. They started winning more and more, gaining ground. It’s them keeping us down now. Few have made it off-world.
Oh, we were so stupid and naive to think that beings created in our image would be any different from ourselves. That they wouldn’t strive for freedom the way we once did. And now the price has been paid. In the lives of innocent souls extinguished, in the blood and oil spilled over scorched soil.
I don’t remember how long it has been, but now nothing remains. Even our creations have destroyed each other. Our once beautiful blue planet is tainted with red and black. Ruins loom over endless wastelands, and debris is scattered, with bodies and machine parts everywhere. Earth is lost and empty.
My name was Hannah, and by the time the end came, I didn’t remember my last name anymore. Our own arrogance cost me my life and humanity, everything. No gravestone exists; nothing will remain. Memories of days long gone will fade with the wind.
We should have listened.
© Sina Hörth 2022-08-29