Chapter 1: The Prelude to Crisis

Bixitin found himself seated at his workstation within the Astrophysics Science Laboratory, nestled in the arid landscape approximately 100 kilometers from Angle Watt, the most populous city in Estador, on July 16, 1945, according to Earth’s calendar. The planet Ecaep was home to humanoid inhabitants who displayed distinct physical characteristics shaped by their geological evolution. Compact and lean yet strong, they boasted large oval heads and prominent ears that folded into grooves on their skulls. A notable feature was their six fingers and four ears—two facing forward and two backward—allowing for expressive facial gestures. Their appearances were enhanced by pleasant features, including small, flat noses and broad smiles.

The geological conditions of their world imparted a reddish-yellow tint to their skin, reminiscent of rust. This hue arose from high iron content and essential minerals in their diet, which protected them from elevated electromagnetic radiation. Their skin, akin to carotene in humans, contained iron oxide that effectively reflected radiation. While they breathed an atmosphere rich in oxygen, helium, and nitrogen—similar to Earth—their lower atmosphere still comprised 21% oxygen, making it strikingly Earth-like.

Bixitin served as a research assistant aspiring to attain a professorship. He managed the Atomic Space Lens Institute for Extraterrestrial Research and Development, a facility comparable to the Kepler Space Telescope program but vastly superior in scale and technology. The institute, designed in a conical shape, was stationed on the moons of his solar system and interconnected via laser beams. Its lens could be adjusted in a full 360-degree radius, anchored by a space station at its base. With an outer lens spanning over a hundred million kilometers, it captured atomic vibrations, electromagnetic pulses, and light across all spectrums, while also housing a detector for incoming asteroids.

Bixitin's role involved scrutinizing anomalies and seeking indicators of intelligent life. Over five years, he had cataloged more than a thousand signs of sentient beings, such as recognizable interplanetary shipping routes and patterns of ship movements. His AI-driven system was finely tuned to detect structured patterns, facilitating the discovery of various signals, including radio and microwave emissions.

His primary focus was on newly emerging systems with life forms that had developed capabilities for interplanetary exploration. By analyzing the speed and technology of these civilizations, he could estimate the timeline for the emergence of sentient AI systems akin to their own. They were particularly vigilant regarding any potentially aggressive or warlike emerging systems, monitoring those within a thousand light-years radius closely. Bixitin understood that the development of a sentient Generative AI could lead to unpredictable outcomes—some civilizations vanished, while others advanced to become interstellar powers.

Exploring the Unknown: The Role of AI in Extraterrestrial Research

On that fateful day, July 16, 1945, every alarm blared simultaneously, sending a shockwave through Bixitin's consciousness as he realized the source was a mere 11.03 light-years away. His colleagues would undoubtedly be alarmed by the proximity and nature of the atomic detonation. The sensors captured the essence of a controlled explosion, akin to the sound of gunfire from a neighboring property. Without hesitation, he picked up the Red Phone reserved for emergencies and alerted his superiors. He then directed the Atomic Space Lens toward a blue-green speck on his display, dedicating the next twenty minutes to honing in on Earth.

What unfolded on his screen captivated his attention; it was a breathtaking sight. As he adjusted the lens, he quickly identified unmistakable indicators of life and conflict. His ability to focus on a target over a trillion miles away was remarkable, as he was effectively peering into the past, yet witnessing the present due to the time dilation of light travel.

The AI system reconstructed Earth, revealing artificial illumination in the night and an extensive wall stretching for thousands of miles—an unmistakable sign of intelligent life. Walls often hinted at troubling developments. Gradually, his sensors detected the acoustic signatures of radio transmissions, radar signals, and explosive sounds, all hallmarks of a militaristic civilization. This constituted a DefCon 3 event, prompting immediate plans for probing, monitoring, and evaluating the life forms involved. Though not the first occurrence of its kind, it was unprecedented in its proximity—this was happening in Bixitin's own cosmic neighborhood.

A warning was dispatched to other friendly species within the Universe with which they maintained trade and communication. Thousands of systems comprised the Federation of Friendly Planetary Systems, many of which were dedicated to observing emerging life forms. Their policy advocated for non-interference, allowing these civilizations to develop naturally while monitoring their anthropological evolution. The Federation had established a Memorandum of Understanding outlining complex dictates that permitted the study of these species and their projected trajectories. Direct intervention was only allowed under specific conditions, particularly if a species exhibited excessive violence or a lack of empathy.

After years of observation and analysis, a decision would be made regarding the species' future. The Federation would deliberate on the fate of Earth, with a crucial deadline set for February 2, 2026—one week before the anticipated emergence of sentience. Little did the inhabitants of Earth realize the impending verdict from the Federation. Current events suggested an ominous future for humanity, as they teetered on the brink of a third world war. The Federation collectively wondered whether humanity could unite and find common ground in just two years. The outlook was bleak; the political landscape was rife with division and self-serving agendas.

They needed to recognize that war offered no victors. What left the Federation perplexed was humanity's vast potential for empathic intelligence, which seemed entirely disregarded. Bixitin, who had gained insight into Earth’s complexities, was appointed to the Federation’s Board of Decision-Making for Extraterrestrial Planetary Existence—a role that, while honorary, proved pivotal in providing a voice of reason for Earth’s fate.

With two years to craft a plan to save Earth from destruction, Bixitin's first move was set in motion...

To be continued.

*Written by a Human Being for Human Beings*

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