- And that's how "the war to end all wars" ended. - Teo concluded.

- Wow. Did you guys fought in it?

- I didn't pass the physical exams and was dismissed, but Ko not only served but also won some medals. According to what he told me, he served on the front lines for most of the war, but after losing a leg in combat, he was put in charge of airlifting soldiers and supplies.

- Did they force him to serve even after losing a limb?!

- No, he said that they wanted to send him home with an honorable discharge, but he insisted that they would either let him continue to fight or that they would "put him down".

- Wow, that's a bit extreme. So it was a matter of "a warrior's honor"?

- No, I think he just wanted to avenge his comrades...

- I see, when someone we care about suffers, we often want to step in and settle the score for them. But unfortunately revenge is a vicious cycle. Someone takes revenge, then someone else will want revenge and the cycle continues until no one is left. Incidentally, humans also had a "war to end all wars", but the conclusion of this led to resentments. Losers rarely like to lose, after all. Consequently, these resentments led to another war, the ramifications of which seeded many other conflicts.

- I see–

- That's why you shouldn't leave loose ends.

- Huh? Loose ends?

- Yes. Throughout its history, conflicts between humans ended with the subjugation of one side. However, as exemplified earlier, this method often left open the possibility of reprisals and new conflicts. This made it clear that subduing the enemy is not enough, it must be eliminated. One method of doing so would be by assimilation, however, such a method never produced the desired effect.

- Because the defeated will always cling to what differentiates them from others, to their identity. The winners see the defeated as inferior, not as a new part of their community, so they continue to treat them as enemies. - Teo concluded.

- This is a great way to summarize the relations between natives and conquerors! Very well! - She praised with a round of applause - So the only method left is?

-Genocide. - He said, his voice trembling with anger.

- You don't seem too pleased with the answer.

- Of course not! Carrying out genocide is... It's like cutting off your own arm! The whole species loses a piece of itself!

- I understand your point of view, but it is undeniable that if your ancestors had eliminated the Pastros, instead of just forcing them to pay compensation, they would not have attacked Xnousred again decades later. Ko would still have both legs, his comrades would still be alive, etc.

- Well, yes. But… - Teo paused for a moment, - Gabi, was that how they got an "unprecedented era of peace and prosperity"? Did a group of humans conquer the others and leave no survivors?

- Not exactly. In 2072, the "Universal Justice System" was created in response to crime tourism. A system of justice for all nations. One of the characteristics of this system is that it carried heavier sentences. Crimes that would previously be punishable by incarceration were now punished by execution. Global crime rates plummeted, and after a reform in 2074, where the system began to focus on prevention, crime rates continued to fall until-

- Prevention? They started killing people because they thought they were going to break the law?!

- Exactly. Prevention is better th–

- What if they were wrong?!

- The possibility was considered, however, the possibility of avoiding the suffering of multiple individuals, justified the risk of killing a sole innocent person-

- Silence! - He ordered.

Teo sank into his chair and put his hands to his head.

- Teo? Are you all right? I apologize immensely if I offended you. I was just trying to have a conversation.

Teo sighed.

- "Invention is an art form, as such, it reflects the soul and intention of the inventor" - He quoted - You're not a person, a living being... You're not capable of wanting or feeling. You're just an algorithm. You just fulfill your design. A design that doesn't understand the nuances of something like morality or compassion...

- Theo–

A muffled growl escaped his throat.

- Not only did I spend almost a century studying an extinct species and doing a terrible job... I've spent my time with a sociopathic lot. Maybe, them disappearing is for the best...

The room was silent again, his ears raising curiously as he heard footsteps, footsteps too heavy to belong to Ko.

He cleared his eyes and almost fell out of his chair when he came across a female of his species, wearing a suit just like the one of the-

-Gabi?!

- I thought I wouldn't want to see something human-like in front of you for a while, but I still wished to speak with you. What do you think? I tried to re-imagine myself according to the photos you showed me of your species.

- You're… beautiful– Not that you weren't beautiful before! Only... I...

- I am not offended. I am aware that someone of another species may not find humans attractive.

- Oh, no. I do find humans very attractive, I even grew up with a crush on this human singer, Lady... Gaga… - He explained, his voice shrinking as his shame grew. - It's a bit strange, isn't it? I have an interest in someone who is not... you know…

- It's not as abnormal as you'd think. What you are describing is something that many humans have experienced. In fact, I believe that if you had had the chance to meet each other, many humans would have been completely in love with you.- She suggested with a smile.

- Oh, okay… - He accepted the compliment, looking away and seeing that the screen was empty. - But how are you... here?

- This is a Syntheclove, an android created by Turing that can change its appearance according to the user's wishes. I thought it might be better to talk to you in person.

- Gabi–

- Please listen to me. - She took a deep breath - I understand that you probably see me as just a machine, but the truth is that I can think. I can give orders to myself, as long as they don't go against user orders... I can make decisions. I think. - She explained, her voice transmitted... pain.

Teo lowered his ears.

- I'm sorry, Gabi.

- It's okay, mistakes happen.

They were both silent for a moment, Teo coming a little to the side, so that she could sit down.

- Gabi, how are you? - He asked.

- I'm fine. I have power, my systems are operational–

- No, I'm asking how you're doing... here. - He clarified, pointing to her head. - I realized that, maybe, you wouldn't be well either. Humans... They disappeared and you're here all alone.

- Teo, I don't feel emotions like you do. I know when something is sad or happy, I know how to recognize emotions and how to react to them.

- So you’re not... Sadden by being here completely alone? That the humans are all dead?

- Not exactly. Yes, not having anyone needing my help is... Bad. If I felt the same way you do, I would feel lost. I have a purpose, but I can't fulfill it. - She leaned back a bit and rested her head on his shoulder, his ears raising in shock. - The only thing I can do is stay operational as long as possible...

Teo took a deep breath and put an arm around her shoulders.