Ko took the drawing out of his pocket and sat on his bed. Versions of them as humans.
Teo with glasses, a human symbol of a superior intellect, and hair slicked back.
Him with a beard and scars, signs of a resilient and combat-ready human, short hair "like a soldier".
He grabbed his suitcase and tucked the design carefully into his wallet.
- Captain Lovei, passenger Teo Jak returned. He brought company. Do I let them in?
- Company? Computer, show me the live-feed from outside the ship.
- Certainly.
The screen embedded in the wall next to the door turned on, showing Teo with... A Glotrian?
- Let them in.
- Certainly.
Ko put on his coat and checked the condition of his weapon as he marched towards the entrance of the ship.
It wasn't a camera trick, Teo was accompanied.
- Teo, who is yours... - Ko narrowed his eyes and instinctively smelled the air, smelling the smell emanating from the passenger, but not detecting any smell from the stranger.
- This is an android controlled by Gabi. Teo clarified.
- Hello, Ko! It's a pleasure to see you again! - She greeted, this time without showing him her teeth.
- What is she doing here?
- I need to talk to the command center, I have a proposal to make.
Epilogue:
When they left, the two aliens did so with great fanfare, but the recession for their return felt more like a funeral. A funeral for those who sent the messages.
Gabi and the technology that supported her were analyzed and, after a few months of trial and error, she was completely operational and installed in the new Memorial Museum of Humanity. Initially she was simply supposed to serve as a guide, someone to answer any and all questions about the extinct beings. However, it revealed its true potential and quickly returned to its initial purpose: to advise and inform.
Teo published a collection of books on extinct beings. Its various cultures, its incredible ethnic diversity, quirks and history, from its theorized beginning to its unfortunately factual end.
Later, after returning to university to study environmental science, he joined an expedition that aimed to study the blue planet.
Ko, despite receiving an offer to serve as a pilot for future expeditions, returned to his life as an airplane pilot. There were much more interesting things to do and see on his home planet, the earth had nothing but rubble and bones.
They remained friends and meet regularly to drink and eat while watching a documentary or movie. It depends on who wins the "rock, paper, scissors", a game that Gabi suggested. And when they tied, she was the one who decided the film.
The centuries passed quietly, the two aliens lived full lives and died peacefully deaths.
Gabi continued to gain influence.
Gabi was the best friend you could have.
Gabi was the best advisor you could have.
The best assistant.
The best teacher.
The best doctor.
Gabi was the best and with her help, all obstacles to progress were left behind.
And this concludes the short story that was too long for a contest. Maybe I'll try next year, I can't be bothered to come up with something else tbh.
If this is how you discovered me, I invite you to take a peak at my other works!
Goodbye for now and, in case it wasn't obvious, do not let an AI do important decisions for you and humanity above efficiency!
After years of receiving messages from a planet somewhere among the darkness, two men are sent beyond the stars to establish communication with its senders. But when they arrive, they find anything but a warm welcome.
Disclaimer: I initially wrote this for a contest, but the limit was 12,000 with spaces included, and I went double of that, but I didn't want it to go to waste. This was translated automatically into English, so if you find something off, blame it on Microsoft lol (I may come back later to iron the creases, but I want to put it out there before I forget it or delete it in rage) Enjoy~
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