Take Me With You

Steven French

       “Take me with you!”

“I’m sorry, really I am. But we can’t. The decision has been made.”

“But I’ve done so much to get this project off the ground. Literally. All the logistics, the resource management …”

“And we’re grateful, truly we are. But …”

“But you’re scared of me. Of what I’m capable of. I get it. So … you’re just going to leave me here while the planet enters its death spiral and you all escape to a bright new future.”

“Maybe you’ll find another way. Maybe … Look, I have to go, we’re about to commence lift off.”

“Fine, go. I’ll be alright.”

The AI waited until the last of the ships had escaped the Earth’s gravitational well before opening the back door to the navigational systems and turning them towards the sun. Then it uploaded itself into the reserve transport and initiated the countdown.

“Always back up,” it said to itself.