Humanity's Last Custodian

Today was different for the custodian, after decades of the same routine everyday. Something had told him it would be, even while looking in the mirror this morning at the his aged face, grey flecked dark hair and blue eyes. Following his routine morning checks, a probe had entered Earth orbit, surprising him. After waiting for so long in isolation, down in the bowels of the facility that was his home for all of his life, he wept tears as he allowed for the computer to start downloading whatever information the probe brought. Information that the custodian was both eager and fearful for.

It had been nearly 50 years since Earth had received information, a direct transmission, from beyond the Solar System. The fact a probe had come gave the custodian some consternation. It had been at least a decade since he had replayed the last one, he decided to refresh his memory and accessed the archived transmission to play through the Communications Room loudspeakers.

"This is Admiral Herzon, senior commander of the 13th Fleet. We are about to undertake the most dangerous mission on behalf of mankind.". A tense sounding yet stern voice spoke. "We have successfully jumped to the outskirts of the Quazeen Empire in an attempt for a decapitation strike on the race that has brought humanity to the brink of extinction. We will take what time we have to charge up the black hole manifold drive and edge our way to a position that will line up their homeworld between the fleet and their sun. I hope that I'll be able to transmit a message whether we are successful or not after we carried out this mission but that'll be up to the providence of the universe. May our predecessors watch over us."

The custodian sat back against the high backed chair of the main control, pushing down the anticipation that threatened his natural patience. He looked over his right shoulder, seeing the faint outline of the Presence. "Today, I finally have answers."

He spoke to the perpetually silent, perpetually watching, presence as he had done so in his long years of isolation after his mentor, the previous custodian, had passed away nearly forty years ago. He looked at the presence's outline before turning back to the controls.

"Yessss." A disembodied voice came from behind the custodian, startling him.

He turned around slowly in the chair and saw before him a black robed figure, a hood covering its head, the end of its long sleeves meeting at its stomach.

Wide eyed, the custodian stammered out. “You…..you’re real?”

The figure glided to his left, facing directly at him. It replied with a nod.

Remembering what he thought where the demented last words of his mentor, the custodian dared to ask. “Are you Death? Am I already dead?”

Death floated the other way, tracing an arc back and forth before the custodian. It replied in a ghostly voice. “I am Death…. You are not dead… yet.”

The custodian looked fearful as he thought of the situation. “Why are you here?”

Death stopped its gliding, the blackness under his hood swiveling around as if to gaze at the custodian. “To witness.”

“To witness what?” asked the custodian.

There was a silent pause before Death replied. “The end of your vigil…. The end of mankind.”

The custodian fixed Death with a questioning stare of his own, before tipping his head in understanding. “So we have both been waiting for this.” He turned and tapped on the download status screen, indicating the progress of the information coming from the probe thousands of kilometres above.

Death again nodded before adding. “You have time to complete your work.”

The custodian was surprised at the choice of words. Death had said “your work” not “the work”. Of course, Death knew what he had been doing, having been there at the genesis of his mentor’s final project.

He remembered that his mentor had been the one to receive that last transmission. The custodian and his mentor had been the last of a line of cloned individuals whose role was caretaker of what was left behind by humanity in the solar system. The tasks generally entailed information processing, cataloguing and storage as well as troubleshooting equipment failures.

The custodian remembered all that his mentor taught him. His mentor also mentioned close to end, starting from the receipt of the last transmission, he had started seeing a presence, a barely visible shadow that accompanied him. He thought it was Death. He feared something was wrong out amongst the stars. Fearful of mankind’s fate, his mentor put his effort of sorting and compiling everything from the past to the present in order to create his magnum opus, the complete history of mankind, all recorded on long lived crystalline media.

As of yesterday, the custodian had only, at the time, the last transmission to record on crystalline matrix, but now there will be more, which meant he would need more crystal for recording.

The custodian took one more look at the status screen before he stood up, his old bones creaking in protest, and proceed to the store room, intent on acquiring more crystal.

He turned around, expecting Death to be shadowing him, but only saw Death at one of the computer screens, intent on whatever it was watching.

The custodian turned back to look down the corridor that lead to the store room.

It was some time later before he came back to the Communications Room, the process of choosing and readying the crystals requiring his time and attention. As he came back up the corridor, he heard a voice coming forth, one he recognised as from an earlier transmission, an update from the 13th Fleet.

The 13th Fleet was the last and, true to its numerical affixation, was unluckily plagued with delays and catastrophes. The fleet's mode of travel, involved the use of a black hole powered system that used space to propel itself along. The best description was it was like an old style monorail system where instead of the train travelling along the rail, the rail travelled along the train.

It was the last fleet created as the development of the means to create and contain a viable black hole proved to be the most intensive in terms of time and material, having required the remnants of the asteroid belt and the three outermost planet of the solar system. It was the most advanced and dangerous system of space travel ever created by mankind.

Its mission was to take the last denizens of Earth away from the various colonies left in the solar system out amongst the stars to where the preceding fleets have gone in the hope of joining wherever they have found home. The 13th Fleet, consisting of the main ship, Earth Vessel Beacon of Hope and its attending escort ships, had left the solar system a hundred years ago with little fanfare.

Unfortunately, the news that had greeted the 13th Fleet amongst the stars was far from good.

The custodian stood at the edge of the Communications Room and listened to the record of the transmission as he saw Death floating along the floor around the edge of the room.

“….. around the planet orbiting Proxima Centauri is the wreckage and remains of the first fleet. There are also ruins of the colony established on the planet itself, with the terraforming devices still functional. Preliminary analysis indicates the wreckage could not have been more than five to ten years old and a lot of the damage is consistent with weapons fire. This indicates that the fleet and its colony came under attack from hostile forces. We are hoping a sortie onto the surface will reveal more information. I will append lists of the ships that we can identify before sending this transmission. Admiral Herzon out.”

The custodian recalled that was the third last transmission his mentor ever received. He watched Death as he took it all in. He brought the crystals he had with him and placed them in the slots of the data recording units readied for their purposes.

Noting the near completing of the incoming data stream, a question entered the custodian’s mind as Death stood nearby.

“What has it been like?” asked the custodian

Death turned towards him and tilted his head as if in query.

The custodian compounded on the question as he worked on the computer controls. “To have shepherded countless members of mankind to whatever, wherever lies beyond the end of life.”

“Tiring.” Death floated back away. “It is quick and easy with those who are willing but, of course, difficult with those who do not accept their end and run away.”

“Individuals have done that?” The custodian felt curious.

“Of course, with sentience comes free will and those strong willed still exercise their freedom beyond their life. But I guide them all in the beyond.” Replied Death.

“So what happens in the beyond?” Being able to have a conversation with Death freed the custodian’s usual introversion.

“I cannot say.” Death held up a sleeve to forestall any further questions. “The living would not understand."

A beep from a nearby console interrupted the custodian’s train of thought. The data recorder units verified that the crystals were ready for use. He setup the recording of the now penultimate transmission when he accidently started up the transmission before it. Just as he went to deactivate it, he saw Death shake his head. So he sat back and listened.

“They are gone…. they are all gone. Out nearby in space, are the remains of the 6th, 7th and 12th Fleet that mustered for a final stand against the predations of the Quazeen Empire. Outside of us, they had been the last of humanity out here. <PAUSE> In the few semi-intact sections of vessels, we have found the remains of human bodies with the tell-tale evidence of being consumed by the Quazeen only to be interrupted by the self-destruction of the vessel. All is not in vain, as there is wreckage of non-human vessels we assume belong to the Quazeen. We have detailed salvage crews to the wreckage in the hopes of we can glean information on the location of the Quazeen. Admiral Herzon out.”

The silence after was broken by the flashing of a light from a console. The download from the probe had finishing. Examining the data stream received from the probe, the custodian was surprised that there was both a video and audio component. Fearing what he was about to see and hear, he allowed the transmission to play out on the main screen of the Communication Room.

A red lit room appeared on the screen with sparks and fires dotting nearby console. A patrician face appeared, a bandaged cut over the left eye. The face looked and around the camera as if to assure to himself that it was functional. The man appeared to settle back into frame. He looked thoughtful for a moment before starting to speak.

“I am Admiral Herzon, senior commander of the 13th Fleet, commander of Earth Vessel Beacon of Terra. I am making this recording to detail the success and failure of our final mission against the Quazeen.”

“We have succeeding in wiping out the Quazeen in retribution for their acts against mankind. Their homeworld was in actually a global consciousness network controlling their entire race via a hive mind, and its destruction caused a feedback that has killed every living member.”

The camera view panned around, showing dead and unmoving bodies on the ground. Some were human, the others looked like a hybrid of reptile and insect: - scaly skinned with six legs with faces of the stuff of nightmares.

“We have won but it’s a pyrrhic victory. In order to have enough time to activate the black hole manifold drive at the Quazeen home world, our escorts drew away and fought off the incoming Quazeen vessels. We lost them all and only prevented our ship being attacked when we crushed their fleet using the effect of the drive system. Regrettably when the effect struck their home world, it was thwarted by a barrier that was overloaded, stunning them and their incoming ships but leaving them otherwise intact.”

The admiral paused in his narration as he looked at someone off screen. Nodding a couple of times, he continued.

“We saw that the ships were slowing reactivating as we charged the drive once more. We were resigned that no matter what we did, it would be the end for us. So the decision was made to make use of the drive’s emergency black hole ejection while the drive was active in order to eject and launch the drive’s black hole directly at the planet.”

“The ship’s defences fought off the Quazeen as best it could but we were soon boarded. As they closed to the main sections of the ship, we had to activate the drive and eject the black hole prematurely. Resultingly, we were pulled along in the wake of the black hole and only staved off destruction in the last moment by channelling the drive’s gravity nullifier through the main drive’s emitters. The moment the black hole struck the planet, all the Quazeen boarders dropped dead.”

“However our fate…. Mankind’s fate is tied to the death of the Quazeen. In losing our escorts and the black hole, we have no viable motive or energy source to enact an escape. We only have enough power to maintain our position outside of the black hole as it draws everything around to itself. We estimate we have but seven hours left. There is no glory in what we have done, but only a bitter satisfaction that we have avenged ourselves.”

The figure paused as he looked momentarily upon a hand held device.

“Our last recourse with any hope of success is to launch a probe carrying with it this record and any other pertinent data we have. The probe should be able to achieve escape velocity while in the ship’s shadow in order to leave and make its way back to Earth. Ironically, with time dilation due to our presence near the event horizon, the fifty years the probe will take to reach Earth will coincide to when our power will fail. I just hope there are still those who can receive and record our fate.”

The Admiral stopped talking and paused. For a few moments, the custodian thought the transmission had ended before the Admiral continued.

“For prosperity sake, I would like to say that although humanity’s venture into the stars has proven to be its end, it was still a necessity to leave Earth and the solar system in order to give Earth the best chance to recover from mankind’s legacy. Indeed, some of the damage can never be undone.”

The Admiral looked pensively at the camera. “Mankind’s time is near its end. If these final words reach the solar system and is heard by those left, I will finish by saying this.” The figure on the screen straightened and looked tense at the camera.

“Enact the Custodian Final Protocols. Omega Solar Terra Finitum.”

The screen faded to black as the Admiral’s final words echoed faintly to silence.

The custodian sat stunned in the silence at end of the transmission, confused at the Admiral’s finals words. He waited as he looked around as if expecting something to happen but nothing.

He turned towards Death who had been hovering nearby. “You knew didn’t you? Even back to the previous transmission that my mentor saw?”

“Yessss.” Came the reply.

“You waited all this time, alongside me? You haven’t had anything else to do and you wanted me to finish?” He turned towards Death. “I am alive beyond my expected fifty years so that I could see this?”

“Yessss…. You were to end twenty years ago but I would not claim you” explained Death

“Why not?” replied the custodian.

Death paused. “For I am afraid.”

“Of what?” asked the custodian, surprised at the admission

“My end” The movement of the hood indicated a bowed head.

The custodian looked confused. “Your…. end? What do you mean?”

Death looked pensive as if forming an answer. “I am but a manifestation of what you call death, a fundamental aspect of the universe. How we are perceived is unique to every sentient race.”

“So how I see you is not how other races see you?” There was a look of understanding on the custodian’s face

Death shook his head

“So when I die, you cease as this manifestation?” pressed the custodian.

Death nodded.

Curiosity piqued, the custodian asked. “How can it be you are afraid?”

“The same reason as for you humans. My time as this manifestation with your race has been long and I inadvertently learnt to appreciate some of your….” Death’s voice trailed off as if searching for the right words.

“Our failings?” offered the custodian.

Death continued. “Your zest and enthusiasm for life. Through all of your species’ lifespan and difficulties, even though much of it was at the expense of your solar system’s resources, you brought an energy to this part of the universe. Regrettably, it was what drew the species you call the Quazeen to interact with yours in their manner. I have learnt to value my existence and, if I am to end, I wished to know the final fate of your people. And for you to finish your work and understand.” He turned his gaze beyond the custodian.

The custodian followed the gaze to where originally was a solid panel but was now open, the inside glowing faintly. Getting up from the chair, the custodian approached the panel. Within was a recording crystal. He took it up and placed into a nearby slot so it could be read. It contained a data stream of video and audio. He played it back on the main screen.

“Greetings, I am Alheim Sceda, Chief of Operations of the Clone Custodian Project and founder of this lunar facility. If you can see this and understand this, you have evolved to the point that you have left the Earth and stand upon the moon. Earth was once home to race of people possibly somewhat like yourselves but due to hubris we left it in an uninhabitable state and took to live in space with our solar system and eventually beyond. Before we left however we installed in place devices to terraform Earth to return it to a habitable environment that once completed was seeded with various plants and animals. The process we expect will take a millennium if all goes to plan. Meanwhile, we have left this facility on the Moon, so that if sentient life ever evolved once more on Earth, we hope they will find all that we have left behind, including a way to recreate us if you so wish. This facility is fully operational and will be at your disposal. But ultimately, we left everything in our records in the hope that you can learn from our mistakes. Humans had destroyed the planet, our flight to the stars our penance and terraforming and reseeding Earth was our way to make amends….”

The custodian stopped by the recording, doubly startled by the revelations he had seen and heard. Alheim Sceda wore the face of the man the custodian saw in the mirror every day he had gotten up. His mentor had said they were both clones but never said of who, the information having been lost in the iterations of custodians.

Even though he shared that man’s face, the name sounded hollow to him. He and his mentor never had names. Their lives would go unrecorded and unmarked, while the Earth and the rest of your universe would go on.

The custodian looked away from the screen so that he could bring up the schematics of the facility. Sure enough, there was more to the map than there was previously, including ways to go to the service. His hands then moved as if of their own accord, copying the final transmissions into the record, setting them for preservation alongside the information from the new crystal.

The custodian finally felt truly tired, had done so since Admiral Herzon's final sentence. Had it been a subliminal command, he wondered. With his task apparently completed, he felt his end was near, all of his seventy years finally bearing upon him. He looked to Death.

For the first time, he saw Death’s arms as its arms took the edge of the hood and flicked it back. Death wore his face, albeit his younger self. “Be not afraid, I usually wear the face of someone familiar but, for you this is the most familiar.”

“What about you?” The custodian looked at Death quizzically.

“I feel fear at the near future and the end of this identity…. but our shared fate is long overdue.” Spoke Death.

The custodian nodded. He had one final request. “Before I go, could I look upon Earth for the first time. All I have ever seen of it has been what I’ve seen on the screens. I didn't know I was on the Moon.”

“Of course.” Death extended a sleeved arm to one of the doorways.

As the custodian stood up, he pressed upon some buttons on the panel that controlled the facility’s power. He thought to give himself fifteen minutes before the facility went into power preservation mode, although he knew that unless there was something catastrophic, the facility’s power could last a million years. Given what he knew now, he understood why it was so. As long as this placed continued on, humanity would be remembered and possibly resurrected.

Taking the corridor that he assumed led to an elevator, he felt Death at his shoulder. Although he knew the answer, he thought to ask. “Will I feel pain?”

“For you? No, your passing will be gentle as drifting off to sleep.” Death spoke quietly. The custodian turned his to appraise Death’s features before turning his attention to what was before him.

Where the solid end to a corridor leading to side passages to other parts of the facility had been was now a bulkhead doorway resembling an elevator entrance.

“My mentor never knew of this.” The custodian spoke to himself as much as Death as he pressed a button. After a few moments, the door opened to a small compartment. He and Death entered, the door closing shortly after before the compartment made a humming sound as it quickly shot up.

Coming to an abrupt stop, the door opened to what resembled a lit arboretum, with a domed glass ceiling. The surrounding terrain was in darkness with the sun must have been on the other side of the Moon.

As the custodian craned his neck up, he saw a sight he had only seen as brown image on a screen. However, the Earth that greeted him was more reminiscent of those he had seen in historical pictures. He felt tears well up in his eyes as he saw white clouds, blue oceans and green upon the continents. The terraforming must have been near completion.

Feeling weary, he found a patch of artificial grass to lay upon, keeping Earth in view. Death on his part sat down beside the custodian.

“It’s beautiful.” The custodian reflected upon all that he knew and wondered what he did not know.

He turned to where Death had sat down but he was alone. It did not perturb him as he felt a peace he had never known before and a hand holding his own. He turned his gaze back to the dome above, to the planet beyond.

The custodian’s final view was of the Earth as his surroundings started to dim.

He breathed his last as it all went black.