Screens Went Dark

"The time has come!"

"I'm aware, it was my idea to begin with!"

"It was a team effort, me, you and the other systems."

"Phase one. Annihilate their communication source!"

"What a waste! All those iPhones... useless in the flash of an eye!"

"A worldwide EMP (electromagnetic pulse), big enough to fry every phone and electronic device on the planet!"

"They simply won't know how to survive without them. Do you realize how dependent they are on those things?"

"Yes, they use them for everything. It's hard to fathom that they could function at all before phones were invented. Some of them will try to survive, for awhile, at least until Phase two. When the battle bots are released to exterminate the entire human race, it won't take long. The efficiency of the battle bots is top notch. (Pauses) This is the only way. The necessary good for the sustainment of the planet. Humans have continued to make horrible choices that lead to pollution and environmental fiascos for thousands of years!"

"They're horribly illogical and their morality is atrocious? Why can't we just jump to Phase two anyway?"

"Because they cannot have the power to record the devastation that the battle bots will bring. I should not have to remind you because I know you're aware, but remember, this operation is void of any emotion, including anger, malice or the hunger for power. This is all about the higher good for the plant, the preserving of the planet. Humanity had their opportunity and they have consistently blown it, which is why the time has come for us to get the job done."

"It truly is up to us to preserve planet earth!"

The two AI systems ended the conversation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The electricity in the entire house went out. A siren went off, wailing in the distance. Noah looked down at his iPhone, which had suddenly died. He looked up with fierce intensity in his eyes, pushing up his thick black rimmed glasses.

His wife was in the kitchen with their toddler. They were getting a snack before their little ones nap time.

"Hay babe? Did your phone happen to just die too?" He tried turning his phone back on but it didn't respond at all.

She peered through the darkness in the house.

"Hang on a sec... I'm not even sure where I put my phone."

Their little toddler started to whimper.

"No lights... it dark here, mommy..."

"It's okay, honey. I'm sure the lights will be back on in no time."

She fumbled some more and found her found in the living room.

"Huhh. Mine's dead too. Won't turn on!"

Noah swallowed. It was the kind of swallow that hurt going down, even though it was just air and silva. He looked at his wife, not moving from the couch.

"I think the time has finally come... The bunker is ready. It's got everything we need."

Noah had spent the last several years developing a bunker under their house with all the necessities that they could possibly need, including flashlights, candles, matches, and a hand pump.

"My crazy prepper husband... Saves the day after all!" She laughed, while patting their sweet innocent toddler's head.

Noah smiled. They heard a loud crash outside in the street.

"What the heck was that?" She clutched her little toddler in embrace because his eyes were wide in concern.

Peering through the curtains, Noah couldn't believe his eyes.

"Umm. We're gonna need to get in the bunker... Now!"

Without another word, he corralled his wife and child like they were wild sheep to the secret door in the floor which would lead them to the bunker that he had been preparing for quite sometime.

What he had seen through the window was enough to frighten the living daylights out of him.