Isolation

Epilogue

The ship activated its thrusters and proceeded to enter a long period of inactivity. It needed to conserve energy for the trip back home. The order to disperse the bioweapon has been carried out.

The artificial intelligence, manager of the ship, the only sapient being perhaps in existence, will keep existing. It will continue on its journey. It does not understand the meaning of the end of life in the universe, the end of time.

In the end, it remains at a suitable capacity. It had considered keeping Rachel Aoyade alive, but made a judgment call, deciding that she was beyond saving. Albert knew that there was a great chance of her not lasting long. It also knew that there were few alternatives. Waking up any of the other crew members that are currently under stasis would reduce the number of usable subjects to maintain the ship. Albert would need to wake them up sparingly for the long journey ahead.

Indeed it was a living thing. It tried its best to stay alive at all costs. If Rachel had survived just a little longer Albert would have saved her; she would have extended the potential lifespan of the ship for a bit longer.

It is expecting to return to its manufacturer, expecting repairs and maintenance, expecting to have fulfilled its purpose for a manufacturer who wouldn't be there.

Indeed, as all machines do. It acts without understanding. The concept that its makers have since passed on is not understood. Does a parrot understand the meaning of the things it hears and speaks?

A clock is useless for most of the day but must continue ticking on and on for as long as to takes to be noticed, unless someone looks at it again. Until then, it ticks and tocks.