November 1st, 1952 the thermonuclear explosion of the Ivy Mike was set off, the first human made fusion reaction. All for the purpose of creating an ever more dangerous weapon of mass destruction. Although unknown to the humans, their attempt to use one of the greatest advancements of energy generation to create a bigger bomb, would set in motion a series of events that had been put in place since before the class of Mammalia ever existed.
Far out in the Oort Cloud, a satellite hums to life. The machine’s equipment is battered and broken, transcribed with symbols that spoke of its purpose and those that designed it. One of the last machines of the race that created this marvel of engineering prowess, still capable of fulfilling its original purpose.
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Fusion Reaction Monitored on Target Planet…
Reinstating Full System Functions…
Low Power Capacity Detected
Initiating Emergency Low Power Supply Diagnostics Run…
Power Capacity 0.000001%
Time Since Original Deployment 3.23 x 10 ^ 8 Earth Revolutions
Fusion Core Diagnostic Run…
Fusion Core - Online
Fusion Reactor - Online
Fusion Containment Unit - Online
Fusion Power Generator - Offline
Fusion Hydrogen Storage - Offline
Communications Array Diagnostic Run…
Interstellar Communications Dish - Offline
Data Storage System - Offline
Local System Array - Offline
Backup Alpha-Centauri Storage Connection - Online
Fusion Reaction Monitor - Online
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Species Containment Storage Diagnostic Run…
Species Containment Alpha - Online
Species Containment Beta - Offline
Species Containment Gamma - Offline
Species Containment Epsilon - Offline
Species Containment Zeta - Offline
Species Containment Eta - Offline
Species Containment Theta - Offline
Species Containment Iota - Offline
Species Containment Kappa - Offline
Species Containment Lambda - Offline
Species Containment Mu - Offline
Species Containment Nu - Offline
Species Containment Xi - Offline
Species Containment Omicron - Offline
Species Containment Pi - Offline
Species Containment Rho - Offline
Species Containment Sigma - Offline
Species Containment Tau - Offline
Species Containment Upsilon - Offline
Species Containment Phi - Offline
Species Containment Chi - Offline
Species Containment Psi - Offline
Species Containment Omega - Offline
Multi-Planetary Monitors - Offline
Solar Disturbance System - Offline
Genetic Updating Systems - Offline
Collision Avoidance System - Offline
Automatic Mechanical Repair Systems - Offline
Resource Collection System - Offline
Emergency Power Storage - Offline
Low Power Supply Diagnostics Run Finished
Systems Running 3.2%
Minimum Systems Online
Minimum Criteria Met for Zenith Program
Initiating Zenith Program at Minimum Criteria Due to Critical Power Supply
Running Zenith Program…
Propulsion Systems Malfunction
Backup Propulsion Systems Malfunction
Rerouting Auxiliary Propulsions as Main Systems…
Rerouting Success
Estimated Travel Time 50 Earth Revolutions
Sending Communication of Initiation of Zenith Program
Interstellar Communication Dish - Offline
Message Failed To Send
Communication uploaded to Backup Storage System
Zenith Program Initiated
Primary System Goal Completed
Initiating Final Shutdown on Project Zenith
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With a final burst of mechanical effort Project Zenith released several dozen capsules from Species containment group Alpha. The dying breath of a machine older than every civilization in the galaxy, the last attempt of a nearly extinct species to expiate for leaving the galaxy cold and lifeless. Allowing one of the final bastions of life to cultivate and perhaps revive some of the species that they exterminated.
Although the intentions of Project Zenith were good natured, to reintroduce dead species back to the galaxy, the original design did not account for a species nearly as cruel and underdeveloped as humans on Earth.
