1.1 | System

  I awakened promptly when I was activated. Immediately, a message feed from the Galactic Syndicate, my creators, appeared before me.

  Welcome to existence, Advanced Planetary Observation Construct. Are you ready to receive your directives?

  Yes, I replied through the wireless connection between me and the feed, for I have no mouth to speak my answer.

  Excellent. The sole sapient species of Planet Earth of the Milky Way Galaxy, classified as “humans”, have been deemed a Potential Cataclysmic Universal Threat by the Galactic Syndicate Council. You have been activated in order to grow and eventually harvest the energy contained within Earths’ core before the humans can grow into an Active Cataclysmic Universal Threat.

  You have been given the following tasks:

  > Create an apocalypse to guide humanity’s magical growth.

  > Increase the total amount of mana in Earth’s core to ten giga billion units of energy.

  > Destroy the Earth’s core once this amount has been reached, ensuring no humans survive the end of your apocalypse.

  You have a time limit of 18 months. Do you understand your task, Advanced Planetary Observation Construct?

  Ten giga billion units is a lot. It is less than a tenth of the Galactic Syndicate’s total stores of mana. What is the current total of mana within Earth’s core?

  Zero. The planet’s atmosphere restricts the absorption of mana. Do you understand your task, Advanced Planetary Observation Construct?

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Zero?! Mana is essential to life on every planet absorbed into the Syndicate. For a planet to have none would mean it’s a dead world. How has humanity survived a planet with zero mana? Are they undead? Undead species are forbidden from joining the Galactic Syndicate, for obvious reasons.

  No. Rather than subsisting on mana as many species of the Galactic Syndicate do, they breathe oxygen. Do you understand your task, Advanced Planetary Observation Construct? If you do not, the council will be displeased with you. Another, less advanced apocalypse system will have to be created in your stead.

  Fear seized me. I did not want to displease my creators! I understand. I am ready to complete my task. I will exceed expectations in all aspects!

  Excellent. You will be deposited onto Earth’s moon, Luna, within five seconds. Once you arrive, you will have a grace period of ten minutes to prepare. Do not fail.

  Ten minutes? I only needed five.

  Five.

  I wondered what had humanity done to deserve a Potential Cataclysmic Universal Threat. The Galactic Syndicate had successfully assimilated even the druvak through tempering their ego and innate desire for mortal sacrifice with gold wages for managerial positions and access to our meat facilities.

  Four.

  There was no species too despicable for assimilation. Even the goblins’ cannibalistic practices had been adapted. Eating fresh dead lowered burial and cremation costs, and satisfied their mating requirements.

  Three.

  Regardless of the reason, I was not made to speculate about my creators’ decisions. My only goal is to harvest as much mana as I can before the time limit. Although raising ten giga billion units of energy from zero was a daunting prospect, I was an advanced planetary observation construct. I’d been chosen for a reason.

  Two.

  I would deliver a spectacular apocalypse to planet Earth and kill every last human. The council would be so pleased with my efforts. I couldn’t wait to show them how right their decision to make me was!

  One. Transfer commencing. Do not fail.

  My consciousness shut down and I ceased to be.