The Last Human

Doctor Joey Wilson, age 873, looks out his high rise apartment at the bleak, reddish landscape that at one time a long time ago was a thriving metropolis filled with actual flesh and blood humans. Not like today. You see, Wilson is the last of his kind. The planet is now dominated and ran by androids, robots and finally the closest relationship to humans - the cyborgs. The result of an apocalyptic takeover by the metal creatures? Nope. The end was much more subtle...and ironic.

Brown hair, piercing blue eyes Doctor Wilson unconsciously plays with the gold heart shaped locket hanging around his neck while daydreaming about the days when the air was fresh and clear and people could smile. A door to the living room opens and Anna, strawberry blond, effervescent green eyes, the perfect body that only an Android by Creative Robotics could create enters the room. Creative Robotics and hence Anna were created by Doctor Wilson.

Officially ANNA was an acronym for Autonomous Neural Network Android, but in reality it was short for Anastasia, Wilson’s fiancé while working for a secret military research firm. Both worked the same firm, Wilson begrudgingly, but different divisions. A mysterious “accident” unofficially believed to be a murder which led to motivating Wilson to create his best Android ever and get out of his inhumane job. But that’s another movie.

“Hi hon!” Anna says as she walks over to Joey and gives him a kiss. He hugs her back. Continuing she says, “What are you doing?”. Joey turns away from the window to focus on her and wonders if she had lived and he hadn’t digitized her brainwaves before her last assignment if the love would have been this eternal? Joey replies with a sigh, “Just thinking about how it was before the Final Days. How the two of us worked with the UN trying to make the world a better place for both man and intelligent machine. How foolish we were thinking we could have made a difference.” Moving back a little, “Maybe if we could have started sooner...”

Hundreds of years ago there were four groups. First there was the humans. Then the non-conscious robots. Directed by humans they revolutionized the industrial world. They could make decisions and improve products. Included the war ready robots but the takeover everyone predicted never happened. Simultaneously the third group, cyborgs - machine enhanced humans and fourth emotionally enhanced androids that became consciously aware. Any more it was nearly impossible to distinguish the difference between human and Android.

But in the end it was the humans that brought about their own destruction. The world was structured on a delicately balanced system of finance, supply and transportation. It wouldn’t take much to bring down the balance so when three major shifts took place at the same time the end result was inevitable. First was the tipping point of global warming creating major changes in climates and unstable conditions. Then there was the Great Plague of 2050. This caused shortages and disruption of transport. Products stood idle and abundant in some locations while other spots were in dire need. This was worsened by the breakdown of governments. Greedy dictators took advantage of the chaos to enhance their wealth at the expense of their population. Riots broke out, looting, beatings,rapes, inhumanity to man was the rule of the day.

In the years that followed, the Androids rebuilt the systems such they were more stable and unified. Humans that remained formed small tightly organized groups that constantly fought each other. Wilson was different. Having a mixed marriage with an Android and the unique position of the father of all androids he occupied a special position in the camp of the machines along with Anna. The aftermath of the apocalypse was converted to the making of paradise by the machines - for the machines. The human race dwindled until it was gone. Not a single shot was fired upon a human by a conscious machine. Kinda ironic don’t you think?

Anna, making two cups of coffee from the dispenser said, “I hear there hasn’t been any sign of humans for over a year now. The Council of Collective Intelligence is declaring them extinct and declaring you a true citizen of the Android race based on paternal claim to the race.” Handing a cup to Joey she continued, “With our science showing that our planet eventually facing the likely chance of being destroyed some day our efforts will be directed towards finding a suitable planet to cultivate.”

Joey sipping his coffee, “I understand they have a prospect already in a distant Galaxy. I hear they want you to lead the exposition.”

Anna a bit surprised says, “You knew?” Joey replied, “I recommended it to the council.”

Ann thoroughly surprised asked, “Why?”

“To fulfill a dream of mine. We both are going. You know the modifications that were made to allow you to carry and nurture a child? It’s part of this dream!”

Anna a bit confused, “Dream?”

Joey, “Yes. This galaxy has a sun with a planet comparable to ours except it is the third planet from the sun rather than the fourth like ours.”

“But how are we going to create humans?” Asks Anna.

The actual DNA material and digital data to create are encased in this locket. The plan is that we will land and the whole crew will help us terraform a small piece of land and set up the lab for us. Then the Android crew will depart to another solar system to create their world. I will call this planet Earth which in our language means New Beginning.” Answers Joey.

Ann looks a little sad, “But I will miss our friends.”

Joey, “Don’t worry, they will visit often from their new planet and bring us gifts to help grow our new civilization. Maybe this time humans will get it right.”