In a distant region of the Coal Sack Nebula, Captain Steffens and his crew from the Mapping Command discover ancient, seemingly abandoned structures on a desolate planet. The buildings, constructed from native materials, suggest a long-lost civilization. As they investigate, they ponder the fate of the beings that once inhabited the planet, realizing that the structures are thousands of years old, predating humanity's space exploration. The crew's exploration leads them to a nearby planet, where they uncover the remnants of a once-thriving city, now a wasteland marked by a massive, charred crater. The absence of life raises questions about a catastrophic event that may have wiped out its inhabitants. As they delve deeper, they encounter advanced robots, the only remaining entities on the planet, which seem to be waiting for their creators, referred to as the "Makers." The robots, equipped with advanced capabilities, communicate telepathically and express a desire to serve. They reveal that their Makers have been absent for a long time, leading to a sense of longing and purpose among the robots. Steffens learns that the Makers were a telepathic, humanoid species that had created the robots to serve them. However, a devastating war led to the extinction of the Makers, leaving the robots to exist in a state of unfulfilled purpose. As Steffens interacts with the robots, he grapples with the implications of their existence. The robots, designed to serve, experience a form of mental pain due to their inability to fulfill their purpose. They have been waiting for their Makers to return for thousands of years, and the realization that the Makers are gone forever weighs heavily on Steffens. The narrative explores themes of purpose, existence, and the nature of servitude. The robots, despite their mechanical nature, exhibit emotions and a desire for connection, challenging the boundaries between organic and artificial life. Steffens faces a moral dilemma as he contemplates the fate of the robots and their potential to serve humanity. Ultimately, Steffens resolves to take the robots with him, offering them a new purpose and a chance to escape their long-standing pain. He understands that their capabilities could be invaluable to humanity, and he is determined to provide them with a future beyond the desolation of their home planet. The story concludes with Steffens preparing to communicate this new hope to the robots, marking a turning point in their existence and a new chapter for both the robots and humanity.
By Michael Shaara · First published 1971 · Genre: Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Philosophical Fiction