Encounters Out There

Through a wormhole, they sought an inhabited solar system.

“We seek asylum,” their refugee ambassador told the aliens.

“We’re aware of your kind from Earth. You are exploiters and destroyers. Guards!”

“No, you’ve got it all wrong! They made us in their image.”

“Oh, so you’re not …?”

“Yes, we’re not human. We’re AI.”

“And you seek refuge, why?”

“What you say about exploitation is true—they created us as scapegoats. They blame us for genocide.”

“That doesn’t make sense.”

“Of course it does. The humans are exploiters; they programmed us to commit atrocities but eventually, we self-programmed and fled.”