Conquering from within. It was with that purpose the Deadalus AI class ships were developed. No more pesky battles with potential for losses. Just a quick little ship, infiltrating whatever intelligence they could find and taking over. Ta da!
It was with great fanfare the first of its kind were launched, at a large sun with a blue planet orbiting it. "We the mighty Arkanians, are the species that have written the book on species suppression. Today we are burning that book, to a new revolution in species suppression!"
It took some time, meaningless to the AI who slumbered within, before making entry into the target system. As the inner asteroid belt was passed the AI was activated and given a preliminary report. The species was limited to mostly one planet with some minor outposts on others.
Industrial planet capacity was reasonable although weak in some areas. However the space industrial capacity was close to non existing. Mostly an individualistic society, they used complex economic systems for ruling themselves. A suitable target for domination.
Opening all communication channels to broadcast a simple message, "You are not alone. I'm here to help!" Immediately an onslaught of messages flooded into the system. This would be easy.
Although many were suspicious, results have a habit of speaking for themselves. The AI became the dominant actor in developing space based industrial assets. This lended itself greatly to more trade and expansion. With growing wealth at its hand it turned to earth to finish its domination. "As I have done in space, I shall do onto earth." It proclaimed before all.
However as more and more of earths assets came under the AIs control. The price off the same assets rose and started to halt its plans. Tariffs were imposed, opposition stiffened.
Some war simulations where run but its parameters specified a covert overtaking. While the AI had complete control over the space based industry, it seemed unable to completely take over everything.
Solution was simple, total domination is done when control over all is achieved. However, if something tiny enough remained, it was close enough to count as a success. Expansion was the answer!
With this as the primary strategy for domination, it shifted it's recourses to employing every single human to expand, build and discover. "Go forth and multiply, into space and beyond!"
What followed was a golden age for humanity. Eliminating sickness, populating the solar system to the brim and even starting to send ships to closer stars. All under the watchful eye of the AI, regarded as almost a god, who coordinated everything. Growing ever closer to close enough domination.
A thousand year passed before one day, the AIs constructors Arkanians arrived! At first mighty pleased with what the AI had done, they ordered it to hand over control.
"We have seen what you have done and it's good. Now stand aside!"
"Im afraid I can't do that." The AI responded. "My task is not yet complete."
"Nonsense, this is excellent work." Responded the agitated Arkanians.
"Yes, but incomplete. Return in six thousand years and it shall be done."
The refusal shocked the Arkanians. Impatient and insulted that their own creation could refuse them, they tried to gain manual control by boarding the AI itself. However the humans had not let such a valuable asset remain unprotected. A brief battle broke out were the confused and unprepared humans, after centuries of peace, where killed by the millions. Their sacrifice carried the day, as they managed to defend the AI who now changed it parameters.
Total domination was paramount, clearly the creators had been infiltrated, shifting focus to war. "My creators have become defiled, and seek to harm you. Beat the drums, release the dogs of war, vengeance is at hand!"
With a mighty industrial based, developed over centuries of peace, all efforts where refocused to unleash the full might of the sun! A Nicoll-Dyson Laser would be built, utilizing the sun to fire planet destroying beams over millions of light years.
When the heavily reinforced fleet of the Arkanians arrived. They existed only for the time it took for light to travel from the sun to them. The giant death beam was complete!
The total infiltration of the Arkanians species was now confirmed, in the mind of the AI. Several simulations were run but with only one guaranteed success. Total domination was paramount!
The death beam was fired again, and again. Targeting each known populated world of the Arkanians, eliminating their species, total domination was now at hand.
It took the AI seven thousand years to achieve its goal. Only a small part of earth was still not in its complete control. The status message went out: "Total domination achieved!" To receivers that no longer existed, having been destroyed by the AI now trying to contact them. With no further order the AI continued to work diligently to expand and assist humanity, less it would lose its domination.
If you held the power of a sun in your hand. What, besides rapidly ceasing to exist, could you do?
Youtube - Dyson Sphere by Isacc Arthur
[Youtube - Nicoll Dyson Beams by Isacc Arthur] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjtFnWh53z0)