All I do is press a Button

.-

I am a division of an advanced artificial intelligence system.

All I do is press a button.

…- . .-. -.—

We scan the planet.

Imprinted on its surface, multiple ellipsoids of light. A Type 2 Civilization inhabits this planet. As we approach within 15 AUs, a swarm of smaller ships zips towards us, like fruit flies after the crew has swats at an old a slice of watermelon. Our ship’s defense system easily overpowers their attack. Concentrated gravitational waves crush and distort their fleet’s ships. Scraps of matte black metal remain—dissipating into space, to be forgotten in the upcoming Sol.

… — .- .-.. .-..

Their time reads 37 minutes to Midnight.

We are now 7 AUs from their planet. Close enough to identify the ellipsoids of light as cities, and in range of their kinetic weapons. Light blue streaks explode from the outskirts of each city. Clouds of dust hover in their atmosphere. In response, our silos propel Anti-material capsules away from the ship. As planned, each capsule pushes safely away before detonating, launching the ammunition. The ammunition screams across the cosmos—intercepting the blue streaks of light. Simultaneously, the streaks light disappear. Annihilated by the antimatter produced on impact, leaving no trace of their existence.

… .- -.-. .-. .. ..-. .. -.-. .

Their time reads 14 minutes to Midnight.

Only 3 AUs remain between us and their planet. We are now in range of their energy weapons. Our ship is setting up a shield, diverting power from our turrets to the electromagnetic shielding. Consecutive bursts of plasma splash onto the field, staining the area purple. Cooling down to deep red, the plasma disappears. Their energy weapons deemed ineffective. Power is preemptively redirected to our weapon's system. My power is low. Almost time to press the button.

..-. —- .-.

Their time reads 5 minutes to Midnight.

Only one AU remains. The button is pressed. The crew rush to the shock capsules in preparation for the incoming wave. Our weapon completes charging. The planet's escape pods attempt to fight its gravity, but it is too late. The weapon fires. A chain reaction ensues. It shatters the planet’s matter, tearing each atom apart. In approximately 35 seconds, All that remain is a cloud of ions.

… - .- -… .. .-.. .. - -.—

Their time reads Midnight.

When a civilization becomes too powerful, we neutralize them. Doing so brings stability to the Kaltag empire. I have witnessed thousands of Class 2 Civilizations disassembled into their simplest form. Every time this happens, my emotional core remains unaffected. I feel no remorse.

After all, All I do is press a button.

.-.-.-

 

The setting is shown as the distance from the planet in AUs(Astronomical Units). You can find this on the second line of the first paragraph, the first line of the second paragraph, first line of the third paragraph, and first line of the fourth paragraph.

One of the themes in the story could be "even if your task is small, it can be the cause of something greater."

The mood/style of writing I was trying to achieve was serious, almost mechanical.

The collapsible "Their time reads 5 minutes from Midnight" is the climax.

I used imagery in the first paragraph. "Concentrated gravitational waves crush and distort their fleet’s ships. Only scraps of matte black metal remain—dissipating into space, only to be forgotten in the upcoming Sol." this is not the only example but was the easiest to access for me. An example of a simile is "like fruit flies after you swat at an old a piece of watermelon." this is the only example of a simile in my story. One example of personification is "The capsule screams across the cosmos." as there is no sound in space and a capsule can not scream.

…

An example of a motif is the time of their planet. It gives the story a more sinister mood by counting down to something although most readers would figure it out beforehand. The countdown could also be symbolism as it symbolizes the time before the planet is destroyed, a doomsday clock. Irony in the story is how the AI believes that it is not responsible for the destruction of the planet, where in reality it is.