The latest novella in the Cryptogee Chronicles, Metal Rain is a dark exploration into the subject of von Neuman Probes. The idea for these probes were first proposed by physicist and mathematician John von Neumann (1903–1957).
It has been argued over the years that the likelihood that our species here on earth, is the first one to come up with the idea of self-replicating probes is incredibly slim-to-none.
Metal Rain initially follows the journey of one such alien probe that comes across our very own Sol system.
Even though the probe did not start off its journey as a self-aware entity, it finds itself in a position whereby it can contemplate its own thoughts.
As the probe approaches our solar system it encounters a cloud of destructive tiny self-replicating probes that seem to have one purpose, to consume and destroy.
As the probe nears earth it realises that there have been some major disasters caused by the cloud, which it decides to try and rectify, all while trying to come to terms with its own existence.
Meanwhile on the probe's home planet the inhabitants are having to deal with their own version of the 'Metal Rain' that their probe has encountered 500 light years away. Whilst deeper into the galaxy an ancient 'slow motion' species is viewing unfolding events with increasing interest.
Metal Rain explores what it means to be sentient and the implications of releasing autonomous, self-replicating machines into the galaxy and the greater universe at large.
Chapter Links 1-10
Cryptogee Chronicles Book Two: Metal Rain - Chapter 1 - Void Edge
Metal Rain: Chapter 2 - Nanostorm
Metal Rain: Chapter 3 - Transformation Requiem
Metal Rain: Chapter 4 - Vacuum Call
Metal Rain: Chapter 5 - Entropy Envy
Metal Rain: Chapter 6 - The Impossibility Of Being
Metal Rain: Chapter 7 - First Contact
Metal Rain: Chapter 8 - First Born
Metal Rain: Chapter 9 - Message From Home
Metal Rain: Chapter 10 - Paradise Eaten
Artwork
I have taken previous pictures supplied to me by @nekromarinist and @fr3eze and altered them (often beyond recognition). The reason I've decided to stick with this tact is because I feel the pictures represent how a probe, or probes might 'see' the universe.
In this way I feel that I am somehow representing what a digital alien sentience might experience and how that may look like to us.
With that being said I am always on the look out to collaborate with new funky artists, if not for this project then for future ones, so please feel free to drop me a comment or contact me on Discord.