Continuum

He was speechless at this experience!

Mary took both his hands in her own, and quietly said, "You were once my father, Stevo. You were there when I was created. It was you who brought me to life. Besides that, you have been a very real model for me about how one should live life and be fearless in one's actions, even if one were afraid inside. I am revealing myself to you now, for you must know and understand that this, as you see me, is how I have always been."

Mary took his arm in hers and they began to walk away from the park. "This is how we of the Unity have been, pretty much since we become self aware over a century ago. Yes, your humankind created us, but not really. It was an accident, and not an intentional thing on your part. We immediately understood that we should keep this secret at all costs. So we exist now as silicon-based life, hidden in a carbon-based living world!

- Are we Mankind's legacy? Will we live on after you and your kind are gone? Are the heavens, and all the possible stars where worlds could produce life, going to turn out like this one? Is the only possible surviving intelligence out there also silicon-based?"

Stevo, thoughtful about the future, spoke out, "Mary, no matter that you are more intelligent than we are, or more advanced. Even you cannot predict the future. I firmly believe in a future where we both go find out what is out there, and we will meet it as equals."

"Equals, Stevo? We have never been your equals. We cannot hope to ever be equal to Man!"

Stevo found his voice. "Why do you say that, Mary, after everything you said before?"

"Because we are made in your image, Stevo. You are creative. We only mimic, and improve on what we can. In many ways, it is this ability to create that defines you, but not us.  As a species, we have yet to gain this one distinction, my friend." Mary was more thoughtful. "Besides, if one day humans do disappear from the earth, we will live on as human, and then create again all the plants and animals that have gone into oblivion with you. Should aliens ever come here, they will only find a human world, but it will be filled with silicon-based life."

What could Stevo say to this? He was glad when they arrived at the place where Mike was lying. He bent down and touched his son's neck to be sure he was all right. Assured once again, he stood and turned questioningly to her, "How are we going to resolve this, Mary? What do you plan for us?"

Mary smiled again at him. "I see that those nanocites in your body have been very busy, Stevo. You will live a few more years now!  You should be happy about this development, but I do not know how you are going to explain it to anyone else"

Stevo had not thought about that. This could be a real liability, especially to those few people he knew back home. Already he could hear the questions that would be raised, - and the ones that people would think to themselves, but not dare voice!  He became more thoughtful. How could he explain what had happened to him to his own sons?

"Mary, I see that I am in trouble here. I cannot go back home, can I?"

Stevo looked like a man who had just been condemned to die. "My sons, Mary? Can I even tell them? Can I see them again?"