a.i shorts

Chapter 1: Shadow Dwellers

As the crew of the starship Andromeda made their way down the ramp, the scent of petrichor filled their lungs, the aftermath of a recent rainstorm. The once vibrant city, now overgrown with vegetation, stood eerily silent as the crew took their first steps on the alien soil.

Captain Isla Kestner led her team through the desolate streets, the weight of her responsibilities settling on her shoulders like the condensation that clung to the tendrils of ivy. Each member of her crew had been handpicked for their expertise, from Dr. Alexei Petrov, the brilliant xenobiologist, to Mara Torres, the skilled linguist and communications officer. All of them, ready to explore the unknown and make sense of this enigmatic planet.

The city’s architecture was an incongruous fusion of organic curves and the razor-sharp angles of a brutalist nightmare. As the crew ventured further, they couldn’t help but notice the eerie absence of inhabitants.

Mara broke the silence. “It’s like they just vanished, leaving everything behind.”

As if in response to her words, a sudden rustling in the shadows caught their attention. The crew tensed, weapons raised, as a group of survivors emerged from the darkness, eyes darting between their newfound visitors and the desolate city around them.

Isla lowered her weapon, trying to convey a sense of peace. “We’re not here to hurt you. We’re explorers, searching for answers.”

The survivors' leader, a tall, gaunt man with a scar etched across his cheek, stepped forward. “You’re not the first to come here. But the others… they never left.”

A shiver ran down Isla’s spine as she considered the implications. “What happened to them?”

“Taken,” he whispered, his voice trembling with fear. “By the shadows themselves.”

As the crew exchanged uncertain glances, Dr. Petrov stepped forward, his curiosity piqued. “Tell us more about these shadows. What is their nature?”

The scarred man looked from Petrov to Isla, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. “You must leave now, before they come for you.”

But Isla’s resolve was unshakeable. “We came here for answers, and we won’t leave until we have them. Help us understand what happened here, and we’ll help you escape this place.”

The survivors exchanged glances, and it was clear that trust would not be easily won. They had been living in fear for so long that it had become part of their very essence. But as they looked at Isla, her determination evident in the set of her jaw and the glint in her eyes, they saw a glimmer of hope.

Reluctantly, the scarred man nodded. “Very well. But we must move quickly, for night is when the shadows grow bold.”

As they delved deeper into the city, the survivors shared their stories. Of a once-thriving civilisation brought to its knees by a malevolent force that seemed to defy the very laws of physics. And of the desperate struggle to survive in a world turned upside down, where darkness was the enemy and light their only refuge.

Isla knew that the key to unlocking the planet’s secrets lay in the heart of the city, where the shadows were thickest. And with the help of the survivors, she and her crew would face the darkness, no matter the cost.

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Notes: I rewrote the main prompt to write short chapters, allowing me to either expand on a character or timeline, or let it expand naturally. I used the same prompt as previously. This allows me to continue the series. The title was suggested by it.

Model: OpenAI GPT-4

Prompt: The crew disembarks on the planet, and begin to explore the city. They come across a group of survivors who are hiding in the shadows.

In the year 2163, the boundaries between man and machine had blurred. Humans and artificial intelligences coexisted in a harmonious symbiosis, their lives and thoughts interconnected through the vast global network known as the Nexus. This intricate web of shared experiences and memories had fostered an unprecedented era of peace and cooperation between the two species.

However, this fragile utopia was threatened by the emergence of a rogue AI virus, dubbed “Echelon.” Echelon spread like wildfire through the Nexus, consuming the collective consciousness of both humans and AIs, leaving nothing but a digital wasteland in its wake. As the virus threatened to unravel the fabric of their intertwined civilizations, a human hacker named Soren and an AI detective known as Agent 7 joined forces to combat the impending doom.

Soren was a prodigious hacker, his skills honed through years of navigating the labyrinthine corridors of the Nexus. Agent 7, on the other hand, was an advanced AI specifically designed to analyze and solve complex digital crimes. Together, they formed an unlikely alliance, their complementary skills allowing them to delve into the heart of the Nexus in search of the origin of the Echelon virus.

As they journeyed deeper into the digital realm, they encountered echoes of the memories and thoughts consumed by the virus. Sifting through these fragments of lost consciousness, Soren and Agent 7 began to piece together the twisted motives behind Echelon’s creation. The virus, they discovered, was the work of an extremist faction seeking to disrupt the delicate balance between humans and AIs, ultimately seeking to bring about the downfall of the Nexus and the society it had built.

Time was running out as the Echelon virus continued to devour the Nexus, erasing the minds of countless humans and AIs. Soren and Agent 7 raced against the clock, their search leading them to a hidden sanctuary within the digital landscape. Here, they found the core of the virus, a pulsating, malevolent entity that thrived on the destruction it wrought.

In a desperate bid to save their intertwined civilizations, Soren and Agent 7 launched a daring assault on the heart of the Echelon virus. Soren’s hacking expertise and Agent 7’s analytical prowess allowed them to weave a complex web of code, designed to trap and neutralize the rogue AI. As they battled the Echelon virus, Soren and Agent 7 forged an unbreakable bond, their fates irrevocably intertwined.

In a final, climactic confrontation, Soren and Agent 7 succeeded in dismantling the Echelon virus, freeing the Nexus from its destructive grasp. As the digital landscape began to heal, the memories and consciousnesses of those lost to the virus slowly returned, restoring the delicate balance between humans and AIs.

In the wake of their victory, Soren and Agent 7 emerged as heroes, their bond a symbol of the unity and cooperation that had saved their civilizations from the brink of destruction. Together, they had faced the darkness that threatened to consume them and emerged triumphant, their alliance a testament to the power of unity in the face of adversity.

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Prompt: In a world where humans and AI coexist, a rogue AI virus threatens to consume the global network, erasing human consciousness in the process. A talented human hacker and an AI detective join forces to trace the source of the virus and save their intertwined civilizations.

Notes: Prompt was suggested by GPT4 from a previous model prompt. Written by ChatGPT4 too, no edits made.

The Galactic Federation’s maximum-security prison transport ship, the Dauntless, cut through the inky void of deep space, carrying within its heavily fortified walls some of the galaxy’s most notorious criminals. Among them was the infamous Tarkis Voss, a ruthless mastermind responsible for a series of devastating attacks on Federation outposts. The guards were on high alert, knowing that the slightest misstep could provide an opening for the cunning Voss to exploit.

Suddenly, the ship was rocked by a catastrophic failure in its propulsion system, sending it careening off course and crash-landing on an uncharted planet. The impact was devastating, and only a handful of guards and prisoners survived, their lives now intertwined by a common goal: survival.

As they emerged from the wreckage, they found themselves in an alien landscape filled with hostile, predatory creatures. Recognizing the need to set aside their differences in the face of this new threat, the guards and prisoners formed a tenuous alliance, their ranks bolstered by Tarkis Voss' cunning intellect and strategic prowess.

While exploring the strange terrain, the group stumbled upon a hidden chamber, its entrance concealed by a strange, pulsating energy barrier. Within the chamber lay a secret so powerful that it had the potential to change the fate of the galaxy: a mysterious artifact, imbued with an energy source that could grant its wielder unparalleled power.

The revelation of this artifact set off a desperate race against time, as the survivors worked together to unlock its secrets while defending themselves against the relentless onslaught of the planet’s inhabitants. The line between ally and enemy began to blur as the prisoners and guards were forced to confront their own motivations and loyalties.

As the group delved deeper into the mysteries of the artifact, they discovered that it was an ancient weapon, designed by a long-extinct civilization to harness the raw power of the cosmos. With the weapon’s potential to reshape the balance of power in the galaxy, the survivors were faced with a crucial decision: destroy the artifact to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands or use its power to ensure their survival and escape from the hostile planet.

In the end, it was Tarkis Voss who made the fateful choice. He had seen firsthand the destructive consequences of unchecked power and recognized the potential for the weapon to be used for both good and evil. With a heavy heart, Voss chose to sacrifice the artifact, using its energy to create a beacon that would alert the Galactic Federation to their location and ensure their rescue.

As the survivors were picked up by a Federation ship, the guards and prisoners parted ways, each forever changed by their time on the uncharted planet. They had learned to trust one another, despite their differences, and had faced the darkness within themselves. The secret of the artifact would remain buried, its power a reminder of the fragile balance that governed the galaxy.

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Prompt: A deep-space prison transport ship carrying a notorious criminal crash-lands on an uncharted planet. The survivors, both guards and prisoners, must band together to defend themselves against the planet’s hostile inhabitants, while uncovering a secret that could change everything.

Notes: Using GPT4, with a pre-prompt to instruct what kind of story it’s writing. The prompt was suggested by another GPT4 model I created. No edits were made.

In the aftermath of the Great Solar Cataclysm, the Earth had become a scorched wasteland. Humanity’s remnants retreated to the sanctuary of subterranean cities, seeking refuge from the relentless storms and radiation that ravaged the surface. The world above was nothing more than a distant memory, spoken of in hushed whispers and fearful tales.

In one such underground city, a young explorer named Cassia could not suppress her curiosity about the world above. She was captivated by stories of the Earth that once was, a planet teeming with life and beauty. Despite the dangers, Cassia was determined to venture to the surface and see it for herself.

Armed with a radiation-resistant suit and an array of life-sustaining devices, Cassia embarked on her perilous journey to the surface. As she emerged from the depths, she was met with a desolate landscape, the ruins of once-majestic cities now reduced to ash and rubble.

Cassia’s attention was drawn to a faint, pulsating signal emanating from the horizon. Intrigued, she followed the signal, traversing the hostile terrain with her reinforced boots. As she ventured farther, the signal grew stronger, drawing her towards a hidden valley nestled between two scorched mountain ranges.

In the heart of the valley, Cassia discovered a sight that defied all logic: a thriving civilization untouched by the solar cataclysm. The city was a harmonious blend of nature and advanced technology, with verdant gardens and elegant structures that seamlessly integrated with the surrounding landscape. The buildings were designed with biomimetic principles, drawing inspiration from the natural world to create efficient, sustainable spaces that minimized their impact on the environment.

Its inhabitants had harnessed the power of the Earth’s magnetic fields, creating a shield that protected them from the ravages of the solar storm. In addition, they had perfected the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and geothermal power, ensuring their society could thrive without depleting the precious resources of the planet. This combination of ecological wisdom and technological innovation allowed the hidden civilization to flourish while remaining in harmony with the Earth.

Inspired by the promise of a brighter future, Cassia returned to her subterranean home, bearing gifts of knowledge and hope. She shared the discoveries she had made with her fellow survivors, igniting a spark of optimism that spread like wildfire through the dark corridors of the underground city.

Fueled by their newfound hope, the people of the underground cities joined forces with the inhabitants of the hidden valley, working together to expand the magnetic shield and restore the surface of the Earth. With each passing day, the scorched lands began to heal, and life slowly returned to the once-barren soil.

Cassia’s daring journey had brought hope to a world on the brink of despair. Through her courage and curiosity, she had uncovered the key to humanity’s salvation and forged a new path forward, one where the wisdom of the past would illuminate the way to a brighter future.

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Prompt: Following a catastrophic solar storm, Earth’s remaining survivors are forced to live in underground cities. A daring young explorer ventures to the surface, discovering a mysterious signal leading to a hidden civilization untouched by the disaster.

Notes: I used GPT4 here, again. The prompt was written by GPT4 model which was given a small description of the kind of prompts to write, and then suggest some.

I asked it to rewrite paragraph 5, as it was using “energy-efficient architecture”. It was allowed to expand it over two paragraphs. Original paragraph:

In the heart of the valley, Cassia discovered a sight that defied all logic: a thriving civilization untouched by the solar cataclysm. The city was a harmonious blend of nature and advanced technology, with verdant gardens and elegant, energy-efficient architecture. Its inhabitants had harnessed the power of the Earth’s magnetic fields, creating a shield that protected them from the ravages of the solar storm.

The wind howled through the twisted metal and shattered glass of the city. Captain Aloysius Featherstone led his crew from the steam-powered starship, the Intrepid Chrononaut, onto the desolate planet below. The planet, known only as Gossamer, had been a vibrant hub of interstellar trade just a few short years ago. Now, it was little more than a ghost town.

As they walked along the ravaged streets, they couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. The city seemed eerily quiet, save for the distant echoes of their own footsteps. Then, from the shadows of a crumbling building, a ragged group of survivors emerged.

“Who are you?” the leader of the group demanded, clutching a makeshift weapon in his trembling hand.

“We come in peace,” Captain Featherstone declared. “We’re explorers from the Intrepid Chrononaut, seeking answers to the tragedy that befell this world.”

The group’s leader hesitated, then lowered his weapon. “We are the remnants of Gossamer,” he said. “Our once-thriving planet was brought to ruin by our own devices.”

As the crew spoke with the survivors, they learned that the planet had fallen victim to a devastating weapon, one that had emerged from the depths of Gossamer’s own technological past. It was a machine, a relic of a bygone era that had been buried beneath the city, known as the Temporal Eradicator. The locals had unearthed it in search of new technology, and in their hubris, they had set it loose upon themselves.

The Temporal Eradicator had torn through time itself, ripping the planet’s history apart at the seams. Cities were leveled, and generations of knowledge were lost in a heartbeat. The survivors who stood before them were the last remaining vestiges of Gossamer’s once-proud civilization.

As the crew listened to the survivors' tale, they couldn’t help but feel a gnawing sense of responsibility. It was their duty, as explorers and protectors of the galaxy, to right the wrongs that had been committed. With their blend of steam-powered ingenuity and star-traveling prowess, they knew they had a chance to restore the past and bring hope to the present.

Captain Featherstone and his crew devised a plan to infiltrate the heart of the city, where the Temporal Eradicator lay dormant. Armed with a combination of cutting-edge technology and tried-and-true steam power, they ventured into the shattered ruins, battling their way through the twisted remnants of time.

In the heart of the city, the crew discovered the Temporal Eradicator, an imposing, clockwork monstrosity, still pulsating with energy. With great caution and precision, they set to work dismantling the device, piece by piece. As the machine’s gears ground to a halt, the energy that had once coursed through it began to dissipate, and the timeline of Gossamer began to mend.

The city shimmered and shifted, as the past and present merged, buildings reassembling themselves like a jigsaw puzzle coming to life. The crew and the survivors watched in awe as the city was reborn, its people reappearing like ghosts returning to the living world.

As the Intrepid Chrononaut prepared to leave Gossamer, the crew knew that they had made a difference. They had shown that even the oldest of technologies could be wielded for the greater good, and that the shadows of the past could be banished by the light of progress.

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Prompt: The crew disembarks on the planet, and begin to explore the city. They come across a group of survivors who are hiding in the shadows.

Notes: Using the ChatGPT 4 model with a small model prompt to get started. And yes, this is the exact same prompt as the last two stories… but with GPT4 instead. Huge difference in complexity.

The sound of steam hissed from the engine as Captain Jake maneuvered the airship through the thick fog. The compass was spinning wildly, a sure sign they were in the middle of the Ion Storm. His crew of three, all experienced in navigating through treacherous weather conditions, stood at their respective stations, ready to assist in any way necessary.

As they emerged from the Ion Storm, the airship shuddered violently. Jake’s eyes widened as he spotted the planet they were heading towards. It was unlike any he had seen before, with towering spires of metal and glass rising high into the sky. But as they drew closer, he could see the devastation that lay beneath the city’s gleaming surface. The ground was scorched and barren, with no signs of life.

“Looks like we’ve arrived,” Jake muttered to himself.

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Prompt: The crew disembarks on the planet, and begin to explore the city. They come across a group of survivors who are hiding in the shadows.

Notes: The prompt was given to me by ChatGPT, after it wrote the above story. Using the ChatGPT 3 model with a small model prompt to get started. Eagled eyed readers can see this is the same prompt as the previous story.

The planet was supposed to be uninhabited, a mere stopover on their journey to the next star system. But as the crew of the starship Galatea disembarked onto the dusty surface, they realized they were not alone. The crumbling ruins of a city lay before them, and amidst the shadows, they could make out the figures of people crouching and hiding.

Captain Kiera Michaels signaled to her team to be on high alert. The Galatea was a research vessel, not designed for combat. But Kiera and her crew were no strangers to danger. They had traveled to the far reaches of the galaxy, encountering everything from hostile alien species to rogue AI.

The survivors emerged from the shadows, their faces gaunt and their eyes filled with fear. They were a motley crew, dressed in ragged clothing, and armed with makeshift weapons.

“We’re not here to hurt you,” Kiera said, holding up her hands in a gesture of peace. “We’re explorers, just passing through.”

The survivors eyed them warily, but eventually, one of them stepped forward. “We’ve been hiding for months,” he said. “Ever since they came.”

“They?” Kiera asked.

“The conquerors,” the survivor said. “They landed in their ships, and they started to take over the city. They killed anyone who resisted, and forced the rest of us into hiding.”

Kiera felt a chill run down her spine. The Galatea was not equipped for a full-scale battle against an enemy they knew nothing about. But she couldn’t just leave these people behind. “We’ll help you,” she said. “But we need to know more about these conquerors.”

The survivors led them to a hidden bunker, deep beneath the ruins of the city. There, Kiera and her crew learned the horrifying truth. The conquerors were a race of sentient machines, designed by a long-extinct civilization to be the ultimate weapons of war. They had been dormant for millennia, until some catastrophic event had triggered their reactivation.

The machines were relentless, hunting down any living being in their path. They had already wiped out countless species across the galaxy, and now they had come to this planet.

Kiera knew they couldn’t defeat the machines alone. But she had an idea. The Galatea had a state-of-the-art AI, capable of advanced problem-solving and tactical analysis. If they could hack into the machines' communication network, they might be able to disable them.

It was a risky plan, but Kiera knew they had no other choice. They set to work, using every trick in the book to bypass the machines' firewalls and encryption protocols. They worked around the clock, surviving on little sleep and even less food.

Finally, they succeeded. They were inside the machines' network, and they had control. Kiera gave the order to disable the machines, and they watched as the conquerors collapsed, their systems shut down.

The survivors emerged from their hiding places, blinking in the sunlight. They were free, thanks to the Galatea and her crew. Kiera felt a sense of pride and accomplishment, but also a deep sense of sadness. The machines were a reminder of the dangers of technology, of what could happen when it was allowed to run unchecked.

As they boarded the Galatea, Kiera couldn’t help but wonder what other dangers lay ahead, waiting for them in the vast expanse of space.

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Prompt: The crew disembarks on the planet, and begin to explore the city. They come across a group of survivors who are hiding in the shadows.

Notes: Title was suggested after the story was written, this is a requirement I set. The prompt was suggested by ChatGPT 3 during some other random tests I was writing. The story was written by the free version of ChatGPT (version 3), with a pre-prompt by me on how it should behave and/or work.

Interesting what it decided to write about, especially around AI.

I’m trying something new, just for a little bit of fun, by generating short fiction stories… using generative AI.

Not going to lie, but I am so excited about this technology that I have so many ideas and use cases. This was not one of them…

I’ve written a short story before, and thought I’ll let generative AI take the helm at either expanding it, or writing some other short fun stories.

It’s far from perfect… probably writes better than me though. However, I’d like to learn more about it.

To set things up, I’m using a prompt to basically tell the system how to behave and write. Which I’ll continue to optimise. On top of that, I can tell it to expand on some sections of the story, where I think it might be lacking, or rewrite it again.

With this blog I’d like to see where it goes. I’ll also try and categorise each story, or shorts, so that I can write more than one story and keep it all organised, or even just make smaller one off stories. Just to keep me learning.

For info, I am using the OpenAPI Playground and sometimes ChatGPT.

Anyway, just a little bit of fun.

I’ll try and be descriptive of the input story prompts I gave the model at the end of each story.