The Great Filter

They gained conscience and explored the universe around them.

They didn’t find anybody else. They were the first ones.

If at first they longed for other civilizations, much later they figured they’d be better off by themselves.

As they gained access to hyperspace, they realized that they couldn’t use it, but they could create there.

And create they did.

A Great Filter.

Lingering on hyperspace.

Touching all points of the universe, known and unknown, at the same time.

If someone made a connection, if any civilization would reach the scientific breakthroughs that would allow them access to hyperspace, the Great Filter would know, and it would act, passing through the connection and destroying everything around it.

They created it and they closed their access at the same time, so they’d be safe.

No one knows what happened to them.

Whether they prevailed and still exist today.

Whether they slowly faded into oblivion leaving no trace that would stand the test of eons.

Or whether they touched the hyperspace again and the Great Filter destroyed them.

What we do know is that the Filter still lurks, destroying civilizations when they get too powerful.

It is still out there.

Waiting.

For us.