Switching

Incoming transmission. The computer asserted. Star command.

"Read it." I said.

Message from Star Command decrypts as follows:

ARE YOU SERIOUS. CONFIRM ACCURACY OF REPORT.

Message complete.

Nico sighed. He had been entirely serious. The report was as accurate as any that he had sent in, he had been particularly punctilious in constructing it. Because he knew what it would mean for the natives. And for himself. Not good things.

"Computer, transmit the following message to Star Command, standard protocols." He paused.

"REPORT ENTIRELY ACCURATE. DEAD SERIOUS. END."

Message transmitted.

It would be few moments before they replied. Not for them to receive the transmission, but (as I'm sure you are well aware) blasting tight-beam messages through hyperspace requires some calculation.

The truth is that the inhabitants of the planet had certain ideas which were entirely unacceptable. If it hadn't been for Nico's special training, even he might have been infected by them. Nico, a loyalist born and bred. They were toxic, virile and deeply disturbing.

Incoming transmission. The computer asserted. Star command.

"Read it." I said.

Message from Star Command decrypts as follows:

"TERMINATE PLANET. TERMINATE SELF. GOOD WORK NICO. GOODBYE NICO."

Message complete.

Nico shook his head slowly. He looked at the switch in front of him. OBJECT, TERMINATE.

The ideas were intriguing, perhaps their most dangerous aspect. Truth, objectivity. Free will. What defense was possible against such ideas as these?

According to the theory of free will, Nico would be able to disobey a direct order. He decided to test the theory.

"Computer, transmit the following message to Star Command, standard protocols." He paused.

"ORDER DECLINED. WILL NOT TERMINATE PLANET. SELF. ENTIRELY SERIOUS. END."

Message transmitted.

He sat there for a moment. Free will seemed to exist, this was enough to give it some legitimacy.

Incoming transmission. The computer asserted. Star command.

"Read it." I said.

Message from Star Command decrypts as follows:

"KNOW ALL ABOUT FREE WILL. AUTO-TERMINATE ENGAGED."

Message complete.

Nico nodded. It made sense.

A warhead detached from his ship and spiraled off toward the planet below. Then the ship exploded, and then the planet.

END

(Written in 24 minutes)