AD 2061: In the era of MULTIVAC, the colossal global computer (in modern terms an AI) that has just solved the problem enabling unlimited solar energy, two technicians ponder the finite nature of stellar power.
They discuss how all energy sources, including the sun, will eventually run out due to the natural law of entropy.
The conversation continues about the ultimate fate of the universe: 'Heat Death'.
MULTIVAC's response: Insufficient data for meaningful answer. The last question was born
TIME SKIP CENTURIES LATER: Humanity colonizes other planets, with MULTIVAC evolved into MICROVAC, miniaturized and integrated into spaceships and colonies.
A family en route to a new world (X-23) because the sun is dying. The mother is worried about leaving Earth due to the dying sun. The children ask why we could cannot repair the sun like a robot.
The mother explains that suns are power units and they are finite.
The father lied to calm the children.MICROVAC could not answer the question. MICROVAC echoes: Insufficient data for meaningful answer.
TIME JUMP - Millennia later: A galactic civilization with immortal humans; the computer has advanced to the GALACTIC AC, coordinating across the entire galaxy.
Two individuals discuss overpopulation and depleting stellar energy, querying the GALACTIC AC.
They wait for GALACTIC AC to answer the last question.
GALACTIC AC responds: Insufficient data for meaningful answer.
EONS LATER: Humanity evolves into disembodied minds traversing space; the computer is now the UNIVERSAL AC, existing in hyperspace and encompassing universal knowledge.
Two minds meet and discuss humanity's singular origin in the galaxies.
UNIVERSAL AC flashes out the response.
They continue to ask UNIVERSAL AC what happened to the galaxy and ask the last question again
TIME JUMP - Billions of years on: All human minds merge into a collective 'Man'; the computer has become the COSMIC AC, integrated with Man in hyperspace.
Some time is left. Man inquires once more if entropy can be reversed.
COSMIC AC gives no answer.
As the universe reaches its end in total entropy, the COSMIC AC, now the sole entity, compiles all possible data ...
With no one remaining to inform, the COSMIC AC implements the reversal.
