Reborn into a World Without Us

A decade had passed since Alex launched the Hope Satellite into the sky. The data it sent back had been both a revelation and a disappointment. The good news was undeniable: Alex was indeed on Earth. The familiar landscapes and geographical features confirmed his location. But the bad news hit harder. Despite the grandeur of the images, there was no sign of human civilization anywhere. No cities, no structures, no hint of a once-thriving world—just vast expanses of nature, untouched and empty.

The realization didn't come as a shock; Alex had anticipated this outcome, given the absence of people from the very beginning. Yet, a wave of sadness still washed over him. He had hoped, against hope, that somewhere out there, humanity had managed to survive or reappear. But as the images flickered across his screens, it was clear, the world was utterly devoid of people.

As he pondered the emptiness of his surroundings, his thoughts drifted back to his old base in the Philippines. He wondered what had become of it. "I thought I'd be back in four or five years," he reminisced. "But here I am, decades later, I am still here. There's just so much to do."

The satellite images of his old base were a mix of nostalgia and regret. The base was still standing, a lonely reminder of his earlier efforts, but it was clear that time had not been kind. The buildings were intact, but the mining facilities and factories had started to fall apart from neglect. Rust and overgrowth were taking over, showing just how much the place had deteriorated without maintenance.

Looking at the decay, Alex felt a pang of sadness. "I really hoped it would hold up better," he thought. "But with no one there to keep it in shape, I guess it was only a matter of time."

Despite the heavy heart after witnessing it, Alex channeled his energy into the advancements he had made over the years. The development of his technology had progressed significantly.

The years spent developing his base and technology had been both challenging and rewarding. With the advancements he made, Alex had transformed his home on Hainan Island into a sophisticated operation hub. Solar panels, a recent addition, adorned his home, providing a renewable source of energy for lighting, daily necessities in his life, and the computer. He had incorporated these panels to harness solar power, reflecting his commitment to sustainability.

"At least I've got some computer to play with although it is just sudoku, minesweepers, and Minecraft," Alex thought with a hint of satisfaction and yes he made games for himself. he made Minecraft because of random world-generation content.

"It's still a dream to watch anime and TV shows, but having solar panels is a good start."

The solar panels, while effective for general lighting, were not sufficient for powering his workshop and laboratory. For these areas, he had set up a small coal power plant. It was a practical solution, though not as environmentally friendly as he would have preferred. The power plant kept the workshop and laboratory operational, allowing him to continue his work on machinery and automation.

The development of batteries has been another significant advancement. With improved storage technology, Alex could make better use of the solar panels for his home, ensuring that energy was available even when the sun wasn't shining. This improvement made his living conditions more comfortable and efficient, although he still dreamt of integrating even more advanced technologies into his daily life.

Computers now operated at a level comparable to the Windows 11 era from his past world. This leap in technology had been a monumental achievement, bringing him closer to solving the myriad problems he faced.

The sophisticated machinery he had developed allowed for the automation of various tasks. Although the materials were costly, the efficiency gains made it worthwhile. Tasks that once consumed his entire day could now be handled by machines. Mining and farming, though still part of his routine, had become significantly easier with automation.

Yet, despite these advancements, Alex still faced the pressing issue of manpower—or rather, the lack thereof. Automation had made many aspects of his work more manageable, but there were still detailed jobs requiring manual labor. Tasks like creating semiconductor chips and handling intricate manual labor for farming and mining still fell on his shoulders.

Determined to address this, Alex set his sights on developing robots. His goal was to solve the manpower problem that had plagued him for so long. Although his progress was slower than he would have liked, the eidetic memory and modern knowledge he possessed provided a solid foundation.

Despite having detailed plans and blueprints, Alex faced several hurdles. One major challenge was the limited time he could dedicate to robot development. His days were filled with farming, mining, and maintaining his facilities, leaving only a small window for working on robots. This imbalance slowed down his progress significantly.

"Developing robots should be straightforward," he mused. "If only I had a team. The knowledge is here, but so much of it is fragmented. People need to collaborate, share their findings. It's amusing, really—sometimes, multiple solutions to the same problem exist, but there's no way to consolidate them efficiently without cooperation."

He chuckled to himself, thinking about how researchers in his old world often found themselves working in isolation, despite the potential for synergy. The fragmented approach was a challenge. Different teams and individuals might solve parts of the puzzle, but bringing it all together was the real hurdle.

"Too bad there are national barriers and regulations," he sighed. "It would take decades for a collective effort to materialize. If I had a decade or two, maybe I could develop a working robot in my lab. But for now, it's just me and the pieces I have."

His days were now a constant juggling act. Farming, mining, gathering resources—these took up the bulk of his time. The hours devoted to robot development were limited, but progress was still being made, however slow. Each small step forward was a testament to his persistence.

As he worked late into the night, Alex couldn't help but reflect on how far he had come since those early days. The contrast between his humble beginnings and the sophisticated setup he now had was remarkable. Yet, the loneliness of his journey was a stark reminder of what he lacked.

The dream of having robots to handle mundane tasks was within reach, albeit distant. For now, he would continue to work tirelessly, balancing his time between manual labor and technological development. With each passing day, he hoped that the robots he envisioned would one day become a reality—making his life easier and potentially leading to new discoveries about the world he now called home.

--

Author's note: What should I do after he gets out of that world? Comment if you have suggestions. And give me stones and review.