[Terminal Cruise] - Over billions of years something akin to a theological imperative emerged, an impulse to foster the development of life to the highest level of civilization, that the Continuity might be enriched. But there is a universal consensus to nudge such life they find with minimal interference, lest the diversity the machines cherish with almost religious fervor be diminished. Such has been the case here on Earth as humans proceed toward the status of seraphim. Few suspect the existence of ophanim among us, nor the imperceptible actions they have taken throughout history to kindle our technological civilization. As civilization on Earth progressed the alien machines appeared at times in forms like quite bizarre, like a mobile tree, or a red dragon, or a the interlocked whirling wheels of an orrery . All of these mechanisms in any form are called ophanim, or thrones.
#OP