This is where my mind wandered on my walk today.

The Seed Ship Hovers briefly in the lower atmosphere of the small blue-green Planet before reuniting with the collective, deep in outer space. A slight bipedal being disengages from the ship to give its report. The being is symmetrical with equal limbs and eyes. Its asexual body is covered in grey skin. Its black eyes observe its surroundings. Ki heads for the main deck to give a report.

"What have you discovered?" Asks an identical being when Ki arrives.

"The planet is teaming with life, One-Above," Ki states. "We have examined the life forms. Several species show promise."

"Are any self-aware?" One-Above asks.

"No, but a mammal on the planet seems well equipped to adapt."

"What is your suggestion?"

Ki pauses in thought before replying. "With the right modifications, I believe they could thrive and multiply to the stars."

One-Above's eyes close while communing with the collective. At length, One-Above relays the collective's decision. "We have decided. You will be given a team to make modifications to this mammal."

Time passes. and a different seed ship hovers over the blue-green planet. The surface of the planet has changed. The dark side is aglow with created light. A different yet identical grey being gives a report. 

"The mammal has evolved in an undesirable direction, One-Above. They are too advanced for any further modifications to be made without them becoming aware."

"What do you suggest?" Ask One-Above.

"Simulations show a high probability they will become extinct, but the species is viable. We could seed another planet and try again."

The One-Above communes with the collective. "Very well, harvest enough specimens for two planets. We will try again."

"And what of this planet?" the being asks.

"Let them go extinct. Our experiment here is completed," One-Above concludes.

But the species on the blue-green planet did not go extinct. Forgotten and against the odds, they survived and made it to the stars, unaware of the beings who shaped them, unaware that there were others like them in the cosmos. Until they met.

*     *     *

Our species is the only one on this planet that is self-aware. Some suggest it is God's will. Some would suggest it was evolution. Why humans? Have we eliminated the opportunity for other species to become self-aware?  What would it be like if the ape and the dolphin became aware at the same moment in time? Would we have destroyed them like we have done to so many of our own?