The attraction was the three-hundred-foot-wide rivulet that was the remnant of a seasonally cascading river, and would be again come the rainy season. Several groups of huge, ponderous herbivores sloshed about in the water arching thin, elongated necks between splayed legs to drink their fill. Farther up in smaller groups, other, more compact animals, shaped like elongated boulders with practically no necks, squatted on their front knees to reach the water. All the animals were in motion, some plodding about while smaller species hopped on hind legs with small, almost withered forearms flailing in front of them. Dust swirled up from the dry areas while sunlight shimmered on the water splashing up and around the animals. Smaller animals skirted the edges of the far banks with a few driven by thirst darting in and out of the water, risking a quick gulp and then rushing back to the relative safety of the bank.
Barjeen marveled at the sheer number of animals and nodded as he thought of how efficient the process would be. Other teams had already been sent out to introduce the virus into the headwaters in the mountains that fed this stream and thousands of others around the planet. The inoculations were probably unnecessary, but he would proceed anyway, just to be sure. As he watched, he wondered where the evolutionary process could ever lead beasts like these. Nowhere now, but they weren’t being destroyed, just denied future existence on this planet. Barjeen would return to Kalpeon with live specimens and DNA for future repopulation on the home planet or uninhabited bestiary planets as additional examples of a dead-end species.
The gravaeron moved ahead as the sensors gathered information on all fauna within and beyond the banks of the riverbed. The data recorders would compile everything, including chemical composition and organ systems of all plant and animal species within range. The gathering process would take a couple of moments. It was at this point Barjeen decided he would like to experience the totality of the natural environment. It wasn’t often he encountered such a pure and unspoiled biosphere, and the pristine nature of the planet reminded him of the wild places on Kalpeon. He requested the computer to retract the canopy. Immediately the transparent sphere rolled into the fuselage.
The air was crisp and laced with a mixture of lush vegetation and animal musk. A cacophony rose from below and the forest beyond the banks. Loud honks, shrill screeches, and thunderous grunts welled up around the gravaeron. He was awash in the spectrum of sights and sounds from this primitive yet pure planet. A tinge of remorse for the inevitable clawed at his consciousness, but he pushed it out of his head and gazed below in amazement.
But not all the strange creatures of this planet were bound to the surface.
5
With a wingspan exceeding thirty feet, the pterosaur soared high above the jungle canopy, lifted by the warm updraft of thermals rising from below. Spotting what it assumed to be aerial prey moving just above the forest, it positioned itself for the attack. Once high enough and behind the prey, it would dive with its scimitar-shaped eight-inch talons fully extended at a slightly upward angle. Slashing in at maximum velocity, the reptile would rake across its prey’s exposed upper torso and send it floundering to the ground. Once the prey was knocked from the sky, the reptile would finish it with a combination of its talons and the four rows of razor-sharp teeth lining its five-foot pointed beak. It was a deadly stealth attack honed to evolutionary perfection over millions of years.
The giant, leathery wings flapped several times as the reptile glided in a wide arc high above the gravaeron. Aligned for the attack, it pulled to a partial stall and folded its wings inward. Dropping its huge triangular head, the reptile plunged downward, gaining velocity with every passing second. With its talons fully extended, it hurdled toward the gravaeron like an incoming missile. Wind rushed through cavities clustered along its beak, creating a high-pitched shrill.
A flickering shadow danced in the open cockpit. Barjeen jerked his head up and over his left shoulder as the reptile slammed into the invisible particle shield that had automatically deployed when the canopy was retracted. At terminal velocity, the reptile hit the invisible shield with a thunderous, kinetic thump. The surging particle energy instantly boiled and liquefied the creature’s internal organs and fluids. It didn’t matter that the sheer blunt impact would have killed the creature just as fast. The shield was designed to do exactly what it did.
Barjeen and his copilot peered over the side of the craft as the reptile’s lifeless remains pinwheeled to the ground and slapped the riverbed in a cloud of dust. Within seconds, several small, curve-necked carnivores were circling the smoking carcass. Barjeen raised his gaze from the ground and scanned the sky above, where several other winged reptiles soared on outstretched leathery wings. If they attacked, they would meet the same end. He ordered the computer to deploy the canopy and commence the mission. At the command, the gravaeron accelerated down to the center of the riverbed. It pushed into the middle of the group and impacted the largest of the beasts behind its front leg at the middle of its rib cage. Effortlessly, the gravaeron spun the massive beast around and continued into the swirling mass of animals like a tugboat pushing aside ocean liners. As it propelled forward, the dispersal mechanism on the underside of the craft unleashed a constant spray of virus-bearing fléchettes.
The animals were packed so closely together that at times the canopy was obscured by their pressed hides. The gravaeron pushed through the entire milling mass and burst into an open area. It hovered for a moment as the sensors compiled the location of all animals in the immediate vicinity and the computer programmed the flight pattern for maximum efficiency.
A second later the craft darted ahead.
Barjeen sat quietly in the cockpit as the gravaeron maneuvered among the animals registered on its sensors. The dispenser emitted a constant high-pitched pppheet as it fired thousands of virus-bearing fléchettes into hundreds of the beasts. Angling skyward, the gravaeron accelerated as it vectored on another pterosaur. Barjeen stared ahead in amazement. The beast was twice the size of the one that had attacked earlier. With its wings extended, the reptile glided effortlessly above. The gravaeron closed on it within seconds and inverted, rolling the dispenser and dispersing fléchettes.
Panicked, the reptile flapped its wings furiously then folded them inward and dove toward the forest. The gravaeron pushed ahead and intercepted three more of the gliding beasts darting around them as they flapped to avoid the craft. With no more flying reptiles within the immediate area, the gravaeron dove toward another stretch of riverbed. Hundreds of animals of all sizes were detected where the dry, open portion of the bed angled up and into the thick forest. The machine swooped to the riverbed and among the reptiles like a giant, darting dragonfly. It pushed through large groups and swooped to solitary animals in all directions. In less than an hour, hundreds of beasts were infected by the virus-laden fléchettes.
Three days later, the gravaerons returned with Barjeen in the lead. All data indicated the mission was a total success. The virus to end the reptilian fauna’s reproduction was spreading everywhere across the planet. The extinction would be complete, and millions of years in the future the only trace of their existence would be fossils discovered by the human species that would evolve because of the beasts’ annihilation.
Standing at the bay opening, Barjeen stared out over the endless emerald forest. The atmosphere was a pungent mixture of thick vegetation and biological musk. Honks, screeches, and other animal sounds resounded in every direction. He stood contemplating the fact that in no more than a couple of hundred years the sounds of the creatures below would be silenced forever—at least on this planet.
6
Descending from the upper level of the starcraft, Robfebe arrived at the holding bay of the protoprimates in a matter of seconds. The underside of the bay still hovered high over the tallest trees. The view was panoramic. The emerald canopy extended to the horizon in all directions and glittered in the reflection of the bright sunlight that filled a pristine blue sky.
She exited the cube
on a runway spanning the side of the cavernous bay. The top and sides of the bay were protected by an invisible particle shield that allowed the natural atmospheric environment in, but protected the animals from any possible intrusion by predators. Several flying reptiles had already attempted to dive at the huge mass of animals, only to collide with the invisible shield and careen down the side in a shower of sparks.
A latticework of tubular structures extended at varying angles and heights to act as perches and runways for the animals to move about freely. In all, the expanse housed over five hundred thousand of the animals. A nutrient-laden water trough extended around the perimeter of the bay at the lowest level with feeding stations positioned every few yards.
At about three times the size of a domestic cat, the animals had a bouncing gait produced by the oversized, muscular rear haunches offset with smaller forearm appendages. Front and back feet were capped with five long, curving toe-like digits that were intricately articulated. Whether bounding on rear haunches or running and climbing on all fours, the animals were fast and agile. The seed would adapt quickly and efficiently to their new arboreal home.
Robfebe knew that with the reptilian fauna eliminated, the seed would evolve and thrive, but she also realized that other indigenous protoprimates already on the planet would adapt and evolve to become a separate, natural human species. It had happened on other planets, and it had always been a problem. But it could be prevented when the time came. She would make sure Barjeen understood that naturals would again be a problem.
Barjeen entered at the far end of the observation area and made his way to Robfebe. He peered into the bay. The animals covered the entire expanse like one gigantic, furry organism. Their chittering filled the expanse to a point of creating an actual vibration in the air, and they exhibited a mild collective degree of agitation tinged with anticipation.
Barjeen approached Robfebe and swept his hand in the direction of the bay. “Are they ready?”
Robfebe nodded. “Their DNA has been engineered perfectly for adaptation to the planet’s environment. Once released, proliferation will be rapid. They breed continuously and have been inoculated with low-level B-viruses to strengthen their immune systems. They are ready.”
Barjeen rubbed his palms together and nodded approvingly. “Thanks to you. Well done.” He squeezed her shoulder. He stared at her admiringly for another second then pointed back to the bay. “The spawn is ready. How long until they evolve to full human physicality and the rise of civilization?”
“It will be approximately fifty-five million years from now when they evolve to humanoids, then several variations of the species will evolve, but only the fittest will survive. That process is projected to occur over another ten million years. So, the final human species will reach dominance in approximately sixty-five million years around the life star.
“At that time, primitive culture-based societies will arise. That is the point at which we will begin the retrieval and modification process, but I fully anticipate the final species will be split between those of the seed and those that will evolve from the overwhelmingly large number of natural protoprimates that currently exist on the planet. The vast majority of the final population will be naturals, and they will, of course, not carry the engineered genes for superior intelligence. Eventually their insufficient intelligence will . . .” She dropped her eyes in silent contemplation.
“Will threaten the biosphere with destructive technology and overpopulation,” Barjeen finished with a sigh. He knew what she was thinking. If the prediction model was correct, the problem of naturals would have to be addressed. In their private conversations, Robfebe questioned the universal morality of eliminating naturally evolved human species. But his directive from the council of exploration and colonization was clear. If existing or evolved natural species threatened the environment of a planet suitable for Kalpeon colonization, they were to be prevented entirely or reduced to a manageable number to be used for other purposes.
Barjeen gently placed a finger under Robfebe’s chin, tilted her head up, and looked into her eyes. “The culling or elimination of evolved naturals will be decided when we return, but for now we have to begin the process of giving rise to Kalpeon human life.”
He gazed back at the protoprimates. “Well, if you’re ready, let’s release them. One additional task and we leave this planet.”
Robfebe took a deep breath, smiled softly, and placed her hand on a green area of the observation wall that glowed a pale orange in response. “Commence release sequence.”
The bay area of the starcraft descended toward the forest floor. Hundreds of trees cracked and splintered beneath its underbelly. At little more than a foot above the forest floor, the descent ended. In the bay, still protected by the invisible particle shield, the animals continued chattering and squirming. At the far end, technicians and bio-ops crews who had sequenced and modified the animals’ genomes gathered to watch the release.
Robfebe gazed at the animals as the chattering and shrieking rose to a cacophonic crescendo. She again tapped at the control area, and the particle shield surrounding the bay and observation area transformed from invisible to twinkling blue phosphorescence, then it flashed white and disappeared. The bay was open to the outside world. The sides and back walls extended to a height that made the wide front of the bay the only means of exit. When the particle shield flashed and disappeared, the animals became still and quiet. Then the bay exploded with noise and movement as the animals began leaping, running, and tumbling out the gaping expanse.
Thousands at a time, the animals streamed over the edge of the bay, hitting the ground at a full run and dashing excitedly to the tree line, where they scampered up the trunks to the high canopy.
Robfebe threw back her head in laughter and pounded her open palm on the control panel as Barjeen waved his arms as though shooing the animals from the bay. The spectacle was exhilarating. The tree line was alive with shaking branches and falling leaves as the animals leapt from branch to branch and tree to tree to make way for the continuous flow of animals coming up the trunks. In the rear observation area, the techs and bio-ops crew laughed, shouted, and patted each other in celebration of what they all knew would be a successful seeding.
As the chattering and squealing spread through the high canopy, something at the edge of the forest picked up the sound, stopped in its tracks, and turned its hulking form in the direction of the starcraft.
7
The giant beast crashed through the lush forest, flattening underbrush and toppling small trees with its sheer mass and momentum. With a weight exceeding seven tons, it required several hundred pounds of meat each day just to fuel its predatory roaming. It was always hungry. With an acute sense of smell, it soon noticed the scent rising in the still air. It stopped, bobbing its huge head skyward. Jaw muscles slackened and its lower jaw fell open to reveal two rows of pointed, razor-sharp teeth, each larger than a human hand. The opposing teeth of the upper jaw curved in perfect alignment with those of the lower jaw. The beast could easily tear a fifty-pound chunk of meat from any animal and swallow it whole.
The rex pushed forward, its huge legs rippling with muscle and its thick tail slashing behind. The scent flooded its nostrils. Hunger pangs coursed through its reptilian brain as saliva dripped from its gaping maw. With a roar, the rex plodded toward the bay where Robfebe, Barjeen, and the others watched as thousands of protoprimates cascaded over the edge of the bay and darted for the tree line.
Everyone in the bay stared in surprise as the monstrous beast exploded from the forest.
Another bellowing roar erupted from the beast as it slowed, leveled its gaze at the bay, and rocked back on its haunches. In the same instant, forty stories above the bay on a section of superstructure, a protective lid retracted from an elliptical orb that protruded from the structure like a mechanical eye peering over the blanket of green below.
The massive beast continued roaring as it lunged forward in a full charg
e. It had closed to within fifty yards of the bay when the orb blinked white and spewed a single particle charge. The burst hit the charging rex in the middle of its chest, instantly vaporizing all liquid. Sparks flared over the beast’s hide and its eyes glared like orange cinders as it collapsed inward and crumpled to the ground like an incinerated zeppelin. Ribbons of smoke from the smoldering, shapeless mass spiraled upward from what mere seconds before had been a seven-ton terror.
Later, as the sun dipped below the horizon and inky gray-and-apricot streaks washed across the sky, the last of the genetically modified protoprimates tumbled into the clearing. They scampered to the tree line and up to the forest canopy, where they would begin their evolutionary journey on the planet that would be called Earth.
8
A little over a year and a half later, Barjeen sat in his private observation bubble listening to a summary analysis of how the extinction virus had spread. The most recent data had been factored into the projection, and the results were conclusive: the virus had spread to pandemic proportions. When the last of the reptilian fauna roaming the planet perished, the extinction would be total and complete. The protoprimates would migrate and reproduce, and in the projected time they would be prevalent over the entire landmass. As the numerical projections and timeline estimates continued, Barjeen muted the analysis and contemplated the last phase of the mission.
From the beginning of the exploration and analysis of the small plant, Barjeen had decided to return to Kalpeon with a sufficient sampling of the flora and fauna to populate one or more of the numerous uninhabited islands there or on other planets. It would be of interest to the science councils for a variety of reasons. Finding the habitat would not be difficult, since Kalpeon was over three hundred times the size of this world with hundreds of islands as big as this planet’s entire landmass.
The Way of the Seed_Earth Spawn of Kalpeon Page 2