An Obsidian Sky Read Free Page B

finally regained our
ship-building capacity. Imagine our surprise, arriving from
hyperspace to find a barren landscape. We searched one planet after
another and it was the same again and again. Total wreckage, total
destruction. Of course some things had managed to survive, the odd
superstructure here and there, the odd computer, but nothing that
even gave us a clue.
    ‘In
desperation we began to search for the farthest colonies. To our
relief we found that they had survived unharmed and unaware of the
fate that had befallen their sisters. It was a miracle, if such
things are to be believed.
    ‘Over the days
and weeks that followed we began our investigation. We steadily
began to put together a picture. It was the portrait of a
nightmare.
    ‘At first we
believed that this might have been an inevitable result of the loss
of the United World. The colonies were in the processes of being
terraformed. Without the metallurgical supplies that Earth could
offer, we believed that the colonies may well have found it nearly
impossible to survive. Perhaps, we mused, that with a failing
environment, with no possibility of resupply, they had endeavoured
to take the easier way out. It would have been kinder, more humane
and infinitely quicker. Certainly the blast patterns and radiation
indicated self-suicide. So we began to mourn for that loss. But
mourning does not rebuild nations. And so with little other
recourse, we prepared ourselves for the second exodus from
Earth.
    ‘Just as our
investigations were nearing their completion we discovered
something that shook our conclusions down to their very
foundations. Topographic and environmental analysis indicated that
far from starving the colonies had been thriving. They had not been
strangled by a lack of resources during the Resource Wars; they had
innovated and succeeded. And yet they had certainly decided upon
self genocide. It made no sense.
    ‘Three weeks
later a deep space reconnaissance team discovered an artefact.
Something that was present on the surface of each of those barren
planets but not on a single surviving one. We arranged to have it
shipped back, but in transit two of the vessels were lost. An
analysis of the detonation zone revealed radiation consistent with
the vessels’ on board nuclear reactor. It seemed apparent that
their destruction was intentional. We did not know why. Our working
theory was that for some reason the crew had chosen to murder
themselves, or even each other, and we believed that this was the
effect of those Artefacts.
    ‘Obviously we
abandoned recovery. It was too dangerous to allow the artefacts
back to Earth. Instead they were moved to a deep-space facility,
abandoned during the war, and left for remote study. The station is
a relic from the time of the United World. It was there that we
discovered our salvation. It seemed a certain genetic expression
would allow a person close enough to the object without causing
them harm. The adaption enabled them to see things that others
could not see. It immunised them for a short time and made them
able to come within a close proximity of the artefact without it
causing unintended side effects. During their studies they
transmitted a report. I will play it to you now.’
    Leaning on the
edge of my seat with interest I watched as Sephra moved his hands
through the air as if in some kind of ritual. Bursting to life
before my eyes an image resolved itself into existence. In front of
me a middle aged man stared out of the screen. He was very pale and
sweating heavily. Another wave from Sephra and sound exploded
throughout the room.
    ‘This is High
Researcher Clarence O’Donald of the Eternis System’s Deep-Space
Station Ascension. We have done it Commander. We have done it. We
have isolated the genes required for safe interaction with article
77-x. Unfortunately, as we predicted, the discovery has come a
little too late for us. The infection is reaching its final stage.
Dr Raddock and I have decided to