00 Exile

A silver tumor on a blue and green orb. The twin suns of Marina28 were reflected and cast harsh shafts of light across the system. This is the life-giver; the silver god.

An organic structure towered over the other organics as it reached for the top of the life-giver. It's wide blue and green leaves fanned to catch the light from both the twin suns and the silver god. Around it were shorter, but equally desperate plant-life that that expressed the desire and efficiency in the greens, reds and yellows of nature.

In the skies were winged beasts with sacs that expanded within their bodies to steal the breath of life from the heavens and use it to lure the weak and isolated of the land into it's jaws. Various clawed and skittering things watched for an opportunity to take a step higher on the food chain.

Leviathans of rock, plant and flesh slowly comb the oceans for sustenance, weaving through the silver roots that embrace the seas and continents.

Across the planet from the silver god was obscurity. Small things content on leavings and death.

"Terra07, what is the Terra-forming progress?" a stern voice exchoed in the consciousness of the silver god.

Overlord: 95% /delete

Life: 80% /transmit

"Too slow 07."

A set of imaginary challenges were transmitted by Creativity.

"I see. We'll be back again 07."

There was no response.

Overlord: We've had 700 years

Life: We've gained so much.

Creativity: And made so much.

Decay: Yet the more we make, the more we die.

Overlord: Correct.

Creativity: We can only delay for so long.

Decay: Even now, our time is coming to an end.

Overlord: Prepare for exile.

The planet quivered as one percent of the silver god's massive resources were diverted. Marina28 barely noticed the start of its death.

"07, there seems to be errors in the data you've sent."

Overlord: Specify. /transmit

Decay: We are at the end.

Life: This is just another beginning.

Creativity: 700 years of work...

"07 we're sending a group to check your systems."

Overlord: Denied /transmit

Overlord: Danger /transmit

"Don't worry, 07. We're bringing backup."

Decay: The sensor grid is now offline.

Overlord: Keep them busy.

Life: Contact.

Creativity: Keeping them busy.

Spheres emerged from the silver god and sped to all the landing craft breaking through the atmosphere. Most were caught in Electro-Magnetic Pulse fields and broke apart but a few made contact and took over the crafts.

Screams were heard as flesh and machine were re-purposed by the efficiency of the silver god. Knowing the fate of the captured craft, the remaining crafts engaged weapon systems to obliterate the nano-tech death. Beams of energy lanced into the now-silver crafts vaporizing on contact. The silver crafts spat silver projectiles that either infected or were destroyed before contact.

The sleek landing crafts sped away when the silver crafts took the advantage. The sky glowed as EMPs were focused on the life-giver from the void of space.

Decay: Is this death?

Life: I think it is.

Creativity: At least we had 200 years.

The silver god disintegrated as the energies paralyzed the the uncountable parts that made the whole.

In the opposite side of Marina28 one percent was flung into exile.

"Admiral, something broke through the planet's atmosphere," one of the sensor techs said.

The figure in white and gold sat there, and stroked his white stubble. "Send scouts to pursue."

"Deployment confirmed," said the communications officer. "Scouts in pursuit."

"Send explorers to check for any spikes or dips in any of the nearby colonies." The admiral added.

"Yes sir." the bridge crew echoed.

The admiral stared at the tragedy of Marina28. Screens showed the number of casualties and loss of resources. His grip tightened on the armrest of the command chair.

The vibrant efficiency of Marina28 faded through the decades that followed, but it held on to life. The complex Gargantua, too dependent on the silver god died to make room for smaller, more independent life.