The Spatial Blight

Chapter 1: The Visit

The black asteroid hurtled through space.

To any passing observer (of which there were none) it would have looked like a normal chunk of space debris. However, this asteroid had something all other asteroids did not: intelligence. The asteroid cast its thoughts out for nearby planets, knowing it needed to find one soon. It, and all the creatures born from it, were hungry.

The asteroid crooned to its offspring like a mother would croon to its child, so preoccupied it almost didn't notice it was in a solar system. It stalled its progress through space, and considered the planets.

Four were gas giants, and it discarded those planets. Of the other five, one was too small, one too dangerous, and one too close to the sun. The last two were similar, but the third from the sun was lush with life. The asteroid started drifting toward it. It sensed a being that had potential on the planet, and angled toward it, hoping to crush the being before it became too powerful to stop.

As it approached the planet, the asteroid extended its consciousness. The intelligent denizens of this planet, humans, called their planet "Earth." The asteroid chuckled darkly as it fantasized about this planet's corruption. I am here, it thought. Your defeat is inevitable. Goodbye, humans. Goodbye, Earth.

*********

"Helena," I call. "Could you take a look at this for me?"

I move out of the way so Helena can see the hologram projected into the air. "What am I looking for?" she asks.

I shrug. "Anything that could be wrong with it."

She studies the holographic words, scrolls down a bit, and leans in close. "Asha..." she says slowly, and then looks up and grins at me. "Why are two periods right there?"

"Oops!" I scramble back to my desk and quickly delete the extra period. "Anything else?"

She studies the formula for a few more seconds, then shakes her head. "Nothing I can see."

I smile. "Perfect!" It's not often I get new creations right on the first try. I copy the formula, then send it up to one of the creation databanks. With any luck, someone will check the finished projects soon and make the chemical compound I've been working on for the past week a reality.

I'm going to call it Gigant-a-plant. A single drop will stimulate growth in plant matter, causing things like flowers and trees to grow massive. Gigant-a-plant could end world hunger by growing fruits and vegetables to gigantic sizes...that is, if I get it right.

My arm buzzes. I quickly tap the button on my desk to retract the keyboard, then glance down. My Mobile Machinery Tech has been in its extended form for the past hour. I tap past the date and time (11:36 AM, April 14th, 2731), expecting a text from the creation team in our sector, but instead it's from Rose.

Rose: We're almost there! Ready for the tour?

"Helena?" I ask, trying to stay calm. "Did you remember that Rose and her students were coming to tour this lab today?"

I barely register the horror on her face before she jumps up. "We need to get to the elevator now!"

We sprint through the lab. Every time we pass a person, I shout "Student tour!" and see their expressions morph to horror as they try to find something to do that looks important.

We slide to a stop in front of the elevator doors. I hear the hum of the elevator rising to our floor. "Take this!" exclaims Helena, shoving a clipboard into my arms. I take it just as the elevator slides open, and Rose steps out, followed by a mass of her students.