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Farm System

By Ronald Brunsky

The not too distant future:

Since the scientific breakthroughs in gravity control, and anti-matter propulsion, traveling to the stars has finally become an accepted reality. Recent expeditions, although successful in reaching solar systems many light-years away, still have not discovered alien life or life sustaining planets.

A suitable world fit to colonize would have to have the proper gravitational pull, a nitrogen/oxygen based atmosphere, a surface temperature within an acceptable range, and a vast supply of water — every time, a potential site would wind up lacking in at least one of those areas.

The current operation, now in its fifth year, recently had an added burden thrust upon it. The livestock virus, which had been of little concern when the mission started, was now engulfing their entire planet. The many decades of experimentation with meat producing animals had left them unable to fight off this latest strain. Few farm animals were left uninfected. It was only a matter of time before the food supply would be exhausted. Leaders have been forced to initiate a limited ration policy. It was imperative that another food source be found.

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Optimistic news was spreading fast through the crew of the “Guardian One”, long range scanners indicated possible life near a G-type main sequence star residing in the fourth quadrant of their own galaxy. As more data arrived, the likelihood of life on this newly discovered orbiting rock was rapidly becoming a foregone conclusion.

“Captain, our latest reports are 95% sure of life-forms.”

“Fine, set a course for it. If it is intelligent life, maybe they will offer help? It is of the utmost importance that we return with breeding stock. Current information from home isn’t good. The virus has eliminated the last of our planet’s livestock, and the supply of animal meat in storage is running precariously low. Frankly, this looks like our only hope.”

After several months, the space freighter reached the small planet. While they orbited, they located a desirable landing site and laid plans for their incursion.

“I have good news and bad news, Sir.”

“I’ll take the bad first, Lieutenant.”

“I don’t think we can communicate with these aliens.”

“And the good news?”

“I think our search has ended. Further analysis shows that the inhabitants are very primitive. They are air breathing, and have a very high fat content. I think they would satisfy our nutritional needs for some time to come.”

“Wonderful! Commence the landing procedure. It looks like we’ve found our farm system. I’ll send the good news to mission control. We’ll soon be headed home.”

“What a welcome we’ll receive, sir. You know how long the men have been away from home. I mean, they miss their families and another season of sports is history, but there’s something else …”

“Yes, I know what you’re talking about. Why do you think I’ve been taking all those cold showers?”

The huge vessel glided smoothly into a large clearing. The cloaking devices had worked perfectly; the planet’s residents had no knowledge of the invasion.

The cargo doors opened and a large detachment of well armed troops exited the craft.

“Sergeant, do you understand your mission?”

“Yes sir, we are to encircle the colony, and bring back one-hundred sets of breeding stock — destroying the rest — leaving no witnesses.”

“Affirmative … men, remember to be cautious and alert, we want everyone back safe and sound. This is an unknown species; we don’t know what they’re capable of?”

The plan went smoothly. The troops caught them sleeping and completely off-guard. When they finally realized what was taking place, the residents panicked and ran in all directions. But, it was no use; the troops were too well organized and quickly rounded them up.

“Sergeant,” the trooper said, “I think we need one more female to complete the sets.”

“There goes a young one, get her,” yelled the sergeant.

Screaming, and running upright with her front legs swinging uselessly by her sides, she attempted to escape. Her hind feet were blinking on and off, and a long mane flowed behind her. She tried to reach a dwelling, but the trooper was too fast. As he closed in, she turned to face him; her ugliness was repulsive. The extra eye, her tiny mouth with the hideous growth above it and the many rings on her face nearly caused him to vomit. But heroically, he followed through on his orders and quickly subdued her.

“Good job trooper,” the sergeant said. “Do you think those strange looking symbols (JESUS) on her garment, represents their leader?”