Genesis Code, (Book 1, Genesis Series)

Prologue

The race huddled together to watch hundreds of dazzling lights brighten the dull sky. Illuminated MIRVs promising destruction tore through space to reach them. AI systems guided the first wave along a final trajectory towards the planet. The next wave would soon reach Exilon 5, but the race would not live to see it.

A ship in the great expanse above Exilon 5 controlled the multi-launch command. Rockets from a nearby planet drove the MIRVs carrying cluster bombs towards the atmosphere. Force fields prevented the shrouds from releasing the terraforming chemicals too early.

Those humans on board the ship prepared for a successful strike to wipe out life on the planet. The terraforming, a necessary step, preceded a planned move to their new home.

The race watched the lights grow bigger above them. Their young continued to chase each other, oblivious to the danger that approached. Those with strong empathic abilities had picked up on the adults' fear and stood alongside them.

Distant rumbling overhead terrified enough to send them running to the safety of their underground tunnels. Others, more brazen, watched as thousands of MIRVs burned bright upon entry. Only heavy breaths and scuffling bare feet from their young broke the silence.

The AI system deactivated the force fields around each launch vehicle. Outer shrouds fell to the earth leaving behind a flimsy wire mesh to protect the payload. Shiny chemical-filled spheres twisted inside their last housing, eager to break loose from the scorched metal. Then the wire mesh disintegrated and several spheres broke free, clashing together and cracking open on impact. Liquid toxins rained down on the earth. The gases that leached out from some containers took longer to sink. More bombs broke free and released their payload through tiny fissures in their outer casings. A thick gas cloud lingered below the skyline, waiting.

The onlookers made no move, even when the lights neared them. The young quit their chasing game to look up at the sky.

Then the rain hit them. Screams and gasps punched through the heavy silence when the acid burned their skin. The terraforming chemicals transformed the air into static, adding to the race's distress.

Desperate adults and young smeared their exposed faces, necks, arms and legs with soggy earth. But the contaminated ground only worsened the effects of the static on their skin.

New screams pierced the thick air. Hot, salty tears leaked from inflamed eyes. Several young wailed and crawled on their hands and knees. Perfect spheres slammed into the earth, splitting apart and unleashing their remaining payload. The chemicals altered the air enough that the race could no longer breathe.

Unbroken bombs transformed into mini projectiles, destroying whatever they touched. The liquid chemicals inside the bombs sprayed outwards like a gentle mist.

With heavy legs and weak bodies, the race staggered towards the sanctuary of their tunnels. Adults crawled with young clinging to their backs, pushing through their efforts to breathe.

New lights appeared in the skies, brighter and bigger than the bomb-carrying MIRVs. These would ignite the gases and alter the atmosphere. The ship in orbit commanded their impact and timed their explosions.

And it was over. Whatever remained in the toxic atmosphere would not survive for long.

The controllers aboard the ship monitored the MIRVs' trajectory and reported the even dispersion of gases across the sky. The chemical liquid would correct the pH balance so the terrain would accept plants and trees at a faster rate.

Everything went according to plan. Stage One to terraform Exilon 5 was complete. The humans would make time to celebrate as soon as they arrived back on Earth.