COSMIC RESCUE

“Everything is going according to plan, Madam.” The spokesman, obvious a member of the operational services, looked up at the tall, blondhaired woman, who was overlooking the surroundings from the commandpost in the spaceship. She was almost one feet taller, than the engineer. Slim, blue-eyes and extremely young for the position she held over this delicate operation by Cosmic Rescue. That was not the official name, but its goal was to rescue endangered species of life. Life was a priceless and special commodity in this universe, though the opposite seemed true on this planet, which was full of life. It even contained intelligent humanoid species, unique to the universe. But even though there was room enough for everybody and their adaptability to natural circumstances was formidable, the humanoid species, clashed and fought over territory, huntinggrounds and habitable places; a process that drove one type of humans to merely extinction. Nothing could stop this process, becaue the winning side strongly believed, that, although they looked quite similar, that their fellow human being were animals, who should be hunted down, because they represented a danger for the growth and blossoming of their way of life. The latter meaning continuous battles over territory, richness or women. This inherent aggression was now focussed on this, shrinking, population.

“We did a good job, even though it took a couple of years to convince them, that leaving the planet was their best option.”

The engineer nodded. “I was here from the beginning, Madam and worked on holographic projection and imaging.” The woman laughed. “In the end they even accepted holographic images of me and my team as cosmic entities and became part of their collective spirit. During mass-ceremonies held in their underground cathedrals we succeeded in getting this message across. It were their sjamans, that made the difference. They were mostly curious after our techniques and, on a new, suitable planet, this would enhance their power manyfold. Even now their insights, rituals and inprinting techniues completely served their way of life. They only took from the land, what they needed and were, in contrast to their enemies, mostly vegetarian.

Outside, a long row of humans, man, woman and children, were climbing towards an entrance in the ship and disappeared. They were dressed in furs and carried pottery, jars, spears and all kind of tools. They seemed in a kind of trance, hardly making a sound.

“Madam, does this place have a name?” She nodded. “In the future this will be called “das Neanderthal”.