Harvester 7 by Andy Lang Page B

the continuation of the
ecosystem balanced on those tiny bacteria. Maulik knew that total
harvesting of L1 spelt death to the planet, those micro-organisms
were the building blocks for all life, take them away completely
and the food chain crumbled, vegetation perished, higher life forms
starved, loss of L1 signalled the beginning of the end.
    "Move in
closer to the collectors." he asked and Kressa dropped almost the
surface to give him the best view. Transport beams flickered across
the bellies as the computers identified each creature, both above
and below the surface, the bodies beamed directly into chilled
storage in the vast holds.
    It was an
efficient system and the fully automated craft would work around
the clock stripping 20% or 30% of the continent before moving on to
the next target zone.
    "we've seen
the dead, now let's witness the living," he exclaimed, "Northern
continent, Sector 8 please."
    Two minutes
later Maulik stared in disbelief at a wasteland, not one blade of
vegetation was in evidence.
    "Scan for life
please Kressa." he asked with a sinking feeling.
    "Sorry
Maulik... 0.0%"
    "The lazy
fools." he shouted, "You never harvest everything... please extend
your scan and let me know where life signs begin again."
    A second later
Kressa replied, "There is no life in the northern hemisphere."
    "Yeah, I had a
feeling you were going to say that." he replied with a heavy heart,
"Relik." he signalled 7, "Withdraw the drones and harvesters, we're
moving on."
    "Please
repeat." came back a confused reply.
    "The northern
hemisphere is stripped, dead, we can't continue the harvest."
    "Understood, recalling now," it wasn't the first time Relik
had received the order, but it still sickened him.
    "Come on Kressa... take me back please" he asked dejectedly,
greed had closed another planet to harvesting for many hundreds of
years, if it managed to recover at all, but in addition to the
pointless destruction Maulik knew that his trip would now be that
much longer as he would have to detour to another planet to ensure
he met his full quota. "How many extra
months?" he asked himself.
    "You could
always make up some of the difference on the new world that is
approved for harvesting." suggested Kressa as they burst through
the upper atmosphere and back into the vacuum of space.
    "How do you
know about that?" he questioned.
    "7's computer
told me" she replied innocently, "I had to talk to someone while I
was stuck in that hold" she laughed.
    "So you weren't that lonely" he chuckled.
    "Have you
tried to joke with a computer" she replied, "I was lonely for
conversation without logic and endless algorithms."
    "OK, so what
do you suggest?"
    "Well," she
purred, "If the data is correct, the planet has an infestation of
L6 life forms, far more than is realistically sustainable, if you
harvest just 3,265% above quota you will meet your target and
negate the need to harvest elsewhere."
    "Outstanding,"
he declared, "I wonder if it really is that over-run, we might just
be helping the ecosystem recover by pushing the quota."
    "You don't
need to justify yourself," she chuckled, "The last harvester here
went 100% over quota, I don't think three and a quarter percent is
going to make you a galactic criminal."
    "I like your
logic." he grinned.
    "Relik," he
called, "Drop a quarantine beacon, let's make sure no other crew
harvests here again," "And get us ready for FTL, we leave the
second the collectors are back on board."
    ***
    "26,000 tons."
announced Relik and Maulik's heart sank as he hoped that his
actions hadn't started the planets gradual slide towards death.
    "Master,"
commented Relik formally as he caught the thoughts of guilt, "I
doubt very much if we have done any lasting damage, the southern
continents are flourishing and with time the north will recolonise,
yes it will take a very long time but that planet is far from dead,
your conscience should be clear, it is the previous Master that has
to pay... and," he grinned, "At least we have