covered the planet and the forests were little more than reserves.
“We almost destroyed our ecosystem, and the planet started dying as a result of our actions. When we moved on to become a space faring race and started mining the uninhabitable planets in this solar system, laws were passed to protect the wildlife.
“All industries were moved off planet, as well as any operation deemed harmful to the planet and its inhabitants. Much of the population that worked in the operations that were moved off planet were also housed off planet.
“When the military started building space vessels, crewing them took away more population. The heavy draw on our population, combined with our decreasing numbers, literally emptied some cities and nearly emptied others. So many were torn down, and the local wildlife was allowed to take the land back.
“Now, there are only four main cities on the planet. The cities were rebuilt in coastal regions to help limit damage to the planet. Growth is regulated to allow only so much per year. In the last few years, there has been no growth as the birth rate has been below the death rate and the population is actually shrinking,” she finished.
“It is much the same on my home planet right now. Someday we might get wise like your people did,” Jon said. He was still watching out the window.
“Your people will,” Deatra said. “You’re the first step in that direction. The ability to be space faring has a lot to do with how you treat the planet you live on and see the destruction being caused.”
“One can only hope,” Jon said.
The shuttle passed over an open plain, and a herd of deer like animals with six legs began to run. Their coats were a deep green and shimmered as the herd ran for cover. Their antlers were silver and reflected the sunlight. The grass was golden brown in color as it swayed in the breeze.
“What are those?” Jon said.
Deatra leaned over and looked out the small window. “Those are Anclasi they’re hunted for their antlers and meat. The meat is some of the best on the planet. It’s considered a delicacy by some of the tribes, since hunting them has been restricted. Their numbers have been slowly shrinking too, just like all life on Euthara. They used to fill the plains, and they were the main source of protein on the planet.”
Jon quickly connected the problems of the Eutharan people with the animals. “So, the population shrinkage wasn’t just happening to the people it was happening to everything on the planet,” Jon said.
“Not everything,” Deatra said. “Plant life has bloomed and because of that plants have replaced most of our diet.”
“Strange,” Jon said.
“We’ve been searching for the cause,” Deatra said.
Jon turned from the window and looked at Deatra. She seemed to glow with happiness and excitement. Jon smiled at her as he rubbed her cheek. “Being home suits you,” Jon said. “You’re glowing with excitement.”
“Thanks,” Deatra said. “I’m just really happy to have you here and for you to see my home planet. We’re about to pass over the northern most city, our capital.”
“What was it called?” Jon said as he tried to remember. “Wait I remember, Paskame, right?”
“Correct,” Deatra said as she smiled happily. “You remember what it means in Eutharan?”
“City of Kings,” Jon said. “It’s named that because every ruler has maintained a residence in the city during their reign.”
Jon watched as a small, almost flat, fighter took up position next to the shuttle. They would be escorted from one side of the city to the other. A preplanned route was uploaded to the shuttle when they entered the cities air space. Any deviation from that flight plan and the shuttle would be shot down no matter who was on-board. It was for the safety of the royal family and upper class citizens. Not everyone was happy with how things were going on Euthara.
The city was massive in size. Buildings of all shapes and
“We almost destroyed our ecosystem, and the planet started dying as a result of our actions. When we moved on to become a space faring race and started mining the uninhabitable planets in this solar system, laws were passed to protect the wildlife.
“All industries were moved off planet, as well as any operation deemed harmful to the planet and its inhabitants. Much of the population that worked in the operations that were moved off planet were also housed off planet.
“When the military started building space vessels, crewing them took away more population. The heavy draw on our population, combined with our decreasing numbers, literally emptied some cities and nearly emptied others. So many were torn down, and the local wildlife was allowed to take the land back.
“Now, there are only four main cities on the planet. The cities were rebuilt in coastal regions to help limit damage to the planet. Growth is regulated to allow only so much per year. In the last few years, there has been no growth as the birth rate has been below the death rate and the population is actually shrinking,” she finished.
“It is much the same on my home planet right now. Someday we might get wise like your people did,” Jon said. He was still watching out the window.
“Your people will,” Deatra said. “You’re the first step in that direction. The ability to be space faring has a lot to do with how you treat the planet you live on and see the destruction being caused.”
“One can only hope,” Jon said.
The shuttle passed over an open plain, and a herd of deer like animals with six legs began to run. Their coats were a deep green and shimmered as the herd ran for cover. Their antlers were silver and reflected the sunlight. The grass was golden brown in color as it swayed in the breeze.
“What are those?” Jon said.
Deatra leaned over and looked out the small window. “Those are Anclasi they’re hunted for their antlers and meat. The meat is some of the best on the planet. It’s considered a delicacy by some of the tribes, since hunting them has been restricted. Their numbers have been slowly shrinking too, just like all life on Euthara. They used to fill the plains, and they were the main source of protein on the planet.”
Jon quickly connected the problems of the Eutharan people with the animals. “So, the population shrinkage wasn’t just happening to the people it was happening to everything on the planet,” Jon said.
“Not everything,” Deatra said. “Plant life has bloomed and because of that plants have replaced most of our diet.”
“Strange,” Jon said.
“We’ve been searching for the cause,” Deatra said.
Jon turned from the window and looked at Deatra. She seemed to glow with happiness and excitement. Jon smiled at her as he rubbed her cheek. “Being home suits you,” Jon said. “You’re glowing with excitement.”
“Thanks,” Deatra said. “I’m just really happy to have you here and for you to see my home planet. We’re about to pass over the northern most city, our capital.”
“What was it called?” Jon said as he tried to remember. “Wait I remember, Paskame, right?”
“Correct,” Deatra said as she smiled happily. “You remember what it means in Eutharan?”
“City of Kings,” Jon said. “It’s named that because every ruler has maintained a residence in the city during their reign.”
Jon watched as a small, almost flat, fighter took up position next to the shuttle. They would be escorted from one side of the city to the other. A preplanned route was uploaded to the shuttle when they entered the cities air space. Any deviation from that flight plan and the shuttle would be shot down no matter who was on-board. It was for the safety of the royal family and upper class citizens. Not everyone was happy with how things were going on Euthara.
The city was massive in size. Buildings of all shapes and
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