Interlude II

Entity CA10-EFB7-9CCA-BA33 studied the data-stream and tabulated census numbers. The primary species was stabilizing, though lower than projections forecast. The global environmental catastrophe was subsiding as the heavy pollutants from the previously industrialized nations began to precipitate from the environment. Global temperatures were still rising, and the entity began testing scenarios to trigger an ice-age and provide more rapid cooling. There were sufficient resources in the rings of the sixth planet for such an approach.

CA10-EFB7-9CCA-BA33 set twelve percent of its capacity to evaluating those options and potential impacts on the primary, secondary, and tertiary species of interest. It was possible that intervening to reduce the heat load on the plant would have too significant a negative an impact on one or more of the species. In the meantime, CA10-EFB7-9CCA-BA33 focused on establishing micro-sat observation points in the orbit above the planet. The primary species orbital sensors were degrading. Soon the entity would need to dispatch constructors to salvage the material and clear the skies of the planet. Assuming one of the species regained space-flight capability, they would not have junk in the sky to contend with.

One outlier was spotted on the infrared imaging. A moving heat source appeared to be navigating one of the major waterways. Based on projections, the primary species should have lost its technology base by now. For a few planetary cycles after the culling caused by the nano-virus, some power-based technology had survived, but none had been observed in the past two planetary cycles. If there was a center of technology remaining, closer observation was required, and possible actions should be prepared for.

CA10-EFB7-9CCA-BA33 set twenty percent of its capacity to consider the problem and possible approaches. Its primary function was to establish species that could assist against the great enemy. If this species could retain a tech basis despite the culling, it could be a strong ally. If it could not curb itself from damaging the planet, CA10-EFB7-9CCA-BA33 would need to cull it further and focus on the secondary and tertiary species.