Nexus - 1902 - New Times Magazine-pages

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The First and Second Crops quantity was attained, the unrefined Loosh produced was So it was that Someone and his Garden changed all —_ of such low grade that it was scarcely worth the effort. In this. Far off, in a remote area, he set to work on his addition, the growth period was now too long and no experiment. First, he created a proper environment for increase in quality resulted. Some vital element was the carbon-oxygen cycle, where it would flourish. He missing. created a balance with much care, so that proper radiation and other nourishment would be in continuous supply. The Third Crop He then tried his First Crop, which actually did produce Someone hovered over his Garden for a long period in Loosh but only in small quantities and of comparatively study before he attempted the Third Crop. It was indeed a low grade, not significant enough to take back to the heart ~~ challenge. True, he was partially successful. He had of Somewhere. The problem was twofold. The life period — grown Loosh. Yet the product of his efforts fell far short of was too short and the crop units themselves were too _ the wild, uncultivated variety. minute. This brought about limits in quality and quantity, It was inevitable that he perceived the answer. The as the crop had no time to generate Loosh in such close Third Crop was living proof of this Truth. The original tolerances. Moreover, the Loosh could be harvested only —_ carbon-oxygen cycle must be included. Mobility must be at the moment of termination of the life span, not one __ restored. Both factors had shown great promise in high- moment before. grade Loosh production. If size could be added to this, His Second Crop was no better, if as good. He changed ~— much could be accomplished. the environment to another part of the Garden, where the With this plan in the forefront, Someone removed density was gaseous rather than liquid and the higher- various sample units from the First Crop, which was still density chemicals formed a solid base and thus were still thriving in the liquid portion of the Garden. He modified available. He planted numberless them to exist and grow in the units in many varieties in a new gaseous area. He adapted them form, with a great increase in size, The growth and first to take nourishment from the some many thousands of times . ° A Second Crop, which he permitted larger and more complex than the life-termination process to abound for this very purpose. simple, unicellular First Crop. He was of such length that Thus it was that the first of the reversed the carbon-oxygen cycle. Q Mobiles, the Third Crop, came into Yet all had a basic uniformity. Like soon the Mobiles would being. the First Crop, they would reseed all but decimate the The Mobiles took nourishment at regular intervals and terminate from the Second Crop, thus ending their life spans automatically. To Second Crop. its life span and producing low- avoid the uneven distribution of grade Loosh. When each huge chemicals and radiation which had Mobile terminated its own life been prevalent in the First Crop, he immobilised the span, additional Loosh was produced. The quantity was Second Crop. Each was designed to stay principally in its | massive, but the frequency pattern of the Loosh residue own section of the Garden. To this end, each was given _ still left much to be desired. firm tendrils which burrowed deep in the more dense It was by accident that Someone came upon the Prime chemical matter. Attached to this was a stem or trunk Catalyst as regards Loosh production. The monstrous which helped elevate the upper portion upward for its | and slow-moving Mobiles had a life span far out o share of needed radiation. The upper portion, broad, thin proportion to their nourishment input. The growth and and somewhat fragile, was designed as a transducer of __life-termination process was of such length that soon the carbon-oxygen compounds to and from the crop unit. As — Mobiles would all but decimate the Second Crop. The an added thought, brilliant colour radiators accompanied entire Garden would be out of balance, and there would by small particle generators were mounted on each unit, | be no Loosh production whatsoever. Both the Second and usually near the top and symmetrically centred. Third Crop faced extinction. He set up circulating patterns in the gaseous envelope As the Second Crop grew scarce, energy needs of the around the crop, principally to aid in the reseeding Mobiles became acute. Often two Mobiles would seek to process. Later, he discovered that the same turbulent ingest the identical Second Crop Unit. This created effect served as a means of harvesting the Loosh. If the — Conflict, which resulted in physical struggle among two or turbulence were violent enough, the Crop would be blown more of the ungainly Mobiles. down, the life span terminated and the Loosh would Someone observed these struggles, at first bemused discharge. This was especially useful when an immediate with the problem, then with great Interest. As the Loosh supply was desired at a particular point ratherthan struggles ensued, the Mobiles were emanating Loosh, no’ at Harvest Time. in fractional amounts but in sizable, usable quantities and Despite all of this, the Second Crop was most — ofa much higher purity! unsatisfactory. While it was true that a much greater He quickly put the theory to the test. He removed quantity was attained, the unrefined Loosh produced was of such low grade that it was scarcely worth the effort. In addition, the growth period was now too long and no increase in quality resulted. Some vital element was missing. The growth and life-termination process was of such length that soon the Mobiles would 58 * NEXUS all but decimate the Second Crop. FEBRUARY - MARCH 2012 www.nexusmagazine.com