Chapter 218

Earth

Built two months after disclosure of Earth's new reality, a joint Asgard/Tauri facility sat at the extreme edge of Edwards Air Force Base. Inside the sprawling nine hundred thousand square foot facility, teams of Asgard cloning experts worked hand in hand with a multinational team of human counterparts. Divided into many disciplines, the human scientists came from many places. Marine biologists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, zoologist's from the Chinese Academy of Science and the United States Department of the Interior, and ornithologists from Germany's Max Planck Institute, America's Wilson Ornithological Society, and others from both Canada and Australia.

Inside of this mega complex, a steady stream of work took place. Skeletal material from extinct and endangered species arrived. Once unpacked, these skeletal samples were turned over to the Asgard. Samples in hand, the process of isolating the genomes of many species began. Some of these species had been extinct for as long as one hundred and fifty years, while others could easily become extinct within a generation. Once the genome was isolated, the DNA structures were altered and put through a process of minor mutation, so no two samples were exactly alike. This would ensure no ill effects further down the road. DNA samples in hand, the cloning process began.

It had been decided to start slowly. The Blue and Sei Whale were chosen as the first forms of sea life to be cloned. Moving on to birdlife, the Laughing Owl and the California condor were selected. For land mammals, the West African Black Rhino, and the Tasmanian wolf were selected. As had been done with clone bodies once utilized by the Asgard, each of these species was grown in individual bioreactors. Much like a w.o.m.b, each example of the individual species matured, they were allowed to grow to a.d.u.l.thood. Once that was accomplished, each example was beamed directly into adjustable sized stasis chambers. There they would wait for other members of their species to be added. Once a certain number threshold was passed, these animals would be released back into the wild.

Once sustainable numbers of each species were cloned, the act of reintroduction would begin. For the birds and land mammals, this process was straightforward. Transported back to their natural habitats, the animals would simply be set loose in species specific communities. For sea life, it was slightly more complicated. The two species of whale would be grouped together in pods. Once this was accomplished, they would be transported into areas known to be traditional territories for said species at this time of year. From there, elements of the United States Navy submarine force would monitor each pod. This monitoring would continue for some time to come.

It was widely known that this process would take many years. Bringing about ecological balance was seen as well worth the effort. In time, the effects of over hunting would be erased. These noble species would once again roam the Earth, as they had in their time. Loss of habitat had contributed to the demise of several species, and that too was being addressed.

Elsewhere on Earth, the challenge of combating deforestation was being tackled. Here, technology would also play a crucial role. Under international agreement, large portions of the Amazon River basin, large tracts of land in Asia, Africa, and elsewhere were declared off limits. Islands once heavily forested, were also added to the target matrix. Human settlements within the deforested zones were relocated.

In orbit at various points around Earth, Asgard science vessels sat ready for their task. Making use of their onboard transporters, these vessels would transport material to the deforested zones far below. This material was composed of seeds, and a Furling supplied molecular ecosystem blueprint in the form of a fine dust. Once in contact with soil, this fine dust would instantly recreate the assorted planet life other than trees, found in each unique ecosystem. Scattering all the building blocks to the ground below in a computer predetermined optimal disburs.e.m.e.nt pattern, the cycle of life would begin anew.

In each disburs.e.m.e.nt area, a second example of Furling technology would be placed. Each the size of a human forearm, these polished black cylinders would fulfill a critical need for this projects success. Upon activation, these devices would emit a copper colored stream of tendril like energy in a predetermined cone of influence. Inside this cone, ideal weather patterns to promote Forest growth would be achieved, allowing much-needed seasons to pass.

The reason such technology was required was due to a key piece of technology in the plan at work. Asgard time dilation technology would form dilation zones over each of the newly planted areas. Accelerating time within the field by a factor of two hundred, the forests around the world would grow unmolested. In a matter of weeks, the effects of deforestation would be undone. This would return nature's efficient system of temperature and moisture control to the world.

Although technology could never fully heal the damage Earth had endured as a result of the industrial revolution, much could be achieved. In time, the Earth would once again be home to many of the species of her past. Environments would be reestablished, and filled with animal life. As the cityscapes of Earth changed, so would nature outside of those high-tech cities. Finally, humankind was thinking of a future greater than just their own.