Forbearing Planet
Michael Moorcock
Prospero Pidgeon had seen too many intelligent planets in his time not to recognize this new one. He was, after all, the leading expert. When he arrived, accompanied by his mechanical sidekick Robert Robot, one sniff was enough to tell him what was going on. Not only was Temptation II a sentient biosphere roughly the size of Earth, it enjoyed a certain mild malevolence toward its human population that at any time might flare into outright hatred, which, of course, would be the end of them. By the time he had landed, employing Robert’s analytic processors, Professor Pidgeon had already determined the existence of three previous intelligent species that had died in various dramatic ways after Temptation II had taken against them.
“You can’t just keep trashing and abandoning planets,” Prospero pointed out to President Pushof, the charming elected head of Temptation II’s legislative assembly. And before Mrs. Pushof could interject, he raised a restraining hand. “Honestly, a few green wheelies and a rather reluctantly implemented recycling program are little more than a gesture. I’ve seen altogether too much of this, Mrs. President. The fact is that your aerocars alone, not to mention your rocket services, are adding more greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere than all the trucks and SUVs of our ancient and much mourned home planet. Then there are your refineries . . .”
“The source of our wealth,” reiterated the president. “Our very livelihood.”
“And, ironically, the likely cause of your ultimate destruction.” Pidgeon pursed his kindly lips. “After all, it’s not as if history hasn’t shown . . .”
. . .
