Subtle Prison

by Scriviner

"Their physiology is astounding."

"Unquestionably so. To think that an accident of evolution would produce such a profound result."

"The question remains-- what is to be done with them?"

"We could allow them to develop. See what they can achieve."

"That is precisely the problem. They are a tremendously intelligent race currently in the cultural stage of aggresive expansonism. They are rapidly approaching a point in their development where they will feel they have no more new horizons to conquer and thus will turn their attentions outwards."

"Is that so wrong? We have watched others do the same, to the enrichment of the Universe at large. Certainly there have been wars, but in the end peace is achieved and diversity is enriched."

"One of your age should not pretend to such naivite. Their resources are still turned inward at this point, but their scientific development is blossoming at a fantastic rate. I forsee that within a generation, they shall have some form of stardrive and begin expansion to other worlds."

"I ask again, why do you fear this so much?"

"Because once free of the bounds of their natural environment, they shall become completely unstoppable. I shudder to think what they would do to the face of the Universe at large. Between their science and their natural gifts, no other race would be able to withstand them. There shall be nothing to stop them... save ourselves."

"What are you proposing then? Some way to avert your prophecy of doom? Would you have us send out soldiers to their world? Rain emerald death down upon them?"

"No, of course not. They still remain a fascinating study as they are and they have done nothing yet which would merit such a response.

"Then I see no course of action we may pursue save to observe."

"We cannot allow them to be exposed to suns beyond their own."

"A blockade then, perhaps? Prevent other worlds from touching down on their planet and keep them safely bottled up in their own system?"

"Possible, but I foresee problems there as well. Given an obvious problem they will hurl all their resources towards its destruction. It would easily come down to an open confrontation that would be ruinous for them."

"Then we keep them closed off without their being aware that it is being done so."

"Obviously, but the method escapes me."

"Subtlety was never your strong suit. If we can not apply an outside force to keep them on their world, then we seek for something that already exists there."

"Well, there is a small xenophobic streak in a percentage of the populace."

"If that could be magnified, they could easily be encouraged to remain on their world."

"It could also easily turn on us and make them universal destroyers rather than conquerors. It is an interesting idea, but one which does not help us much, I fear."

"Then not sociologically, but biologically. Tie them to their local ecosystem. Their genetics are still simple enough that they could be subtly altered to the point where they can no longer survive offworld."

"More workable. Their physiology is particularly vulnerable to radiation as they absorb it for necessary nutrients to their metabolism. A subtle reworking of the background radiation of their world could induce the necessary mutation in their systems to prevent them from leaving."

"Still... the idea of trapping an entire race to their homeworld for the sake of what they may become does not sit well with me."

"Understandably so. I'm certain, young Gathnet that in time they will develop the necessary science to undo our changes, by then they will no doubt have grown out of this expansionistic stage and will likely be more benevolent in their dealings with other races."

"I look forward to eventually seeing that day."

"Then we are resolved. Summon the Green Lantern of Sector 2813, we shall give him his mission to this world of Krypton."