2420AD

The Space Research organizations across the length and breadth of the globe detected abnormal activity in the Geo Synchronous Earth Orbit and the Low Earth Orbit, all at the same time. The observed data was shared among them so were the observations and conclusions. The unanimous conclusion was ominous…

…The manmade space debris was coming together, threatening the life and existence on Earth. It was assuming the size that was far bigger than the largest of the asteroids.

For the common Earthlings, it was a matter of curiosity, to begin with. A part of the sky appeared darker without any cloud cover, as seen from any corner of the globe. It was growing in proportion day by day. From the size of the football to a huge cloud, spread few kilometers across, it appeared looming heavily. The curiosity soon was replaced by the conspiracy theories of the apocalypse which were proving sagacious. Inspite of assurance from the World Governing bodies, there was rampant confusion, panic, anxiety and growing dissent amongst the Earthlings.

Space probes and geostationary satellites were missioned to collect the information about the unusual phenomenon. All the data however remained inconclusive. Advanced level AI failed to provide any insight. It was beyond the man and machine’s capacity to decipher the obvious why and how of it. The only thing that was becoming evident was that the man-made space debris was coming together and gaining the proportion that would threaten the existence on Earth.

Mitigation plans that were charted to stop the debris from falling into the Earth’s atmosphere failed to fetch any positive outcome. Task forces mandated to find the ways to break up the humongous cloud of debris into smaller chunks and to move them away from the Earth’s orbit as well as that of the orbit of manmade satellites failed miserably. The size of the debris, which was estimated at 5,000,000 tons was far beyond the manageable capacity of the existing technology. Debris, on the other hand, was inching closer, ready to strike the Earth any time soon.

Massive evacuation was undertaken to transport the Earthlings to Human settlements and colonies on Moon, Mars, Venus and Titan, which were established in the earlier century.

With the threat looming large and just a few days left for the touch down of the massive cloud of space debris on Earth, the World Head Addressed the humanity on the inter-galactic transmission portal.

“Ladies and Gentlemen. I am here, regretfully, to share a sad news with you. Earth has to pay the price of irresponsible littering of the space. It’s we, the humans who should be condemned for our insensitive acts of polluting the space. We have failed to correct the wrongs of the past. Only option at hands is to leave our beloved Earth behind and settle at other colonies. I hope that you will find a new life and prosper in the new colonies. The next few hours will seal the fate of our Earth which right now seems gloomy. I wish you good luck”

Just when the last batch of evacuees left the Earth, the cloud of debris hit it resulting in a loss of habitat. It triggered the ice age on Earth. Humans settled on other planets witnessed the doom helplessly, mourning their imperceptive behavior over centuries under the guise of space explorations or extending the military capabilities.

The Universe had a sigh of relief which was felt in terms of unusual deflection of the cosmic rays for a while. The Universe completed its revenge by cleansing the Earth and the space around it. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction…


To know more about the threat posed by the space debris, check out here and here
Picture courtesy Pixabay
Explore previous stories at Stack of Stories
Categories: FictionSciFi

19 Comments

soniadogra · April 21, 2020 at 9:23 am

This was scary. Maybe because a part of it is the truth. The problem is very much real.

Nisha · April 21, 2020 at 12:46 pm

This might be sooner than 2400’s! I am just glad I won’t be alive to see transfer to new settlements! Or, maybe, my new avatar will be? Que Sera, Sera!! 🙂

Balaka · April 21, 2020 at 12:59 pm

We humans deserve this punishment. We have been abusing the Earth for long without any regret. We also littered the space. We are indeed the virus. This was one of the best posts from your basket sweetheart. Loved it.

Simon · April 21, 2020 at 1:50 pm

That’s threatening ✨ I was happy that scientists proved again about the general relativity theory, and shocked reading this.😳 that is really scary. Wish we could do something about it.

Natasha Duncan-Drake (call me Tasha) (@beren_writes) · April 21, 2020 at 2:04 pm

Such a dark theme (I chose the word revenge today too – perhaps it is the current climate giving us dark thoughts). We are in such trouble if the universe ever does decide to take revenge! Great story.
Tasha 💖
Virginia’s Parlour – The Manor (Adult concepts – nothing explicit in posts)
Tasha’s Thinkings – Vampire Drabbles

Vaishali Khot · April 21, 2020 at 3:56 pm

Kudos to your imagination Anagha ,though it could be a reality in coming centuries !! Accepted that the humans need to explore the space for various reasons but our irresponsible behaviour towards mother Earth may actually endanger it’s very existence one day ..

Viyoma · April 21, 2020 at 4:25 pm

Gripping narration – but scary picture. In the present context- even the thought shudders.

alpanadeo · April 21, 2020 at 5:29 pm

Even though it is a fiction but it won’t take long for it to turn into the reality. You do full justice with each and every plot you pick.

Srivalli · April 21, 2020 at 5:48 pm

TBH, I wouldn’t mind a bit if it happens this very minute.

Madhu Bindra · April 21, 2020 at 6:47 pm

This is scary, but could very well happen. Time for people to wake up.

Durga Prasad Dash · April 21, 2020 at 7:22 pm

That is quite a futuristic yet very much present take on fate of earth.

Shweta Suresh · April 21, 2020 at 9:06 pm

That is a powerful story. If there’s one thing COVID-19 has taught us, it’s that the Universe can take care of itself without any help from mankind! Hopefully we’ll realize our folly before the point of no return. I have written two tiny tales based on this concept.
https://thesoulsearchersite.wordpress.com/2019/08/20/tiny-tale-54-new-beginnings/
https://thesoulsearchersite.wordpress.com/2018/07/08/three-line-tale-3-the-expanse/

purbajune · April 21, 2020 at 9:21 pm

This story fits these chaotic times so perfectly.

Keith's Ramblings · April 21, 2020 at 9:44 pm

How long before fiction becomes fact?

msjadeli · April 22, 2020 at 5:26 am

This feels so much like a vision of the future to me. You’re right, we can’t keep on the way we are going without a fatal end.

Ira Mishra · April 22, 2020 at 5:41 am

I really hope the ending of the story doesn’t come true…. Hope Earth forgives us and we can continue staying on it… Promising that we won’t create havoc again!! Lovely narrative… Sounded like a sci-fi story 🙂

Shilpa Garg · April 22, 2020 at 8:49 am

This may become a reality, sooner than we realize. Hope we get our act together and save ourselves and the future generation from getting banished from this earth!!
Fantastic writing this is, Anagha!!

Unishta · April 22, 2020 at 10:02 am

Good old Newton got it right!

Anita · April 23, 2020 at 1:36 am

Apt. Humans need to take care before it’s too late.
April 22 was Earth Day. Hope we don’t get to see such revenge in our lifetime…

Anita

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