The Discovery Of Loki

The discovery of the planet Loki was but a footnote in the annuals of humanity. A small, rocky planet with an active molten core was- at this point in time- not an unusual find to make in the depths of space. But a closer look revealed that Loki had more potential than anyone could have anticipated.

The planet had its own atmosphere (albeit with no free oxygen and thus unbreathable by humans) and, crucially, liquid water. On the surface it rained, the lands had their rivers, and the oceans had their tides- pulled by its two small moons, Sigyn and Nari. And yet, there was apparently no life. The land was barren and rocky, the oceans empty and choked with sediment. Nothing but dust flew in its skies, nothing but wind crept over the ground. It was, it seemed, a dead world…or perhaps one yet to be born.

The scientific community practically rioted with delight. This was undoubtedly one of the greatest scientific discoveries of the age: a habitable planet so early in its development! Loki was an unparalleled resource, one that provided a unique and unprecedented snapshot of how Earth itself must have looked in its early aeons. How much it could tell us about our home planet, and how life itself arose and spread!

Unfortunately for the scientists they were not the only ones with a vested interest in Loki. Businessmen turned their greedy eyes towards the planet and saw not a scientific marvel, but a virgin world ripe with resources to be harvested. And sadly, money spoke louder than knowledge, and despite protests the planet was soon handed over to rich consortiums to plunder and exploit.

Yet before that could happen work needed to be done. In order to lower costs and maximise profits the planet needed to be made habitable. Rather than wait a few billion years for the world to naturally settle, the businessmen brought back in the disgruntled scientists, their knowledge and expertise used to alter the world for the benefit of its new human masters. It was not the project the scientists had wished to conduct on the planet, but it was better than nothing.

The terraforming of Loki had begun.