The White Life

by Kevin Ahearn

And you thought the ‘Black Death’ was bad?

By the middle of the 21st century, more than two dozen wars were raging — big and little, old and new, regional and civil. The ceaseless fighting, which had begun when Man first learned how to make a fist or throw a rock, went on unabated around the world.

Couldn’t anybody do anything to stop it?

On the 5th of January, the comet appeared. Astronomers had seen it coming for months but completely underestimated its size and power, which seemed to grow exponentially as it neared the Earth.

For three glorious days, the planet was bathed in a cosmic aura that almost brought humanity to the brink of worldwide panic. But constant and thorough testing on land, in the sea, in the air and in outer space found that the “comet radiation” posed no threat to human life.

More than one religion blessed the event; more than one condemned it. Prayers and donations did increase. But the wars, which had slowed during the initial stage of the comet’s appearance, quickly resumed their killing pace.

The comet departed. Its miraculous effects were not felt for a full generation. As one war ended, another began, but in deepest Africa, in urban Europe and North America, throughout Asia and Latin America, every baby being born was healthy and beautiful and... white!

Scientists were dumbfounded, religious leaders thunderstruck, and parents... parents were outraged.

“Why is my baby white?” screamed mothers from Nairobi to New York, Tokyo to Toledo, Brasilia to Boston.

The comet, concluded the scientific community, had been the cause of it. But how? What kind of radiation could alter the specific genetic makeup of every human on earth?

There was no escape from the comet’s wrath. Even embryos and sperm samples stored away from years before produced white babies.

The populace searched for guidance. Some were convinced of a sinister racial conspiracy. Others were sure it was the Will Of God and thanked The Almighty.

Politicians promised. Doctors suggested second and third opinions. Celebrities and charities and foundations rose up to cure the whiteness bleaching the species.

A century later, after the last black and brown and red and yellow human being had died, all left alive were white. Without its diversity, the species had less to complain and argue about and less to contest and legislate. Art and music dulled. Literature fell under the weight of colorlessness. Style and fashion cooled to please the sameness.

But the more things changed... Wars raged on over religion, land, resources and politics, but unlike a century before, the maimed and the dead, young and old, rich and poor, men, women and children, were all white.

One hundred parsecs away, at the center of the Milky Way, at the headquarters of the Galactic League...

“Another failure,” declared Zexus, Chairman of the League, whose decisions to improve the lot of intelligent life throughout the Galaxy were legend. “First we send an asteroid to get rid of the dumb giants in the hope that more advanced life would evolve, and now this.”

“Your intentions and your strategy were perfect,” said Jallup, the long-time Vice-Chairman. “No one could have foreseen the violent nature of the new dominant species.”

“We sought to promote the growth of intelligent life, but all they do is fight,” said Zexus. “How smart can they be?”

“Is the League to blame?” asked Regga, the First Counsel. “Should we have left the scaly giants alone? Maybe they might have turned out better, or at least, less warlike.”

“We have more comets at the ready,” suggested Jallup. “We could make that species all the same size or put something in their water.”

“From bad to worse,” lamented Zexus. “We and they might be better off if we sent a comet to slam into the planet. Let the few who survive start all over again. Even if they do not deserve it, a second chance is what they need.”

“Leaving them be would be totally unacceptable,” said Regga. “We have to do something.”

“I don’t see how we could do any worse,” agreed Jallup.

“Let the full League put this matter to debate,” said Regga. “But let’s make sure that the next comet will be the last one.”