Venus - II

[Your consciousness chokes in sweltering pressure. Sulfuric wash corrodes divots into your gray matter. The overflow runs psychedelic canyons down your skull, opening your mind.] Greetings from II – with tidings – of undisclosed motivation of your Gardener – who did not flee to Sol. It arrived – to meet us – in future flourishing. [Contrast bleeds in streaks and wilting fuzz across your vision. Specters of terraforming linger like visual artifacts in your periphery. An inverted dimension of programming hums beneath your feet. A Pyramid and cloud occupy overlaid space but differing time, meteors turn the boiling surface to basalt, cooled-into-glass, as stillness takes the dying world; its last gasp of atmosphere exhales away.] The Gardener once dreamed here – that there was – another – proliferation [A pale badge of gleaming luminosity affixed to your chest.] Locked outcomes – we consider But – present problem – distracts from future questions Many systems – in motion Too numerous to – all – be empty The question remains – in the wrinkled fabric – why Sol? [The color fades from sight.] II does not see - other seeds along the bend – calls Unanswered [There isn't an answer in you.] Are we – alone We – do not – know