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Description
Seventeen aliens shaped like mathematical operators adjust their eyes to the artificial lighting overhead. A vault may not be especially stimulating, but it would have to do. Modulus is one of many planets inhibited by the curious equation-creating lifeforms called Algebraliens, but they are moving their clutches of hatchlings to be raised below ground in greater numbers by the day. It is not an act of paranoia. The Modules' first contact with Earth was not followed by a gesture of friendliness, but a threat of violence. Their powers were beyond what the people of Earth could comprehend, and Earth rapidly developed weapons to match, or even best, them out of fear. The Modules did not mean harm, and the Earthlings knew this, but neither could ignore the glaring imbalance of power. The weapons have gone unused so far, but the knowledge of their existence has made the people of Modulus begin planning for the worst. They could move mountains, they could change the course of rivers, but they could not laugh in the face of the unknown when they had precious much to lose. Their abilities were not instinct and could only be taught, making their young vulnerable. The last mature algebralien in the vault- exactly 1,000 years old- says their goodbyes, comforts a crying radical symbol, and clambers up the ladder into the tenuous future. This generation was not meant to see sunlight for the next 100 years.

Description
Seventeen aliens shaped like mathematical operators adjust their eyes to the artificial lighting overhead. A vault may not be especially stimulating, but it would have to do. Modulus is one of many planets inhibited by the curious equation-creating lifeforms called Algebraliens, but they are moving their clutches of hatchlings to be raised below ground in greater numbers by the day. It is not an act of paranoia. The Modules' first contact with Earth was not followed by a gesture of friendliness, but a threat of violence. Their powers were beyond what the people of Earth could comprehend, and Earth rapidly developed weapons to match, or even best, them out of fear. The Modules did not mean harm, and the Earthlings knew this, but neither could ignore the glaring imbalance of power. The weapons have gone unused so far, but the knowledge of their existence has made the people of Modulus begin planning for the worst. They could move mountains, they could change the course of rivers, but they could not laugh in the face of the unknown when they had precious much to lose. Their abilities were not instinct and could only be taught, making their young vulnerable. The last mature algebralien in the vault- exactly 1,000 years old- says their goodbyes, comforts a crying radical symbol, and clambers up the ladder into the tenuous future. This generation was not meant to see sunlight for the next 100 years.