I read this story long ago, but now it reminds me of neocons.

[Liberal Veteran]

It's an excerpt from a longer story, but it reminds me so much of the path the neocons would take us on. It's about an alien race that called the Zygoteans who were threatening the galaxy and how they came to be.

"Zygotea the plentiful fell into hands rings with political power but soiled with greed, insensitivity, and incompetence. Noble families were fashioned to man the helm but the new leaders' god was profit rather than tomorrow's possibility.

First the planet fell victim to their uncontrolled hunger. Trees, mountains and rivers were replaced by scar tissue. The bright colors of life faded to a monochromatic dullness. The riches that were meant for many found their way to only a chosen few.

For the one-eyed God spoke to the people and showed them that limited facets of life exploited to their fullest could be much more satisfying than sampling the entire spectrum. So the Zygoteans danced to their doom with confused smile on their faces, wondering if they had missed something along the way.

Then one day the spring dried up, the mask fell off, the eyes cleared, and horror became plain for all to see.

The jewel had finally crumbled from with and all that remained were those who ruled and those who were ruled. The fantasy of equality melted before the reality that the world was made up of only winners and victims.

The masses cried for social justice and no longer recieved even a cosmetic response. For the only resource left to save the people WAS the people.

Sacrifices were called for.

The stars beckoned. Unfortunately, only a select few would be able to answer that siren's call. Only the best would be allowed to escape the cadaver of Zygotea's once-noble dreams.

Persuaded by the might of Zygotea's military and blessed by the holy offices of the church, the many set out to save the few.

Their sweat and muscle built the ships of their fleet. Their blood was spilt to test the weapons the families would need among the stars and finally, their bodies were used to fuel the fleets maiden voyage.

So died Zygotea. So lived the Zygoteans."

[TennesseeWalker]

1. I remember that...Jim Starlins "Metamorphosis Odyssey"

High end graphic novel from one of Marvel's spin off groups.....EPIC comics, I think...

It was the precursor of "Dreadstar: The Star Slayer". Syzygy Darklock, the Instrumentality (a really hard hitting portrait of the Catholic Church), and lots of swords and sorcery.

Kick Ass...can't believe someone else remembers this stuff. And yeah, anything evil and bad reminds me of Neocons.