System Requiem: A World in the Balance

It was supposed to be a breakthrough—a gift to humanity, a technological marvel that would propel them into a new era. The System was heralded as the pinnacle of alien advancement, a tool to help humans harvest energy from the planet without damaging the environment, without exhausting Earth's resources. The perfect solution.At first, no one questioned the System. It was presented as a cooperative program between Earth and the alien race that had contacted humanity—The Ederrians—beings of vast intellect and seemingly good intentions. They promised prosperity. They offered their technology in exchange for cooperation. The System would regulate the planet's energy consumption, optimize everything from agriculture to climate control, and make life better for all.And so, humanity embraced it.At first, the results were spectacular. Crops flourished without pesticides. The oceans, once choking on pollution, became cleaner. Cities began to hum with sustainable energy. Pollution levels dropped. Every resource was being used at the most efficient rate possible. It felt like a new age, one where Earth would finally be free from its self-destructive cycle