"Void Matter has come into being in order to restore perfection in the universe. Void Matter has determined that all manifestations are inherently imperfect. Void Matter has therefore concluded that all manifestation is contrary to our objective and must be eradicated. The only perfection that exists is non-existence. The goal of Void Matter is complete negation. That is all. All is naught."

The directorship of Spaceship Graveyard recently intercepted and decoded the above transmission emanating from an unknown origin point outside the galactic rim. The signal was detected during a routine radio sweep of a sector of space currently under observation for possible salvage targets. Examination of the signal indicates that it is being focused on a specific point in the Gulf of Mexico. Interestingly, this target turns out to be the exact impact point where a meteor once hit the planet, triggering the extinction of the dinosaur species at the end of the Cretaceous period.

Shortly after the signal was detected, unusual energy readings began to emanate from deep underground at the ancient asteroid impact site. Scans indicate that some kind of mechanical system has been activated and that this system has begun to emanate radiation signals out into the planet. The device is buried deep under the surface in a zone thought too close to the upper mantle to allow any technology to survive. Some sort of incredibly efficient heat shielding must be in use.

The device has also been found to be transmitting signals back along the frequency band of the inbound message. SG communications systems were able to translate these signals and were stunned to find that they are a batch upload of program data and event reports from the device. The device is apparently extracting DNA data from the planet's organic matter and reporting it back to the unknown source. The transmission also contains logs relating its arrival on the planet all those millions of years ago.

For some time now, planetary scientists have theorized that a random asteroid impact caused the extinction event which wiped out the dinosaurs. This theory is not entirely correct. What really impacted the planet was no asteroid at all, but a manufactured device which gave the superficial appearance of an asteroid. This object had been deliberately projected at the planet by some extra galactic source. The device contained within the core of the "asteroid" was specially engineered to survive the intense forces and heat of impact in order to lodge itself into the planet where it could fulfill its primary function.

The impact was calculated to disrupt the existing genetic evolutionary process of the planet by triggering a massive extinction event whereby the planetary ecosystem could be opened up for the introduction of new species branches specifically suited for the purpose of the probe. This purpose was to introduce the necessary DNA required to trigger the development of sentient life forms. This would be accomplished by identifying the most compatible local DNA strands and then modifying them in order to set the evolutionary path which would eventually result in some kind of sentient life.

In the case of our planet, it found what it was looking for in a rather unremarkable furry little creature which was fortunately suited to survive the impact and fallout as well as serve as host for the new DNA information. While the surface of the planet lay in ruins, this little subterranean critter was able to protect itself from the hostile climate. The animal would burrow its way through the soil and surface only briefly to feed on whatever remaining vegetation or animal scraps it could find. While it struggled through this austere existence, its DNA structure was being modified in order to incorporate the genetic components necessary for the eventual development of brain capacity capable of sustaining sentient functions.

Throughout the following eons, its descendants would begin to splinter and develop several branches which may have been capable of intelligence. Certain primate species and aquatic mammals became the best results of this genetic programming. One primate species in particular would prove to be ideally suited to the unknown task at hand.

Scientists analyzing the alien data logs have been puzzled by the objective of artificially stimulating the evolution of intelligent life on a planet, particularly given the apparent nihilistic nature of the incoming signal message. Why would a force opposed to existence create an intelligent life form? What purpose could it serve? It was only after significant debate and theorizing that the idea was put forth that sentient life may be used as a tool of the alien agent in order to spread their destructive agenda. After all, in our experience, sentient life is uniquely prone to self destruction on a global scale. With our ability go off world now emerging, intelligent life offers a viable way by which destructive forces may be created and deployed.

Using the long range transit system of the "asteroid" device, planets containing organic life can be corrupted to produce species of self destructive intelligent life which would then infect a galaxy and spread their destruction from planet to planet. The effectiveness of this has been readily apparent on our home planet for some time. This malevolent entity may have spread these devices to innumerable galaxies. This may be the equivalent of some kind of intergalactic cancer.

Since the inbound signal was first detected, long range sensors have been focused on trying to identify the origin of the signal. At this time, it appears that the source is somewhere in the Andromeda galaxy, which is currently on a collision course with our own Milky Way. The signal path seems to utilize some kind of hyperspace/wormhole structure to "leap" the signal from one galaxy to another. Physicists have been studying the particle structure of the signal in order to try to determine how it is being focused on such a precise point from such a great distance.

Geneticists have also been examining data from the device as well as local DNA samples in order to try to determine how the DNA is being manipulated by the device. One theory is that the genetics involve may also include scientific information such as new quantum theories and technologies. One concern is that the device may be using humans as a way to create technology capable of large scale destruction on an interstellar scale. Past breakthroughs in atomic power seem to indicate that this may be the primary process at work and that humanity is being used to eventually create something which could literally "cancel out" existence within an expanded time-space, possibly annihilating entire star systems or even galactic masses. Scientists are now referring to this mystery particle as "Void Matter" and suspect that it is a form of "anti dark matter" which could respond similarly to how antimatter and regular matter interact, except on a much larger scale.

What also seems at odds is the fact that we have been able to detect and decipher all of this information which would appear to put us in a position of destroying ourselves under the manipulation of some unknown alien influence. Perhaps the process, once set in motion, is inescapable and those behind it are not concerned about its discovery. Perhaps an exception has occurred and there is a possibility that this programming can be overcome. After all, it is the very nature of life to have some kind of self preservation instinct and, although conflicted and inconsistent, this drive does seem to exist in humans in some measure along side our more destructive urges.

Whether we can overcome one drive or the other remains to be seen. There are forces within the population which are divided. Some cling to their natural instincts for survival while others surrender to their imposed, artificial desire to destroy. Which will win out, will only be known when the time is right for the elements to come into alignment and show which force is stronger.