A Measure of Creation

A science fiction short set in the Planetary Assessment Corporation story universe.

Joseph Abrams can hear the thistles' constant moaning, as if in deep, incessant pain--but no one else can. When he tries to hack the weeds down, they scream with such penetrating power that he is forced to stop and cover his ears, as those around him stare in confusion at his odd reactions to sounds they cannot hear.

So Joseph is trapped by multiple battles: the cultural animus between camps of his planetary assessment team, and the mystery of sounds only he can hear. Some grudges span not only centuries, but worlds as well. Has Humanity brought old sins with them and spoiled this new planet? Only by understanding the reasons behind the screaming weeds can Joseph hope to find peace--either on this world, or his own.