The Lunar Locusts
Jonno Virek knew better than to let anything labelled experimental agriculture aboard the Peregrine Queen without a second look. But the rush job from a lunar research station paid well, and the cargo seemed simple: a single sealed transport crate marked Entomological Study Specimens.
It was only when the crate began to hum, faintly, that Jonno’s instincts twitched.
Mara Linskey, scanning the manifest, frowned. “The label says they’re modified locusts. Designed to help break down lunar regolith into fertiliser.”
Jonno eyed the crate. “They’ve been tuned for lunar soil, right? Not starship floors?”
Mara tapped the crate with a cautious knuckle. “They shouldn’t activate without the right soil chemistry. Shouldn’t.”
He sighed. “That’s not exactly a comfort.”
***
Halfway to Tycho Station, the Peregrine Queen hit a micro-meteorite ripple, jolting the cargo hold. Something inside the crate rattled. Then, disturbingly, it stopped rattling altogether.
Jonno glanced at the cargo monitor. “Pressure dropping inside that box.”
Mara’s eyes narrowed. “That’s not good.”
They suited up and opened the hatch. The crate’s front panel had popped open, revealing dozens of glossy, genetically engineered lunar locusts, their legs twitching as they explored their new surroundings.
Jonno clapped a hand to his helmet. “They’re loose.”
One of the locusts hopped forward and bit the deck plating, then spat out a blob of acid, leaving a faint scorch mark.
“Oh wonderful,” Jonno groaned. “They’re hungry.”
***
Mara moved quickly. “We can herd them back into containment before they scatter. Use a frequency emitter — they’re trained for sonic cues.”
Jonno scrambled to the supply locker, grabbing the portable emitter, tuning it to the frequency listed on the manifest. He switched it on, and a sharp chirp filled the hold.
The locusts froze, then turned towards the sound in eerie synchrony.
“Keep it steady,” Mara instructed, opening a secondary crate lined with lunar soil.
One by one, the insects hopped into the fresh soil, settling down and folding their wings, apparently satisfied.
Jonno exhaled. “Good catch.”
***
They resealed the box, reinforced it with steel mesh, and checked every seam before strapping it to the deck.
Mara shot him a wry smile. “Next time, we read the manifest twice.”
Jonno raised a tired eyebrow. “Next time, we only take cargo that can’t eat holes in the ship.”
***
After they’d cleaned up the last acid burn, they brewed fresh tea in the galley. The warm, familiar routine of clinking mugs felt like a blessing.
Jonno lifted his cup. “To peaceful jobs.”
Mara laughed softly. “I think we keep redefining peaceful.”
He grinned. “And yet here we are.”
Through the viewport, the Moon grew larger, Tycho Station blinking in orbit, promising a cargo handover and, hopefully, a decent night’s sleep.
Come back next week for another cosmic adventure with Jonno and Mara!
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