The Nomad Chronicles

I am a lion in another Africa, another world. All carnivores are scavengers. I watch an old elephant breathe its last. I run to it, and make sure it's dead. I yowl, calling other carnivores to the dead beast. Hyenas, lions, and vultures come. We share, and devour the flesh in a couple hours. The hyenas and bugs eat the bones. Clean. There is no trace of the elephant.

I gaze up at Humans in small anti-gravity platforms, about 8 feet across, hover low and watch us with a gentle fascination. Their clothing is made from a living moss. They have engineered our genes to be strong, peaceful, and telepathic. They are playing a galactic game in which they improve global ecosystems. The game is practice to become benevolent gods.