The ewe’s corpse is so sun-scrubbed and wind-swept that it is little more than a pile of bones and dried sinew arranged in the rough form of a sheep. A drone approaches, cresting over a hill while guiding several thousand still-living sheep who bear little resemblance to the dead creature. It rises and leaves the herd behind, approaching the rest station where the bones are clustered around the seal of a mechanical gate. A light above flashes in acknowledgement as the drone sends a signal. The gate begins to slide on its rails, hooks against one of the animal’s ribs, and hums with effort. Some small percentage of livestock die in each year’s migration from accidents or thirst – an inconsequential loss…..
First published in Sci Phi Journal in June 2026.