In the year 2025, mankind had become so technologically advanced that travel from our star system to the next nearest one (which is 4 light-years apart) only took a week. Deep space travel suddenly became something of fact and no longer science fiction. In late 2025, a group of explorers set off to our neighboring star system, but they found nothing extraordinary. Not even the slightest form of life. While the mission was still historic, mankind began to believe that they truly were the only beings in the universe.
That was, until two years later.
And that's where my story begins. No, not on Earth, but almost 500 light-years away. My name's Max and I'm, I suppose you could say, a "passenger" on this ship. The whole place seems more like a cruise ship in space than anything else, but it's really the first deep space vessel to travel more than 10 light-years from Earth. On board are nearly 200 people, some of which were born in space. You see, it's been over two years since I left Earth. That's a lot a of time to be stuck in space. Of course, every now and then the vessel would orbit an Earth-like planet and let us off to "stretch our legs". And when I say Earth-like, I mean Earth-like atmosphere. There were no plants, no animals. Not even bacteria. Boy, did Star Trek have it all wrong. Space is really such a desolate place.
Now, you're probably wondering that if there's nothing out here, why are we traveling 500 light-years from home? It's because of the signal. Oh, did I forget to mention that?
In the year 2027, a strange signal was picked up by Earth. It was deduced that this signal was deliberately aimed at Earth. Was it an invitation? Or a warning? No one knew, though, because it couldn't be deciphered. Scientists spent a long time trying, but in the end they gave up. However, they did at least discover where the signal was coming from. And in 2030, almost 200 people were chosen to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Okay, well, that's how it was advertised. They made it all sound so glorious. But if I would have known then what I know right now, I never would have signed up.
Anyway, that's why we're out here. Today is the day we enter the star system in which the signal is emanating from. Hopefully this whole trip will be worth it. Who knows? Maybe there really are aliens.
