TheDarkestDark

By the end of 23rd century, Earth civilization reached high technological level, while facing serious social problems. Resources became scarce following humanity growing in number five times in comparison to early 21st century. Despite scientists coming with various ways to save the world, including colonization efforts, degradation continued. Number one candidate for colonizing - Mars - required 300 years to be fully terraformed and only selected people could live under domes. Humanity needed a more solid plan - one that would bring results and bring them sooner. Following continuous surveys of space systems, a planet similar to Earth has been found - two times bigger than humanity's home, this new discovery was a true breakthrough. However, more detailed researched showed that about 20% of the planet is taken by an alien megacity surrounded by a powerful force field. New information caused a huge uproar among scientists involved, especially after no signs of life encountered and no response to various means of communication. After several years of observation, the city was considered abandoned. Having analyzed the data, numerous governments agreed on a joint effort to send and expedition to reveal the turth about the city and establish the very first colony on that planet. With the biggest ship made of five modules, over 5,000 strong crew set off on most important mission in humanity's history. John Marlow, a scientific officer and one of many deployed for the expedition, sets on a journey which will challenge his knowledge about the Universe and humankind's origin.

The New Gaia

Despite all unforseen situations we have faced during our stay on Mars and a big delay in relation to original plans, we have finally managed to prepare everything for the travel out of Solar System. All necessary resources and machines were loaded, and additional provisions were secured alongside extra seedlings for food production once we arrive at the New Gaia.


Today is our last day of stay on the Red Planet. Originally, it was supposed to be much shorter and less demanding than it turned out to be. We had a lot of people drop out from the expedition here, due to various reasons, therefore higher-ups had to organize additional recruitment, all for the purpose of securing required personnel. Obviously, opinions on that matter vary depending on person, but most of people from original squad are not happy by such a course of events.


New staff member did not spend as much time with us as those who dropped out, and we have limited information about their backgrounds, therefore it will be sure hard to trust them from the very start. Still, even if we cannot agree with some of the decisions made in relation to the project, we will have to manage somehow.


Mars, observed from the orbit, continues to appear as an inconspicuous planet with a few green spots created with human hands. People living here seemed to be detached from the Earth's civilization, proceeding with everything their own way and style, adoring beautiful times of twenty first century.


Though I've spent my whole life until now on Earth and got used to its standards, Mars turned out to be much friendlier place to live than I ever thought. Over my limited time here, I managed to understand why this place is considered elite and why so many people on Earth are jealous about Martians. I'm happy that participating in expedition to New Gaia allowed me to see this world and, what may sound unusual, fall in love with it. Probably because I like a comfy life, and Mars feels much nicer than Earth as it is now. There is no such noise, filth and poverty in comparison to our home planet, possibly owing to this whole selection thing.


This kind of society may sound as intolerant, but if I were ever given the opportunity to stay here, I'd have honestly considered give up my current privileges. My colleagues may be often making fun of and criticizing staying in outdated twenty first century, but for some reason this traditional way of living made me feel sentimental.


Those people, often called weirdos by Earthlings, have changed thanks to living in the colony, and despite all these negative comments, knew well how to live a decent life. Looking at how the things were, being a poor person on Mars could be considered better than being rich on Earth. Because what's all this money worth in this defiled environment on our home planet?


I like my current position, my privileges and the money I have gathered allows me to live a decent life, but over time I'm starting to understand that it's a spiral in which I'm being told what to do by others, not free to make my own decisions.


I feel like my understanding of the world grows with each day of my participation in this expedition. Maybe joining this project wasn't such a bad idea in the end?


I know all those people who know me may find it hard to believe that I can change, but I really started to see things I'd never notice before. All that was needed was breaking out from this cage, a shell called Earth, where people multiplied and destroyed so much from what the nature worked so hard to create.


Now that I think about it, I wonder what awaits us on the New Gaia. I'm well aware how much is ahead of us, and we may be unable to settle there, but in case it turns out well - how long will it take for humanity to change it the same way as they did with Earth?


17th December, 2294