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

Since leaving the Earth's orbit, we were facing numerous obstacles on our way. As a result, the original plans were ruined, and now we are sure we will arrive with a significant delay.


The biggest delay so far was caused by the problems our crew had back on Mars, but also the calculations we were basing on turned out being off. Initiation of the engines went without issues, calming the staff a great deal. On the other hand, the nominal output did not reach the planned value for the expected initial speed. Percentage below the expectations might have been not that big, but it still meant our flight will take about three more months, and we still don't know how will the situation on this new planet look.


Of course, the system in which the New Gaia is located is considered smaller than our Solar System, and the distance we are supposed to pass is shorter than what we covered from Earth past the Pluto's orbit, several asteroid belts on the way are likely to slow us down.


Still, before these may become our trouble, we first need to successfully go through the Gate with graviton accelerator. In the movies, it looks quite simple to pass between systems because ships use special drives. It's enough to push a button or pull a lever to fly from one point in space to another. I'd love for it to be reality, but sadly - it's not. Jumping between systems requires much more.


Specifically to make that possible, humanity has built a complex system of rings for graviton accelerator. The sole creation of such structure was a big deal, but the thing which can be created by using it is much bigger - after all, the main part of system jump was a black hole into which Future will fly.


Unrest is much bigger than before initiating the engines. Now, to properly jump, we will have to switch to a built-in graviton engine in order for it to work with the accelerator's systems. The system requires Future to fly through the center of each ring in order for the jump to be successful. Should there be any issue during acceleration, and operation has to be interrupted, it will mean the whole procedure will have to be restarted, meaning all engines will have to be turned off and initiated again - if that scenarion happens, it will cause both delay and a big loss of resources.


Because of the ship's size, this won't be an easy task. Until now, this method was only used for sending small, unmanned units and one, unofficial test with an ape onboard. All tests were successful so far, but it doesn't mean we can be one hundred percent sure with the vessel we are using and such a big number of people on its board.


Personally, after reading through all the data I was able to gather on the accelerator, I don't see any errors in the theory behind its functionality, but it doesn't stop my body from feeling fear. The thing is, even though I'm so sure about the theory being correct, I cannot fight a natural fear deeply rooted in human mind - it's all about the unrest caused by wading into unknown.


At the moment I'm writing it, we are nearing towards the first of accelerator's rings. The start of the procedure is a matter of several hours. First, making sure the ship's flying in a proper line, then launch of rings' power supply and sequential acceleration.


Yet another ride awaits us. However, this time we are going to experience something many call being on the border between the science and magic. I honestly hope it's still only science, because I don't believe in magic.


21st January, 2296