Silent Signals
The colony ship The Ascendant glided through space, now brighter and livelier as its passengers filled the recreational areas, indulging in leisure and entertainment.
In a vast, high-tech golf course, well-dressed men swung their clubs with precision, their holographic assistants calculating trajectories and wind resistance even in the absence of wind.
Elegant women in luxurious attire watched from the sidelines, sipping synthesized cocktails, their laughter mingling with the soft hum of automated caddies retrieving golf balls. The artificial grass beneath them was indistinguishable from real turf, and the sky above projected a serene blue, a reminder of the world they had left behind.
Elsewhere, inside a grand, glass-enclosed hall, groups of passengers engaged in lively games of billiards. The neon-lit tables illuminated the focused expressions of players as they lined up their shots. Conversations and friendly banter echoed across the space, blending with the occasional clack of colliding balls.
In another section of the ship, a spacious exercise room was filled with passengers participating in a synchronized yoga session. A large screen at the front guided their movements, displaying a serene landscape to enhance the meditative atmosphere. Men and women, ranging from their mid-twenties to forties, stretched in unison on their cushioned yoga mats, their synchronized breathing forming a steady rhythm that complemented the gentle ambient music playing in the background.
"Deep breaths, Emi. Inhale… exhale…" said a middle-aged woman, gently holding the hand of another woman her age.
Inside a private meeting room, a diverse group of passengers sat together, representing different backgrounds and walks of life. This daily gathering had become a ritual a chance to share stories of their lives on Earth and discuss their experiences aboard the ship over the past two weeks. Today's conversation, however, had taken an uneasy turn.
"Are you okay, Aunt Emi?" asked a man in his mid-20s, concern evident in his voice as he observed her paling face.
"Maybe we should stop talking about the landing on Solivara" Elise suggested, her gaze shifting between them. "She panics every time we bring it up"
The others nodded in agreement. Within the privacy of their meeting space, members of different races—humans, Martian settlers, and even a few enhanced post-human individuals shared their personal stories, connecting over the challenges of leaving their old lives behind. But today, the topic had been too much for Emi.
Seeing her growing unease, they helped her up and escorted her out of the private session, guiding her toward the medical bay.
---
"What are you up to, Emir?"
A voice sounded behind him, breaking his focus. Emir barely reacted, his eyes fixed on the glowing hologram before himba projection of the planet Solivara, its two moons casting faint halos around it.
The crew member behind him chuckled, clapping him on the shoulder. "Fascinated, huh?"
Emir smiled. "Can't wait to study the plant life and insect species there" His voice carried a hint of excitement, eyes gleaming as he stared at the planetary image.
As a biologist, it was his responsibility to analyze Solivara's ecosystem. But beyond duty, this had been his dream since childhood to step onto an untouched world and uncover its secrets.
"Well, you're not the only one thrilled about it. Karie, the ecologist from the other team, is just as eager. I told you, you should make a move already. You two would get along"
Jared smirked, nudging him playfully. "Instead of studying plants and bugs, why not study each other? You know what I mean" He winked before bursting into laughter.
Emir shook his head with a quiet chuckle. But as his gaze returned to the hologram, his amusement faded. The projection flickered just for a second before stabilizing again. His brows furrowed.
He reached out, shutting the display off and rebooting it. When it reappeared, tiny red dots scattered around the planet's surface. His frown deepened.
Before he could take a closer look, the hologram glitched again this time vanishing entirely for two seconds before restoring itself, as if nothing had happened.
Emir hesitated. "Just a hiccup?" he muttered under his breath before dismissing it.
---
"Avoid anything that causes stress. Relax your mind and get plenty of rest" the doctor advised as he checked Emi's blood pressure.
"Her BP looks fine," he concluded, jotting down some notes. "Just take it easy for a while"
Emi, however, seemed distracted. She hesitated before speaking. "Doctor… have you noticed anything strange lately?"
The question made the physician pause, his fingers stilling over his tablet.
"Aunt Emi…" the young woman beside her tried to intervene, but curiosity held them all in place. They watched, waiting for the doctor's response.
---
Meanwhile, in the ship's arcade, neon lights pulsed as various games hummed with artificial excitement. Most were occupied by enthusiastic players except for one.
A gaming console stood alone, its screen flashing, its leaderboard score climbing higher and higher.
Yet, no one had touched the controls.