Author’s note: Sorry for the delay. I’ve been couch surfing and dealing with pneumonia.
Captain Reed was faced against the Atlas council. 11 people, 8 of which were Earthborn. All of which were elderly and a nightmare and a half to negotiate with. Amelia Reed stood alone before them with a carefully constructed face of nonchalance and a military pose that suggested respect.
Captain Reed had just received the Monthly Summary. It included food production rates, areas of concern around the ship, general gripes from the populace and the thing she dreaded most to look at.The crime statistics.
For the past 8 months, crime rates had steadily risen. Suicide rates, however, had risen exponentially. 21 individuals, 19 of which being second generation inhabitants, had ended their lives this month.
Not even a little bit revised and to hell with Proper Writing Form
It has been 53 years since humans abandoned their home. They’re now almost 14 trillion miles from Earth. Out here, the stars are distant and faint, leaving the Atlas to be illuminated only by the florescent lights lining its halls. This is the farthest anyone has ever strayed from home.
The Alpha Centauri system is 4.37 light years from Earth, and is the Atlas’ destination. Seven planets, three of which are habitable. It was the only logical option.
Over half a century ago they left in search of another home. They had left their home planet it waste and ruin, an unsalvageable husk of what was once their own Eden of which they were cast out. They drove themselves to the brink of extinction with wars waged by the rich where it was the poor that died.
Some had accepted the fate of the human race. Many were in denial.
But there were a few hopeful young scientists with a plan that would require all hands on deck. An engineering feat never before seen by humanity, and they put everything they had left into it.
The Atlas. Carrier of the World upon his shoulders. The last stand against total annihilation.
Extinction is the Rule. Survival is the Exception.