Prelude (Chapter one)

  Prelude

(Chapter one)

     The year is 2033. The Earth is experiencing the inevitable development of technology and the entire society. People use the latest technology to improve their education, work, entertainment, health and communication. They also use them to reduce carbon emissions, produce renewable energy and fight global problems such as poverty, disease and inequality. Sounds too optimistic for humans, doesn't it? And although bionic chips and prostheses have long been no longer a novelty, but rather a common phenomenon that can be found on the streets from New York to Beijing, everything is not so ideal. There was no end in sight to the conflicts between the states, and the common people were always looking for a way to exist.

     With the help of bionic laboratories, it is already possible to choose the gender and appearance of the future child. And that's not all - the main achievement was the external influence on health at the level of a person's DNA. It sounds a little wild, but already in 2020 - 2023 it was assumed in theory. This certainly affected the education system and the speed of civilization development, which was already gaining momentum. Study periods and terms have shortened which is a definite plus for us. Although the average IQ of humanity has increased, greed and ambition have not gone anywhere. Unfortunately, not everything is subject to science. The number of hours in a day remained the same. But did it go the same way for everyone?

     There are 9 billion people and 1 billion personal robot assistants on the planet. who needed their habitat and resources. (I think you have already plunged into the bowels of your memory for an episode from some movie - not for nothing). The average age of life was approximately at the level of 80 years - progress and nothing more. Cities began to appear even above the water - "Oases". This is no longer fiction and not even a novelty for billionaires. They constantly moved for safety, because the storm did not go anywhere and piracy began to flourish. These are no same robbers with pistols, swords and a bottle of rum in their hands - modern weapons, cyber implants from the black market and high-speed submarines - this is their new attribute. Despite the difficulties, our civilization is still alive. (When you ask artificial intelligence about the future, you will definitely hear about an imminent catastrophe or a war with robots. Remember even the same fantastic films that also predicted the end of existence for us. Maybe 2033 is not yet at the same level?) But the development reached not only earthly affairs.

     As in ancient times, we are interested in the Universe. Space travel has become more real and faster with the help of new quantum engines for next-generation aircraft. This method of movement has passed many tests, but in reality, the failure rate is always higher than on paper. In search of new worlds, SCSA (Space Consortium for Scientific Advancements) is sending expeditions to three planets that could potentially have life. Captain Ram Brandon is the leader of a team of five trained astronauts who must explore each planet, collect samples, make contact with possible civilizations and successfully return to Earth.

     As it turns out later, their flight will not be easy. On their way stand: danger, secrets, challenges that require courage, intelligence and interaction from them. This is a fantastic story about adventure, discovery and survival in space unexplored by mankind. But about that a little later.