“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” - Arthur C. Clarke Turns out, it was the latter. And no, Arthur, it wasn't terrifying. It is the 24th Century now, and for the past hundred years, the nations of Humankind, alongside many other races', have flourished together as an interstellar society. Of course, the Galaxy is a big place. And compared to the hundred odd light-years we had expanded, there is still quite a way to go, before we truly tamed that rich black ocean. That, of course, is the year-long mission of the HMSS Berners-Lee. To explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilisations. As long as they can survive the budget cuts. And the fact practically everything in space is trying to kill them. Maybe you had a point, Arthur.