XENO - combining form, prefix: from Greek xenos, meaning “alien” or “stranger.”

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When the human race began settling out past their solar system, the scientists and researchers led them. Their eagerness for discovery and the hope that there was more growth in store for their species drove them so far out into space that Sol was nothing more than a lost point of light—a speck swallowed by the universe.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

For almost a century, they lived and worked on planets that had never before been seen. They investigated everything. They marveled over the strange geography and new environments. Their relentless search for life turned up a staggering range of diversity that left them full of wonder. It surpassed what most had imagined was possible.

But as time wore on, even those that had held out hope began to agree with the doubters who’d long believed there would be one type of life they would never find.

When more and more people moved out to join them, it was the first thing they asked, and the scientists and researches didn’t hesitate to answer them.

There were no other sentient beings in the galaxy. Humans were alone.

At the time they made that assertion, it was true.

It did not remain true for long.