Chapter 1: Unwanted 

Four millennia ago, instability reigned supreme throughout our galaxy. Most systems wandered through the cosmos in search of answers, many wandered for discovery, and some wandered for the joy of bloodshed. There was a time when peace was thought to be a concept outside of our understanding of the intricate clockwork that is the flow of everything around us, a time where galactic exploration was synonymous with suicide. By the end of the fourth intergalactic war following the destruction of countless cradle worlds, and the extinction of some of the most intelligent species to ever grace the cosmos with their presence, the Coalition of Systems was formed as an entity tasked with bringing relief to those who suffered, and forgiveness to those who took so much more from so many who owned little more than a patch of dirt.  

We quickly realized that we could not survive if we stayed as narrow-minded as our developing Young, and that we had to evolve for the sake of our future generations. Slowly, over time, the Coalition stitched the galaxy back together through painstaking peacekeeping expeditions, galactic aid programs, and countless diplomatic talks, conferences, and lectures. We had to get to know each other, all 657 distinct intelligent species had to be re-educated through a curriculum designed to highlight that though we are different physically, culturally, and mentally, we all stood for the same ideological beliefs, and that we were all part of the great cycle. 

According to the archival records, the re-education period was named “The Re-enlightening", and was said to be the most cumbersome, and time-consuming part of the process of intergalactic integration. The records further indicate that the successful integration of a species was marked with widespread celebration, as the new addition was lovingly welcomed as part of a growing family of systems dedicated to sustainability and interconnectedness. Our systems have stood united for longer now than we have ever been divided, and though internal politics sometimes spoils the proverbial milk, our systems have stood brave, and united against the threats of those who chose to stand against the coalition and our mission for a united galaxy, as one entity with the same goal of growth and advancement.  

To maximize united reach throughout the galaxy, the Coalition passed the greater good act which enabled the founding of the Far Eye program. This program would seek to recruit those of us who wondered if we had met all the intelligent life in our galaxy, and those of us who yearned for the vastness of space, and the excitement of first contact. My mission? The same as the countless who joined when Far Eye began its never-ending quest to find new intelligent life, to observe them, and bring them into the Coalition when they were considered ready. After my assigned 200 cycle service period ends, I would once more feel the deep orange glow of Vermillia on my skin as she brightens the days on my cradle world. But, for that to happen I would have to turn around and head back to coalition space to meet with my commander, who would relieve me of my duties and allow me to return to civilian life. After all, I am the last of the FExplorers still out here, and after my retirement Far Eye would be declared a dead program that served only to prove that what we knew already, was all there was to know. We had no idea how far away from the truth we were.   

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I do not remember when I went to sleep and for how long I have been under, but I do know that when I awoke to the smell of sterile pod air and hyper sleep fluids, I somehow knew that something had prompted Crim to wake me. The sleep pod hissed softly as it completed the last cycle of its wake-up protocol, my eyes struggling to adjust through faintly blinking pod control lights, and the slimy fluids that had drained from inside, still clinging to my lanky body. I remember the last time I awoke was a little rougher than now; Crim had decided to terminate my sleep cycle due to some unforeseen system failures that had altered my course significantly. The grueling calculations we had to work through took weeks off my already packed schedule, and the new course, albeit through unexplored dangerous space would put me only a day late for my rendezvous with Commander Vedi at Jyst station, and subsequently a day further away from the home, and the family I so dearly missed.  

The latches on the pod door clunk as a mechanism shifts to indicate an imminent release from the cramped pseudo-death capsule, and a moment later the hiss of actuating hydraulic arms echo through the crew quarters of my lightweight scout-class ship. “My apologies for waking you, Captain. When you feel ready, please make your way to the bridge, there is something you need to see.” Crim spoke up through the ship’s integrated com network, their voice piercing through the countless thoughts propagating through my sleep addled mind. “Crim... Please contact Commander Vedi while I freshen up. Send him our last situation logs and tell him that we have arrived and that I will make my way to him as soon as we have finished the docking procedure.” Stillness lay thick and sticky in the crew quarters for a brief moment before Crim spoke up again; “My apologies, Captain, I am afraid that Commander Vedi is outside of coms range. Please make your way to the bridge when you feel ready, protocol I-431.1 has been activated, and is pending pilot confirmation.”  

With that, a new voice softly spoke over a lulling meditative musical score “Dear FExplorer, in the event that protocol I-431.1 is activated, it is integral to remember sub-protocol a-1.0. Please breathe slowly and keep focus to ensure you avoid causing unwanted anomalies within your circulatory...” The voice faded from perception as a rhythmic pulsating sensation louder than even my own thoughts crept up my throat and perched itself inside my ear canals for what felt like a lifetime as my recovering vision once again began to fade. My cold quivering lips barely functional, formed the only word I could think of in that moment, a word equivalent to what They would call “Fuuuuuuuck...”    

A dull thud ached from inside my chest as the air around me hung thick with the anticipation of a Young on their celebration day. Words seem to dissolve from my mouth faster than I could utter them, “Thank you, Crim, I... Uh... How many... I’m on my... What?” Crim spared no moment to reply to my haphazard concoction of words, “Captain, please take a moment to regulate your parasympathetic nervous system and get yourself cleaned up, you are dripping all over my floors... Oh, and Captain? Congratulations on your discovery.” As I made my way to the washroom it felt as though I had been irrevocably strapped to the side of a primitive propulsion engine desperately struggling to fight against the forces of gravity pulling it back down to solid ground. I hurriedly washed the translucent pod goop from my skin and fitted my standard issue void-black Coalition FExplorer uniform with silver trimming. The idea of inescapable fame carried me from the crew quarters to the bridge as a sort of static clung to the walls of the ship, ultimately entombing me with a fate I could never have expected; first contact.