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eartheatan

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Calibri;Calibri; \*Riched20 10.0.22621 It was now the 22 century , 2212 to be exact and Earth had nearly mastered its solar system. We had several space stations around earth and various moons. They had yet to colonize , but they had mastered mining the moons and astroids. That was possible throw robots and drones able to with stand the climate, Terra Form Inc was however leading the way in planetary terra forming, and mars was in a 30 year process. Earth was truly at its heights, wars had ended and each nation space fleet was turned to exploration. They never needed them for there was never an alien invasion. Deep in space on the Solar Horizan captain Vega headed a mining crew collecting valuable minerals and was not due back home for several months. While out here at the distance of Pluto , they would test a new comm systems that sent signals through sub space. It would be an instant message from Earth to Pluto. This is Earth Comm One ready, we are sending the signal. Solar horizoan, copy that. The Signal Earth Comm One: [Crackling over comms] Solar Horizon, this is Earth Comm One. Ready to initiate subspace test. Do you copy? Over. Captain Vega (Solar Horizon): Copy, Earth Comm One. Were at optimal distance. Instruments are calibrated, and the crew is standing by. Over. Earth Comm One: Acknowledged, Solar Horizon. Were coordinating with the ISS. This is a simultaneous systems testsignal will pass through both nodes. Expect a slight delay in response while data syncs. Over. Vega: Understood, Earth Comm One. Lets hope Terra Forms funding was worth it. Over. Earth Comm One: Thats the spirit, Captain. Stand by for transmission in T-minus thirty seconds. Dr. Elara (ISS): [Speaking internally to ISS crew] Commander, all systems are green here. Subspace relay is ready. Commander Rhodes (ISS): Good. Lets hope this goes smoothly. The last thing we need is another failure; the engineers will never let us live it down. The Signal's Promise Earth Comm One: [Crackling over comms] Solar Horizon, this is Earth Comm One. Subspace test commencing in 5 4 3 2 1 signal initiated. Captain Vega (Solar Horizon): [Watching his console] Receiving signal, Earth Comm One. Its clear as crystal. No delays, no degradation. Over. Earth Comm One: [Relieved laughter] Thats what we like to hear, Solar Horizon. Signal integrity is holding steady on our end too. Over. Commander Rhodes (ISS): [Chiming in from ISS] Confirming here as well. Subspace relay shows 100% efficiency. This is remarkable. Vega: Its more than remarkable. This will change everything. Earth Comm One, congratulations. Youve done what no one thought was possible. Earth Comm One: Thank you, Solar Horizon. Couldnt have done it without all of you as well. This is a proud day for humanity. Dr. Elara (ISS): [Excitedly to Rhodes] Commander, do you realize what this means? Instant communication across the solar system. No more delays for colony missions or mining operations. Rhodes: I realize it, Dr. Elara. And for once, a project works without anything catching fire or exploding. Elara: Yet. Rhodes: Dont jinx it. Vega: [Chuckling] Earth Comm One, Solar Horizon is finishing up its mining ops and prepping for the return trip. Well be bringing back enough raw materials to keep Terra Form Inc. and half the planets industries running for years. Over. Earth Comm One: Copy that, Solar Horizon. Well have a heros welcome waiting for you. Safe travels home. Over. Vega: Appreciate it, Earth Comm One. You might want to save some of the champagne for yourselves after this milestone. Over. Earth Comm One: Oh, we plan to, Captain. Over. Dr. Kamari (Solar Horizon): [Quietly to Vega] Captain, Ive got to admit, I didnt think it would work. Subspace has always been unpredictable in simulations. Vega: [Nods, still studying the monitors] Neither did I. But today, Kamari, were witnessing history. You dont see that every day. Kamari: And were heading home to be a part of it. Rhodes (ISS): [Breaking in over comms] Solar Horizon, I assume youll pass by us on your way back? Vega: Thats the plan, Commander. Thought wed tip our hats as we sail by. Maybe even share some of this excitement. Rhodes: Youd better. Its not every day we get to celebrate a win like this. Elara: [Grinning] Commander, we could use it. Feels like all weve been doing is patching leaks and running diagnostics for months. Vega: Then get ready to raise a glass, ISS. Youve earned it as much as anyone. Kamari: [Softly] It feels hopeful, doesnt it? Like were finally hitting our stride as a species. Vega: [Looking out the viewport at the vastness of space] It does. Out here, surrounded by all this emptiness, its easy to forget how far weve come. This test its proof were capable of so much more. Earth Comm One: [Interrupting] Solar Horizon, ISS, this is Earth Comm One. Well maintain open comms for the next 24 hours to monitor subspace stability. Let us know if you encounter anything unusual. Over. Vega: Acknowledged, Earth Comm One. Nothing unusual on our end. Everythings calm for now. Over. Rhodes: Same here. ISS systems are quiet as a graveyard. Over. We can no comm with outside vessels in real time thanks to subspace signaling. Now when earth is on the other side of the Sun there will be a dark period, We haven't worked out interference cause by the sun, so on your return , there will be 3 month dark dark period depending on your angle of approach. Captain, you all have a safe return. Earth Comm One: Good to hear. Congratulations again, all of you. Weve got a bright future ahead. Earth Comm One out. The signal was terminated. The comms fall silent, leaving the crews to revel in the triumph of the moment. The vast void seems a little smaller, a little more connected. For now, everything feels right. Meanwhile at th ISS strange readings were picked up by satelites and other sensor devices. What strange signals? we are collecting as much data as possible...gathering all data from satelites.... Sir , according to the readings it seems to be a singularity. A what? are you saying a black hole. The gravatational waves detected appear to be that of what weve studied to be the movement of a black hole. But, but ... But what.. get it our. We obviously are not detecting a black hole, or else we would have been crushed already. But , but... There you go again with your buts, just get it out. Sir, I think I understand why we don't detect a black hole, these readings are coming from subspace. Is it from our signal? No sir it doesn't appear to be, need more data. Theres more data being feed, downloading... The wave pattern is going back and forth near the spot we initiated the signal. Keep monitoring sir. Sir, my readings are now detecting a black hole, but its strange. I detect it starbor but it doesn't have the gravity as expected. According to these readings we should be pulled in. But , but... There we go again , but, get it out. But we are not , were not getting pulled in. Turning instruments and pointing all satelites , its opening slowly. Can we get a visual. Yes sir redirecting Earth Watch One Earth Watch one slowly turned its pan cams to get a keen eye on the phonomenom. Sir, we have a main view on main screen. They watched a seemingly red orb glow, then it spread into a ring of fire with a pitch black hole in the middle. This dark hole began to open wide. The only reason it could be seen is the red fire ring that sorrounded the pitch blackness. Suddenly a structure seemed to clamp onto the red fire ring. it looked like metal clamps that attached itself to the red fire ring. Sir look, is it a machine? A structure began to appear, but it couldn't be made out. It was certain something or this structure was moving. Initially the structure was unidentifiable until one moment. It was clear , but unbelievable that those clamps were long claws of some dragon like beast. Its head now peaked out of the blackness and it was now undeniable that it was a dragon like beast and its head was at least 4 times larger then Earth or more. The suns light was suddenly blocked from Earths view and a vague darkness in a earie claw shadow cast upon the earth. This creature had reached its arm out and grabbed the Earth with its claws. it didn't waste any time and swallowed the earth hole and crwaled back into the black hole. It was as if this was normal hunting techinques for this unknow creature. There was no time for the Earths defense to react. The few that did respond got sucked in the hole instantly. The force caused Mars to move more closer almost getting sucked in closer to the sun. There was a void in former Earths orbit and it was unclear if mars would continue or settle its orbit and where? The space station however got slung out of Earths orbit and got hurled towards mars. The systems on the ISS couldnt run forever. It did have enough power and resources to keep it alive for a while, but they were doomed, because supplies would run out before there energy reactor. They also was equiped for travel through space, so if fixing on the outside is need, thats a no go for now. There were a few casulties as the shockwave of the force of being flung out of orbit caused. Solar Horizon was passing Neptune or Uranius at max velocity. I can't wait to get home sir . We are approaching Jupiter, try contacting Earth , ye sir. There is no response , I believe there on the other side of the sun, so it will be a while before we can contact earth. They did say it would be a dark period during that time. We can try again in a month . we are approaching Jupiter ..... The Twirl of the Abyss Commander Rhodes (ISS): [Static crackles] Solar Horizon, this is Commander Rhodes of the ISS. Do you copy? Over. Captain Vega (Solar Horizon): [A tense pause, then an abrupt response] Commander Rhodes, this is Captain Vega. What in all the stars are you doing spiraling toward Mars? And why is Marsout of orbit?! Over. Rhodes: Its its a long story. Were barely holding it together up here. Is the Horizon stable? Over. Vega: Stable enough, but my crew is unnerved. We just came out of deep-space mining ops to find Mars where it shouldnt beand your station pirouetting like a mad ballerina. What the hell happened? Over. Rhodes: [Deep breath] Captain, its Earth. Earth is gone. Vega: [Silence. Then sharp] Gone? You better explain that, Commander. Rhodes: When we were testing the new subspace comms array we punched a signal through hyperspace back to ground control. But something went wronghorribly wrong. We opened a I dont even know what to call ita black hole. It came out of subspace, swallowed the Earth whole, and catapulted us out of orbit like a slingshot. Vega: [Disbelieving] Youre telling me Earth is just gone? Billions of people, the oceans, the citieseverything? Rhodes: Yes, Captain. I watched it happen. One moment, there was Eartha brilliant blue against the voidand the next, nothing. Just this black sphere, growing, devouring and then silence. Vega: [Under his breath] Stars help us Dr. Elara (ISS, cutting in): Commander, were drifting closer to Mars. At this rate, well be pulled into its gravity well in less than 48 hours. Rhodes: I know, Dr. Elara. One crisis at a time. Vega: Youre headed toward Mars? Why? Rhodes: Were not headed anywhere intentionally, Captain. Whatever force ejected us sent us on a trajectory we cant correct. The stations thrusters arent built for this kind of navigation. Vega: [Tense] This doesnt make sense. How does a black hole just open in subspace? Thats not how they work! Rhodes: We dont know. Dr. Elara thinks Elara: [Interrupting] I dont think; I know. The subspace test breached a dimensional boundary. We didnt just create a signalwe tore through space-time. The black hole wasnt natural. It was summoned. Vega: [Voice rising] Summoned?! Are you saying you called a black hole into existence? Rhodes: [Firmly] Enough, Captain! Were not scientists on a chat show; this is survival. Vega: Survival? Youve doomed the entire Solar System! Mars is drifting because of Earths disappearance, and we dont even know how this ripple will affect the rest of the planets. Rhodes: And yelling at us fixes nothing. Can you intercept us? Vega: [Sighs heavily] My engineers are running calculations now. We can plot a rescue trajectory, but Marss instability is a nightmare for navigation. Elara: Commander, we might not survive the descent into Marss atmosphere. Rhodes: Well make it work. Captain Vega, can you Vega: [Cutting in] Commander Rhodes, Ill be honest: I dont know how much faith I have in your station or your explanations. But if there are lives to save, well try. Rhodes: Thats all we can ask. Vega: [Somber] You better pray were fast enough, Commander. Because if what youve told me is true Earth may not be the only casualty. The comms crackle with an ominous finality as both crews prepare for a desperate rescueagainst a backdrop of celestial chaos.