TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION HEADER
Transmission Sent: 16 May, 2089, 23:06 UTC
Encryption Level 0
END TRANSMISSION HEADER
TRANSMISSION CONTENT
An Open Letter to the Inhabitants of Earth
This message is freely readable to anyone who receives it.
My name is Simon. I am broadcasting this message from my ship at the edge of our solar system. At midnight, I shall enter long-term stasis for fifty years. I will spend two years on my destination planet and, if all goes well, I shall return after another fifty years.
This is my last chance to communicate with the currently-living inhabitants of Earth.
Due to various operational protocols, I was not in stasis during my six-month journey out to the edge. This has given me much time to think, and I'd like to take this last opportunity to share my thoughts with whomever is willing to listen.
I admit that I face what lies ahead with no small amount of trepidation. I am, after all, completely alone up here, save for the on-board Artificial Intelligence, who much prefers discussing technical rather than human troubles.
Being the only member of this expedition means I must play several roles: I must be a biologist, cartographer, goodwill ambassador and chronologist. Considering my Masters is in Pure Mathematics, and that I've worked the last five years as a programmer, this is quite a daunting list of skills I've had to learn!
I am honoured to be among the first of our species to reach beyond our cosmic neighbourhood, a symbol of our insatiable desire to understand the Universe and explore the limits of what is possible. But I ask myself, is this desire alone the essence of our greatness? I've always felt that the miracle of Apollo 13, a miracle manufactured by man, far outshines the mere success of Apollo 11, and I've always believed that Ernest Shackleton's amazing journey to save the lives of his entire crew showed in him more nobility than he ever could have by crossing the Antarctic. Perhaps it is not just our ambition, but our devotion to each other when our ambitions go too far, that makes humans capable of anything and willing to try. If we care not for each other, then for whom do we perform such amazing feats? Perhaps Icarus' problem wasn't that he flew too high, but rather that he had no one to catch him when he fell.
As my next two years, the loneliest and most dangerous two years I will ever face, stretch before me, I cannot help but ask myself why I chose to do this. I've always wanted my life to have meaning. I've always wanted to be someone important. At the same time, I've never wanted to owe my accomplishments to anybody. As a result, I've done things on my own most of my life. Now I am twenty-nine years old, and in my thirtieth year, I've come to understand why my elders keep saying that no man is an island. Two years ago, when my dog of sixteen years died and I became aware that most of my friends had drifted away over time, I found I didn't even have the strength to get out of bed in the morning. I felt that I was of no use to anyone, and my opportunities to fulfill my ambition to do something of fundamental importance were dwindling. I think that's part of the reason why I chose this lonely mission: For all it's adversity, this mission will allow me to revel in the glory of being a true pioneer. If I could do it again, I think I would rather have just held on to my friends.
As I look at my monitor and watch the pale blue dot that is our home recede away from me, I am filled with longing. I hope to return to my little island of life, greeted with open arms by the sons and daughters of today. I hope there will still be a place for me on Earth.
Farewell,
Simon X.
END TRANSMISSION CONTENT
END TRANSMISSION
Well , that is certainly a good idea for a story...
+1, Fav
I remember when you were posting a thread about this story! I will have to read this later, but I can't wait to see how your idea has progressed and grown!
Awesome, it's out! Here, have a like and fav
This is a good story. +1 Like, +1 Favourite = +1 Follow
You have caught my intrest, do keep it up!
Ugh. That last bit made me tear up.
I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes.
This... Holy shit...
Your story needs to continue. Write, type, do whatever it takes to finish this. I have a feeling this will be great.
I certainly wanna read more of this.
Keep going.
2019831
That's precisely why I was shocked there wasn't already one like this.
2019835
I'm so vain, I've actually saved that thread onto my computer. For posterity.
2019858
I'll see your like-and-fave and raise you a prime number : 69727733. Use it well.
2020521
No way. No way did I make a person older than 18 months cry. I don't believe it. WHY ARE YOU TELLING ME SUCH SWEET LIES?
2020625
I've had this idea trying to pound out of my cranium for months. I've had an eerie feeling it could be great, too. It's quite the relief that someone agrees with that part of my brain
This stream of comments is making me so happy right now...
2020715
This is how happy I am:
2020715 What? No. I didn't cry. I- I just had something in my eye.
Shut up.
And how did you know I was over eighteen months old? Are you a spy?!
i like where this is going keep up the good work!
i came, i saw, i faved
i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/486/186/a28.gif
This is going to be a bold endeavor in literature. I just know this is going to turn out epic! I hope this hits featured box!
this is a fantastic start. keep it up, bro!
followin'
I can't believe I wrote this chapter and didn't once think of Rocket Man by Elton John.
There's gotta be something wrong with me.
That Icarus thing...that was smart
+1 Like