Away to the Unknown

Part 2: Awakening

The radiant colors of the night sky, even to this day, still amaze me. Distant cities are going to come alight soon, placing a blanket of pollution over the sky. Dark spiral and spherical shapes in the distance arise. Reflected light from our moon ever - so - slightly reveal the existence of towers. Sparkles of light twinkle on the metallic structures, just like the stars in the night sky.

Myself and a few others didn't go into stasis hibernation like the rest. We were the ones that seek adventure, and seek to be found. Others? They didn't want to be found. Fear has intoxicated my people like a poison. After all the war and destruction, I don't blame them.

Considering we are the last, maybe we should stay hidden. But what's the point? It's rather we stay hidden and die here quietly, or we go up in a bang letting the universe know we existed. I'm beginning to understand why I am referred to as being crazy.

...

Sirens blast for only a few moments. Just as tradition, the sirens came first. Doors sprung open, clearing out the darkness in the buildings. Walking along the city roads, I observe light after light flicker on. People start to leave their homes, taking in what was left of the sky above.

With the people, the city looks significantly less desolate. Over millions of years of evolution, we are all but one race, and one people. People of pale red shells, spikes and horns, claws and sharp limbs. Phachath, the leader of our colony, comes walking into the streets to address the people. The only reason I returned. 

He stands to what humans would observe as being 8 feet 4 inches tall. Feet, such an odd form of measurement. They must have been monstrous creatures, with feet the size of nebulas.  Muscle and tissue remains exposed on his lower torso, creeping through a crevasse on his broken shell. Once we have a damaged shell, it is unlikely to regenerate. One horn extends only half the lengths of the others, leading to a jagged stump at the very end. If it wasn't for his calm, emerald green eyes, you would mistaken him as just an ordinary civilian like us. Four to be exact. While being grown, he experienced a rare mutation where he developed four eyes instead of three. 

His gaze meets mine. We return nods and look at each other for what feels like forever. What is he thinking, I wonder. Perhaps he detected the message I sent out into the universe and somehow traced it back to my name? Or am I just an ordinary civilian in his eyes?

"Everyone, I am here to acknowledge the 53rd awakening since the landing." Phachath shouts into the crowd, stealing the attention of everyone in the general area. "We are survivors. We are strong. And we WILL survive to see another day. Do not look at the past - look at the FUTURE. Focus on what is ahead."

Every 2 sun revolutions, my people go into what we call stasis hibernation for 10 revolutions. This is to ensure the survival of my species. During this time food is grown in automated production facilities. Liquid co2 is produced and is prepared to be drinkable in other factories. To us, this stasis hibernation is what keeps us alive. Without it, we would have no consumables left after just 3 revolutions.

Usually, I would take part. But not this one. I focused my time on creating a message. A message to be sent in to the universe. A call for help.

"After another period, we have consumables at the ready. But we fear this may be all we have left. Our systems are not strong enough to maintain another stasis period. They are growing old, as we are." 

Tension amongst the people grow, but their faith in each other and our leader stays strong. Chatter explodes, knocking Phachath off track. A noticeable amount of fear lingers in his eyes. Noise increases gradually, inflicting inevitable panic amongst individuals.

"We mustn't give up. We must continue fighting. A future lays ahead of us, and we will live on to see another day." Not even the man of hope. The man of courage. The one that has kept our new decaying society from falling, can save us now. If we are to live, we must leave this world and find another. But we cannot do this alone.

...

Without any consumables, how will we survive? We have exactly 3 revolutions before everything we know comes to an end. In this situation what are we meant to do? Count down the seconds till we all die?

I fill up two tanks of liquid co2, enough to last me this cycle. Day and night here are elongated periods of time. Currently, we are in the dark cycle. Our sun lights up the other side of the world, while this side is engulfed in darkness for half a revolution. I do have to admit, this planet is immensely weird. Carrying the two tanks back home, I can't help but notice the little number of people about. 

After the pervious stasis period, streets were crowded like crazy. The harmonic sounds of conversation and music would blow along with the wind. Lights shone brighter than the stars above our heads, each emitting a different color than the last. Banners of various kinds entangled around trees and pillars, garden plants and flowers would litter the area bringing more diversity of life to the city. Sweet and savory aromas would swim through the air from the freshly made goods at public eateries. But what would really bring this city to life is the people, the ones to make it all possible. Without the people, this isn't really a city. All is left are empty buildings and desolate streets - just as if everyone was still in stasis hibernation.

...

Approaching the hill the flashing of three red lights pull my attention. The three red lights that I didn't even realize existed until this very moment. Could these three lights mean potential contact? Are we going to be saved? Adrenaline explodes in my body, influencing me to impulsively drop the tanks and sprint towards the flashing lights. My eyes widen. Displayed on the screen is the last thing I expected. HELP.