Project Gaia : The arrival of humanity

Chapter 4 : The First Wave

"Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World."

- Christopher Columbus

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Saxony-Anhalt Germany. March 27, 2038

The sun barely crept over the horizon, its golden rays struggling to pierce the dense mist hanging over the short-grass prairies of Saxony-Anhalt. The air was crisp, the morning cold seeping into the temporary barracks where Sergeant Edward Snowden and his fellow UN peacekeepers lay in restless sleep. But for Snowden, sleep had come in fragments, broken by dreams filled with images of swirling vortexes and a new world beyond.

A sudden jolt to his shoulder shattered what little peace he had. "Hey man, wake the hell up! It's a big day," said Corporal Jimmy Barnes, his voice tinged with an almost boyish excitement that betrayed the seasoned soldier he was. Snowden blinked the sleep away, his vision sharpening as he looked at the clock. 0600. Right on time.

Snowden groaned, stretching his limbs with a crack of his knuckles. "Huh? What's going on?"

"Today's the day we deploy to the new world," Jimmy replied, a grin spreading across his face. "You didn't forget, did you?"

"Of course not," Snowden said, pulling himself upright. "Guess the excitement is making me a little nervous. But I'm ready."

"Good, 'cause briefing's in thirty. Let's hit the showers and suit up."

The barracks stirred with the hum of life, soldiers rising from their folding cots and shuffling through the narrow aisles, gathering their gear. Snowden and Barnes joined the throng, making their way to the communal showers. Steam filled the air, swirling like the fog outside, as dozens of soldiers scrubbed down with special antibacterial pads designed to kill anything that might cross from Earth to Gaia. "Last thing we need is bringing some Earth bacteria over there," one soldier muttered as Snowden passed.

Snowden let the warm water wash away the haze of fatigue and the layers of grit from the days spent training in the field. As the droplets drummed against his skin, a thought wormed its way into his mind. *What waits for us out there?* Gaia was an enigma, a mystery wrapped in alien landscapes and unknown dangers. The UN's briefings had been vague-deliberately so, Snowden thought-but there was no denying the nervous excitement that thrummed in his chest.

After their showers, Snowden and Barnes returned to their lockers, donning sleek, olive-green uniforms adorned with the blue UN logo. They strapped on Kevlar armor and vests, checked their sidearms and rifles, and made sure their gear was squared away. As they left the barracks, Snowden couldn't help but notice the palpable tension that hung in the air. For all the bravado and banter, everyone knew they were stepping into the unknown.

Breakfast was a rushed affair, consisting of standard-issue MREs: tasteless, utilitarian sustenance. Snowden chewed absentmindedly on his scrambled eggs and hash browns while Corporal Barnes wolfed down a protein bar beside him. Around them, hundreds of soldiers crowded into the field for the morning briefing.

Their commander, Major Jeffrey Lang, climbed onto a platform overlooking the assembly. His voice, gruff yet steady, echoed across the rows of assembled soldiers. "Alright, listen up. Today, we embark on the greatest mission in human history. Our orders are clear. Our job is to protect the construction teams, secure the landing zone, and ensure that nothing impedes the establishment of our first base on Gaia. We will be their shield-protecting them against any possible threats."

Lang paused, his eyes scanning the crowd. "We don't know exactly what's waiting for us out there. Our reconnaissance drones haven't picked up any signs of large animal life near the landing zone, but that doesn't mean there aren't predators. The new world is uncharted territory, there is no GPS and Radio communication will be poor on the other side, and the terrain is unlike anything on Earth. We will establish forward operating bases, scout the area for potential hazards, and be prepared for any hostilities-human or otherwise. Make no mistake; we are stepping into uncharted territory. We must be disciplined and ready."