Project Gaia : The arrival of humanity

Chapter 9 : First contact

"From the depths of the sea we emerged long ago, seeking the light of the surface. In search of still greater lights, we now send this message into outer space, sealed in a disk. Perhaps one day, we will meet others like ourselves..."

- Voyager 1 Golden Record

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Gaia, Chheda Nagar Forest, "New Hind". NagarJuna Cement Factory. June 13th, 2038.

The morning sun hung high over the landscape, casting a golden glow on the NagarJuna Cement Factory. The massive facility buzzed with activity as trucks rolled in and out, depositing their loads of materials for cement production. The factory was one of the many facilities that had struck a deal with the UN to support the development of the New Mumbai colony in "New Pangaea." It employed hundreds of skilled laborers, whose sweat and toil contributed to humanity's great endeavor to secure a future away from a doomed Earth.

Among these workers was Dhani Mayadev, a sturdy man in his mid-thirties, with calloused hands and a weary but determined gaze. Like many others, he had signed up for the grueling job with hopes of a better life, lured by the promise that his family would be part of the first wave of colonists. Today, as always, he carried heavy sacks of sulfur trioxide from the supply trucks to the cement-mixing machines, his muscles straining with each step.

As he emptied the contents of a sack into the roaring machinery, he glanced at the clock. [i]Lunch soon[/i], he thought, grateful for the upcoming break. The bell clanged shortly afterward, signaling the start of the workers' break. Dhani wiped the sweat from his brow and joined the procession of laborers making their way to the canteen.

Inside, the chatter of exhausted men filled the air. Dhani grabbed his tray and navigated through the crowd, eventually finding his friend Amish Shevade at one of the tables.

"Did you hear, Dhani?" Amish said as soon as Dhani sat down. "The first wave of colonists from India is arriving tomorrow."

"I heard," Dhani replied, taking a bite of his biryani. "My wife and children are among them. I'll try calling them tonight. Maybe I can visit their new place soon, show them around the colony."

Before Amish could respond, a sudden loud noise reverberated from outside the building. The workers exchanged confused glances, then left their food half-eaten and rushed to see what was happening.

Outside the canteen, they froze. The sight before them was unlike anything they had ever encountered. Beyond the perimeter fence stood a legion of bizarre creatures, small horse-like beings arrayed in gleaming golden armor. Their coats shimmered in every conceivable color, from deep blues to bright pinks, and some had wings, others horns. The formation stood silently, an imposing phalanx stretching across the entire breadth of the factory's entrance. A few of the workers gasped, while others whispered frantically, trying to make sense of what they were seeing

"What... what in the world is that?" Amish whispered, his voice barely audible.

Dhani shook his head, unable to answer. Fear and disbelief gripped him, as if he were trapped in a fever dream. The factory's security personnel quickly emerged, revolvers drawn and aimed toward the mysterious intruders. The captain of the guard shouted a warning, his voice trembling as he demanded that the creatures identify themselves. There was no response from the equine beings-at least, not in any language the workers could understand.

One of the horned creatures stepped forward, raising its voice in an authoritative tone. The language it spoke was alien to Dhani's ears-sharp and melodic, almost musical, yet entirely incomprehensible.