Civilization

The Space Explorers

 Gaïa Station

It is a chilling thought that the human race with all its fault and aggression still survives. Our knowledge of the space is the bare minimum to say the least and with that vast amount of knowledge we have ventured out not knowing what could be out there, I suppose I should say here. You must think I am crazy when I speak of the universe having knowledge as if it is a living breathing organism. What if it is? I know it's not all I meant was, the universe has been molding and remodeling itself for billions of years and in a mere of blink of an eye we have broken the barrier that holds us to our home and travelled towards the unknown.

Some say an alien race with superior knowledge than us helped us or guided us to our endeavors. I say we did on our own. If history holds any truth than anyone can connect these dots. From the time of the Great Rift Valley to the present day crisis we humans have evolved when it depended on our survival. And such is the case with this time, our survival hanged in the balance so we the hand-picked scientists and volunteers are here.

These kinds of thoughts I guess pops up when your daily routine becomes monotonous. The same old routine of getting up with the general alarm. Going to work by the same route with same people. Looking at the same monitors, so the air pressure remains normal. The same general alarm ends the shift and then home by the same route with the same people. Even at home it's the same routine; shower, eat and sleep. Sometimes the mind starts to wonder thus such thoughts which were in the far depths of once mind resurface. As if living in a dome with artificial air and gravity wasn't enough even my mind is starting to become a dome structure?

Isolation. This is felt throughout the base. The first few cycles the mood was not exactly what you call happy shared by the people living here, but it was nothing like this. Everyone became a little bit detached from everyone, some got lost in their own self. Why do we feel this way? Some of us believe that it's this place, a barren cold place indeed but why would the place make you feel isolated? It is here you realize how infinitesimally significant we are. Back on earth you get a sense of belonging but here it's not the same. With no atmosphere you can truly admire the grand emptiness of space. The sensation of looking up to see the vast nothingness brought upon this isolated feeling shared among all the resident of the station. At least that's what I think. None of us ever look up anymore, but I do it brings a peace in me, I have never felt before.

This isolated feeling has brought with it the feeling of being homesick well planet sick to be pedantic. When everyone knew from the planning stage that no one is ever returning home. The permanent residents of Gaïa decided to leave their home planet for various reasons. The scientists came for the knowledge, many for the chance to explore the unknown and others for the fame and fortune. For Gaïa station was mining the most precious resource known, water.

With very little source of clean water left to supply the whole world a new well needed to be dug. And so the first colony in outer space was born in this moon, so the civilization would continue. The colony is the greatest achievement of our time and paused our species from becoming extinct. The nature of the mission deemed it necessary for the crew to never return. The cost of the journey is immense and with the supply of water needed to remain constant it was made a one way trip for the crew. Still some of us hope to return one day but not me. I am happy to be away from all the chaos. The water crisis brought about a new era of dirty politics. Restrictions were made in day-to-day lives and various corporations tightened their grip on the lives of the citizens. Even though Gaïa is funded and monitored by the same corporations their grip is considerably less mainly due to the vast distance. To me the same monotonous life is far better than what we all left behind.

The isolation is a cause for concern among many of the leaders of the station. Panic and fear has started to creep in as we mine deeper and deeper into the ice. Some miners report suggest that they have seen something move in the ice but always from the corner of their eyes. Others say they can sometimes feel a presence among them, a supernatural presence to be precise. As time passes more rumors and stories started to surface. Frankly the stories have become the new source of entertainment for the people. Everywhere I go, everyone I meet has the only thing to talk about.

The stories for a time makes one wonder if they are true or not. If they are then the long unanswered question of are we alone were finally answered. Although the situation has caused nothing but the source of conversations, the leaders fear it is causing unrest among the general population. They are planning to establish some new laws to better govern the situation. I fear the opposite may happen. Fear, panic and restrictions makes one feel vulnerable that's when they start to make stupid decisions.

The sound of the alarm broke the chain of thought and with that completing a week without sleep. Just thoughts, as if someone is speaking to me and I lay there listening the night away.