“When the signal went out, the worlds and colonies of humanity’s expansion were in shock. Alien life. A living world, hidden, but within our reach. Sketches, descriptions, data, together working to conjure the contents of an impossible ocean. The data was locked down, outlawed and legislated, hunted by corporate viruses trained on its signature; but it was too late. Gliese 667Cc had already filtered into our networks and systems, and more importantly, into our imaginations.
Unsurprisingly, like almost every discovery of its kind, Gliese 667Cc¹ was quickly understood as an opportunity. Biologists immediately saw their chance, but they weren’t alone. Journalists pitched their editors for assignment, scientists of all kinds hastily assembled research grant applications, merchants equipped themselves to carry live specimens. And of course, the corporations immediately laid claim; citing fair competition clauses, interplanetary treaties, filing lawsuits and injunctions that, along with the intergalactic ethics tribunals, eviscerated the planet’s legal “owners” Baikal in a manner of months.
“This is a moment,” said people in hushed voices, “that will never be repeated,” and none of them wanted to be the one to miss it. You are in that moment now, the moment before the blockade seals the planet off, the moment before laws are rewritten to protect Gliese 667Cc, the moment before the first official expedition arrives. And at this moment, every space-faring crew close enough, brave enough, or well-equipped enough to take a contract for Gliese 667Cc is in demand.
So, now is the moment to name your price, to agree terms, and to break orbit. Now is the moment to land on an alien world with only the scrambled notes of a castaway to guide you. Now is the moment to break the waters of an alien ocean, in the hope that you can ascend back to the surface before the universe changes, forever.”
-TIDEBREAK
Hosted and narrated by:
Joen
Started 11/24/23.
Scenes played: 1
License: Community License
