The bridge between imagination and technological advancement, where the dreamer’s vision predicts change, and foreshadows a futuristic reality. Science fiction has the ability to become “science reality”.
The first morning of sixth grade; that’s when it happens. You wake early floating over your bed. Blankets and bed sheets have fallen away in the night, and there you are, three feet above the mattress, in your pajamas, just hovering.
We travel through the road. Dusty and dirty. Not much foot traffic recently. "Lillian, are we close yet?" Rasuran asks.
On August 17th, 2055, the last Salvation departed. Its gargantuan engines roared to life, enveloping the colourless landscape in a cloud of thick, black smoke. Fire roared and turned sand to glass as the howl of fuel combusting at a million degrees exploded across the rugged earth. The shockwave tore through city windows in a deafening chorus of raw power, and light fiercer than the centre of a star seared across the skyline.
Mars was about to change, and inevitably Earth was about to change. Everything was about to change. Change was written throughout the old Earth archives. Billions of writings detailing the history of a species both poised for extinction and greatness, often all at once, often at odds with itself. Like a wild rabid beast our species ran uninhibited through history, a cataclysmic disaster rocketing toward the stars. Zoom in on any one part of human history and you’re greeted with self induced challenge and self wrought misery. Yet, you’re also greeted with those that would remake the fabric of the world to overcome those challenges and build a better future. For me, a human writer living in 2,867 humanity was a paradox. While I found the challenges of humanities’ past complex and difficult, I knew in that moment that the challenges of our future would be worse. Denying that was futile. As a student of the old archives I had seemingly watched the species great renaissances and their great declines. The pandemic of 2020 and 2021 or the moment in 2,036 when humanity merged with machine artificial intelligence. As a human writer, I understood why Mars was humanities’ inevitable future. What started as a private expedition to the red planet in 2,040 had been a disaster, and led to a fundamental redefining of society. The formation of a massive space exploration project and the construction of moon bases capable of automated ship and habitat construction.
For the first time in a long time the world seemed foreign to Ella. The smell of the air and the sounds of the industrialized city fascinated her in ways she could never imagine and while these new found wonders amazed and dazzled her senses she couldn’t help but look into the next room.
She stood there gazing into her reflection in the window. The sky was dark as cracks of lightning forked across the sky in a dazzling array of light and color. Was it a sign or an omen of things to come?
“Don’t worry,” Cecily said as the old van rattled along the country road. “We’ll get you fixed up in a jiffy. No need to worry, love. Almost there.”
It was cold, it was dark. It was cold and dark, and winter, that is how it ended, but how it began was just an evening walk in the snow. The air was crisp on her nose, the wind light and mild. As she exhaled a billow of haze escaped her chapped lips. She was bundled in all of the warm clothes possible, but nothing could warm the bite of Minnesota in February. What she was doing out, she wasn’t quite sure. The woods were so peaceful this evening and she needed to feel the air, even if it was freezing. Contemplating everything and wondering what was next, she walked along a path that lined a small open field. Beyond that small field a tree line grew tall, the outline was dark against the setting sun, she was still able to make out just enough detail to see as the light sky began to grow into the dusky evening. It was quiet, not a soul was around, just her and the trees. She loved it here, just her and nature, the peace was comforting.
Chapter 1 She sits. The nice warm breeze gently crosses her face. She closes her eyes and lays down on the grass. Letting the sun hit her face softly.
With Connac leading the mix of Soteria warriors and meek journalists, the group carefully walked through the alleyway. One Soteria soldier checker her datapiece. “There’s no sign of Colossus activity two miles from here.”
This is it! I think to myself as I'm getting my suit on. I am finally able to turn my dream into a reality. Mom used to be so proud of me every time I would show her my drawings of being an astronaut. She would put every one of them in her scrapbook. It still amazes me to this day how supportive she was. I'm thankful for that nowadays. She was my inspiration for doing what I did. Sometimes I would make her a drawing just to get a hug from her. She would tell me that it was worth it, but not necessary. She was always the best to me. Mainly because of the fact that I was an only child.
Staring down at the object in my hand I could feel it’s slight draw to me. This is what pulled me here, how I found them. Looking at Mark and Connie with worry I ask, “Is this part of a star stone?” They both look confused, “Yes, it’s a little less than half of one. I found it when I first started gardening at our home on Thesurok.” Connie explains. Taking a deep breath I begin, “I am sorry, it probably means more to you than I can know... This is what brought me here. I could feel it pulling me in. It wasn’t strong but it was enough. Holding it now, I can feel the small amount of power radiating from it. If you wish to remain hidden you will have to destroy it.” I saw the fear in Connies eyes as she looked over to Mark and said, “I am so sorry Mark! I had no idea that this would happen!” His eyes soften when he looks at her saying, “It’s fine dear, really. I don’t think either of us have known. We’ve had it for so long that we must be immune to it’s pull.” Connie nods and gestures for me to hand over the stone. I gently place it in her hand and when I look up at her a stray tear streams down her cheek. I give her a sad smile and Mark wipes the tear from her face. Inhaling a shaky breath Connie nods to assure us that she’s on board. “Come with me.” Mark tells us. We follow him into a room filled with tools and gadgets that I’m not quite familiar with. “What is this room?” I ask confused. Mark chuckles explaining that we are in their garage and that people use it for storing their tools and cars. We watch as Mark sets the stone down on his work space and grabs a metal mallet from the wall. He gives Connie a tight hug and walks over to the stone. Pulling back over his head he swings down right on top of the stone breaking it into pieces. I immediately feel the connection break making me let out a deep sigh.