Deep-Space Liaison

In 2075, humanity had only just crossed the threshold into interstellar civilization.

With lunar bases, Martian colonies, and an under-ice ocean laboratory on Europa, humanity had barely managed to establish a foothold in the solar system. Warp drives remained theoretical, and deep-space travel still depended on old-generation “generation ships” and just three experimental space-jump vessels.

Fifteen years earlier, China's FAST radio telescope in Guizhou had received a mysterious signal from the Orion Arm: a “cosmic invitation” containing messages in 376 languages. Every language conveyed the same meaning:

“We are here. You are not alone.”

The signal was confirmed to have come from a super-civilization alliance known as the “Star Ring Council.” After the news was announced, humanity was in an uproar for five years, debating it for five years, and fearing it for five years.

By 2075, the initial excitement had faded. After sending that signal, the other side had gone silent: for fifteen whole years, there had been no follow-up message. Governments around the world had gone from pouring money into the effort to cutting budgets. “Deep Space Communications” had gone from a national project to a modest annual grant, better than nothing.