In the year 2039 a narrow beam energy signal appeared aimed squarely at earth from the TRAPPIST system. Several decades earlier it was discovered to have several planets in the system's habitable zone. The communication consisted of a layered set of repeating data over several thousand wavelengths. Over the next few months scientists discovered that the lower wavelengths carried an encoded numerical language which could then be used to interpret the more complicated messages carried on the higher wavelengths. After half a year of painstaking work the signal was fully decoded. It described a small satellite launched along a precise trajectory towards the fourth planet of our solar system. The satellite was accelerated to relativistic speeds using focused lasers transmitted from within the Trappist system and would arrive several centuries later. Included was a package of advanced research that humanity would need to have ready in order to receive the satellite and decelerate it safely.

By the time the champagne corks were flying to celebrate the turn of the 22nd century humanity had exploded out into space. The alien data provided the kick that humanity needed to turn from petty squabbling and unite to explore the final frontier. Major government and corporate leaders worked together to create the framework for the United Federation of Sol. UFS spaceports went from scaffolding to daily launches in every major city around the globe. Ships floated like dandelion seeds, spreading on solar wind to grow into colonies. Luna, venus, soon every major planetary body was abuzz. Mars remained a deserted planet except for military and research purposes. Only the most important of officials and scientists knew that the amazing fortune that had befallen earth could have disastrous consequences should the satellite impact Mars.

Time flew by. Colonies grew into cities. Children looked up to see the gaseous atmosphere of jupiter or the rings of saturn through the glow of a biosphere on their way to school. Advances in automation and robotics created a surplus of food and basic supplies. Pilots, mechanics, and technicians became the working class of a society moving into the stars. Inspired construction projects on scales never before possible became the day to day. From the continental greenhouses of venus to the subterranean caverns of Titan. Asteroids were pulled from their orbits and broken down to feed the hunger of a society on a technological warpath. The UFS remained vigilant, however, sitting on the knowledge that we are not alone in the universe.

We were lucky beyond belief that someone out there in the dark took pity on us. It would have been just as easy for them to give no warning, and instead send that satellite to earth to devastating effect. Murphy's law and common sense dictates that where one exists, there are likely to be others. Military training became a part of the life cycle of the citizens of the federation. The four year stint was seen as a rite of passage before starting your life as a part of society. Although most people were unaware of the finer details, it was apparent to anyone looking at the larger picture that we were preparing for something. Society started to plant deeper roots, making these foreign worlds into homes and communities.

2397 - Mars orbit, Egeria Station

The command center was a hive of activity as checks were conducted and systems initialized. Scientists flitted by like mayflies as communicators beeped and holoscreens spat out green tinted readouts. Nervous energy was thick in the air as everyone anticipated the culmination of over three hundred years of work. Massive fusion reactors under the planet's surface thrummed with barely restrained power as energy fed into a gleaming metallic maze criss crossing the planet. Metal fingers reached up, overshadowing the mighty olympus mons and trying to grab the stars. All over the solar system, people quickly turned to look as gigantic energy lances shot from the dusty fourth planet.

Two years later. The same people that clapped loudly at the successful activation of project Hermes now wait with baited breath. A silver capsule trailing bright photonic sails is captured by a net of grav beams and guided with care bordering on reverence into the station. Holoscreens across the headquarters project an image of the sleek craft settling in the bay. Data connections are established and the holoscreens blink to white. Slowly an image forms on the screen. Across the headquarters people stare in wonder as a wholly alien face stares back.

"Contact established. Welcome to the universe."