Project New Eden

In the year 2041, space agencies around the world secretly reported an extinction-level event. Based on the Webb telescope's telemetry data, the object's trajectory showed that its path was on a collision course toward Earth. They predicted it would arrive within 100 to 200 years.

Those in the know wondered whether to let nature take its course, or intervene and broadcast the truth to the public worldwide. Would it create mass hysteria or social chaos? Or would the people of Earth peacefully band together to seek a unified solution?

The informed leadership held a clandestine summit, and they unanimously agreed to tell everyone the truth —

"Within the next 100 years, every human being must leave the Earth. The answer is simple. However, the process will be highly complex. We call upon all industries, entrepreneurs, and innovators to collaborate and invest in this ultimate mission. We must figure out a way for every person on Earth to quickly migrate off-planet."

They codenamed the mission: Project New Eden.

Fortunately, along with experts in many scientific fields, the space industry figured out how to create artificial biospheres and transport billions of people using reusable rockets. Along with the spaceships, they built arks to save every bit of human knowledge. They also stored within the arks a plethora of biological samples to recreate Earthlike habitats.

The prospect of an extinction-level event catalyzed the people of Earth once again to transcend natural selection. And this time, they were to become a space-faring species.

It was a new beginning for humanity—the people of Earth colonized Mars, the moon, and hundreds of gigantic space stations ...

The last ship scheduled to leave Earth was full of the best tech moguls, billionaires, and scientists, including those who had planned out the space exodus.

Their presence on the ship was seen as a gift of gratitude by the people, for saving humankind, to bid a final farewell to everyone's home planet.

Martian HQ sent a message to Earth:

"Please convey our best wishes to any of those who've chosen to remain behind. We will forever commemorate them for helping us to start our new journey in space.

"To those leaving, we look forward to your joining us in our new era as Galaxy Beings. You have proven once again, humanity will triumph against all the odds, even in the face of our extinction."

On the other end, they received static:

"Come in Earth, do you hear us?"

Again, more static.

For months they tried to contact Earth, but there was no response. So, someone hacked the Webb telescope and managed to look upon the Earth to find out what was happening. They saw thousands of satellites armed with laser weapons orbiting the planet.

The space colonists rejoiced and sent a message:

"We see your satellites and wish you the best in destroying the object with lasers! Please confirm your plan. There is no need for this secrecy! We know the truth!"

Again, they received static.

So, they reaccessed the Webb telescope to watch for the killer event that would destroy Earth. But they found nothing. They tapped into its memory banks to see if anything about it was stored in the logs — again, nothing.

They sent another message:

"People of Earth, we can no longer find the object. Did you destroy it with the satellites or a secret weapon? We can find no record of the object's existence. Please confirm your plans or explain what is happening."

Again, they received static.

The Martian council feared something terrible had happened to the last people of Earth. So, they decided to send an expedition.

Once the Martian ship orbited Earth, they received a message:

"Turn back, or we'll fire our laser satellites. We have prevented the extinction-level event. Project New Eden successful. Our planet shall be saved."