The Story of Westarc (pt 2)

For 6 months, the Western Arc slipped through the darkness of the cold void of space. Stopping at every new star system to look for a new home and harvest fuel, and minerals from countless barren systems.  After a year of absence from the comfort of terra-firma, many within the Arc's population began to grow apathetic and depressed.  It became doubtful that there was any hope of success, a wave of suicides began to take hold, as people simply lost hope.  But in the midst of despair, the Arc sailed ever onward.

One day, 2 weeks, 9 months and a year since departure.  The Arc slipped from Voidspace, into system "DVS-231" for routine search,  of the 1.5 million citizens, around 1.2 million remained alive.  These 1.2 million souls would find "planet 68",  which appeared as a gleaming green and brown jewel in a system of lifeless gas giants.    The first of its kind in the Arc's history. 

The Arc's populace was abuzz with joy at the find and a ground analysis team was quickly formed.  Built from French and Belgian light infantry and science staff, the "étoiles Explorateur" were the first humans to set foot on Planet 68.   It quickly became clear that there was more at work planetside than anyone could have imagined...

What Orbital Scanners and Rendering equipment had mapped as Rock spires, and trees, appeared in fact to be vast, advanced cities, and infrastucture, overgrown by thick alien foilage.

The drop craft of the étoiles Explorateur, landed with robotic support assets in a clearing, named  "LZ humanité."  Immediately they set about testing the atmosphere and creating rough camp.  

Teams of étoiles Explorateur, roved outwards from LZ humanité, eager to explore the vast continental cities of this mysterious world. 

But in the hollow shells, across shattered alien vistas, phantoms.. shades from a bygone era.. began to stir. 

To be Continued...

Sources:  Planet picture is from NASA.   Landscape is conceptual art from Wes Ball.