[ WP ] A space ladder has been built connecting Earth to the Moon . You are on step one , there are 2,645,143,222 steps to go .

Mankind had finally found the secrets to immortality. No more disease, no more death by accident, our body was now capable of self regenerating forever. The only way to die was to get injected with a product of which the governments kept the formula secret. 
 
 
 But ironically, since everyone could live for as long as they wanted, life on Earth was harder than ever. Overpopulation became a top priority concern for every single country of the planet. Pollution was so important that breathable air had to be bought in bottles. It became impossible to feed everyone. The governments needed to adapt. To react faster, a new world order was put in place. A unified government would then rule the planet with authority. Its first decision was to strictly forbid anyone to have children. Any criminal would now be executed to help reduce the population. The masses would be fed with synthetic proteins. 
 
 
 The most powerful companies tried to help, but even they were not able to save 14 billion people. So they decided to help those who would be worthy of receiving their help. They moved their headquarters to the Moon, and installed an ever growing lunar base. It was now the size of a small country, full of people working to make it an even better place. 
 
 
 These people were neither selected at birth nor because of their wealth. Each of them had proven their value. The only way to access the base is a carbon fiber ladder from our planet, right to the Moon. Its base is guarded to prevent any criminal to escape their fate. There is no protection from the cold emptiness of space or the devastating solar flares. Only you, and 2,645,143,222 steps. 
 
 
 Here I am on the first step, more than ever ready to reach the last one.
