[ WP ] A Second Chance

Fifteen ships each carrying five hundred men and women were sent to the Alpha Centauri planetary system to scout for habitable areas and to set up colonies for future development. The planets designated *a Cen AB-b* and *a Cen AB-c* were considered the most viable candidate able to sustain a human population, so the ships were sent there. In two years, the ships had left the boundaries of the Oort cloud and into interstellar space. 
 
 This was a massive undertaking, one that required the entirety of the human race for help. Interstellar probes had been sent decades before, and their faint transmissions have just reached us over the past few years. The probes had detected possible signs of life in some extrasolar planets, and an automated lander, in coordination with a satellite orbiting a Cen AB-b, had beamed data that revealed a thriving ecosystem. Flora and fauna, with an atmosphere, although uncomfortable, able to support human populations. And so, we sent our bravest men and women into the darkest reaches of space. 
 
 As the ships went farther and farther, communications between the ships and our Solar System became more distant. It would take many months for our signals reach each other. When we finally received a message from them, we would celebrate. The messages were mostly data meaningless to a layman, but other – more human – messages were sent. Some wishing loved ones good luck, others speaking of births and deaths to relatives back on Earth. One message, a heartwarming and rambling post about a researcher missing her family back on Europa, became headline news. 
 
 Soon, years would pass as each message returned to the Solar System. By the time we knew the mission was a success, eight years would have already passed. They could all be dead by then, or maybe, they would have finally extended the reach of our species. This was the biggest gamble in history, one that would have either brought us the greatest success man has ever known, or the greatest failure. 
 
 Two hours ago, Control had received a message coming from the ships. Naturally, we were anxious: it had been four months since we ’ ve received anything from them, and we had thought all hope was lost. The message said: 
 
 “ The Bel Cielo and the Gagarin are in stationary orbit around the planets a Cen AB-b and a Cen AB-c respectively, and have maintained constant contact with each other. Mission is a success. Colony ships are being sent down to the surface. The sky is beautiful. The cumulation of many lifetimes of combined work has been fulfilled. We as a species have finally breached our cradle and landed among the stars. Let ’ s hope this doesn ’ t bite us in the ass. ”
