Iota
194/356
One of these squares will turn round. I know it will happen, but the waiting is killing me. Space isn't as big as it used to be, and it's getting smaller every day. I can't help but wonder what's it all for?
Some days the belief that we'll find the next planet is the only thing that keeps me going. What's on the next square? And then what about the one after that? But more and more, by the time we get there, that next square has already been discovered. But sometimes we get there first, and that makes it worth all the burned U.
I'm holding onto hope that there's something else out there. Something greater than what I've seen. As I sit watching the monitors cycle after cycle, I can't help but think we're probably not the first ones to explore this space. Logic and statistics say that there are probably other civilizations out here somewhere. They've probably been out here a long time. Long enough to know how to stay off our scans.
Maybe they're friendly, or at least ambivalent. But it's certainly possible that they're not looking for new neighbors. If we're encroaching on their space, they'll likely be none too pleased.
Or maybe we truly are all alone. Maybe 4 elements are all there are out here. Maybe aggressive neighbors will continue to destroy. Maybe it's all pointless.