Part 1
In the year 2148, as the light of the sun no longer shines as brightly as it did a century ago, humanity on Earth was faced with a shocking truth: our great mother, Earth, would disintegrate into dust and vanish into the cosmos within a few hundred years.
Unfortunately, during this time, humanity was still locked in endless struggles for trivial interests, with wars, plagues, and fear ravaging the planet without respite. Earth, the only home humanity has in the vast universe, was slowly deteriorating. Yet, humans, its inhabitants, seemed unaware of this grave reality. The end of everything seemed like divine retribution, or perhaps...
Once it was confirmed that the sun's life was nearing its end, people finally began to worry about the future of human civilization. Even those who had once been cold-blooded—people and governments alike—started to ponder the question: should humanity set aside its differences and conflicts to unite in the face of the impending destruction of Earth? More accurately, it was the looming destruction of humanity.
As the sun approached its doom, what lay ahead for humanity? With the apocalypse on the horizon, would humans choose to embark on a journey to the depths of the universe, or would they try to flee with Earth itself?
Eventually, after thorough discussions among the world's scientists, nations agreed on a plan: to build interstellar colony ships to spread the seeds of humanity throughout the universe. Thus, in April of the same year, the Human Future Preservation Association (PF) was officially established under the United Nations. This organization was dedicated to preserving the spark of human life through interstellar migration.
Coincidentally, in September of that year, the chief scientist of PF, Li Xinghua, observed a dramatic transformation on a planet called "Alapha," just 12 light years away from Earth. Once a barren rocky surface, the planet suddenly erupted in dazzling purple-green and soft blue colors, like a goddess applying divine makeup to a once dull and dirty face—stunning and mysterious.
After a year of meticulous observation, Li Xinghua boldly speculated before the public that the current ecological environment of this planet could be an unparalleled paradise for humans!
PF's supreme leader, Huang Jingyang, upon hearing this news, held a secret 12-day meeting overnight with high-ranking officials from various governments and PF's central academy.
Following the meeting, he declared at PF's assembly: "With our current scientific capabilities and the observed state of this distant habitable planet, we can preserve the hope of human civilization and open a new homeland for humanity. Now, let us unite, for the sake of our future generations. We must fight to victory!"
Thus, humanity entered an era of grand unity. In the face of a common disaster, people put aside past prejudices, dissatisfaction, and endless conflicts. None of that mattered anymore. At the moment of the end of human civilization, all would vanish like smoke.
On New Year's Day the following year, Li Xinghua and Huang Jingyang, along with leaders from countries around the world, announced the "Reach for the Stars" mega-plan to the global population. This plan aimed to build a massive colony ship, capable of traveling at one-tenth the speed of light across the solar system and the vast void of space, using the latest advancements in human hibernation, space propulsion, and material technology. The goal was to carry 880,000 people from all nations on Earth to a new home 28 light-years away, ensuring the continuity of the eternal legend of human civilization.
When the plan was unveiled, it immediately sparked a global uproar. For a time, doubts, support, and even insults about the plan filled the streets of this planet. At first glance, it seemed like an impossible mission—human technology couldn't even colonize Mars yet, so how could they imagine colonizing a planet 12 light-years away?
However, after several months of global debate, humanity finally reached a consensus: to reach for the stars! Compared to other options, interstellar colonization was seen as the most cost-effective and beneficial solution.
On March 26, 2149, the UN General Assembly officially approved the project, and PF naturally became the lead organization. The plan's announcement inspired everyone, and humanity achieved unprecedented unity. Most people no longer cared about other matters, focusing solely on fighting for the future of humanity.
Countries with technological capabilities rushed to contribute selflessly, choosing the path of ultimate dedication—the long journey that belonged to all of humanity.
On April 10 of the same year, the Star Labs were established at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. Over the next ten, twenty, or even fifty years, they would devote themselves to humanity's greatest cause. The lab's staff came from all over the world, but they shared a single goal: to dedicate everything they could to the greatest mission in human history.
The early stages of research were extremely challenging. To establish a space dock at the lowest possible cost, scientists began working on a device that could quickly transport humans into space: a space elevator.
Such a facility had only existed in science fiction before, so the actual project was immense. Countless engineering difficulties, physical problems, and material challenges troubled everyone involved.
But united, humanity can unleash infinite potential. After billions of experiments by scientists and the sweat, even blood, of countless workers, on January 1, 2160, the space elevator jointly developed by various countries was completed in Houston, USA. In September of the same year, the artificial gravity system was successfully developed.
These were great leaps for human technology, but they were only the first steps to illuminate humanity's future.
Five years later, a space dock and station arrived above the world with the ringing of the New Year's bell. It was as grand as a magnificent space city, quietly resting in Earth's orbit—majestic and awe-inspiring.
Next, scientists successively developed artificial gravity technology and a warp drive capable of one-tenth light speed. Most importantly, the fully operational cryo-hibernation chambers were also successfully developed.
By January 1, 2180, the main body of the colony ship had been completed. It stretched about 40 kilometers long, made of high-strength alloys, with a ceramic heat-resistant exterior.
To build it, people of all races across the globe had made unimaginable sacrifices: tens of thousands of lives, most of the world's resources, and nearly unbreakable willpower from both their bodies and spirits.
Part 2
"Just one more breakthrough in energy technology, and humanity will be able to embark on a journey from this tiny speck in the vast cosmos. I will exchange my life for this technology. I will not fail the expectations of the people of the world, and I certainly will not fail this majestic *Wind and Flower Ship*. Long live humanity! Long live the unity of the world's people!" These were the trembling yet resolute words of the 95-year-old Li Xinghua as he stood, barely able to, at the United Nations General Assembly. His speech rekindled the wavering spirits of humanity, bringing them back together.
How could they give up now, when they were just one step away?
Human effort eventually paid off, as the scientists finally discovered the appropriate fuel: neutrinos. Neutrinos, a byproduct of particle collisions, had been discovered a century earlier, but like many old discoveries, they had been long forgotten.
Now, everything seemed so absurd, almost laughable. It was as if they had scoured the ends of the Earth for something elusive, only to find it had been there all along.
In 2198, after burning through the efforts of three entire generations, a fully functional interstellar colony ship appeared in Earth's orbit. Its massive, awe-inspiring form filled humanity with joy.
In Houston, Li Xinghua, the man destined to be remembered throughout human history, sat quietly in his wheelchair, gazing up at this perfect masterpiece. Though it wasn't solely his work, it was, without a doubt, the greatest one he had ever been part of.
And on the eve of the *Wind and Flower*'s departure, Li Xinghua silently closed his eyes, accompanied by nothing but a sigh. He could finally reunite with his long-departed family and friends.
After his death, his body was cremated, and his ashes were placed in a small compartment in one of the *Wind and Flower*'s hibernation pods.
Before its departure, the *Wind and Flower* had to complete a test flight, circling Earth once before returning to the orbital dock.
In July 2198, with its Ten Percent Light Speed Drive propelling the colossal ship, the test flight was completed perfectly, successfully orbiting Earth. The world erupted in celebration—there was now a tangible sense of hope in this crumbling world.
People rushed into the streets, spreading the joyous news. Their words could not conceal their excitement. They sang beautiful hymns, uniting in song.
On October 1st of the same year, PF began selecting 880,000 volunteers from every country worldwide, based on population proportions. These volunteers weren't necessarily the global elite, but they all had the ability to influence humanity's future.
Twenty days later, the selection process was complete. People from over 100 countries gathered at the Star Sea Training Base in Tibet, China, to begin training and adapting to their new lives.
During the training, daily communication was mainly conducted in English and Chinese, as misunderstandings due to language barriers could not be allowed during the long space journey or the final stages of interstellar colonization.
Those who didn't speak Chinese worked hard to learn it, and those not proficient in English also strived to improve. When difficulties arose, a real-time translation system assisted in communication. Though still buggy, the system helped bridge the gaps. But where there is unity, even Mount Tai can be moved.
These colonists were remarkably strong. In just six months, they had completed all the necessary spaceship and colonization training. By the end, they had even built a new city with limited resources.
This city was unanimously named *New Hope City* by all the team members. It had all the basic functions of a modern city and was designed to withstand earthquakes, tsunamis, and even meteor impacts.
All of this demonstrated that this group of human volunteers, or perhaps they were just the lucky ones, were now fully capable of rebuilding human civilization in a completely unfamiliar and hostile environment. The flickering flame of humanity, once on the verge of extinction, was reignited in their eyes.
The establishment of *New Hope City* drew the attention of the entire world. In shock and joy, people looked up at the familiar sky in silence.
Yes, these humans about to embark on a distant journey were lonely, great, and resilient.
But at the same time, they were not condemned to death; their survival rate wasn't zero.
So, were they lucky?
After completing a series of ship tests and loading cargo, these seeds of humanity's future were about to step into the vastness of space. All they could take with them was a bouquet of flowers; what they couldn't take were their families left behind and the eternal memories of their homeland.
At 8 p.m. Los Angeles time, on December 31, 2199, all the volunteers had completed their training. Whether they were children or adults, they all performed exceptionally well. At the graduation ceremony, they drank and celebrated, hugging each other in joy. They were about to embark on the unknown, and they were excited.
As the volunteers prepared to board the ship, they unanimously elected Zhang Hanhai, a Chinese volunteer, as the captain of the ship. During the colonization simulations, he had demonstrated absolute leadership and execution. His efficient management and command helped the volunteers overcome challenges time and again.
Zhang was more than happy to accept this honor, bowing gracefully to everyone.
During the simulated colonization days, the people of *New Hope City*, under Zhang Hanhai's leadership, voluntarily adopted a new sense of identity—one that transcended nationality, race, and cultural conflicts. Through continuous cooperation and the search for common ground amid differences, they successfully forged a new sense of identity.
They no longer considered themselves citizens of any specific country or race but simply as human beings—a group of ordinary yet great humans.
This great team also adopted English and Chinese as their official communication languages. At the same time, the annoying bugs in the real-time translation system were finally eliminated.
This meant that language would no longer be a barrier—the strongest walls had been torn down.
The colony ship *Wind and Flower*, which encapsulated the combined effort of human civilization, was about to welcome its true masters.
On the eve of the New Year, the volunteers orderly boarded small landing crafts and space elevators at the PF center in Houston, bound for the *Wind and Flower* colony ship.
At the scene, leaders from all over the world, with flowers and blessings, gathered. Tears filled their eyes as they silently bid farewell to these brave human pioneers. Even the harsh, cold winds couldn't bend their backs an inch.
After the last landing craft departed from humanity's no-longer-only home, most of those left on Earth gathered in front of their televisions, quietly waiting for the *Wind and Flower* to set sail.
At 00:00 on January 1, 2200, today was a joyful day as the bells of the New Year rang out. People on Earth celebrated, walking the streets, hosting parties, and having fun. The *Wind and Flower*'s departure coincided with a day of great festivity.
A once dormant human civilization seemed to be bursting with life again.
Meanwhile, on the *Wind and Flower*, the only sounds the colonists could hear were the roaring of the Ten Percent Light Speed Drive and the incessant tapping of the crew adjusting the equipment.
Part 3
At 8 a.m. on the same day, the new humans aboard the *Wind and Flower* had completed all final system checks, and everything went smoothly. The last step was for the new humans to enter their hibernation pods, entrusting their fates to artificial intelligence, the boundless deep space, and destiny itself.
After centuries of development, artificial intelligence had become far more precise than humans, at least under normal navigation circumstances. As the new humans prepared for sleep, the people of Earth gathered the lights to form one final message: "Victory." It was Earth's last tribute, bidding farewell to these brave pioneers.
As tears slipped from their eyes, the lids of the hibernation pods gently closed above their heads. Thus, 880,000 brave souls were about to embark on a distant journey through the stars. Their gazes, as they neared sleep, were filled with resolve, silently declaring: Humanity will never perish. A two-hundred-year journey and fifty years of settlement were about to begin. If all went well, those on Earth might still hear the victory song of the *Wind and Flower* while they themselves reached the end.
The ship's blue thrusters began to light up in the darkness of space. Twenty-four hours later, the tiny flames grew into a massive pillar of fire, slowly propelling the *Wind and Flower* out of Earth's orbit and into the vastness of space.
From that moment on, the new humans and this colony ship embarked on a one-way journey, never to return. Much like the migration of wildebeests, but infinitely more awe-inspiring, and without the possibility of return.
For the first five years after the *Wind and Flower*'s departure, humans on Earth could still maintain contact with the ship. They could even occasionally send data packets and updates to the ship's AI. However, after the five-year mark, humanity completely lost all contact with it.
By then, the ship was like a lone seed carried by the wind, drifting towards the unknown.
In the Earth year 2250, the colonists awoke in the vastness of space, not knowing why they had arrived at their destination 150 years ahead of schedule. As they looked out the windows, they saw a breathtaking binary star system performing a cosmic dance in the infinite fabric of space. It was a celestial spectacle, with two stars orbiting around a common center of mass, their gravitational ballet creating a mesmerizing interplay of light, brilliance, and gravitational forces.
As the awestruck colonists observed the binary star system, they witnessed the enchanting interaction between these celestial bodies. The primary star, a massive and radiant giant, took center stage, its intense light illuminating the surrounding space and casting a golden glow on nearby planets and celestial bodies.
Next to this luminous primary star was its companion, a smaller and dimmer star, orbiting in a delicate celestial ballet. While less prominent, this secondary star added an ethereal beauty to the cosmic stage. Its pale light created a subtle contrast, harmoniously blending with the glow of its counterpart.
The gravitational dance of the binary stars extended beyond the two stars themselves. In their cosmic performance, they exerted gravitational influence on each other, weaving intricate patterns in the fabric of space-time. These gravitational pulls shaped the orbits of planets, asteroids, and other celestial bodies sharing the stellar neighborhood.
The gravitational choreography of the binary system created a unique environment for the planets orbiting them. Depending on their distance from each star and the complexity of their orbits, these planets experienced an ever-changing interplay of light and shadow. During the day, the sky might be illuminated by the combined glow of both stars, casting warm and intense rays across the planet's surface. As night fell, the dimmer star would take center stage, painting the sky with its cooler and darker light.
The colonists, excited beyond measure by the real-life spectacle unfolding before them, were deeply moved by the wonders and complexities of the universe. To their astonishment, just as Li Xinghua had predicted, there was indeed a gem of a planet in the habitable zone of this star system—the beautiful *Alapha*.
However, Zhang Hanhai sensed that something was amiss. He could no longer observe Earth or the solar system through the ship's telescopes. According to the planned journey, they were supposed to travel only 12 light-years, yet it appeared that the *Wind and Flower* had traveled at least 12,000 light-years!
When this news was revealed, everyone was stunned. How could they have traveled so far in just fifty years? The ship's navigation logs showed no anomalies—there had been no sudden accelerations or decelerations. However, the ship's external video records provided a clear answer: in the 40th year of the journey, a massive wormhole inexplicably appeared in front of the *Wind and Flower*, and the other end of the wormhole was near the deep space close to this star system.
Although the colonists were deeply puzzled by this event, it wasn't something they could dwell on too much at the moment.
After all, here was a beautiful habitable planet. Where they colonized didn't matter, did it?
For now, everyone continued to call the planet *Alapha*, as they couldn't think of a better name yet.
Through the space telescope, this habitable planet appeared to be a world of lush greenery and breathtaking landscapes. Bathed in the warm embrace of its binary stars, it exuded an aura of mystery and beauty.
Now, they were just one step away from their new home. Everyone on board was filled with excitement.
Under the command of Zhang Hanhai and the other pilots, the *Wind and Flower* slowly turned toward *Alapha* and began its approach. Although the colonists were eager, the remaining fuel didn't allow for a full-speed dash to their new home.
As the *Wind and Flower* drew closer to the planet, an awe-inspiring sight unfolded before the observers—a life oasis nestled in the blackness of space. The planet, seemingly perfect for human habitation, glowed with brilliant radiance, captivating all eyes.
From space, the planet's surface appeared as a vibrant world of purples and greens. Though it looked very different from Earth, it still evoked memories of home. Vast, shimmering green oceans covered much of the planet's landscape, their gentle ripples reflecting the soft glow of the nearby stars. Beneath these gleaming waters must have been an abundance of life waiting to be discovered.
Eager to explore this paradise, the colonists initiated the ship's automatic landing sequence, carefully positioning the *Wind and Flower* in orbit around *Alapha*.
After several hours of equipment calibration and orbital adjustments, Zhang Hanhai cautiously directed the crew to begin descending the *Wind and Flower* into the atmosphere.
The *Wind and Flower* was now on its way to the new world, and so was humanity.
Part 4
As the *Wind and Flower* slowly approached the planet's atmosphere, the air inside the ship was filled with anticipation and excitement. The crew and passengers had spent decades traversing the vastness of space, all for an uncertain future.
But now, that uncertain future seemed to have become clear. The colonists were about to land on the new world that would become their home.
The ship's navigation system kicked into gear, meticulously calculating the safest descent trajectory. Before long, the planet's atmosphere engulfed the ship, with friction and heat impacting its protective shield. The ship's exterior glowed brilliantly as it reentered, a testament to the advanced technology of Earth.
Gradually, the ship decelerated, with its engines, guided by AI and the skilled hands of the pilots, carefully lowering the *Wind and Flower* to an altitude of 3,000 meters. As the ship transitioned from the weightlessness of space to the gentle pull of the planet's gravity, everyone felt the subtle change. Meanwhile, the artificial gravity system quietly deactivated.
As the moment of landing drew near, hearts raced with a mixture of fear and excitement.
The colony ship's systems made precise adjustments for this critical moment, deploying landing gear and stabilizers. The ship gracefully glided toward its carefully selected landing site: a lush, verdant river delta.
Onboard, some were assisting in operating the ship, others were checking life support systems and supplies, while many were making final preparations for the landing.
An hour later, with a soft thud, the colony ship made contact with the planet's surface. Dust and debris swirled as the ship settled into the virgin ground. Silence enveloped the ship, broken only by the faint hum of machinery and the colonists' collective breath held in anticipation.
As the dust settled, the crew began the post-landing protocols. They verified the structural integrity of the ship, ensuring that no major damage had occurred during the descent. After the inspections were completed, the colonists cautiously opened the hatch.
What greeted them outside was breathtaking—the lush greenery of forests lining both sides of the river, vibrant flowers, and tender grass blanketed the ground under the landing rails. Small creatures occasionally flew through the air, stirring the emotions of everyone present.
At that moment, no one dared to take the first step into the unknown. Though everything looked beautiful, no one could guarantee there were no hidden dangers. Many who had been eager to set foot on the land hesitated at the last moment, all of them.
"Folks, we've come this far, no need to be afraid. There's no going back anyway," Zhang Hanhai said as he noticed the reluctance in the crowd. Slowly, he moved to the front.
"Now, I will take the first step on behalf of all of us. This is the greatest step in human history." With no fear in his eyes, Zhang Hanhai stepped onto the completely unknown soil of the planet.
After that first step, Zhang felt the softness of the ground—it was like stepping into a mother's embrace. He didn't stop. He took one step, then two, then three, and finally, after twelve steps, he paused. At that moment, he made a decision that would change human history: he removed his protective helmet and took a deep breath of the planet's air.
The sweet air instantly filled Zhang Hanhai's lungs, and in that moment, he felt an overwhelming sense of happiness. It was as if the cold loneliness of space had vanished in an instant. He turned to the other crew members, shouting excitedly, "Come on, everyone! Let's embrace our new home! We've made it!"
Seeing Zhang Hanhai's satisfied expression and beckoning gesture, no one hesitated anymore. They all rushed forward, stepping onto the land. Fresh, invigorating air filled their lungs. For the first time in 50 years, they enjoyed the familiar feeling of fresh air.
At that moment, the real sensation of the ground beneath their feet brought everyone immense comfort and excitement. It was as if they were Columbus' crew, setting foot on an unknown land centuries ago. With joy and excitement, they danced and ran across this new, fertile ground.
In that instant, the eyes of every new human were wide open, taking in the landscape before them—lush forests, rolling meadows, and rivers shimmering with green light. Everything felt familiar yet alien at the same time.
The sounds of laughter and joyous shouts broke the silence of this lonely planet.
At sunset on the first day of this new world, the colonists gathered to celebrate their great achievement. From the moment they successfully landed, their spirits were uplifted by the tangible future that now seemed within reach. A new era of humanity had begun.
In the following weeks, driven by a shared vision of recreating human civilization, the colonists began exploring and familiarizing themselves with the planet's resources and unique ecosystems.
Through orbital satellites, the new humans mapped every inch of the planet. The landmass was composed of two continents and several scattered large islands. On the western continent, where they had landed, there was a vast network of winding rivers and cascading waterfalls. These sparkling waterways flowed through rolling hills and lush valleys, reflecting the bright light of the binary stars. In contrast, the eastern continent was dominated by towering mountain ranges that pierced the sky, with many peaks covered in snow, a testament to the planet's geological history. Despite its breathtaking scenery, the barren land and enormous creatures there made it unsuitable for the colonists to settle.
Through their surveys, they also discovered that the fauna of the western continent was generally non-aggressive, and there were many native crops that could serve as staple foods. Most importantly, the abundant rainfall and warm, humid climate made the area highly suitable for the reproduction and growth of both the new humans and the animals and plants they brought with them. Unlike Earth, however, the length of a day on this planet was double that of Earth.
But all of this beauty seemed limited to the land. When survey teams attempted to cross the ocean to explore the other continent, they were almost brought down by Leviathan-like sea creatures in the vast green ocean. These Leviathans were massive, stretching two to three thousand meters in length, and seemed to exist in large numbers.
As for the water resources, beyond the numerous freshwater rivers on land, even the salt content of the planet's oceans was relatively low. With simple filtration and desalination, the water was perfectly drinkable, and even consuming it directly in moderation posed no problems.
Due to the presence of the Leviathans, the new humans could only manage to survey the western continent, its surrounding islands, and a large island near the planet's north pole.
Strangely, the planet did not experience significant climate changes with increasing latitude. At the same altitude, the climate remained consistent across the continent.
After a month of discussions between Zhang Hanhai and a team of geographers, they unanimously decided to first establish a proper settlement at the landing site before considering expanding their territory.
Thus, humanity, after millennia of progress, returned once again to a primitive way of life—subsistence farming, where men tilled the land and women weaved cloth. The difference this time was that they had enough remaining fuel from the *Wind and Flower*'s descent to power the colony during its early stages. This meant they could still drive cars and use electrical devices in their daily lives.
However, this fuel would never be enough to allow the *Wind and Flower* to leave this star system again.
Part 5
The weather patterns on this planet were relatively simple. On the western continent, gentle breezes carried the fragrance of flowers and the songs of birds through the air, while occasional storms unleashed the power of nature, cleansing and revitalizing the land. The eastern continent, however, was a different story. It was plagued by violent winds, lightning, and constant storms of rain and snow that raged across its barren landscapes. Regardless, the skies of the western continent, where the new humans lived, would always cast a symphony of colors at sunrise and sunset, singing of humanity's beautiful journey and future.
After more than a year of struggle, and at the cost of thousands of accidental deaths, the new humans finally established their first settlement at the landing site: Olympus River Delta Settlement. It was the first stroke of color on a blank canvas.
At that moment, humanity had finally taken root on this planet. Even more joyful was the fact that the first group of mothers, who had been impregnated on this planet, successfully gave birth to healthy babies.
The small flame was gradually turning into a roaring fire, and the tiny seeds were slowly growing into a large tree.
Five Earth years later, the new humans transformed Olympus River Delta into a relatively developed city, one that resembled New York of two hundred years ago when viewed from the sky. Scattered settlements of humanity also appeared across the fertile western continent. The boldest group even crossed a strait thousands of kilometers wide, successfully avoiding the Leviathans, and established a settlement on the previously surveyed island.
By then, there was no more confusion about their arrival. They had a clear goal: to continue the path that human civilization had not yet finished.
For this reason, these new humans named the planet *Wei Yang*, meaning "endless," and the two stars were named "Great Father" and "Great Mother." Without their presence, this group of wanderers would have perished in deep space.
In the decades that followed, the new humans thrived and reproduced, establishing countless cities and a flourishing civilization on this land. The relentless efforts of the new humans had transformed *Wei Yang* into a prosperous land of human civilization—a testament to the unyielding spirit of exploration and resilience of the human race.
In the subsequent decades, driven by purpose and determination, generation after generation of new humans cultivated and developed this new world. They believed that with the resources and technology at their disposal, they could recreate the most prosperous eras of human civilization and even surpass history, for they had once surpassed the speed of light.
Moreover, during later attempts to explore the eastern continent, they discovered ancient ruins hidden in the snow-capped mountains, suggesting that a once-thriving civilization had existed on this planet. This meant that humanity's civilization would not be the first to flourish here; tens of thousands of years ago, another civilization had lived on the eastern continent.
The new humans born in this new home gradually chose to abandon their identity as "humans," instead calling themselves *Melish*. From the moment they were born, aside from what they heard from their parents or read in books, they had never seen Earth, nor heard its sounds. To them, Earth was distant, perhaps only existing in the dreams of the older generation, while the beautiful *Wei Yang* was the home they cherished.
The new humans born on *Wei Yang* grew up, started families, and gradually assumed leadership roles in society. On the thirtieth anniversary of the landing, a representative of the native new humans gave a speech at the founding ceremony of the Melish nation:
"Today is December 41st, 2310, on the Earth calendar, and Year 30 of the New Humans. On this day, we, the new humans, are no longer humans. We have long since considered *Wei Yang* our home and no longer yearn for the distant mother planet, Earth.
While we once stood on the shoulders of humanity, we are now different. We should not search for the meaning of our civilization by staring at Earth through deep-space telescopes. We should not merely carry their legacy!
We have taken root on this planet, born here, raised here, and we will die here. We are no longer a branch of the human race; we have become a new race."
From that moment on, they chose, through a national referendum, to officially name their race and nation *Melish*.
In the years that followed, the united Melish people and their civilization advanced rapidly. In just 20 Melish years (40 Earth years), the Melish had fully conquered *Wei Yang*, and through the advanced technology left behind by the previous civilization, they ventured back into space, eventually becoming an interstellar empire.
They became a fledgling advanced civilization with interstellar colonization, intergalactic communication, starships, and engineering ships.
Most importantly, they uncovered the secret of faster-than-light travel, which allowed them to travel freely between multiple star systems using their somewhat rudimentary FTL engines, covering distances in mere days.