Ben

The vast majority of planets cannot support life. It takes a perfect mixture of elements, of heat, and of pure dumb luck. Six days ago, a scientific probe discovered a planet that we thought might meet all of these conditions. We found oceans of water and an atmosphere much like our own. Yet on this planet, there is no life. Not even the most microscopic pinch. Bacteria have been collected in the most desolate and remote reaches of space, and none in this perfect petri dish? You are wondering, how? So are we.

As explorers - as humans - we must answer this question. It is for this reason we are asking for volunteers.

You should understand the risks. This new world is far, far away. If you volunteer, you will see no one but your fellows for decades. This new world is, we are sure, dangerous. If you volunteer, you may very well not survive the trip. But this new world has a secret, and it is one we must uncover. If you volunteer, you will be a hero. And would that not be worth any price?

Be ready to leave in four days. We will take only the best.

Oralie was a beautiful world with rather many a beautiful place. She had lakes of shining blue water, fields with rainbows of flowers, and titanic mountains the color of the sunset. Talia imagined it was how Earth used to be.

Talia loved Oralie. It was quiet, but loud, in the ways it was supposed to be. Of course, Talia didn't call Oralie it. Talia spoke to Oralie every night, and Oralie always spoke back.

Talia's father arrived on Oralie years and years ago. He never told Talia who her mother was, but Talia always knew it must be Oralie. She knew when she heard the breeze over the lake whispering to her.

"I love you," it said.

She knew when she buried her father in his favorite field of red flowers. Oralie cried, and Talia cried too.

Oralie only had Talia. She could see the Traixes flying above her skies, the Cuitrans plodding across her land, but they didn't see her back, not really.

An rough imagining of Oralie