In the twenty-second century, humankind established contact with alien civilizations. The average person saw little change.

Our galactic neighbors had no interest in our minerals, nor in settling here, or in anything else for that matter. In the vastness of space, Earth was not unique. It was one of untellable millions. It was a sad realization that our Solar System, sitting in the backwaters of the galaxy, was of little to no value and held no consequence for anyone.

Earth bumbled on alone, and hardly anyone saw true extraterrestrials.

Ultimately, it would not be aliens coming to us. It would be the other way around.

A few of us did make it out there. I was one of them.

I am the first of my kind.