August, 2016
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) narrowed down the list of potentially habitable planets provided by the Kepler Mission from 20 or so down to one. The one being a planet orbiting the very nearby Proxima Centauri.
September, 2016
Independent Space initiative SpaceX, spearheaded by it’s founder Elon Musk reveal the first ever conceptual drafts for the SpaceX Interplanetary Transport System (ITS) with the goal of making the human race an interplanetary species.
January, 2017
SpaceX develops first proof of concept. Elon Musk proves it’s functionality by riding his own creation to the moon for a “weekend getaway” and back safely.
March, 2017
NASA Contracts SpaceX to construct system to make the journey to Proxima Centauri.
March, 2019
First ITS prototype launches explodes 5,000 feet above sea level. No lives were lost
July, 2020
New propulsion system discovered, allows for travel at approximately a third of lightspeed with incredibly low fuel consumption compared to previous propulsion systems. Only functions properly in a vacuum.
August, 2020
Seeing the feasibility of the new engine prototype, hundreds of technology companies begin jumping on the space flight trend causing a boon in technological advancement in the field.
February, 2022
Second ITS prototype launches, manned by a crew of three, one of which is Elon Musk. Flight makes it half way to Mars before contact is lost. transmitted logs before the loss of contact showed the engines overheating. Scientists suspect that the ITS exploded due to overheating.
December, 2022
Elon Musk’s only son, Rigel Musk assumes the CEO Chair for SpaceX, Tesla Motors and all other assets owned and controlled by his father
May, 2032
The Initiative ITS final design is completed.
August, 2035
ITS Launches. Begins 4.25 Lightyear Journey to Proxima Centauri
August, 2036
During a routine report to earth, communications are lost with the ITS and it’s crew. Logs reported no malfunction. Investigation lasts three months and ends with no conclusive results.
August, 2046
Connection re-established with the ITS as it entered it’s final approach. The crew has not aged at all except every single crew member reports that all androgenic hair is falling out from their body in patches. Crew also reports universally that things have started tasting different to them. The botanist has gone missing. The crew refuses to discuss the disappearance.
June, 2048
ITS Reports safe arrival at habitable planet at Proxima Centauri.
Beneath the Scarlet Suns will be a Science Fiction Thriller loosely based off real scientific discoveries that are happening right now. The concept will be that after discovering there is a habitable planet around Proxima Centauri, and after SpaceX really drove hard to make Interplanetary travel a reality, we took to the stars, a small contingent of eight astronauts with a diverse background of academic skills to contribute towards the establishment of an encampment.
Some complications happened in transit. Space was a lot more harsh and unforgiving than we originally thought. So was the planet. The Earth-like planet we flew to was barely habitable. The air was breathable but slightly toxic, the water was potable after heavy filtration and the atmosphere created an eerie crimson color to everything. And there’s something… Off about the planet.
We will be exploring a few things in this story:
- Act 1: Hardships of survival in the unforgiving world, Something’s not right.
- Act 2: Something is revealed (a monolith? an intricate and alive cave system?) While exploring things start going horribly wrong. the crew is in deep over the heads.
- Act 3: Evil emerges, it’s likely not everyone will survive.
There’s definitely something that is beyond human comprehension occupying this planet, and like the stupid and naive humans we are, it will be explored, disturbed and agitated for the sake of the story.
Hosted and narrated by:
Matt Jessee (rizaleous)
Started 09/27/16.
Scenes played: 0
License: Community License
