Introduction
Years ago planet Earth was on the brink of being destroyed; war, disease, global warming and famine sweeping across it. Soon enough the planets water and food production was affected, and the governments of every country had to pull together in order for people to survive. They created the Nexus program; deep space missions to locate planets fit for colonisation. They spared no expense on creating space ships capable of long distance, deep space travel. The moon was the first colonised planet, a testing zone to see what needed improving and as a way point between Earth and the next planets. Within twenty years Saturn, Mars and Venus was colonised. Venus became a scientists paradise, where new medicines and technology were created. Mars became a farming community, its crops grown in gigantic bubbles with its environmental controls run solely by an A.I unit. Venus was the military zone; any person wishing to leave Earth had to go through vigorous testing and training in order to survive the harsh life of deep space. Other planets soon followed colonisation, under Nexus’s care and control. Battleships were stationed as ports for smaller carriers to stop at before proceeding to their destination. At every port and stop each ship was checked so that there were no stowaways nor contraband snuck on board. Not just anyone could leave Earth; they had to have qualifications useful to Nexus and have military training, along with the correct documentation. Deep space wasn’t safe after all, and only those who proved their worth got to go to the new worlds to build a new life. Whilst the new colonies thrived under Nexus’s care Earth became a dead planet; the air was so polluted the people had to wear breathing masks if they went outside. Food and water were rationed. Birth control was strictly monitored; anyone having more then one child was forced to give up any more children, who were then put into the care of the military. Everyone lived in poverty except those who worked for Nexus. It was a hard, gruelling life to live on Earth, and everyone dreamed of leaving for a better world. It was possible to leave Earth without having the proper qualifications, but it cost a lot of money, and the few that managed it usually didn’t survive long. But everyone was willing to try; they wanted a better life, and that meant leaving Earth.
