Discovery on Kepler-36b
In the year 2145, humanity had expanded its reach beyond Earth. The crew of Astra 7 was tasked with exploring a new solar system. Captain Elara Myles stood at the helm as they approached their target: Kepler-36b. With every passing second, her senses heightened in anticipation. This planet was said to have breathable air and liquid water-conditions that could support human life.
As Astra 7 entered orbit, Elara watched through the viewport. The landscape below resembled Earth's rainforests, teeming with life. Suddenly, a bright flash illuminated their path. What appeared to be a meteoroid streaked across the sky, creating an eerie silence among the crew. Without hesitation, Captain Myles initiated evasive maneuvers.
The Astra 7 maneuvered around the obstacle, narrowly avoiding collision. As they continued their descent towards Kepler-36b's surface, Elara couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Her team scrambled to analyze data and prepare for potential hostile encounters.
Upon landing, the crew set up base camp near a dense forest. The air was thick with moisture, and the ground beneath them crackled underfoot. Eager to explore, they ventured into the jungle. They found strange alien flora and fauna, some of which appeared to have evolved with an affinity for metal, their veins shimmering like copper wiring.
Late that night, while setting up a makeshift observatory, Elara noticed something peculiar in her equipment's readings. The forest seemed to emit an unusual frequency, one that resonated deeply within the Astra 7's systems. She relayed the findings to her team, and they agreed to investigate further the next morning.
The following day, as they approached the source of the signal, they stumbled upon a hidden underground chamber. Inside, they discovered advanced machinery and a holographic display showing human-like figures in futuristic attire. It was clear that this alien civilization had once thrived on Kepler-36b before their own demise.
With caution, the crew began to document everything, hoping to uncover clues about what happened to the aliens. Their mission had transformed from one of exploration into a journey of discovery and perhaps redemption for humanity's future.