Destination Sol System: The Only One Like It
Impromptu wRites #1
The original prompt came from TheCocoPuffsAdict on r/WritingPrompts.
Solar maximums are always the worst.
Over eighteen months of continuous tourist hell. My parents run a SpaceBnB out of our grandmother’s old house and it is booked for the next 3 solar maximums!
This all started in my grandparent's time. We luckily discovered the trans-spacial conduits - allowing us to travel across the galaxy. A barely functioning New Horizons (launched almost 200 years ago) stumbled through it and we only found out because a Perseus science vessel found it outside one of their most remote conduits.
We only have one conduit opening into our section of the Orion arm while others have upwards of 10 in their immediate locale. The consensus of the Galatic Scientific and Historical community seems to be that the Orion Spur once had more, but mysteriously they were closed.
Like on purpose.
We try not to think about that too much. No known civilization wields that technology. So yeah that’s creepy.
Anyway… turns out all the other intelligent life forms in the Milky Way are all humanoid too.
Another mystery we are still trying to work out.
There are many planets with somewhat Earth-like conditions but they are usually much colder.
This leads me to why would you even bother travelling all the way out here? To the arse end of the Orion Arm.
I mean you have the views in the Trappist system that look like they’re right out of classic science fiction literature of the 20th century. Or Kepler-452b which is the most scientifically advanced planet in the galaxy. The modern cradle of technology and medical wonders.
Well if you are a giant space nerd, it turns out our star (Sol) is very boring which makes it interesting.
Yes, confusing.
Most other planets this close to their sun had their atmospheres blown away by solar activity during their formation. So any planets that could maintain an atmosphere were much further away.
We also only have one star which is a bit unusual as multi-star systems are far more common.
So every individual who assumes a dad-like role in their respective society loves to come to Earth to experience our unique sun. Some species enjoy not having to wear extra protection from the cold like they do on their planet, while others require special cooling suits in all but our coldest climates. While they are here they enjoy our quote: “positively parochial way of living”.
So we are always flooded with tourists.
So while here why not visit Disney Historical Park, and check out the sunken city of Venice and the floating city of Miami.
We are also a great lesson in how-not-to look after the natural environment. So we are a point of scientific interest and study for environmental scientists the galaxy over.
The Nestlé Extinction Institute is famous for resurrecting dead species which are now viewable in various zoos and safari parks all over the Milky Way.
While it’s frustrating to have trips to Iceland almost constantly booked out by outer system visitors and long lines at all the best restaurants - I guess I should consider myself lucky I get to meet so many people from all over the galaxy right in my own neighbourhood.
I do dread to think what it’s going to be like for the 2247 Venus transit.
Anyway, that’s enough from me today,
Jupiter Stark
Journal 14/12/2244
What has always fascinated me about creativity is it thrives when there are boundaries. While there is value in having a wide open space and a purely blank canvas - truly ingenious “solutions” often come from having limitations.
This week is going to be the start of a series of fiction pieces that are written as a result of prompts - Impromptu wRites.
To get these directly to your inbox you know what to do:
I’ll be linking the source of the original prompt and then my own response.
I’d love for other writers- if you feel inspired - to write their own response to the prompt, post it to their substack or notes and share it with me and other readers either through direct message or here in the comments.