CE 15.
The Tsiolkovsky was about to break orbit when a message came over the radio on all channels. George Glenn had a message for his fellow Terrans. "Fellow humans. I have kept something from you, but today my secret shall be revealed. I did not come into this world by natural birth. My genes were altered artificially, early in the embryonic stage of my development. There is a manual for this technology. I will be transmitting it over the world wide networks." There was a pause in the transmission as he collected his thoughts. "I have a body capable of greater strength and a mind capable of acquiring more knowledge than a human being who was born naturally. The one who made me like I am, had this to say. 'We humans have much more potential. If we can unleash the maximum possible, we will open up an infinite number of new paths to our future.' Gazing upon Terra from outer space, I am reminded of a thought I had. That I am a bridge, connecting our home planet to the vast reaches of space, where so much is yet to be understood. I am also a human, standing between the present world and our future. I am the regulator... the coordinator... the one who is meant to guide the way. It is my wish that there be others who follow in my footsteps." As the comm channel dissolved into static, the Tsiolkovsky's engines engaged, propelling George Glenn on a journey that would last 14 years.
CE 29.
14 years later, the Tsiolkovsky's engines disengaged for the last time. On board, George Glenn had two surprises for the Terran people. The first was a fossil that was found on one of Jupiter's moons, Europa. The fossil was that of a whale. While whales were commonly found on Terra, this whale had a set of wings that were as long as its body. The other surprise was a ring. The ring was an unexpected bonus, as it nearly collided with the Tsiolkovsky just before it left Europa's orbit. The ring was old. There was no question about that. But who, or what made it was a bigger question.
For almost 50 years, coordinators studied the ring trying to determine its secrets. Then the Bloody Valentine came and people forgot about it. For 5 years, it stood in Aprillius 1, Capital of the PLANTS. It stood upright facing the Winged Whale, also known as Evidence 01. There it stood. Waiting for someone to open the Stargate to this unknown race known as Terrans.