Chapter 584: Planting Seeds
Aron remained silent for a few minutes, simply staring out of the holographic screens with his piercing gaze. Then, just when people began to wonder if the broadcast had frozen, he sighed and continued in a much calmer tone, "While the diaspora is mandatory for non-citizens, We offer Our citizens a choice. You may choose to sign up for the colonization effort and join in the diaspora of humankind. We realize that not everyone can, or is willing to, pick up a weapon or don the white lab coat of a researcher. And you shouldn't be forced to do so.
"Protecting this solar system, the cradle of humanity, is an important task, yes, and ensuring that humanity survives every storm that heads this way is indeed the duty of every human. But not everyone is a fighter, or cut out to contribute to the scientific advancement of the species. Not everyone is needed to farm, or other supporting tasks like that, and that's perfectly alright.
"That is why We offer you the choice to contribute in a different way, by spreading seeds of Our civilization across the galaxy such that at least one of them will take root and grow. Humanity is a resilient species. A tenacious species. An adaptable species. And spreading out is a solution."
Behind Aron, the backdrop changed to an image of Earth as seen from the moon appeared. Then the planet shrank as the image zoomed out, first to the Orion spiral arm, then to the entire galaxy, as seen from above the galactic ecliptic plane. From Earth's position, a pale blue color began spreading, slowly at first, but proceeding faster and faster as it spread until the entire galaxy was overlaid with that pale blue showing humanity's occupation.
"But know this: the trip will be one way and you likely won't be able to return in your lifetime. The colony ships We are building as we speak are designed for one-way journeys, at the end of which, they will land and become fortress cities. And for security purposes, no navigational data or astronomical data will be maintained in the database.
"You will be sent with all of the tools and technology you'll require to ensure that your colonies succeed to the best of Our ability. You will have access to all of the technology of the Terran Empire save only a few, none of which will negatively influence your colonies.
"The journeys themselves will be long. The planets We have selected are all over the galaxy and it'll take a minimum of a few decades, or perhaps even millennia, for you to reach your destinations. And there's no telling what'll happen to our solar system during your trip.
"The ships themselves weren't designed as generation ships. They're tough, durable, and will last the journey while the colonists inside will remain in stasis. So no matter how long the journey, to those undertaking it, it'll be just like going to sleep at night and waking up the next morning after the best sleep of your lives." Aron gave the people watching a knowing grin.
"To those who fear being sent to uninhabitable planets or already-inhabited star systems, you don't have to worry. Each of Our colony ships will carry scouting vessels that will scout your destination long before the colony ships arrive. And if Our database proves wrong, there are a number of backup locations chosen. The galaxy is a vast place and the number of planets that humanity can thrive on is in the trillions, so rest assured—you WILL have a home awaiting you at the end of your journey."
People watching the speech wondered how Aron knew that, but he definitely wasn't about to tell them of the true capabilities of the universal simulation.
"In order to ensure the greatest chances of success, the cubes have begun being repurposed into training centers, where everyone will be trained to survive, and even thrive, at your destinations. You will become experts in various fields, fields that align with your individual interests. The training program will give you all of the tools that you need in order to build, and maintain, a thriving society on the planet you've been assigned to in the colonization program.
"Over the next two months, registration will be open to imperial citizens as we build new facilities for your use. The ones We already have will suffice for the noncitizens who are undergoing the forced migration. The training, however, will be the same for everyone... after all, it would do no good to send people to the stars without giving them all the tools they need to thrive, regardless of citizenship. As We said earlier, this is mainly to ensure the survival of humanity, and no matter who you are or what you believe, you are all still human, at the end of the day.
"We understand that many of you who are being forced to leave your homes for the vast unknown reaches of the galaxy are going to be angry. We came to this decision after a very long process of deliberation and with the input of the best minds that humankind has to offer. Our ministers and scientists presented Us with many, many solutions, but this was the one that survived the winnowing process. It is the solution that will ensure your liberties for generations to come.
"You will be given the opportunity to create your own civilization, your own government, from the ground up. You'll have all of the opportunities that We had, and even more. You'll benefit from the advances in science and technology that We had to painstakingly create over the past two years since the empire's founding. And We know that a forced migration may appear brutal, but believe Us: it is the most merciful option that We had presented to Us.
"May your new homes be places where your dreams come true. We truly wish you the best."
Aron gave the viewers a small bow, then slowly faded until the stage and podium was empty. Then the image on the screens changed to the imperial seal before they went completely blank, and were finally turned off, the imperial address finally having come to an end.
And the public reacted.