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"It is not easy to see how the more extreme forms of nationalism can long survive when men have seen the Earth in its true perspective; as a single small globe against the stars" - Arthur C. Clarke
Although the members of Vanguard 1 all knew what their mission entailed, few had fully comprehended the ramifications of what they had done. After the initial jubilation that the Tunnel Drive had functioned as intended a slow realization began to creep into the minds of every man and woman in the fleet: they were cut off from Earth. No communications would reach, no reinforcements would arrive, and only the promise of a Tunnel Nexus would allow them to return. Some focused on their mission at hand, others focused on building the Nexus, and others slowly gave into the despair that threatened to overwhelm. The only knowledge that all were sure of was that at present, they were all trapped in an alien system.
A general malaise enveloped the fleet with the fear of never being able to return home. Fear, terror, despair...all ran deep within the fleet, but there were many who were defiant towards these feelings. Where some reasoned that possibility of return given the success of the Tunnel Drive, others began looking forward to a new life on one of the bodies of this new solar system. As the ever watchful eye of the Ascendency was no longer focused on them, many lost focus and pursued other avenues. Some tried to maintain strict order while others continued their search for a truth they barely knew existed.
This change among the humans was not instantaneous. As the months wore on, subtle changes in attitude began to affect all members of the flotilla. As these changes continued, camps began to form around the many viewpoints that pervaded their sensibilities. Although all stated they worked towards the same goal that brought them out to the frontier, none agreed on the best course of action. Despite the disparate forces, the fleet continued without major incident in its mission of exploration.
Now in an alien solar system, the fleet turned to discovering all they could of their new home. Sending out their scouts, these ships would return invaluable data to the fleet as a whole in their efforts. The Ascendency had all but assured every member of the Vanguard Project that they were the sole beneficiaries of heaven, but there were many who were not convinced. After all, the galaxy was vast and the chances that they were alone in the galaxy, let alone the universe was...well...astronomical. The scouts would seek out any other sentient life and prove or disprove the word of the Ascendency. This of course lead to further division within the ranks of the military arm of the fleet, but the question would be answered soon enough.
Regardless of where one stood on that question however, the answer turned out to be unsatisfying...
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