Indulgences

For when the hard-won, self-made first colonists learned a second-wave was coming, they were ecstatic.

Each recalled the first generation had been chosen by a grueling, multiple round series of personality, aptitude, and physical tests.

A dozen generations since had built a meritocratic society on that theme.

Renaul, the new president ordered a welcome monolith built to commemorate the momentous occasion and the workers diligently complied.

Next year, the ship was expected to arrive.

Elan, the communications officer worked into the night and it occurred to her to look through the message again.

When she ran a decryption software and found the message had neatly spelled an acrostic: “EARTH DOOMED, FEAR NEW SHIP.”