Alas Flash fiction
The Literary Meeting 2030 is about to begin. We are all seated in our places. My name is Takasu, and I reside in the Metropolis Dome with my colleagues Tim, Yuri, and Liz. It is here that this literary gathering is taking place. Our dome is a symbol of hope and the possibility of new human settlements in space. This is the first human colony in space, established through a joint effort between NASA and the International Space Agency, with a staggering investment of 60 billion dollars.
It took us seven months to get here. There is no technology available for returning to Earth. Whether it’s life or death, Mars is now our permanent home. After passing through strict selection processes and undergoing rigorous training at the Johnson Space Center for several years, we have been able to successfully manage everyday life and scientific activities in the harsh conditions of Mars. We and Earth are connected through the internet.
We engage in eight hours of serious scientific activity every day, and in our free time, we seek mental relief through social websites. Facebook and Google keep us connected with Earthly realities and our families. You might be surprised to know that we are now more aware of and connected to Earth’s issues than we were while living there. The truth is, our minds are constantly drenched in the downpour of Earth’s conditions.
In today’s literary meeting, I will be presenting a paper titled: “The Beautiful World’s Ugly Political and Geographical Divisions: The Cause of the Violation of Human Values.” Tim will speak on: “Poverty, Intellectual Deprivation, and the Blind Prioritization of Vast Resources.” Liz, who is also a poet, will recite two poems today. The first is titled: “The Lament of the Helpless Mother and Child, Echoing to the Heavens,” and the second: “The Scene of Human Dreams Dying Among the Galaxies.” Yuri’s concluding paper is titled: “A Welfare Goal of 60 Billion Dollars in Today’s Moment: Earth or the Sky?”
The central theme of today’s literary meeting is: Alas!
Shariq Ali Valueversity