
Centuries after Earth’s oceans swallowed continents and humanity fled to the icy fringes of the solar system, a dying race poured every ounce of knowledge into a single vessel. Named Destiny, the ship was a painstakingly crafted ark, a living museum of civilization that set off for the heart of the Milky Way with frozen embryos and a cargo of recorded voices. As the Sun dimmed and the old world fell silent, the craft roamed the darkness, gathering data and seeking a new home.
When the ship finally reaches an Earth‑like planet, its artificial wombs awaken a generation of children raised by a holographic “Mecmother” and taught by an all‑knowing “Mecteacher.” These infants hear the comforting songs of mothers long dead, learn the ship’s purpose, and are told they are the last of their kind. Their early education hints at a future where they must decide how to carry forward the legacy of a vanished species.
Language
en
Duration
~26 minutes (25K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
Jan 31, 2016
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1930–2004
A science-minded writer and publisher, he built a career around explaining big ideas—from space exploration to medicine—in clear, energetic prose. His books reflect a lifelong curiosity about invention, research, and the future.
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