Christopher Doodles: aliens

"A new life awaits you in the Off-World Colonies.

The chance to begin again in a golden land of opportunity and adventure."

That's what the advertisement said at least, and boy, did I ever fall for it.

I still recall seeing that for the first time, the blunt stench of reality hitting me in the face as our transport peels away behind us, bathed in the pale light of twin moons.

Another night. Another planet, another terraforming op: clearing out the unruly natives as we make space for another wave of pioneers, bright-eyed, hopeful and oh, so, so naive.

Off-world. ..... I hate that ad."