#oursharedfuture

A short history of the future:

Development of the first ALD was fraught with problems, although at least, at first, they were mostly political. Arguments over the petty issues, fighting over which nations would contribute to the project.

Finally, however, an agreement was reached, between Europe and China.

America did not participate. They had increasing problems with fundamentalist Christians who held conservative ideals. 

The ESA Promethean II spun up it's drive coils, in preparation for the jump.

The hull, creaked and groaned, almost as if it was anxious to move.

They were in a parking orbit, at the moon's north pole. To do what they were attempting would have been far too dangerous in Earth orbit, as the drive had to sink a tremendous amount of heat out into it's surroundings.

The crew were on full alert, and understandably nervous. Simulations had proven the drives safety, that it could work. But they were only 98% certain.

That 2% meant imploding, and turning the whole ship into a twisted debris field, with no time for the crew to escape.

[They deployed Observation probes to a safe distance. The world's 3.4 billion viewers were glued to their holo-screens. Drive engages. Ship vanishes without trace.]

FTL drive research funding is cut, FTL drives made illegal to own or operate.

Humanity slides back into war and petty bickering.