Test File 17 · Sol-3
The Test of 2087
Internal mission brief for humanity’s first contact evaluation, compiled from public statements, ship logs, and post-event debriefs.
Seventeen species have faced the Shepherd’s evaluation. Fifteen failed. Two barely survived. In 2087, three human factions race to be first to the ship, each insisting they alone deserve to speak for Earth. The Shepherd is not testing their engines. It is testing their nature.
Three factions, one verdict
“We built the infrastructure that spans three worlds. We have the resources, the experience, and the responsibility to handle first contact properly. This isn’t about glory, it’s about ensuring humanity’s survival. When you’re dealing with forces beyond our comprehension, you want steady hands and proven systems, not cowboys or idealists.”
Governor Patricia Chen Luna Administrative Council · March 21, 2087
“Earth had its chance to lead humanity and nearly destroyed the planet in the process. Mars proves that humans can adapt, evolve, become something better. We’re not weighed down by Earth’s failures or the Belt’s chaos. We represent humanity’s future, disciplined, efficient, unified. If aliens are evaluating us, shouldn’t they meet the best version of what we can become”
Premier Natasha Volkov Mars Parliament Address · March 20, 2087
“The old powers want to control first contact like they control everything else, behind closed doors, classified, filtered through their bureaucracies. But this belongs to all humanity. We’re broadcasting every moment live because when we meet our cosmic neighbors, it shouldn’t be politicians and corporations speaking for us. It should be human curiosity, human wonder, human transparency. The aliens will see exactly who we really are.”
Dr. Yuki Tanaka Broadcast from Ceres Station · March 22, 2087
Timeline extract · Shepherd Evaluation, Sol-3
