The Solarix Spacecraft, orbiting the planet of Ancyra, is the first off-world research colony in history. At a distance of twelve light-years from Earth, sending a message home takes up a not-insignificant portion of a human lifetime. Communication is possible, but, especially in the first few decades of the colony’s existence, it’s entirely one-sided and tragically slow. What this means is that the hundreds of staff aboard the ship find themselves necessarily isolated from the rest of civilization. Over time, and as they age, they begin to develop a strong sense of community and intermingling solidarity.