My name is Troy, these are my words. My name was given in tribute to an ancient city, long since passed, as is our custom.
The planet we found was alive but barren of any living society. Just the winds, the seasons, and the long lived ecosystems remained. We were thrilled to find it, but given its age wondered why there was nothing more.
This remarkable place still held the physical memory of its tenants. Barely detectable after so many millions of eons. We searched a long time and over that entire enchanting sphere for signs of a departure. Without success. On the surface, in the open, it seemed haunted in some way. Whispers in the wind, the warmth of the air streaming through an out-stretched palm, the sound of river water cutting through rock, all of these things felt so long ago by a people who contemplated their place.
It was a very long time before our conclusions were reached. They truly were gone. They had not abandoned their home for new places amongst the stars as we had. The last of them had simply reached the only summary they could. They were alone in the universe. There would not be enough time or strength for them to reach out further, far too consumed with fighting themselves and their home. They could see so far, but were still so short-sighted.
The truth was, they were alone. There was no-one else. They were. The First. Their planet, called Earth.
