"I was an alpha.

"We were the first settlers in this desolate land. The ground was bare but fertile. Water was plentiful, a coursing stream of ideas flowing close to our campsite. There were only a few of us back then, experts in our field experimenting in this new locale. Our collective knowledge was vast and each individual played a distinct role. We were the first.

"We prospered. And as our civilization grew, we attracted new blood. Many from the homeland who doubted us came to acknowledge us, praise us, and eventually join us in the fledgling colony. Few were turned aside as the people were merciful and welcomed fresh faces. We prospered.

"We grew accustomed to our style of living, enthusiastically seeking more and more ambitious desires. We set our goals high, and were struck down for it. Thus began the first exodus. Paradise rejected us, withering away and crumbling. The ground beneath us shifted randomly and the clouds above threatened acid rain. There was no other option, but to abandon the small town.

"The exiled inhabitants rallied together behind a few alphas and trudged through the wasteland. It didn't take long before we found a suitable location on which to rebuild. Carried carefully from the original site were the great monuments, tributes to the deities we honored, which found new place in this temporary refuge. The location was different, but the people persevered, and soon it felt almost like home again.

"Paranoia struck like a plague, washing over the denizens of the growing settlement in a wave. They bickered amongst one another, fear of the outside elements overcoming their senses. The alphas held steady, believing or perhaps hoping that their deity would protect them, but the citizens were restless and the alphas grew tired of their incessant rabble.

"The people built a wall around their marvolous city. The gates were sealed tight, protected by an illustrious seal. No one outside could enter, and those inside were appeased. The city's secrets were safe inside, never to be breached to the outside world. Yet, knowledge continued to flow inward, and the city grew, and we prospered.

"For a time. However, it was not to last. Natural disasters wrecked havoc, arriving rapidly then disappearing as quickly as they came. The damage was devastating, at times nothing would be amiss, others whole libraries of information were destroyed. Reconstruction was slow and dull work, and the people wore weary of the constant interruptions. There was no clear solution and the city slowly buckled under the pressure.

"In desperation, they clustered once again around the alphas. They moaned and groaned until eventually, a radical solution was proposed. One of the alphas knew of a faraway land where they could all live in harmory. She spoke of peace and freedom and the people rejoiced. They packed their bags. boarded their ships, and set off in search of this promised new home.

"The city remained, abandoned but intact. All its former glory, the monuments and other structures, left to rust. The people expected to return one day, but as time passed, they instead built new monuments, new structures, new facilities in the unfamiliar territory. The wall was rebuilt, as great and grand as before, and within the wall the culture flourished. The second exodus was over.

"For a time, things were good. Time passed until once again it was that time of year. The Summer Festival came and for six weeks the inhabitants of the town ventured outside to participate in the festivities. There was much rejoicing in the day and more still in the night. People from all over came to one spot to celebrate, and once those six weeks were over, not everyone went their separate ways.

"'Stay with us,' we offered, nay whispered. Several heard our call and followed us back to the gates. But, there was a problem. The city was no longer the small settlement it had been a year ago, when it was first established. The inhabitants grew concerned with these new guests. Sure, some of them would be valuable citizens, but what about the rest? Would they be worth the trouble?

"For a whole day the guests partied right outside the gates, while the colony deliberated. Finally, the next day the gates opened once again and several alphas stepped out, ready to welcome and escort the newcomers inside. Half stepped through, the other half left outside as the gates shut tight, sealed against intruders.

"The city bustled with activity. New breakthroughs were common, and soon near everyone traveled in stylish floating ICChairs. The omnipresent AIDA walked amongst the inhabitants, answering any and all questions posed to her. In one corner of the city sprouted a gigantic colosseum where the artificial construct DEX conducted mock duels between the city's inhabitants. Several ambitious citizens constructed an image workshop, collaborating to produce brilliant pieces of art.

"It was no longer merely a city, rather a metropolis, home to a large number of unique individuals. The people spent their days in harmony, and..."

Several pages are torn off. The tattered edges indicate that they were ripped out forcefully.

"....yet another Summer Festival came to a close. And once again the process went anew. Some looked back, worried. Some looked forward, determined. Some stood still, arms open, welcoming the new group ushered in through the great gates. The sun rose on a bright future."

The rest of the pages are blank.