Shadow Planet

It s 2159 and mankind has only recently developed a space drive system that allows for traveling light year distances within the galaxy In fact that s the maximum single trip distance that they can travel Humans must hop and skip in and around near space by a series of single light year jumps At this time in mankind s history two distinct classes of humans are emerging the class who lives in space aboard spacecraft on asteroids low g habitats or Pony Station satellites and resemble hairless orangutans The other class being those who live on planetary surfaces and who still retain the familiar shape of surface dwelling humans Both classes have enjoyed a genetic modification that grants a longer life span Humans live for more than 250 years Exploration beyond the limits of the solar system has recently begun At a distance of six light years from Earth a planet had been discovered sixty seven degrees from the plane of the ecliptic in the system the space explorers have named Brandio They ve named the planet Chon because of the availability and correct percentages of carbon hydrogen oxygen and nitrogen suitable for supporting human life and development humans have been living on its surface for five years Mankind hopes this effort is the first of many far flung colonies that will eventually follow more discoveries of habitable planets A very dangerous and lethal form of circumscribed intelligence has recently been discovered in a large valley on the other side of the planet from the first human colony The intelligence exists in the form of alien shadows who for some reason collapse explode and die at the end of each day when the sun disappears Possessing considerable weight the crashing shadows have killed six humans from the colony who were exploring the valley and completely destroyed all other forms of life within their area The area of destruction is increasing in size on a daily basis and if not stopped will eventually inu