Arecibo

I never thought that we were alone, floating amongst the stars

I built a station to survey for life past the colony on Mars

Sending signals to the great beyond, hoping one day they'd be returned

But static and solitude were all I found until I heard

Hello? Can you hear me? I am lost amongst the stars

Our ship's drive core has shorted out and no one has fuel like ours

Out in the Kuiper Belt, so far away, we ran into a magnetic screen

Our life supports are running out and hope seems like a distant dream

I am a dignitary, she pleads, as her voice turns into a scream

If you're able to come to our aid, you'll have the gratitude of royalty!

I'm sending coordinates out there; if you hear me, you'll know just where to go

And I swear if you help me, there's going to be a cash reward in store

The message cuts out

A wave of interference is all that remains of what I found

Could it be what I've waited for?

A chance to make amends and break out of this scheme?

True dichotomy

Distress beacon, from a vessel worlds away

If space is the place, then this is a race

A bounty to be paid

I am the bastion son of chivalry, despite what some may think of me

Just one more score and we'll retire to warmth

It is a place where few men go and none return

The unexplored terrain

I hope you know where you're going - nowhere

(Cash rewards, a chance to leave this place)