jan 1, 2042 - Network discovered
Description:
After almost a year of increasingly frantic research, the Earth gate once again made contact with a remote jumpgate - not, however, with the gate aboard the transport vessel, but an unknown gate in a distant region of the Milky Way. Subsequent research proved conclusively that objects which had for many years been taken as black holes or neutronstars were in fact the quantum singularities forming the core of the alien jumpgates.
The Old Ones eventually take notice of Earth, when Earth gate locks to one of their own gates. This is not according to their long-term plans, but those plans are now changed slightly. Jumpgates throughout the galaxy are reconfigured immediately, to form a maze of many solar systems that are devoid of intelligent life. Humans are recognized as extremely dangerous – and dangerously intelligent.
On Earth, there are now almost no international conflicts anymore, only national problems. Ecological problems are slowly getting under control. Unmanned probes are sent through the Earth gate to the alien ones; results are promising, but unsatisfying, since the probes are not intelligent enough. The nations agree to send a manned expedition through the alien jumpgates as soon as possible.
Added to timeline:
Date:
jan 1, 2042
Now
~ 16 years later