I turned and looked over the globe of the Fourth World from Sol, a blasted desert that had known life a million years ago, perhaps—or never. It had been so easy for us to get here. An impromptu expedition, a bit of skylarking.

I was thinking of those poor humans, trapped on their world. Not unless they expended their utmost, cleverly used the technology at their command, could they match what we had accomplished in a fortnight, and then only with months and years of genius devoted and treasure expended, and with the toil, sweat, and courage of multitudes.

They had the ability now. Why hadn’t they come? Why hadn’t someone planted a flag to defy the grim black banner of Ares?

Were they content to remain trapped? I would not believe that of anyone.

-Titans of Chaos, by John C. Wright