Beneath the ice we remain

As soon as they processed the final transmission from earth, the crew of the Astraea fell silent. The message was brief, just static at first, then a distorted voice repeating coordinates and one sentence: "You are not alone".
Commander Elin turned from her console with her wide eye. "That signal didn't come from Earth" she whispered. "It came from the Europa colony, the one we lost contact with ten years ago."
The rest of the crew exchanged uneasy glances. The mission was supposed to be a simple data retrieval from Satan's rings. Nothing in the plan involved Europa. Nothing involved survivors. Still, curiosity outweighed fear.
Three days later, their shuttle descended onto Europa's icy surface. The beacon pulsed just beyond in a cracked glacier, near a dark fissure that led underground. They entered the cavern slowly, light sweeping over crystalline walls and ancient machinery - clearly human but older than the colony's founding.
Then came movement.
Dozens of people emerged worn pale, and glowing faintly with bioluminescent implants Ong stepped forward. "You heard us," she said, tears streaming. "We adapted. The ice saved us."
They had evolved beyond Earth's limitations, building a quiet, radiant life beneath the surface. The crew stayed for days learning, recovering, and connecting.
As the Astraea lifted off Elin sent a return message to Earth "They survived. They changed. And they forgive us."
The reply, weeks later was simple:
"If you are alive, you are welcome. If you are changed, you are needed. If you are happy, you are seen."