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)