We are not ready. If we were closer, there would be no war in the middle east.
Not only would every member of the military say NO, but we would also vote out all the war-mongers so fast that Washington DC would be vacant.
There are a tiny amount of psychopaths. If we were ready, we would see them for what they are, and ignore them.
There are deeper layers than the Aether. We will discover them in time.
RE: What Happens When We Stop Having To Ship Fuel Everywhere?