Major events of the last four centuries.

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TIMELINE

2029 - The first artificial intelligence is officially announced, Using an advanced artificial replica of a human brain as its processor.

2049 - Bluespace is discovered and rudimentary manipulation experimentation begins. Although still in its infancy, Bluespace research shows extreme promise for the future.

2054 - The indeterminate threshold theory is proposed by Marilog Conwell, one of the scientists working on the Bluespace project. Development of this theory gave birth to the Conwell visualizer, a device that allows for the measurement of distances in Bluespace compared to our reality. The results showing that Bluespace was pinched into a much smaller area.

2059 - Humanity builds a series of space elevators, thereby removing the need for large fuel consumption to achieve orbit.

2068 - Humanity develops a way to pierce the Bluespace dimension. Experimentation with unmanned probes begins and results are highly promising.

2068 - First interstellar ships are developed using the innovations from the Bluespace project. This was a big leap forward, enabling humanity to travel between systems.

2069 - Humanity masters the basics of graviton manipulation, allowing for artificial gravity systems.

2070 - Humanity colonizes Tau Ceti, due to it being the closest system with easily terracompatable worlds. It is chosen over the Epsilon Eridani, Alpha Centauri, and Sirius systems, due to it’s high mineral wealth.

2074 - The UN builds a fleet of three assault Cruisers, two heavy Cruisers and two support Frigates, spearheaded by humanity's first Battlestar the UNSS - Seer, in an effort to police and supply the expanding frontier.

2107 - Einstein Engines is formed. The company pushes space exploration to new heights as they begin to send colony ships out to numerous distant sectors.

2113 to 2115 - Around this point in time, a pair of colony ships manufactured by Einstein Engines cut contact completely, but keeping on course to the previously-unexplored sector the pair were sent to. A short message before contact was cut was recorded, and is a simple picture. Of what this picture is, is unknown. The loss of the ships was put down to a conflict between the crews and colonists aboard.

2117 - Some of the U.N ships used to police the frontier split from earth in order to find a planet to call their own.

2121 - The first crew supplemented with a ship-worthy AI is assigned to an Einstein Engines colony ship, the AI is made for the purpose of protecting its passengers and automatically optimizing course loads.

2123 - The designs for AI modules are sold to a variety of companies, nations and other factions where they received further improvements.

2125 - Paid operatives under Einstein Engines bomb the space elevators while disguised as Russian troops, leaving the EE’s surface to orbit flyers the only “cheap” way to achieve orbit, once again lending the company an edge in space travel.

2142 - Humanity enters into a third world war, between the Allied Nations, and the new Russian Union.

2149 - The New British Empire is formed from several colonies with connections to the people of Great Britain, the colonies are centralised in the Ursa Major Moving Group, though other colonies existed in multiple other systems, such as Epsilon Eridani and Fomalhaut.

2157 - Most of the major nations of Earth collapse amidst a nuclear winter, caused by war, pollution and humanity itself.

2161 - The renegade UN ships return to the Sol system and claim Mars as their own, in light of Earth’s near destruction, forming the Mars Confederation.

2172 - Mars Confederation outlaws artificial intelligence units, due to not being able to develop ways to control them.

2174 - GenetiCorp is formed, and begins to supply the frontier systems with genetically improved cattle .

2187 - Formation of the UGNF from multiple mercenary groups and PMC’s.

2200 - The Mjolnir Coalition, a military alliance formed from shattered european private industry and military fragments based heavily in scandinavia manage to restore one of the space elevators and begin construction of a large colony ship named the Asgard, designed to carry several hundred thousand people in cryo sleep to the new frontier. It holds a trio of AI modules designed to watch over the sleeping crew. Odin: controler of the ships navigation and scanning systems. Thor: Protection of the crew, mainly responsible for the stasis systems. Seior: Mainly responsible for the ships defensive weaponry.

2200
Humanity enters into a darker chapter of its life, where we first see the rapid emergence of colony corporations, military factions, and terrorist groups. Many countries and older corporations experience critical instability, and die out.

2200 - Tensions increase between the New British Empire and Mars Confederation

2208 - Mars prepares to attack Proxima Centauri, with intentions of securing new land.

2211 - The Mars fleet arrive in Proxima Centauri, and immediately engages in hostile actions with a New British Empire patrol fleet, resulting in a tactical withdrawal by N.B.E forces. The British Empire fleet manages to get out distress beacons to the nearby Tau Ceti system and its home colonies, while Mars begins setting up footholds.

2212 - The New British Empire pulls the majority of its ships back to New England and its other colonies, sending ships to attack Mars in an effort to draw away possible pursuers, while a pair of stealth carriers engage engage in guerilla warfare with the remainder of the Mars fleet in an attempt to achieve the same objective.

2212 - The British Empire strike group enters the Sol System. A short battle ensues as the overmatched N.B.E fleet is destroyed by the remaining Mars fleet, after the targeting orbital production and shipyard facilities.

2217 - The first AI was constructed using a synthetic human brain as its primary processor. This was a huge advance in biotechnology compared to it’s predecessor developed over a century ago. Though it was technically inferior to the standard hardware systems, it did pave the way for a new, alternative breed of ship optimization systems.

2223 - The Intergalactic Trade Corporation is founded by businessmen from the New British Empire and the Mars Confederation. They invest in a decent-sized fleet of cargo ships, as well as protection for them, as well as contacting large empires to establish contracts and trade with stations.

2235 - The system Gliese 667 is colonised by the the Asgard and the Mjolnir Coalition. They claim the second planet in the system, a snowy world with two moons. Rapid colonisation ensues along with the seeding of various hardy earth species to supplement the sparse local environment.

2237 - The Mjolnir Coalition begins expanding its space based forces with the construction of a small space station, several fuel mining vessels and a small group of cruisers and other smaller vessels, this project occurs at the same time as the repurposing of the Asgard to better serve the colony.

2248 - A lack of resources in the Tau Ceti system causes the planets of Beisel, New Gibson, and Reade to engage in a system-wide civil war.

2250 - The planets New Gibson and Reade form an alliance, turning against Beisel.

2254 - A crumbling Earth and desperate populace alienate its more affluent citizens. The Terran Migration Union is formed by a conglomeration of wealthy individuals who would rather risk everything to found a new home than tolerate the old one. Political tension increases, over talks involving the creation of a colony ship and the organization’s growth.

2259 - After 11 years of almost constant warfare, the economy of the Tau Ceti system collapses. The industrial sites and shipyards of Beisel are destroyed or abandoned, factories on New Gibson can’t produce goods, and the botanical pastures of Reade become uninhabitable.

2260 - Tau Ceti becomes a battleground as forces from the Mars Confederate, New British Empire and Einstein Engines deploy to the sector, with hopes of securing territory there.

2260 - The Mjolnir Coalition fleet enters the Tau Ceti system with the intention of bartering a peace between the warring factions. However they are immediately engaged by an Einstein Engines Battlestar who believed them to be hostile reinforcements. The Battlestar was driven off but not before the Mjolnir coalition loses several Cruisers and twice as many Frigates to the Einstein Engines ship; before concentrated fire from the remainder of the fleet forced it to retreat. This action draws the Coalition into the war for Tau Ceti, as pursuit of the Battlestar begins in earnest.

2261 - The first major casualty of the Tau Ceti war finally comes, after many long months of maneuvering, careful planning, and subterfuge, the Mjolnir Coalition claims first blood with a massive effort against the Einstein Engines Battlestar that attacked them as they first entered the sector. The wayward Battlestar was caught during a refueling effort, and fell quickly to concentrated fire to its critical systems.

2265 - Faced with losses, and numerous disruptions of their supply lines caused by the vengeful Mjolnir Coalition, Einstein Engines withdraws its remaining forces to Alpha Centauri.

2267 - The war over Tau Ceti takes a turning point as forces under GenetiCorp enter into the sector, immediately launching psionic attacks against Mjolnir Coalition ships. They are able to turn multiple Cruisers against the fringe-space based faction, forcing them to abandon their “political” efforts and to retreat back to their home system of Gliese.

2267 - The remainder of the Mjolnir Coalitions forces limp back into their home system after being driven out of Tau Ceti, where they assist in various inter-system activities including gas mining operations above the systems only gas giant.

2269 - During an engagement between the Mars Confederate and GenetiCorp, one of the Mars Confederate ships faces critical engine problems, and is slagged immediately as it leaves the safety of its formation.

2272 - As an unprecedented turn of events, Einstein Engines return to the fold, immediately engaging GenetiCorp ships as soon as they exit from high orbit over the sector. After a long exchange of fire-power, several ill fated GenetiCorp ships becomes slagged by the faster EE fleet, forcing the psionic equipped company to withdraw from the sector or face further losses.

2281 - Einstein Engines ships bombard the planet New Gibson, completely destroying its industrial centers. civilian casualties are in the millions and many of the planets cities are left in ruins in order to deny their use by the Mars Confederation.

2282 - The Terran Migration Union begins the construction of a massive colony ship, The New Pearl, engineered to carry over six hundred thousand people.

2289 - The Terran Migration Union leaves a crumbling Earth in search of more promising worlds to thrive on board the New Pearl.

2300 - New Magnitka is is colonized by the T.M.U. Rapid terraforming of the planet ensues.

2290 - After repeatedly failing to make repairs to their industrial sectors on New Gibson, the Mars Confederate chooses to consolidate its forces and leave the sector, handing over the planet to Einstein Engines.

2295 - Einstein Engines finishes development of their first design for BBBS weapons.

2305 - Facing the possibility of great human losses, operatives and soldiers; the Mars Confederate mount an assault on an Einstein Engines Battlestar, with the express purpose of stealing it and the BBBS schematics contained within. The Mars fleet faces heavy losses in the process, but do eventually succeed in capturing intact, the ESS Speed of Light. In total, the Mars Confederate lost one Dreadnaught, and two Battlestars to the superior speeds and marine deployment power of the Einstein Engines ship.

2310 - An unknown member of the Mars Confederate leaks information on the BBBS weapons to multiple corporations, including the Mjolnir Coalition, and leaves numerous data seeds across the quantum internet network.

2315 - New Magnitka is successfully terraformed, and the colony solidifies itself as a well coordinated commonwealth that would be further recognized as the New Magnitkan Commonwealth.

2322 - Einstein Engines begins reconstruction projects begin to restore the planets of Tau Ceti to a useful degree of operation.

2330 - The reconstruction of New Gibson’s industrial centers are completed, though still limited in use to the Einstein Engines, and dedicated trading factions.

2339 - After constructing a large orbital facility, Einstein Engines finally opens up the borders of Tau Ceti to trade and immigration; finally, and officially ending the wars on that sector.

2342 - The ships of the Mjolnir Coalition are sent to Tau Ceti in order to complete their original mission and immediately start diplomatic talks with Einstein engines in order to fix relations upon their arrival.

2346 - Nanotrasen is formed.

2351 - Nanotrasen begins aiding Einstein Engines in the reconstruction of the the Tau Ceti system, refurbishing the economy and industry .

2379 - The Argos V incident occurs leading to the destruction of about 40% of Nanotrasen trade fleet and the near collapse of the company.

2380 - Solid-State “Plasma” is discovered.

2385 - Nanotrasen becomes a business superpower, monopolizing plasma refinement and research.

2390 - The Mjolnir Coalition encounters the Gorlax Marauders, several initial skirmishes ensue as the marauders attack and attempt to pirate any Coalition ship they encounter. opposing values quickly cause the border conflict to escalate into a full scale war.

2392 - Singularity engines are developed, enhancing cheap, if not entirely safe, energy generation.

2394 - First contact with the Skrell. A Skrell research ship comes into contact with a human research vessel, they willingly share research data before splitting away to inform their rulers of their newfound friends.

2394 - First contact with the Tajara.

2395 - The Humanitarian Union is founded. A neo-nazi terrorist group with the goals of eliminating all alien life from the universe, and to leave humanity as the sole rulers.

2397 - The Chymeras, a relatively unknown group at the time, launch an attack on a UGNF fleet near the Tau Ceti system, but are crushed. Only two ships are identified as belonging to the group.

2405 - After a few years (and much confusion), the Chymeras send out a slightly more developed fleet, and this time raid a small Nanotrasen outpost, securing a plasma deposit and a bounty on their heads. When a Nanotrasen fleet arrives, their outpost has been completely destroyed and the Chymeras are gone, with all of the resources from the outpost. Some scientists from the outpost went missing during the attack and are considered dead by Nanotrasen.

2415 - Five large corporations, backed by the Intergalactic Trade Corporation, conduct a large scale colonization effort in the Epsilon Eridani star system. The initial colonies are established on Epsilon Eridani 5.

2416 - First contact with the Soghun, when a human research vessel’s crew are executed following the “theft”of an artifact from Moghes.

2417 - The colonization of Epsilon Eridani 6’s moon by the Eridani Corporate Conglomerate.

2421 - A sixth corporation joins the Eridani Corporate Conglomerate, establishing multiple research facilities on Epsilon Eridani 4.

2421 - On the 26th of October, the atmosphere of Epsilon Eridani 4 is lit ablaze as a result of a large fusion explosion, following a 3 day long Eridani Conglomerate siege on a research facility seized by unknown forces (The Red Sunset event). The event leaves the planet without an atmosphere. The facilities on the moon of Epsilon Eridani 4 go dark in the following week. The Eridani Corporate Conglomerate undergoes a systemic collapse and reorganization.

2422 - Creation of the Eridani Federation from the Eridani Corporate Conglomerate, following 3 months of reorganization after the Red Sunset event.

2422 - The Chymeras attack Mars with a meager fleet, resulting in the destruction of the majority of their ships with the rest fleeing. The Mars fleet pursues the survivors but during the pursuit the Mars fleet suffers a cyber attack, causing the mars fleet to lower their shields and begin to ram each other. The surface of Mars and the majority of the Mars Confederation is destroyed by returning Chymera ships.

2425 - The Intergalactic Trade Corporation discontinues its support of the Epsilon Eridani corporate colonization effort, following disagreements over financing. At this point, facilities have been established on Epsilon Eridani 4 and its moon. The five corporations form the Eridani Corporate Conglomerate.

2426 - The Humanitarian Union bombs the Skrell embassy in New Geneva. Their terrorist forces were initially led into the embassy by men bearing the flag of the Gorlex Marauders, where they were given cover to plant their bombs.

2426 - The Humanitarian unions bombing of the Skrell embassy also intensifies the conflict between the Mjolnir Coalition and the Gorlax Marauders, as they believe the marauders to be responsible.

2428 - The New Marx Republic completes construction of a new Plasma research station, seeking to gain market shares in the previously monopolized industry.

2440 - First human contact with the Vox. A ship populated by a team of 6 Vox raiders coordinate an impressive heist against an Einstein Engines Battlestar, stealing all manner of supplies including a BBBS unit. After hearing word of this event, other companies make their moves to greet and investigate the new species.

2448 - Nanotrasen begins work on its new series of experimental stations, combining collaborative work with Skrell and humans, in the name of plasma research.

2448 - A civil war breaks out on New Magnitka due to the government’s increasingly oppressive actions.

2449 - GenetiCorp and Nanotrasen enter a series of research contracts.

2451 - New Magnitka unleashes Fourth Generation G.E.M.s in a hopeful intent to end the war. The genetically enhanced militants only further aggravate and bloody the conflict, causing matters to rapidly escalate.

2452 - Nanotrasen intervenes in the civil war on New Magnitka to protect facilities there, using P.M.C.s to side with loyalist forces and bring a sharp and decisive end to the war. Government control of the colony is restored.

2454 - Aurora station finishes construction alongside its sister station, the NSS Exodus.

2456 - Present day

16/02/2456 - The new marx Republic launches an attack against NSS Aurora with the intentions of capturing research data and vital personnel while NT forces designated to guard Tau Ceti were occupied in a mass training exercise on the outskirts of the system. After several hours of careful observation, the combined power of almost a quarter of Nanotrasen’s naval strength deployed on top of the small fleet of a single cruiser and frigate escorts while a shuttle of NT marines led by LCDR Michael Watson retook the station from a small group of boarders that had arrived via shuttle when the raid first began. The situation was quickly contained with few NT casualties and ended with the capture of New Marx personnel and the destruction of its raiding fleet.

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First Steps - 2049 to 2054
Humanity’s momentous and at times clumsy foray into the stars began in the year 2049 CE. Nation states, largely similar in scope and governance to the modern day, were struggling to cope with the increasing burden on the planet’s dwindling resources. While developing nations continued to weather the storm relatively unscathed, the developing and under-developed world began to face widespread food and resource shortages.

While the populations of developed nation had largely stabilized, some naturally, others due to sometimes draconic government policies, the developing world, lacking stable governments and infrastructure, continued to see unsustainable growth, pushing the global population into 9 billion.

It became readily apparent to a number of nations, with a notable number of stubborn hold-outs, that humanity had to leave Earth in order to survive. Governments and private interest alike began to pour trillions into research into all manners of proposed space-travel: Deep sleep ships that would take decades or centuries to reach their destinations, ‘warp/hyperdrive’ like systems that would allow feasible FTL travel and even long-range teleportation technology.

Less than 5 years later, Marilog Conwell, working on one of these FTL mega-projects, dubbed ‘The Bluespace Project’, made her breakthrough discovery. Bluespace, a up to that point theoretically existing dimension of space that, if tapped into, would allow ships to travel faster-than-light was finally proven to exist. Her discovery led to the creation of the Conwell visualizer, a first step to practically feasible travel by man-made objects through Bluespace.

This discovery kicked off what would be dubbed ‘The Second Space Race’ or ‘The Great Space Race’

The Great Space Race - 2054 to 2107

With Bluespace solidified as the most feasible option for FTL travel, most other projects were scrapped, their capital and resources thrown behind new projects focusing on piercing the Bluespace dimension. The European Union, England (partially co-opting with the EU), United States, China, India, Japan (co-opting with the US) and the Russian Federation began working on their own space elevator systems to allow for quick, relatively cheap travel into space without the need for expensive surface-to-near-space thruster systems.

Meanwhile, the third world began to see increases in unrest as the most unstable countries, their resources pushed to the brink, began to succumb to terrorists, mobs and/or starvation. Wealthier nations, unable or unwilling to help began to procedure a policy of containment: erecting walls and sophisticated security systems to keep the mass number of refugees out. National boundaries were redrawn. The surviving viable production, agricultural and population centers of failing states began to petition the larger, surviving powers for annexation.

The EU annexed the relatively prosperous North African city states, leaving the Saharan region to anarchists and terrorists. China and India split, occupied and annexed the willing remnants of South Eastern Asia. Great Britain and Australia increased their cooperation to a point just short of total unification. The United States joined with Canada and the (oil) rich regions of Mexico to form the North American Union. Russia and the EU divided up the Eastern European nations, splitting them amongst pro-EU, pro-Russian lines. South America also consolidated into a loose Federation. South Africa entered into a similar union with it’s neighbors. Israel and the wealthier Middle-East nations, their attention turned more towards keeping refugees out then antagonizing each other, united under a shaky alliance.

By 2068, unmanned drones capable of FTL Bluespace travel are brought out of the prototype phase and are immediately sent out to map the nearest star systems. The Tau Ceti, Alpha Centauri, Epsilon Eridani and Sirius systems are mapped in a matter of months and ideal colonization sites are chosen by the various Earth powers.

Later that year, FTL drivers are fitted onto the first colony ships are sent to Tau Ceti. Nations pour trillion of dollars into these colonization efforts, focusing on moving as many new colonists to these planets. The mentality at the time was that Earth was already (eventually) doomed, so the colonists were a unique mix of cheap laborers, members of the middle-class chosen for their technical prowess and wealthy benefactors who either invested in the project, won a seat through their connections or bribed their way in.

The disparate factions, wary of a war in the new frontier jeopardizing humanity’s survival as a species, began to put their money behind a militarized UN police fleet. Designs for frigates, cruisers, heavy cruisers and a battlestar were quickly pushed through the prototyping phase. In 2074, the UN unveiled the United Nations Interstellar Police Force (UNIPF) and their first fleet consisting of three cruisers, two heavy cruisers, two support frigates and the United Nation Starship (UNSS) Seer, the first battlestar, previously thought economically infeasible. The UNIPF First Fleet served to both police and form the first supply lines between the disparate human colonies and Earth.

The following 30 years saw thousands of colony ships venture out (and back, and forth, and back again!) into local space, colonizing worlds both near and far from Earth. Advances in terraforming technology opened up Mars and Luna to widespread colonization, and the various tiny research station there quickly grew into domed cities.

The various nation states and private interests on Earth co-opted colonization missions with each other in the name of promoting the interests of the human race. However, these countries, pursuing their own self-interest, also sought to stake their own, sole claims in the galaxy. Most of these colonies were given unassuming names, to avoid suspicion. The modern day result is a mix of ethnically homogeneous systems and very diverse ones.


By the dawn of the 22nd century, humanity had numerous stable, self-sustaining colonial governments in the stars, and the focus shifted from moving people out into the stars to consolidating holdings and continuing to develop these colonies.

The Rise of the Colonies and The Fall of Earth - 2107 to 2149

2107 saw the founding of the first ‘mega-corporation’, Einstein Engines. These entities would hold the power of nations, without the strict boundaries and the claimed territory that defined their predecessors. Einstein Engines, a conglomerate of various corporations specializing in interstellar travel, orbital spaceship manufacturing and colonization missions quickly asserted itself as the leading name in all things space travel.

2115 saw a fundamental shift in humanity: Owing to the rushed, sometimes haphazard colonization efforts, (not to mention the mass starvations and genocides that came with the collapse of many third world states) 2/3rds of the human population lived on Earth while the other 1/3rd lived in local (Mars, Luna, etc.) or extra-solar colonies. And colonization missions continued to be fully booked.

The Earth-based, ‘1st world’ nations, beginning to feel the effects of the mass emigration of their citizens, began to decay and break down. Some nations began to give ground to the rising tide of refugees, terrorists and various criminal elements who had entrenched themselves outside the walls of the wealthy nations. Nations shrunk, and most of the survivors realized they had a better chance joining their former citizens in space rather than staying in their homes.

There was a second, large wave of colonization effort and Earth began to lose more and more influence and power.

In 2117, the UNIPF Fourth Fleet broke away and fled into uncharted space, looking for a new system to claim as their own. The UN could only issue a strict warning, then a warrant and a message for assistance from any colonial government that would assist them. They received only empty messages of support and regret regarding their loss of ships and men.

Meanwhile, the colonies began to assert their growing independence and power. The richest and most established of the colonies began to establish merchant fleets and, inevitably, militarized fleets to defend them. Some colonies began to enter into treaties with each other, much to the disdain of their Earth-based backers and benefactors. But at this point, Earth could only wag it’s finger at this behavior and spout angry but empty rhetoric.

By 2125, Einstein Engines sought to take advantage of the second mass exodus of people from Earth and put into motion their devious plan to completely monopolize space travel in the local cluster. Disguising their saboteurs as Russian Federation troops, long viewed with suspicion by traditional Western powers, they successfully bombed the space elevators of numerous countries. The second great exodus from Earth was quickly slowed to a trickle. Earth no longer possessed the native resources (natural and manpower-wise) to rebuild these massive structures. Einstein Engines’ innovative orbital fliers, long held as staples on the less-developed colonial worlds, remained the only viable method to travel from the surface to the planet to orbit.

In the aftermath, the remaining people, now desperate to get off-planet, began to buy tickets on one of Einstein Engine’s colonization missions at grossly inflated prices; additionally, animosity between the Russian Union and historically Western powers began to increase dramatically. As a result the continued to lose backing from nation-states. The UN, already reduced to a nearly powerless state, formally disbanded in 2130.

In 2131, the North American Union, EU, Great Britain and South American Federation formed the Allied Nations in opposition to the perceived ‘threat’ of the Russian Federation. The Russian Federation responded by forming an alliance with India, China and portions of the now disbanded Middle Eastern Alliance. A second arms race ensured between these two powers, jockeying for control of a planet nearing collapse.

Earth was, at this point, near the tipping point. The previous two space races had left the planet nearly deprived of natural resources, the few remaining directly Earth controlled colonies could simply not meet it’s massive demand for raw resources (Earth was still the most populated planet in Human Space), most of the third world was already in ruins due to complete societal collapse/starvation of the preceding century and most of the remaining countries had adopted populist governments ruled by a combination of petty, self-serving statesmen, radical evangelists and xenophobic terrorists hoping to find (buy) a way off planet.

Anticipating the inevitable, the largest colonies began to consolidate their holdings, cutting off contact with the extremist Earth governments. The remaining UN fleets, holding their previous patrols and running their old supply routes, finally relented and were absorbed into the various colonies’ navies.

Finally, on July 17th 2142, the Allied Nations botched an operation to assassinate the leader of the Russian Union. In response, the Russians unleash 20 limited-scale nuclear warheads on the EU, Great Britain and the Eastern Seaboard of the North American Union. The Allied Nations responded by launching 30 nuclear warheads at Russia, Eastern Ukraine and the Middle East. This attack was not the final nail in the coffin for Earth, but began its rapid descent into uninhabitability.

Einstein Engines, taking it’s massive profits from extorting those desperate to get off world, had already moved most of it’s operation to colonies. They immediately ceased all transportation services between the surface of Earth and orbit. Earth was effectively cut-off.

The Third World War, far from the humanity ending catastrophe it was portrayed as in sci-fi films, was devastating but was viewed by a significant portion of humanity, already comfortable and living away from Earth, as a sad but distant conflict over a long abandoned chunk of rock; a bunch of extremists fighting over the last remnants of powers long dead or dying.

Meanwhile, the various colonies moved to the final steps of their independence plans. First and foremost, the New British Empire, a group of colonies originally backed by Great Britain (with notable Australian and Canadian elements) declared its formal establishment as an independent state in 2149. Earth’s response was silence. Afterall, London had already been decimated by several nuclear warheads 2 years prior.

Colonial Tensions Mount - 2149 to 2200

The establishment of the first non-Earth based empire marked another great shift in humanity. Earth was no longer viewed as the center of the (human) universe. Attempting to fill the (largely symbolic) power vacuum left by the fall of Earth,various colonies and the New British Empire began to throw their weight around, beginning with mostly non-violent propaganda feeds aimed at nearby, foreign colonies and shows of force (such as destroying pirate bases threatening foreign colonies) designed to win over other planets and governments.

World War Three ends in a stalemate, both sides dissolving into bickering nation-states, unable to continue fighting. Earth enters a nuclear winter caused in part by pollution but mostly by the preceding nuclear exchanges. The resulting food shortages kills billions. The final death toll of WWIII and the resulting nuclear winter is estimated at 3.5 billion out of 6 billion, compared with the estimated 13.2 billion humans (pre-war estimates), total, in 2149. Earth is reduced to a heavily populated backwater. The Sol colonies, loyal to Earth, were left cut-off and confused during WWIII. However, at the end of 2161, the UNIPF Fourth Fleet returned to Earth, their deep space exploration unsuccessful (at least publicly). Cut off from the colonies, the Fourth Fleet had expected to find at least some semblance of loyal UN fleet(s) waiting for them, and had prepared to surrender. They were astonished to find Sol in tatters, but still alive. They immediately moved to occupy Mars and Luna. Both colonies welcomed them with open arms, viewing the Fourth fleet their only hope for surviving without Earth. The Mars Conglomerate was formally establish shortly thereafter.

In the void left by Earth’s demise (Earth was still known as the only supplier of some fine, luxury products that only the remnants of it’s sophisticated infrastructure and manufacturing systems could support), several mega-corporations were formed. Most noticeably, GenetiCorp sought to provide research into the genetic potential of humanity, funded by offering cosmetic changing services (An Earth-only luxury up to that time).

On the flip side, the Third World War had left millions of soldiers without a job. The ships involved in the numerous in and near orbit conflicts were left floating in space, their command centers on Earth dark. These forces, along with a number of PMC and mercenary groups already in existence moved to create the UGNF, and, in the words of one anonymous soldier: “Finally, get the f**k off this God-forsaken rock”.

The later part of the 22nd century saw the colonies continue to develop themselves, increased tensions between the New British Empire and the Mars Conglomerate, Megacorporations begin to covertly consolidate themselves and the remnants of Earth governments, remarkably, begin to piece themselves back together.

Most notable among them, the Mjolnir Coalition emerged out of the decimated European industry and army in Scandinavia and began to construct a series of colony ships outfitted with sophisticated AI systems. Similar military-based organization began to emerge from the crumbling militaries around the world. An ‘every organization for themselves’ mentality began to emerge, as everyone was looking for a way to get off the hellhole that was planet Earth.

The 95 Years War - 2200 to 2295


While the colonies had actually experienced growth and expansion during WWIII. They were about to experience a series of conflicts that would see their up to this point peaceful way of life turned upside down.

The Mars Conglomerate and New British Empire (NBE) emerged as the two superpowers in post-Earth Humanity. The Conglomerate maintained a military advantage owing to their extensive orbital shipyards over Mars and Earth (which they extensively claimed belonged to Luna, one of their holdings) and the Fourth Fleet. However, it did not control a naturally terra-like planet and was under considerably mounting pressure to secure a garden world. The Conglomerate began to make extensive plans for what would come to be Humanity’s first Interstellar Conflict. They targeted Proxima Centauri, with the intent of securing terran-like worlds there for expansion.

After years of planning, on January 20th 2211, a large Martian Fleet emerged from Bluespace next to Proxima Centauri primary planet and decimated a patrolling NBE fleet. Against all odds, the NBE fleet managed to get out several distress beacons to the nearby Tau Ceti system. Mars began to secure it’s new holdings in Proxima Centauri, absorbing colonial governments and setting aside land for use by it’s own citizens.

The NBE government, centered in the New England system, panics, withdrawing most of its ships to it’s home system, effectively leaving the outlying colonies to be annexed by the Mars Confederation. Most of it’s citizens are relieved by this news, while the abandoned outposts either breakaway, swear allegiance to the Mars Confederation or steadfastly remain loyal to the NBE.

The Mars Confederation, believing themselves to have pacified the NBE, began to consolidate its holdings. However, the NBE led a surprise attack in 2212 against Mars in an effort to destroy it’s numerous shipyards and orbital facilities.While the invading fleet is decimated by the much larger Conglomerate home fleet, a significant portion of the Shipyards above Mars are damaged or destroyed.

Reeling from their losses, both sides scaled back military operation against each other. Mars tended to it’s damaged shipyards and the NBE focused on defending it’s core system.

A group of wealthy individuals from both nations took advantage of this temporary lull to come together and form the Intergalactic Trade Corporation (ITC). Viewing the war as an ultimately pointless but potentially highly lucrative endeavour, they aimed to remain neutral but maintain supply lines and trade routes for both empires. The ITC rapidly expanded, eventually servicing other, third party systems.

Meanwhile in 2235, the Mjolnir Coalition claims the Gilese 667 system and begins to build up a respectable fleet.

The following decade sees minor skirmishes between the NBE and Mars Conglomerate, the continued rapid development of various planets and a slow but noticeable trickle of survivors fleeing Earth aboard salvaged but sophisticated militarized colony ships.

By 2247, a number of colony worlds were starting to discover that their planets’ estimated resource content was massively inflated. Whether due to poorly planned out infrastructure or the culmination of a scheme to get colonists to buy seats aboard Einstein Engines ships, several planets began to undergo resource wars reminiscent of those on Earth. Tau Ceti in particular saw it’s planets of Beisel, New Gibson and Reade first declare their own independence from the NBE and then declare war against each other.

The Tau Ceti Civil War isolated the sector, as any unrecognized ship was treated as hostile by any of the three factions. INtergalactic Trade Corporation ships were disabled, plundered and then left for dead drifting in space. The ICC responded by suspending all trade routes and imposing an embargo on the system, which only exasperated resource shortages.

The Tau Ceti powers continue to wage war against each other, with New Gibson and Reade joining together against Biesel. NBE and the Mars Coalition, worried that a move would leave an opening for the other to exploit, simply watched and waited. Isolated, the Tau Ceti system slowly wore itself down. Finally, in 2259, the system’s economy collapsed.

Meanwhile, in 2254, the survivors of WWIII that hadn’t already left Earth had managed to piece together some working forms of government. These nations, however, were either survivalist or ‘escapist’ in nature; they either wanted to survive on Earth at all costs or the very purpose of the government was to get people off planet. The wealthy individuals of these societies, desperately wanting to get off planet (even despite the teachings of the survivalist societies), created the Terran Migration Union (TMU) with the express intent of moving hundreds of thousands of people off planet. However, the poor, starving masses strongly protested a lavish ship that would only house the rich and wealthy, leaving the rest of them to die. People debated, protested and (mostly) rioted over this issue, hampering construction efforts.

In 2260, with the collapse of the Tau Ceti economy and civil war, the external powers quickly moved in to secure the system. The NBE, Mars Coalition and a surprise showing of an Einstein Engines’ battlegroup (the first incident of a mega-corp independently engaging a nation’s military) moved into the sector and began to skirmish for control of the three populated planets.

Later that year, in a blunder that is often taught in naval training academies, a Mjolnir Coalition fleet, led by it’s impressive battlestar, entered the system in order to broker a peaceful resolution. An EE fleet immediately (and reasonably) assumed that a fleet of unknown ships that exited Bluespace mere miles away from them was a threat were hostile, and opened fire without provocation. The EE succeeded in destroying a significant portion of the battlestar’s escorts before they jumped out.

With the other factions now alerted to the Coalition’s ‘secret weapon’, they began to hunt in earnest for it. The Coalition, previously a minor player in the galaxy, was drawn into a war it wanted no part of. However, they quickly embrace the reality of their new position (some analysts say, too quickly to not suggest some prior knowledge or planning) and moved against EE’s primary battestar in the system, destroying it. Einstein Engines is crippled by this loss, and retreats to the Alpha Centauri System.

In 2267, GenetiCorp (possibly contracted by EE), entered the Tau Ceti system and began attacking the Coalition ships with their cutting edge psionic soldiers. These genetically enhanced and highly classified individuals influenced the coalition forces to simply return home, no longer interested in claiming the sector as their own.

EE, capitalizing on the weakened powers, movies back into the system in 2272 and engages GenetiCorp (possibly viewing them as a threat to their own interests, despite their help). GenetiCorp loses several vessels with psionic battalions, forcing them to retreat from the system.

Frustrated after a string of back-and-forths between the various powers vying for control of Tau Ceti, EE draws up plans to deny the use of system resources by other factions. The war begins to dissolve into a scorched earth policy. In 2281, EE ships jump into orbit above New Gibson, overwhelm it’s defenders and proceed to bombard the planets’ cities. The Mars Confederation limps away, abandoning the planet.

Meanwhile, on Earth, the TMU completes The New Pearl, a massive colony ship capable of holding 600 000 people. THe rich, wealthy backers quickly board the ship and leave the planet in search of a new home. The last remaining governments on Earth collapse as a result, with million succumbing to starvation and nuclear winter. The rest of human occupied space, however, barely bats an eye.

In 2290, the Mars Confederation finally surrenders New Gibson to the EE, who occupy the planet but, like the MC, are unable to repair it’s industrial centers.

While the 95 years war dies down around 2295, the various faction continue to engage in minor skirmishes and major battles.

Closing Years of the War - 2295 to 2342

While the war was dying down, EE continued to push ahead with innovative weapons technologies designed to give themselves an edge. BBBS weapons were quickly prototyped in 2295 at about the same time as EE secured New Gibson.

The following decade saw the MC, NBE, GenetiCorp and local systems eye BBBS weapons with suspicion and fear and develop potential responses to them.

Meanwhile, the TMUSS The New Pearl slips under the radar of most faction and settle on New Magnitka. Owing to it’s large colonist base, the last great colonization effort from Earth quickly establishes itself on the planet. Population Centers, Production Facilities and mines are quickly and efficiently laid out and construction is begun in earnest. The planet also undergoes rapid terraforming.

In 2305, the Mars Confederate launches a costly attack against an EE Battlestar. Their mission was to capture the ship and the experimental BBBS weapons onboard. Enduring heavy losses, the MC managed to seize control of the ESS Speed of Light in a stunning displaying of ship-to-ship breaching and boarding operations.

This edge, however, is shortly lived. In 2310, some element within the MC leaks the details of the BBBS weapon systems across the quantum net and the other factions begin to use these plans to build new BBBS prototypes in earnest.

In 2315, New Magnitika is successfully terraformed and the domed cities are converted into traditional ones. Boasting a modest but strong fleet for it’s size, the New Magnikan Commonwealth declares its formal founding.

With BBBS technology widely known, the warring factions back off from each other and begin to fortify their possessions. In 2330, EE begins to rebuild the industrial centers of New Gibson. The efforts bear fruit almost 10 years later, when EE brokers a deal with the ITC, effectively reopening Tau Ceti to the rest of human space.

The Coalition, biding their time, finally returning to Tau Ceti (this time, a reasonable distance away and their arrival announced BEFORE they jumped into the system) and opened diplomatic relations with the EE.




Founding of NanoTransen - 2346 to 2380

In 2346, Xavier Transen, a billionaire mogul consolidated his various research firms and manufacturing industries into a singular entity. He named this newest mega corporation NanoTransen and immediately set out to rival the ITC in the range and scope of it’s supply lines.

By controlling a large base of industrial centers and research firms, Xavier could develop and prototype new designs, manufacture them and push them out into production. On top of this, he expanded his already impressive trade fleet so that he could deliver his new products ‘directly to the door’ so to speak.

NanoTransen, where it operated, began to outperform and outprofit the ITC. Colonies began to revoke decades old contracts with the ITC in favor of ones with NT.

The ITC held on with dear life, and managed to carve out a niche market among fringe systems and long-range supply routes between larger colonies.

As NT continued to expand its fleet, it sought to augment it’s crews with a new line of experimental, highly advanced AI’s to better plot jump-points, reroute supplies efficiently, reduce crew sizes and, of course, maximize profits.

By 2351, NT had enough of a reputation and resources to back it to begin aiding EE in reconstructing the Tau Ceti system. They sought to stake a claim in humanity’s oldest colonized system. Newer, more efficient infrastructure and a more extensive surveying and identifying of mineral wealth deposits allowed Tau Ceti to become profitable again. At this stage, animosity between NT and EE began to increase subtly, as both began to compete for control of the system through clandestine and economic means.

The next 30 years saw NT continue to expand, batting heads with EE and colonial powers over minor disputes. Colonies continued to expand, sending out colonization ships and continuing to survey new lands. Invariably, megacorporations would always have some hand in these new colonies, ensuring their continued expansion as well.

Planets continued to be terraformed, and domed cities became open cities. Populations spiekd and new policies were enacted. At this point, some of the most developed planets began to rival Old Earth in terms of manufacturing scope and infrastructure.

In 2379, NT was struck a major blow during the Argos V incident. At 1300 standard time, about 40% of the NT fleet, all AI controlled ships, suddenly jumped to a distant, uninhabited gas giant Argos V. The crews lost almost complete control of their ships. NT’s reponse was confused and haphazard: NT dispatched a battlegroup and detachment of marines far too small and inexperienced to deal with dozens of malfunctioning ships.

When the marines attempted to board the first ship, they were immediately fired upon by the ship’s both external and internal defenses.

With the NT response fleet in chaos, the ships in the Argos V fleet suddenly began ramming into each other. When the dust cleared, all the ships in the system were either adrift, in tatters or had fallen into the orbit of Argos V. It was the single most disastrous non-combat loss to have ever been seen.

Despite Nt’s effort to keep the situation classified, the loss of almost half of their trade fleet could not be hidden. Their shares fell sharply, investors lost confidence and they were forced to liquidate numerous assets.

The Plasma Miracle - 2380 to 2389

In 2380, deep space expeditions discovered, to the amazement of scientists, a purple, extremely energy efficient solid compound was discovered. The exact point of discovery was never pinpointed or recorded, but when the discovery sent shockwaves throughout human space. Dubbing this new element ‘plasma’ because it’s potential raw energy output rivaled that of plasma in stars.

Megacorporations immediately seized the opportunity to exploit this resource. NanoTransen, chief among them, began to claim plasma rich asteroids passed over in humanity’s initial forays into space. By 2381, less than a year after the Argos V incident, NT’s shares bounced back, and the company was able to manufacture replacement ships and, in the name of securing its future interests, began developing militarized fleets.

Behind the scene, citing the enormous failure of standard marine detachments at breaching hostile controlled vessels, NT set aside a secret budget to buy, train and fund a secret group of expert operatives who would specialize at neutralizing extreme threats and protecting corporate assets. Due to their nature as a last resort and their ‘kill all’ orders, these squads earned the name ‘Deathsquads’. THeir existence was kept hidden from many even within NT’s leadership, fearing a leak would lead to a potentially bankrupting scandal.

By 2385, NT, with a near monopoly on Plasma refinement and distribution, began to truly rival EE in size and scope. Rather than engage in a costly interstellar war, as many predicted, EE responded with smiles and a ‘welcoming’ attitude towards the competition.

However, NT would not know this prosperous peace for long.

The Syndicate Emerges - 2389 to 2393

Without warning, a group of outlying NT Plasma mining and refinement facilities came under attack by a group of highly coordinated attacks., resulting in the complete loss of these facilities.

Shortly thereafter, The Syndicate announced it’s existence and mission to end NT’s unjust monopoly over Plasma. The Syndicates founders were a mix of smaller corporations, private interests and even some colonial governments infuriated with NT’s invasive PLasma mining operations.

NT immediately began operations to isolate Syndicate cells and sympathizers and eradicate them. The Syndicate, lacking the raw military might to oppose the NT, retreated into the dark corners of the galaxy. Those parts that did not were quickly exterminated by NT fleets and their own saboteurs. THe syndicate, still possessing a wide range of sleeper cells, continued to strike back at NT interests with well executed, pin-point strikes at high value targets. The fringe of space became a very dangerous place, very quickly.

In 2393, The Gorlex Marauders, a company of warlords who had already engaged in a war with the Mjolnir Coalition, successfully integrated itself into the Syndicate, lured by promises of treasure and profit. With this newfound military might, the Syndicate was able to secure a few strongholds and keep NT at bay. The Syndicate-NanoTransen shadow war would continue to rage into the next century.

First Contact - 2394

In 2392, Advances is plasma refinement into a gaseous state and experiments with blackhole technology allowed for the introduction of singularity and particle accelerator power systems. Utilizing artificially created and maintained singularities, gaseous plasma receptacles would harness the intense gravitational pull to create an electric charge, providing relatively clean almost self-sustaining energy.

Space Station became much self-sufficient and less reliant on supply routes. Megacorporations began building numerous space stations in previously unfeasible locations.

In 2394, a ship based out of one of these new station came into contact with an alien vessel. Upon establishing contact, the two were shocked to discover a different species to their own. The Skrell, as they introduced themselves, are a space-faring race with an incredible obsession for uncovering the secrets of the universe. After exchanging some differing research notes, and a hearty farewell, the two vessels split off and informed their respective people of their discovery.

Enthused at the opportunity to meet new, exotic sentient species in the galaxy (and profit off of them!), a wave of private and corporate, government and private scouting mission left in earnest. It didn’t take long for one such NT scouting vessel to come across the Tajara, a race of cat-like people who with technology roughly equivalent to that of Humanity in the late 20th century. NT immediately entered the system with a fleet of starships and, under highly questionable terms, with an impressive show of force and technological might, convinced the Tajaran leaders to sign a pact with NT, effectively allowing the mega-corp unrestricted access rights to the planet in exchange for ‘elevating’ the Tajara into the stars.

New Opportunities and New Threats - 2394 to 2422

In 2394, three smaller corporations, seeking to gain an edge in an increasingly monopolized market, embarked to colonize Epsilon Eridani, which had largely been overlooked. A large colonization fleet was constructed coupled with a large propaganda/recruitment effort, a large financial risk. Their gambit paid off, bringing millions of colonists from around Human Space to colonize this previously overlooked system. The mission choose Epsilon Eridani V as the first colony for it’s rich mineral deposits and quickly established cities, mines and production centers. The colony returns a profit very quickly and becomes self-sufficient in a manner of months. It’s economic prosperity inspires a mass migration of people to the newly colonized system.

Meanwhile, a significant number of humans openly opposed cooperation and even interaction with other sentient species. These descendants of the xenophobic rules of Earth’s destitute nations covertly consolidated their assets and supporters and declared themselves the Humanitarian Union. The Union, taking cues from the 20th century nazis, espoused genetic purity and a galaxy dominated by humanity, with all other races subjugated or eliminated, depending on the threat they pose.

Later, the Chymeras, a shadowy group with mysterious origins began to conduct raids on outlying outposts. In 2397, looking to test their might, they attacked a UGNF fleet in the Tau Ceti system, but were driven back. While the attack failed, the ferocity and tactical prowess displayed during the encounter prompted many powers to note, with concern, this new force.

Back in Epsilon Eridani, its colonial and corporate backers began to argue and bicker with themselves over mining rights. While the colonies were prosperous and self-sufficient, the initial colonization contracts and agreements were no longer satsifactory. In 2398, the corporate interests came together, cut any external funding funding for the operation and reorganized as the Epsilon Eridani Corporate Conglomerate.

The Epsilon Eridani Corporate Conglomerate (EECC), a government formed by the 5 remaining corporate backers of the original colonization effort, continued to expand, colonizing E. Eridani VI and IV by 2402.

Later that year, the EECC identified insurgents on Epsilon Eridani IV. When the EECC deployed ground forces to secure the planet, a powerful fusion (plasma?) based explosive was detonated with little warning, burning away the atmosphere of the planet. The Red Sunset Event, as it comes to be known, results in the complete loss of all atmosphere and life on EE IV and plunges the Epsilon Eridani Conglomerate into chaos as the now 6 government-corporations bickered and argued on how to properly respond and, more importantly, protect themselves.

Within three months, the collapsed EECC is reformed into the Eridani Corporate Federation, a stronger federal corporate-government headed by the 6 patron corporations of the Epsilon Eridani colonization effort. The Federation begins building up an impressive fleet and quickly moves to re-secure EE IV. Reconstruction and terraforming efforts begin immediately as their fleets continued to scour the planet and system for answers.

In 2405 the Chymeras launched a sophisticated attack on an NT outpost, stealing plasma and associated research equipment. They easily evade the responding NT fleet, much to the bewilderment of the NT navy.

In 2416, humanity made first contact with an intelligent but technologically backwards species called the Unathi. A scouting/research vessel happened upon their desert homeworld of Moghes. The human crew, believing the planet to be uninhabited were killed by the natives after ‘stealing’ artifacts from the planet’s ruins. The ship’s charter corporation sent a small search and rescue fleet to locate the missing research vessel. When the fleet discovered the fate of the missing crew, they engaged the Unathi in ground combat, but sustained proportionally heavy losses. Admired for their combat prowess, many corporations came to hire or ‘recruit’ Unathi as security personnel, but their aggressive, barbaric (by human standards) nature always made them second-class citizens in human space.

Recent History - 2422 to 2456

In 2422, a Chymera fleet makes a bold attack on the Martian orbital installations. The Mars Conglomerate, while suffering from a deep economic depression resulting in a shrinking fleet, is still able to fend off the attackers. However, when they jump away, the Martian fleet suddenly comes under the effect of a virus, compromising their computer systems. In perhaps the biggest naval disaster (or greatest tactical maneuver, depending on your point of view), the Martian Home Fleet ships lowered their shields and began to ram into each other. With the entirety of the majority of the Mars conglomerate ships incapacitated or destroyed, a larger Chymera fleet jumped back into the system and bombarded the surface of Mars unimpeded. When the dust settled, Mars was in ruins and the Chymera fleet jumped away. The reasons behind their genocidal attack remain unknown, but promoted a massive build-up of military fleets and a revamping of ship computer firewalls and security counter-measures.

In 2426, the ECF identified new insurgent elements on the semi-terraformed Epsilon Eridani IV. The next few decades saw the Federation Navy and rebel forces jockey for control of the planet. Ground forces were deployed, thermonuclear devices detonated but there was no second Red Sunset Event as many had anticipated. The Federation eventually decided to conscript citizens in an effort to force the rebels off-planet.

In 2428, the New Marx Republic established a foothold in the plasma industry with their own research station. NanoTransen responds, not even a year after the station is completed, by deploying a Deathsquad to the station, obliterating it with a thermonuclear device. Those outside of NT Command that privvy to the true nature of this action mourned little the loss of a plasma research facility owned by xenophobic radicals but were reminded of the lengths NT is willing to go to preserve it’s plasma monopoly. Some elements of the New Marx Republic were likely absorbed into the Syndicate as a result.

In 2440, an enigmatic bird-like species known as the Vox successfully initiate a complex heist of supplies and a BBBS missile from an Einstein Engines Battlestar. While EE is left embarrassed and subject to massive scrutiny by its shareholders, the other major powers quickly move to establish contact with this new alien race.

In 2448, New Magnitkan government crackdowns on ‘anarchists’ finally trigger a civil war, tearing the planet apart. The Syndicate, looking to capture NT research facilities on the planet, begin to arm and covertly reinforce the rebels. They eventually deployed Gorlex Marauders in an open show of force as they made more aggressive attempts to secure NT labs. In 2452, NanoTransen finally intervened, publically to secure the well-being of the planet. However, their true target was to securing their labs. Loyalist government forces, augmented with PMCs purchased with NT credit succeeded in regaining complete control of the planet. The Syndicate quietly cut ties with any elements left behind on the planet and fled the system.

In 2454, NanoTrasen completes it’s latest round of state-of-the-art multi-disciplinary research stations. These stations, while primarily focused on plasma research, are also equipped with general R&D, explosives, genetics and experimental power testing equipment and facilities. The most notable of these station, in the Tau Ceti system are the twin station NSS Exodus and NSS Aurora.




Present Day - 2456

In summary, human space is a mish mash of conflicting interests, overt and secretive powers and diverse views on morality and spirituality, a reflection of Humanity’s panicked, rushed, but successful journey out into the stars.

Earth is a mostly dead ball of pollution and ruins, with only small pockets of survivors or the stray research outpost. However, the planet shows signs of slow recovery, which has peaked the interest of some.

The Mars Conglomerate is still reeling from the devastating loss of it’s fleet and of most of Mars. While many survived the orbital bombardments, most of the Martian shipyards, factories and population centers were reduced to rubble, now replaced with slums and makeshift refugee centers. However, the Conglomerate is kept alive, barely, by it’s other holdings in the Sol system, such as Luna.

The New British Empire has suffered from rampant corruption and a stagnating economy, which has also led to the erosion of its ‘superpower’ status.

Meanwhile, mega corporations have been using their massive wealth to throw their weight around with an authority similar to that of nation-states. Most notably, the Eridani Federation is a fusion of corporation and state and may in fact rival the NBE and Mars Conglomerate in their hay day.

Undoubtedly, the primary ‘threat’ (or hope, depending on your point of view) at the present is the Syndicate, hell-bent on disrupting NanoTransen at every turn. Thefts and black mailings have gradually evolved into kidnappings, tortures and murders, all in the name of toppling NanoTrasen’s hold on the plasma industry. However, the Syndicate is hell-bent on attackingly NT interests only, and most neutral or unaffiliated planets and nations have little or no dealings with them. Of course, given its clandestine nature, the Syndicate itself is something of a boogeyman, its very existence questioned by some.

Finally, amidst the war torn ruins, environmental catastrophes and tensions in human space, there also exist numerous prosperous, peaceful places in the galaxy which have fallen under the radar of the larger warring interests.

The Present Mindset(s)

While humanity’s colonization efforts were rushed, great effort was put into ensuring direct lines of communication and continued education. Quantum buoys connect different systems, providing instantaneous FTL communication.

Records of Earth have been preserved and, owing to the Information Age Revolution in the early 21st century, most citizens have a working understanding of Earth cultures and languages, more so than the common person’s present-day understanding of the events and societal intricacies of 400 years ago.

However, there exist slums, ruins and overpopulated areas where access to education is minimal or non-existent and so it is not uncommon to find some who are ignorant of the past. And then there are those who don’t even want to remember the past. After all, humanity long abandoned the notion of Earth as our Home, capital H.

Loyalties or our sense of self or unity lie with a common genetic heritage (or ancestry, depending on how xenophobic or inward-facing a people are). While some identify with their relatively new homes (in terms of the whole span of human existence) such as New Magnitkans or Eridani Citizens, there are some who still cling to centuries or millennia old racial identifiers (Japanese, American, English, etc.).

In short, human space is a mixed up, wildly different, dangerous but also exciting place with numerous technological advances and societal experiments as humanity continues to expand out into the stars.

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