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After the cataclysm the Solar system was changed forever. In the ashes of the old ruined worlds, new actors are beginning to rise. |
GAIA'S REMAINS (EARTH ASTEROID FIELD / BELT)
The remains of Earth and its moon have formed a vast asteroid field between Mars and Venus. Even though the new belt is ripe with easily available resources, the area is filled with perils: flickering wormholes, space/time instabilities and other anomalies haunt the belt. Many rogue machine-ships, pirates and mercenaries roam freely, looking for lost technologies and various caches of wealth that have survived the destruction. Still, despite the lawlessness and hazards, the heavy materials that can be mined in the earth asteroid field will keep on attracting all kinds of people, living in bases, mining ships or else.
Life is hell among the remains of old Earth, but if one has the strength and will to survive, he or she may find untold riches and thrive beyond the wildest dreams.
The remains of Earth and its moon have formed a vast asteroid field between Mars and Venus. Even though the new belt is ripe with easily available resources, the area is filled with perils: flickering wormholes, space/time instabilities and other anomalies haunt the belt. Many rogue machine-ships, pirates and mercenaries roam freely, looking for lost technologies and various caches of wealth that have survived the destruction. Still, despite the lawlessness and hazards, the heavy materials that can be mined in the earth asteroid field will keep on attracting all kinds of people, living in bases, mining ships or else.
Life is hell among the remains of old Earth, but if one has the strength and will to survive, he or she may find untold riches and thrive beyond the wildest dreams.
LUNA / EARTH'S MOON
The moon was heavily colonized before the cataclysm: it is estimated that over 50.000 people lived on the moon at the time.
It housed research and manufacturing facilities, all under control of an advanced A.I.
The gravitational wave barely missed the moon. but many orbital station around the moon have been lost.
The moon's surface colonies were badly damaged, but the sub colonies were unscathed. The colonists quickly rebuilt their outer bases and are now actively trading with all factions. They have become fierce and highly independent -the impending doom being a powerful motor to their civilization.
After a few generations, living in constant low gravity, their biology has been altered. Leaving the moons low gravity for a higher one, they risk cardiac arrest and other problems due to low muscle mass.
The moon was heavily colonized before the cataclysm: it is estimated that over 50.000 people lived on the moon at the time.
It housed research and manufacturing facilities, all under control of an advanced A.I.
The gravitational wave barely missed the moon. but many orbital station around the moon have been lost.
The moon's surface colonies were badly damaged, but the sub colonies were unscathed. The colonists quickly rebuilt their outer bases and are now actively trading with all factions. They have become fierce and highly independent -the impending doom being a powerful motor to their civilization.
After a few generations, living in constant low gravity, their biology has been altered. Leaving the moons low gravity for a higher one, they risk cardiac arrest and other problems due to low muscle mass.
NEW MARS
New Mars is the emerging 'capital' of the solar system and home to the largest human settlements, New Mumbai and Medina. At first New Mars was more homogeneous than the Terran Alliance, populated mostly by humans of Indian and middle-eastern origin, but after the Cataclysm more people of various origins moved to new Mars.
Due to the low gravity, most martians are rather weak and have autoimmune problems.
Its government is a human/ machine hybrid clearly geared towards industrial growth. New Mars is technologically active even though it does not yet have the shipyard or research facilities of the Alliance.
The colonization of Mars began slowly, but picked up after the introduction of terraforming nano-machines and molecular assemblers. By melting the permafrost and synthesizing a new hydrogen-poor atmosphere, it has been possible to significantly alter the martian climate. The CO2 saturated air is still non-breathable by humans, that is why some settlers are pressing forward with a deep genetic engineering program that would transform humans to live on the surface -without a suit.
New Mars is the emerging 'capital' of the solar system and home to the largest human settlements, New Mumbai and Medina. At first New Mars was more homogeneous than the Terran Alliance, populated mostly by humans of Indian and middle-eastern origin, but after the Cataclysm more people of various origins moved to new Mars.
Due to the low gravity, most martians are rather weak and have autoimmune problems.
Its government is a human/ machine hybrid clearly geared towards industrial growth. New Mars is technologically active even though it does not yet have the shipyard or research facilities of the Alliance.
The colonization of Mars began slowly, but picked up after the introduction of terraforming nano-machines and molecular assemblers. By melting the permafrost and synthesizing a new hydrogen-poor atmosphere, it has been possible to significantly alter the martian climate. The CO2 saturated air is still non-breathable by humans, that is why some settlers are pressing forward with a deep genetic engineering program that would transform humans to live on the surface -without a suit.
MARTIAN BELT
While the Gaia's belt is chaotic and lawless, the martian belt is more akin to a cold-war battlefield. The Terran Alliance, New Mars and now even the Hydras are vying for control of its resources. Aggressive patrols and skirmishes regularly take place between bases and mining stations. The numerous vagabond settlements and migrating factories are struggling to remain neutral in what is doubtlessly an escalating conflict. After the demise of Earth, the Martian belt was for a short while the most populated place in the solar system, but many stations and habitats have since emigrated back to the Gaia Belt -or around New Mars. Nevertheless, the strategic importance of the belt is such that it is likely the belt will stay a very dynamic sector, even more so with the Hydra incursions in the inner solar system.
While the Gaia's belt is chaotic and lawless, the martian belt is more akin to a cold-war battlefield. The Terran Alliance, New Mars and now even the Hydras are vying for control of its resources. Aggressive patrols and skirmishes regularly take place between bases and mining stations. The numerous vagabond settlements and migrating factories are struggling to remain neutral in what is doubtlessly an escalating conflict. After the demise of Earth, the Martian belt was for a short while the most populated place in the solar system, but many stations and habitats have since emigrated back to the Gaia Belt -or around New Mars. Nevertheless, the strategic importance of the belt is such that it is likely the belt will stay a very dynamic sector, even more so with the Hydra incursions in the inner solar system.
KHAOS CLOUD
The Khaos cloud came into existence during the cataclysm, when the Gate connected to another young universe. In the few moments the connection was effective, the wormhole spewed billions of tons of dust and light debris with great force and created a titanic spiraling maelstrom. The cloud ultimately settled into orbit between Mars and its Belt. The Khaos cloud contains all sorts of minerals, dust and mysterious corrosive mists: navigating in it is dangerous, and only experienced captains dare to make the trip.
Braving the dangers, the Terran Alliance has set up station to harvest some exotic materials -attracting other independents in the process. It is one of those mining colonies that first detected organic compounds of unknown nature in the cloud. Some claim the new self-replicating amino-acids are proof of some very early life -others say that hard radiation makes such claims preposterous.
The Khaos cloud came into existence during the cataclysm, when the Gate connected to another young universe. In the few moments the connection was effective, the wormhole spewed billions of tons of dust and light debris with great force and created a titanic spiraling maelstrom. The cloud ultimately settled into orbit between Mars and its Belt. The Khaos cloud contains all sorts of minerals, dust and mysterious corrosive mists: navigating in it is dangerous, and only experienced captains dare to make the trip.
Braving the dangers, the Terran Alliance has set up station to harvest some exotic materials -attracting other independents in the process. It is one of those mining colonies that first detected organic compounds of unknown nature in the cloud. Some claim the new self-replicating amino-acids are proof of some very early life -others say that hard radiation makes such claims preposterous.
NEFERIS GRAVEYARD
The Neferis debris field or graveyard is a battle site filled with flotsam, derelicts and vestiges of spaceships. It is around this location that a century ago the Terran Alliance fought and routed an ancient faction knows as Carthago. Carthago was a dynamic coalition of fringe fiefdoms, mostly made of belligerent miners and small orbitals. Through aggressive trade and clever use of advanced genetics, it became a major faction in the Sol system, almost rivaling the Terran Alliance in power.
This did not last: after an economical feud, the Alliance sought out and engaged the Carthagian confederate fleet. What followed is still considered the biggest battle in space: hundreds of ships fought for days until superior firepower and computer hacking allowed the Terran Alliance to prevail. The victory was nevertheless Pyrrhic in the sense that even though Carthago was defeated and ultimately scattered, the Alliance lost so many ships it could not resist the ascent of New Mars anymore.
The Neferis debris field or graveyard is a battle site filled with flotsam, derelicts and vestiges of spaceships. It is around this location that a century ago the Terran Alliance fought and routed an ancient faction knows as Carthago. Carthago was a dynamic coalition of fringe fiefdoms, mostly made of belligerent miners and small orbitals. Through aggressive trade and clever use of advanced genetics, it became a major faction in the Sol system, almost rivaling the Terran Alliance in power.
This did not last: after an economical feud, the Alliance sought out and engaged the Carthagian confederate fleet. What followed is still considered the biggest battle in space: hundreds of ships fought for days until superior firepower and computer hacking allowed the Terran Alliance to prevail. The victory was nevertheless Pyrrhic in the sense that even though Carthago was defeated and ultimately scattered, the Alliance lost so many ships it could not resist the ascent of New Mars anymore.
POSEIDON
This massive asteroid came into the solar system through the Gate recently, and caused quite a stir among the factions. Given its strange shape and density, many expert systems are inclined to think that Poseidon is an artifact, not a natural occurrence. Early miners brought back scans of complex caves and hive-like structures below the surface -but a spate of weird accidents quickly prompted the mining operations to stop. Now hardly anyone approaches Poseidon anymore.
Poseidon's orbit is elliptical and off the ecliptic: it occasionally goes through Mars' asteroid field and close to Gaia's belt.
This massive asteroid came into the solar system through the Gate recently, and caused quite a stir among the factions. Given its strange shape and density, many expert systems are inclined to think that Poseidon is an artifact, not a natural occurrence. Early miners brought back scans of complex caves and hive-like structures below the surface -but a spate of weird accidents quickly prompted the mining operations to stop. Now hardly anyone approaches Poseidon anymore.
Poseidon's orbit is elliptical and off the ecliptic: it occasionally goes through Mars' asteroid field and close to Gaia's belt.
ACHERON CLOUD
This Acheron Cloud is an anomaly. It is ancient by cataclysm standards, but is still emits much more energy than it receives -a fact unexplained so far. Its gravity signature means that it is mostly made of common and dark matters but also of some exotic monopole string structures. If so, this cloud is a very thin envelope leading to some other universe: in other words, the whole space-time membrane has caved in within it.
The clouds herein sometimes consume dense matter (such as ships), and cosmic particle storms can black-out communications or sensors for hours on end. Some data suggest that this environment may be very friendly to some extra-solar lifeforms.
Unsurprisingly, hardly anyone is very much keen on investigating.
This Acheron Cloud is an anomaly. It is ancient by cataclysm standards, but is still emits much more energy than it receives -a fact unexplained so far. Its gravity signature means that it is mostly made of common and dark matters but also of some exotic monopole string structures. If so, this cloud is a very thin envelope leading to some other universe: in other words, the whole space-time membrane has caved in within it.
The clouds herein sometimes consume dense matter (such as ships), and cosmic particle storms can black-out communications or sensors for hours on end. Some data suggest that this environment may be very friendly to some extra-solar lifeforms.
Unsurprisingly, hardly anyone is very much keen on investigating.
FIELDS OF ASPHODEL
An ever-changing asteroid field of extra-solar origin, the asphodel chaotic system -as many A.Is systems call it- has resisted any attempt at mapping or surveying it. As it exited the Gate until just a few years ago at great speed, it is made of very fast and unpredictable chunks of rock. Most rocks are soon captured by Jupiter or ejected away, but those that remain offer great rewards at a tremendous risk: the asteroids are made of the heaviest material, but it takes both luck and guts to avoid getting smashed to pieces by them. Only the foolest or bravest dare establish a foothold there.
An ever-changing asteroid field of extra-solar origin, the asphodel chaotic system -as many A.Is systems call it- has resisted any attempt at mapping or surveying it. As it exited the Gate until just a few years ago at great speed, it is made of very fast and unpredictable chunks of rock. Most rocks are soon captured by Jupiter or ejected away, but those that remain offer great rewards at a tremendous risk: the asteroids are made of the heaviest material, but it takes both luck and guts to avoid getting smashed to pieces by them. Only the foolest or bravest dare establish a foothold there.
THE REALM OF HADES
Right after the cataclysm, when the wormhole Gate disconnected itself from the birthing universe, hell was born. The Realm of Hades is indeed the closest to human hell any location around the Sun could be. A dark and hostile cloud of radioactive matter, it slowly orbits around the Gate, and flashes once in a while when the Gate switches on and connects to a random universe. No one dares venture close to the Realm, except perhaps some damned souls that seek death -or some sort of salvation.
People whisper the most terrific stories about the Realm: ghosts, ghouls, monsters large as asteroids are told to inhabit the cloud. The distant patrols around the edges of the Realm have yet to report such events -but there are sailors that say they have seen things. Things that since then haunt their dreams, just like they stalk unwary prey in the Underworld.
Right after the cataclysm, when the wormhole Gate disconnected itself from the birthing universe, hell was born. The Realm of Hades is indeed the closest to human hell any location around the Sun could be. A dark and hostile cloud of radioactive matter, it slowly orbits around the Gate, and flashes once in a while when the Gate switches on and connects to a random universe. No one dares venture close to the Realm, except perhaps some damned souls that seek death -or some sort of salvation.
People whisper the most terrific stories about the Realm: ghosts, ghouls, monsters large as asteroids are told to inhabit the cloud. The distant patrols around the edges of the Realm have yet to report such events -but there are sailors that say they have seen things. Things that since then haunt their dreams, just like they stalk unwary prey in the Underworld.
MERCURY
Sino-pakistani companies had built orbital installations to accelerate the radioactive isotopes mined within Mercury back to the Moon, but the stations have stopped functioning. Some automated ground installations could still be operating though.
Mercury has been littered with foreign asteroids, destroying many stations and surface installations.
One station has been taken over by an enterprising merchant who sells energy and radioactive materials to traders.
A small community of pioneers has started to form inside his station.
Sino-pakistani companies had built orbital installations to accelerate the radioactive isotopes mined within Mercury back to the Moon, but the stations have stopped functioning. Some automated ground installations could still be operating though.
Mercury has been littered with foreign asteroids, destroying many stations and surface installations.
One station has been taken over by an enterprising merchant who sells energy and radioactive materials to traders.
A small community of pioneers has started to form inside his station.
VENUS
A recurring utopia, the terraforming of Venus started and stopped several times, but always met disaster sooner or later. Giant mirrors, nano-machines, genetically engineered thermophile bacterias, all failed to tame the runaway greenhouse effect in Venus' atmosphere.
Only two floating settlements survive, by the sheer will to live. One has devolved into a cannibalistic society, the other into a ultra-orthodox religious sect. Exchanges with the outside are limited both by technical difficulties and the lack of interest to communicate. Indeed, with the planet's surface still above 300 degrees, there is not much incentive to do anything with Venusians at the moment.
A recurring utopia, the terraforming of Venus started and stopped several times, but always met disaster sooner or later. Giant mirrors, nano-machines, genetically engineered thermophile bacterias, all failed to tame the runaway greenhouse effect in Venus' atmosphere.
Only two floating settlements survive, by the sheer will to live. One has devolved into a cannibalistic society, the other into a ultra-orthodox religious sect. Exchanges with the outside are limited both by technical difficulties and the lack of interest to communicate. Indeed, with the planet's surface still above 300 degrees, there is not much incentive to do anything with Venusians at the moment.
JUPITER
The gas giant is of course uninhabited, but its upper atmosphere is home to dozens of helium-4 harvesters. Those floating factories extract the rare gas from Jupiter and send it to some far-away orbitals, to be used aboard fusion engines. The very high radiation levels around the planet forbid the presence of anything but the sturdiest machine -no human can get close to Jupiter and expect to survive. Older anti-matter factories are also know to be drifting in the clouds, but one wonders how many are still functioning.
It is rumored that the Hydra Artificial Intelligence hive originates from some factory around Jupiter, and some say that the Hydra mindcore still resides there.
The gas giant is of course uninhabited, but its upper atmosphere is home to dozens of helium-4 harvesters. Those floating factories extract the rare gas from Jupiter and send it to some far-away orbitals, to be used aboard fusion engines. The very high radiation levels around the planet forbid the presence of anything but the sturdiest machine -no human can get close to Jupiter and expect to survive. Older anti-matter factories are also know to be drifting in the clouds, but one wonders how many are still functioning.
It is rumored that the Hydra Artificial Intelligence hive originates from some factory around Jupiter, and some say that the Hydra mindcore still resides there.
GANYMEDE
After Europa, the oldest colony of the outer solar system. Ganymede is covered with a thick mantle of dirty water ice, but below lies a warm underground ocean. These waters are home to the fantastic inverted islands of Ganymede. The mobile islands live by extracting minerals from the ocean floor and filtering the water for deuterium, a standard fusion fuel.
Not much is known about the whereabouts of the colonists, or even their level of development.
After Europa, the oldest colony of the outer solar system. Ganymede is covered with a thick mantle of dirty water ice, but below lies a warm underground ocean. These waters are home to the fantastic inverted islands of Ganymede. The mobile islands live by extracting minerals from the ocean floor and filtering the water for deuterium, a standard fusion fuel.
Not much is known about the whereabouts of the colonists, or even their level of development.
EUROPA
The oldest colony beyond the Martian Belt, Europa was thriving after the cataclysm, until all the colonists were suddenly wiped out. One would suspect that the culprit is the Hydra A.I. hivemind, but there is no proof as yet. The latest information gathered by unmanned probes would seem to indicate that the installations are still intact -but no one seems to have gone there and returned.
The oldest colony beyond the Martian Belt, Europa was thriving after the cataclysm, until all the colonists were suddenly wiped out. One would suspect that the culprit is the Hydra A.I. hivemind, but there is no proof as yet. The latest information gathered by unmanned probes would seem to indicate that the installations are still intact -but no one seems to have gone there and returned.
IO
The volcanic moon of Jupiter is home to the famous mining centipede robota. These massive automatic refineries extract ore from the surface and send it to orbitals above. Not one human lives on the moon, as radiation belts around the gas giant forbid it.
The volcanic moon of Jupiter is home to the famous mining centipede robota. These massive automatic refineries extract ore from the surface and send it to orbitals above. Not one human lives on the moon, as radiation belts around the gas giant forbid it.
TROJAN ASTEROIDS
These asteroid clusters share the same orbit as Jupiter, and drift around the two Lagrangian points of the duo Sol-Jupiter. They shelter a few gangs of pirates or freelancers.
These asteroid clusters share the same orbit as Jupiter, and drift around the two Lagrangian points of the duo Sol-Jupiter. They shelter a few gangs of pirates or freelancers.
TITAN
The current largest settlement beyond the Martian Belt, Titan has a thick atmosphere and inner seas of frozen methane. It is home to a thriving array of settlements.
The current largest settlement beyond the Martian Belt, Titan has a thick atmosphere and inner seas of frozen methane. It is home to a thriving array of settlements.
ENCELADUS
No one lives anymore in the ghost crystal cities of Enceladus, only decorporates and insane A.Is.
No one lives anymore in the ghost crystal cities of Enceladus, only decorporates and insane A.Is.
TRITON
The last outpost before the faraway Kuiper Belt or Oort Cloud, Uranus' moon Triton was abandoned after the cataclysm. Some splinters of data suggest that the installations on this moon where of the military type -perhaps some experimental weaponry development and testing grounds of some kind.
The last outpost before the faraway Kuiper Belt or Oort Cloud, Uranus' moon Triton was abandoned after the cataclysm. Some splinters of data suggest that the installations on this moon where of the military type -perhaps some experimental weaponry development and testing grounds of some kind.