It is the beginning of the 23rd century, and the human race is experiencing a time of intergalactic expansion and previously unimagined economic prosperity. Brought back from the brink of extinction in the middle of the 21st century due to climate catastrophe on Earth, humans have begun to thrive.
On Earth, Democracy has been systematically replaced by the rise of the Corporate Republic. The six largest of these are Freedom Unlimited, the Russia Korporation, China Tech, Sasol-Bidcorp Africa, SABIC International (based in Qatar, Inc.), and Cielo Latinoamérica. In the year 2040, these six companies took over the administration of government of their respective countries (the US, Russia, China, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico respectively) and immediately signed a geographical non-compete and economic cooperation treaty. In the same year, all six countries withdrew from the United Nations (pressuring other countries to do the same), they voided all previously made trade agreements, and then unilaterally established a parent company, the Pазвитие-擴張-Fuerza Company (abbreviated PZFC), to oversee international trade, diplomatic relations, and economic development on their behalf. It is estimated that in the year our story begins, 83% of the world’s terrestrial population live and die under the terms and conditions of these six companies, and over 74% of all humanity, work, in some way, for the PZFC.
Beyond Earth, humans have expanded beyond the atmosphere, establishing small scientific and mining colonies on Mars (2057) and Venus (2114), and establishing the first permanent, non-planetary settlement known as the ARK, a mega-spacecraft orbiting the sun between Earth and Venus (construction began in 2104; permanent residents began settling in 2109; it was completed in 2192). They have also begun to expand beyond our solar system, sending three humanned space crafts to different destinations in deep space. Along the way, those ships encountered and established peace treaties with four sentient, non-human races, and sent envoys home with each to establish embassies on their home planets. They in turn accepted envoys from each to do the same on Earth.
Approaching the 150 year anniversary of the first humanned mission to deep space (it predated the three mentioned above and is considered the first human tragedy to transcend national boundaries; communication with the ship was lost 42 years after its launch and was never heard from again), which was sent in a time of hopelessness and desperation, it is now a time of celebration, glory, and prosperity for humanity on Earth. Celebration, Olympic-like Games, and Excessive Mirth reign across the planet’s surface.
Our story begins, however, quite some distance away. It is the year 2212 and we’re aboard the RRV Guinevere, a research and reconnaissance vessel crewed by 47 souls from five different species, approaching a previously unexplored system where the potential for liquid water has been established. Admiral Wheaton Jackoboice is alone on the bridge, awaiting a message from Earth Command.
Hosted and narrated by:
Jakers (Jakey)
Started 05/28/19.
Scenes played: 1
License: Community License
