Days of Future Past…

Many historians will argue on what event, or more precisely, string of events actually opened The First Space Age of Man. From commercial low orbital passenger and cargo flights, to the first private space station, to the exploration of the outer rim of the Terran solar system and the discovery of its ninth planet, or the first cures concocted on the Lunar Research Facility; there are many things that one could point to and say that it had ushered in The First Space Age of Man. Perhaps there will never be a definitive answer. However, no one can argue about what brought this all too brief period of Earth history to a close.

As technology and science grew, so did social and political unrest through out what was known as “The First World”. This destabilization cascaded rapidly through the rest of the then nations of the Earth. And within an estimated century The First Space Age of Man came to an abrupt close with the coming of The Greatest World War.

Many of the records from this time period are now lost, but what is known is that, at its height, the period known as The Greatest World War encompassed every major nation. Smaller ones were, quite literally in some cases, wiped from the map. Eventually, as war tactics grew more subversive under a new type of warfare called “terrorism”, so too did international treachery. There are a number of surviving documents that indicate that at least two of the major governing nations of the time fractured, turning on themselves. Battle fronts were drawn on every shore and against every nation, until finally practically the entire world was at war. Devastation was wreaked across the whole of the planet. Estimates are unclear as to the population at the time the war began, but, census taken during The Reconstruction put the entire post war population at just under one billion.

The entirety of the war lasted only one generation.

During the period called The Reconstruction, many of the orbital stations regained contact with each other and the Lunar Research Facility. Now considering themselves emancipated from Earth, they formed a union that was to be called The Space Nations; which included all four original orbital platform stations, the Lunar Research Facility, and the three new platforms assembled entirely from materials and labor from the cooperation of the other Space Nations.

At some point, though how is now lost to history, a viable habitat had been establish on Mars by tech giant American Frontiers; named for the country of its origin. Having been a manufacturer of automated and robotic goods, as well as an arms developer leading up to The Greatest World War, American Frontiers had spearheaded a research mission to Mars with the intent of turning it into a habitable planet. When the war broke out, those on Mars found themselves stranded, but moved ahead with the project. Eventually American Frontiers would move its entire base of operation to Mars following The Techno Progression Cap Act; which severely limited technological advancements in an effort to curb the possibility of another cataclysmic war on earth. Now Universal Frontiers, their project grew across all of Mars, until the entire planet, now a lush, populated world, became one global corporation.

Cooperation within The Space Nations along with Universal Frontiers launched The Second Space Age of Man, which spanned some ten centuries. During this time mankind established many new colonies and stations, terra formed new worlds, developed new technologies, and explored new philosophies. In fact, many historians look at this period in human history as The Space Renaissance, as it paralleled the first renaissance of ancient Earth.

As mankind spread out, it established new colonies on worlds it found. Life was discovered to be abundant across the galaxy, as many worlds were found that had suitable habitats, or environments that were easily adjustable to their needs. Though, through all of man’s exploration of the stars, no other intelligent life was discovered.

As time and distance grew, colonies gave way to nations, and worlds begin to establish themselves sovereign from the home system. Cultures formed within the nations of these worlds, and each in turn begin to develop an entire history and future course separate from each other, and the Martian-Earth system. While none of these worlds ever managed to unite as a whole, nations within them, as well as between them, continued to trade and engage in economic exchange. And, as such, war on each other, as well.

Nations and worlds that remained loyal to the home system created a confederation with each other to strengthen their position inside the known galaxy, at that time. Under a massive political movement, the home system, and these outer worlds created The United Corporate Commonwealth. Modeled after the encompassing business structure of Universal Frontiers, the UCC began to organize, regulate, and patrol shipping lanes through all known space. It actively sided in territorial disputes, trade agreements, and militarized aggressions with the intent to create stability and order.

As its power grew, it began to invite worlds to join. In some cases it asserted its authority in annexing worlds for the betterment of that world and the surrounding systems. As it did so, knowledge, technology, and free trade grew within its territories, enriching the lives of countless billions. Outside of still standing independent worlds, and the frontier, the UCC became the dominate power within known space.    

It is also interesting to note that not all of mankind shared in this expansive time and prosperity. Those among the population of Earth had adopted a policy of isolationism. Trading was limited, as well as off and on world visitation. As previously stated, technology and technological advancement had been strictly controlled on earth through The Techno Progression Act in the hopes of preventing the kind of runaway societies that were believed to have led to The Greatest World War. However, this isn’t to say that Earth had nothing to contribute. With the blending of the planet’s populous also came a new breed of philosophy and thinking that was more spiritual and human based. These new ways of thinking had profound effect on mankind as it reached out into deep space.

The Second Space Age of Man came to a close when, at a gas mining and trade station designated 77 Alpha, first alien contact was established. A small exploration vehicle made approach and eventually docked at the station. After a labored diplomatic process, communication and trade were established. Through exchange it was learned that mankind was, indeed, the first of its cosmic generation to reach the stars, and was actually a millennium ahead of its nearest neighbor.

The Third Space Age of Man opened with joint exploration of the galaxy, revealing three other species of intelligent life at various stages of social development. Spearheaded by the UCC, as well as other private groups, like The Adventurers Society, the now four known species were brought together in trade; eventually making treaty agreements with, and finally joining the UCC.

To date, with some estimated 60 per cent of the galaxy explored, there have been discovered two more sentient species, and at least one “emerging” species; which are life forms on the verge of social evolution and awareness. Of these, one has been successfully absorbed by the UCC, bringing them up to the advanced levels of Corporate Sector standards. The other, however, has been moved to an observational status following the three unsuccessful attempts to be included, which have ended in military actions at great costs to both sides; a race called the Sarkun, which have proved a formidable and adaptive peoples. Any contact with the Sarkun is considered forbidden within the UCC, and is generally considered not wise among unaffiliated worlds.

The Third Space Age of Man will soon be closing its third generation. It is a time of great exploration as the UCC looks to solidify its position in the known galaxy. Much has been learned, and only greater things can lie on the horizon…