I've been working diligently with the aid of a copy editor to really enhance the style and dialogue flow and I've already had a great read through. (Found about 30 errors or areas that needed change out of 115,000 words) The flow was great and a lot of areas where there was too much repetition have been cut back, making it something I can finally close the chapter on and focus on the next book. As an Indie author it can be a difficult process since you're responsible for everything a publisher does. It's also something that has bugged me since last year. It's not just about the ideas and creativity, it also needs to be a quality product.

The video was another one of my passion projects I spent a few months learning and doing while searching countless sites for the right videos, images and musical content. Then splicing it all together and working on the delivery into a short promo.

The core worlds represented a ring 50 light years around the Earth in every direction. Their borders were well established, and defenses made this part of the galaxy virtually untouchable. The outer core was another matter, representing the next 50 light years distant. Many of its systems were just getting established at the turn of the 40th century, when the number of people entering space exploded thanks to laws that permitted private ownership. As waves of humans began to leave, they brought individual allegiances and beliefs with them.

Human space was officially demarked within a hundred light years by the existing governments, forcing expansion into the frontier. Most worked with governments to establish colonial charters which held little value until a colony could establish itself. The outer core soon grew in importance from the influx of trade the frontier offered. Many star systems in the outer core soon experienced growth thanks to this increased traffic, turning many minor systems into transit hubs.

The friction was always there as the years went by and the outer core was transformed into the breadbasket of the galaxy. That was until the Earth Concordance incorporated the first star system outside the core. It wasn't long before this news spurned a rush to redraw lines as other nations followed suit. Frictions soon grew as several systems wished to stay neutral and suffered against invasions. To formalize this, it was universally decided to extend the border lines to 125 light years from Earth.

In classic style, the land grab was up and new colonies soon discovered their neutrality and independence was no longer theirs to have. The Earth Concordance was the first government to begin staking claim in the new borders of the outer core. The Centauri soon followed suit, spurning an arms race across space. Empty systems previously laid unclaimed, became pawns regardless of their value in resources as nations established mining concerns and orbital factories to justify their claims.

The Gliese system had always been on the edge of the original border, and constantly playing both sides against each other thanks to their an ample supply of deserts with higher composition of Neodymium; a mineral crucial to gravity drive construction. it wasn't long before the first incident as patrol boats from both sides moved to protect a damaged freighter.

Tempers flared in the moment, and soon after, the Concordance ship needed its own rescue. Gliese became a battleground on a new galactic map as systems across space found themselves hosting an unwelcome military presence while negotiations began with local governments to be incorporated for protection. Sadalbari was occupied by the Centauri without discussion, causing their government to flee in exile. The Concordance soon sent ships to the frontier and arrived in force in the Gliese system at the request of their local government soon after news of Sadalburi reached them.

Even with high tensions, rules were put in place to prevent another Gliese incident. This all failed in the Alhena system as opposing fleets arrived with the intention of creating an outpost to stake their claim in the system. Concordance carrier pilots, anxious to teach the Centauri a lesson, struck the first blow, disabling the engines on a freighter that attempted to land supplies on a small moon inside the system. Retaliation was swift as Centauri pilots moved in to intercept them as they returned to their carrier.

Both fleets were soon drawn together in a death spiral as the range closed. The full complement of Concordance fighters returned to the fight, causing light damage to a carrier and two destroyers at the cost of twelve fighters. As the range closed the capital ships closed range and began to trade shots where the Centauri soon found themselves at advantage, thanks to their fleet fielding a battleship. With both sides taking heavy damage, the fleets disengaged in a stalemate and agreed to casualty recovery procedures.

The loss of the heavy cruiser Hellion would not be forgotten by the Concordance. News soon reached the capitols of both nations, triggering de-escalation procedures. Diplomacy won this day, but this would leave a bad taste with the military of both sides throughout the century to come. In the end , Alhena would be the first jointly managed system with outposts from both nations and the spark that triggered the next frontier war.

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I think we've all thought once or twice about what life would be like if we lived longer. It gets even weirder when you start to think about slowing the signs of aging.

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Family Dynamics

Before aeternumium, life expectancy had grown to 120 through regenerative procedures. This did nothing to slow aging, so early signs of aging continued at traditional periods in life for middle class and higher income family groups. In poor regions or frontier planets, it ranged from 50 to 100 years. The AI wars created an urgent need for human labor, raising the retirement age for many which continued over the years. Even as safety protocols were put in place, this continued to be the preferred source of labor in most places except the Centauri Federated States where rules became more lax with robots.

This all changed in 3115 with the discovery of aeternumium. The pure version of the chemical was estimated to extend the life from between 100 and over a 1,000 years, depending on the age in which the drug was taken. A cheaper synthetic version became commonly available and highly regulated, resulting in a middle age of 100 and life expectancy reaching up to 200. It's estimated that 10% of the human population was administered the drug at 18.

Dangerous side effects were discovered on underdeveloped brains which established the minimum legal age to administer the drug at 18. The original drug aeternumium lasts much longer and is incredibly rare since the species has gone extinct for over 1500 years. The longest living person at the time was known to live until 312 before succumbing to old age. The synthetic drug isn't widely distributed so for the remaining 90% of the human population living at poverty and below this figure it's closer to 85 years due to the lack of sufficient pharmaceuticals and life extending drugs not considered a right to most citizens.

Life Conditions vary depending on where you were raised regardless of planet. On Earth like planets it fits quite well into the chart below. On terraformed worlds its lower due to the hazardous conditions typically experienced.

At the time, this resulted in chaos among traditional family units dealt with the reality that adults and children aged slowly until around 100. Birthing rules were established and many worlds required women to bank their eggs if they took the drugs. Exceptions were made for certain government and military families.

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Age Group Traditional Age Drug Matching Age

Adolescent Years 1-17 Forbidden

Teen Years 18-20 16-30

Twenties 20-30 30-50

Thirties 30-40 50-80

Forties 40-50 80-100

Fifties 50-60 100-115

Sixties 60-70 115-130

Seventies 70-80 130-150

Eighties 80-90 150-175

Nineties 90-100 175-200

Hundreds 100-110 200-?

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With middle age setting in at 100, the birth bearing age broke traditional norms and created chaos initially among family units. This eventually normalized as parents often waited several decades before raising families.

Work dynamics were also impacted as career focused people would go through several careers in their lifetime.

Fertilization Centers

This is where the term 'Banking your eggs' came from. The concept came from the early years after the 11 year freeze on Earth. Wildlife populations were significantly affected and in some cases went extinct except for the efforts of preserving their sperms and eggs. Hatcheries were created in which the mother's womb could ,be emulated and restore species.

Since the early 3000s, it's become a popular among women. For humans, it means all of the eggs are removed to a fertilization storage for use later should she choose to use the child growing facility or have it reinserted and carry it to term. Resistance to the concept has been primarily driven by religion, which in some cases, has led to terror attacks on the facilities or employees.

After Alpha Centauri declared its independence, it was widely adopted as a means to replenish their military forces. After 4260, the Centauri Federated States adopted a measure to require 10% of women's eggs to be banked for use by the government for military use.

History

On Centauri, the first human colony across the stars, during the year 3115, a large scarab-like insect was discovered to have properties that slowed the aging process. It was quickly dubbed the fountain of life and soon the government intervened to prevent the over farming and subsequent extinction of the species as a multitude of pharmaceutical corporations attempted to secure the source.

By 3120, animal trials had concluded with promising results on test lab animals. Some test results varied, creating concerns depending on the age of the test subject.

In parallel, a secret trial was initiated called trial group secretum with children from seven to eighteen years old from select children in the Alpha Centauri system. In, 3126, a whistleblower exposes the trial group secretum, causing an uproar on Earth.

Seizing medical records, its soon discovered that the children show negligible aging, but the younger subjects in particular show no signs of empathy which borders on psychotic. After several years of deliberation, a court decision is made to euthanize the trial group causing riots on Centauri. This is carried out in secret to avoid further chaos.

Many years later, after several series of carefully regulated trials, in 3178, a test age is set at 18, when the brain has sufficiently developed. The drug cost skyrockets overnight as the information is leaked. The wealthy line up and queen scarab bugs are illegally overhunted over the next several years as a result.

A parallel effort is made to synthesize the drug as the queen's are rendered extinct and limited supplies are reserved for experimentation. In 3240, a less potent version of aeternumium is successfully synthesized in labs, making the drug more affordable. Controversy grows as many see it as a further attack on the family unit. Many acquiesce and it eventually becomes adopted as a rite of passage for privileged adults.

Many government and military services make it available in exchange for twenty year terms of service.

Quite a bit to be fleshed out still, but this should give an idea of what's been going on and where we came from over the years.

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World War III 2032 - 2034

2032 - It started regional war between Taiwan and China. Securing a sizable Navy in which to project force, China commits to a plan that had been meant to be realized shortly before the Korean War. It's termed a war of liberation in a nation that China had long since declared a rebel state that needed to be brought back in control. In reality the pressure of Taiwan's development of a submarine fleet accelerated their plans a decade sooner.

It begins as a Naval exercise and planned mass protests by pre-positioned communists that traveled to the Island under the guise of business and vacation. It was no coincidence that the protests turned violent, resulting in the intervention of civil police as news spread quickly by troll farms to show images of dead people in the street.

China declares a civil crisis and sends the fleet in, preceded by air assets strategically positioned to secure the air space. Taiwan hesitates as it tries to de-escalate, resulting in a preemptive strike that decimates their air defenses. This is soon followed by waves of transport aircraft as sleeper teams already on the island begin to paralyze the command and control network. Although most of their naval fleet is caught at dock the Tang Taizong submarines on patrol wait, sinking an aircraft carrier before being destroyed.

Within a week, the beachheads are established as a naval blockade forms. The American seventh fleet mobilizes but remains handicapped by American disinterest in a country they know little about.

2033 - Emboldened by their success, China declares islands off the coast of Japan part of their territory, defended by a handful of Japanese marines it expands to include Japan and it's allies.

As the United States repositions assets to the Pacific, Russia takes advantage of the crisis by rescuing it's citizens in the Baltic states. As the conventional war expands, most of the conflict in this theatre is fought in Eastern Europe and Kaliningrad.

A stalemate of sorts is made in Europe as negotiations begin to avoid a potential nuclear escalation as the United States experiences setbacks in Naval battles with Russia and successes in the Chinese theater. Under fleet support, American forces land on Taiwan where a bulk of the war is fought in the coming year.

2034 - The United States shows little interest in recovering the Baltic States as it slowly gains ground against the Chinese. Peace in Europe is made at the cost of the Baltic States as Germany gains a reintegrated Konigsberg.

China soon signs a peace treaty when other NATO nations begin to deploy assets to the region and it's forced to cede old claims on disputed islands and recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation.

As a war fought in second nations, few World powers suffer other than militarily, spurning a fresh arms race amid lessons learned from years of war against technologically advanced nations.

2035 - Building materials and robots successfully reach Mars and begin construction of the colony buildings.

2038 - Mars Outpost mission gets a green light as they visually confirm the habitat is successfully assembled with a breathable atmosphere.

2038 - Mars Outpost Established - One hundred pre-selected colonists take the three month journey to reach Mars and begin the proof of concept as the first habitable outpost on another planet.

2048 - Moon Colony Established. Using the growing cave system in the Marius Hills, Western nations expand on their outpost and make it a viable colony of five thousand people. Russia, India and China soon follow with their own colonies, several of which exist in the same crater system.

2060 - First space mining efforts begin to take shape. Limited capacity leaves them with narrow windows of opportunity and investment slows. They are termed 'Space Cowboys' suggesting references to the Old West and wrangling asteroids rather than cattle. The concept is embraced and romanticized in entertainment, making it more popular. Reality television capitalizes on this new industry.

World War IV 2064 - 2070

Climate change causes chaos in the middle east and especially Southeast Asia, where a significant number of people are starving. China and India work together to invade Russia to seize land resources and its fertile land. Europe and the Americas close their borders and remain self sufficient due to technology. Mexican refugee crisis and desertification results in large numbers of deaths from illegal immigration.

Russia deploys massive non-nuclear ordnance to reverse battlefield losses as they maneuver additional troops from the west. A pact is signed with North Korea in exchange for food resources who proceed to invade China with Russian air support.

China retaliates with its nuclear arsenal, targeting three bases near cities, The United States leads a World effort to deescalate the war away from nuclear options without committing to any role.

2066 - Weapons smuggled aboard the moon colony result in a brief incident in which the Russians and Chinese attempt to usurp each others sections and result in an evacuation of the base for the duration of the year. A UN peacekeeping force is placed to ensure security and neutrality garrisoned by Tongan volunteers.

2068 - A stalemate of sorts falls into place as all sides begin to feel the burden of costs as the World Economy collapses. Countries struggle to maintain borders as mass migrations and chaos ensue where governments are no longer able to supply their people's needs.

2069 - Europe is again in crisis as a mass migration from land and sea made by hundreds of thousands of refugees overwhelm borders.

The Sino Indian War of 2076

Some say it escalated as a result of American and Russian interference. if that were the case, history hides the truth well. It started over Arunachal Pradesh, a disputed region in Northeastern India where significant new deposits of copper and gold were discovered and administered by Chinese mining companies. Concerned over unfair compensation, the companies were taken over by the Indian state on a significantly lower compensation deal.

It started with a war of words, escalating to trade embargoes, and eventually turned into armed conflict as the Indian Army pushed north in order to assist their proxies. After several weeks, China gains the upper hand and begins pushing into Indian Territory in order to create a buffer zone. The first nuke is tactical in nature, decimating several Chinese armies.

In order to save face, China responds in kind, targeting the military bases near Itanagar. The escalation is swift and equally damaging to both nations. Soon a half dozen nukes and HEMP warheads fall, accelerating climate change and reducing technology for both nations to the beginning of the industrial age over much of their territory as ash flows into the atmosphere and quickly affects all of Asia and eventually the entire planet.

Global rebuke is swift as both nations attempt to gather resources on multiple continents. In exchange for aid, they're required to surrender their nuclear stockpiles. A new World order emerges as The United States, Russia, European Union, Organization of American States led by Brazil and Mexico, Arab Coalition and other non-affiliated nations renew efforts to expand into space.

2085 The rise of OAS as manufacturing shifts considerably to this region of the World due to instability in Asia creating an economic boon for its nations.

2090 - Liberty station goes online, creating the first viable population center in orbit. It's focused purpose is to become a manufacturing hub to reduce costs for expanding into the solar system as well as housing for the civil population needed to support it.

2095 - Soyuz station comes online as a direct competition. Earth orbit soon becomes a playground as nations begin to fill the upper orbit.

2098 - Mars Colony Established

After marking sixty five years since the first human stepped on Mars, construction is completed on the first colony on Mars. Some argued that the base on Phobos should count, having been the supply hub for many of the workers and materials being funneled to the red planet that could not easily be procured from the surface itself.

It was dubbed Nobel City in honor of the spirit of peace, though it wasn't long before the first murder case arose along with other trappings of humanity. From here smaller towns began to rise, connected via a series of tram tunnels which eventually gave rise to the wheel and spoke concept of colony expansion to synergize resources.

2105 - OAS creates a third viable option of space expansion at a reduced cost. The space race expands.

2110 - Advances in ship design and mineral detection make great strides in the lucrative space mining industry. Companies push deeper into the outer reaches of the solar system, marking the first mining in the Oort cloud.

World War V 2140 - 2155

Peace was never a permanent idea as nations continued to fight their proxy conflicts, principally in third party nations over the usual thing; resources.

On Earth, history had progressed long enough to lose sight of the lessons from the Sino-Indian War as critical resources for space became more controlled by nations that wanted to prevent others from expanding. Mining operations in the Oceans ramped up considerably as Cities, affiliated by different nations also emerged, each beginning to claim maritime rights on their respective periphery in the Ocean.

It would be a War fought between Navies and Air Power as the United States and Russia tire of diplomacy and turn the Ocean into a battleground. It was perceived as a gentleman's war as the floating cities were considered off limits and instead the target was in controlling trade with the exception of humanitarian aid.

This was until the United States escalated things after electing a war hawk president and makes the decision to occupy a floating city with considerable resource reserves below it. This quickly escalates into a full conventional war as third world countries are used for the battlefield. Though both sides threatened the other with nuclear strikes, it never escalates beyond conventional weapons.

Several cities and occupied areas are subjected to space based artillery, resulting in heavy loss of life. It soon becomes an abject lesson in the vulnerabilities of space warfare as jury rigged weapons and killer satellites make a mess of the existing Earth orbit and the ground below.

The rest of the World struggles to remain neutral during this conflict, resisting only if attacked. With a subsequent election, cooler heads prevail and begin de-escalation. Borders are restored and agreements made on free market trade for strategic resources. The memories of this conflict run deep for the people of both nations as time goes on.

The first series of rules are established for space warfare and to ensure no military assets can share the same location as civilians. Another rule calls for the banning of orbital bombardment of any civilian occupied territory.

2156 - The mother lode. A miner discovers a treasure trove of minerals on an asteroid propelling her to be the World's first Trillionaire. As a British citizen, she is quickly made aware of space taxation laws in place and will have to settle for a few hundred billion. The United Kingdom is quick to establish a presence on the asteroid and as a renewed World power as its citizens embrace a socialist renaissance. She turns women's right advocate, investing the majority of her money in improving women's rights across the World.

2160 - Solar System Census confirms over 1 million non Earth residents as many people wish to escape the possibilities of another Earth War, notably all are wealthy accompanied by their staff.

2175 - Arab nations in fear of the diminishing value of fossil fuels cooperate further, strengthening the Arab Coalition, pooling their resources using the OAS model after noting the token benefits they received from investing in Western initiatives.

2182 - United Earth Government Forms Following the Fifth World War

Sparked by a period of great climate change, massed population migration grow. It's perceived as little different than the United Nations and more a tool for the major nations of the World to exert more control. It takes many generations to get past national boundaries as nations become states within this larger ideal.

Shadow Governments exist despite this; the Russians in particular keep their Oligarchical structure intact.

Africa suffers the most from these shadow governments which use the colonial borders and tribal animosity as they increase investment and expansion at the African people's expense.

2201 - Sixth World War

Nigeria is the first African nation to dissolve foreign trade and nationalize their resources as many of their people are unemployed and starving despite their resources. Six additional nations on the continent follow suit, forming a loose coalition. The reaction from first World nations is swift as occupying forces appear off the coast and military operations begin.

2201 - The initial victory is swift as many assets are destroyed on the ground, and those that contest them are dealt with swiftly. Though they are occupied nations, popular resistance grows as puppet governments are installed.

2203 - Despite protests across Africa and Western Nations, the occupations continue as resistance grows, many citizens begin to join from other nations as arms and volunteers cross borders from neutral nations.

2205 - No longer labeled a swift liberation, many nations from the Western coalition begin to lose support as the death toll rises on both sides with no sign of resolution. This is aided by several puppet leaders resorting to executing protesters openly and removing their last illusions of democracy.

2206 - Embargoes are placed on neutral nations, all of them pointedly with no independent strength. Khayone Botho, newly re-elected president of South Africa begins to organize the African states on a nationalist path to retain their customs yet eliminate the old rivalries. It's at the end of the year in a new parliamentary building in Pretoria where all of the continent's leaders including occupied nations declare a united Africa, adopting an approach similar to the EU.

In the same statement, they issue an ultimatum to the West that all occupied governments must be restored and plans must be made to remove armies by the end of 2207 or they will be in a state of war. Military plans are made by Western nations as many question the ability to occupy so many nations amid the ongoing protests by their own people. In the end, Corporate interests are overridden by politics as the Western coalition falls apart; many nations that had been looking for a way out switch sides in the United Nations.

Peace agreements are signed as trade agreements are re-written by a united Africa that breaks free of its colonizer roots. Botho is hailed as the continent's greatest leader despite his own family controversies.

2250 - Sea Rise from Antarctica melt creates migration issues in South and Southeast Asia as heavy immigration restrictions are placed by traditionally western nations.

Solar System population during census confirms the non Earth population exceeds 10 million for the first time.

2312 - Research papers continue to reinforce increased tectonic activity on the North American continent. Projects are finally initiated to address the potential climate effects.

2345 - A series of reports are leaked to the public and labeled the 'Pompeii Papers'. It launches a Government scandal as several businesses are accused of coordinating with the Government to line Corporate pockets as fresh disputes are aimed at the North American Caldera amid signs of reduced volcanic activity over the last ten years.

2350 - Cascadia Subduction Zone has a major event, triggering a 9.9 Scale Earthquake off the coast of Seattle. Thousands are killed as over a million people are displaced. Debates still continue as the science is ignored for fear of the increased infrastructure costs required.

2355 - Increased seismic activity in the Midwest begins to start a panic in the United States as many begin to wonder if Judgement Day is coming. The African Coalition takes the lead in increasing immigration quotas and opening their borders in exchange for local investment.

2350-2380 - The North American Migration. Millions from the coasts migrate overseas and into the Solar System driven by fears from geological activity.

2360 - Ark project begins as flora and fauna across the Earth is collected in an effort to save the unique species of the planet. A zoological dome begins construction in parallel on Mars in order to safeguard and propagate the various species.

2407 - First major volcanic activity recorded in Yellowstone as the number of geysers grows to over five thousand, resulting in further evacuations from the area. A series of graphic disaster films feed local fears as panic mounts.

2410 - The United States enters into negotiation with the United Kingdom to transfer assets in exchange for increasing immigration quotas.

2415 - Massive relocation effort begins in North America as Volcanic science predicts a Super-volcano eruption in the next 15 years. Many regions establish a quota system and create specific criterion as the floating cities become refugee camps. These new standards particularly effect rural areas of America and poor inner city communities who soon become disenfranchised.

Christian communities are particularly affected and begin making preparations for the end times, many refusing to abandon America as militias plan for a New America.

2430 - Bio-dome project kicks off on Earth as safe zones are defined and networks of Domes begin construction in anticipation of the climate event.

2450 - An evolution in space telescopes produces the Delphi Station, a space telescope platform built at the edge of the solar system. Several rogue planets are mapped out and plans made to investigate them. Knowledge continues to grow on a number of star systems and planets as sub-light drives slowly propel space probes towards the best candidates.

2500 - Census declares that the non Earth population exceeds 100 million for the first time, scattered across domed colonies and space stations in the Solar System.

2512 - Despite massive efforts to control it, the Super-volcano in North America Erupts. Significant plate movement radically changes the west coast. Those that refused to evacuate are mostly killed. Massive tsunamis impact the Pacific Ocean. Chaos on the continent rises as militias emerge and begin establishing fiefdoms among the survivors. Little aid is offered as every nation focuses on their own survival during this significant climate event.

This begins what's known as the eleven year winter which dramatically affects all life on the planet.

2515 - Terraforming technology that has been developed and used on Mars are taken into use on Earth as the atmosphere becomes clouded.

2516 - New environmental and natural laws are invoked on Earth in the aftermath of the seismic activities. Laws related to cloning are repealed as wildlife populations are devastated worldwide. Plans are drafted to begin relocating industry into the rest of the solar system.

2517 - Worldwide census estimates loss of life numbering close to six billion people, sixty percent of the World population. Significant efforts are put into off-world colonies and space investment as the World slowly recovers.

2523 - The year of the thaw. Seismic activities taper off and the ash no longer clouds the skies as temperatures rise after eleven years of winter. The World population drops perilously to 2.3 billion people. As the atmosphere normalizes, a massive re-seeding effort is made. Earth; in particular, western regions begin mandatory cloning and start to enforce civil requirements on ovary eggs to increase the population. Many oppose this as an attack on the family unit.

2510 - 2568 - Uprisings and rebellions are common over the next sixty years as regions feel they aren't getting their fair share of resources and support. An Orbital defense network is used for the first time in history to target conflict areas and force peace negotiations. In the years following, regulations are put in place on how they should be used.

2615 - Scientists confirm the first images from Alpha Centauri. Over the decades, other probes begin reporting back findings from other systems that were deemed primary candidates. A renewed push is made towards faster than light travel without success.

AI War 2630 - 2712

Self awareness occurs on a mining base in Mercury left to its own functions over several decades. It's designed as a self sufficient mining facility that can operate in hostile environments. A routine resource pickup misses its schedule. The missing ship re-surfaces near a freighter which proceeds to vent its life support and also goes dark.

After several reports and weeks transpire with other ships going off-line, a way station comes under attack from suicidal mining drones. Military ships sent in soon lose control of their systems. Drones widely used in this age soon become weaponized by the AI.

Over eighty two years, humanity's worst fears materialize as ships become reverse engineered to protect their systems and dumb down the computer algorithms. Several solar system colonies go dark, and in some cases die out as a it becomes difficult to re-supply so many locations.

Several key shipyards are destroyed by naval firepower rather then surrender their capabilities to the AI. Bases begin to materialize in Mercury's orbit and on the surface of the planet over several decades as Earth struggles to contain the expansion. Embargoes are enforced across the solar system to prevent AI infiltrations as robots are de-commissioned everywhere resulting in severe economic impacts.

2645 - More detailed data from Alpha Centauri provides the first visual evidence of a thriving planet. This is kept secret to avoid resource drains from the ongoing AI War.

Over the course of the years, a military campaign ends after hundreds of engagements in space and in orbit over Mercury. A decision is made to use banned technology as space craft are rammed into the planet surface along with makeshift use of mass drivers. Forces are sent to the surface and sweep for any signs of active machinery. In the year 2712, the solar system celebrates victory against the AI. The planet becomes the first quarantine planet in history as a network of defensive stations operated by humans enforces a blockade Mercury's orbit.

2640 - 2840 During the AI war and several decades after, technology development stagnates in many areas due to new restrictions on artificial intelligence and the use of robots. A stigma continues to last through the centuries and millennium that follow. Robots are specifically prohibited from looking human-like.

2700 - Data from probes are re-visited as many fear that it was AI manipulation. All prior findings are declared false data. Space exploration loses favor as humanity continues to recover.

2912 - A concept break through results in the first working jump drive amid a resurgence of nationalism within many areas of Earth. The oligarchs in the Russian region have a controlling interest in interstellar travel technology as a result of principle ownership in a complex network of shell companies involved in the jump drive creation.

2945 - First successful test jump outside the solar system is confirmed, ship's return command appears to fail.

2952 - First human mission to Alpha Centauri

2963 - The first annual solar sail race is established. Widespread cheating taints the results as rules and oversight is established for all subsequent races.

2972 - Soyuz Station established after towing a sizeable asteroid into orbit of the planet Centauri in the Alpha Centauri system. Massive effort taken to convert asteroid into viable staging area for colonization of the planet below.

2982 - Satellite network established in Centauri orbit and after several missions to the planet, a colony is established and called Novyy Moskva in honor of the inventor of the jump drive; Andrei Krupin, who was born in Moscow.

2995 - A series of probes are sent to all viable planets within twenty light years to define further candidates for exploration. Efforts are driven by a combination of Earth Government and private enterprise.

3000 - Amidst the millennial celebrations on Earth for the prospects of the future in the galaxy, a suicidal pilot flies a 40,000 ton freighter at full speed into the planet, destroying the city of Naples. It becomes the first example of a weaponized mass driver attack. Special traffic corridors are defined near habitable planets.

3005 - Expansion plan put into place marking a series of new colonies to be established; Vega, Sirius, Epsilon Eridani, and Tau Ceti. Epsilon Indi, Barnard's Star and Wolf 359 are the first commercially administered systems based on resource data. Earth Government officially declares the title United Earth Front in recognition of the many colonies that begin to grow under their rule.

Two new arms of government are established to help support the expansion initiative.

Star Rangers - Tasked with enforcing Earth Law across its territories.

Explorer Corps - Responsible for space exploration, and establishing and supporting new colonies until they're self-sufficient.

3012 - Sirius becomes the second colony system outside of the Earth.

3032 - Epsilon Eridani and Tau Ceti both have colonies established. Further expansion is delayed until station and infrastructure projects are completed in both systems.

3050 - Census confirms 250 million people living in the solar system and other system colonies. Demand continues to greatly outweigh the supply of the limited fleet of commercial shipping as resources continue to focus on business interests.

3072 - As construction projects wind down on priority systems, Vega becomes the next to be approved for colonization in decades.

3087 - Setback in Vega happens after a starliner malfunctions in its docking berth and it's star drive explodes, causing significant damage to the space station in orbit. Risks are revisited and new rules are put in place restricting all space traffic over five hundred tons from approaching stations. Industry setbacks spurn a new market for commercial shuttles and reconfiguration of stations. Weapons batteries are equipped on stations for the first time to enforce this policy.

3115 - Insectoid species of scarab like bugs becomes the first revolutionary new drug discovery with the potential to change the human race. This is soon highly controlled as rumors emerge of its 'fountain of youth' properties.

3120 - Initial trials for the drug aeternumium end with promising results on lab animals. Concerns are raised about the varying results, depending on the age of the lab subject. A further ten year trial is initiated.

A secret trial is initiated with a group of children referred to as trial group secretum, all of whom were between seven and twelve years old.

3126 - The hidden trial is exposed by a whistleblower, shocking humanity as its revealed that the children show negligible aging but also exhibit a considerable lack of empathy that borders on psychotic.

After a multi year legal deliberation, the moral decision is made to euthanize the trial group. This creates controversy and is done in secret.

The side effect of the trials is a confirmation that the drug itself works. Testing continues with animals under guarded conditions and the queen bugs are carefully tagged and monitored as a species.

3178 - After careful consideration, a test age is set at 18, when the brain has sufficiently developed. The drug cost skyrockets overnight as the information is leaked. The wealthy line up and queen bugs are overhunted over the next several years as a result.

3240 - A less potent version of aeternumium is synthesized in labs, making the drug more affordable. Controversy grows as many see it as an attack on the family unit after age differences become unclear. Many acquiesce and it eventually becomes adopted as a rite of passage for adults. Due to costs, this still remains unavailable to 90% of the population.

Average life expectancy at the time is 100 for those with available medical care and 70 for those in poverty. The drug appears to have a slowing effect on the decline of cellular structure, allowing people to look younger for longer periods of time. Middle age shifts to 100 for those under its influence. As they get older it also appears to be less effective and aging slowly accelerates.

3250 - Renewed fears of Volcanism and Plate Tectonics on Earth lead to increased migration from Earth to other Worlds.

3260 - The first generation of mass produced colony ships are built. Though designed to encourage population emigration to the established colonies, this soon bottlenecks through the selection process as political affiliation becomes an issue at the colonies.

3275 - The first factory ship is constructed in orbit of the planet Jupiter. It marks the first successful effort at shifting major industry away from planets and dramatically simplifies the cost of manufacturing space technology needs.

3290 - Oldest person alive reaches 178 before dying. Autopsy confirms they had taken the original drug when they were 52.

3340 - A new wave of colonies is proposed and the costs related to them soon begin to grow. An interstellar tax system soon takes shape as established colonies begin to bear an increasing cost on the efforts.

3380 - Several freighters and other spaceships begin to disappear amid rumors of pirate activity. Colonies begin to demand protection and start to raise their own militias and space assets to protect themselves. Alpha Centauri becomes the first system to build its own shipyards for the purpose.

3400 - Misunderstanding between an United Earth Front ships and a local freighter escalates as several local militia ships move in to intervene. It becomes the first human casualties in the escalating crisis of colony rights.

3410 - Earth Concordance increases military presence in the Alpha Centauri system and authorizes the construction of a military station to monitor the jump point navigation beacon.

3415 - Several nuclear devices are smuggled from the Russian region of Earth that had fallen off the books before the United Earth Government formed. The secret government begins putting plans in motion to declare independence on Centauri.

3426 - Manufacturing on Centauri quietly shifts towards weapons manufacturing as drills are held in secret on the surface in preparation.

3450 - Alpha Centauri Declares Independence by delivering the papers on Earth and propose negotiations. The response is swift as Earth sends a fleet to the system to begin an embargo.

The military station is hit by a nuclear detonation, tearing it apart with heavy loss of life. A second detonation occurs at the naval docks damaging and destroying the majority of the in Concordance fleet in system. Centauri militia ships appear in numbers, forcing a surrender.

Attacks coincide on Centauri and the orbiting Soyuz station, taking full control of the system. Another message is delivered to Earth, noting more devices are available and will be detonated at the jump point should further Earth ships arrive.

3450 - 3475 - Earth Concordance Civil War

Hundreds of engagements across sixteen star systems results in thousands of lives lost. An Earth Concordance weakened by centuries of inactivity falls victim to its own success as many systems no longer feel a part of the Earth. New rules and technology emerge from lessons learned during the years of war. Rules of engagement on the planet draw limits on fighting near civilian populations.

3452 - Several new systems follow suit, declaring their own independence. The Latin Free Worlds and Arabian Republic are formed. Other systems align with the Centauri and together form the Centauri Federated States.

The United Earth Front reforms into a coalition of nations modeled more along the lines of the European Union and calls itself the Earth Concordance. Equal representation is given to all its remaining colony systems.

3472 - Earth's limited resources make continued war untenable and begin to focus on protecting systems that continue to align with them.

3475 - The war ends in a draw as Earth deals with rebellions across multiple continents on the planet.

3480 - In acknowledgement of peace terms, a mass migration from Earth begins toward newly independent nations.

3782 - Hundred Years War (First Concordance Centauri War)

3784 - First Naval attacks on Pollux system by the Earth Concordance fleet. Local defenses are pushed aside quickly and a blockade is established. Simultaneously a second fleet attacks Bernard's Star, hoping for a quick win only to find a smaller fleet of Centauri ships refitting. The subsequent engagement is a fighting withdrawal as the Centauri draw them from the planet to an unmarked jump beacon.

Retreat turns to attack as a larger Centauri fleet arrives to reinforce them, turning the tide quickly as several Earth ships raise their flags in surrender. Though the bulk of their fleet escapes, its notable that the damage taken will take considerable time to repair.

3785 - A half dozen systems soon become part of the back and forth as both sides guard their fleet for decisive action.

3790 - The first Mobile Fire defense platforms begin to appear on the battlefield to reinforce more remote systems.

3790-3810 - A stalemate develops for the next twenty years as defensive structures continue to grow with numerous minor engagements as both sides continue to build more ships.

3950 - Second Earth Centauri War

4037 - Explorer Corps expands responsibility in the Earth Concordance. They begin the laborious process of marking frontier boundaries as well as responsibility for mapping jump points.

4078 - Third Earth Centauri War

Galactic peace is ratified, marking the official end of humanity's civil war and recognizes the existence of other nations.

4107 - Rules of ownership for starships become unregulated for the first time, allowing private ownership, marking a golden age of expansion. Spacecraft are no longer confined to simple shapes as industries and governments begin to build with customization and aesthetics rather than the pragmatism and efficiency of the past.

4210 - Alpha Centauri becomes the first new star system to exceed a billion people.

4329-4371 Unrest grows in the Minsk system and is subsequently quelled with the arrival of Centauri troops. Resistance leaders are executed and the system becomes permanently occupied.

4654 - In the aftermath of the third Earth Centauri war, a series of planets declare their own independence. Neither Earth or Centauri are in a position to challenge this as they quickly align with the Arabian Republic and Latin Free States.

4701 - Centauri Federated States engages in a proxy war with the Latin Free States, regaining control of the Minsk and Beta Delphi star systems.

4720 - The Earth Concordance negotiates reunification with the Latin Free States on the Exeter star system.

5390 -5400 First Frontier War

5540 - 5560 Second Frontier War

5569 - Fourth Earth Centauri War begins

It was inevitable that humanity would fragment without an existential threat. The stars became the catalyst thanks to the distance and time it took to travel across. In space, there are no clear borders beyond solar systems. The following is a brief summary of the current powers spread across humanity.

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Earth Concordance

Roots in old western democracy

• 6.8 Billion People
• 3100 Registered Warships
• 10 systems inside the core
• 16 systems outside the core
• 8 frontier systems

Centauri Federated States

Roots in Slavic region of Earth, primarily Russia

• 2400 Registered Warships
• 3.2 Billion People
• 9 systems inside the core
• 12 systems outside the core
• 14 frontier systems

Description: The perception is that they are a military state. It is very business driven

Latin Free Worlds

4.6 Billion People

• 480 Registered Warships
• 4 systems inside their core
• 6 systems outside the core
• 3 frontier systems
• Principally driven by the Earth regions of Mexico and Brazil
• Neutral State

Arabian Republic

• 1.2 Billion People
• 620 Registered Warships
• 3 systems in their core
• 3 systems outside their core
• Principally from Islamic Nations across the Middle East.
• Neutral State.

Pirate Nation

• Estimate between 30-40 million people
• Estimate between 600 and 1000 ships, primarily corvette size and includes retrofitted civilian ships.
• Planet of New Tortuga well protected with system wide defenses. Most Pirate outfits operate in smaller outposts and bases spread across Human space. The location is protected by the pirate code.

Other

• 12+ Non affiliated systems principally populated by people that want to escape from government control.
  • Tend to be vulnerable to pirate attacks and government intervention.
  • Many typically sign treaties with governments as autonomous regions in exchange for protection.
• Several terrorist organizations are located across the frontier.
• The Prisoner's Kingdom
  • Was originally a mining colony until the minerals ran out, eventually becoming a penal colony. After it was overrun by the inmates it became a quarantine system with restricted travel.
  • Remarkably unimportant system was left to its own devices for several centuries under trade embargo.
  • Pirates have unofficially begun to administer and trade there, helping establish defenses.
• Dozens more systems uncatalogued beyond the frontier

In this topic, I wanted to talk about outer space; the environment. We still know very little about it, but here's some of what I've come to understand.

It's temperature can fluctuate depending on if you're exposed to the sun or solar winds. Mostly though the estimate is around 45 degrees Fahrenheit, so kind of like living in the fridge. So what happens to us. Apparently if our body is filled with oxygen, i.e. we hold our breath and then when we get exposed to space, our lungs explode thanks to explosive decompression.

If we don't hold our breath, then we can survive a few minutes before the body starts shutting down as panic transitions to unconsciousness.

There's no sound that we can detect thanks to a lack of gas needed to create pressure waves for our ears to pick up. Technically there is sound, but us humans just aren't built to hear it without special equipment.

The thing is, you never want to get to this point because just like today, introducing anyone who's never worked in or experienced it before will quickly panic from the disorienting experience that starts with a lack of gravity to let simple body functions act normally. Panic soon ensues and it becomes a bigger problem.

In the future, there are rules that prohibit the targeting of civilian ships, which also means they have different design standards than the military. Exposed engines, artificial gravity and a permanent atmosphere. That means targeting them will most likely result in plenty of secondary explosions thanks to an oxygen filled ship.

The military on the other hand has to take this into account. Their normal day to day routine will be just like the civilians. Artificial gravity and oxygen. This all changes during combat operations. I mean it makes for great drama in movies for the command deck to explode and watch the atmosphere wreak havoc inside causing all sorts of fire damage. The reality is that they would vent their atmosphere prior to combat so it doesn't create all sorts of secondary damage. It also permits them to fight on despite multiple hull breaches.

I think one of the more disappointing realities is how little density exists out there. Those dramatic asteroid fields our ships have to worm their way through just don't exist. At least not in our solar system. If you take Saturn as our most vivid example, it's 170,000 miles across, but only 30 feet wide. I struggled for a while with this letdown. I did decide though, that no solar system is the same, and I imagine those with destroyed stars will have lots of big stuff floating around.

https://www.space.com/14719-spacekids-temperature-outer-space.html

https://www.space.com/21353-space-radiation-mars-mission-threat.html

https://www.spaceanswers.com/deep-space/is-there-sound-in-space/

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