Breaking out from the Solar System

Another blue planet

The Syndicate set its priority on satisfying the universal hunger for energy by investing in numerous research projects. One such investment was the building and launching of a geostationary fusion power plant, the Helios. The power plant was designed to produce energy for other space stations. Shortly after becoming operational, the power plant broke down ant the contraction of the fusioning mass inside the reactor created a particle sized wormhole.

Numerous theories that had been previously dismissed as fiction surfaced and companies sought to use this wormhole for the benefits of humankind. One of the boldest and also most promising theories was devised by an American-Japanese research team. They postulated that the obstacles of space and time could be overcome by utilizing the curvature of spacetime and the “wormhole” caused the failed power plant created a “shortcut” in spacetime.

This strange theory was confirmed in an experiment called “Space jump”. By observation of the wormhole, spectra of a globular cluster from tens of thousands of light-years away were identified. In the attempt to create a revolutionary energy source, we came upon a discovery of inestimable value.

This tiny wormhole was the first step in the development of the Space jump technology. Only waves and molecular-size objects can traverse the wormhole, but advanced nanotechnology made it possible to build miniature space probes. With these, we were able to map all the known extra-solar planets. Several millions of probes were launched, and the first great discovery was provided by Eterna DW-113A.

This probe plotted the planet Nia, very similar to Earth, but 87,000 light-years away. Based on a recording of 19 November 2193 – according to Earth time – the planet inscribed its name in the big book of space discoveries, for the footage proves without the shadow of a doubt that there is life beyond the Earth.

It might have been the most important discovery of human history when the Eterna probe fleet discovered the life-bearing Nia. This planet located in the M54 globular cluster of the constellation Sagittarius is quite similar to Earth in many ways. It is a binary star system with two stars orbiting around their common center of mass. From these twin stars, Nia is the fourth rocky planet. The average surface temperature is 19 degrees Celsius and the density of the atmosphere is almost the same as that of the Earth.

Given these ideal circumstances, Nia is covered by a rich flora, as its air contains oxygen, a prerequisite of carbon-based life.

The two suns provide Nia with a continuous, evenly distributed radiation of sunshine. This is one of the reasons why the ice cap is quite small in size and, due to the high water levels, a mere 17% of the planet’s surface is land. The plate tectonics are very active, so even this small proportion of land is cut into little islands.

Due to the planet’s dense core and the relatively fast rotation, the electrostatically charged oceans dividing islands are impenetrable barriers to every object driven by electricity. On land – contrarily – life flourishes.

The alien species

The Syndicate has been treating all information on the existence of the alien civilization as strictly confidential. In order to keep it secret, the executives saw it best that the entire research and possible further expansion should be managed from a new base orbiting around the Earth. This base was built in the proximity of the failed power plant and serves as home for the collective project controlling research and colonization, Project Perpetuum.

The civilization on Nia surprised scientists on several levels. The newly discovered species forms a strange synthetic lifeform, not dissimilar to the robots we use. In opposition to our “primitive” working robots, this species has developed separate, technologically advanced societies. Like us, they can shape and alter their environment to cater for their needs and their highly- developed industry caters for the production of goods and military needs. Their achievement of the most value to us, however, is the energy production technology which is an invaluable treasure for the energy-hungry Earth.

The level of technological development of the aliens has also been a threat though. They had not become aware of us yet, but it was unanimously agreed by the board of the Syndicate that military preparation should be launched as soon as possible, using surprise to our advantage. However, as an invasion could not be accomplished with tiny space probes, the expansion was delayed for a while. The satellite footages of Nia’s industrial facilities stimulated the imagination of scientists worldwide and the discovery gained the attention of diplomatic and military circles. Several months of research made it clear that the builders of these bases were very advanced technologically.

Defining this alien life-form is a rather challenging task, for the traditionally meant term “life-form” cannot be used in connection with them. The species shows a significant level of development: by combining technology with natural sciences, they transcend many limits of their lives.

The alien battle process shows partial similarity to earthly warfare. Their advanced technology has enabled them to develop gigantic humanoid robotic forms that have destructive powers far beyond our weapons. When the Syndicate called its army and intelligence in on the project, one of the goals was to discover the military secrets of the alien civilization. A huge number of designs were there to be taken including a wide range of new, much more efficient driving gears, novelty weapons and armors of incredible resistance.

However, the homogenization of the species failed to bring about the much anticipated peace. Races of different cultural heritage continue to shape their policies along their own interests. Three large races fight each other on Nia currently and smaller splinter groups amend their standing-point depending on the balance between the three power groups.

Despite technological advances, this form of life still shows similar weaknesses to humanity.

Pelistal Empire

At one time, the Pelistal Empire controlled all the robots, but such oppressive ruling power triggered the hatred of a few groups. The conflict, started as an inside battle for power, escalated into a total war when the Nuimqol Union and the Thelodica Clan gained independence.

The rotten system which the Pelistal Empire is so eager to protect has now become a mere illusion for whose sake of the Empire mercilessly destroys every attempt at change. The hierarchy of this war-centered, totalitarian system is crowned by warriors guided by their total faith in their highest leader.

They fight fanatically to restore the once-mighty empire, where every nation and race was united. Though the break-away of rebel groups substantially weakened the Empire’s military force, the Pelistalian army is still the most hard-hitting force. This dominance is due to the sheer number of soldiers, the Empire’s military experience and technological development.

The Empire’s combat robots mainly use ballistic missiles, a versatile weapon with various kinds of explosives. Beside its own regular army, the Pelistal employs an elite mercenary force called Zoister.

Nuimqol Union

It’s been 300 years since the renegades breaking away from the Empire founded their own state. The workers of the Pelistal Empire’s industrial plants and the outcast mercenaries formed an effective army that soon achieved military victories.

The Union’s relatively weak economy is balanced by its highly-experienced military elite. The naïve freedom fighters created a democratic government and began organized counterattacks against the Empire’s army.

The once disorganized “herd” of veterans and tradesmen transformed into a well-organized, influential association. The young state fighting for independence gained the sympathy of other research groups, that were also tired of the Empire’s oppression. These groups of scientists developed new, state-of-art magnetic weapons that brought a renaissance to the Union’s warfare.

Thelodica Clan

The Clan was trying to get out of the control of the Empire even before the civil war. When the Nuimqol broke away, the Clan saw an opportunity to establish an independent federation as well.

As the Thelodica Clan was founded by independent fund-holders, they do not share a homogenous political conviction. Their foreign affairs are not directed towards expansion, as they have no military dominance.

Since the Thelodica is basically a trade organization, instead of using their resources for research and development, they buy technologies from their rivals to keep up technologically. They have a great intelligence network of spies and can steal information or technology when necessary.

To protect their well-established commercial relations, they refuse to openly commit to either party, but they intervene every now and then on one side or the other to keep the balance of power. Their tactics are based on remote warfare, so their combat robots are equipped with laser weapons.

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