User:Rowtree/Humans

Humans are everywhere. Not only are they everywhere, but they're doing everything. When commercial FTL travel became easily accessible in the mid 22nd Century, it allowed humanity to spread roughly 100LY in all directions. This makes up the greatest extent of human territory. If humanity was a unified power, it would easily be the most powerful civilization in the galaxy. In reality however, humans are very prone to creating their own societies, cultures, and states, away from any 'centralised government'. There are really only two major superpowers in human space, the <>, and the Gilgamesh Confederation. Beyond that, there are a ton of independent planets and regions, such as the Confederate Systems of Lordania, and the Neutral Zone. Of course, alongside governments and states, there exists many Corporations, Factions, and Criminals.

Baseline Humans

 * Regular, ordinary humans. They live long, healthy lives thanks to gene therapy and a concerted effort to eradicate genetic diseases. Most humans live an average of 100 years, although due to time dilation effects of space travel, several humans have lived chronologically for over 120+ years.
 * Many humans have undergone cosmetic augmentation, both genetic and mechanical. While there are some who oppose this (mostly fringe extremists), by-and-large, humanity sees no difference between a non-augmented human, and a human with small genetic modifications.
 * Large-scale human modification is both restrictive and rare. Only a few planets allow widespread genetic tampering, and most of them lie outside of Sol space. Sol does not permit those who have heavily tampered with their genetic code which leads to a largely baseline Defence Force. See Transhumans and You.

Baseline Human is a catch-all term for non-modified humans, humans with no significant genetic alteration. All humans live long, healthy lives thanks to a concerted effort in the mid-21st century to eradicate genetic disease. Gene therapy is commonplace throughout human space. It is responsible largely for the extension in an average humans lifespan, with many not even considering it abnormal. Baseline Humans are the most common type of human, being born into a variety of conditions, classes, and situations. It is for this reason that they are seen as the 'average human'.

Vat-Grown Humans

 * Vat-Grown Humans are still baseline humans. They have very few genetic differences, but are considered paler than normal humans.
 * Vat-Growns cannot be grown to adulthood. It is both illegal and impossible to 'flashgrow' a human. Attempting to do so results in severe mental and physical trauma as well as certain death for the subject. All changes to the human genome are done to the embryo, which is grown to childbirth. The only difference between regular humans and Vat-Growns is that they are created in an artificial womb.
 * As such, Vat-Grown Humans were developed as a means to create 'designer babies', and to provide children to those unable to do so. The concept of a mass-produced human workforce is extremely controversial and considered morally unacceptable within Sol.

Vat-Grown Humans are also still baseline humans. They are an extremely common sight across human space, making up a large part of human make-up. Historically, the concept of 'test-tube babies' goes back to the mid 20th century, and the science of in vitro childbirth continued to develop alongside human medical science. Many children were born, of two human parents, in a vat well into the 2100s and beyond. Similarly, the modification of humans to better suit off-world environments was a practice encouraged by many of the early spacer pioneers.

The science of 'mass cloning' however, is a much recent development. In the late 21st Century, the various Earth governments enacted harsh genetic testing laws against the production of adult humans when it became clear that such a thing was impossible. These laws continued to remain in place in the successor government, the Sol Central Government. In the 2260s, pioneered by research conducted on planets outside of Sol, such as Lorriman and Gilgameshi research labs, allowed for the first genetically specific children to be born, with selected genetic traits highlighted. These children would become the first of many 'Batches'. While impossible to grow adults, it is possible to mass produce embryos, grow and selectively cultivate its DNA, and then raise the child to adulthood naturally. This is an extremely long process, with the oldest of these batch children being in their late 40s. With news of their success entering Sol, Corporations subsequently petitioned for the relaxation of harsh genetic testing laws, with the first Sol-born Corporate Vat-Growns being made en-mass in the mid 2270s. By the 2280s, the practice of designer children had become commonplace throughout the SCG, where it has become common practice amongst the elites of Luna, though the concept has been decryed as a form of futurist eugenics by many critics.

Designer Babies

 * Designer Babies were first created in the 2170s when it was clear the rich and powerful of Sol would pay to ensure their children fitted their needs. Primitive designer babies were limited mostly to cosmetic traits.
 * Due to improvements in the 2260s, the concept has now become available to the middle-class, who can now pick potential genetic traits from a catalogue.
 * Designer Babies have become an issue of member states rights. While the federal Sol government does not ban this concept, many member states certainly do.
 * They are most common on worlds with a wealthy or 'trendy' populace, such as Ceti Epsilon, Lordania, and Luna.

Corporate Vat-Growns

 * An uncomfy, but increasingly common sight in human space. The mass production of humans is a real and ethically grey industry.
 * Slavery, indentured servitude, and unfair practices are all illegal in Sol space. However, prior to around 2298, there existed a massive labour shortage on Sol colony worlds. Sol had expanded too quickly, and needed a population to match.
 * In the early 70s, Sol signed many contracts with legitimate corporations to provide a large number of people to populate these colonies. Unfortunately, they turned 20, and reached legal working age, around the start of the Gaia Conflict.
 * Restrictive laws mandate that all grown children must be cared for, educated, and held to extremely strict child safety standards. They are monitored for much of their life, and typically afforded many luxuries not given to poorer families. Many of these children are often 'adopted' by families, who provide a stable and healthy life in exchange for cash and corporate interference in the child's life.
 * Some CVGs are given singular names or identifiers, such as ID-John, BQ1-Bob or Thomas-582. However, those adopted by families tend to adopt the family's surname, though their singular identifier can be used interchangeably.
 * CVGs are present wherever corporations hold influence, and are largely seen staffing Sol installations due to the abundance of CVGs raised around 20 years ago.
 * With the practice being seen as a modern-day slavery by numerous critics, several Sol Members have declared their intent to bring a vote to ban CVGs at the next Assembly session.

Non-Baseline Humans

 * Booster refers to people of non-standard biology. Cosmetic traits alone do not make someone a booster.  Tritonians, Grav-Adapts, and Space-Adapts are all considered a type of booster, although other non-specific types exist.

Non-Baseline Human is a catchall term for the countless modified humans that exist across the cosmos. They are united by their non-standard human biology, which sets them apart from regular non-baseline humans. The most common of these non-baselines are the Gravity-Adapts, and the Space-Adapts, which came about as a result of space colonisation. Those that undertake self-modification are given the name Boosters, though many do not identify as this label, such as the Vissite, who consider themselves transhuman. Some planets have banned self-use genetic modification, leaving it in the hands of corporations and governments, many of whom have sought to commercialise the trend, offering cosmetic cat ears at a low price. While many decry the corporate influence in self-modification, their operations are usually much, much safer than the backstreet clinics.

Altering a living human at the genetic level is an extremely difficult task, requiring therapy and extensive medical care, though like all advances in science and technology, it is becoming easier and easier with every year. As such, a subculture has developed in planets with tolerant laws as well as in interstellar space. This subculture, known as the 'Boosters', pride themselves on self-modification, undergoing cosmetic and biological gene alterations. This process is often one-way, and as such, many planets, especially those with conservative leadership have banned genetic cosmetic surgery. This has not stopped a large number of 'backstreet gene clinics' operating away from the eyes of the government. While stories of horrific accidents have dissuaded many, an equal amount have undergone procedures.

On planets such as Venus, the rich corporate booster is becoming a common sight, with the Venusian yuppies promoting the corporate modification and slowly beginning to normalise it throughout Sol space, though many conservatives frown upon it. It is important to emphasise that this is not one movement, with many booster subcultures opposing corporations, and others accepting them.

Grav-Adapted Humans

 * Grav-Adapts were created to withstand pressures many times greater than Earth's atmosphere. Because of this, they are rarely seen in space or on ordinary terrestrial worlds.
 * Modern Grav-Adapts are the descendants of their modified parents. The genetic changes for grav-adapts are passed on from parent to child, unless one parent is a baseline human, which will lead to a baseline child.
 * They are heavier and stronger than baseline humans, have thick radiation-resistant skin, and dense bones. They suffer in zero-g with significant pains due to their size. They are able to tolerate regular 1g, but it is not pleasant for long (12+ hour) durations.
 * They are a highly insular group of people who form communities in locations that baselines may find unsuitable, such as Emerson in the Barnard system, Eos in the Helios system, and many habitats in the upper atmospheres of gas giants. There is even a population of grav-adapts living at the bottom of the Earth's pacific ocean.
 * They have large, close knit families that are often spread out across human space. They are more common in Terran space than Sol space, and make up a bulk of the Gilgameshi non-baseline population. They are tolerated in the GCC, so long as they identify as Terran.

Space-Adapted Humans

 * Space-Adapts are designed for life in zero, or near zero-g conditions. Historically, they were the first kind of modified human to be 'born'. Not as common as they once were, thanks to advances in anti-gravity technology.
 * The majority of space-adapts in Sol come from orbital habitats such as Sobdet, in the Sirius system.
 * Originally they were the unintended consequence of childbirth in space. Genetic Engineering has mitigated most immediate dangers of zero g birth, and now space-adapts live long and healthy lives.
 * They are typically tall, thin, and have near translucent skin. In regular human gravity, they are seen as slightly frail and stumbly. In lower Gs, they are some of the most acrobatic and capably athletic people in space.
 * They are resistant to asphyxiation and toxins, but suffer from weak bones and a vulnerability to bright lights.

Space-Adapted Humans are a distinct type of human. It is vital to understand the difference between Space-Adapts, and Spacers. Spacers merely adopted space, Space-Adapts were born into it, molded by it. You get the picture. Appearance-wise, it's impossible to mistake a space-adapts distinctive look. They have larger-than-average eyes, and are noticeably taller and thinner than baselines.

Transhumans, Posthumans, and You


21st Century

 * 2052: Man lands on Mars, with Jimmy Gideon taking the first steps onto the red planet.


 * 2054: The first moonbase is constructed, a joint effort between the EU and the U.S.


 * 2057: The success of the moonbase, along with advances in space technology, prompt the establishment of a research facility on Mars.


 * 2061: Commercial fusion power becomes a reality and is rapidly adopted across Earth.


 * 2066: The first permanent living facility is established on the Moon, a privately run corporate venture.


 * 2069: A number of corporate research facilities and outposts are established on Mars. Jimmy Gideon proclaims himself "the first martian" and permanently moves to the red planet.


 * 2075: Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals is founded in Shanghai.


 * 2077: Prosthetic limb replacements have become a routine and accepted part of society for many, with prosthetic limbs being at least the equal of organic ones.


 * 2079: The first commercially available solution for vat-borne humans is provided by Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals.


 * 2083: Rheinmetall, Thyssen-Krupp, Walther and Heckler and Koch merge to form Hephaestus Industries


 * 2095: The first government backed and funded colony is established on Mars. it is dubbed a UN venture and a new agency is created to oversee off-planet affairs.


 * 2099: Terraforming work begins on Mars, with efforts to restore a habitable atmosphere to the red planet beginning in earnest.

22nd Century
2105: Humanity has spread out across the Sol System, forming transient colonies, stations and research bases all over.


 * 2110: Jimmy Gideon passes away, leaving a large family that will eventually become the Gideons of Mars.


 * 2119: Jimmy Gideon Junior becomes the first Governor of Mars.


 * 2112: The first line of genetically modified humans is established with purpose designed lines to adapt humanity to other environments. This marks the beginning of space and grav adapted humans, as well as Tritonians.


 * 2120: The Martian colonies flourish in their agri-domes, with mass expansion underground allowing for greater living space and logistical development.


 * 2126: Reliable cryogenic systems are developed, an important step toward long distance space travel. The UN collapses as regional power bloc's and the influence of off-planet colonies begin to diminish its importance.


 * 2128: One of the first sleeper ships is launched, eventually colonising the planet of Amaranth Major in the Gilgamesh system. Contact is lost for many years.


 * 2130: The Terran Commonwealth is formed, transforming Earth into a single united government over the next decade and slowly asserting control over humanity among the stars.


 * 2145: Bluespace is discovered accidentally when an Expeditionary Corps vessel performing a system survey in Tau Ceti discovers a natural bluespace 'tear' after unintentionally entering it only to emerge in the Kruger system, having lost only a day in real time. The crew spends the next six months in the system before locating another tear, allowing them to travel to the edge of the Sol System in the space of two real days. The scientific community is astounded and invigorated by these discoveries as new lines of research are established practically overnight.


 * 2147: The Expeditionary Corps finds itself flush with funding and tasked with an additional mission: The chartering and navigation of bluespace rifts to be used for mass transit and travel. Missions are dangerous and sometimes lethal, with many pilots unable to keep their craft together while journeying through the tears. Humanity becomes reliant on these skilled pilots to collect navigation data for safe rift travel.


 * 2167: The various outposts, small facilities and other moon based assets come together to create two permanent city-size dome establishments on the moon. The new cities quickly proclaim themselves separate colonies and begin a long period of completion. The moon comes to be regularly referred to as Luna


 * 2171: The first Gateway is constructed in the Sol system, connecting it with Tau Ceti. The link revolutionises space travel, and dozens more are constructed over the the next few decades in order to permanently connect humanity across the stars.


 * 2180: The Gilgamesh system is recontacted and integrated into the Terran Commonwealth.


 * 2195: The Ares Confederation of Mars and a number of other colonies is formed, directly opposing the Terran Commonwealth as a sovereign human state. A cold war begins between the two. The confederation is a culmination of resentment against an "Earth-first" economic policy by the Commonwealth.

23rd Century

 * 2202: War breaks out between the Terran Commonwealth and the Ares Confederation. Decades of war follow, ravaging the Sol system and its fledgling outer colonies. Much of this war is fought on the outer edges of the Sol system and on various out of system colonies, with little to no planetary combat happening in the Sol system proper.


 * 2213: NanoTrasen is formed on Mars as a gene-therapy research corporation.


 * 2228: The Gilgamesh League is founded, a precursor to the GCC


 * 2229: The war between the Terran Commonwealth and the Ares Confederation begins to wane as political and economic upheaval on both sides sees a change in attitudes among the governing bodies of both.


 * 2230: The war ends, with the Terran Commonwealth, having recognised the need to change to meet the realities of the new political climate, reorganising into the Sol Central Government. The new executive and judicial capital of human government moves to Olympus, Mars.


 * 2231: The Independent Colonial Confederation of Gilgamesh declares its independence from the fledgling Sol Central Government, beginning the current tense period of brinkmanship and competition between the two human powers.


 * 2233: First contact is made with the Skrell, and,by association sometime after, the Dionaea.


 * 2260: First contact is made with the Unathi.


 * 2261: The Expeditionary Corps launches the first Moghes expedition. A great many artifacts are appropriated from the planet, spurring interest in exploration for more than mineral gain.


 * 2265: Vox are first acknowledged by humanity, though they are not formally identified for another decade. This simply marks the first time an attack on a frontier colony was attributed to the Vox.


 * 2284: The first human vessel outfitted with a bluespace drive makes a successful jump. In spite of their limited success, the devices are still considerably difficult to manufacture and incredibly inefficient, preventing their mass adoption. Gateways continue to be the norm for distant travel.


 * 2288: The first short range bluespace teleporters are made commercially available.


 * 2291: The Gaia Conflict begins.


 * 2296: The Gaia conflict ends.

24th Century

 * 2301: The twenty third Moghes Expedition is launched by the expeditionary corps. As always, the success of the expedition briefly bolsters the popularity of government exploration missions.


 * 2304: Jimmy Gideon IV, a former member of the Expeditionary Corps and eccentric space pioneer, announces a private venture to "Take humanity further than they've gone before" and vanishes later that year aboard a hybrid bluespace drive-sleeper vessel with a thousand others, toward the galactic core. Jimmy Gideon V assumes control of the Gideon media empire.


 * 2305: Amaya Borros, former Senator from Earth, is appointed Secretary-General of the Sol Central Government, the first Earthling secretary general in more than three decades.


 * 2306: The drug 'threeye' finds its way in small doses onto the streets of Pluto. It spreads, slowly, from there.


 * The present year. Humanity has spread across the galaxy.