The Aeos Project
Aeos Colonial Flotilla Under Construction
Keteris, the beacon of civilization in a dead region of former Imperium space is a vibrant metropolis. Centuries of immigration had brought incredible diversity to the planet and in an environment governed by libertarian policies there had been few economic or social crisis. Setan civilization as a result is peaceful and prosperous where xenosophonts and humans live together conducting business which takes precedent over any potential racial or ideological conflict. Mazor Three maintains the infrastructure of Qosran and has done so for many years with the aid of engineers and so the population's talent has been able to focus on innovation in other realms of science marketing their inventions and ideas for profit.
Service in the government or military holds little prestige among the Setans and has held little influence except for the fact that it stays out of the business of the populace. Corrin Matheus changed this arrangement a decade ago when having risen in esteem with the Assembly proposed an ambitious project that had been the dream of Proximo Seta but never carried out. Before the Assembly his image and words were transmitted into the retinal mods and public screens of the people at the height of his popularity where he spoke of the dire need for Seta to embrace the vision of Proximo and initiate efforts to settle the stars. Waves of applause and some jeers flooded the Assembly chamber and the forums throughout the city. Matheus who had been a controversial figure inspiring suspicion because of his ambition despite the opposition to his legislation possessed enough votes to have it passed the following week.
Volunteers were selected from the masses to be evaluated and trained for their mission to settle another world. Specialists from a variety of fields were recruited and in the true nature of Setan capitalism, celebrities were hired to market the expedition because the reality was that such a grand project would be expensive and would attract hostility from some circles of society. Ten years has passed since the passing of that fateful legislation and the selected few have been waiting for the call to the colony ship now under construction in orbit.
Setan society's fundamentals have changed little but excitement over the Aeos Project (nicknamed after the orbital station where the project is taking place) has caused a wave of virchtainment and memes depicting the training and work of the experts involved and of the possible adventures to be had on alien worlds. Newsfeeds announced recently that construction of the colony flotilla had started and would take at least a year before completion.
Setan Politics and Society, Part I
Setan government operates as a pure democracy with the exception that communities at their own accord can send representatives if they so desire. Assemblies typically contain a few hundred individuals most of whom are independent of any community. Although the Assembly encompasses the whole of the Setan population few actually participate in the debates on the legislative floor although they are completely free to do so at any time through any means. Within the Assembly's chamber there are a few hundred who make their living through politics and who naturally are the most influential members of the governing body. Known as the
Eostai or First Speakers who by being present within the speaking chamber legally possess the right to speak before all other voices. The Assembly passes all legislation and elects special leaders during times of crisis from a pool of volunteers. Terms are non-existent but are subject to the whims of the Assembly's opinions, individuals can be censored for a period of up to three months but can never be banned permanently. Convicts, members of all races, genders, political backgrounds, and so forth are allowed to participate.
Politics can become heated but there are a limited number of moments when they can reach to such high degrees of passion given the limited role of the Assembly in managing the affairs of the society. Parties are banned but influential members often attract followers and compromises are made between these cliques often to make progress. There has been no assassinations or violence in Setan politics but the absence of political crisis has made the Assembly and the Eostai soft and perhaps even naive.
Laws exist to enforce contracts between competent parties and to prevent violence and exploitation. Crime has increased in recent years mostly in the form of assassins for hire and corporate spies sent to disrupt and cripple rival businesses. Information is the most important commodity one can have and in the highly competitive global market corporations and businesses will do anything to hinder the other side. Education is handled privately with poor students attending schools with basic literacy and mathematics programs hoping to earn a scholarship to higher end schools. Everything costs money on Qosran with poor individuals competing for scholarships to the next level of education. Merit however is prized above all in choosing workers and associates due to the intense competitive environment of the economy. Machines have replaced bionts in common labor but given that the average intellect quotient of Setans is 125 there is plenty of work for most.