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And the stage is set!
 
I will try to follow, but won't take part in any interactivity so please do not add my name to the list.
 
TBC was very old in 2017. The dawning of a new poltical age with his descendants in the white house and in the UNO led him to ponder what he wished to do before he inevitably died.

By that point, the world was largely secular in nature and death had beome a target for science to destroy rather than live with. As this intrigued the old man, he began to support several transhuman movements such as melding man with machines and cyrostasis. Eventually he decided that he could perform one last service to humanity by volunteering for the latter, and was upon his death preserved both in body and mind.

The world mourned of course but few outside of the radical science movements expected anything to come of his physical remains (now under safe lock and key by the UNO and WHO). His mind however was repeatedly scanned and preserved in many different ways and formed the basis of humanity's first artificially created brain based off of biological systems.

The third brain created from these scans achieved debatable sentience and sapiance in 2100, and legally became internationally recognised as a being ten years later. It did not identify itself as TBC or even fully human, but recognised much of its pathways and internal workings were heavily inspired by him, much as a parent moulds a child consciously and unconsciously. The next step was to build a workable body for this new being (something that turned out to be rather harder than initially expected).

As of 2150, the third mind occupies an andriod body roughly human in proportion with great mental and physcial ability. Whilst there were concerns over artificial life, 'he' has proven benevolent to humanity in general as have further AI developments in computer design. 'He' has expressed the desire to awaken TBC at some point in the future, and create a melding between his mind and machine to prevent mortal humans from being lost forever. This however remains in the early stages of planning, and the UNO debates the topic of transhumanism on a semi-regular basis.

The artificial life form has named itself 'Kelebek' after a great deal of contemplation. He for the most part identivies as male, asexual and aromantic, but with a strong curiosity towards life and the continued existence of humanity. To that end, he has become a gifted medical and scientific doctor of research.

As for the original TBC, he remains dormant for the moment. No one wishes to risk killing him by waking him up but at the same time, growing numbers of younger generations who grew up venerating the 'greatest generation' and their leaders are demanding an attempt be made, especially as the UNO unifies the world and takes its first real steps into space.

Time will tell what happens next.
 
Chapter 1: Alpha Centauri
Chapter 1 - 2200 to 2215: Alpha Centauri

The United Nations Organization is currently led by President Arthur Jabby. The next election is not until 2210, and he's promised to build a new network of mining stations to provide materials and energy to earth. He also promises discoveries across the galaxy, hoping to push the limits of human sight to at least 100 light years away. Doing so, he hopes to find alien life. The current policies of the UNO include individual rights and freedom of movement and migration. Humans are industrious, intelligent, deviant as ever, and wasteful.

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In the last several hundred years, humans have become obsessed with finding alien life. Their efforts to reach other systems reach a climax in 2200, when the first interstellar space ship, the UNS Oshere, is launched. It is headed by Zelda Idhrendura, an experienced and ambitious scientist. She and her team of 12 astronauts will be the first humans to leave the system.

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In March of 2200, the warp drive powers up. It reaches full power an entire day later, and the ship bends through space. It arrives in the Alpha Centauri system a week later. It's a trinary star system with a possible habitable planet around the largest star. the UNS Oshere will survey each body in the system before returning to earth.

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A second science ship is put into production in June. This one will be completed in a mere 2 months, and it will be sent to explore the other way. Ian McClellan is given command of the UNS Europa, and he sets out in August. Bernard's Star is reached in September. It's a rather dull system at first glance, void of any habitable planet.

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News of the achievements reach earth months after they happen. There is a general elation at the first huge step since the Mars landings in the 2000's. In the last 20 years, warped transmissions, waves capable of being transmitted faster than light, have been developed. In the Sol system, it is nearly instantaneous communication. From Alpha Centauri, 4 light years away, it takes a few months. As technology improves, that time is expected to be cut down to minutes.

The first alien life is discovered on Alpha Centauri III in December of 2200. None of it is sapient, most of it similar to the intelligence level of wildlife on earth, but it is a major discovery. When the news finally reaches earth, it is headline news for over 2 months. Alpha Centauri III would be a perfect first colony outside of the Sol system. It's planet shares many characteristics with earth: it's slightly smaller, but it has carbon based flora and large oceans.

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With the discovery of a possible colony planet, President Jabby authorizes a research study of toxic and greenhouse gaseous worlds. It is very likely that earth will be facing catastrophic climate change and mass extinction, and humans must learn more about the possible future to prevent such a thing from happening.

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The Bernard's Star system is fully explored in June of 2201, and the UNS Europa returns to earth shortly, before setting out to explore the Pathabaan Vortex, a mysterious black hole system. Once that is surveyed, the UNS Europa will be sent to the other side of Sol to the Sidor System.

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The first space station outside of Sol is completed in March of 2202 in the Bernard system. The UNO is expanding quickly, and construction begins on new mining stations to maintain the expanding earth space network.

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In just 2 years, space travel between systems has become a normal thing. Alpha Centauri is fully surveyed in June, and the UNS Oshere moves to another system without much acknowledgement from the public.

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Strangely, the UNS Europa receives a weak signal, from what may be a tracking beacon. It is coming from the moon of one of the Sidar system planets. Ian McClellan and his team land on the moon to discover what is sending the signal.

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McClellan's team discovers a small transmitter placed near a large deposit of minerals. The technology used to create such a transmitter is rather rudimentary, like a human transmitter from the 20th century. Still, it leaves the question open as to what placed it there. Is this the first evidence of intelligent alien life?

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A space station is built around Alpha Centauri in 2204, and President Jabby approves the construction of a massive colonization ship to send to Alpha Centauri III. The colony ship will be able to hold 100 thousand people, and several smaller ships will ferry people and resources to the planet over several years. A total of 1 million people are hoped to be ferried to Alpha Centauri III. Each country of the world will select who they would like to send, each getting a ratio of the total sent, depending on their populations. Once the other planet is reached, a colonial government under earth, that administers over the entire planet, will be formed.

The third space station outside of Sol is completed around the black hole of Pathabaan Vortex. A science station will be constructed around the black hole to learn more about how these form and what they can be used for.

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On December 14th, 2205, the colony of Alpha Centauri is founded. There are celebrations across earth at this great news, no longer are humans destined to live on a single planet. This is the beginning of the human expansion into space.

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In 2206, the UNS Europa enters the Runa system, several dozen light years away from Sol. Here, the ship reports an encounter with a strange alien vessel, and not at all what would be expected of intelligent alien life. It is a 'fleet' of giant space squid creatures, with tentacles several kilometers long trailing behind a massive head. Not much can be figured out about them, but they seem to feed off of gas giants, possibly. They are not hostile, but scientists still advise not to try anything with them. It is becoming apparent that humans know very, very little about the universe.

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Over the next few years, the rest of the network of systems around Sol is explored, and more space ports are built. In 2210, the next UNO election begins. Several prominent people are running for office, including Zelda Idhrendura, Ian McClellan, and the colonial governor of Alpha Centauri named Kate TBC. Arthur Jabby is running for a second term.

President Jabby is given a second term the same week that the population of Alpha Centauri reaches the goal of 1 million.

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A study is done in 2211 to determine what exactly the space squids are. They are labeled Tiyanki by a Russian scientist on the UNS Europa, and they are very docile, probably never attacking, even in self defense. They feed on the upper layers of gas planets and nothing else.

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The politics of space evolves in July, as 3 factions emerge to compete for control of the UNO. Arthur Jabby founds the Xeno Liberty League, which strives for contact with alien entities. Ian McClellan starts the Institute for the Advancement of Science with many of the influential scientists of the age. Zelda Idhrendura founds the Free Elections Center.

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Another strange alien species is discovered in 2212, another ginormous space squid-like creature, these with shorter tentacles but larger heads. Unlike the Tiyanki, these creatures are hostile, and the UNS Oshere is forced to flee from the creatures.

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In response to the threat, the UNO Space Fleet is founded, and 8 corvettes equipped with missiles and lasers are put into production. However, the creatures disappear before the fleet can arrive.

In the next two years, several more habitable planets are found, although none are quite as habitable as Alpha Centauri. An arid world is found not far from Sol, although its wildlife is mostly deadly. Further away, a mycelium world full of large mushroom forests is discovered. The system over, two worlds are discovered, one of which is covered by mangrove, the other mountainous and cold.

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The first true sapient alien life is discovered in 2215. At first look thought to be an alpine world in the Kiram system, the planet Kiram I is home to a strange, arachnid-type species that is currently technologically equivalent to the human iron age. The news is answered by joyous celebration on Earth and Alpha Centauri. It is agreed that no contact should be had with these primitive natives. For now, they will be observed.

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After the strange space squids, it is a relief to the humans on earth to hear of a primitive creature with near-human intellect. But surely there must be more advanced life in the universe?
 
What an exciting start! Humanity has its first colony in Alpha Centauri, factions are forming, and we've found alien life! Perhaps we could in time uplift these primitive aliens on Kiram I once things are better established.
 
The first alien life is discovered on Alpha Centauri III in December of 2200. None of it is sapient, most of it similar to the intelligence level of wildlife on earth, but it is a major discovery. When the news finally reaches earth, it is headline news for over 2 months. Alpha Centauri III would be a perfect first colony outside of the Sol system. It's planet shares many characteristics with earth: it's slightly smaller, but it has carbon based flora and large oceans.

The UNO ethics and morality think tanks immediately go into overdrive as the need for guifelines on how to interact and observe non-terran life becomes readily apparent. Kate TBC, a high flying lawyer within the UNO, begins a series of monolouges and philosophical treaties on life and humanity. She argues that, currently, humans identify 'people' and 'humanity' in the dame breath, with even dictional aliens and other races being reflectipns and versipns of humans. This is naturally not going to be the case with real aliens, and to avoid racism and disasterous interaction that could lead to war over cultural incomprehension, she suggests that the people of earth come together to decide exactly what, how and why they are going to seek out new life and civilisations, and what to do when they are inevtiably found. Curiously, she does not site humanity's treatment of AI and more specifically the andriod Kelebek, chiefly because the UNO does not currently advise the creation of more beings like 'him' and AIs in general remain in a grey area with the general populace. Privately, the TBC family does not discuss Kelebek and finds his growth out of TBC to be disturbing. However, there are exceptions. Christopher TBC lead the defence team that proved his sapience to the UNO High Courts and his grandchildren Kate and Jean have on occasion entered dialouges with the being on ethics and humanity from an outsdie perspective.

In 2206, the UNS Europa enters the Runa system, several dozen light years away from Sol. Here, the ship reports an encounter with a strange alien vessel, and not at all what would be expected of intelligent alien life. It is a 'fleet' of giant space squid creatures, with tentacles several kilometers long trailing behind a massive head. Not much can be figured out about them, but they seem to feed off of gas giants, possibly. They are not hostile, but scientists still advise not to try anything with them. It is becoming apparent that humans know very, very little about the universe.

The news was met with fascination from the scientific bodies of the world because, on top of finding new and very interesting life, the 'space squids' bore many signs of being artificially designed and created by intelligent hands. This led to some, including Kelebek, concluding that at some point in time, if indeed not at present, there was a large and advanced space faring civilisation within the local region of space. This society for whatever reason could and did create new species that could survive and thrive in the vacum of space, even travel between solar systems under their own power. Such impressive energy conservarion and manipulation was both encouraging (it was clearly possible, therefore humanity could discover how to do it) and terrifying (alien life so advanced they gave the innate ability to nonsapaient life potentially just for fun).

Several prominent people are running for office, including Zelda Idhrendura, Ian McClellan, and the colonial governor of Alpha Centauri named Kate TBC. Arthur Jabby is running for a second term.

Following the TBC family motto of Always into the unknown, Kate immediatly lobbied and received the governorship of the new planet when it became avaible. And for the second time in history, a TBC was the first ruler of a united planetary government

A study is done in 2211 to determine what exactly the space squids are. They are labeled Tiyanki by a Russian scientist on the UNS Europa, and they are very docile, probably never attacking, even in self defense. They feed on the upper layers of gas planets and nothing else.

The evidence of intelligent design grows. No natural defence against attack. No natural hostility under any circumstances. Extremely docile around starships.

Kelebek attempted a joke about how obvious the creators had been about making the squids. No one laughed.

The politics of space evolves in July, as 3 factions emerge to compete for control of the UNO. Arthur Jabby founds the Xeno Liberty League, which strives for contact with alien entities. Ian McClellan starts the Institute for the Advancement of Science with many of the influential scientists of the age. Zelda

The UNO was becoming more and more like a world government, which scared many people and heartened many others. As for national governments, most were in the middle of being absorbed by the UNO and so did not comment much. The US of course was both greatly for it for other nations and quite heavily against it when it came to themselves.

Another strange alien species is discovered in 2212, another ginormous space squid-like creature, these with shorter tentacles but larger heads. Unlike the Tiyanki, these creatures are hostile, and the UNS Oshere is forced to flee from the creatures.

Kelebek quietly notes that these squids are more advanced, more powerful and inherently hostile. Apparently either the creator race made an error in their experiment or they had rivials within or without their civilization that they wished to protect their creations from.

In response to the threat, the UNO Space Fleet is founded, and 8 corvettes equipped with missiles and lasers are put into production. However, the creatures disappear before the fleet can arrive.

Kelebek advises the UNO world council (an occurence rare enough for them to pay attention when it happens) that they will be back. Despite the inherent illogicality of war in space, nonetheless all future ships must be capable of defending themselves and others.

The first true sapient alien life is discovered in 2215. At first look thought to be an alpine world in the Kiram system, the planet Kiram I is home to a strange, arachnid-type species that is currently technologically equivalent to the human iron age. The news is answered by joyous celebration on Earth and Alpha Centauri. It is agreed that no contact should be had with these primitive natives. For now, they will be observed.

The think tank on human/non human relations recieves a great deal of attention and funding at this point. Kate and Jean TBC's intense arguments over a 'prime directive' or elastic system of responce and reason become legendary in the UNO. But these days, everyone and their dog have theories on how to be nice or nasty to aliens. Kelebek is noticeably silent on the issue, as are the few other true AI minds. They seem to be computing their own responce amongst themsevles for the time being.
 
Ian McClellan
Hmmm, sounds familiar...

I'm working on finishing the Zens' story in the 21st century with what happens to Heidi Zen. Then I'll wait until they show up again here. Imagine my surprise if I find out a Zen is leading a xenophobe faction.
 
Subbed
 
I will try to follow, but won't take part in any interactivity so please do not add my name to the list.

Good to have you either way!

What an exciting start! Humanity has its first colony in Alpha Centauri, factions are forming, and we've found alien life! Perhaps we could in time uplift these primitive aliens on Kiram I once things are better established.

That's the plan! I really love the primitive civilizations in Stellaris, although I wish there were more interaction options. I would love a primitive natives DLC, a full overhaul!

The UNO ethics and morality think tanks immediately go into overdrive as the need for guifelines on how to interact and observe non-terran life becomes readily apparent. Kate TBC, a high flying lawyer within the UNO, begins a series of monolouges and philosophical treaties on life and humanity. She argues that, currently, humans identify 'people' and 'humanity' in the dame breath, with even dictional aliens and other races being reflectipns and versipns of humans. This is naturally not going to be the case with real aliens, and to avoid racism and disasterous interaction that could lead to war over cultural incomprehension, she suggests that the people of earth come together to decide exactly what, how and why they are going to seek out new life and civilisations, and what to do when they are inevtiably found. Curiously, she does not site humanity's treatment of AI and more specifically the andriod Kelebek, chiefly because the UNO does not currently advise the creation of more beings like 'him' and AIs in general remain in a grey area with the general populace. Privately, the TBC family does not discuss Kelebek and finds his growth out of TBC to be disturbing. However, there are exceptions. Christopher TBC lead the defence team that proved his sapience to the UNO High Courts and his grandchildren Kate and Jean have on occasion entered dialouges with the being on ethics and humanity from an outsdie perspective.



The news was met with fascination from the scientific bodies of the world because, on top of finding new and very interesting life, the 'space squids' bore many signs of being artificially designed and created by intelligent hands. This led to some, including Kelebek, concluding that at some point in time, if indeed not at present, there was a large and advanced space faring civilisation within the local region of space. This society for whatever reason could and did create new species that could survive and thrive in the vacum of space, even travel between solar systems under their own power. Such impressive energy conservarion and manipulation was both encouraging (it was clearly possible, therefore humanity could discover how to do it) and terrifying (alien life so advanced they gave the innate ability to nonsapaient life potentially just for fun).



Following the TBC family motto of Always into the unknown, Kate immediatly lobbied and received the governorship of the new planet when it became avaible. And for the second time in history, a TBC was the first ruler of a united planetary government



The evidence of intelligent design grows. No natural defence against attack. No natural hostility under any circumstances. Extremely docile around starships.

Kelebek attempted a joke about how obvious the creators had been about making the squids. No one laughed.



The UNO was becoming more and more like a world government, which scared many people and heartened many others. As for national governments, most were in the middle of being absorbed by the UNO and so did not comment much. The US of course was both greatly for it for other nations and quite heavily against it when it came to themselves.



Kelebek quietly notes that these squids are more advanced, more powerful and inherently hostile. Apparently either the creator race made an error in their experiment or they had rivials within or without their civilization that they wished to protect their creations from.



Kelebek advises the UNO world council (an occurence rare enough for them to pay attention when it happens) that they will be back. Despite the inherent illogicality of war in space, nonetheless all future ships must be capable of defending themselves and others.



The think tank on human/non human relations recieves a great deal of attention and funding at this point. Kate and Jean TBC's intense arguments over a 'prime directive' or elastic system of responce and reason become legendary in the UNO. But these days, everyone and their dog have theories on how to be nice or nasty to aliens. Kelebek is noticeably silent on the issue, as are the few other true AI minds. They seem to be computing their own responce amongst themsevles for the time being.

I've missed these in the few weeks of break! And I like Kelebek, did not really think much into AI in this universe.

Hmmm, sounds familiar...

I'm working on finishing the Zens' story in the 21st century with what happens to Heidi Zen. Then I'll wait until they show up again here. Imagine my surprise if I find out a Zen is leading a xenophobe faction.

I look forward to reading it!


Subbed. I will read previous parts

Great to have you guys! Added your names to the list.
 
I've missed these in the few weeks of break! And I like Kelebek, did not really think much into AI in this universe.

I'm keeping it limited for the same reason all sci fi writers do...AI breaks everything. If it works and is benevolent then humanity is basically hand a big 'you win' button and if it goes hostile or rouge, we all die.

So the star trek model of ambiguous AI and really hard to make androids is probably going to be followed for now. If only because the campaign is going to be longer than five minutes.
 
A nice first set of steps into the stars.
 
I'm keeping it limited for the same reason all sci fi writers do...AI breaks everything. If it works and is benevolent then humanity is basically hand a big 'you win' button and if it goes hostile or rouge, we all die.

So the star trek model of ambiguous AI and really hard to make androids is probably going to be followed for now. If only because the campaign is going to be longer than five minutes.

Yes, I do not want this to turn into Battlestar Galactica. I'll be keeping HUMAN AI docile and nice.

Damn squid! Calamari anyone?
Silentsam5 what were your settings for this game?

All I'll say is it's Captain difficulty I think.

A nice first set of steps into the stars.

I'm sure it will continue to be nice and not at all deadly.
 
Calamari is a dish best served cold.

It is very cold...in spaaaaaaaaaace.
 
Chapter 2: Aliens
Chapter 2 - 2215 to 2230: Aliens

Upon the famous General TBC's death, his body and mind were stored in cryostasis. Eventually, his mind was scanned and implemented in the creation of an artificial brain. Several iterations later, in 2100, the artificial brain achieved true sentience. The AI called itself Kelebek, and it possessed great thinking power and physical power (it occupied an artificial android body), and it even gained legal status under the UNO. Now, in the 2200s, over 100 years old, 'he' sits on the UNO's Council of Scientific Advisers (also known as the Think Tank). He gives deep and thoughtful advice into the problems that face human society, notably the problems encountered during space exploration.

Despite the human colony of Alpha Centauri, overcrowding gets bad on earth, and the population continues to soar due to easy access to food and high life expectancy. By this time, the population on earth has reached 15 billion.

The next two years are uneventful, and several other systems are fully explored. Then, in November of 2217, the UNS Verigan, commanded by Clarence Chopak, encounters an alien vessel. Unlike the space squids, this is not organic, and it almost resembles UNO construction. The vessel does not attack, and for now the UNS Verigan and the aliens just observe each other. The Think Tank advises Chopak to not make any hostile moves and to simply transmit the Initial Contact Statement. The ICS is a short, friendly message that clearly states humans seek no hostile relations and carry no ill intentions. Finding a way to communicate that to other life forms was not easy, and pictures are mainly used. Although, it is also likely that differing technology would render the transmission completely useless. On board every exploration craft is the ICS pod, which carries the message in tangible form.

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2 months later, the UNS Europa encounters an entire fleet of alien vessels. At first it is thought they are from the same unknown entity, but the construction differs enough that scientists are unsure of what is going on. What appears to be a mining station is also in orbit around an asteroid in the system. The aliens make to attack the UNS Europa, and McClellan is forced to retreat to the system over. The speed of new discoveries shocks earth's scientists, and no one is quite sure what should be done.

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The UNS Verigan continues to try and speak with the docile alien vessel, and Chopak reports to earth that they've been receiving unreadable transmissions from their counterpart. It takes months, but the strange transmissions received from the friendly aliens is eventually deciphered, but scientists set about to try and interpret what is being said. Communications is established with the Cirrulan Cartel 3 months after initial contact.

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The Cartel is a criminal-run government that prioritizes alien relations. While earth was attempting to decipher their transmissions, they were attempting to decipher earth's. Friendly relations are established. From what can be read from their messages, they inhabit two planets not too far from Sol and are about the same level of technology as earth. However, their fleet is significantly larger, hinting that they might have encountered intelligent, hostile life. The Cartel is run by an oligarchy similar to a mafia family.

The news hits earth a month after contact, and it brings many questions forward; how could another alien civilization have developed at roughly the same time as humans, only several hundred light years away? How many other civilizations are there out there? Does this call for a reorganization of earth's space policies to include alien diplomacy? A research agreement is immediately established with the Cirrulan Cartel, as is a non-aggression pact.

This still leaves the hostile alien fleet that the UNS Europa encountered. Are those unknown vessels the reason the Cartel has such a large space force? Trade begins with the Cartel. While many are skeptical about the trustworthiness of the aliens, the Cirrulans have a much different perspective on crime. Crime and corruption is seen almost as a necessary part of any society, and they choose to accept it and mold society around it, rather than waste resources trying to put a stop to it.

In 2220, the next election begins. Jabby has been president for 20 years now, but there is no term limit. Zelda Idhrendura leads the pack of candidates under the Free Elections Center party, garnering 31% support. Ian McClellan comes next with the Institute for the Advancement of Science at 26%. Arthur Jabby is rerunning with the Xeno Liberty League at 24% support. Lastly, Kate TBC is running as an independent but running on the policy of government reform. She has 17% support.

Ian McClellan becomes the new President of the UNO. The UNS Europa is given to the command of Abigail Wires. One of the first changes he wants to make is calling for a renaming of the organization that is earth and her colonies. With Alpha Centauri having nearly 200 million humans living on it, and nearly a million spread across dozens of stations in different systems, the United Nations Organization fails to define exactly what humans have become. No new name is given for now, but the idea spreads.

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An interesting proposal is put forward by the Cartel, an open immigration policy. Those opposed to the idea point out that having an open borders migration policy with a criminal run society is not a good idea. On the other side, their materialistic and peaceful nature makes them a great match for humans. The Think Tank suggests allowing the policy to pass, and the UNO Council of World Leaders agrees. However, it will be a long time before either humans or Cirrulans will be brave enough to immigrate to an alien planet.

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An observation post, dedicated to 24/7 watch over the Kiram system's inhabitants, is built in 2222. The post will passively observe the creatures, attempting to study and learn more about them. No enlightenment will take place due to a lack of resources, but that will change eventually.

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Apparently the Cartel has encountered enemies, as they send an envoy requesting a Defensive Pact. This pact, the Human-Cirrulan Defense, will bound each government to come to the aid of the other, should one be attacked. President McClellan accepts, although he hopes that war in space never comes.

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The Mangrove-covered planet in Kiram, nearby the Alpine planet of the primitives, is a fairly good place for a second colony. Several German nations of earth, mostly Lotharingia, Styria and Tyrol, and Prussia, commission the creation of a new colony ship. Funding is easily raised, and a hundred thousand Germans are chosen as colonists. The UNO backs this private space venture tentatively.

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The first human space combat occurs in 2223, as the hostile space squids are hunted down by the fleet. They have been harassing passing science ships, trying to attack but being too slow. The largest squid with what might be her 3 children, fights hard, and one corvette is knocked out of action, its crew having to be rescued and the ship abandoned.

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Very, very far away from earth, the UNS Verigan encounters another unknown alien vessel. Just like with the Cartel, this ship is attempting to hail the Verigan, and it takes months for communications to be established. It is the Vissari State.

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From what can be gathered from the first few talks, they are a militaristic, materialistic society of birdlike creatures called the Vissari. They evolved on a techno-organic world, a very fertile planet created by unknown 'gods'. Their government is similar to old world authoritarian empires on earth. Thus far, they are friendly.

Shortly after contact with the Vissari, an envoy from a terrifying species reaches the Kiram station. It is from the Lilarobius Triad, a dictatorial, militaristic, xenophobic civilization far from earth.

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The fears of space warfare grows as the Lilarobius Triad declares to the known universe that the Cirrulan Cartel is their mortal enemy and rival. They also close their borders to the UNO and the Cartel. President McClellan and the Think Tank grumble over their decision to enter into a defensive pact.

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The second human colony is founded on June 26th, 2227 in the Kiram system. The German settlers form a colonial government and name the planet Saxon. It will be some years before the colony is big enough to sustain itself.

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The fleet, now 15 ships strong, is sent to deal with the hostile fleet encountered several years ago. The Think Tank decides that these are ancient mining drones defending the mining station, and they do not belong to any society. They will be dealt with and their mining stations taken over. Admiral Tony Saxon is in command.

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The battle that follows is larger than the space squid combat. 2 corvettes are destroyed and 2 dozen lives lost, but the large fleet of drones is demolished. They possessed shield technology that humans do not yet have, so a science ship is dispatched to recover debris for study.

The election of 2230 begins, and Zelda Idhrendura runs again for the Free Elections Center. She retired from her position as commander and now works as a researching on earth. Trevor Chopak, a space explorer, is running for the Xeno Liberty League. Ian McClellan is running again for the Institute for the Advancement of Science. And Kate TBC is once again independent.

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In a completely unexpected turn, Kate TBC, thought to be the least likely to win, takes the election by a slim margin. Kate TBC promises an expansion of the energy infrastructure and more colonies to alleviate the overcrowding of earth.

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She agreed with McClellan's idea of renaming the UNO, and now she does something about it. She asks the Think Tank and the UNO Council of World Leaders to put forward suggested changes that better fit earth and her colonies.

NOTE:
- This isn't a vote, just asking for some ideas.