The Alsham Union
Introduction
After catching up on the latest corporate mergers and interstellar trade agreements, Ava headed to her executive suite balcony to take in the stunning panoramic view of the vibrant Nexus skyline, complete with towering spires and shimmering neon lights. she couldn’t help but marvel at the technological feat that was the Nexus and the limitless possibilities it offered for those who lived at its heart.
A burning wind slaps against the reinforced concrete streets as Henry braces himself against his insulated clothing. He’s always hated emerging from the lower ring towards the poles. The cramped alleyways between cheap apartment complexes and strip malls provide little protection from the harsh weather. He stops at a local sushi stand for a brief moment of respite away from the throngs of individuals navigating the metropolis.
The alarm blares, and Emily groans as she rolls out of bed. Another day at the mines. She forces herself to get dressed and heads to the elevator, steeling herself for another grueling shift of back-breaking work. As she descends, she can feel the dread building inside of her. The smell of the mines is overpowering, and the constant noise of drills and machines reverberates through her skull.
The Alsham Union is a loosely-organized group of powerful galactic corporations spread among countless systems. Each organization is free to build its own internal structure, but the overwhelming majority of Alsham corporations employ exploitative, top-down business practices that result in extreme wealth disparity. Those who work their way up in the corporation enjoy lifestyles of wealth and excess at their system’s Nexus station, while those below work to strip planets of resources to fight their way through extreme poverty.
Description
Culture
The Alsham Union has a significant disparity in wealth between the richest and poorest members of its society. Only a select few can afford luxurious lifestyles, while many others struggle to make ends meet. In some cases, people resort to selling themselves into indentured servitude for financial stability. Most inhabitants of the union strive for success, but only a small fraction of them achieve it. The pressures of competition and the ever-present struggle to survive make for a diverse range of lifestyles and experiences within the union.
Credits
The primary currency in the Alsham Union is the “credit,” which is backed by the expected energy output of the local star. The value of one credit is equivalent to the energy output of one square kilometer of the star’s surface over the course of a day. The Alsham Union selected this system because of the relatively stable energy output of stars. By using this energy-based currency, the Union can ensure that the value of credits remains relatively stable over time, as the energy output of stars is not subject to the same economic fluctuations as traditional fiat currencies.
TradeMark
The TradeMark is a highly advanced metal interface that is implanted in the palm and fingers of members of the Alsham Union. It serves as a biometric identification device, ensuring the security of the user’s identity and funding during economic transactions. The device allows for easy transactions by simply shaking hands with another TradeMark user or placing one’s hand onto a trade interface. The TradeMark is a symbol of membership within the Union, representing one’s status and reputation as a trusted member of the economic community.
Art and Music
While many individuals in the Alsham Union utilize their limited free time to express themselves creatively, the majority of mainstream art and music is produced, licensed, and controlled by the corporation Voyage, a subsidiary of Atlantis. This commercialization of art has diminished the economic value of independent art, causing many to view it only as a hobby instead of a potential career. Additionally, Voyage has a history of promoting and creating art and music stars from within their own system, making it challenging for outsiders to break into the industry.
The Nexus
The Nexus is a colossal structure in the Omniscian system that surrounds the system’s sun, taking on the form of a Dyson ring. The concave curvature of the outer ring is where the inhabitants reside, opposite the sun. With a diameter of 100-130 thousand miles and a width of 5 miles, it is estimated that the Nexus houses approximately 100 billion people.
Its concave outer ring prevents direct line of sight with the sun from any position on the ring, allowing for habitable conditions. To counteract the gravity of the star, the outer ring of the Nexus rotates at an angular speed of 69 mi/s, resulting in a full rotation every 1.65 hours.
The interplay between the Nexus’s artificial gravity and the pressure and temperature differential between the Nexus’s local artificial atmosphere and the sun’s corona holds the Nexus’s atmosphere in place in the outer ring. The sun’s corona creates an orange, luminous haze just outside the Nexus’s atmosphere so it is never entirely dark outside, and the stars and other celestial bodies are very rarely visible.
Life at the Equator
The Nexus’s equator boasts a vibrant and bustling environment, with towering high rises, pyramid-shaped structures, and large glowing billboards lighting up the metallic streets. Buildings along the equator are longer rather than wider, and have a wedge or blade-like appearance. The fast-paced culture here is characterized by a dog-eat-dog mentality, with individuals constantly striving for social and economic success. A person’s “Latitude” on the Nexus is used as a measure of their social status, making it an important factor in the equator’s competitive and status-driven society. Despite this, the equator also offers a wealth of opportunities for luxury living, with high-end resorts, shopping centers, and upscale housing options dotting the cityscape.
Life at the Poles
Living conditions on the poles of the Nexus are markedly different from the fast-paced, high-end lifestyle of the equator. Though the poles of the Nexus rise up to 1.6 miles in elevation above the equator, the average property value drops dramatically, and buildings are shorter due to the higher winds and the falloff of artificial gravity. Constructed from concrete instead of metal, they are densely populated. As you get closer to the extreme edges of the poles, the environment becomes harsher, with extremely high winds from the ring moving very fast past the static atmosphere and higher temperatures. People without jobs or permanent housing live in tents and temporary housing in this inhospitable region. Smaller businesses struggle to survive under heavy rent, property taxes, competition with the mega-corporations and other expenses.
Docking with the Nexus
Ships that don’t have the necessary heat shielding approved by the Nexus must book a Solar Eclipse to escort them into the docking area to avoid damage from the sun’s corona. These autonomous conical-shaped ships are highly reflective and link with the ship they’re escorting. They connect remotely to the slave ship’s autopilot system, which a docking expert can use to fly them in. The duration of the escort depends on how maneuverable the slave ship is, and can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour to match speed with the Nexus for a successful landing.
Navigating the Nexus
Transportation across the nexus is facilitated through a subway-like system that allows passengers to navigate around the two separate rings of the nexus. The inner ring is fixed in place with the rotation of the sun, while the outer ring spins at a rate of 69 mi/s. Subway trains start on the outer ring and accelerate in the opposite direction of the ring’s spin, eventually matching the stationary speed of the inner ring, a process that takes around 15 minutes. Once the subway arrives at the inner ring, passengers exit into a massive underground terminal where they can catch the next train to reach any destination around the ring
The Cycle
Though transportation across the Nexus is very accessible, it is often unnecessary due to the underlying infrastructure of the city. The entire ring of the Nexus is made up of a repeating pattern of city blocks, each 100 miles in length. Each cycle is completely identically architecturally, though not every building in every cycle is used identically. This symmetry enables the Beacon megacorporation to project persistent holograms of the people in various cycles on top of each other, allowing for instantaneous communication and interaction with those in other cycles. These projections are always active in public streets and parks but is limited in business disctricts and private homes.
Solar Flares
A solar flare is an eruption of hot gas from the surface of the sun, which then arcs back down to the sun. These are particularly dangerous for those on the nexus, for several reasons. They give little warning, as predicting solar activity is difficult at the best of times. The blazing hot gas is hydrogen, which means it is almost invisible to the naked eye. Because hydrogen, it often only reaches the upper levels of the city’s atmosphere before slowing and floating out; if it does have enough momentum to reach the ground, however, it rebounds off of the surface of the Nexus, making it dangerous both on the way down and the way back up. When a solar flare does hit, Nexus inhabitants do their best to get undercover where possible and at least wear protective gear where not.
The Ocean
The Ocean is a full-dive, persistent virtual reality metaverse. Users can access it by falling asleep in Anchors, which are cylindrical chambers fitted with the necessary simulation technology to facilitate the dive. The Ocean is the Beacon corporation’s faithful recreation of the birthplace of humanity, Earth. Each user has a customizable avatar and a personal space, which can be designed and furnished with assets from Beacon’s sister corporation Waveform. While most of the popular sites in the ocean are combat-disabled, many spaces off the beaten path provide no such protection. In the event of an avatar’s death in the Ocean, a fee must be paid to recover the avatar, with the option of paying extra to recover any items that were lost. Users can find employment, entertainment, connection, and nearly anything else within the Ocean.
Leadership
The Alsham Union Regulatory Board
The Alsham Union Regulatory Board (AURB) is a governing body comprised of representatives from all of the major corporations and their subsidiaries operating within the Union. The board is responsible for regulating and maintaining the relationships between the corporations, ensuring that they operate within the Union’s legal and ethical framework. They make decisions that impact the entire Union and work to resolve conflicts that arise between corporations. The board’s stated main objective is to maintain a fair and competitive environment for all businesses within the Union, while also protecting the interests of the Union and its citizens.
The board’s members consist of 16 representatives, each from one of the major corporations, plus two Union Directors. These Union Directors are elected by popular vote, and must sever all direct ties to any one corporation. They have no more individual power than each of the 16 representatives, but represent the needs of all people and companies outside the major corporations. The board also recieves petitions from Lobbyists from smaller companies, powerful individuals, and even the Dyxian Collective and the Universal Coalition.
The Alsham Energy Credit Union
The Alsham Energy Credit Union (AECU) is the primary bank for corporations within the Alsham Union. All credits issued by the bank are backed by the value of the energy produced by the sun. This unique backing system ensures the stability of the credits issued by the bank, making them highly valuable and secure. The AECU also stores excess power produced by the Alsham Union’s energy collection systems to use as currency. The bank provides loans, savings accounts, and other financial services to corporations within the Union, helping them to grow and succeed.
The Alsham Insurance Company
The Alsham Insurance Company (AIC) is the primary provider of insurance services to individuals and corporations within the Alsham Union. They offer a range of coverage plans for health and property, ensuring that their clients have peace of mind in the event of unexpected accidents or incidents. The company has a team of experienced and knowledgeable professionals who work closely with clients to tailor insurance plans that meet their specific needs.
The Alsham Exchange
The Alsham Exchange (AE) is a stock market within the Alsham Union that enables customers to purchase and trade shares of the major corporations operating in the union. It provides a platform for users to invest in the success of these corporations and potentially earn profits from their holdings.
Corporations
Titan [TTN]
The Titan Defense Company, often abbreviated to Titan, is the corporation responsible for providing the Alsham Union with advanced defense and security measures. Specializing in kinetic, energy, and chemical weaponry, Titan is the leader in weapons research and development. Their technology can scale from personal and vehicle defense to full military outfitting, and their private armies and mercenaries are available for hire. The company’s reputation for ruthless efficiency, extremely competitive culture, and technical expertise have made it a powerful force within the Alsham Union.
Cronus [CRO]
Cronus is a subsidiary of the Titan Defense Company and is responsible for the research and development of kinetic weaponry with physical ammunition. Cronus’ weapons systems are designed with a focus on practicality and durability, making them well-suited for military use. Their weapons often have a traditional, utilitarian aesthetic, featuring bulky and rugged designs. The subsidiary’s reputation for dependable and effective weaponry has made it a key player within the Alsham Union’s Defense Corporation.
Hyperion [HYP]
Hyperion is a subsidiary of the Titan Defense Company specializing in energy weaponry with plasma ammunition. Hyperion’s innovative ideas make it a leader in weapons technology development. Their weapons systems are sleek, futuristic, and designed with a focus on form as well as function. The subsidiary’s reputation for technical expertise and futuristic design has made it a key player within the Alsham Union’s Defense Corporation.
Prometheus [PRM]
Prometheus is a subsidiary of the Titan Defense Company specializing in chemical weaponry. Prometheus’s unconventional weapons systems are inspired by the natural defense mechanisms found in flora and fauna throughout the galaxy. Their chemical compounds and biological agents are utilized to neutralize threats in unique ways, making them a valuable asset in combat situations. The subsidiary’s reputation for unorthodox and innovative weaponry has made it a key player within the Alsham Union’s Defense Corporation.
Genesis [GNS]
Genesis is a leading company responsible for the Alsham Union’s food, agriculture, and biosciences sectors. Their advanced 3D printing technology allows them to create custom strands of DNA and generate biomass for a variety of purposes, including generating food, creating replacement organs and body parts, and even cloning. Genesis plays a vital role in the medical world by continually revolutionizing the field of regenerative medicine. In addition to their medical applications, Genesis is also responsible for waste management within the Union and has introduced new methods of filtering and recycling used biomass.
BioBites [BBT]
BioBites is a subsidiary of Genesis that specializes in food and agriculture production. As the primary producer of food in the Alsham Union, BioBites uses advanced DNA printing technology to create lab-grown food. This process involves the creation of custom strands of DNA, which are then used to generate nearly any type of food product. Beyond producing food, BioBites is dedicated to exploring the culinary possibilities of this technology, working to develop new cuisines and recipes that showcase their technology.
Organix [OGX]
Organix is a subsidiary of Genesis that specializes in bioengineering and medical services. The company uses state-of-the-art DNA printing technology to produce replacement organs, body parts, cells, and fluids, which are vital to the field of regenerative medicine. In addition, Organix offers services to modify cells to prevent congenital diseases and has the ability to create full clones for use in emergency situations. As a leader in the medical industry within the Alsham Union, Organix is at the forefront of cutting-edge medical technology.
EcoWorks [ECW]
EcoWorks is a subsidiary of Genesis that specializes in waste management and recycling for the Alsham Union. They collect waste from throughout the Nexus and filter it for recycling for reuse in Genesis’ other subsidiaries. Any remaining waste is transported to Aetherium, where it is ejected into the atmosphere. EcoWorks’ commitment to responsible waste management has made it a key player in the Union’s sustainability efforts.
Horizon [HZN]
Horizon is a corporation responsible for everything logistics within the Alsham Union, including the design and manufacture of vehicles, transport of raw materials and resources, mining and gathering of raw materials, and development and maintenance of energy production systems.
Orbital [OBT]
Orbital is a subsidiary of Horizon that specializes in designing and manufacturing various vehicles and transportation systems. Their wide range of vehicles are built to meet the needs of their customers, whether it be for personal or corporate use. Orbital also partners with the subsidiaries of the Titan Defense Company to incorporate the latest in design aesthetics and technologies into their various lineups of transportation systems.
Frontier [FRN]
Frontier, the second subsidiary of Horizon, is responsible for the logistics of transporting materials throughout the Alsham Union, as well as gathering those raw resources from exoplanets for use in manufacturing. They specialize in efficient transportation of goods and materials to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery to all corners of the Union. Their expertise in resource gathering allows them to maintain a steady supply of raw materials needed for manufacturing throughout the Union.
Starlight [STA]
Starlight is the third subsidiary of Horizon, responsible for the development and maintenance of energy collection systems. They specialize in maintaining the Nexus’ rings, the primary source of energy for the Alsham Union. In addition, Starlight sets up temporary power generation systems on various exoplanets for use in remote resource gathering.
Atlantis [ATL]
Atlantis is a leading company in charge of the entertainment, design, and telecommunications sectors of the Alsham Union. Their flagship product is the Ocean, a virtual reality universe that consumers can explore and interact with through stationary chambers called Anchors. Atlantis has three subsidiaries: Voyage, which focuses on creating content and experiences for Ocean users; Beacon, which develops the Ocean’s infrastructure and communicates news and events to the Alsham Union; and Waveform, which is responsible for the design aesthetic of the Union, developing fashion, architecture, and furniture.
Voyage [VGE]
Voyage is a subsidiary of Atlantis that focuses on creating content and experiences for users within the Ocean virtual reality universe. Voyage develops immersive and engaging experiences that allow users to explore the Ocean and interact with its users. Their team of skilled storytellers, designers, and artists work together to create unique and captivating experiences that keep users engaged and coming back for more.
Beacon [BCN]
Beacon is the second subsidiary of Atlantis, responsible for developing and maintaining the infrastructure of the Ocean and other telecommunication systems. They also specialize in creating and broadcasting news and events throughout the Alsham Union via various communication channels.
Waveform [WVE]
Waveform is a subsidiary of Atlantis that focuses on the design and aesthetic of the Alsham Union, both inside and outside the Ocean. They specialize in developing fashion, furniture, and architectural designs that cater to the needs and preferences of the Union’s inhabitants. Their creative approach towards design allows them to create unique and innovative designs that contribute to the Union’s distinctive style and identity.
Politics and Trade
The legal system in the Alsham Union is structured to safeguard capital interests, reflecting a self-interested framework. Laws are formulated with the primary objective of optimizing financial gains and sustaining economic stability. A notable characteristic of this legal landscape is the prevalence of insider trading, often conducted with impunity. Punitive measures for transgressors entail either serving labor camp sentences or paying fines. This creates a dichotomy in punishments where individuals with substantial resources can circumvent consequences for even severe crimes through a simple fine. It also means that even important figures might end up in labor camps if they cannot afford the fines.
Credit Score
Credit scores play a pivotal role in determining an individual’s financial standing and access to various opportunities. Functioning akin to conventional credit scoring systems, these scores are influenced by financial behaviors and history. Notably, the Alsham Union’s credit scoring system introduces a multiplier that correlates with an individual’s net worth, contributing to a hierarchy of financial trustworthiness. This system led to credit score cutoffs, where specific products, stocks, positions, and other financial advantages are locked behind a certain credit score. This effectively affords more affluent citizens enhanced privileges and access to more exclusive options.
Current Political Debates
Breaking the Pattern of the Nexus
One of the Alsham Union’s political debates centers on Waveform’s proposition to alter the established pattern of the Nexus. Waveform’s initiative aims to introduce uniqueness to specific regions within the Nexus, an endeavor that would necessitate adjustments to numerous systems maintained by numerous companies. Proposed alterations include: shifts in supply chains for various sectors such as BioBites’s food supply; changes in EcoWorks’s waste management infrastructure; a dramatic shift in how Orbital operates, switching from simply maintaining trasportation systems in the Nexus to making new ones; and overhauls of Beacon’s holographic technology to account for the differences in sections.
This proposition is met with mixed responses, as concerns arise about the potential consequences of disrupting the Nexus’s equilibrium. Notably, Starlight expresses apprehension about the potential impact on its energy collection systems situated at the structure’s base. The most fervent opposition cites the catastrophic failure of the first Nexus that necessitated the introduction of the pattern, and expresses fear that this Nexus would similarly tear itself apart. The debate highlights the intricate interdependencies within the Union and the weight of changes on a monumental scale.
Brain Digitization
A subsequent political debate revolves around the ethical and practical implications of legalizing widespread Brain Digitization, a cutting-edge technology that allows consciousness to be uploaded into the Ocean. The technique uses DNA 3D printing technology to unravel the brain one layer at a time, generating a digital consciousness at the cost of physical brain destruction. Beacon, responsible for the Ocean’s infrastructure, voices concerns about escalating server costs and the potential influx of digital consciousness. Some opponents object that Brain Digitization is akin to assissted suicide, as it requires you to agree to have your body destroyed while still alive. On the extreme end of this, some argue that perfectly emulating a brain is impossible, so the person does not go on living in any form. Some people are also concerned that this technology is effectively limited to the ultra-rich; those with enough money can invest it and pay the significant server costs through the interest. This complex discourse underscores the intricate balance between technological progress and the ethical dilemmas inherent in reshaping human existence.
Titan Inflating Battle Reports
A consequential political discourse in the Alsham Union centers on allegations against Titan and its subsidiaries for purportedly inflating combat reports. These allegations involve the exaggeration or fabrication of battle casualties and costs, subsequently inflating prices charged to customers while retaining the assets they claim to have lost. The debate delves into the intricacies of accountability and transparency within the defense sector. The primary proposal for a solution calls for third-party inspectors to be assigned to every battalion to verify combat data. This debate unveils the Union’s ongoing struggle to balance private interests with a fair and reliable defense system, amplifying the challenges of maintaining integrity and credibility in a highly competitive environment.
Trade
The Union’s complex network of corporations and interstellar settlements fosters a bustling exchange of goods and services. Driven by the pursuit of efficiency and economic growth, trade routes crisscross the Union, facilitating the movement of resources, technology, and cultural products. These routes, maintained primarily by Frontier, serve as conduits for the distribution of commodities, ranging from raw materials extracted from distant planets to intricate technological innovations. The Union’s unique credit-based currency system is underpinned by energy production, allowing for a stable and adaptable trade environment. While trade within the Union is generally organized and regulated, it is not immune to the dynamics of supply and demand, as well as occasional disputes that arise from competing interests among the member corporations.
The Union also trades with the Dyxian Collective and the Universal Coalition. Trade with the Collective is largely to provide raw materials they don’t gather for themselves, from hydrogen for fusion energy, to steel and concrete for building their massive BioDome cities. In return, they either receive credits or, more often, obtain lease agreements for the Collective’s advanced androids. Trade with the Coalition is much more standard, consisting mostly of manufactured goods purchased with Union credits. Both the Collective and Coalition also purchase energy from the Alsham Union, who is the largest producer of energy in the Omniscian system.
History
Early History (2530-7719 A.D.)
The Union’s Origins (2530-5790 A.D.)
The Alsham Union finds its origins within the global context of Earth’s challenges in 2530. During this period of the planetary climate crisis, the Universal Coalition emerged as a collaborative effort aimed at the discovery and colonization of habitable extraterrestrial domains. The endeavor encouraged the migration of diverse individuals and collectives, incentivizing them with promises of land ownership in unexplored regions of space.
As time progressed, the Union took shape as an amalgamation of influential corporations, harnessing considerable resources and capitalizing on the opportunities presented by the Universal Coalition. With the burgeoning strength of these corporate entities, a conflict of interests emerged between them and the Coalition’s governance, catalyzing a heated debate.
Ultimately, this discord led to the Union’s alignment with the Dyxian Collective to assert their autonomy and resist Coalition influence. After decades of war, the Union emerged victorious, securing the liberty to venture into uncharted territories free of the Coalition’s influence, solidifying their dominance over their chosen frontiers.
The First Nexus (7573-7719 A.D.)
The genesis of the first Nexus can be attributed to the visionary efforts of a wealthy entrepreneur known as Omar Alsham. Recognizing the boundless energy potential residing within stars, Omar embarked on an ambitious project to encircle a star with a massive Dyson ring structure to capture the solar energy leaking into space. His dedication led him to invest a lifetime into realizing his vision. However, the endeavor was doomed by a catastrophic failure that resulted in the collapse of the nascent Nexus into the star itself, leading to the tragic demise of Omar, his son, and millions of others. In response to this calamity, the Union formed the Union Regulatory Board, ensuring that powerful corporations hold themselves and each other accountable on projects of this magnitude, marking a pivotal moment in the Union’s history.
Decades later, Omar Alsham III, inheriting both his grandfather’s legacy and company, embarked on a mission to decipher the root cause of the disaster. His insights revealed that the instability stemmed from irregularities in the distribution of mass across the ring’s surface and its associated orbital trajectory. Armed with a revolutionary idea, he presented a solution to the Regulatory Board: the construction of modular, repeatable Nexus city blocks built in a massive dry dock stationed on a nearby moon, followed by their orchestrated assembly in orbit. This innovative approach, addressing the orbital stability issue by evenly distributing mass along the length of the Nexus, paved the way for the creation of mass-reproducible Dyson ring cities. The Regulatory Board embraced this proposal and fostered a alliance of corporations to collectively execute the groundbreaking project, thus catalyzing the birth of the Nexus and propelling the newly-renamed Alsham Union into a new era of technological prowess.
Omniscian History (11261 A.D. – Present)
The Colonization of the Omniscian System (11261 A.D.)
The Union came to the Omniscian system in search of a newly-discovered rare mineral known as Omnite. The Alsham Union saw the potential of Omnite as a powerful source of energy and sought to gain control over its collection, development, and distribution. They established a base of operations on a newly-minted Nexus around the system’s local star. Over time, the Union grew and expanded its presence in the Omniscian system, eventually fully colonizing several planets and becoming one of the three dominant forces in the Ominiscian System.
The Victores Invasion of Veridian (11312 A.D.)
The Invention of the Omnite Reactor (11564 A.D.)
After extensive experimentation spanning centuries, the Alsham Union achieved a significant breakthrough in harnessing the power of Omnite. Through careful refinement, they reached an equilibrium point that enabled the extraction of energy from Omnite without disrupting its stability or depleting its reserves. This achievement marked a pivotal moment, as it granted the Union access to an essentially boundless energy source. This breakthrough held profound implications, particularly due to the fact that the Union’s credit-based economy relied on energy production. The successful development of the first Omnite Reactor thus offered the potential for an inexhaustible wellspring of power, shaping the trajectory of the Union’s technological and economic landscape.
Imnite and Bosonic Charges (11819 A.D.)
Imnite was accidentally discovered during a deliberate endeavor to reverse engineer Omnite for the purpose of synthesizing an easily-manufactured alternative. For many decades, the Union’s attempts proved unsuccessful in replicating the precise parallel elliptical electron orbits characteristic of genuine Omnite. Each electron exhibited divergent orbital paths, precluding the attainment of a uniform charge shift essential for energy collection. Moreover, Imnite demonstrated heightened reactivity to the presence of true Omnite, exacerbating its inherent instability. When subjected to compaction, Imnite exhibited disruptive interactions with Omnite, leading to mutual atomic annihilation.
This principle was then applied to devise Bosonic charges: a moderate amount of Imnite within a confined space in conjunction with the introduction of an Omnite atom yielded an incredible release of energy far beyond what should be possible with the amount of mass consumed. Under specific confinement conditions, the energy release could be condensed to form a transient black hole, albeit short-lived due to Hawking radiation effects.
These Bosonic charges are primarily harnessed for the collection of atomized Omnite clouds into crystalline forms for easier collection. The containers housing the charges employ intricate networks of Ferrofluid-circulating chambers to establish a powerful electromagnetic field at their core to restrain the Imnite and Omnite particles during the detonation process.
The Annihilation of Veridian (12107 A.D.)
A massively popular populist leader, Aiden Voss, led an uprising in a mining colony on Veridian against the Alsham Union. His charisma even swayed the Union military units sent to end the uprising to join him instead, forming a powerful paramilitary force. In response, the Union chose a drastic approach: obliterating the planet with a massive Bosonic charge. The cataclysm shattered the planet into asteroid-like fragments, leaving a tattered atmosphere that gradually filled the gaps between the remnants. This devastating decision underscored the Union’s dominance over worker movements for centuries to come.
Places and People
Notable Locations
Symbiota
Symbiota is a planet in the Omniscian system that is owned by The Alsham Union and is being systematically stripped of its natural resources. The planet’s surface is marked by sprawling industrial complexes and mining operations, which stand as a testament to the Union’s relentless pace of consumption. Vast tracts of once-pristine landscapes have been altered to accommodate massive excavation machinery and resource extraction facilities full of exhausted workers. The atmosphere, while still breathable, bears signs of pollution and emissions from extensive mining and processing activities. The planet’s rich mineral deposits, including rare metals and minerals, have made it a prime target for resource exploitation.
Veridian
Veridian stands as a stark testament to the aftermath of the Union’s cataclysmic actions. The once-thriving planet now bears the scars of the Union’s massive Bosonic charge, leaving the planet fragmented into multiple asteroid-like pieces, with vast continents reduced to chunks of rock and earth scattered across deep space. What’s left of the atmosphere, though thin, remains breathable, making it feasible for limited habitation. Amid this desolation, rumors have emerged regarding a small gathering of resistance fighters determined to challenge the Union’s dominion.
The Last Resort
Situated within the expanse of the gas giant Aetherium’s atmosphere, “The Last Resort” stands as a luxurious resort and casino, offering an exclusive escape for discerning patrons. Housed within a colossal city-sized airship, this opulent establishment caters to those with a taste for extravagance. The casino provides an array of entertainment, from high-stakes gambling to world-class venues. However, it is renowned for its unique approach to solvency: once patrons exhaust their financial resources, they are allowed to wager periods of servitude as a form of collateral. This blend of opulence and risk has contributed to the allure and exclusivity of “The Last Resort” within the Aetherium system.
Notable Individuals
Union Man
HUMAN, 36, HE/HIM
Union Man, an iconic figure within the Alsham Union, serves as the embodiment of civic values and unity. Possessing extraordinary abilities like flight, super strength, rapid speed, laser vision, and telekinesis, Union Man stands as a symbol of the Union’s principles. While some question the authenticity of his powers, the vast amount of media surrounding his heroic deeds has swayed public opinion in his favor. His image, akin to a blend of national spirit and guardian, remains a unifying presence in the Union, even as discussions about the reality of his abilities continue.
Archer Aroma
GOBLIN, 48, HE/HIM
Archer Aroma, a wealthy entrepreneur and self-proclaimed philanthropist, is known for leading various altruistic ventures. However, rumors about his questionable dealings persist. He also owns The Last Resort, a high-end destination. Despite his charitable facade, Archer Aroma’s less reputable actions raise doubts about his true intentions.
Elias Drake, “The Trojan”
GOLIATH, 41, HE/HIM
Elias Drake, the leader of the Union Worker’s Alliance, commonly known as “The Trojan,” has a storied history of activism within the Alsham Union. Their unwavering dedication to leading protests, movements, and uprisings against the Union’s practices led to their eventual capture. Subsequently, they became the subject of experimental procedures that resulted in the successful uploading of the first complete humanoid consciousness to the vast oceanic data repositories. Although their physical form was destroyed during this process, their digital consciousness managed to break free from the Union’s control. Operating from the depths of the ocean, Elias continues to lead the Alliance. Through an ingenious strategy of constant backup and replication by Alliance members, Elias repeatedly reemerges even after countless deletion attempts.
Victoria Sterling
HALFLING, 62, SHE/HER
Victoria Sterling commands an unparalleled reputation as the premiere influential taste-maker in the Omniscian System. Renowned for her discerning reviews spanning endless domains such as cuisine, automobiles, entertainment, architectural design and more, Sterling’s judgments hold substantial weight within the Union’s cultural landscape. Driven by an unyielding pursuit of perfection, she exhibits a shrewd and forthright demeanor, often bordering on rudeness. Her unwavering commitment to achieving the epitome of refined taste has earned her the respect of many, even amid her ruthless critique. Sterling presides over a media conglomerate known as “Insight,” an entity devoted to disseminating her perspectives across the system. Through meticulous analysis and uncompromising standards, Victoria Sterling has established herself as a prominent leader of taste, wielding a lasting influence over the Union’s aesthetic landscape.