United LunaTerra
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This article takes place in the 24th century of Distant Worlds.
"And i'll tell you this, Even Across Eons, Towards The Distant Worlds, The Soul of Earth will be in hearts of all Humanity"
- Marcus Hector Cüpernik, Father of AdS Drive, Mathematician of Scientific Assembly, Recovered Logbook from Emerald
"The Settled Exoplanets Alliance hate us becouse our colonies thrive under our command"
- Anders Arashi, Premiere Minister of United LunaTerra
"At least on half-ass terraformed Mars, it doesn't smell like shit when you take a deep breath through your mouth."
- Vitas Vanir, (The Forgotten Planet)
United LunaTerra: The Union of Earth and Moon
The United Earth and Moon Communion, officially known as the United LunaTerra, is a political and diplomatic entity within the Solar System. United LunaTerra operates as a provincial governance system, with elected Governors representing their provinces in a unitary parliament. Within the Solar System, United LunaTerra shares orbital borders with the Martian Technate and the Ceres Shipyards.
The capital of United LunaTerra is the planet Earth—referred to as Terra or colloquially as Old Terra. Its administrative hub is located in Beijing, the capital of the China Province.
The Youth March and the Collapse of Old Systems
The origins of United LunaTerra can be traced back to the 22nd century, a period marked by devastating climate catastrophes and global political instability. By the year 2109, Earth had become a battleground for anarchy, with war-torn nations and corrupt politicians prioritizing military conflicts over planetary survival. Amid this chaos, a new generation of youth, disillusioned by the failures of their elders, began to take action.
The roots of the Youth March movement can be traced to the Republic of Taiwan. Jei Cheng, a prominent figure in the tech industry, ignited a chain reaction by assassinating the CEO of TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) and seizing control of the corporation with his team of professional black-hat hackers. This event, unofficially dubbed the "Eat the Rich" movement, inspired youth uprisings in South Korea and Japan. In South Korea, the monopoly of Samsung was overthrown, while in Japan, Toyota capitulated after its headquarters were stormed by protestors.
As Taiwan's economic lockdown caused global disruptions, corporations in the United States and the European Union demanded their governments intervene to restore semiconductor production. However, in the United States, a coalition of STEM students, scientists, engineers, and technicians formed a resistance against government suppression. Using inventive strategies—such as deploying manually controlled turrets armed with resin bullets—they successfully forced the withdrawal of military forces.
Across Germany, youth protests targeted automotive manufacturers, halting production and sales. These movements culminated in the formation of the Committee of Technate, a coalition advocating for technocratic governance. Taiwanese and Japanese youth groups soon joined, while South Korea, grappling with population stagnation and exploitative capitalist practices, was compelled to submit to the rising tide of opposition.
Mercenary groups also aligned with the Committee, toppling authoritarian regimes in places like the Kremlin, Beijing, the Korean oligarchies, North and South Caucasian republics and intervention into North Korean firewall-ed media. Meanwhile, on the Moon and Mars—then provincial colonies governed by the United Nations—colonists began organizing protests and demanding their governors step down. The Martian colonists appealed to join the Committee, citing shared technocratic ideals.
The Collapse of the United Nations
In response to the escalating crisis, the United Nations convened an emergency summit at its headquarters in New York. However, the meeting was disrupted when protestors stormed the building, forcing an evacuation. The Committee of Technate issued an ultimatum: governments were to surrender their budgets and authority to the Committee, citing the urgent needs of Moon and Mars colonists for basic necessities—a burden that only a few ethical private companies were attempting to shoulder.
By 2120, the Martian colonial governor was overthrown and executed by a radical faction aligned with the Committee. Although the Committee distanced itself from this act, the Martian faction declared independence, establishing the Martian Technate. This event marked the foundation of the Martian Technate.
The Birth of United LunaTerra
Following the upheaval on Earth, the lunar colonies—renamed Luna—proposed unification with Earth under a single governing body. This new system, named United LunaTerra, would symbolize humanity's unity within the barycentric system of Earth and Moon. A global referendum was held, and by popular vote, the people of Earth and Luna approved the unification.
In the year 2124, the United LunaTerra was officially established, succeeding the United Nations and adopting reformed political ideologies. However, Earth’s climate catastrophes continued to loom large. Agricultural failures and rapid economic changes following the Youth March left many smaller republics and economically disadvantaged nations dependent on the resources of stronger regions. These nations appealed for integration into United LunaTerra, seeking assistance from Luna's growing agricultural infrastructure.
United LunaTerra and Martian Technate: The Solar Segmentation and Cold War
As humanity expanded its influence across the Solar System, the two dominant republics, United LunaTerra and the Martian Technate, embarked on diplomatic negotiations to establish governance boundaries. This historic agreement, referred to as the "Solar Segmentation," proposed the division of the Solar System's orbital planes. Under the terms of the agreement, planets such as Mercury, Earth, Saturn, and Neptune would fall under United LunaTerra's jurisdiction, while Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus would be governed by the Martian Technate. The status of the dwarf planets, however, remained contentious, left as disputed territories.
The development of revolutionary propulsion technology, notably the Jackson Drives, marked a new era of space exploration and colonization. These advancements enabled substantial upgrades to existing space stations and the design of advanced spacecraft, accelerating humanity's colonization of the Solar System's outer reaches.
The Leadership Shift and Emerging Tensions
The former leader of the Committee of Technate, having achieved his foundational mission, stepped down, and reforming Committe into Scientific Assembly, paving the way for a newly elected parliament. The election brought forth a Premier-Minister who, despite high hopes, proved to be inefficient in managing the delicate balance of interplanetary politics. Tensions escalated when United LunaTerra's leadership expressed dissatisfaction with the Martian Technate's rapid technological development, which began to outpace Earth's capabilities, creating significant competition.
What followed was a "cold war" between the two republics, fueled by political rivalries and territorial disputes. Skirmishes in orbital planes and the Asteroid Belt escalated into direct conflict. United LunaTerra's Defense Fleet attempted to sabotage Martian supply lines, targeting the transportation of critical mineral and ice resources from Europa and the Asteroid Belt. These resources were vital to Mars' agricultural and terraforming efforts.
However, the Martian Technate, with its militaristic traditions and strategic expertise, was well-prepared for such provocations. Escort fleets of heavily armed battleships protected Martian haulers, repelling United LunaTerra's sabotage attempts. In retaliation, the Martian Navy pushed Earth's Defense Fleet back from their orbital borders and strategic Lagrangian points, forcing a swift conclusion to the "One-Week Cold War." United LunaTerra's withdrawal only served to solidify the Martian Technate's military resolve and preparedness.
Return to Fragile Cooperation
Despite their strained relationship, the two republics resumed cooperation in scientific and technological advancements during the ensuing period of peace. Public outcry against United LunaTerra's failed leadership forced the Premier-Minister into early retirement, a stark reminder of the ideals born from the Youth March—a vision of a humanity free from war and authoritarianism.
The Legacy of United LunaTerra
By the 24th century, the Acting Premier-Minister of United LunaTerra Anders Arashi became a side character figure in the events chronicled in the Archangel's Rise, Dragon's Fall, and Forgotten Planet novellas. However, as the late 25th and early 26th centuries unfolded, the political structures of United LunaTerra and the Martian Technate began to falter under the pressures of interstellar expansion and internal dissent.
Ultimately, these two great republics dissolved into a unified entity known as the United Sol Command. The capital was relocated to the planet Emerald in the Cooper's Star system.
The Provinces of United LunaTerra
Mercury
The planet Mercury, under the Solar Segmentation agreement, became a provincial territory of United LunaTerra. On this torrid and barren world, United LunaTerra established automated mining facilities to extract titanium and iron. The Messenger Industrial Complex, the largest mining site on Mercury, is located at the Terminator Crater. This complex delves deep into Mercury’s crust to extract titanium, a critical resource for industrial-grade manufacturing.
Earth
Earth is, without question, the most significant planet in humanity’s history. It provided the birthplace of the human race and the resources necessary for its growth. For millions of years, Earth has been home to thriving life, and humans have inhabited it for an estimated 43,000 years.
However, humanity's rapid advancement came at a great cost. Excessive resource extraction, atmospheric pollution, and contamination of water sources led to catastrophic climatic changes. These environmental disasters forced groups of humans to migrate to nearby planets. The "Dying Earth" gave humanity the wings to escape its cradle and explore the stars.
By the 26th century, Earth is mostly devoid of human habitation, as the majority of the population has migrated to Emerald. Despite this, it remains a popular tourist destination and a sentimental landmark—the birthplace of humanity.
Saturn
The planet Saturn, often regarded as the crowned jewel of the Solar System, is designated as a provincial territory of United LunaTerra under the Solar Segmentation agreement. Major settlements are located on Saturn’s moons, with prominent developments on Titan and Enceladus.
Enceladus This enigmatic moon, with its subsurface oceans that once intrigued Earth scientists, plays a critical role as a water source for colonies within Saturn’s gravitational influence. Depending on the orbital season, Enceladus also supports Neptune’s territories. Cassini Town, a worker habitat on Enceladus, houses individuals employed in the moon's water extraction operations.
Titan The second-largest moon in the Solar System, Titan, captivated humanity with the mysteries hidden behind its methane-rich atmosphere. Titan boasts the largest city within Saturn’s territory, Cassini City, and the prominent orbital station, Vladimirovsk Point. Titan features prominently in the Distant Worlds novellas:
- Edgar Roussel and Harrison Wells first discuss the mysterious Angelic Metal here.
- Titan is the home planet of Victor Dastarian.
- Ludwig Azam receives his invitation to join the Distant Worlds Expedition at the Titan Cafe.
Titan is also home to the Solar System’s largest methane refinement plants, producing natural gas to meet civilian energy demands.
Mimas Mimas is the industrial hub of Saturn’s mining industries. The planet's iconic rings fuel the manufacturing and production needs of United LunaTerra. The William Herschel Refinement Plant processes mined resources from Saturn's rings and exports them to the inner regions of the Solar System.
Neptune
The farthest orbital province of United LunaTerra, Neptune, plays a strategic role as outlined by the Solar Segmentation agreement. Orbiting Neptune are massive military facilities and megastructures, rumored to serve two purposes: safeguarding territorial claims over dwarf planets and advancing secretive military technologies.
In the Distant Worlds novellas, Neptune's orbital military station is the site of a pivotal moment: the CRS Graviton, under Captain Victor Dastarian, is honored with the integration of the first supersymmetric reactor into its Helium-3 fusion drive.
Triton Triton holds immense industrial and scientific significance for United LunaTerra. Its surface provides frozen nitrogen, which is essential for various applications. Triton’s relatively young terrain and its unique retrograde orbit continue to spark theories about its possible origins as a captured dwarf planet.
Alpha-Proxima Centauri
Alpha and Proxima Centauri, the closest neighboring stars to the Solar System, became key locations for humanity's interstellar expansion. Following the invention of the Anti-De-Sitter Drive and Mark Cooper's groundbreaking experiment, Alpha Centauri was technically the second interstellar region visited by humanity, after Cooper’s discovery of the planet Emerald.
The year 2290 marked the first organized interstellar expansion effort. Numerous ships from the United LunaTerra Defense Fleet, reengineered with the newly developed Anti-De-Sitter Drive, ventured toward the Proxima Centauri system, targeting its three planets: Proxima A, B, and C.
Proxima B, later named Hope, hosts the third-largest exoplanet city of United LunaTerra: Voyager's Rest. The city was named in honor of the Voyager probes and the first colonial ship, Voyager Three. Voyager's Rest is a thriving settlement on this desert planet and boasts a variety of cultural and historical landmarks, including:
- Museums that document the colonization efforts.
- Preserved models of the earliest colonial fleets.
- A detailed replica of the CRS Graviton and the Astralis-class megaships from the late 24th century.
The rings around Proxima C contain modest reserves of industrial-grade materials suitable for mining and manufacturing.
Additionally, the orbital station Solar Sailor operates at Proxima B’s Lagrangian L2 point. It is a bustling hub for trade, offering personal mining equipment, vehicles, and hardpoint outfitting services for ships seeking to install mining capabilities.
Ross 128
Colonization efforts in the Ross 128 system were spearheaded by Mark Cooper's daughter, Marie Dyson-Cooper. Her leadership was instrumental in transforming the hostile desert planet, Ross 128 b, into a thriving settlement.
Ross 128 b, later renamed Dyson Terra, has been compared to a spiritual successor of Taiwan’s economic strategy during Earth’s history. Fed with resources from Proxima Centauri, Sol, and in cooperation with Tau Ceti, Dyson Terra became the largest manufacturer of:
- Semiconductors.
- Superconductors.
- Transistors.
- Microchips and conducting wafers.
- Chipset boards and specialized minicomputers.
One notable innovation of Dyson Terra is its own brand of compact minicomputers, comparable to Old Terra's Raspberry Pi, featuring compatbility bridge function for the Volex Kernel operating system.
Dyson Terra is a competitive marketplace, with numerous corporations fighting for dominance in the tech industry across the Stellar Neighborhood.
Luyten's Star
(Details to be added.)
Luhman 16
(Details to be added.)