• Earth
Steeped in history , the Earth has suffered many adversities before becoming the resort
that it is today. Humanity began here and documented accounts tell of three planet-bound
wars, the last one in 2040 almost bringing extinction due to the loss of life and environmental
damage. For these reasons the landscape has changed beyond all recognition since then,
mainly due to devastation and depopulation of nearly all the cities and towns. The final
insult was a viral pandemic, for which no cure was found and many perished who were not
resistant to it.
As the world was rebuilt corporations became more influential and the balance of
power went in their favour. After the war, fierce competition between them made it possible
for space to be conquered whereas previously, that was seen as unimportant and exploration
budgets were cut.
As extra-terrestrial settlements were established industry was moved off the Earth
along with many people. An intensive environmental rescue program saved the planet and it
again became the beautiful place it once was. It became both a very up-market tourist
destination and the Federation capital with only the extremely rich being able to live there.
Many native extra-terrestrials aspire to visit their roots and save up for many years just to be
able to say they have been to their ancestors' birthplace.
• Mars
In 2290 Mars became the first planet to be terraformed successfully but not before
several aborted attempts. Major corporations based their administration centres here when
land was very cheap in the early days and Mars seemed like the Garden of Eden compared to
the ravaged Earth. The two major cities are Quenisset and Olympus Village, both are very
cosmopolitan and manicured in appearance. There are many bijou bars and restaurants
designed for businessmen to impress and to strike deals in privacy. All sorts of service and
entertainment industries thrive as they pander to the needs of the over indulged. The
environment is tailored to be tasteful, even the animal life looks like an attractive accessory , so whilst it is Earth-like, Mars has a very sterile feel about it.
• The Moon
Heavy industry was moved here in the early days and it is based around the only
starport, Apollonius city. This is another must for the tourist being the first city to be built on
an airless surface. The majority of the settlement is subterranean and the vast halls like chasms
are quite breathtaking. Many beat a path to the famous Museum of Humanity which has many
rare exhibits from early space exploration, you will wonder how we managed to get where we
are today!
• Space stations Columbus and Titan City
Columbus orbits Io around Jupiter and Titan City orbits Titan around Saturn. Both are
of historical interest only in that they used to be fabulous holiday resorts when they were the
most distant settlements. Unfortunately with easier travel they changed from very pleasant
venues to the vacation destinations of the masses. The quiet atmosphere has been shattered
by loud music intended to convince you that a good time is being had by all. It blares forth
from gift boutiques selling such items as a bottle of Genuine Red Spot Gas and Saturn
Ring Rock jewellery.
Entry by Kathy Dickinson
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