A History of the Nu System, The beginning of the Allies and Fringers

[Marcus Caine]

The Discovery of the Nu System and The Beginning of The Alliance
pretty much common knowledge for most people these days

The beginning of The Alliance is one which is rarely taken into consideration by residents of the Nu System, as the people of the system no longer identify themselves with the factions and nations of the past, but the roots of Alliance power go back to a time before "The Finale", the ending of Earth as home to humanity. . .

By the year 2300, Earth was crowded, dirty and full of hostility. Overpopulation and pollution plagued almost every inch of the planet, and even during supposed times of peace, political battles raged behind closed doors. After years of overwhelming filth and conflict, the wealthiest countries of the world took to the skies and space to search for other inhabitable planets and to assume a position which would enable them to threaten their enemies with assaults from above. Newly designed spacecrafts that were barely affordable to the superpowers lingered above the atmosphere, waiting for war, while similar spacecrafts explored the darkness beyond.

Although few care to acknowledge who was originally responsible for The Expansion, one of the powers of Earth did eventually find something. After having developed a means of acceleration that enabled them to reach speeds far greater than those of their competitors, they reached a system previously unknown and discovered the hospitable planets within it. This system is now known as the Nu System.

When word of this incredible discovery began to spread, countries of Earth began the race to get their citizens to these new, seemingly untainted planets of the Nu System. The ones responsible for the discovery of the system joined forces with their allies to form what was simply called The Alliance. It was their plan from the beginning to gain control of the Nu System and shape it into a collection of worlds which would not fall into disarray like Earth. They said people would not go hungry in the Nu System. People would not find themselves lacking or without enough room to live comfortably . . .

It was a nice idea, at least.

[Marcus Caine]

The Inner Planets and the Beginning of The Fringers

It wasn't long after the initial colonization that more countries on Earth began to secure the technology and resources to follow The Alliance into space. However, those that refused to align themselves with the system's leaders were left to settle the ring of planets surrounding those of the innermost portion of the system. Rather than settling in the Inner Planets (Alliance territory), they were forced to populate The Fringe, settling on the least hospitable planets and moons.

At first The Fringe was merely for the poor and unfortunate. Those with money and connections (some whose governments facilitated their travel) generally joined The Alliance and settled on the Inner Planets. Only the most stubborn and hardy of rebels clung to their grudges from Earth, refusing to align themselves with the Earth powers that had, in their opinion, oppressed them.

Crowding occurred within months. Starvation and disease followed soon after, booming as soon as The Final Bombing, or 'The Finale', of Earth occurred in 2397, leaving the vast majority of Earth incapable of supporting life or providing resources to the planets in the Nu System. The Fringe became Hell. Some of the stubborn leaders who had refused to give up their independence responded by joining The Alliance out of necessity. Others held out, preferring to suffer alone instead of under a government which seemed indifferent to their plights. These people had to watch as many of their people died or rebelled.

[Marcus Caine]

The Alliance vs. The Fringers
What's with all this hostility?

In an attempt to absorb the more stubborn governments of The Fringe, The Alliance began terraforming projects on the planets of the Nu System that failed to serve as adequate homes for human life. They made deals with independent governments, some seemingly legitimate and others shady or altogether secret, and as they did, their control expanded quickly, while increasing the standard of living for many residents of The Fringe.

However, all is not peaceful in the system now known as the Nu System. Some people aren't satisfied with the control of The Alliance. Few people trust it, and already a rebellion grows within The Fringe, carefully avoiding the forces of the seemingly insurmountable alliance of the Inner Planets until the right time to strike presents itself-- if it ever presents itself.

Many are content just to survive where and how they can.