"Earth:2300", © 1987, 1998-2005 by
David C.
Nilsen and Tom
Peters, originally appeared in _Challenge_ #31
(pages 59-63), and is reproduced here with the authors' permission.
Text-entry & HTML:
Steve C.
The following information is a grand overview of Earth at the dawn of the 24th century. It is best used as a guide for players and referees wishing to make brief trips there. Additional information and specifics about locations and procedures will be forthcoming in future issues of Challenge.
"As we debarked at Kafik after the medics had cleared us for the fifth time, and I stepped at last upon the earth, there was a clarity to my senses that I had never before experienced. It was as though suddenly, the blurring hood of outworld perceptions had been thrown aside. Wherever I go, whatever will happen to me, I shall always know where I am. I can never again lose my way, because I have living roots here, deep down in the soil of the Earth, the soil from which I grew like the trees and the plants." (Anwar Al Wahed, Night Skies - Rhyad 2238.) Thus Al Wahed expressed the feelings of generations of colony-born individuals returning to a place they had never been.
With biological certainty, people know Earth. The air, sunlight, and soil of another world will never feel the same. While most find little difficulty created by the environments of the colonies, there remains in everyone a legacy of evolution. Behavioral scientists concerned with the high stress indices in early colonists put it most succinctly:
"Man's hind brain, the reptilian complex, has evolved to interpret subtle cues from the environment. Abnormalities are judged against standards evolved on earth. Deviations, regardless of their seeming insignificance, will generally result in some form of generalized anxiety."
Earth alone provides an innate sense of of belonging: of home. This simple fact, more than any other, insures that Earth will be the center of Man's universe for generations to come.
Yet in an instant of hubris, humanity nearly obliterated its home and itself. The Twilight War (1996-2000) is the most important single event in human history. In a decade of fighting, the population of the planet was cut in half. The ensuing anarchy destroyed or altered the nations of Earth forever. Gradually, it spawned the resolve and stern will that would be necessary to cast away the wreckage of the old world and build the shining towers of a new one.
Now planet Earth is the home to 5.38 billion people living in 120 nations. It is the economic and cultural hub of an expanding network of colonies. Its 24 starports and related facilities import four times the goods and raw materials that are exported. In addition to Earth, Sol system contains significant off-world populations on bases, factories, and research and military installations which stretch from Mercury to Titan. The average colonial immigrant, faced with this world, cannot help but be impressed with its age, size, and the intricacy of every aspect of its civilizations. In this place reside over 120 nationalities, each with their own policies and opinions. It is impossible in this din of ideologies to synthesize anything called the Attitude of Earth. The legacy of Babel continues, facing off the nations in confrontations and competitions unrivaled by any earlier age. Thus the following material should be considered not as a complete reference, but rather as a guide to further research.
The most significant aspect of international relations on Earth is the degree of stratification present. There are three basic divisions of power and influence which classify the civilizations of Earth. At the head of those civilizations is France. The only nation to emerge from the Twilight War intact, it moved to fill the power vacuum left by the major powers. In 2300, the Third French Empire is the most powerful nation on Earth. Nowhere is its influence not felt to some degree. Its territories on three continents provide it with abundant resources and economical access to space. Its colonies are among the richest discovered, further enhancing political and economic power. The science, art, music, and literature of the era are dominated by French masters. While France has been fortunate, its present position is a function of its ability to adapt to a changing situations and capitalize on transient opportunities.
The second tier of influence belongs to the 18 starfaring nations. While the dominance of France heavily influences all aspects of their policies, it does not follow that they attempt to use France as a model for their own governments. Their policies are each unique and often spectacularly inconsistent with one another. They do have some similarities. As members of the second tier, they find themselves as players in a zero-sum game. Each wishes to gain more influence and power but generally can only do so at the expense of another. The significant effect of colonial holdings on their economies shapes their policies and requires of them fundamentally different stances than those of the non-starfaring nations. They cannot afford to focus their efforts only on the issues and conflicts occurring on Earth. While individually they cannot threaten France, resources are sufficient to allow them to wage extended war against each other. This gives rise to continuous minor struggles between them, which explore the boundaries of one another's will. It is to these nations that the task of establishing interstellar civilization falls, while maintaining the unique ideologies that give each culture its inherent strength and insight.
Most of the smaller nations have been forced into close alliance with one of the starfarers by the pragmatism of 24th century warfare. Of these states, there are a few which have little to offer in the way of natural resources and nothing in the way of strategic position. These are considered by many the freest of the existing nations. With nothing worth taking and no capacity to defend, these smaller nations rest secure. Bush wars are not unheard of in these areas, and revolutions are occasionally attempted, but generally, economic conditions make revolutionary thinking unpopular. These and other Earthbound countries are kept afloat by the overall good monetary conditions, but nonetheless, they have little chance of ever achieving the power of a Texas or a Ukraine. Little gain is possible in their state of existence beneath the starfarers; however, they still continue to exploit the solar system in hopes perhaps of one day accruing interstellar capacity.
(A two-page map of Earth appeared on pages 60-61).
Three hundred years after the twilight war, the ecological situation on Earth has stabilized to generally habitable conditions. However, long term studies have confirmed that considerable damage has been done to the Earth's biosphere. Ultraviolet radiation continued to be a health hazard, particularly in the equatorial belts, for an entire century after the war. Particulate radiation is a nuisance, especially in ground-zero sites. mutagenic viruses and micro-organisms presented serious threats, particularly to less developed nations. Disposal and clean-up of the remaining particulate radiation is being conducted in 2300, and though total eradication is considered impossible, Earth has bounced back almost completely from the blow it suffered three centuries earlier.
Terraforming projects to restore the great Indian jungles are well underway, as are measures to refoliate North Africa. The Siberian Soviets have taken the greatest steps toward bettering their environment by flooding huge portions of North Central Asia to create new inland seas capable of moderating the local climate. Going beyond restoring Earth, their projects seek to create whole new climatic systems. This has disturbed other nations, and the World Court is busily intervening in many cases currently. In France and the Second Tier, advanced methods have brought food production far beyond prewar levels. However, the Bengali Famine has proven that there are still life-threatening situations possible even in this advanced age.
Earth's principal commodity is knowledge. It serves as the ultimate source and final repository of humankind's intellect. The advanced nature of 2300 civilization requires constant access to this knowledge. Governmental and private information services together employ a large portion of the Earth's population. Practically every government and large corporation invests significant resources in the acquisition of information simply in the course of executing normal operations. Corporations whose sole business is the acquisition and resale of data do exist, but most information flows to Earth because of the decision-making and information-analysis processes centered there. As a result, Earth pays little for what has become invaluable.
And thus, Earth is a source of significantly more than merely raw data. Thousands of corporations base their main resource facilities at Earth. Biological research firms operate out of the sealed environments at the Lagrange facilities. The technologies produced by these facilities generate enormous revenues. Manufacturing techniques devised on Earth are employed in near-Earth space, particularly the asteroid belt. Many of these techniques produce products which are manufactured solely within the system. All are terribly expensive and have proved to be worth every Livre.
Information analysis has generated high revenues, and many corporations now farm all research analysis directly to Earth companies. They find this more cost efficient in the long run than maintaining independent analysis operations, particularly considering the difference in the results. Trade and speculation corporations have also found Earth to be the ideal environment for their operations, and a number of these are based here which neither import nor export any products from the planet, but they nonetheless house their main offices here in order to remain competitive. Remaining trade and commerce is generated from service industries, light manufacturing, construction and agriculture.
Production of energy is moderated in order to assure no adverse environmental effects. Consequently, methods of energy production either tap naturally occurring energy sources or use processes isolated from the environment. Specific methods vary widely depending on locally available resources. Nations holding near-equatorial lands use solar power beamed from orbit in the form of microwaves. Nations with access to seacoast rely on wave or current or heat differential systems. Geothermal power is widely used where available. Energy-resource-poor nations usually buy energy from the energy-rich equatorial nations, piping it in sophisticated distribution networks such as the recently completed Potempkin Grid. Various other methods account for about 3 percent of energy production.
Solar space is Man's home for now, just as surely as are the ancient lands of Earth. While no solar planets are sites of colonization, the resources of the solar system are as responsible for the new age of economic abundance as are any grain crop of Beta Canum. The only exploitation of near-Earth space other than the Earth orbit itself is on the terrestrial planets and in the asteroid belt. A number of interesting endeavors are occurring at these locations.
The first interplanetary enterprise was the industrialization of the asteroid belt (circa 2200). Today, an unlikely combination of mavericks, Japanese Zaibatsu, and government-funded operations of a dozen nations ply their trade. Many belters have settled here, creating their self-sustaining habitats where they are now free to concentrate on their own interests. Some of Earth's most eccentric and productive thinkers have adapted just such lifestyles. The large corporations are based on the major asteroids, though prospecting ships travel widely. Mined loads are bound together and sent to smelters at L4 or L5, launched with laser pumped solar sails.
Occasionally an asteroid will sweep out of the main belt and begin an arc toward the sun, occasionally accompanied by a mining ship. These are the vessels of the Sun Dogs, who chase iron asteroids bound for the atmosphere of Venus. Since 2230, the Aphrodite Foundation has been sending asteroids to Venus in the first stage of a highly speculative terraforming project. These asteroids liberate quantities of the Cytherian atmosphere to vaporize and chemically bond with the remaining atmosphere's poisonous gases. Aphrodite is currently meeting costs by selling the departure vectors to transit miners. After mining the asteroid, the Sun Dogs then depart and slingshot around the sun to swing back out to the belt.
Mercury was another early target. Manchuria discovered significant heavy metal deposits there in 2106 and by 2111 was using a solar powered launching catapult to send this metal to Earth orbit for processing.
Mars also has a permanently manned facility set down by the United States. It isn't a well-kept secret that they have discovered a tantalum deposit at Mons Olympus. They are currently attempting to access it without drawing undue attention, especially by the nonstarfaring nations.
Earth has been fortunate. Early expeditions to the stars found incompatible biochemistries. Had there been virulent organisms on these initial scouts, it is unlikely that they would have been detected. The false alarm of plague on the Felicity in 2175 made the need for a unified quarantine procedure apparent. Established in 2176, the Orbital Quarantine Command was designed to provide protection for Earth's ecology. OQC's mission is to coordinate the quarantine and inspection of all of the Earth-bound spacecraft for potentially hazardous organisms and prevent the introduction of same into the Earth's biosphere. Inspection stations have been established in the geosynchronous orbit through which all incoming vessels must pass. Failure to comply results in the neutralization of that spacecraft as a biological threat. No vessel has ever penetrated the OQC final defense stage. OQC is made up of independently operating units of the starfaring nations' military, with central command rotating on a regular basis. In 2218, separate civilian and military orbital traffic control organizations were merged with OQC, and they presently operate under their auspices.
Just outside OQC's second stage defense boundary exist a number of civilian and military facilities. A variety of orbital docks, industrial parks, and recreational facilities occupy this area. Premier among these facilities is Gateway at the top of the Beanstalk. This is a duty-free port established to encourage trade and commerce. Since its introduction, it has garnered 20 percent of the heavy lift cargoes and resulted in restructuring of a number of orbital life corporations. Numerous methods are being explored by these companies to combat the influence of the space elevator. Amongst orbital facilities, these have been along the lines of reduced storage rates for bulk cargoes awaiting re-routing, customization of facilities, and increased security. Transfer companies have emphasized speed, reliability, and destination flexibility when compared to the Beanstalk.
Earth is the most difficult planet to visit. Travellers should be advised to reserve a minimum of four days' processing time in the event they wish to make planetfall. Earth's quarantine qualification exams are separate from any colonial or intercolony procedure, and alternate examinations will not be accepted. It is generally considered simpler to purchase small goods on planet, for cargo transfer to planet is a lengthy process and requires certification prior to transfer. Travellers using their own vessels and drafting their own flightplans should contact OQC immediately upon entry. Restricted space maps are clear and approved flight vectors convenient. And always remember:
At no time should any vessel violate OQC distance-speed specifications. Warnings may not be issued. Use of deadly force is authorized.
OQC makes one thing crystal clear - the safety of no vessel nor its passengers will be held above the safety of the entire Earth. When they say deadly force, they mean it.
If time does not permit planetfall, there are a number of facilities in orbit well worth visiting. Gateway's free port is a very modern facility, and the duty-free merchandise there represents virtually every colonized world as well as Earth. The United States' facility at L4 is a fascinating artificial environment, and those areas open to the public are as educational as they are spectacular. The moon is primarily the home of military operations and French xenobiological research, but there are some interesting recreational facilities there mostly associated with with the old strip mines, including the Alan Sheppard Memorial Golf Course.
The trip down to Earth can be accomplished in a total time of 90 minutes; however, the five-day descent on the Beanstalk provides a unique experience in itself. The large skycars are luxuriously appointed, and the cuisine, entertainment, and gambling available in transit are on par with the finest luxury resorts. None of these luxuries, however, offer quite such a view.
Although entrance to Earth is difficult, once there, an individual will find that great pains have been taken to allow travelers to share in its numerous wonders. Indeed, the attitude amongst the populace seems to be more one of stewardship than ownership. Despite the recurrent monuments and references to the severity of the Twilight War at historical sites, travellers should be informed that conditions are safe throughout the world ecologically. If you are planning an extended stay, however, it is recommended that you consult with a physician every six weeks for the first three months of your stay.
The tendency toward revisionism and ecological restructuring will impress itself on any outworld visitor, and tours of any of the revisionist cities will be fascinating to those who are able to spend time visitng them. Central Europe offers the height of this, though the central east of the United States is also quite interesting. Manchurian projects are the premier of naturalistic restructuring, and the smaller ones have been opened to the public.
Naturally, the number of historical sites of potential interest are too numerous to mention in so short a space. We highly recommend the following list of interesting historical sites (you may contact any of the natural tourism boards for more information): Pyramids at Giza, Taj Mahal, Gibralter Bridge, Sagrada Familia, Restored Gdansk, Manhattan Archologies, French Twilight Memorial, Macchu Picchu, Louvre, Libreville, Rhine, Battlefield Memorial, Norcon Centre, and the CERN Spaceflight Centre.
The map on pages 60-61 shows the political geography of Earth in the year 2300. The occupational Beanstalk is located in Libreville on the west coast of French Imperial Africa.
In the next several issues of Challenge, we will be taking a more in-depth look at individual portions of Earth in the year 2300. Information-intensive, these articles will provide the 2300 referee and player with a good notion of what is happening in each nation on the planet, from population and government to industrial and spaceport facilities. Also, attention will be paid to manned facilities elsewhere in the Solar system to make Mankind's home system an asset to any 2300 campaign.
- David Nilsen and Tom Peters