Prologue - United Nations of Earth 2300 CE - 2500 CE
In the aftermath of the Great Hyperspace Disaster, the Sol System found itself severed from the rest of the galaxy, a fate shared by countless other star systems. This catastrophe compounded the difficulties already present from the widespread devastation wrought during the closing days of the war. Even under optimal conditions, the road to recovery would have been arduous; however, in isolation, the challenges faced by the inhabitants of the Sol System were monumental. The hydroponic farms on Jupiter’s moons, a crucial source of sustenance, had suffered extensive damage. These facilities, once a vital part of the system’s food production, were now inoperative. Similarly, the mega habitats on Mars had not been spared, falling victim to relentless orbital bombardment that left them in ruins. These habitats had been home to millions, and their destruction further strained the already limited resources. In contrast, Earth had emerged from the war with its surface relatively unscathed. The planet itself had seen minimal direct conflict, a small mercy in the larger context of galactic chaos. However, this limited damage did not equate to an absence of hardship. The agricultural capacity of Earth’s farms was insufficient to sustain the 20 billion inhabitants of the Sol System.
In the initial years following the Great Interstellar War, the newly established UN government faced the daunting task of dealing with the remnants of the previous regime that had governed UN Space. The Helghast Party, which had been banned since 2296, left behind a complex and pervasive legacy. Many individuals associated with or who had collaborated with the Helghast Party were arrested and sentenced to imprisonment. Those in the higher echelons of the party faced even harsher fates, often being executed after military tribunals. While the new government sought justice, there was a pragmatic approach taken towards those who possessed valuable expertise. Scientists and skilled bureaucrats, despite their associations, were often given lighter sentences. This group was rehabilitated and reintegrated into society, reflecting a strategic decision to retain critical skills and knowledge necessary for rebuilding and governance. A comprehensive UN study revealed the vast scale of the Helghast Party’s reach, identifying nearly five million individuals involved in the party's apparatus. The sheer number made it evident that pursuing and punishing every single one of them would be prohibitively expensive and ultimately futile. This realization likely influenced the more lenient treatment of certain groups and highlighted the need for a balanced approach to justice and practicality in the post-war reconstruction era.
Following the end of the Great Interstellar War, Secretary General Narinda Gomez undertook significant reforms to transform the United Nations into a fully democratic institution. One of her first major actions was the formal dissolution of nation-states in 2297, a move that encountered minimal resistance due to the obsolescence and ridicule that nation-states had garnered by that time. In place of the traditional nation-states, the governance structure was redefined into districts. Each district was to be represented by a senator, forming the new UN Senate, which was officially established in 2298. Senators, elected every five years, would serve to represent the interests and concerns of their constituents within this legislative body. The UN Senate was designed as the Lower House in a bicameral system, a critical component of the reformed United Nations. This body was tasked with debating proposed laws, casting votes, and ultimately passing legislation.
The reformation of the United Nations under Secretary General Narinda Gomez included significant changes to the UN Security Council, which would remain the Upper House but with its powers substantially curtailed. Prior to the war, the UN Security Council had wielded excessive power, often consolidating authority within its own ranks. Gomez viewed this concentration of power as a key factor leading to the Great Interstellar War and the rise of Janos Helghan. In the restructured system, the UN Security Council retained its composition of generals, admirals, and security officials but expanded to include scientists, politicians, and academics. This broader representation aimed to ensure a more balanced and holistic approach to governance. Members of the Security Council would be appointed by the Secretary General, with each serving a maximum term of ten years. The revised responsibilities of the UN Security Council included ratifying laws passed by the Senate, advising the Secretary General on foreign policy, and assuming leadership roles during times of war. By restricting the Council's power and diversifying its membership, Gomez sought to prevent the recurrence of past abuses and create a more accountable and effective governing body within the United Nations.
Secretary-General Narinda Gomez, former leader of the Free Human Alliance during the Great Interstellar War
During the first fifty years of the Isolation Period, the United Nations faced immense challenges in maintaining stability on Earth. The 2310s were marked by catastrophic famines that resulted in the deaths of tens of millions of people. Additionally, uprisings by Helghast Party loyalists posed a significant threat to the fragile peace, raising the specter of a new civil conflict. The economic devastation wrought by the Great Interstellar War left Earth's economy in ruins. Efforts to recover were slow and fraught with difficulties. In 2321, the old UN currency was reformed to curb rampant hyperinflation, but this measure provided little relief to the average citizen. The cities of Earth, which had once enjoyed prosperity during the UN's golden age, saw a resurgence of poverty. Slums began to proliferate, particularly in the continental interiors, transforming vast areas into lawless zones dominated by slum cities.
By 2320, the colonies throughout the Solar System had begun to show signs of recovery. The Jupiter Colonies managed to return to their prewar productivity levels by 2329, marking a significant milestone in the post-war rebuilding efforts. Mars, meanwhile, had transformed into an exclusive holiday destination for affluent Earthlings seeking respite from the chaos at home. This development was a double-edged sword, offering economic opportunities but also highlighting stark inequalities. To maintain stability across the Solar System, the UN implemented stringent restrictions on space travel, limiting it to approved citizens only. This policy, though met with considerable resentment on Earth, proved effective in controlling the movement of people and resources. The success of these measures was evident by 2354, when Mars’ hydroponic farms were fully restored to their prewar capacity, ensuring a steady supply of food. Additionally, the discovery of new helium deposits in the Oort Cloud revitalized the energy sector, providing a much-needed boost to the Solar System’s economy.
By the 2360s, Earth began to show signs of recovery from the tumultuous Isolation Period. The population, which had been around 20 billion in 2295, had decreased to approximately 17 billion by 2360. This reduction was primarily due to the devastating impacts of famines, uprisings, and a critical shortage of advanced medical supplies. Diseases such as cancer, once eradicated with the help of Asari technology, reemerged as the populace lost access to these advanced alien treatments. The decline in population brought about a decrease in the demand for food and supplies, easing the strain on resources and job markets. As a result, by 2400, the economy began to show signs of improvement. The gradual stabilization of the economic landscape allowed the UN to lift restrictions on space travel by 2417, signaling a return to a more interconnected and mobile society. By this time, the ideology of the Helghast Party had largely faded into obscurity. The memories of the "before times" became distant and irrelevant to the new generations, who viewed them more as historical curiosities than as a guiding force. Additionally, elements such as aliens, once known to exist and interact with humanity, had become the stuff of legends. Their absence over the years rendered them almost mythical, and while there was a curiosity about these extraterrestrial beings, there was no sense of loss, as few had ever encountered them in person. Thus, as the 24th century progressed, Earth and its inhabitants began to rebuild and adapt to a new reality, one where the lessons of the past shaped a cautiously optimistic future. The healing process was slow, but the resilience of humanity ensured that recovery, however gradual, was indeed possible.
During the mid-2400s, the UN armed forces underwent a significant overhaul. Although their primary focus was on maintaining security within a single solar system, the design and structure of the UN armed forces were always developed with the potential for a return to interstellar travel in mind. The UN Navy retained its existing structure, continuing to serve as the backbone of the United Nations' space-based military capabilities. However, the UN Army and the UN Marine Corps were restructured into distinct branches to enhance their operational effectiveness. The UN Army was designated as a primarily land-based force, tasked with capturing and holding planets. This branch specialized in ground combat, fortification, and territorial control, ensuring that any planetary surface operations were conducted with precision and strength. In contrast, the UN Marine Corps was designed as a multipurpose force, capable of executing both planetside and space-based operations. The Marines were highly versatile, able to be deployed alongside the Navy and the Army in coordinated efforts or undertake independent bespoke missions. This flexibility allowed the UN Marine Corps to adapt to a wide range of scenarios, from planetary assaults to boarding actions in space. All of these elements would be placed under the umbrella of the newly established United Nations Space Command, or UNSC, whose chief would have a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
A member of the UN Marine Corps looks out of a dropship over a city on Earth
For most of the 2400s, the United Nations maintained a stable and resilient presence within the Solar System. While political scandals, public protests, and minor instances of piracy occurred, none of these challenges posed a significant threat to the overall stability of the system. By the mid-2400s, stability had been fully restored, ushering Earth and its colonies into a period of peace and prosperity. This era of stability allowed Earth to focus on rebuilding and growth, with the scars of past conflicts gradually fading into memory. The societal and economic improvements set the stage for a renewed sense of optimism and progress. As the century progressed, the sense of normalcy and abundance became more pronounced, marking a stark contrast to the earlier, tumultuous periods. By the late 2490s, a remarkable development occurred: hyperspace began to heal. This phenomenon rekindled the dream of interstellar travel, which had been a distant hope for centuries. The UN, recognizing the profound implications of this change, initiated preparations for a spacecraft designed to test the efficacy of interstellar travel once more. This endeavor signaled the beginning of a new chapter for humanity. The prospect of reaching beyond the confines of the Solar System brought a wave of excitement and anticipation. The UN’s efforts to explore hyperspace again reflected not only technological and scientific advancements but also the enduring human spirit of exploration and discovery.
In 2499, humanity took a monumental step toward reclaiming its interstellar heritage with the launch of an unmanned spaceship named the Hind. This spacecraft was designed to test the feasibility of hyperspace travel, a concept that had been out of reach for over two centuries. The construction of the Hind was a highly anticipated event, closely followed by news channels on Earth for years. When the day of the launch finally arrived, it was broadcast across the entire Solar System, capturing the collective attention of its inhabitants. As the Stresser Hyperspace Engines powered up, excitement and anticipation were palpable. For the first time in two hundred years, a ship entered hyperspace. The success of this experiment was met with widespread jubilation, sparking celebrations throughout the Solar System. This momentous achievement signified not only a technological triumph but also a profound emotional and symbolic victory for humanity. In the days following the Hind’s successful journey, the UN made a groundbreaking announcement: an expedition would be sent to the nearest star system connected by a hyperspace jump, Barnard’s Star. This declaration heralded the dawn of a new age, marked by renewed exploration and the rekindling of humanity’s interstellar ambitions.
