Table of Contents
THE BETA AGE
The Beta Age begins on Day Zero, March 24, 2625, marked by the catastrophic landing of the Last Frontier on VOI 700 D. This tumultuous era ends on April 8, 2631, seven days after the unconditional surrender of the Volunteer Army of Man (VAM) and the enactment of the Peace Treaty between ExoHumans and the Alliance of Native Tribes, which concluded the Great War.
The Beta Age saw the dissolution of the Free State of Settlers, the political structure that defined human governance for almost its entirety. It marks the transition between the Alpha Age and the Gamma Age.
Main characteristics
The Beta Age is defined by significant upheaval and transformation, with several key factors shaping its narrative:
- The Day Zero Fire and its Aftermath: The destructive fire during the Last Frontier’s landing destroyed much of the spaceship’s structure, negating its intended role as a material and raw material depot. This forced the ExoHuman settlers to improvise with limited resources, drastically altering their Human Settlement Plan.
- Inexperience in Intercivilizational Relations: After three generations isolated in space, the passengers of the Last Frontier lacked the experience to effectively navigate relationships with other intelligent civilizations. Their interactions with the Native Tribes were marked by cultural misunderstandings, environmental conflicts, and a failure to respect Native traditions.
- Attempted Colonization of VOI 700 D: Despite the fire rendering the Last Frontier unusable as a resource base, ExoHumans attempted to execute their Human Settlement Plan, originally designed for the uninhabited Trappist-1 system. The settlements New Kourou, Firetown, Hope, and Morningstar were established, alongside aggressive resource extraction projects, leading to growing tensions with the Native Tribes.
- Conflict with the Native Tribes and the Great War: The settlers’ expansionist policies and disregard for Native customs sparked escalating conflicts, culminating in the outbreak of the Great War in 2629. This brutal conflict saw the formation of the Volunteer Army of Man and the Alliance of Native Tribes, resulting in devastating losses on both sides.
- Surrender and the Anti-War Movement: ExoHumans’ surrender to the Alliance was precipitated by acts of sabotage from the Anti-War Movement, which sought to end the war through peaceful coexistence. This movement burned the solar sails of human settlements, crippling defenses and forcing surrender.
Life in the Beta Age
The Beta Age was a period of hardship and adaptation for ExoHumans. Their society was shaped by the challenges of resource scarcity, cultural clashes, and the harsh realities of an alien world.
- Government and Law: The Free State of Settlers governed ExoHuman society, with power centralized in the Spaceship Council, which oversaw legal and political decisions. The era was characterized by debates over survival strategies, with factions such as the Individualists advocating for expansion and the Communards seeking cooperation with the Natives.
- Economy: The economy of the Beta Age was driven by necessity and shaped by the catastrophic loss of the Last Frontier as a resource depot. The settlers were forced to establish mines, farms, and power plants to sustain their society, prioritizing rapid development to ensure survival. This pragmatic approach laid the foundation for the ExoHumans' economic structure of the Beta Age, which mirrored a form of unregulated capitalism, characterized by entrepreneurial freedom and minimal regulatory oversight.
- Housing: Initially, settlers lived in makeshift camps like the one that became New Kourou, relying on salvaged materials from the Last Frontier.
- Culture: ExoHuman culture during the Beta Age was deeply influenced by the trauma of Day Zero and the struggles of adaptation. While some clung to the traditions of Earth, others embraced the alien world’s uniqueness, creating a hybrid identity.
Key Events of the Beta Age
- Day Zero (March 24, 2625): Catastrophic landing of the Last Frontier.
- Formation of Human Settlements (2625–2627): Establishment of New Kourou, Hope, and Morningstar.
- Conflict Escalation (2627–2629): Resource extraction and cultural clashes lead to rising tensions with Native Tribes.
- Great War (2629–2631): Devastating conflict between ExoHumans and the Native Alliance.
- Anti-War Sabotage (March 31, 2631): Destruction of solar sails forces ExoHuman surrender.
- Signing of the Peace Treaty (April 8, 2631): Official end of the Beta Age and transition to the Gamma Age.
Legacy of the Beta Age
The Beta Age left a profound legacy on both ExoHumans and the Native Tribes. It was a time of immense loss—1/3 of the ExoHuman population perished during the Great War—but also of resilience and transformation.
- Divisions in ExoHuman Society The events of the Beta Age created enduring divisions. The Individualists reject the Peace Treaty, arguing that ExoHumans were never defeated militarily but sabotaged from within. They see the Volunteer Army of Man as a symbol of human strength and resilience. In contrast, the Communards view the surrender as necessary to prevent extinction and advocate for a future of collaboration and coexistence with the Natives.
- Transition to the Gamma Age The dissolution of the Free State of Settlers and the implementation of the Peace Treaty marked the end of the Beta Age. The establishment of the Federal Confederation in the Gamma Age sought to address the mistakes of the past, creating a more sustainable and equitable society under Native supervision.
Related Pages and Further Information
The Ages of the Exohuman history: