For centuries, Earth was humanity’s home—a planet of unparalleled diversity, beauty, and life. It was the cradle of civilization, the foundation of every human achievement, and the stage for humanity’s greatest triumphs and failures. Now, for the exohuman settlers of VOI 700 D, Earth is no longer a living reality but a haunting memory, shaping their identity and the choices they make as they navigate life on a foreign world.

Earth looms large in the settlers’ collective consciousness, both as a cautionary tale and a source of emotional grounding. It represents everything humanity lost: a planet abundant with resources, the birthplace of culture and identity, and a shared history that once united all people. But it also stands as a symbol of humanity’s hubris—a world brought to ruin by unchecked ambition, environmental neglect, and the relentless pursuit of progress.

For the settlers of VOI 700 D, Earth’s legacy is double-edged. On one hand, it provides inspiration and valuable lessons, reminding them of the mistakes they must avoid as they strive to build a sustainable existence. On the other, it represents a profound failure—a reminder of humanity’s capacity for self-destruction. The settlers carry Earth’s memory with them, both as a source of hope and as an inescapable burden.

At the time the Last Frontier launched, Earth was in dire straits. Environmental collapse, dwindling resources, and political instability forced humanity to seek refuge among the stars. The first generation of settlers left behind a dying planet, convinced that its future was sealed.

But as the generations passed, communication with Earth was lost. By the Gamma Age, Earth is no longer a tangible reality—it is a mystery. No one on VOI 700 D truly knows what has become of the planet. Did it succumb entirely to ruin, or did some spark of renewal breathe life back into its broken ecosystems?

This uncertainty gives Earth an almost mythical status in the settlers’ minds. Some believe it is a dead world, an inevitable victim of humanity’s excess. Others cling to the hope that Earth endured, that its darkest days gave rise to a new beginning.

The mystery of Earth’s fate keeps it alive as a point of fascination and fear. What if a ship from Earth were to arrive on VOI 700 D, carrying news—or survivors? What if the settlers themselves could one day return, only to discover a world transformed beyond recognition? The unanswered questions about Earth keep its presence alive in the settlers’ reality, a tether to humanity’s past and a spark for its future.

For the settlers, Earth is more than a physical place—it is a part of their identity. It is the source of every cultural reference, every memory of beauty and stability. Even those born in the Gamma Age, who never saw Earth, feel its pull. It influences their art, philosophy, and politics, shaping how they understand themselves and their place in the universe.

But Earth’s absence also creates tension. For the Communards, it is a reminder of the dangers of individualism and unchecked ambition. They use Earth’s collapse as a rallying cry for collective action and restraint. For the Individualists, Earth represents a challenge—a call to prove that humanity can grow, innovate, and thrive without repeating its mistakes.

Earth is not just a memory—it is an unresolved chapter in humanity’s story. Its lessons influence every decision the settlers make, and its unknown fate adds an air of mystery to their lives.

As humanity struggles to define its place in the universe, Earth stands as both a cautionary tale and a lingering question: Was its loss inevitable, or could humanity have saved it? And, more importantly, does the story of Earth truly end with its abandonment—or is there more yet to discover?

• Last Frontier
• VOI 700 D
• Exohumans