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Chapter 7: Dawn (2722- 2732)

 

The 150 years after the Great Catastrophe (as it is now called) was not a time for stasis on the Human homeworld - it was a time of healing.

Note: The following text's timeline starts back in 2577.  It is included here for the purpose of continuity.

7.1: Cracking the Seals

The world was ravaged over the past millennia.  Runaway population and pollution took its toll.  The machines were turned off, now, and the complexes where the survivors existed were as efficient as Human technology allowed.  During the century from 2577 to 2677, the planet mostly healed itself.

In the complex called Afua (A Swahili name meaning mercy or protection) was an example of one of the more sophisticated shelters.  Its resources were carefully husbanded and the people spent time trying to search for other complexes by the means of older AM radio transmissions (which was standard technology on the world at the time).  Other complexes responded.  By 2620, Afua was in continuous communication with 15 other complexes around the world.  By 2678, the seven most prestigious complexes - Afua, Alrikberg, Chiyoko, Conlanshire, New Washington, Wang-Wen-Long, and Zoya - were in full cooperation with a World Rebuilding project.

The people of the seven complexes found, when they cracked their seals, a world devoid of Human activity.  The ruins of the Urb-plexes were present, but shattered.  No Human life was evident.  The first projects were tearing down these extensive sprawls and recycle whatever materials they could.  The enormous task that lay before them took the next 45 years.

7.2: Hello?  Is Anyone Out There???

On November 15, 2722, the undercity (what the complexes were later called) of Alrikberg started to send FM radio transmissions out into space.  The message was simple:

                "Attention Anyone!  Attention Anyone!  This is the Earth Undercity Alrikberg.  Begrüßungen!  We represent some of the survivors on Planet Earth.  If there is anyone out there, who is fluent in English or German, please acknowledge this transmission.  Repeat: If there is anyone out there, who is fluent in English or German, please acknowledge this transmission..."

This message was repeated, alternately, in English and German (which was unusual, since the only languages allowed on Earth since the NOPL takeover were English and Mandarin Chinese).  The message was, initially, picked up by the Quarantine Frigate Eternal Resolve.  The captain, Lieutenant Commander Enrico Hernandez, Immediately forwarded the transmission via hyper-comm to UW Naval Headquarters on Henrik's Claim and requested instructions.

It should be mentioned here that the various ships that orbited Earth enforcing the quarantine did just that - and nothing more.  No ship was to observe or record any activity on the planet; failure to comply was a capital offense.  The fact that Lt. Cmdr. Hernandez skipped his chain of command and directly contacted the High Command on Henrik's Claim was understood by the gravity of the discovery - as well as the grave penalties.

When the transmission reached Naval Headquarters - 12 hours after the Resolve's transmission was initially sent - the High Commander, Admiral Ameki Takahashi, immediately gave permission for the Eternal Resolve to respond to this transmission and open communication.

Over the 24 hours before the Resolve received a reply, the transmission carried, at light speed, throughout the Sol System.  Sol Naval Command, stationed on Titan, ordered a battle fleet sent to Earth orbit, ready for a sneak attack by any surviving NOPL forces that could be hidden on the planet.  Their fears were not realized, and they received the order to reply to the transmission.

7.3: Contact!!

Over the next 7 days, representatives from the UW were exchanging information with several undercities around the planet.  It was found that, according to several sources, global population increased to 570,000 by this time.  The world was still a mess, but the environment was improving and evidence revealed that the runaway diseases had long run their courses and were suppressed.  Nevertheless, it took another 2 years (2725) before the UW government passed legislation to remove the quarantine on Earth.

7.4: Renaissance

The thought of getting the Human homeworld back brought a new level of spirit in the people in the sector.  A special session of parliament was held on Mars which led to a move that would set a new standard in the course of Human history - the capital of the United Worlds would move to Earth.

The undercity populations were branching out to the surface.  They were already cooperating with each other, so it took very little time to build the UW's new capitol.  It was decided, by mutual agreement, with the peoples of earth and the UW parliament, that the capitol should be placed near the former city of Nairobi, Kenya in 2728.

The reason that was officially stated was that the capitol was built near the undercity with the highest population - Afua, however, the details of the decision aren't too clear.  It is rumored that it came down to either a dice-rolling game or a challenge of scissors-rock-paper, but these rumors have not been confirmed.

By February 12, 2730, the UW's capitol was transferred to Earth.  A few other changes were made during this phase:

7.4.1: World Name Change

The planet's name officially changed from Earth to Terra at this time.  The word "Terra" is merely the word for earth or soil in an old language (Latin).  The word, however, has been used in various fiction stories about the "future."  Most of the stories were entertaining and many people still identified with them - and the word.  It also was an attempt to show that the planet had changed.  The old word, Earth, reminded too many people of NOPL - something most wanted to forget.

7.4.2: Government Name Change

The government of the United Worlds made the decision at this time to change their name to the Terran Republic.  This became official as the people of the surrounding worlds supported the move to an identity.  It was also for the purpose of getting worlds to band together against the 4^th Reich, PDSR, and the Federation of Independent Colonies.  Of their three neighbors, the FIC proved to be the least aggressive.  They seemed comfortable with the worlds that they had and they kept their anarchic tendencies to a minimum amongst their neighbors.

7.5: A New Direction

The Terran Republic instigated a new age in the interstellar community.  Many more worlds petitioned entrance.  Barnard was repopulated in 2732.  The economy was recovering and further exploration and expansions were instigated.