Mortus Corps 4

The Space Race

Since the late 2050’s and the completion of the first privately operated space station there has been a sometimes vicious race to be the ‘Best in Orbit’.  All manner of station opened in a matter of decades, from cutting-edge research facilities to pleasure craft designed to cater to the rich and famous.  It seemed that nothing was out of reach for the people of Earth.

The idea that mankind was meant for the stars was only reinforced by the discovery of the first serviceable worm-hole between Mars and the asteroid belt.  After extensive study and a year of careful monitoring the first probe was sent through the worm-hole.  The probe was a total success and it was determined that the far end of the worm-hole was just beyond orbit of Neptune.  Once it was determined that the ‘hole was safe and stable it only took three years for the first station to be placed in orbit around Neptune.

When the Terminus Plague struck the Earth it was only a matter of time before it made its way onto a space station.  It was only due to the stringent and some would say paranoid safety protocols on the stations that prevented an epidemic in orbit.  As the plague ravaged the planet the people above watched and waited for things to return to normal.  It took the massive and world-spanning riots of 2079 before it became apparent that those in orbit must drastically limit ties with those planet-side.

The UOG and Mars Consortium

It was from the ashes of the chaos on Earth that the United Orbital Government or UOG was formed.  The UOG was created from the leadership of the seven largest orbital and lunar stations, and was designed to work in much the same manner as the United Nations.  The original plan was to allow each of the outposts to govern themselves as they saw fit and only receive guidance and nurturing by the UOG.  In theory this form of leadership should have worked out well enough, but as is generally the case with massive corporations and the remnants of Earth-bound nations, the reality wasn’t the same.

The main point of contention came from the people of Mars.  They felt that they were excluded from the UOG due to the back-water nature of their planet and the fact that their settlements were spread out so far across the planet.  Even after an emergency meeting of the newly formed UOG, and the offer to grant their largest settlement a seat on the Board, the residents of Mars refused, and declared themselves free of the UOG.  Dubbing themselves the Mars Consortium, the new government controls all of Mars, as well as many of the mining concerns in the asteroid belt just beyond their planets orbit.

Although there is a quite state of tension between the two space nations, the Consortium and UOG seem to get along reasonably well, and do a fair job of controlling their chosen areas.  There has never been any type of open aggression between the two groups, but it is believed that several of the corporations that make them up are waging a silent war against one another for resources and bragging rights.