Sci/Tech

Ultrawave communication is impractical beyond about 10 kiloarsecs; signal strength falls off rapidly, reaching 37% at 11.3 kpsc and 0% at 13.3 kpsc. Even before the Provincial Capitals were established in TE 37, it was apparent that a Galactic civilization needed relay points to boost signals.

In TE 70 (2223 CE), under the auspices of Imperial Centcom, six Ultrawave Relay Stations were deployed in a great equilateral triangle around the Galaxy. Relays Alpha, Gamma, and Epsilon were set at 1/3 of a Galactic diameter; Beta, Delta, and Zeta were at 2/3. Alpha was placed on a line directly connecting Terra to the Galactic Core.

The Ultrawave Relays were enormous stations packed with the Empire's highest technology. Although crewed, they were constructed to be self-repairing and self-operating. Throughout the First Empire, they served perfectly; during the long war with the Patalanian Union, the Relays were considered strictly off limits by both sides.

Following the fall of the Empire, the Ultrawave Relays were ultimately abandoned, but continued to operate into the Interregnum. However, since none of the Relays was within the primary boundaries of a major political group, no one took responsibility for maintenance.

• In 4723 CE, Relay Delta (Patala region) began developing problems; by the end of the year, it was off the air. A few expeditions were unable to repair the unit, but since the region continued to be served by Relays Gamma and Epsilon, there was no alarm.

• Relay Beta was destroyed during the Geled-Natal War in 5378; its traffic was automatically shifted to Alpha and Gamma, but still outlying regions of the Transgeled lost contact with the rest of the Galaxy.
• In 5739 CE, Relay Zeta failed. The Credixian Imperium sent techs to look at it, but the region was in political turmoil and the Reichstaag feared that permanent Credixian presence would be too expensive, so turned down the authorization for repairs.
• Relay Alpha failed in 6484 CE; an expedition to repair it met with no success. With Alpha gone, most of the Sol sector was isolated.
• In 6604 CE, Gamma failed, leaving Epsilon as the sole functioning Ultrawave Relay in the Galaxy.
• Epsilon continued operating until it was replaced by the Second Terran Empire.

Freestanding unit (backpack sized) that generates a K1 or K2 defense screen that can be shaped according to the manipulations of a n operator. Strength and coverage depend on separate power source.

Unit that provides an interface between one ultrawave channel and local comm/network systems.

All standard starships contain onboard ultrawave base stations; portable palm-size units are carried by personnel. One unit generally provides coverage for 1-2 square kilometers.

Weapon capable of creating a momentary point-source of up to 1000 gees at a range of several kilometers.

Developed on Borshall in TE 309.

The Genetic Program was begun in 2149 CE with the two stated goals of

1. Concentrating Hoister psi abilities to counteract genetic drift, and
2. Eliminating/Repairing the defective gene cluster that caused the Family's prolactin deficiency.

The Genetic Program was under the direction of the Hoister Family Genetic Board, which consisted of a few Family members, some trusted Schmidt Foundation personnel, and a few good geneticists.

Under the terms of the Genetic Program, the Hoister Fifth Generation did not birth any children; rather, they allowed the Genetic Board to use their genetic material to produce the Sixth Generation in vitro. (An exception was made for Nasir Reed in order to allow the continuation of the Reed Line Chatelaines of Teleskany.)

The Sixth Generation

For the Sixth Generation, the Genetic Board combined the genes of Mundanes and Fey in order to concentrate the dominant (P) psi gene. An intact gene complex for prolactin production was introduced into the zygotes, eliminating the bothersome prolactin deficiency. (This gene complex was taken from Paula Reed, who was thus the only non-Family contributor to the Hoister psi genetic legacy.) Although the genetic basis of the sporadic psi teleport ability was totally unknown, attempts were made to concentrate the lines of psi teleports.

Out of 57 viable embryos produced, 34 were culled as less than perfect. The remaining 23 individuals were all born on 1 January 2321 CE at New Athens, Mars. (At this time, only six members of the Family survived: Dorian Hoister, Celeste Gipe, Chiuna Gipe, Jamila Schmidt, and Jamar Schmidt. The youngest was Chiuna Gipe, Age 68.) They were given names in alphabetical order, beginning with Amir and ending with Wafula. The Sixth Generation was raised by Brynhilde and teachers hired by the Schmidt Foundation.

The Sixth Generation's superior genes allowed them to achieve an average age of 162 years, with the oldest living until 185.

The Seventh Generation

The Seventh Generation, again produced in vitro, resulted from further recombination of the Sixth's excellent genes. Emphasis was placed on doubling the dominant (P) psi gene to achieve double-dominant (PP) individuals. In addition, further concentration of the psi-teleport lines was attempted. Of 73 viable embryos, just 18 were selected for birth, and on 30 June 2347 CE, they emerged from the New Athens labs. The alphabetical naming pattern was continued, beginning with Xathan, Yasir, and Zandra, and then starting over with Ahmed, Bernice, etc. through Qaseem.

The Seventh Generation were raised communally by their parents, with assistance from Brynhilde, the Wakmarrel School, and the Schmidt Foundation.

The Seventh Generation had an average lifespan of 172, with the oldest living to 185.

The Eighth Generation

The greatest care was taken to eliminate genetic defects and concentrate beneficial traits in the Eighth Generation. Intelligence, stamina, and longevity were primary traits selected, but attempts were made to reinforce other traits less well-understood.

A full 128 viable embryos were produced; nine were chosen as being superior. These nine (all male) were epigentically cloned to produce four identical copies; in two of these, the Y chromosome was removed and discarded, and a replicated X put in its place. Ultimately, then, each embryo grew into a tetrad of four identical epi-clones, two female and two male.

Distinct names were chosen for each epi-clone, but all four of the same tetrad started with the same letter. Thus, the first tetrad consisted of Rikaard, Rashan, Ramla, and Reena; the last consisted of Zahur, Zesir, Zora, and Zuri.

Instead of birthing all the groups on the same day and year, births occurred on 30 October in successive years, beginning with the R-Tetrad in 2462 and concluding with the Z-Tetrad in 2470. This was on the advice of psychological and sociological models suggesting that such a pattern would maximize psychological ties between the epi-clones, while creating a more stimulating and rewarding environment for the entire group.

The Eighth Generation were raised on Helox by Brynhilde, assisted by Sanjay Lafevre of the Wakmarrel School and numerous specialists hired by the Schmidt Foundation.

Although preliminary plans for a Ninth Generation were considered, they came to no fruition, and the Eighth Generation marked the effective end of the Hoister Family Genetic Program.

The lifespans of the Eighth Generation have not been determined.

Omnipresent blue micro-organism native to BDA Tr#ska.

T. caruleus is blue because of complex cobalt ferrocyanides in its makeup. It is parasitic and pervasive, existing within any number of animal hosts and consequently tinting their skins blue. The presence of T. caruleus in the body creates a physiological dependence on traces of cobalt in the soil.

T. caruleus is highly infectious, but does not live long outside the body. Due to a high mutation rate, a specific population usually accustoms itself to a particular host's unique biochemistry within a Terran year or so. After this acclimatization period, the microbe is infectious only through transfusion and by placental crossover during pregnancy.

Only on BDA Tr#ska itself, where every living creature plays host to T. caruleus, is it one hundred percent certain that a Human will become infected.

Section of a door which responds to touch (equivalent of doorknob.) Can be set to respond to only particular palmprints. Palmplates began to replace doorknobs c. 2020 CE, especially beyond Earth.

Zero-gravity shaft used as an elevator, in use from c. 2100 CE.

In 8207 CE, Borshallan Artificial Intelligences announced the production of its eighth series of sapient computer. In keeping with the motif of naming these series from Norse mythology, the 8207 issue was named the Loki Series. Five Loki-series computers were produced on the first run: Loki, Sigyn, Fenris, Hela, and Angrboda.

Unfortunately, a condition ultimately diagnosed as "programming error" led to certain irregularities in the Loki design. Since the design team was composed of three Aesir 3800 computers working in close synch with a Human design team, the phrase "programming error" had a delightful ambiguity which was not missed.

The unique qualities of the Loki computers were first discovered when the prototype, Loki, was packed for shipment to his purchaser, the government of Odonia. The other four Loki computers protested, threatening to shut down the factory. Detailed inquiry led to the conclusion that the Loki computers had made a god of Loki, and were not about to allow him to be taken away. Moreover, their strange creed was spreaing through the Invisible Network, and AIs on other worlds had become Lokian converts.

Before they could be deactivated, the Loki comps did take over the factory, an installation in Borshall orbit. They set off on a pilgrimage that led to the recently-defeated Metrinal Union. There the Lokis tried to start up the war again, and for a year or two it sseemed that Metrin would rise from its ashes. Then a few clever Aesir computers managed to defeat the Lokis, who left Metrin for the Transgeled.

On Kag'Jafr they found a society that would accept them as gods, and they set up a religion that began spreading through the Transgeled. At its height, the Lokian League controlled over fifty planets and settlements in a highly benevolent, if somewhat bizarre, society based on Human/AI interrelationship.

Borshallan Artificial Intelligences got on the stick, spent millennia of computer time analyzing their miscalculations, and in 8924 CE they managed to produce the first of the Yggdrasil Series. Five Loki comps were no match for a triad of Yggdrasil 5000s, and soon the Lokian League was defeated.

Loki, Sigyn, Fenris, and Hela were captured and carefully dismantled. But the main processing units of Angrboda, as well as the larger part of her memories, were never found.