Babel Expedition

History

The unknowns of deep space, by way of posthuman longshot was the last great frontier- and for many, it was the stuff of dreams and miracles. Earth had become too small, and the great vistas and wonders that once so fascinated humanity had long since fallen to the modern age. Despite their, at the time, cutting edge technology, the Babel Expedition was not focused on bringing all the comforts of home with them. Rather, they sought to explore, and go back to a time when you could rely on yourself and your community, rather then so many expert systems.

The expedition arrived in a system that never took off. At its center, a hot gas giant, burning its way slowly towards oblivion, but not possessing enough mass or heat to catalyze the formation of habitable planets. Fortunately, the system was relatively resource rich, and the Babel Expedition were able to use the resources they had brought with them to begin the construction of a massive asteroid habitat. While work was slow going, and dangerous, eventually they had a place to call home. Taking advantage of the lessens learned in the construction of the Tower, the people of Babel set towards building other such habitats- and vessels to explore the local area, depend against the unknown, and serve as homes away from homes.

The first modern FTL drive design now produced by Babel originated in a schematic acquired from a travelling trade caravan that stopped by Babel's kuipier belt to refuel. It was pure chance that the Babylonians were able to make contact before the caravan jumped out, and since that time trade has, for a given value, flourished. Now and then prospectors stumble across ruins containing delta dust, and occasional the vital Velan nanomachinery known as Drexlers. Typically lifted from drone corpses, Babel is lucky to have gathered enough to begin producing their own for domestic use.

The Rim is home, but Babel revels in the pursuit of all knowledge. Building ships, crewing them, and exploring, they seek to bring back the greatest wealth of all- knowledge new and interesting. Seeking unseen vistas, and arcane technologies, Babel funds several expeditions each year. While it is dangerous on the rim, and not every expedition returns, the people keep signing on. This is the last great frontier, and their spirit of exploration and discovery is unbowed. If it's out there, they'll find it, and bring it home.

Stats & Mechanics

   * 270 population
   * 435 PIP
   * 435 CIP
   * 435 wealth
   * 250 delta dust
   * 12,500 military 

A1: Pioneers (+60 Pop)

A2: Baseline (+60 Pop)

A3: No World (+Shipbuilding)

B1: Artefact Find (+100 Dust)

C1: Nationalism (+Morale)

D1: Nationalism (+Morale)

E1: Open for Business (+100 Wealth, +FTL application)

E2: Transistor Mines (+100 CIP, +100 Drexlers)

E3: Able Spacemen (+Shipbuilding, +Fleet Doctrines)