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The Androsynth RebellionIn restrospect, the Clone Revolt of 2085 was inevitable. Stronger, smarter, and more adaptable then normal humans, the Androsynths despised and deeply resented their status as slaves. By the late '70's there were tens of thousands of Androsynths distributed across the planet, many of them doing sophisticated scientific and technological research. Then, in the spring of 2085, the Androsynths staged a worldwide rebellion, throwing off their chains with the help of a sympathetic human underground. The uprising had been exquisitely planned. Within 24 hours, the clones had captured nearly every spaceflight facility on the planet. Androsynths working at the centers had secretly fueled and readied over a thousand spacecraft to carry their people off this hated planet. Two days after the rebellion began, the freed clones took over all orbital and lunar bases, leaving not a single Androsynth on the face of the earth. "Star Control," the recently established wing of the United Nations' military forces, made several attempts to evict the clones. Each time the Star Control ships approached, the craft were burnt to ashes by colossal MASER weapons that Androsynth scientists had fashioned out of formerly benign energy broadcast units. After two months of futile strikes on the Androsynth strongholds with conventional weapons, the U.N. leadership decided to use the means of mass destruction stored in the Peace Vaults. Yet before the nuclear bombs and laser rays could be reassembled, Star Control scoutships watching the orbiting bases reported an amazing sight. Eight of the largest space stations were accelerating out of Earth orbit heading towards the periphery of the solar system. The Androsynths had somehow modified the huge space-stations for flight, including the recently finished Starlight Hilton. Though Star Control chase ships were never able to catch the space-stations, a ten thruster ore freighter on its way home from an Asteroid Belt mining base with a hold full of titanium was able to make a high-V interception of the rag-tag fleet. As the freighter pilot approached the fleeing space-stations, they suddenly began to glow with a bright energy field that spun around the ships with blazing speed. According to the pilot's recorded testimony, a "great red hole" over 500 meters across appeared in front of the space stations. As he watched in disbelief, the stations flew into the hole one by one and vanished in a starburst of white lights. When the last of the Androsynth strongholds had disappeared, the hole collapsed rapidly inward, imploding finally to nothingness. Over 30 years would pass before humans encountered the Androsynths again. Aliens Contact EarthIn 2112, the largest and most remote space intallation, Ceres Base, was built on the 700 kilometer-wide asteroid of the same name. Three years later, Ceres Base would be the site of mankind's first official contact with an alien life-form -- the crystalline Chenjesu. The alien vessel suddenly appeared out of nowhere, a scarlet flash of light announcing its presence as it took up a position 3 kilometers above the asteroid. Almost immediately, the alien ship began broadcasting this message: "People from Earth: We are the Chenjesu. We mean you no harm. We come in peace with an urgent message. Heed these words: there is a horde of conquering warriors advancing toward your solar system from deep space. They are called the Ur-Quan. They know you are here. They will make slaves of you as they have made slaves of a thousand races across the galaxy. They will enslave both our species, Chenjesu and Human, unless we stop them now. "We are not alone in our struggle. There are others who will fight with us against the Ur-Quan. Together - in an alliance with the remaining free stars - we may yet turn back the enemy, defeating the Ur-Quan and its Hierarchy of Battle Thralls. "We beseech you to join us, for we desperately need your help. But we do not have much time. What is your answer?" For over a week, the answer from Earth was stunned silence. |