A history of RAM
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[edit] The Planets
[edit] Mercury
Like lunar, mercuries gravity is too low to hold a substantial atmosphere, so most of its cities are underground. Other good reasons to avoid surface settlements include blistering temperatures and constant bombardment by the radioactive solar wind.
The Mercurians are a mongrel race drawn from many parts of earth. Immigration by those unable to retain a place on more pleasant planets have further increase there diversity. After several generations, the Mercurians have evolved into a recognisable form - short, squat and frequently ill tempered.
Mercury is ruled by the Sun Kings, energy barons who generate vast amounts solar power and sell it to other parties. Although lacking in most conventional military departments, it has been noted by RAM that there solar generates could be converted into the systems largest laser cannons. Although the Sun Kings deny such intent, concerns have been raised about there honesty. Should they try to raise arms against us, they should known that the brave soldiers of RAM stand ready to fight them with heroic vigour.
[edit] Venus
Venus is still only partly terraformed. It's thick atmosphere was largely been removed, allowing the surface temperature to drop. The peaks of high mountains push above the cloud layer and are inhabitable by mildly altered humans known as Venusians.
The Venusians are drawn from Asiatic stock, and have taken their religions with them. They seem peaceful at times, but have shown themselves to be capable of disturbing extremism. Caution is advised.
Physically, they are heavy set with small, strong lungs. There eyes have a double set of lids to deal with the acidic rains that afflict there world.
The low land regions are still highly acidic and unprotected humans cannot survive there. The acid swamps are not deserted however - the Lowlanders live there. These greatly alter genies were created to work in such harsh conditions and continue the terraforming process. They are very isolated and little is known about them. It is believe that they cannot survive in other environments.
[edit] Earth
Earth is the home world of humanity, and has had a rough ride. However, it is now under the guidance of RAM, and we have great hopes for it future. With our experience in terraforming, it will not be long before the damage suffered in many wars is undone and this Eden restored to its former state of grace. Then it will once again be a paradise that will stand at the centre of the system, a permanent monument to our paste and hopes for the future.
The Terrans themselves are usually grateful for our aid, but a small number have causing trouble. Martian visitors to earth are advised to be careful. Consult tourist information for guidelines. Although almost entirely unaltered genetically, pollution in certain areas has produced a high mutation rate. The physical form of mutants can be unpredictable, but they do not benefit from there afflictions.
[edit] NEO
NEO stands for the New Earth Organisation. This innocent sounding name conceals on of the most brutal terrorist groups in the solar system. They are primarily concerned with wrestling control of Earth from its Martian saviors and imposing their own tyrannical rule. The leaders of Neo are believed in to be primarily composed of the descendants of the SSA leaders. They still feel they have some god given right to rule Earth in whatever manner they please.
[edit] Lunar
Lunar, earths only satellite, is home to a large number of underground cities. Due to its very low gravity, there was never any hope of terraforming the moon, but its inhabitants make do. The population is largely drawn from European stock, heavily gene altered.
The Lunarians are an economic power, a state they achieve not through the resources of the world - of which there are few - but through investment banking. It is said that they will happily look after the accounts of any merchant, dilettante, pirate or murderer in the galaxy. They have proved stubborn and resistant to even the most well thought out arguments, but fortunately, the sight of a few new Roubles can buy their co-operation. Expect all interactions with Lunarians to be expensive.
Lunarians themselves are very short, usually below 5', with large eyes and pale skin. They are frequently bald. Do not expect to see many human emotions displayed.
[edit] Mars
Mars is, of course, our home world. Heavily terraformed, it is one of the most luxurious places in the solar system, perhaps even more so than earth.
Asteroid bombardment of the polar caps was used to melt the ice there and release gases into the atmosphere there to thicken the air. RAM trawlers still bring in ice asteroids from the belt to increase the effect. A mold was released into the soil to liberate both oxygen for breathing and iron for industry.
Most settlement on mars are located at the bottom of deep valley's were the atmospheric pressure is greatest. The best known of these is corporate chasm, the political and economic central of this world, if not the whole system.
Martians themselves have been gene altered to us enjoy our planet all the more. Our eyes have been made more sensitive to deal with low light levels, while our ears and lungs are adapted for the thin atmosphere. The noble character of our species is evident in our great height, averaging 6' - 7' for males and perhaps 4" less for females. Rejoice in your heritage, for it has made us strong.
[edit] The origins of RAM.
It is often strange to think that an organization as large and benevolent as RAM arose out of conflict, but it is true. During the mid 21st century, hostilities between Russia and the USA flared up again. This lead to renewal of the arms race, with both countries stocking nuclear, biological and chemical weapons - enough to wipe out not just both countries, but everyone else as well.
Diplomatic attempts by outside nations proved ineffective, and the situation eventually lead to war. Fortunately for the human race, although the higher echelons were committed to the conflict, many common soldiers and commanding officers weren't. Many individuals refused to fire their weapons.
However, enough damage was done during the abortive attacks to shake people into awareness. Many thousands, even millions of people still died, and some one had to shoulder the blame. Officers on both sides who had refused to launch were seen as heroes, and between saw to it that justice was brought both to those who order the launches and those inhumane enough to do perform them.
The surviving veterans had get influence in the new political system that arose, and were influential in setting up an organization designed to foster peace, not just between the two countries, but the rest of the world as well. This institute was RAM, the Russo-American Mercantile combine. Even today, it is lead by the descendants of those brave officers who had the courage to do what they thought was right.
RAM's influence lead to a golden age on earth, with rapid growth in the sciences, arts and simple human living conditions. Unfortunately, such as state could not last forever. Earth growing population was reaching its limits, and the only relief came after a bad year caused a global famine.
With the threat of starvation threatening countries, there was once again a real possibility of armed conflict. Rather than see everything they had built destroyed, RAM suggested that the human species must learn to cross the voids of space and colonise new worlds.
This idea lead to the formation of Solar States Alliance, or SSA. The SSA co-ordinated the commitment of manpower, industrial facilities and raw material necessary to construct the first rockets capable of carrying people beyond Luna's orbit.
Once, earth was the only planet capable of supporting life. The SSA started the terraforming process that continues even today, making all the home worlds more terrestrial and hospitable. The atmosphere as beautiful mars was thickened, leading to an increase in average surface temperature. The thick clouds of Venus were removed, allowing trapped heat to escape. In inhospitable places like Luna and Mercury had underground cities built on them.
Mars was always been known to be the best option for terraforming, and the various nations of the SSA voted unanimously that it should be given to RAM in thanks for their many hard years of work. As to the other major worlds, the Europeans were assigned Luna, the Asian and Indian countries received Venus, and Mercury was settled by peoples drawn from other area, including those who could have gone to one of the other worlds.
In the end, there is only so much that can be done to adjust each of the inner worlds. It was also necessary to gene alter those people who were to live on them. This lead to the marked differences that can be observed today between Martians, Lunarians, Venusians and Mercurians. This genetic program also gave us the science to create genies, more radically altered individuals who help make life easier for themselves and everyone else.
It is unfortunate that the SSA, conceived in good intentions, became so corrupt. Even after the resettling program was complete, it maintained a strangle hold over the colonies, demanding a large taxation in the form of mineral, energy and anything else of value.
Although the leaders of RAM showed incredible patients in pursuit of a diplomatic solution to the problem, eventually they were forced to take up arms against the SSA. Inevitably, victory came to the Martian forces, freeing the solar system from oppression.
Categories: RAM | History
