20100128

The Schmidt Foundation

The Schmidt Foundation was founded 2045 CE in Umoja by Erin Schmidt (2015-2093 CE) as a legacy of her father, a Nexus operative whose codename was JJJSchmidt. The Foundation was an early investor in the Martian colonies and Dalanian Antigravitics; by 2100 CE it was one of the largest and richest corporations in Earthspace.

In 2071 CE, Erin's son Ray Schmidt (2046-2108 CE) espoused Jannet Hoister, and so the Schmidt Foundation became allied with the Hoister Family. By 2153 CE, the Foundation was essentially the business arm of the Hoister Family.

Subsidiaries of the Schmidt Foundation included:

* Alee Artificial Intelligences
* Associated Starflight
* Cranford Sociotechnics
* Kuchta Genetics


copyright (c) 2010, Don Sakers


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20100121

Hlekkarian Plague

On 23 November TE 430, the Hlekkar L4 gengineering laboratory belonging to Hlekkar Geneotech Ltd. was holed by a meteor strike. Proper decontamination procedures were not followed, resulting in the release of the virulent disease which became known as the Hlekkarian Plague. Ultimately, the Plague destroyed about 13% of Galactic population in ten years.

About 570 planets wiped out or abandoned during Hlekkarian Plague, TE 430-440 (AD 2583-2593)

A vaccine to Hlekkarian Plague was developed in 440 on Taglierre, and spread by Imperial Navy. Within four tendays, the Plague was declared over.

The Hlekkarian Plague was a particularly virulent form of influenza, with all of the attendant respiratory symptoms. However, the Plague organism had the ability, in some cases, to tailor itself to a particular host over time. Therefore, episodes of Plague had a tendency to recur, growing more virulent with each return. Individual episodes usually started at six to twelve days, then increased in duration with each subsequent episode. Recurrences came on the order of thirty to ninety days apart, although that time period tended to lengthen as the disease progressed.

The particular dread of the Hlekkarian Plague was that one could never be sure that one was rid of it. At any time, it could return, worse than before . . . and continue returning, until finally one died.



copyright (c) 2010, Don Sakers


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20100106

Kastechian Plague

The planet Kastechia is home to a fast-growing, all-devouring fungoid lifeform. In its sessile, "flowering" form it resembles orchid blossoms, and is harmless. When deprived of moisture (i.e. during the middle of the hot Kastechian daylight period), the organism forms microscopic spores which are free-ranging. Upon contact with water and CHON (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen) structures, each spore begins to reorganize the molecules into another sessile form. The mucus membranes of the human nose, throat, and lungs are ideal raw material for Kastechian spores.

Following initial infection, the progress of Kastechian Plague is rapid and irreversible. Within a period of 50 hours, a single Kastechian spore can totally convert an adult human body into "flowers" -- and a single human body so converted can provide enough spores to saturate a planet's ecosystem.

Kastechian spores are harmless against metal, silicates, and non-organic compounds. Spores can withstand vacuum, hard radiation, and extreme cold. Their molecular structure rapidly decomposes at temperatures above 500° C. The only known defense against Kastechian Plague is to avoid contact with spores.

It is conjectured, although not proven, that Kastechian Plague is a form of nanotech weapon created by an alien race long ago.

Kastechia is off-limits and under highest quarantine. A permanent Imperial Navy garrison patrols the system with standing orders to destroy any ship that enters the atmosphere of Kastechia. Robot sentries on the planet are programmed to repel any approaching vessels, and to destroy any that enter the atmosphere.

Imperial law strictly prohibits approaching the Kastechia system any closer than 1 parsec, with penalties ranging from mindwipe to transportation for life. Anyone entering Kastechia's atmosphere receives an automatic and immediate death sentence.


copyright (c) 2010, Don Sakers

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