Expansionism and Opportunity in a Vast Universe (part 4)

Though current data and predictions aren't entirely conclusive, the chances a catastrophic impact with an asteroid could occur are around once every thousand years. In the future, if such a case is forecast, earth inhabitants might have another reason to relocate. There are a number of other events that could cause earth to become uninhabitable, so exploration to find other worlds to colonize would become a greater priority if a disastrous event was determined for the future. Other catalysts that might cause off-world colonization to become a priority could include a massive nuclear war, extreme pollution, a deadly outbreak, or even an encounter with an advanced alien species. It is difficult to say what might compel us to make another world our home, but more and more, it appears closer on the horizon.

Expansionism and Opportunity in a Vast Universe (part 3)

It is hard to believe that our expansion of the human race would stop with Mars. Someday, we may achieve faster-than-light (FTL) speed travel, and planets far beyond our own solar system may be more desirable for colonization. Even if we don't manage FTL travel, however, there are other possibilities that may take us beyond our solar system. Theories about wormholes, which are hypothetical shortcuts through space-time, suggest that they might indeed exist. In Solar Echoes, the human race had sent out starships with colonists. One group, called the Ark 3, discovered a wormhole by accident. They were catapulted across the galaxy and not only discovered a habitable world, but soon after discovered the existence of 6 other intelligent alien races. Christopher's Nolan's upcoming movie “Interstellar” addresses the same concept—humans transcending normal limitations on space travel.

Expansionism and Opportunity in a Vast Universe (part 2)

Why are we looking to the stars so much lately? There are a number of likely reasons, but among them is the hope to start fresh. Consider the first pioneers to leave Europe and arrive in America, or those that participated in the Land Run of 1893--people were hoping to expand, to find a place to call their own, or to escape a failed and oppressive government. Though we are still infants in our technological and inter-stellar capabilities, it is easy to imagine that someday, maybe even in our lifetimes, we will see a similar run on lands beyond Earth itself, possibly for the same reasons.

Expansionism and Opportunity in a Vast Universe (part 1)

We see it around us all the time—expansion creates jobs, hope, and opportunity. The world is said, by many, to be overpopulated. Though borders shift occasionally, it has been a long time since the human race found new, undiscovered territory to settle. Is it any wonder, then, that in the last few years there has been so much talk about establishing a small colony on Mars? Private interests, not government, have fueled the drive towards these goals and there is no shortage of the number of people willing to leave Earth and become part of the proposed Mars colony. Thousands have signed up in hopes of being chosen! There is something in us--the human race--that yearns to discover, to expand, and to start again.

Debriefing (part 5)

The gang leader immediately took cover behind his vehicle and ignored the Omul's warning that he would fire his rotary canon at him. The gangster must have figured the Omul wouldn't use the powerful vehicle weapon in a public place, for risk of hitting other cars on the freeway. The gang leader fired his assault rifle at the Omul, who barely managed to duck in time as the windshield was shattered. However, the gangster was quite surprised when the Omul returned fire with the rotary cannon, shredding the entire rear half of the skimcar and nearly hitting him. He quickly surrendered in disbelief, wondering how a UG agent could fire a heavy vehicle weapon near civilians. Shortly after, the Human and Krissethi agent caught up, and the gang leader was apprehended. After some clever interrogation attempts, the team was able to determine that a group of smugglers was waiting at the starport for the gun shipment.

Debriefing (part 4)

It wasn't long before the Omul managed to catch up to the gang leader's skimcar, but it was clear that the gangster had better driving skills. For instance, the gangster made a sharp turn by drifting around it without having to slow down, but the Omul couldn't manage the same maneuver without slowing and fell further behind. However, he managed to close the distance soon after, and began firing at the gangster's skimcar with his hood-mounted rotary canon. The gangster eluded the gunfire by skillfully swerving, and answered the attack with an attack of his own—magnetic caltrops. The tiny devices successfully attached themselves to the anti-grav generator of the Omul's skimcar, risking a malfunction at any moment as a result that would send his skimcar crashing into the ground at high speed. The Omul pressed forward despite the risk and continued his pursuit, firing at the gangster's vehicle continuously. Finally, the gang leader's skimcar was so damaged that he had to stop in the middle of the freeway.

Debriefing (part 3)

Unfortunately, the gang leader managed to get to his skimcar. The Krissethi attempted to shoot him with his sniper rifle, but only managed to shoot out his window. As the garage opened, however, the Omul agent outside was ready and waiting. He fired a hail of gunfire at the gang leader's vehicle and tore up the front of the skimcar. However, the gang leader managed to speed away successfully, and the Omul immediately began pursuit. Meanwhile, the Human agent had to take cover behind a crate and narrowly avoided a spray of gunfire from a gang member wielding one of the illegal assault weapons. The agent's return fire was enough to render the gang member unconscious. The Krissethi spotted the last remaining gang member running for another car, so he dropped out of the air duct and threw a bola at him. This primitive weapon was surprisingly effective, as it hit the gangster and entangled him before he could enter the vehicle. He was promptly cuffed and stuffed into the trunk of a gang skimcar, along with the other captives, so the Krissethi and Human could try to catch up to the Omul on their team.