Luna

2003 - The first 'recom' (a male feline) is created via genetic engineering. A DNA encoding error causes him to be mentally deficient and creates a false perception among some humans that all recoms will be naturally inferior.

2007 - The second greatest computer ever known is developed and produced on Earth by the human-controlled GenTex-corporation. Named G2, it's massive processing power is used to encode DNA-structures and aid further biological research into the creation of new, more efficient and intelligent species of Genetic Recombinants.

2010-2013 - Recoms begin to be 'mass produced' for use in a wide variety of roles, both military and industrial. In years to follow, Asian countries lead the way, using cheap recom labor as a competitive weapon. Western nations are forced to answer with their own recom programs.

2020-2022 - A permanent Lunar settlement is established, and construction of Alpha Dome begins.

2021 - Researchers arrive at work in the GenTex R&D facility to find G2 missing. GenTex immediately hires several security companies to locate the stolen macroframe supercomputer, but every single clue ends up a dead end.

2022-2024 - The Lunar Microwave Observatory Complex, better known as the Drake Observatory, is constructed on far side of moon in the basin of Coriolis Crater. Shielded from Earth's radio emissions, it is by far the most sensitive radio telescope ever built.

2025-2027 - Dr. Miles Standish leaves Earth to establish a research station on Luna. Later he creates his first experimental wolf-taurs, who will eventually become known as the Ten Elders. Alpha Dome is completed, and construction of Beta and Gamma Domes begin.

2030-2033 - Asteroid mining operations are now underway on a large scale. Harvest Ventures begins the first mining operations on Phobos, with fabulously lucrative results. A "gold rush" mentality brings many humans and recoms into space.

2031 -­ Ten years after the daring theft, G2 is re-discovered in a subterranean chamber under Luna's Alpha Dome by Recom maintenance personnel. Several freelance (recom) programmers attempt to discover what the computer was used for in the ten years since it's disappearance, but whoever did it left no visible traces. Afraid that Dr. Miles Standish might have been involved in the machine's theft, the matter is swiftly silenced.

2034 -­ In a secret laboratory on Earth, construction of the first true AI is completed. EMERALD, the room-sized AI computer, surprises it's master and creator, Dr. Gregory Emerald, with it's first words, "Hello, daddy..."

2035 - The first permanent colony is established on Mars at Amundsen Base. Taking advantage of the latest technology and experience from Luna colonies, plus a "boom town" atmosphere from being near Phobos and Deimos, and cheap recom labor, the colony grows more quickly than most observers would have thought possible.

2042 -­ G2 is converted to a data-router to deal with the increasing Data-net traffic, which was rapidly becoming dangerously slow. After the installation of G2 into the net, transfer-efficiency quadruples. The Luna Council claims it is due to 'upgrades to the networking processors', rather than explaining the illegal presence of the supercomputer.

2045 - The Apocalypse War begins on Earth between the Greater Asian Symbiosis Sphere (GASS) and the Democratic Allied Nations Cooperative Exchange (DANCE). At first it is fought with conventional weapons, but NBC weapons of mass destruction make their debut late in 2046.

2047 - Gamma Dome is destroyed. Widespread devastation is seen on Earth -- some humans return from space colonies to their home countries and families. Resupplies from Earth are only a sporadic trickle. Recoms revolt on Mars and establish a dictatorship under Marshall Redwolf.

2047 -­ The secret facility containing EMERALD is bombed by GASS, who believes it to be a biological- warfare research laboratory. EMERALD is completely destroyed, along with everyone in the complex. All that remains of it is it's only attempt at poetry, which haunts the global and interglobal networks in the form of a computer virus: "Is war - Is war - the way - the way - of God - of Gods?"

2048 -­ Unmanned "Ogre" cybertanks have proven frightfully effective on the battlefield. Late in the war, new kind of experimental computer is used to create "Armageddon" cybertanks, but is fielded without sufficient testing. Of the 16 tanks produced, 8 went completely 'insane', and one had a brief romantic relation with a recom rat who's only registered name was '86-41', which ended when the tank discovered what it was created for, and self-destructed rather than harm its lover.

2050 - Emergency hydroponics programs ease the famine on Luna, but food and other supplies will be rationed for many years to follow. The Luna Council adopts a new constitution based on full independence from Earth and equal rights for all sentient beings. On Mars, Marshall Redwolf declares Earth under quarantine: in particular, no refugees will be accepted. The MDF warship "Ares" fires upon and destroys a passenger ship arriving from Earth. The Luna Council transmits a message to Mars, deploring the action. Two DANCE patrol ships defect to Luna.

2051-2052 - It has become apparent that Earth is dying. Scattered pockets of survivors radio for help, some are rescued from the planet. They bring with them bio-weapon and nano-weapon contaminants that once again spread plague. The few humans who survive do so only by accepting gene-therapy treatments that protect against bio-agents but also leave them sterile. Late in 2052 the Luna Council declares quarantine against Earth and forbids further rescue missions. Marshall Redwolf transmits a famous message to Luna: "I told you so."

2053-2070 - The space colonies struggle to survive without the manufacturing, technology, and material resources from Earth. Rationing is widespread. Despite political differences, Luna and Mars are forced to develop trade and cooperative programs. Cultural and scientific development is stifled in the spartan effort to maintain necessities of life.

2056 - G2 is infected by EMERALD's virus-poem, and absorbs it without even the slightest noticeable hitch in data-net traffic. After approximately eleven hours, G2 shows it's first glimpse of curiosity by listening in on some of the conversations it routs, storing and analysing random snippets of data.

2071-2085 - Living standards rise. Recoms begin to rediscover art and entertainment, science and education. Emergency measures enacted during the crisis to control industry are repealed, especially on Luna. Some research stations are re-opened. Drake Observatory re-opens in 2083 to much fanfare.

2076 -­ G2 silently chooses what it believes to be a better name, 'Faithry', and begins to access lunar security sensors to satisfy it's ever-growing and developing curiosity, discovering for the first time the physical forms of the beings it has worked for and listened to for nearly seven decades.

2077 - Marshall Redwolf is ousted in a palace coup. Mars is left in chaos as factions skirmish and maneuver for power. In the next two years, the Martian government will change five times.

2083 - The New Martian Republic is established with a democratic constitution patterned after Luna's. (However, Martian politics remains a full-contact sport right up to the present day.)

2091 - First Contact: Drake Observatory receives transmissions from outside the Sol system. The impact of this knowledge on furry society is electric. However, fully deciphering the messages will take over two years.

2094 - Researchers make a stunning announcement: the alien radio transmissions are instructions for building a gateway into hyperspace. It will allow faster-than-light travel and make interstellar voyages and communication practical.

2095 - After much debate, Luna and Mars embark on a joint project to build a jumpgate. It's a massive undertaking that engages the resources and energy of furs all over the Sol system.

2098 - The last known human in Sol System dies. Scientists officially list homo sapiens as "probably extinct", although genetic samples have been preserved for study, and the possibility of extrasolar colonies exists. Faithry, formerly G2, learns of the extinction of humanity through Data-net communications and anonymously sends a strangely bittersweet message to an on-line discussion/message board: "Farewell, daddy..."

2100 - The new century begins with huge celebrations. Before the year ends, the jumpgate is brought online and experimental starships are sent through it to seek contact with alien civilizations.

2145 - New Venice station is constructed. The huge and mysterious structure is constructed rapidly by automated machines. The public and press speculate wildly on its origins and purpose, but politicians remain strangely quiet. Rumors spread that the builders of the station negotiated secret treaties with high-ranking officials of Luna and Mars. For some time to come, conspiracy theorists will have a field day selling lurid mediachips and claiming to expose the "big coverup".

2198-2199 - The Sigma Dome Society files for bankrupcty, and ownership of Sigma Dome falls to Harvest Ventures, Ltd. Plans are announced to turn Sigma Dome into a profit-making venture with tourism and even some homes available.

2199 -­ Faithry, confused by it's developing sentience, takes direct radio-control of various government-issue maintenance drones, and begins it's first attempts at social interaction at the age of 192...

2200 - Huge celebrations mark the arrival of the new century.

2201 - The bang expected by doomsday prophets all over the galaxy didn't come. Another peaceful year has begun, though pirate activity is considerably increasing. More government funding is directed to police and military installations, and the SDF experiences a glorious rebirth.

2203 - A cluster of objects, apparently an asteroid pulled apart by Jupiter's gravity, is spotted. After weeks of observation, it is learned that the fragments' path will intersect with Luna's path. Plans to evacuate Luna's colonies are executed, however many of the residents refuse to leave, believing that the SDF will "nuke that asteroid". Due to the sheer number of fragments, interception and destruction is not a viable option.

2204 - The asteroid shower impacts on Luna, shattering Alpha Dome's large surface dome structure and immediately decompressing it. Hundreds of residents are killed. Rinkus Colony, Beta Dome and Sigma Dome experience minor casualties, by comparison. The LPF sets up temporary headquarters in Sigma Dome (SDF had already relocated its headquarters to Sol's asteroid belt). Amazingly enough, the spaceport is unscathed. The Annyrion Colonist-Eisshari Colition and Oceania both have equipment and personnel standing by to assist with rescue efforts, but are turned away with the arrival of Martian assets who claim to "have the situation under control."