The Past is Prologue
This continues the story of Perdition’s Reach, Gemini Rising and Within The Dragon's Grasp...
The echoes of a fractured past reverberate through the cosmos, carving a haunting legacy that shapes the destiny of humanity. It is February 5th, 1022 AE (After Earth), a millennium and two decades since the demise of Earth in 2042. Amidst the ashes of a ruined world, a desperate exodus birthed a million survivors, thrusting them onto the terra firma of Erdos to resuscitate the flickering flame of human existence. Yet, the scars of primal instincts nearly snuffed out this rekindled hope. Humanity teetered on the brink of annihilation in a cataclysmic conflict until a valiant band of heroes, united by an alliance of disparate factions, salvaged civilization from the brink. Over centuries, their triumphs birthed technological wonders that propelled mankind to dance among the stars once more.
Among the celestial tapestry, nestled in the 61 Cygni Binary star system, lay Mercia—a gem bearing striking resemblance to Earth in size, atmosphere, and geology. Its allure, akin to a siren’s call, beckoned as the true cradle of humanity, despite Erdos nurturing life for a millennium.Yet, even after a millennium of relative peace, the shadows of human nature cast a pall. A visionary named Larry Heidelberger theorized that Erdos’ gravitational influence sculpted a subtle evolution in its inhabitants. His contentious paper, “The Erdos Condition, Human Evolution,” vanished alongside him, sparking ripples across Mercia. On Mercia, life flourished, mirroring Earth’s splendor despite lacking native sentient beings. Divided into four continents, it bore the bustling metropolis of Lorish City as its colonial heart, echoing Earth’s resonance louder than Erdos ever could. However, whispers of Erdos bestowing an evolutionary edge stoked discontent among Mercian colonists, notably the clandestine order known as the Purified Blades.
These enigmatic Blades, descendants of an ancient religious order, revered Astrid Bush and her ideals as sacred scripture. To them, Erdos’ cultural diversity epitomized chaos, while Mercia heralded a promised order. Their nefarious agenda sought to eradicate any perceived evolutionary trait among Erdos-born individuals, deeming it “Impurity,” collecting blood samples as grim trophies. But amidst their zealotry, a chilling realization dawned—another evolved being lingered on Erdos. As the Blades maneuvered to cement their dominion over both worlds, their quest for genetic supremacy ignited a clandestine war spanning centuries.
Erdos nurtured its colonies, embracing Castor and Pollux as moons while Mercia fostered Titania, Oberon, and Vasir as bastions of civilization. The Confederacy governed Mercia, its elite arm—the Purified Blades—scheming in the shadows, envisioning a divine return and a new era under Astrid’s guidance. Meanwhile, on Erdos, in the tranquil embrace of Pitt Novus, a young prodigy named Alysia emerged—her intellect a beacon and physical prowess unparalleled. Her very existence became a thorn in Mercia’s side, triggering a chain reaction that plunged both worlds into chaos. As Mercian agents orchestrated havoc, dismantling Erdos’ orbital infrastructure, a valiant few, led by Lorenzo Caruso, Victor Zrille, and President Lu’an Gurung, stood against the tempest, sacrificing all to quell the storm.
Now, amid the smoldering embers of conflict, interim President Fiona Glenn and Vice President Katya Drunski steer Erdos toward redemption. Honoring the sacrifices made by Victor Zrille, Lu'an Gurung, Ian Glenn, and both Fred and Lorenzo Caruso, Alysia, now Marshal of the Fleet, charts a daring course towards Mercia, poised to confront the tyrant Kolya and end the war that threatens to turn both worlds into ash and smoke. The stage is set for an epic confrontation, where alliances fracture, revolutions simmer, and the fate of humanity hangs in the balance. Can Alysia thwart Kolya’s bid for immortality and halt the march of tyranny before it’s too late?
