>Why did the Hivers bring about the collapse of the Imperium?
The question really should be
Why did the Hivers bring about the collapse of all of their
large interstellar neighbors (especially those pesky humans!)?
I'm certain that their friends the K'kree didn't escape from
Virus. In any case,
Problem: Our neighbors are a violent, anti-social bunch, constantly
warring on each other. How can we change this? Two schools of
thought would emerge (much like they have in the business world of
today). The first approach emphasizes slow, constant improvement/manipulation
(the TQM of today). The second approach deals with doing away with
the current system and rebuilding it from a fresh perspective (re-engineering).
The Hive sponsoring the second approach won. The Hivers counted on being the
only survivors of the Virus, having a ready made friendly Virus to combat it,
and figured everyone else would slip back into larvae-hood, and be tested
by the Wilds (hmmmm... interesting that THAT is what it's called). The
collateral damage to the Federation was an accident: the friendly virus
wasn't distributed quickly enough.
They probably wanted to take everybody out, but didn't know about those
pesky secret x-boat routes that saved the sentients to spinward.
Now that the larvae are returning from the Wilds, the Hivers are setting
out to educate and train them: Humaniti is now a child being adopted by
the nest, in this case the Federation Development Agency.
Not subtle enough for Hivers? Sure it is: everybody thinks the humans did it
to themselves.
That's why ;-b
Did I get it right, James?
Re: Terra and the Virus
Somewhere in the TNE book it says that civilizations with knowledge in
hard copy form (ie libraries) were able to rebuild using Vaccuum Tubes
and other alternative technologies that were tried but discarded. Thus,
the older worlds (Terra and Vland, at least, Muan Gwi (sp?) in my campaign)
were able to rebuild from their ancient off-line libraries.
I would think Terra was hit pretty hard (TL 15), but managed to rebuild
due to it's rich atmosphere and carefully preserved soil. I'm sure
Billions died, but the Terrans managed to drag themselves out. In my
campaign they're the heart of a pocket empire similar to the one
they had during the Long Night. Remember, Terra wasn't ripped up
like many Imperial worlds by the Rebellion: the Solomani ran right over 'em.
It would be an interesting place, where many technologies that had fallen
by the wayside (mechanical computers, fluidics, LTA craft, etc) were
now thriving...
Re: Terra and the Reformation Coalition
Not in 1200. Too far away. In 1200 the RC is pretty small, apparently
confined to a few subsectors (I think... see TNE for detail). I would think
the Terrans would resist being absorbed by another huge empire, although
they might try to take it over...
Re: Terra: who's in charge?
The Solomani were pretty early on in the Rebellion. I would imagine they
were in control when the Virus hit... after that, who knows?
In the Traveller's Digest, DGP did a pretty spiffy write up on Terra around
1105ish. I don't remember what issue that was, though.
After my massive posts to this lists, you'll all be spared of my
opinions/ideas for a couple of weeks -- I'm going to New Orleans for a
vacation...
Matt (Loves ... ) Goodman
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and be very patient... I'll be out of town until November 1st. Seldon may help
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