Subject: 67:10 - Non-Virus history
(Continued from previous message)
The Solomani have the largest single government in Human space.
Furthermore, there is a high level of popular support for the
"reliberation" of areas "occupied" by the former Imperium. The
capture of Terra provides a much-needed morale boost to the
Solomani, with the result that there is less internal dissent
making itself felt. Solomani irredentist societies are being
formed throughout the "occupied" area, and are major players in
planetary governments in Old Expanses. Further Solomani gains
can be expected. There are two problem locations for the
Solomani: Muan Gwi, where mistreatment under Solomani domination
is almost a racial memory among the Vegans, and Daibei under Duke
Craig. Craig is a comparatively charismatic leader, and he has
shown that he intends to lead the people of the Federation of
Daibei in a viable direction. The Solomani cannot have the
example of a successful former Imperial state on their borders;
too many of the "reliberated" areas might start getting ideas.
If the situation in the Old Expanses can be stabilized, a major
effort against Duke Craig is inevitable. With no allies, Duke
Craig will either have to fight to the death (of his state), or
reach an "accommodation" that would leave him merely the titular
ruler of Daibei as a Solomani Client State (or perhaps
Protectorate, putatively against future aggression from Ilelish
or the Aslan), and would also force him to abandon the Vegans
(part of any treaty would be that he is to close his borders to
Vegan "terrorists"). It is unlikely (despite Solomani
representations to Craig) that the Aslan would choose to become
militarily involved in this area unless provoked, and the
Solomani know that they cannot take on the entire Hierate.
Similar concerns with respect to the Hive Federation will exist,
though here, it would be more a concern with higher technology
and psychohistorical manipulation (Naively, the Solomani believe
that they are not being targeted for manipulation at this time.
The Hivers have not and will not reveal anything, either way).
Look for an increasingly militant Solomani Confederation, though
one that will be increasingly paralyzed by internal debate as the
"occupied" areas are "reliberated" and the decision must be made
as to whether to expand further into Human space, or to start
worrying about the "alien problem."
Summary: Regency: See New Era, but no sealed borders.
Core: Increased tyranny, no fundamental
changes.
Ilelish: As Core, though the Verge Combine is
something of a wild card.
Usdiki: Non-issue. Eventual absorption by
Ilelish.
Ziru Sirkaa: Eventual stasis and dry rot, behind
borders strong enough to hold off
Ilelish and Core while they play
with each other.
Antares: Balkanization, with Human worlds
being absorbed by Julian
Protectorate and Core, and Vargr
worlds balkanizing further. Those
that survive the race wars, anyway.
Delphi: Stability until one of the other
factions or the Solomani come
calling. Accommodation probable,
rather than fight to the death.
Daibei: Too dangerous (as an idea) to the
Solomani. Bye-bye, as soon as
they can divert enough attention
from Delphi and Old Expanses.
Solomani: Continued expansion to the "real"
borders, followed by internal
paralysis over the Alien Problem.
Other matters: Since we don't know what the Black Curtain is, or
what caused it, no comment on whether it even exists. The
"border incident" with the K'kree is played down; neither side
really wants a full-scale war. Instead, the Government of the
Two Thousand Worlds quashes the splinter state that sent the
mission (see Lords of Thunder [I think...]). We had an inkling
that the Zhodani were having problems of their own; they still
are in the revised history, but we don't know any more on this
timeline than we did on the other. Strephon and Norris are still
the sole "custodians" of JumpStart and Longbow; we know no more
about them than we did before.
==========================================================================
Jeff Zeitlin [email removed]
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