Human Colonies

Humanity's involvement among the stars has been very short-lived, lasting just three hundred years. The first planet ever colonized was Mars, which was terraformed starting in 2160; before the Third World War. By 2200 the process was complete and an artificial atmosphere had been formed to support life. BY 2240, ecosystems were thriving, and Mars was an almost carbon copy of Earth in many ways, with oceans of liquid water and vast continental landmasses. It was here that Hyper-Matter was first synthesized, and human colonization of systems abroad began in earnest.

NOTE: All population figures mentioned below are up-to-date as of 2540.

## Mars

A massive tourist attraction, spaceport and military training planet, Mars is second only to Earth itself in population, sporting over 3 billion inhabitants. Mars has a proud tradition of producing hardworking and genius people, and is home to various urban locales.

Mars is renowned for its Hyper-Matter exports and Union-renowned training facilities. Students often go to Mars to receive higher education.

Its capital is Tau City, a sprawling metropolis in the northeastern quadrant with a population of 2.4 million. Other major cities include Atticus, New Seattle, Helios, and Fauston.

## Venus

Much like Mars, Venus was terraformed to provide humanity with a place to live in within the Sol system. With a population of 1.6 billion, it is the third-largest planet by population in the Systems Union. First settled in 2311 after a century of terraforming, Venus has an average temperature much higher than that of Earth due to its proximity to the sun, and even despite terraforming has no polar ice caps and is covered in much higher concentrations of water than its fellow planets. Tropical and jungle climates are very prevalent, with the only temperate climates existing near the poles.

Venus is a popular location for tourists, and even more popular among the military for jungle survival training, as the environmental hostility rivals even that of Earth's Amazon Rainforest.

Its capital city is Venus City, and other important cities include Polaris, Quest City, and Sue's Landing.

## Argus

Argus is a terrestrial planet first colonized in 2322, as the fourth planet in the Union, and the first founded beyond the Sol system. It is now host to a population of 103 million, and is mainly noted for its bountiful mines.

## Scion

First colonized in 2329, Scion was a close runner-up to Argus, though rarely visited now. It is mostly an exploratory colony, and used for its valuable spaceport locations in recent years. Its population is approximately 96 million.

## Gallant

Gallant was first settled in 2340 as a military colony. It has retained this tradition since, and to this day 40% of Systems Union pilots train in stations above Gallant. Gallant's surface is naturally cold, averaging 40 degrees Fahrenheit with record highs of just 80 degrees. Venusians often vacation on the planet to get away from the heat of their own colony. Its population is approximately 426 million.

## Vespucci

Named due to the America-shaped landmass that comprises 10% of its surface, Vespucci is a newer colony, founded in 2390 as a business and trade hub. Its population is approximately 72 million.

## Paradise

A popular vacation spot, Paradise is composed of massive archipelagos and small continental landmasses. It is not used only for tourist attraction, however, as several species of whale-like creatures known as the Riscus, native to the planet, are hunted for their massive stores of meat, commonly used in MRE's. Paradise's permanent population is only around 2 million, but it is estimated over a billion people travel to the planet every year.

## Primus

A newer colony, Primus is known for its exceptionally large mountain chains, some of which rival the Himalayas. It has a population of 34 million.

## Leif

Named after the famous explorer, Leif is known for its unique composition, containing just one massive supercontinent and one huge ocean. Its population is 45 million.

## Columbus

Named after the famous explorer, Columbus is popular for its rich gem and precious metal mines. Many banking corporations moved their enterprises to Columbus, making it the commercial heart of the Systems Union. Its population is 52 million.

## New Dawn

A massive terrestrial planet, New Dawn is the largest colony by landmass, 20% larger than even Earth. It is one of the most important colonies in the Union, with a population of 3 billion in 2540, vital spaceports and mining industries, and the control of several trade routes. Its claim to fame, however, is the role it played in The Triton War.

Since the Triton War, New Dawn's new government has been eager to please the Systems Council, and as such remains docile even at the worst of times. For such a valuable colony to fall to separatism was unheard of, and the new government wishes to prove that it is far from the minds of modern citizens.