Terra Nova

Planet from distance

**Terra Nova** (New Earth) is a continental planet under control of the United Nations of Earth. It stands as Humanity's inaugural interstellar colony, marking its genesis on June 22nd, 2211. This esteemed occasion is celebrated as a holiday by the UNE. President Solomon III Torres made history by being the first UNE leader to grace an extraterrestrial realm, arriving aboard the colony ship. This planet boasts abundant agricultural expanses sprawled across its continents, painting a picturesque landscape of breathtaking night skies and unparalleled beauty with Auroras gracing its celestial canvas.

## Crystalline Cataclysm

August 3rd, 2218—etched in the collective memory of humanity. Since the inception of our first colony in 2211, the planet flourished with an influx of settlers, arriving via private and government-sponsored vessels. Opportunities abounded, from securing expansive farmlands—parceled out in generous 100-acre plots for newlyweds—to labor in Nova's bustling shipyard or engage in contractual ventures with the myriad corporations exploring the planet's mining domains and rich metal reservoirs.

Yet, the zenith of progress crumbled when an enigmatic crystalline entity of unknown origin besieged the planet on that fateful August day. Millions of crystals, diverse in size, bombarded Terra Nova, scattering across sparsely inhabited lands and perilously near Nova itself. For a week, families sought refuge, concealing themselves as best they could. Despite valiant efforts, the onslaught claimed countless lives. Prior to the attack, our colony teemed with nearly 2 million souls; post-tragedy, barely 1.5 million remained. The toll stood at 437,921 lost lives—a staggering blow that set the colony back decades and prompted a wide-ranging reassessment of safety protocols for exploration and colonization across the empire. The event has gone down in history as the Crystalline Cataclysm.

Though the assault began without warning, and the fleet lacked the strength to intervene, blame disproportionately burdened President Solomon III Torres, a legacy haunting the man to this day. Appointed as Terra Nova's governor in 2221, he initiated the construction of a monumental tribute within Nova's central plaza—a solemn memorial completed in 2224, honoring the fallen and preserving their memory for generations to come.

## Governors

**Solomon III Torres** (2221-present):

Following his defeat in the 2221 election to Yusuf Bilal, Solomon Torres seemed destined for a quiet retreat to his family's estates, away from the public gaze. However, to everyone's surprise, the former president approached his erstwhile Defense Minister, now President, seeking the Governorship of Terra Nova. In a quote from Torres' discussion:

"I spoke with Yusuf an hour after the election results were announced. No point in delaying. Frankly, I was overwhelmed by regret and frustration for my failure to respond adequately to the 2218 catastrophe. I wanted to take every possible step to make things right. The best way, I believed, was to come here and utilize my experience to develop this stunning planet into a pinnacle of human colonial achievement. My earnest wish is for that vision to materialize."

His tenure as governor witnessed a swift surge in Earth colonists' migration and substantial progress in enhancing the Crystal Monument, a poignant reminder of the past tragedy that stands tall in the capital. Additionally, under his leadership, the inaugural alloy manufacturing sector was established, addressing the pressing alloy shortages faced by the UNE at that time.