WOLF DAWN: Science Fiction Thriller/ Romance (Forsaken Worlds) (45 page)

Absum:
Name of the planet that all genetic creations (impure humans) were banished to after gene splicing between species was outlawed.

Age of Expansion:
The Age of Expansion, also called the Age of Exodus, is generally considered to have begun immediately after the discovery of Omni-space in 2060 and to have reached its peak in 2200 when 59 habitable worlds had been discovered and colonized. The exodus is considered to be a result of a number of factors, including: the availability of inexpensive, easily accessible food and energy; an increase in viable human lifespan to the age of 150; the use of artificial intelligence, robotics and neural Icom; and the fact that Earth population had reached 13 billion. The Earth Government gave colonists free travel, housing, financial and tax incentives to colonize these worlds. Vast wealth was created by those early settlers. Settlement and travel between other planets became effortless and common.

Age of Perdition:
The Age of Perdition, also called the 100 year war, lasted from 2220 to 2320. The population of humankind was estimated to be 15 billion in 2260; by the war’s end, human population was less than 8 billion. During that time 9 habitable worlds were rendered virtually uninhabitable through atomics, including Earth.

Alliance:
Individuals who disagree with the UWG and are attempting to bring the Galactic Government down or at least produce major change.

Chinter’s Chance:
Name of the biography of William Chinter, a United Worlds bestseller. William Chinter, a fourteen-year-old boy, was kidnapped and sold into an Indentureship. A manuscript filled with unflagging conviction and optimism, it revealed that William Chinter had never given up hope of returning to his family. He had escaped twenty-two times, his punishments becoming more and more severe. The child detailed a recurring dream, a certainty that he would be with his parents again, that they would find him if he only got away. They
did
find his body hours after his last escape. “Chinters” is a common galactic expression meaning “You’re dreaming.” Also, “Chinter’s Chance” is a common expression meaning “there is no chance at all.”

Cirani:
United Worlds Government prison planet. A compact world, with one-and-a-fifth times normal gravity. Normal ratio of oxygen to nitrogen, but thin air. Most exiled to Cirani initially experience serious, often fatal, altitude sickness. By law prisoners are sterilized before internment.

Dark Sankomin:
The Dark Sankomin is solid, a heavy mass in the mind, a dark burden to the soul. Unresolved, it will cause madness and despair.

Delian:
One of the first worlds colonized during the Age of Expansion. A closely guarded secret, the people of Delian have the unique ability to mind-touch. Mind-touch has always been a healing tool, one that can relieve the Dark Sankomin.

Delian League:
Founded in 477 BC, the Delian League was an association of 173 Greek city states under the leadership of Athens, the purpose of which was to continue fighting the Persian Empire.

Delian Damithst:
A rare crystalline mineral found only on Delian. A major off-world export; unique, rare, and priceless. Only Royal lines or the extraordinarily wealthy could enjoy the privilege of owning such a jewel, and few sold are ever larger than the nail on a newborn’s little finger.

Device:
The UWG made an example of the civil war on Cadell, using “The Device.” The device targeted and atomized living tissue, leaving structures untouched. Footage of the instant disintegration of over 20,000 people over a 50 kilometer radius during the Cadell civil war is still a useful deterrent. The UWG had sent in mediators to no avail. They had warned and threatened. The UWG did not take sides. They killed people who were fighting — both sides, instantly — and the war was over. If the war had been resurrected, the UWG would have used the device again. War was not profitable; it did not contribute to the expansion or future of the human race.

Forsaken Worlds:
Profane term referring to the Age of Perdition, when many worlds were abandoned or lost through atomics.

Ferals or Fringe dwellers:
a name given to groups of people who camp on the outskirts of towns and cities from which they have become excluded, often through illegal activities or even personal choice. Generally Ferals do not have Icom, are suspicious of the government, are opposed to modern ways and technology, lack education and are superstitious. There are Ferals on every Freeworld.

Fullsuit:
Body-enclosing garment that protects against the heat and cold of space. Also recycles oxygen.

Freeworld:
Any of the united worlds colonized by the UWG

Freeworlds Police:
The Freeworlds Police are empowered to enforce UWG law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in both domestic and intergalactic arenas. They are a multi-mission service; preventing piracy, ensuring regulated, authorized travel between worlds, protecting trade and at times operating in assistance with planetary governments for civil control. Their powers include the legitimized use of force.

High Command:
The ruling body of the United Worlds Government. Each member of High Command is referred to as “High Lord” and has a single area of responsibility, one for each of 12 different arms:

1. Finance and taxes

2. Enforcement: Galactic police, army and navy. Includes Cirani prison management.

3. Scientific discovery and expansion

4. Constitution and Law

5. Icom facilitation

6. Space exploration and expansion

7. Communications

8. Civil liberties

9. Education

10. Medical Research and discovery

11. Government information issue and promotion

12. Colonization

Icom:
Acronym for ‘Interface Communications Online Management.’ Thanks to the remarkable cortical plasticity of the brain, signals from the implanted Icom interface can be handled by the brain through natural sensor or effector channels. Full access is managed by brain waves, resulting in the ability to mentally read and create electronic text, watch 3D, listen to music, and communicate to others who have implanted Icom systems. The Icom network is hosted uniquely to each world. The distance between worlds is too great for direct access. Thus the UWG regularly provides information updates to each planetary Icom through info ships. Research on brain computer interface (BCI) began in the 1970s on Earth at the University of California. By 2070, the BCI had culminated with the creation of Icom.

Indentureship:
essentially another word for slavery. Those who had no home or position and are unable to maintain themselves are forced into Indentureship for a period of years preferably with a Freeworld government or, in the worst case, a commercial enterprise. After Indentureship, they may have learned some trade and can be free citizens. Indentureships are policed, but one can never look into all of them, and certainly many indentured individuals, a large portion of them children, will never survive to obtain freedom.

Interpretations:
Simple styled text, written to explain the original works of the Delian Testimonials of Truth.

Jana:
Goddess representing all the best characteristics found in humanity: truth, goodness, kindness, intelligence, courage, tolerance, endurance, persistence, compassion, forgiving heart, humor and thoughtfulness. The Parables of Jana are given as a way to behave in the truth and light of Jana.

King’s Mirror:
Also called the “King’s Guard” or “Chayton’s Right Arm.” Almost two centuries old, a flat oval stone, the Delian Damithst is a little larger than an adult eye. Placed into a silver self-fitting arm guard, with smaller crystals set around it, it gives the appearance of a continuous blue ring. Believed to be able to see into a person’s heart, reflecting only truth.

Light Sankomin:
The Light Sankomin creates a God-like feeling of invulnerable certainty and awareness. If one can remain in the present, if the mind remains in attendance, in the now, the Sankomin, cannot seize or bind.

Mindtap:
Truth drug. Banned by the UWG except in extraordinary cases of Treason.

Mind-touch:
An ability that the Trueborn of Delian possess, giving them the power to contact a mind, to be inside another individual, to in fact be them. Traditionally, mind-touch is only attempted with one’s partner. There is good reason for one to be careful: accidental two-way contact can result in consummation.

Off-worlders:
Common galactic name for anyone who is not native to a planet.

Omni corridor:
There are specific corridors, or entryways, to Omni. It takes time to set up the calculations for locating them while moving in normal space. In some parts of the universe, Omni corridors are few and far between; in others, hundreds of corridors are bunched close together. Corridors, once located, are marked by the UWG. There is ongoing exploration to find corridors further and further away from known space.

Omni-drive:
Invented in 2070 after the discovery of Omni-space by Brent Jenkins. Creates the necessary harmonic for entry into an Omni-space corridor.

Omni-space:
Omni comes from Latin, meaning “in all ways and in all places.” Omni-space is how people are able to travel to other worlds in virtually no time at all. There are specific corridors or entryways to Omni. It takes time to set up the calculations for locating them while moving in normal space and entry can be effected via omni corridors. In some part of the universe omni corridors are few and far between; in others, hundreds of corridors are bunched close together. Nothing can be seen or sensed in Omni-space, no ship can be tracked.

Probe:
Nerve oscillation probe. Outlawed device that, as long as it is used for an hour or less, leaves no lasting injury. It is used for torture.

Red Wolf of Opan:
The Red Wolf of Opan is a social animal who mates for life. In winter they live in packs of 2 to 15. The strongest male is pack leader. Only one pup is born biannually, usually in summer. Opan wolves feed primarily on large mammals by chasing down their victims, either slashing tendons or driving them back to waiting pack members. The Opan wolf kills only to survive. The wolf’s only important predator is man.

Shuttle:
Versatile space transportation craft capable of moving between planetary atmosphere and planetary orbit, as well as rapid and safe on-world movement.

Sisters of Jana:
The Temple of Jana is an order that looks to Jana for guidance. The order uses the parables of Jana and the parables of Taro as a way to live their life.

Software Theory:
can be summed up thus: Humans act according to their programming — responses and interactions are automatic and culturally conditioned. There are few self-aware, conscious people as most humans are not there at all. Infrequently in this universe does one actual person interact with another actual person.

Speeder:
Also known as land speeder, capable of flight, and higher speeds when close to land. Powered by anti-gravity drive.

Taro the Deceiver:
Fallen God representing all the worst of human characteristics, pride, abuse of power, abuse of control, manipulation, greed, selfishness, dishonesty, cruelty. The Parables of Taro are given as a way to live in the way of deceit and the shadow of Taro.

Testimonials of Truth:
The document is over three hundred years old, written in an older style and rhythm. Its companion document is the Interpretations which are full of modern history and legends. The Testimonials is a small work that provides the knowledge needed to control and master the power of mind-touch. Every Delian, once of age, began to study the Testimonials, through encoded Icom use. It is only after study and training that one can become Trueborn.

Temples of Jana:
Temples of Jana (the Goddess of Truth) are large, influential spiritual organizations with teaching traditions concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of life. Temple graduates are sought after throughout the Freeworlds. A broadminded education is pursued with all philosophies respected as academic differences in pursuit of the same truth. Fundamental beliefs include: 1. Humans are inherently good. 2. Within each human body is a spiritual being (soul) that cannot die. 3. The soul of each person inhabits the body they are within in order to make choices and learn from such choices. 4. Humankind is tempted by the Deceiver and encouraged by the Goddess. 5. The Parables of both Taro and Jana should be studied in order to assist an individual to make a choice concerning their own conduct. The Temple embraces individual beliefs with few devotional and ritual observances. They have a liberal moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. There are Temples of Jana on every Freeworld.

Trueborn:
Delian term signifying the coming of age, which usually occurs around the 16th year. When one is Trueborn, they have the ability to learn how to mind-touch.

Twill:
The native Twill is a large, dim-witted, prolific, flightless bird of Opan. Common Opan sayings include, “You silly twill,” or “She breeds like a twill.”

UWG:
An acronym for United Freeworld Government. The Galactic body that oversees each United Freeworld. Does not have a single ruling individual, but is run by a legislative body of 12 members, referred to as High Lords.

UWG Council:
This is a group consisting of five individuals from each section of H.C., for a total of 60 individuals. These council members meet concerning their sections, make suggestions, review petitions, etc. For example, if there is a disagreement from one world, say Delian, concerning taxes, a submission would be sent to the council members under the Finance area of HC.