Earth-8008

Earth-8008 is one of the primary earths from which characters draw their collective histories.

Background

Earth-8008 shares only a fraction of its history with Earth-Prime. It is the most technologically advanced of all Earths within the Continuum Multiverse. Its most distinguishing characteristic is the longevity of life. Individuals have the ability to re-sleeve themselves into another body with the right tools and technology; these bodies (often called "sleeves") can be organic (biomorph) or inorganic (synthetic). Each have their advantages and disadvantages relative to cost and abilities. Additionally, Earth-8008 has found the means to elevate lower life forms into sentient ones through a combination of genetic engineering (although most often this is referred to as "gene-hacking" by its opponents) and technological augmentation. Because of this newfound longevity, Earth's resources have been virtually depleted, which has led to outward expansion into space. Cities currently exist on the Moon and a terraforming project has begun on Mars. Rich resource caches have been discovered on both of these as well as harvesting of rare minerals and metals from asteroids and other moons.

During the late 20th century, Earth-8008 saw the introduction of the Carrion Virus. The Carrion Virus is as an adaptive computer virus that causes any number of malfunctions in operating system processing as well as corrodes synthetics from the inside out. While many believe that Tabula Rasa was responsible, there is no actual evidence linking them to it. The only certain cure for the Carrion Virus is re-sleeving, but in cases where that is not financially possible or commercially available, daily patches can be applied (similar to viral suppression drugs in humans) to keep the virus in check.

Organizations of Note

• Cortical Systematics - One of the largest conglomerates still operating out of Earth. Cortical Systematics focuses on technology acquisitions and applications, spending a great deal of its research budget in cybernetic applications and augmentations, and development of synthetic sleeves. Cortical Systematics represents much of how the population of Earth-8008 view their standard of living. Explained further, cybernetic modifications or life-like synthetic sleeves are considered the pinnacle of wealth and privilege.
• Tabula Rasa - Virtually the opposite of Cortical Systematics, Tabula Rasa develop biological sleeves of varying types for all budgets. Tabula Rasa were also the ones behind the elevation of animal life forms into virtual sentience, something that makes them both adored and despised by various factions within Earth-8008. Their current focus is on developing and applying new genetic algorithms to deal with deep space travel on their biomorph sleeves as well as contending with the exponentially rising pollution conditions on Earth.
• Paradigm Shift - One of many small, tight-knit units that work together to survive. Paradigm Shift specializes in high-end theft and espionage both on Earth and off-world. While some of their assignments come officially in contract form, others are negotiated off the books.

State of the Union

Although the technological advances of Earth-8008 have been seen as monumental and unprecedented, they have left a massive scar on the face of Earth. Pollution is at an all-time high, massive extinctions have occurred in various species to the point where genetic samples of rare animals have been taken and frozen for safekeeping. The division between the "Haves" and the "Have-Nots" has never been so clear and prevalent. This has given way to independent gangs that do what they must to survive in the wastes left behind.

Due to the sleeving, the technology that allows an individual to digitize and insert his consciousness as well as known memories and skills, inside another form, overpopulation and overconsumption of natural resources has decimated much of the landscapes. For the first time in human history, former sovereign countries have defaulted on debt to the point where corporations, such as Cortical Systematics, can actually "own" them. Sleeving is not without its own risks, as one's consciousness, memories, and skills must be digitized and inserted into sleeve, be it a biomorph or synthetic. While biomorphs may be genetically augmented, direct cloning is forbidden -- though tales of black market clone sleeving have been pervasive for as long as biomorphs have been around.

Maintaining multiple sleeves is possible, but extremely expensive. For any sleeve not currently in use, they must be maintained in a nutrient bath (this applies to both synthetic and biomorph sleeves) that repairs any damage to cellular structures and also applies updates/upgrades to synethetics.

Synthetic sleeves are susceptible to malware, viruses, and bugs. Operating systems must be maintained and antiviral software up-to-date. Not only does this apply to synethetic sleeves but also to humans with cybernetic implants. Cybernetic implants run on essentially the same principle and must have firmware updated on a regular basis to ensure hackers are unable to hijack entire bodies (or individual limbs) of others.

Biomorph sleeves are susceptible to dehydration, fatigue, disease, and infection just like human bodies. In some cases, more so. The more genetic augmentations that are applied to a custom sleeve, the more likely that genetic defects are introduced -- the likes of which may not express themselves for some time. Additionally, the greater the number of augmentations, the more energy is required to maintain the sleeve, which requires more nutrition and additional recovery time.