The secret of interstellar travel has been discovered, rudimentary, imperfect FTL drives propelling mankind out among the stars. The Inner Systems were the first to be colonised, and the worlds there are gleaming beacons of civilization, their surfaces thronged with fresh, beautiful cities displaying the extent of mankinds technological, artistic, and industrial capabilities. Life on these planets is pleasant and protected.
Beyond these are the Outer and Frontier Systems, worlds on the edge of humanity's sphere of influence, where the surface teems with hostile alien races, the atmosphere is a fog of pathogens and deadly gases, and space swarms with pirates and smugglers. The rule of law out here is weak, and life a constant struggle.
Many of these planets are inhospitable to human life. With terraforming technology lagging far behind the ability to modify the human body both genetically and surgically, mankind has often found it easier to change themselves to fit their new surroundings rather than the other way around. A new profession has emerged, that of the Transitionary - individuals part plastic surgeon, part genetic-engineer, part artist - who help to adjust client's bodies to accomodate the habitats of new worlds.
The latest tools are plasmids. These are single-use injections that grant their users short lived abilities, such as advanced strength, regeneration, or simple recreational mutations. Their applications and effects are essentially limitless. They are loosely grouped into three categories: defense, utility, and military. As a rule, most defense and utility plasmids are loosely controlled by the Central Earth Government, while military plasmids with more direct offensive capabilities and are tightly controlled.
There is a vast black market of illegal technology and goods, mostly between the advanced, industrial Inner Systems and the Frontier Systems, where life is often much harder, more rural.
The first alien races are being tentatively encountered.
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