Terminal Velocity: The Moonage Daydream

[Immaculate]

no- its from 2045.

 

[Decamper]

Link to video.

The sun was beginning to set behind their backs, the last rays of light painting the distant rocket a dusky orange. It seemed so small now, barely poking up over the tree tops. Just a few hours ago she had watched as it towered silently over the dozens of technicians preparing it for launch. The young girl in her was still amazed at how it would had dwarfed anything from her little home town, still using Dhuri as her default frame of reference despite having now spent more of her life in the skyscraper-spotted metro of New Dehli.

Khayali sat cross-legged on the dusty ground next to her, idly swirling the beer left in his bottle as he stared out at the launch pad. They had been doing a pretty good job at not talking to each other, but as the day light slipped away she suspected one of them would give in soon. She tried to wash down the bitter taste the thought left. The cheap beer was worse. Khayali smirked at her.

‘Thought you would have gotten used to it by now.’

‘We really can afford better than this now, you know.’

‘We could afford better back then too. We just couldn’t get as much.’

‘We only bought the two.’

‘Nostalgia, then?’

She shook her head, took another sip, then set the empty bottle down. It crunched the brown grass beneath. She remembered trips to visit family in Rajasthan, and how much drier it had been there compared to Punjab. On her way south, she thought it would be green here, but it seemed like where ever she went the colour was slowly being sucked out.

‘It was good, yeah?’ He didn’t elaborate, but she nodded with a smile. Khayali was a fine man, good at his job, and he would do well without her. He would do good. He took a short, hitched breath. She stiffened, wishing he wouldn’t say it while also hoping he would hurry up and get it over with. ‘You could ask me to wait.’

‘I could.’ She smiled. Not sadly, but with understanding. ‘Would you?’

‘No. Would you have wanted me to?’

‘No.’

They sat in silence again. The sun had slipped away, and stars were begging to twinkle where they weren’t drowned out by work lights. While she looked up at the moon, hanging brightly in the darkening night, Khayali stood up, straitening his cap. He put his hand on her shoulder, and with a gentle squeeze said, ‘Be safe Avaneet. Do some good up there.’ and left.

She picked a blade of grass from the ground. It was dry, and crumbled between her fingers.

***

Her parents hovered behind her as she buzzed around her room. It wasn’t a big room to start with, just a single room with a bunk, work area and kitchen all mashed in together. The two floating projections may not have actually taken up any space, but they certainly didn’t make the room feel any bigger. She knew she had asked them to drop by at precisely this time, but she was annoyed at herself for not cleaning things up more. Already in her thirties, but still ashamed to show her parents her messy room.

‘Avaneet, really, at this point you could burn half the place down and it wouldn’t matter. I don’t think the cleaners will be able to chase you down.’ Her dad said as he slid out of her way. Not necessary, she could have just walked through his avatar, but she appreciated how her father took pains to act natural, even if he was physically a thousand kilometres away. His choice of avatar reinforced it, a painstakingly accurate recreation of himself, though perhaps a decade younger. He stood in stark contrast to his wife, whose 2D avatar sat, despite having no chair, in the same spot as her desk. Her depth perception told Avaneet that her mother sat inside her desk, but the avatar was just an overlay, leading to a confusing dual image. She tried not to look, sparing herself the headache.

‘You can send anything you want to keep to your father, little one. There’s plenty of room at the house.’

She thought of asking her mother where she was now, but quickly decided she didn’t care. She’d be where she wanted to be. ‘Right, thanks dad.’ Her father’s avatar winked. A few seconds later her mother winked back. A few seconds lag, probably not in India then. ‘Where are you, mom?’ Maybe she did care a bit, or just wanted something to say.

‘Nepal. Sorry, the connection is lagging more than it should. Bit of storm going on, messing with my signal.’

‘Nepal?’

‘Sure, you know how it is. Kissing toes, rubbing elbows, socialising and all that boring drab.’

‘Sounds awful, my little diplomat.’ Avaneet’s father walked over and sat in the chair next to the desk his wife was floating inside of. He patted her arm.

‘Dammit dad, you’re gonna to give me a migraine. Mom, out of the desk, please.’ Her mother looked around, seemingly for the first time, then shrugged and hovered up until her head almost went into the ceiling.

‘Better?’

‘No. You’re doing this on purpose.’

‘Just for you.’

Avaneet got a message; her ride was waiting for her outside. She looked around her room, still messy, then at her parents. She suppressed the animal urge to go try to hug them. Her mother floated down to stand behind her husband. The two of them smiled at her. Her father spoke first. ‘We’ll talk once you land and get settled in.’

‘Run along now, little one.’ Her mother added.

‘Thanks. I’ll talk to you guys soon. Wish me luck.’ She waved and then cut the connection. A box sat in the middle of her room, waiting to be picked up and shipped to her father. On the way out she picked up the one personal possession she could bring up; a physical picture of her family, three children and her parents standing over them. There wouldn’t be that much lag between her and her parents once she was in Kshupark, but she couldn’t shake the feeling she wouldn’t be able to see them for a long time. She slipped out the door.

 

[Civ'ed]

After long deliberation, the Ministry of Education of Zambia hereby announces the reorganization of Zambian administrative divisions.

An explanation shall follow shortly.

Spoiler Big map. BIIIIIG map. :

http://i.imgur.com/b5qVgSC.png

 

[Traveller76]

From America Today: Armed Forces to undergo restructuring FEB-19-2045

The Department of Defense has released a report suggesting a reduction in the size of the Armed Forces since the end of the war. According to the report that despite the size of the Army, Navy and Air Forces many units were plagued by shortages of spare parts and ammunition. Even with the industrial capacity of the nation many troops were forces to salvage equipment and ammunition from friendly and enemy units after battle. The report calls for a reduction of the Army to seventy divisions from a current eighty seven, a reduction of the Navy from nine ship groups to five and the Air Force from sixteen air wings to eight. Defense Secretary Jayde Bello will meet with the President later this week to present the report. Whether the President will accept the recommendation remains to be seen.

 

[Zappericus]

From the Eurasian Union
To the nation of Iran

The union to reassure Iran of their prosperous and friendly intentions by proposing an energy security contract with them in exchange for being allowed to re-activate old military bases in their territories so that they may assist in upholding the peace in the middle-east. The EAU also hopes to form a proper mutual defense agreement should this be considered feasible.

 

[Traveller76]

US 2030 Demographics/US 2046 Demographics Estimated

Total Population: 380 Million/180 Million
Native Born: 315.10 Million/145.80 Million
Foreign Born: 65.10 Million/34.20 Million

Age:
Under 18: 21% 78 Million/23% 41.40 Million
18 to 64: 58% 220 Million/58% 104.40 Million
65 and Older: 22% 82 Million/19% 34.20 Million

Race:
White: 56%/47%
Hispanic: 22%/29%
Black: 13%/13%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 5%/9%
Other: 4%/2%

Top US Urban Areas
1. New York/New York
2. Los Angeles/Philadelphia
3. Chicago/Washington DC
4. Houston/Atlanta
5. Dallas-Ft. Worth/New Orleans

 

[Cadellon]

From the Eurasian Union
To the nation of Iran

The union to reassure Iran of their prosperous and friendly intentions by proposing an energy security contract with them in exchange for being allowed to re-activate old military bases in their territories so that they may assist in upholding the peace in the middle-east. The EAU also hopes to form a proper mutual defense agreement should this be considered feasible.

The Iranian government would be glad to renew its longstanding alliance with the EAU which has brought peace to the Middle-East. The Guardian Council agrees to the Eurasian proposals.

 

[Traveller76]

From America Today: Departments of Business, Health and Human Services unveil partial Nationalization and Citizen’s Dividend FEB-23-2045

Business Secretary Sebastian Resnik and Health Secretary Benjamin Richter held a join press conference announcing the partial nationalization of several corporations in what is called the strategic industries of Banking, Defense, Energy, and Telecommunications and creation of the Citzen’s Dividend, a plan to create a basic income of all citizens.

Secretary Resnik was first announcing that the federal government would purchase fifty five percent of stocks in several of the largest corporations so that the government would gain representation and majority ownership of the companies. “These companies are vital to our economic and social well-being. They are also necessary for our defense and command the strategic high ground. The government does not want to control or tell a company what to produce or control prices. We seek a voice at the table on the important decisions and represent the citizens of this country. Since many of these firms have accepted and continue to accept federal funds for reconstruction, we believe that our representatives will act to prevent wasteful spending.” Despite talk of partial Nationalization the Secretary welcomed foreign investment from all corners of the planet. "America is not against big business or investment. It is necessary in order for our country to prosper and grow. However, we are against those who exploit other people or countries to loot and strip bare everything for a few dollars extra.

Secretary Richter’s discussion prompted the most questions regarding the creation of the Citizen’s Dividend. Using the shares from the nationalized corporations plus the income from mineral and oil sales from public lands this would create a yearly tax free income for every citizen. This would be used to streamline and replace local, state and national social welfare programs since each recipient would be able to spend the money as they wish. Dividends for children under the age of eighteen would be allocated to a legal guardian until they become an adult. Citizens could will their income to a spouse in case of accidental death or illness similar to Social Security or private Insurance. “We believe that people make good decisions when it comes to their family. By reducing the layers of government we allow people to use their money when they need it.”

 

[Traveller76]

To: The International Community
From: The United States

The United States would like to continue discussions regarding a new Community of Nations. Given the global problems of climate change, terrorism and international crime we believe that we need to work together. We also call that major shipping points like the Panama Canal, the Suez Canal and the Straits of Malacca as International Zones free for all the use.

US State Department

 

[Seon]

UK would like to note that the objective of the current occupation of Panama by the Anglo European coalition is precisely to ensure that the canal remains free for use by every nation in the world. The current occupation will continue indefinitely until this objective is accomplished.

 

[Immaculate]

orders are due tomorrow​

 

[Warriorx1]

*Runs around screaming*

Ok Mexico's stuff will be in tomorrow, sorry I've been slacking!

 

[Blaze Injun]

Hey,

OOC
Orders sent.


Blaze Injun

 

[Traveller76]

From America Today: US to bid for 2048 Olympics? 1-MAR-2045

Lausanne, Switzerland- According to sources within the State Department, the US has sent representatives to the International Olympic Committee to place a bid for Denver to host the 2048 Olympics. The US has not hosted an Olympics since 2026 when Pittsburg hosted the Winter Games. News of the bid have prompted criticism on the Nooiome from all sides calling the bid ‘wasteful’ and ‘too soon’. Representative Emil Kozlow (Massachusetts) has become the leader of opposition to the Olympics in the Congress, “I am not against the Olympics but I believe this is too soon for our country. We have a long journey to repair not only the physical scars but emotional and mental scars of the country. Plus we have to worry about the costs of such an endeavor.” Supporters of the bid have been equally vocal. Martita Hatheway, administrator of the Denver 2048 Hub had this to say. “We believe the Olympics can be an important event to bring our nation together. We can support our team competing with the world in a spirit of peace and cooperation. As for the cost, we believe that the facilities can be used by professional teams and citizens in the future and if needed removed for urban development.”

What has not been addressed by the IOC is the use of genetic and cybernetic technologies to improve athletic performance. This ‘Transhuman Factor’ will have to be addressed before the next Olympics. The IOC has not issued a statement but it is expected before the end of the year.

2018 Winter Games: Pyeongchang
2020 Summer Games: Tokyo
2022: Winter Games: Beijing
2024: Summer Games: Rabat
2026 Winter Games: Pittsburg
2028 Games: Mexico City
2032 Games: Moscow
2036 Games: Jerusalem
2040 Games: Berlin
2044 Games: Osaka

 

[Ailedhoo]

We suggest the next games be held in Cairo; in honour of the peace in the Middle East and to celebrate our new-found unity.

 

[christos200]

Greece would like to suggest Athens as the place where the next games are held, for historical reasons since it is in Greece were the both the ancient and the modern Olympic games first began.

 

[Decamper]

OOC: No more winter games?

 

[Traveller76]

I figured with climate change and all the Winter Games became harder and harder to hold.

 

[Blaze Injun]

Hey,

I figured with climate change and all the Winter Games became harder and harder to hold.

If that is the case how in the world did Pittsburg get the winter games? Have you been to Pittsburg?


Blaze Injun

 

[Ailedhoo]

Greece would like to suggest Athens as the place where the next games are held, for historical reasons since it is in Greece were the both the ancient and the modern Olympic games first began.

By historical context Cairo has greater need as it should be able to host the games the first time. It would also be a good means to symbolise the unity and peace of our nations.