Agers - Humans that choose death over an unlimited lifespan. They may use replacement organs or other enhancements but avoid genetic alterations to stop aging. The average life expectancy of an ager is 148 years. Despite augmentations, agers often find themselves as social oddities.

Alcubierre Warp Field - The physics behind a warp field is to generate negative energy in front of the ship. This is accomplished through a mass generator that creates a "bubble" around the ship, negative mass outside the bubble that compresses space-time in front and expands it behind—known as the Alcubierre Warp Field. Thrusters push a spacecraft through this metaphorical bubble—through compressed space-time. Conversely, a positive mass is inside, so the vessel has gravity.

Aldrous Mining and Transport LTD. - The largest and wealthiest of the Dezmurf fleet, Aldrous owns and operates eighteen deep space transport, maintenance, and supply vessels.

Annihilation - (see Antimatter) The phenomenon in which a particle and an antiparticle, such as an electron and a positron, meet and are converted to a combination of energy or energetic particles approximately equivalent to the sum of their masses. Each antiparticle has the same mass as its corresponding particle, but the electrical charges are reversed.1

Antimatter - In the latter part of the 21st century, humans could create antimatter in quantities sufficient to power reactors to generate thrust for deep space travel. This energy is achieved by controlled annihilation, in which particles of antimatter meet particles of matter and produce energy. When matter and antimatter collide, the energy created by their annihilation releases about 10 billion times the chemical energy of early 21st-century spacecraft. Quantities are so potent they are measured in grams or milligrams.2

Bingshell - Bingshells are smart-ammo designed to penetrate the armored bioskin of exosuits (see exosuit) and the underlying flesh but not harm inanimate objects or non-bio surroundings such as equipment.

Braingate encryptions - Because everyone has an embedded chipset, telepathic communication is commonplace, but mind-reading is prohibited. A human's private thoughts are considered off-limits even to AI like ETHEL or Neural. Braingate encryptions are still the most venerated boundaries between humans and machines.

Brain port - A brainport is inserted behind the ear just below the occipital bone and laterally to just above the C1 vertebra. Doctors graft a small patch about 20mm square atop the insertion point. It blends in with the epidermis and becomes visible only when touched by the owner. This reveals a slender 5mm slot in the center for input and output. The port becomes a thin quarter-inch groove. The port connects through a microscopic tube to the Pons base. This vital brainstem feature links the medulla to the thalamus. The Pons is considered white matter instead of the grey variety and is used to conduct signals from the forebrain and midbrain. (See also chipset.)

C - A Neural-supplied Collaborator-AI implanted on the chipset. C can advise the user on decisions or responses.

Chipset - A brain augmentation. The chipset is a universal human enhancement. It's implanted in humans around 18 months. Nanomachines assemble the chipset near the brain through the brain port (see Brain port). From this opening, a nanotube snakes its way to the Pons—part of the brainstem connecting the medulla and thalamus to conduct signals from the forebrain and midbrain. It helps with autonomic functions like sleep, respiration, swallowing, bladder control, hearing, taste, and equilibrium. It also helps with the dream state. During a baby's first implantation, doctors send a stream of bots programmed to find the Pons and set up a grid. These microscopic sockets will accept periodic updates and other programmable nodes as the child ages. The Pons' midbrain pathway also provides access to the hippocampus, the brain's memory center. Even the most basic chipset will adjust brain function, regulate body chemistry, spike adrenalin, induce sleep, reduce stress, improve sexual activity, release pheromones, communicate telepathically, enhance athletic performance or muscle tone, and eliminate excess fat, for starters. It also records every moment of your existence.

The user's luminous implants can access the chipset (see Dax) to access everything from the Lightstream (see Lightstream) to infusion learning, internal body chemistry, and the V. (see V). These implants allow the person to receive voice and telepathic transmissions and to "see" who is calling or immersing themselves in the world of the V. The Pons' midbrain pathway also provides access to the hippocampus, the brain's memory center. The placement of the chipset is both strategic and precarious. As long as the port is used for medical purposes only, such as software updates (so to speak), all is well. With the relatively new diversion of exchanging experiences, however, memories—complete with their accompanying sensory experiences are recorded and extracted directly via the port to an external device called a swig and then can be transferred to another person. (See also swig).

Consai Mining and Transport - A Dezmurf company (see Dezmurf), Consai operates deep-space transport, maintenance, and supply vessels. The MS Yarin was a former Consai Maintenance and Supply ship hijacked by pirates and reconfigured with armaments. It was ultimately used to hijack and destroy the MTS Monfalcone.

Chrysostom - Chrysostom is an Earthlike exoplanet at the farthest reaches of human exploration and colonization, 1,200 lightyears from Earth. Eighty percent of the planet is the ocean; the rest is a reddish rock with intermittent grassy plains. It offers a vast repository of precious metals and raw materials mined to extinction on Earth decades before.

Dax - abbreviated from dactylograms— Dax are implanted on the fingertips, also known as luminous implants. Five to seven round discs are injected just below the surface skin layer of each finger. The first dax implant is usually around age three. They have replaced fingerprints—dactylograms—because they can directly link to the human chipset. (See chipset). As a result, humans and Synthetics can share information and emotions via touch. Fashion options are available that, when active, glow in any color. Dax can absorb massive quantities of data, beamed through the nervous system, and instantly absorbed into the cortex. Daxing, a learned syntax of fingertip combinations, is the universal method to call up a distant associate, operate most electronically linked assets, modify body chemistry, and tap into the Lightstream. (See also Lightstream).

Daxing is a tactile communication system that utilizes implanted sensors just below the skin on the user's fingertips. Touching the fingertips together in a specific sequence can be used to access information that is light-streamed directly to the user's brain, adjust programs for internal chemistry, receive telepathic communications, or transfer data to active surfaces. Specialized programs and receptors allow users to transmit feelings and emotions via touch to the sensors of another individual.

Deceleration, or decel, reduces negative mass outside the ship's warp field while simultaneously ratcheting down the thrusters.

D-Class - Domestic Class Synths are used primarily for domestic help.

Deep Fake Persona - An extremely complicated procedure that layers a second personality on an existing chipset. It requires using Neural's classified access to parse, augment history, and construct an elaborate past from earliest childhood to present. It is intended for temporary special use. When the second personality is no longer needed, Neural returns to correct any records changed.

Deep Space Syndrome (DSS) is a psychological condition occurring on long space flights, usually during warp travel.

Deuterium, also known as heavy hydrogen or heavy water, is an essential component in antimatter reactor systems.

Dezmurf - The Space Force Deep Space Merchant Fleet (SFDSMF, also known as Dezmurf) consists of 96 privately owned deep space transport vessels. Most of the fleet is owned by wealthy mining companies that supply precious metals necessary for spacecraft manufacturing, technology, energy, and propulsion. Dezmurf oversees all mining and transport.

Droid - The defining difference between a Synth and a Droid is sentience. Regardless of its appearance, a Synth is aware of itself and its surroundings. In addition, it has emotional chemistry, which has been proven to assist in decision-making and human relationships. Droids have neither sentience nor self-awareness. They do as they're told.

Escape Pod - An escape vessel with a glass chrysalis-like dome that opens for entry on the front. Inside is a reclining helm pilot chair. Once occupied, the pod glides into an airlock, the airlock pressurizes and ejects the chamber. The pod is equipped with auxiliary thrusters to enable basic maneuvers and take the occupant out of harm's way. It has long-distance comms and limited cryostasis capabilities—up to four years.

ETHEL - Evolutionary Translatable Hierarchical Encapsulation Logic. ETHEL, the ship's computing system, and artificial intelligence is another subset of Neural (see Neural). ETHEL cannot be misled, circumvented, or switched off. Due to the acronym ETHEL, it is often referred to as she. The soothing female voice adds to the deception.

Exosuit - There are different types of exosuits with optional features and protections. All are snug, form-fitting body sheaths insulated and pressurized with biokenesic banding that follows the body's internal musculature and forms a tight seal against the skin beneath. Most suits are temperature regulating. The standard issue also helps protect against radiation or unpredictable solar flares. Military-issue will defend against various onslaughts, such as plasma carts and old-fashioned bullets, but not plasma flechettes or bingshells. Those require a battle-grade exosuit. If punctured, an exosuit is self-healing and can help shunt a modest-sized wound.

ES - Emergency station. ESs are kiosks with high def holographic displays and furnish comms throughout the ship. They are shielded from radiation in the event of an EMP and have carbon battery backup if there is power loss. Each ES offers a map of the ship, damage assessments, emergency status, access to ETHEL, and long-range comms if needed. The Myrrh has 34 emergency stations.

F-Class - Functional Class Synths. F-Class is employed primarily for administrative functions.

GUI - Graphic User Interface (same then as it is now).

Holotag - Holographic markers that emanate from cargo or any other packaging indicating contents, weight, etc.

ICE (International Credit Currency) is the accepted interplanetary currency.

Istina - Istina is a pirateterrorist organization. It was born in 2171 from a labor dispute with Rock River Mining Co., LTD. The company was mining Rhodium from Treon when the miners went on strike, charging unsafe conditions. Rock River consigned its private security force to the mines when protests turned threatening. During a day of violent demonstrations, security forces opened fire, killing seventeen protesters. Days later, the miners retaliated, detonating a massive bomb that devastated almost the entire Rock River operations center. Most of the security team was either vaporized, mortally wounded, or unidentifiable. The miners claimed victory, and soon after, Rock River shuttered its mining endeavors on Treon. But Istina became a movement: piraterrorists with the mission to disrupt and destroy the lucrative mining trade in precious ores throughout the galaxy, especially Rock River.

Lightstream - The evolved Internet and part of Neural. (see Neural). Large amounts of data can be transmitted through nanophotonics without circuitry or wires. Nano receptors are implanted into everything from surfaces to skin implants, and information is beamed directly into the retina.

Mars, Mars Base was the first Earth colony settled in 2041. Approximately 3.2 million people live there. Since Earth did not self-destruct as was widely anticipated, colonizing Mars was less of a priority. Nevertheless, with terraforming, the planet has become both a thriving economic endeavor and a tourist destination. Resorts, gambling, and recreational attractions abound, as well as spacecraft manufacturing and Synth production facilities to supply the growing population. The capital is Musk City, where Space Force has its largest headquarters.

Mech - Mechs perform all the heavy lifting on a transport ship. They are reminiscent of humans with appendages approximating arms, legs, torso, and head. Mechs are 14-foot giants resembling no-neck ogres. However, their docile appearance is deceiving; any false move and the speed of a Mech could crush a human or knock a person across the room. The hydraulic legs alone are taller than a standing Droid, with the knuckles of their four-finger hands appropriately grazing the floor.

Mesh (The) - The massive proliferation of electronic image receivers, recorders, and active surface technology provides the ability to triangulate and decode a 3-dimensional image within virtually any modern environment. Using GPS coordinates, an active technology produces a field that interprets the surrounding environment. Correlating data fields from multiple active technologies within contiguous environments creates a mesh, which generates a detailed 3-dimensional image of anything or anyone without the need for optical recording devices. The encryptions and addressing of millions of devices require highly sophisticated decoding technology and are authorized for government use only. However, some people have personal mesh channels in the Lightstream that offer a chronicle of their every waking or sleeping moment. For those not choosing to broadcast their lives, watching is supposed to be done only by the surveillance component of Neural, which is dispassionate and incapable of something like voyeurism. The only time it is accessible by humans is in the event of a crime. The science of the Mesh was intended to stop crime. It's why people gave up their privacy. The Mesh rarely preempts a crime but is exceedingly valuable in parsing a crime scene and convicting the perpetrators.

MS Muriashi -A maintenance ship is scheduled to rendezvous with the Myrrh upon its return from Chrysostom. Maintenance vessels are intended for refuse and maintenance supply. Aldrous owns the Muriashi.

MSS Cobia - A Class A standard mining support ship, a supply vessel owned by Aldrous. Cargo is comprised primarily of provisions, such as food and water.

MSS Valencia - The Aldrous mining support ship is scheduled to rendezvous with the Myrrh upon its return from Chrysostom. The Valencia cargo comprises provisions such as food and water.

MSS Vigtig - Unlike a mining support ship, the MSS Cobia, the Vigtig is for waste disposal, essential replacement parts, cleaning supplies, and chemicals. It is an Aldrous vessel.

MS Yarin - The MS Yarin was a former Consai Maintenance and Supply ship hijacked by pirates and reconfigured with armaments and antimatter torpedoes. The Yarin ultimately destroyed the MTS Monfalcone.

MTS Monfalcone - a state-of-the-art Class II freighter operated by Stream Astral Transport, LTD., hijacked and destroyed in 2174 by pirateterrorists.

MTS Myrrh - operated by Aldrous Mining and Transport Company, is a Class I deep space freighter.

MV Class - Merchant Vessel spacecraft.

Neural - Neural is a universal, benevolent artificial intelligence that is accessible to everyone. Neural is not autonomous or aware, but it is omnipresent and omniscient. The world knows Neural knows everything, can compute anything, extrapolate endlessly, plan, reason, and learn. All nations and planets have access to Neural—parts of it anyway. Because Neural sees and hears everything, some of Neural is classified or private. In many ways, since there are no secrets other than what each individual thinks, Neural has ended the idea that one nation could overcome another. One may think about ruling the world, strangling a neighbor, or other bad things, but if it is verbalized, shared, or acted upon, Neural will know. Neural has many parts. The Lightstream is part of Neural, the Mesh, and other all-knowing quantum systems such as the onboard computers that chaperon starships, like ETHEL.

O-Class - Formerly known as P-Class Synths.

Parsec - a unit of measure for considerable distances in space, approximately equal to 3.26 lightyears. The nearest star to Earth is Proxima Centauri, about 1.3 parsecs (4.2 lightyears) from the Sun.

P-Class - Pleasure Class Synths. The first model of Synth that featured near-human believability. Initially designed for companionship and intimacy, the P-Class Synths were indistinguishable from humans in every respect.

Penning Trap -can securely contain the tiny increments required for deep space travel.

Proxima Centauri is part of the Alpha Centauri star system and Earth's nearest star after the Sun. It is about 4.25 lightyears away in the Centaurus constellation. The star has three exoplanets, including Proxima Centauri b, now called Ternus Base. (see Ternus).

Qsch - Quantum Signal Channel. A channel that can transmit quantum as well as standard information. The Qsch moniker was adopted in the late 21st century to include various quantum programming languages.

Replication, replicator - Replication of inanimate objects is widespread in food, beverages, and hard goods. Many insist there is a difference between a real and a replicated apple; thus, "pure stuff" is

still sold. Replication is based on duplicating molecular "fingerprints" of actual objects.

Rhodium - a scarce and expensive corrosion-resistant metal of the Platinum family. It is mined throughout star systems for use in starship manufacturing.

Rock River Mining Co., LTD. - Once a powerful mining and transport company, Rock River is no longer in business. The company was at the center of the Treon mining revolt in 2171. (see Istina).

S-Class - Service Class Synths. S-Class is popular in hospitality and food service.

Same - The Same is a Synth that receives an upload of the owner's chipset memories, desires, and thoughts, becoming a virtual duplicate. Like any synth, the Same continues to learn from that point.

Saming - Slang for the purchase of an identical synthetic version of one's self for companionship or a sexual relationship.

SecondSkin (SSkin) is a form-fitting, semi-translucent garment for any sex that conforms from the neck to the ankles and leaves little to the imagination. The style is frequently worn on Earth and Mars. In an age where anyone can have a perfect physique, modesty is rare.

Space Force - Originally an offshoot of the United States Space Force, it became the International Space Force and then just Space Force.

Spit - a ring-like device that slips over the finger. It spits out holographic, 3D visualizations of information.

SRC- Systems Renewal Compartments -Where Synths go to recharge. Droids and Mechs jack into ports in the Cargo Hold.

Stealth Extra-Vehicular Activity (SEVA) - Propelling between spacecraft—untethered. The maneuver requires a jet pack that will enable a thirty-kilometer extra-vehicular trajectory. Additional gear includes gloves, SEVA exosuits, four-hour oxygen helmets with shielded comms, and enhanced communication visors.

Stream Astral Transport, LTD. - A member of Dezmurf (see Dezmurf). Stream Astral was the owner of the Monfalcone, which was hijacked and destroyed in 2174 by pirateterrorists. One of the suppliers of precious metals necessary for spacecraft manufacturing is technology, energy, and propulsion.

Subluminal - (aka real-time travel) space travel is less than the speed of light.

Superluminal - Travel at or beyond the speed of light. (see Alcubierre Warp Field).

Swig - A medically sanctioned device to augment another person's memories, skills, personality, or experiences or for uploading a specific knowledge set. Swigging first appeared in 2157 and was sanctioned only as a medical procedure. Memories—complete with their accompanying sensory experiences can be recorded and extracted directly via the port (see brain port) to the swig and then transferred to another person similarly. Though participants swear by the "rush" of reliving someone else's experience and claim that it far exceeds virtual simulations (which are readily available), the procedure is fraught with danger. An illegal version is known as a jack (see headjacking). A swig under proper protocols can safely remove or transfer selected memories.

Switch-off - (SO) refers to the aging genes that can be switched on and off—usually off—with a simple medical procedure. First, nanobots are injected near the hypothalamus. Next, they locate some DNA, isolate the aging gene, and insert a telomere blocker that prevents shortening. Finally, the bots are expelled through the system. The result is called passive mode. In most cases, with a fully developed frontal lobe and a body in prime condition for anything, 27.5 years is the preferred time for the infusion. The point at which a person switches off is their off-age.

Synth - Slang for synthetic. A synthetic is an artificial humanoid form. Synthetics may take many forms of appearance, from mechanized to indiscernible from actual humans.

Ternus - (aka Ternus Base) Formerly known as Proxima Centauri b, it is a mountainous, terraformed planet. It is Earth's closest exoplanet, a brief 4.2 lightyears from Earth. The planet orbits the tiny, dim orange Sun Proxima Centauri. Despite the terraformed atmosphere, it's frigid most of the time. Ternus is tidally locked such that one side is constantly in the dark and the other in relative light. A wobble in the planet's axis provides some slight variation. An orbit around the star takes 11 days compared to Earth's 24 hours. The Bretchard Plateau, home of Ternus Base, is conveniently located in perpetual twilight, a zone that bands around the equator. So, Proxima Centauri remains constantly on the horizon. While the location provides partial protection from the solar flares of the dwarf star, the resulting temperature is still invariably freezing. Without terraforming, a colony would never have existed.

The manufactured atmosphere makes it livable. There are two primary sectors on Ternus Base: Ternus City and the Dockworks. The Dockworks is at the city's edge, a sprawling complex of intricate alcoves and girded structures that negotiate freight 24 hours a day from hundreds of space wharves that orbit the planet. The wharves serve as a central depot between Mars Base and destinations beyond. Ternus Base is roughly two square miles with 35,000 inhabitants, most of whom work at the Dockworks as freight hands, researchers, starship designers, or in shipbuilding. The terminal produces about 14 medium-sized vessels and one large vessel in an Earth year. Ternus City is densely packed, but because of the inhospitable environment, it's connected by a network of tunnels, subways, and bridges, with only a few roads reserved for maintenance and construction vehicles. There are also headquarters for many deep-space mining companies.

Training and Document Command (TRADOC) - Military-issue documentation for rules, regulations, and information.

Treon - An exoplanet in the Cygnus star system. It is a sprawling mining community with a population of nearly 150,000. Treon is not comprised solely of industrial warehouses, space wharves, and mining operations. Space Force has a base on Treon, and there is also a notorious prison on the planet. Before Rock River Mining pulled out of Treon, their headquarters were an impressive enclave of corporate wealth rivaling Aldrous City. Though on a smaller scale, as it was named, Riverland had deluxe accommodations for employees and executives, nestled into a cliffside overlooking the Traliik Sea. It is now mostly abandoned.

Twisting - Tampering with or subverting a Synth's authorization codes for illegal activity is known as twisting. It is a crime and can be punishable by up to 30 years in stasis.

T-Class: Top of the Line synth

V (The) - Street slang for virtual immersions. (Aka virtual reality)

Virtual Immersions - Part of the Lightstream / Neural, Virtual Immersions are accessible telepathically to humans and Synths, providing an unlimited variety of virtual experiences, known as the V. The imagery of Virtual experience appears on the retinal implants. V experiences are called incidents; if the feed includes them, sensations can affect all body parts. These are thoroughly engaging experiences that overtake all senses and consciousness. Participation can occur with the user's identity or by assuming another from limitless combinations of gender, race, and species. It may entail a full range of experiences, from a simple day on the beach to the aberrant and perverse. Specific immersive programs must have timeout algorithms to prevent a condition known as OB state in which the mind cannot re-adjust to reality and surface from the immersion, a side effect for individuals immersed for more than 24 hours. Certain content is age-restricted, and certain professions require an annual mental and bio-statistical fitness assessment to renew access.

Warp drive - (see Alcubierre Warp Field )

Wormstrand - Based on the theory of a wormhole, a metaphorical tunnel that connects two places in space-time. Humans have not yet been able to generate enough sustained energy to open a wormhole big enough for a spacecraft, but a strand is possible. Strands are reserved for communications to travel faster than light. Though a strand may connect across millions of lightyears, the relay time is still measured in days.

https://www.livescience.com

https://science.howstuffworks.com/antimatter.htm

Also:

Wikipedia

https://www.nasa.gov

http://www.neoprogrammics.com/ (not secure)