Contents
In the year 2273 the comet Artemis is returning to Earth- the inbound leg of a 60
year journey. It is a journey of scientific discovery, commercial return and peace.
Launched in 2214 as a cooperative effort by the giant Zaibatsus and political blocks,
Artemis is a microcosm of the earth conflicts in space.
Earth is densely populated. Raw materials are in short demand, space is at a premium.
Pressure is finally being bought to bear to expand to another solar system. Artemis
is on e of the first steps to bring this about. On its outward and inward journeys it has knocked asteroid out of the asteroid belt into a gentle spiral toward Earth.
These asteroids will be mined for raw resources and hollowed out to act as containers
to send forth explorers in primitive Bussard ram jets.
Inside the comet, big science prevails. But in the future Physics, Genetics and Sociology
are all big science. Technology has recently expanded to the creation of artificial gravity fields, holographic
images, extended lifespan and body sculpting.
Artemis is a test bed for the rapidly maturing technology of gravitational manipulation.
Artemis is surrounded by a giant mesh which, besides providing a small amount of
solar power, provides the antenna which forces a locally focused variation in the
gravitational field. Through out its trip Artemis has experienced a steady 1G field
which permeates the comet from top to bottom. The huge net has also served as a
giant radio antenna.
A second, much more widespread and common technology is holography. The comet is
equipped from top to bottom with holographic projectors. Most decorative features
on the comet are holographic, and almost all computer interfaces are artificial holographic projections. In particular the most universal computer interface are Shadows
- artificial holographic people, who are lifelong computer generated companions.
Shadows know all the preferences, predilections and past history of their owner.
They act as a custom go between the real world and the artificial computerised world
of computers. Shadows follow a series of conventions which make them more comfortable to
work, including not disappearing or appearing spontaneously, not displaying a shadow,
etc...
The principles which developed holography are closely tied to physics of Gravitational
manipulation. Field/ particle manipulation is more widespread than it first appears.
It permeates modern computers, antenna design and weapons.
Genetics has had two important results: extended lifespan and body sculpting. Rejuvenation
has given humanity what looks to be an unlimited lifespan- the oldest person alive
is almost 220 years old, and there is no theoretical limit. This same process has also allowed body sculpting, which lets people shape their bodies, with very few
restrictions, to be whatever they want. Interestingly, after a brief period of wild
designs very few people have opted for body shapes which are significantly different
to Earth norm. Most long term changes are little more than cosmetic.
2214 Departure
2234 Aphelion
2273 2 years to go
2275 Return to Earth.
On the comet there are- broadly- three groups:
SCI
- the largest group. Research scientist loosely or tightly attached to earth bound
political bodies.
MIL
- The Military are the administrators. Known as CDs (Civil Defence), their military
origins are not revealed until later in the first series.
COM
- The commercial people represent the Zaibatsus and political blocks. They have their
own, usually quite specific agendas.
Because of the rejuvenation processes
Born: 2096
Currently Female.
The single most important character in the series. Haremis is senior scientist aboard
the Artemis. Best known for her disastrous relationships, Haremis has swapped gender
30 or 40 times. At the start of the movie Haremis is male, but by the beginning
of series 1, Haremis is female, and remains female for the remainder of the series.
Sculpting is an expensive process. It may or may not be revealed that Haremis is
independently wealthy, a member of the board of a Zaibatsu. She developed one of
the underlying theories of field manipulation which is at the heart of holographic
projection and gravitonics. She holds a series of Intellectual Copyrights on the work, which
provide a flock of lawyers constant work. When push comes to shove Haremis has more
money and influence than can comfortably be conceived off.
Despite that, Haremis makes no big deal of the issue. She thinks Artemis is exciting,
vied for her position like everyone else, and is here to do work. She is also more
politically and commercially aware than most people. She has an eye out for all
the consequences of an action, thinks quickly, makes the right decision.
Haremis' down fall is her relationships. She is one of the few people on the ship
not to have children. Most of her relationships last less than two weeks. Haremis'
mercurial character, imposing nature and, occasionally, her overly intellectual approach rapidly disorient and confuse her partners.
Haremis is, when it all comes down to it, quite alien. She can and will isolate herself
from the rest of society for years on end, then come bursting back in as someone
who is extremely social and human. Haremis should gradually develop from being an
nice person, to being an alien hero.
Shadow: Haremis' shadow is her male/female counterpart. Her Shadow is awesomely
competent, and very close to human. Haremis' shadow should be considered Haremis.
Born: 2138
Jager is an older character. He is not in the same league of wealth as Haremis, but
like most Olds he is well off. Jager is here for the physical excitement. He has
been there, done that. Spent years doing martial arts, fought in minor skirmishes
on earth, he was even a media star for a while. Later in life he developed an interest
in space, first through engineering design, and later through Astronomy.
Jager is intense, solitary, clever and physically intimidating. He is definitely
a ladies man, and he is widely respected. Jager has some of the alieness associated
with Haremis, but he is still comprehensible.
Shadow: Jager doesn't believe in human Shadows. His Shadow has no visible form, he
just talks to mid air. The responding voice should be androgynous.
Born: 2155
Boon is a psychologist/sociologist. He is there to keep the ship running, do research
on the effect of isolation in space on a population and make his fortune. He is
good at his job- keeping people sane- which he does with his own personal style:
he annoys people.
Boon has some of the hallmarks of the Old- he is reserved and experienced. However
he doesn't have quite the same reserves. He uses his Shadow as a confessor, frequently
explaining and discussing his ideas at length.
Shadow: Boon's Shadow is a spry older man- the old man is a stereotypical figure of
wisdom. Boon is very aware of the irony. Boon's old man often lapses into pedantry
when Boon is trying to provoke conflict.
Born: 2186
Kilka is a commercial representative. He is androgynous, ambitious and thoroughly
modern. Kilka doesn't have the same reserves as the Old, but she represents a Zaibatsu
and has plenty of arrogance to tie her over. She sees herself as being one of the
new wave who are facing up to the implicit tyranny of the Old. She can be charismatic,
smooth talking and quick thinking.
Kilka's attraction lies in an essential vulnerability- she knows there are human forces
which will role right over her, and she lets people share her fear. Then she stands
up a refuses to let them. This makes her an obvious leader for the next generation.
Shadow: Kilka's shadow would be an attractive, suited male or female figure. Little
character.
Born: 2210
Elizabeth is an astronomer. Elizabeth suffers from a rare condition which prevents
her from going through rejuvenation. She is 63 and shows her age- she is the only
old person in the whole series who shows age. Elizabeth is essentially a sympathetic,
tragic character. Someone who fits far more to our generation. She is resigned to her
death, and feels that her death has given her insights which most people don't have
in this age of eternal youth. Occasionally she feels obligated to point this out.
Elizabeth is, incidentally, good at her job.
Shadow: Elizabeth's shadow is a nondescript younger person. Having an older person
would make Elizabeth stand out less, and she wouldn't have that.
Born: 2215
Aki is a wildly competent CD Administrator. She lives for work, keeps things humming
and is very reliable. She is so busy that she lets her Shadows imitate her. She
is so competent that people let her get away with it.
The flip side of Aki is that she tends to get carried away with possibility of doing
something, without necessarily getting into the necessity of doing something. She
occasionally displays an amoral character. Not indifferent- when an action she has
taken is highlited as being thoughtless she becomes aware of the thoughtlessness, but
until then she simply may not realise.
Shadow: Aki's shadows are her. Simple as that.
Born: 2217
Appagi is a more thoughtful, less overtly busy CD Administrator. He is more aware
of the morality of his decisions, but a little too prepared to defer to authority.
Appagi is reliable, considerate and less dramatic than Aki. He also doesn't have
quite the flair for pulling off difficult organisational feats. Nonetheless he is ridiculously
competent.
Shadow: Appagi's Shadow is an image of his divorced wife. She is still alive. (His
wife is a very successful medical doctor.)
Born: 2227
Warren is the character to loathe. He is shorter, opinionated, pugnacious, cynical,
disgruntled... he has no redeeming features. He has given himself the grand title
of Biosphere Integrity Engineer. Warren is desperately in lust with every female
on the Comet, and shows his desires by being viciously insulting.
Shadow: Warren's shadow is a lovely thoughtful, sexy, subversient female. She appears
and disappears at Warren's command. His Shadow may change according to whatever
he feels like at the time.
Haremis and the Software Bug
Boon Saves Warren from a Lynch Mob
Aki's Shadow Goes AWOL
Bussard Ramjet Asteroid
I Think That is an Alien
Ice Fissure Failure
The Shadow Knows
No More Shadows (Computer Crash)
There are actually only a few real themes discussed in final orbit:
What effect does being very old have? In the Final Orbit universe there are very
old people who are still physically capable and mentally with it. In the FO Universe
the Old are intimidating opponents, and not really very human.
In some real sense, what really holds us back from doing whatever we want? When you
are young you are afraid of what might happen- you don't know. Later, you know what
might happen, and you are afraid of the consequences (and societies develop to make
sure that most people are always afraid of stepping over the line). But when you get
really old... you know where the line is, what the consequences are, and you just
might not give a damn. You aren't despondent, but you know the consequences aren't
large enough to stop you. So new threats counter weights develop- but you are aware of
those too, and if those threats are ever reduced...
What I mean to say is that the Old are very politically aware (at least the ones we
are interested in). They know that death can come from falling over... so they stay
fit. They know you can be killed by someone jumping you with a steel bar, so they
are prepared for unarmed combat (they've had time to learn). And if they want something,
they just go and take it. Of course, they take it in such a way that they actually
get it. (Pointless to steal a painting if you get caught and don't get to see it.)
They have experience, contacts, debts...
The Old live in this complex world of checks and balances which is, basically, fairly
clear cut: a debt is only a debt if you can hold them to it. Noone is particularly
altruistic, but then, there is very little real bitterness. Non-Olds are just a
bit too transparent to be taken entirely seriously. Olds don't jeer or hold younger people
in contempt- the young people will get older too- but they won't hold any of them
in confidence, or try and help them into the ranks of the Old. The clever ones will
make it without help.
Haremis has changed sex thirty or forty times. Probably most of the other crew have
been the other sex. In a utopia relationships would be much more smooth than they
are today. Everyone would appreciate the other person's view much more.
But that doesn't make for an interesting story. In the FO Universe sex changes have
simply added to the confusion.
Haremis embodies that confusion. Sure, lots of people have stable relationships.
Lots of people have become what they wanted and are happy. Haremis has never found
being male or
female satisfying. Nor can she escape the stereotypes of being one or another.
Power is closely tied to age. But there are still representatives for Zaibatsus who
are not old. Power dehumanises. When backed by sufficient power a person is forced
to embody the forces which created that power. Decisions which once had a human
origin and meaning loose there edge of subtlety and become cruel arbitrary decisions- it
is just an effect of removal from the cutting edge. Real power acknowledges the
finite value of life. Even more frightening, eventually the power becomes embodied
in the body corporate, not in the the people in the corporation, thus, even the members of
the corporation are no longer secure.
What this really adds up to is a discussion of Earth society. How have people reacted
to the increased freedom which technology has given them? How has the technology
impacted on humanity?
The Earth of 2273 is crowded, but basically peaceful. Society has grown, people have
subtely changed; humans have developed a veneer of sophistication. Extremism is
unfashionable: extreme conservatism, extreme religions, extreme greed. Technology
provides sustenance for all, although it hasn't killed the Green dragon.
Holography makes population density bearable. Globally the total penetration of computer
technology has equalised economic and political systems. Political blocks exist
with their own allegiances and variations to common law, but elements of law common
to every political block guarantee real individual freedom, and basic sustenance.
A large percentage of the population never 'work' a single day of their life: their
basic needs are covered. The entertainment industry is dominated by informal creative
groups, who supply an insatiable demand for new works of fiction.
In fact many industries are dominated by informal workers- most deeply unpleasant
jobs are automated. Interesting jobs are often filled by volunteers backed by automated
help.
Nonetheless a solid commercial/industrial base still exists. A second, upperclass
of privilege are supported by privately owned resources. This wealthy display their
wealth quietly, in a subdued manner. Their wealth buys them more space, control,
and occasionally, notoriety. Inherited fortunes continue to expand, but rarely transfer
well from generation to generation. More commonly personal achievement can rapidly
generate fame and wealth, which can equally quickly disappear, returning people to
basic existence.
In a world of billions, the general aim of many is fame: some recognition of individuality
and individual value. Some still pursue the same power games which dominated earlier
centuries. Finally, some simply pursue an enjoyable, fulfilling existence.
Mysticism is still widespread, but organized religions have tended to fragment, develop
more personal flavours. Religion is a set of personal beliefs. Despite total, instant
access to information there is a great deal of ignorance. However religion is fairly unlikely to lead to violence. If it does, fast, automated response subdues
the combatants.
The world is very nearly a utopia- most people live happy, fulfilling lives. Big
questions are being asked, and some are even being asked. Long term plans are being
layed- plans which would see humanity spread to other solar systems. But this requires
huge forces to come into play, and in the intermediate times, in the times of change,
fame and fortune can acrue. And some will be caught in the shift.
Occasionally the new veneer of civility slips, and open fighting brakes out. Millions
of lives are disrupted by personal fuedes every day. New technologies continue to
cause misunderstanding and fear. Some find life overly civilized, they find it bland
and unexciting. Others are concerned that the veneer is cracking all together.
And for the sake of the plot, they are right.
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