2.1 Writing in the 22nd Century

Created by Captain Bethsabée Leroux on Wed Oct 23rd, 2019 @ 8:10pm

Star Trek is often associated with an utopian philosophy where no man or woman is left wanting for necessities. Disease, poverty, and terrestrial war do not concern the citizens of Earth in the 24th Century. Star Trek's tenure on television primarily occupied this space. From 1986 to 2001, viewers watched a vision of humanity that evolved beyond these needs. In the background, however, the driving force behind this evolution is often forgotten. In the place that is "Star Trek," this evolution was spurred by two specific events: World War Three and First Contact. Both took place in the twenty-first century. One event nearly annihilated humanity and the other brought the realization that it no longer stood alone in the universe. In the television franchise the wonder of the replicator is taken for granted. The ability to reconstruct an Irish village in a room the size of an apartment unquestioned. The ability to tow massive objects with energy fields a mere convenience. In the world of the Atlantis these are as fantastical notions to the humans of the 22nd Century as they are to us.

While some powers of the Galaxy in the 22nd Century posses this technology, it is not shared with Humanity. At this time in galactic and franchise history, humanity has not earned its place in the stars. The people of Earth are at cultural and technological disadvantage to their neighbors, allies, and adversaries. The adventures of Jonathan Archer and the crew of the Enterprise waded into this world with a relatively grounded approach to science fiction compared to its contemporaries. While energy weapons and torpedoes existed, these were not all-powerful weapons. The crew relied more on physical transport than matter-energy conversion. Supplies had to be stowed, rationed, and protected. If something broke it had to be fixed. If it couldn't be replaced a machinist would have to craft a new component. Uniforms couldn't be replicated and replaced at will they had to be laundered. Entertainment remained in the realm of books, two-dimensional media, and socializing with real people -- not holograms. Every resource aboard a starship was precious, especially in the absence of the Federation.

This simulation looks to build on the world introduced by Enterprise in 2005. Our stories will focus on the development of the Federation and the journey of Humanity into the stars as new players in the galactic community. Problems cannot be solved with the wave of a hand. Earth's violent past remains near to the hearts and minds of Humanity. While the characters of our story were not born into the chaos of the aftermath of the Third World War, the challenges the planet faces remain extreme. The alliances taken for granted in the 24th Century do not exist and the balance of power remains firmly set against United Earth and its burgeoning Starfleet.