Quote:The key thing, as far as I'm concerned, is that we're in the interval between the new frontier opening up and 'civilisation' taking hold. Thus, things are still wild and woolly and no one really knows where the limits are.
I don't, however, think that the frenetic pace being advocated is plausible; even for fen, it takes time to adapt to things, not to mention establishing the Con system that Haruhi's stomping all over with bells on.
If I had to tie this to anything, Handwavium turns up more or less now, but is mostly presumed to be a joke, albeit a good one, floating around Fendom. However, as more and more Fens get some (handed around mostly at conventions (note the lower case 'c')) the scepticism begins to fade. Then several Fen bring flying cars to the 2007 Worldcon in Japan and give free (or near as) rides to anyone who wants, plus show records of actually going into space. A few people go up into space but time limits keep this to a small number. Handwavium is taken home by pretty much anyone who wants some, which is better than 90% of the attendees.
2008
With handwavium in so many hands, hundreds and then thousands of Fens head off into space to do their stuff. These are generally relatively short trips though - roadtrips writ large. Lots of exploration and 'first-man to X' stuff but very little business (except for Hermes). The first stations and bases are set up. A lot of research is going on on Earth as well, by Fens as well as 'Dane govts. Biomods first appear, but the 'Danes are already twitchy when the Professor makes his mark on the Paris skyline. Restrictions on Handwavium are enacted and since the proliferation is traced to Worldcon, this year's Worldcon's bookings are all cancelled. On short notice, the organizers relocate the entire Worldcon to the Moon without noticably reducing attendance (those who won't go to the Moon are more than made up for those who wouldn't have been able to afford the 'Dane travel). While most of the attendees go home, for a significant number it is only in order to pack their kibble. By the end of the year the first major settlements are emerging on Luna and the seeds of an economy are being hauled desperately together.
2009
Per agreement at the Worldcon, a mid-year Convention is held at one of the new Luna settlements. The Convention emerges as the primary (and only) government. The Mars Terraforming Project is proposed and begins drawing a substantial number of Fens to Mars. The numbers of Fen turning their back on the 'Danelaw and the increasingly strict bars on Handwavium continue to rise. By the time of the annual Convention on Mars, the Village of Hidden Asteroid and the Venus Terraforming Project are both going concerns and Mars and Luna are very nearly self-sustaining.
I don't have any particular preferences over whether the SOS-dan convention happens in 2010 or 2011. 2011 gives more time for some of the larger scale developments, while 2010 would imply things were still moving at breakneck pace. Let's assume 2011, for the sake of argument.
2010
The major factions of the Earth's LaGrange points are moving outsystem. The first instances of Boskonian piracy in the Belt. The discovery of thionite. A motion to have a Conventions happen twice yearly is raised at the Convention, but is narrowly voted down.
2011
The SOS-dan call their convention.
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.