Sol-Terran

Before the Earth year of 2767, all Terrans had ever known was the lonely expanse of their own galaxy. They were simply ‘humans’.

Everything changed after they made the first relay jump to Tau Cerberi in 2767. To the other alien species they became known as Terrans, hailing from the planet designated ‘Terra’, and with it came a distinction between those born in the Tau Cerberi system and those born on Earth.

Sol-Terran was the designation given to Terrans born on Earth. A rather generic umbrella term, considering all of the different Earth-based ethnicities that come under it, but it is the one most commonly used to differentiate between Terrans.

How Intergalactic Communication Changed Everything

Although eager to travel across the stars, Terrans were still undermining each other’s efforts. With every passing year where travelling beyond the edges of the galaxy was not successful, they grew more desperate. But when they received a message through the Bahr-Heisig Communications System, everything changed.

Given hope, Terrans all over Earth pooled their resources together in order to make intergalactic travel more than just a dream. They came together in a way they never had before. A united front that paved the way for a new, global culture built around the success of intergalactic travel.

Sharing of food, interests, activities - more so than had ever been seen before. It seemed as though a new prosperous age had dawned for the Terrans, one that would see them into a bright, intergalactic future.

Terran versus Terran

As much as things change, sometimes they really do just stay the same. Sol-Terrans have rather mixed opinions of their Tau-Terran brothers and sisters.

Jealousy is always a prevalent factor as it can be very difficult for Sol-Terrans to be cleared for the relay jump. Often, it takes years before an application is approved, so whilst they are stuck on a planet that no longer has secrets to be discovered, they become jealous of the Tau-Terrans who are freely exploring uncharted territories.

In more recent years a group of Sol-Terrans has risen up and started calling themselves ‘pure Terrans’. They believe themselves to be superior to the Tau-Terrans because they were born on the Terran’s home planet - though this view is not really shared by the masses, more and more seem intrigued by it every day.

Sol-Terrans and the Space Farers of Osiron

Contrary to the friction between Sol-Terrans and Tau-Terrans, the space faring species of Osiron (and beyond) actually hold more positive opinions of Sol-Terrans. Perhaps this is, in part, due to the Sol-Terrans complete lack of anger or lingering bitterness in regards to what happened to the original Terran jumpers during the time of the Sol-Cerberi Concordat signing.

In particular, the others are a fan of the myriad of cuisines that Sol-Terrans always seem to bring with them from Earth. The flavours and textures are a stark contrast to what the other species are used to, to the point that restaurants that import Earth-based foods, herbs and spices are some of the most popular throughout the entirety of Osiron.

Shared Sol-Terran Culture

Many individual ethnicities under the Sol-Terran umbrella term still have their own cultural heritage - not much has changed in that regard. Most Sol-Terrans still speak English, the Olympics are still the biggest international event on the planet.

One very obvious change is in funeral rites. After a particularly nasty disease outbreak in 2550, Sol-Terrans started to exclusively burn their dead rather than bury them. It scared each of the national governments so much that they made burying the dead illegal. There were protests, of course, and uproar with those in the funeral business, but in the end it was a necessity. The disease was too deadly to Sol-Terrans and could survive on a dead body for months. Burning bodies was the only way to prevent another outbreak.

In the press release, Karl Abernathy had this to say on behalf of the United Nations of Earth:

“Throughout discussions, we have had but one focus: the health and safety of the public is paramount. The recent outbreak cannot be allowed to compromise that, nor can the threat of another imminent outbreak. Though we understand your frustrations, we see it best to stop all funeral processions in the immediate future and beyond. Only cremations of the dead will be permitted, in order to eradicate the disease that has plagued us for the better half of a year."

The official statement has drawn mixed opinions from the public. Already, there are several reports of protests breaking out across the globe.

— Carlos Soto - International Broadcasting Company, November 2550