The Black Ghost Empire / BLACKGHOST

The History of The Black Ghost Empire Part I
“The Extraterrestrial Child and the Creation of Project Ascencion”

On March 18, 2157 humanity celebrated a momentous achievement. After years of work and in the shadow of The Great Mars Tragedy, where 4,876 souls were lost after a sudden and catastrophic loss of atmosphere on the planet, Mars (Sol IV) had finally been terraformed. Celebrations were held across the populace, overjoyed at the prospect this achievement would bring. Fate, though, held one more surprise for humanity. Kinah Okon, one of Port Renatus’ engineering supervisors, and her husband Madu Okon were in attendance at the memorial celebration on Mars. Originally from Nigeria on Earth, the pair had worked together on the terraforming project for several years, contributing to many technological advancements. Kinah, who was seven months pregnant with the couple’s first child, chose to remain on Mars and not return to Earth, against the advise of medical staff on base. She had been unwilling to abandon what she considered to be her passion project, especially so close to completion. It was during the celebration however, that Kinah went into premature labor. At 01:28 SET, Abeni Okon became the first human born on another world. Abeni’s birth did not come without complications. Born prematurely and on a world with less gravity, scientists and doctors were unsure of the medical challenges Abeni would face. “There was so much we didn’t know. Would the basic differences between Mars and Earth affect the child? We didn’t want to leave anything to chance. I felt personally connected to this child, so maybe we were a little extra careful. But no one could deny the massive implications of what had happened.” – Dr. Michael V. Smith, head of the base’s medical facilities. For much of her youth Abeni was observed and tested, her family living alongside her in the medical facility. Although the public image portrayed her as a healthy and lively child, Abeni faced many health issues, and while Kinah and Madu did their best to shelter her from the spotlight, she underwent countless surgeries and physical conditioning to ensure she would survive and be able to walk on Earth one day. For all the joy and wonder her birth brought humanity, it would have been a knife to the gut of exploration and colonization if she were to die the first time she set foot on Earth. It was during this time that a little known scientist by the name of Sebastian Gonzalez, a geneticist from Spain, started laying the groundwork for what would become known as “Project Ascension”.

The History of The Black Ghost Empire Part II
“Dr. Sebastian Ferdinand Gonzalez”

“I couldn’t stand it! Abeni was so weak, the poor thing. Is this what lies instore for us, for our children? I knew, then and there, that something had to done, that humanity HAD to evolve, adapt, ascend!” – Dr. Sebastian Gonzalez, creator of “Project Ascension”. Born in 2120, Dr. Sebastian Ferdinand Gonzalez, a graduate of MIT with a PHD in genetics and biochemistry and a minor in philosophy, had long been intrigued with the possibilities of human genome engineering. His mother, Maria Gonzalez, had suffered from hemophilia and died giving birth to Sebastian, leading to his father Miguel Gonzalez, a Catholic priest, to raise him on his own. As a child, Sebastian was fascinated with the story of the Bible. He often spent hours pouring over the literature, in particular the stories of the Nephilim, or “Children of God”. The idea that these beings or bloodline could still exist, perhaps locked away or thinned out over centuries of interbreeding with the rest of humanity filled him with a passion that drove his ambitions. Miguel did his best to ensure Sebastian received an exceptional education. While initially hoping Sebastian would follow in his steps and pursue a life of the cloth, Miguel saw his son’s aptitude and desire to advance in the fields of science and biology. Ever supportive, Miguel encouraged Sebastian and enrolled him in the University of Barcelona, where Sebastian excelled amongst his peers. His achievements there eventually led him to receive a scholarship to MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he pursued advanced degrees in the fields of genetics and biochemistry. Sadly, Miguel died in an automobile accident before he could see his son receive his degree. Graduating in 2148, Sebastian immediately applied for a job at RSI to be part of its terraforming division. Soon after, he was sent to Mars to assist in the study and development of human sustainability on the planet. It was while working there that he met Kinah and Madu. Sebastian quickly became friends with the couple, and shared many of his early concepts with the two. In particular, Sebastian’s theory of an evolutionary explanation for the ancient race of Nephilim that he grew up reading about in the Bible intrigued their scientific curiosity. Sebastian believed that somewhere within the human genome lay the fundamental building blocks to create a perfect human, one that could handle the challenges associated with space travel and colonization. When he learned of Kinah’s pregnancy, his scientific curiosity could not be contained. He theorized that by observing an embryo grow on another planet, something that had never been recorded, and comparing it to one grown on Earth, he could identify how the genetic structure adapts at its most basic and fundamental level. The source of these changes, the sequence that commences this process, had to be the pure genetic code of mankind, and the source of the ancient Nephilim tales. Sebastian convinced Kinah to stay, against the advise of base medical staff. He assured her that with the advanced equipment and trained staff stationed at Port Renatus there would be no issue with Abeni’s birth. Kinah’s own reluctance to abandon the terraforming project allowed her to be swayed by his promises, and she and Sebastian set about recording and observing Abeni’s development. However, neither of them anticipated Abeni’s premature arrival, yet Sebastian had collected enough data to be confident in his theory. He just needed to put it into action.

The History of The Black Ghost Empire Part III
“Project Ascension”

“The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.” – Genesis 6:4 Having secured vital genetic information from observing Abeni’s development, Sebastian then began setting the ground work for what he dubbed “Project Ascension”, or “The Ascension of Mankind and Reclamation of Humanity’s Enhanced Ancient Genetic Structure”. Sebastian used his father’s connections in the Catholic church to secure vast funding for his project, as the theory attracted many devout, most of whom believed that the genetic enhancements could one day be applied to them. But Sebastian had no desire to enhance existing humans, no, he believed he needed to create a completely new being to achieve his dream. Beginning in 2165 Sebastian began Project Ascension in full at his newly built genetic research facility at Port Renatus. Using an advanced DNA replicating system, a device that allowed him to literally piece together the nucleotides that made up the genetic code of every known living creature, Sebastian began the long and arduous process of encoding what he believed made the perfect Human. He spent months analyzing the subtle variations in the pyrimidines and purines of preserved samples of DNA from various notable figures throughout history, including the intellectual likes of Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Nikola Tesla and athletic likes of Jesse Owens, Jim Thorpe, and Muhammad Ali. He eventually finalized the genetic sequence, one he dubbed “The Blood of the Gods”. “I have it, it is done! This, this must be what flows through the very veins of God himself! All that’s left to do is give life to my creation. Hahaha, oh the irony! In the beginning, God breathed life into man. Now MAN will breath life into God!” – excerpt from Dr. Sebastian Gonzalez’s dairy. From there, Sebastian proceeded to create a single celled embryo with the DNA sequence he had engineered. While artificial cells could trace their history back to the early 2000s, no scientist yet had ever attempted to create multicellular life with them. After placing the embryo in an artificial womb Sebastian sat back and began his observations. He dubbed the hypothetical new being “Subject 1A1 Adam”, for he believed that like God, he was creating the First Man once again. His efforts were in vain. The embryo refused to gestate, crashing out within hours. Shaken, but not deterred, Sebastian set about to restart the process with another embryo, taking the time to re-evaluate his work for any flaws. This too failed. He repeated, again, and failed, again. Again and again, Sebastian pushed through, desperate to see his project completed, to see his creation come to life. Months passed between each attempt, as recreating the genetic sequence took time, and Sebastian despaired more and more. But then in 2192, 28 years after he began Project Ascension, Sebastian experienced a breakthrough, and not one of his making. On November 28, 2192, Sebastian initiated his latest attempt. While observing his experiment, something unexpected occurred. A known sunspot on the surface of Sol erupted into a massive solar flare. Travelling at 1/10th the speed of light, it struck Mars at 11:47 SET. Instantly all of Sebastian’s equipment shut down. For 23 seconds subject 1A19 lay unobserved in the artificial womb, itself powered down. Sebastian ran about in a panic, desperately attempting to restart his equipment. All at once his machines rebooted and power was restored. Fearful, Sebastian ran to see what had happened to his subject. At first, he saw nothing. Everything was progressing as if nothing out of the ordinary had just occurred. Tentatively he proceeded, recording his observations and monitoring progress. Soon he saw success, the embryo had completed its full gestation, it was now a viable fetus.

The History of The Black Ghost Empire Part IV
“Subject 1A19: Ashara”

Our Revered Mother Empress Ashara Astrum Lucem I was born on July 25, 2193 at 6:23 SET. Ashara was the first and only successful subject to result from Project Ascension. Sebastian made countless attempts afterwards to replicate his success, but to no avail. Going so far as to attempt recreating the power failure that occurred during Ashara’s gestation, he still had no success. Growing up bathed in religious themes, he concluded that something unexplained, possibly divine, must have happened in that moment, and eventually abandoned any further attempts. Ashara progressed at an astonishing pace. She spoke her first word “Kitty” at 4 months (Ashara had taken to a children’s show featuring an anthropomorphic talking cat), and took her first steps at 6 months. During the early years of her childhood Ashara remained at Dr. Sebastian’s facility under constant observation. For his part, Sebastian did his best to raise Ashara in a stimulating and fulfilling environment, providing her with care and nurture like his father before him. At age 2, Sebastian began to take Ashara out amongst the citizens of Port Renatus, passing her off as the child of a distant relative that had passed. He knew, however, that at 75 years old he couldn’t continue to provide Ashara with care for long. After chasing the dream of creating a perfect human, Sebastian’s own body began to fail him. Denis and Irina Popov, settlers who immigrated from Russia in 2190, were hydroponic farmers who had come to Port Renatus with the hopes of starting a life together. In 2191 they secured a small land grant from the local government and began farming produce for the base. After a few years the two dreamed of starting a family together, but had been unable to conceive. They knew that, sadly, these early colonial days were fraught with children who had lost their parents to the frontier, and sought out an adoption agency. It was there that they met Sebastian. Sebastian selected Denis and Irina to raise Ashara, knowing that in order for the “Child of God” to understand the universe, she needed to see it at its most simple life, and a farm with loving parents was the perfect choice. He knew that eventually, through her bloodline, humanity would finally achieve its true form. Ashara continued to blossom, her talents quickly becoming noted amongst the community. As she grew she began helping her parents with the daily chores of colonial life. Her tasks included tending the crops and feeding their imported chickens, which she developed a fondness for. During her free time Ashara entertained many hobbies, from art to dancing and even hand to hand combat training. By the age of 8 she even began to pilot her family’s hovercars, much to the surprise of Denis and Irina. But for all her achievements, it was during this time that Ashara began to experience the first of humanity’s cruelty. While her home life was a safe haven for her, school life was altogether a different experience. Many of the children would belittle and bully her, jealous of her talents. Often she would hear the whispers behind her back, calling her “Know-it-all” and “Show off”. Some had even called her a cheat, claiming that there was no way she could excel the way she did. As a result, Ashara spent much of her time back at her family’s farm, reading and talking to her chickens. “My fondest memories were of that farm. Running through the greenhouses, napping on the water purifier, which stayed quite cool during the summer, and singing to the chickens, although I don’t know how much they appreciated that! I was happy, and wished for it to never end.” – The Memoirs of Empress Ashara Astrum Lucem I

The History of The Black Ghost Empire Part V
“A New Generation”

Dr. Sebastian Ferdinand Gonzalez died of liver failure on December 13, 2203 at the age of 83. In his waning years he spent much of his time visiting with Ashara, who saw him as a grandfather figure. Sebastian passed without ever telling Ashara or the Popovs of her true legacy, his failure to replicate her success and his love for Ashara leading him to believe she was best kept hidden. Unfortunately, his passing greatly infuriated his benefactors, many of whom had been waiting for over 40 years and not seen any results. Using their influence, they legally seized Sebastian’s research and laboratory at Port Renatus and set about combing through his records to find out where their money had gone. It didn’t take long for them to discover Project Ascension and Subject 1A19. In 2205, Sebastian’s benefactors finally traced Ashara to her home. There they confronted the Popovs and demanded they hand Ashara over, as she was property of Ascended Genetics, a corporation they founded after obtaining Sebastian’s research. The Popovs, albeit very surprised at this reveal, adamantly refused, citing that even if Ashara was what they claimed, she had been legally adopted by them and they would take the fight to the news and courts. Unwilling to make Ashara’s existence a public spectacle, AG’s representatives changed their tune. All they wanted was for Ashara to partake in weekly lab tests, simple blood work and checkups. They emphasized Ashara’s importance, and how her development would change history. They even offered compensation for her time. Reluctantly, the family agreed, and Ashara began visiting the lab. Like all before, Ascended Genetics’ scientists were astonished with Ashara’s capabilities. At 12 years old she was achieving athletic feats that would make any Olympic athlete jealous, and solving equations that many of AG’s own scientists struggled with. They meticulously studied her genetic structure, struggling to find a way to apply it to other humans, but no matter what they did nothing took hold, with subject’s bodies simply rejecting the genetic material. It was then that one of the researchers had a bold idea. If her genetic enhancements could not be applied to a fully formed human, what about a newly formed one? This thought led them to inject Ashara’s genome into a new embryo, while it’s stem cells were still developing, with the hopes that the young cells would still be malleable enough to accept change. The experiment was an instant success, the primal cells were receptive enough to integrate Ashara’s genetic material and incorporate it into it’s development. Soon AG was enhancing embryo after embryo, with many of Sebastian’s original benefactors “ordering” children from the company. Using the benefactor’s donated sperm and egg, Ascended Genetics enhanced and artificially inseminated many embryos for them, and even went as far as to place some in cold storage for later generations. Although Sebastian’s benefactors would never be gods, their children could be.

The History of The Black Ghost Empire Part VI
“Discovery”

For the beginning of the 23rd Century, Ascended Genetics provided many of its clients with what it dubbed “Enhanced Humans”, scientifically named “Homo Auctus”. These clients came from descendants or close friends of Sebastian’s original benefactors, vetted and sworn to secrecy about the project, for although they dreamed of mass production, AG’s higher ups were still concerned with the perception of the Enhanced and the source of their origin. After all, Sebastian had done the truly impossible, he had created life, an act attributed only the the Almighty God Himself. Yet their greed allowed them to turn a blind eye to the fact, and they continued servicing their clientele. Ashara spent the remainder of her childhood with the Popovs, all while visiting the AG research facilities on a weekly basis. For 6 years they tested her and collected samples, but in 2211 AG scientists decided they had more than enough genetic material to last them, and agreed to release Ashara from her service. Finally free and of age, Ashara decided it was time she went to Earth, to see humanity’s home. Her academic talents had earned her a scholarship to Oxford University, a prestigious school founded in 1096 and located in Oxford, United Kingdom. Bidding a tearful farewell to Denis and Irina, Ashara set about her educational career. It was during this time that the first generation of Enhanced started coming into their own. Entering primary grade school they, like Ashara, soon rose to the top of their classes academically and athletically. As time passed, more and more of these gifted youngsters seemed to appear as if out of nowhere, outshining the rest of the general public in each of their respective fields. While Ashara continued her education, even into her 30s, the Enhanced continued to grow and prosper, drawing renown and acclaim from the public. It was a golden era for the Enhanced, but it was not to last. On May 13, 2231, an Enhanced Human by the name of Samantha Owens had a severe traffic accident in Rouen, France. Paramedics quickly arrived and assessed the situation. Samantha had rolled her vehicle and concaved her skull beyond recognition. Up until this point all Enhanced Humans had gone to AG’s inhouse doctors and physicians for all of their medical work, part of the agreement all clients made with Ascended Genetics in an effort to maintain secrecy of the project. However, when Samantha was taken to the public medical facility for genetic identification, doctors there soon made a startling discovery. Samantha’s genetic composition was completely unknown in the medical field. From what they analyzed she was essentially a new species of human, similar in many ways yet with a subtle variation in her DNA/RNA structure. News of this discovery spread like wildfire amongst the medical community and around the world. Samantha’s body was claimed by the Earth government and further studied. Her parents were brought in, examined and interrogated. It didn’t take long for them to reveal the truth. The existence of the Enhanced became known throughout the population. The Earth governments soon descended on the facilities of Ascended Genetics and its employees, confiscating AG’s research, and shutting down their labs. They now had a list of all Enhanced Humans that had so far been created and quickly engaged in a series of detainments and testing. Each and every Enhanced were discovered to possess the same genetic composition as Samantha, which they had dubbed Human Genome Type-D. Fearing the impact that an unknown genetic mutation could have on the general population they placed all of the detained Enhanced Humans into quarantined containment facilities. Eventually, they discovered the original research of Dr. Sebastian, Project Ascension and the existence of Ashara.

The History of The Black Ghost Empire Part VII
“Exile”

“……and up at 9 on ENN, demons among us? Mysterious research project discovered on Mars. How Ascended Genetics profited off of creating artificial humans for its secretive clientele. What is HG Type-D, or ‘Demon Blood’ as many on the internet have dubbed, and can it affect you? But first, meet Orion, the pup who can…….” – Earth News Network evening broadcast. Ashara’a discovery rocked both the scientific community and community at large. A human created artificially by man with no biological parents or heritage. A firestorm of debates and protests proceeded. How could life come from nothing? What were the Enhanced? Did they carry diseases? There were even talks of Satanism and sins against humanity. Uncertainty turned into fear, and soon thereafter into anger. Protesters took to the streets, claiming mankind had summoned demons, a slur derived from the Type-D name classification. It didn’t take long for calls of violence against the Enhanced to begin, who themselves remained in containment at specialized detention centers. And all the while Ashara was at the forefront, subjected to constant testing and brought before numerous UN hearings. Ashara pleaded her case and that of her kin. Although she understood the gravity and nature of her own creation, the rest of the Enhanced were still fundamentally human, no different than any other child who received gene therapy, she argued. Why should they be mistreated so, when they were guilty of nothing more than existing? The debate raged on for years, with the Earth’s governments unable to reach an agreement. Meanwhile, the Enhanced continued to live in the detention centers, turning them into makeshift communities with schools and establishing trade with the guards for supplies. Many of their families continued to support them with some leading counter-protests in favor of the Enhanced’s rights, even though they faced ostracization from the general public and excommunication from their churchs. Sadly some experienced physical violence, with several incidents of assault, including the unforgivable murder of Samantha Owens’ parents in 2239. Finally in 2245, a decision was made. After the recent loss of the Artemis, humanity’s enthusiasm for generational ships was practically non-existent. It was during the summer of 2245 that the UN decided it would make another attempt at interstellar colonization, but rather than ask for volunteers, they turned to Ashara and the Enhanced. They told the Enhanced in a public hearing that they were to be banished, exiled from humanity and sent away to begin life anew in another system. They designated Kepler-186f, a planet located 579ly(180 parsecs) from Earth orbiting within the habitable zone of the red dwarf star Kepler-186. Secretly they explained to the Enhanced that they would have a chance at creating their own society, free and separated from humanity. Devastated, but resilient, Ashara and the Enhanced agreed and construction began on the Chariot Class Ship Charon. Despite some setbacks during construction, in 2249 the ship was finally ready. The UN allowed the Enhanced to have one final supervised goodbye with their families, then Ashara and the 1247 Enhanced and 754 frozen embryos boarded Charon and on August 11, 2250, launched into space. The Enhanced were placed into cryogenic sleep with Charon’s AI set to guide them for the roughly 6000 year journey. It had been during Charon’s construction phase that Ashara had began to feel some doubt. While modern Imperial researchers have now dubbed this phenomenon as the “Blessing”, at the time Ashara was unaware of what she was experiencing. All she knew was that something felt wrong, off. Miscalculations for food and water consumption needed for settlement, the UN’s reluctance to include support ships in Charon’s hangers, and an all around feeling of unease led her to inevitably take action.

The History of The Black Ghost Empire Part VIII
“The First Jump”

Charon had been launched carrying 1248 Enhanced and 754 embryos on a roughly 6000 year journey to Kepler-186f, which sits in orbit of the red dwarf star Kepler-186. She was loaded with several mining and constructions vehicles, along with food and water to last two generations. However, Ashara found that securing these items from the UN had been difficult, which struck her as odd. Evidently they were in need of such items if they were to survive, she knew. She also found it difficult to get straight answers about their target destination, instead receiving nothing but false assurances and double talk from the delegates. Concerned, Ashara secretly installed a program into her cryo pod, instructing it to wake her if any deviations were detected in their planned trajectory. After only 85 years of hibernation, her fears were confirmed. Ashara awoke from her sleep to feel the slight momentum shift of the thrusters pulsing. She immediately knew something was wrong, since according to the planned course, the Charon would only fire its thrusters to escape the Sol system, afterwards it would essentially “float” the rest of the way to Kepler-186f. Checking with the terminals, she quickly found the reason. Charon was on a direct collision course with Sirius A, which was only 8.6ly from Earth. This, she soon surmised, was the reason behind the UN’s reluctance to provide materials for the Enhanced, they did not want to waste them to a suicide run. Alarms rang throughout the ship piercing the silence, Charon’s AI had detected the unauthorized opening of Ashara’s pod. Quickly she ran to the other pods and initiated their awakening procedure. Hidden compartments opened up in Charon’s walls, revealing anti-personnel turrets which began firing upon the Enhanced. Ashara cried to the Enhanced “We’ve been betrayed!” before she and the others who had woken up by then charged at the nearest turret. Two fell before Ashara reached the turret and deactivated it. She and the other Enhanced dismounted the weapons and began using them to engage the other turrets still firing upon them. Leading her makeshift squad, Ashara continued on, pushing towards the bridge as more turrets continued to emerge and block their path. All the while several Enhanced remained in the cryo chambers, continuing to wake up the remaining crew. Ashara fiercely battled her way to the bridge, eventually securing it, but not before a total of 13 Enhanced heroically lost their lives. It had been during the conflict that Charon’s quantum drive had been inadvertently damaged by turret fire. Ashara was running diagnostics to see if anything was wrong when one of the crew alerted her. Ashara looked up and gazed on on something completely unknown to humanity at the time. A hole was opening up before them, in the middle of space. Now known as a Jump Tunnel, this hole in space amazed Ashara, and terrified her. She attempted to change course, but it was too late, The Charon fell into the Jump Tunnel. Instinctively Ashara began navigating the Charon through the twist and turns of the chaotic tunnel, ever fearful of the stress such movements where putting on the ship, after all the Charon was a long range cargo hauler, not a combat cruiser. Struggling to maintain heading, it felt to her that the tunnel would go on forever, but light soon appeared ahead, the exit was before them. Ashara guided the Charon to the tunnel’s ending and successfully exited the Jump Tunnel in a flash of light. After a moments silence, she and the Enhanced understood, they had just been the first people to go through a wormhole in space. Together they tentatively looked out onto the light of an unknown star.

The History of The Black Ghost Empire Part IX
“A New Beginning”

Tartarus, as the Enhanced dubbed the system, was composed of a Class A-type main-sequence star surrounded by a dense cloud of ice crystals and rocks, with two small planets (Tartarus I and Tartarus II) within what should have been the stars habitable zone. However, the dense field of ice and rock so close to the star, likely the aftermath of a massive planetary collision between two large objects several million years earlier, served to block much of the Tartarus’ light from the two existing planets. The planets themselves were little more than frozen tundra and icecaps. Tartarus II was an inhospitable world, with temperatures dipping into the -200C, but rich in heavy metals. Tartarus I was somewhat better, boasting a breathable atmosphere and plenty of frozen ice, but like its sibling, would reach temperatures of -150C. It was over Tartarus I that Ashara decided to place the Charon into orbit, allowing it to have access to both the planets and the debris cloud. Gathering the Enhanced to the central atrium, Ashara claimed that here, they would reclaim their lives, and she rechristened Charon as the Hyperion. From the Hyperion, the Enhanced began to set about building their new society. Cryo chambers were repurposed as habitation dorms for the crew, while ships were sent from the hangers to gather resources and water from the planets’ surfaces. The Enhanced even rebuilt one hanger to serve as a ship construction bay. Here they designed and built new ships for themselves, including an innovative type of ship they dubbed the Ceres-class that served as a floating farmland. By bringing up dirt from the planet below and fertilizing it, they were able to plant the plethora of seeds that they had brought from Earth, growing fresh fruits and vegetables. Fresh meat was never going to be available, all pioneers knew this when going to new colonies back in Sol, but the Enhanced had managed to secure 3D bio printers through which, by using a protein based paste, they could replicate steaks and hamburgers, which they claimed tasted “almost as good.” While the frequent storms prevented them from establishing a permanent base on the Tartarus I, the Enhanced linked together a network of ships above the planet to create a livable flotilla. The Hyperion would go on to become a pseudo capital for the flotilla, with its central atrium being turned into a senate chamber for all members to discuss the aims of the group. The years went on and the Enhanced thrived, eventually discovering their longevity as members of the populace soon passed 100 years of age while barely appearing middle aged. Ashara inevitably took a husband, and later gave birth to her first true born child, Arthur, at the age of 62. She went on to have many more children, from several different husbands (polygamy was necessary in the early days to increase the population and genetic diversity.) Arthur, once he came of age, created the research vessel Athena, were he began dedicating himself to reverse engineering what had happened to Hyperion’s quantum drive that caused the Jump Tunnel to open. He knew that this would be crucial if the Enhanced were to ever find a home amongst the stars. All the while Ashara continued to be a beacon to the Enhanced, at times providing leadership and guidance, and other times helping to tend the crops on the farm ships. Secretly, that was the time she enjoyed the best, as working on those makeshift farms reminded her of her childhood on Mars. She would softly sing sometimes while she worked, remembering her chickens. They, along with her parents, were now faded ghosts, existing only in her memories.

The History of The Black Ghost Empire Part X
“Dawn of the Empire”

The years passed by, and the Enhanced continued to grow. Tartarus I and II proved to be an invaluable source of resources for them, and more and more ships continued to be added to the flotilla. Yet Ashara could never shake an uneasiness she felt. Through the Blessing, Ashara would have visions, some of tall peaceful visitors, and others of birds that terrified her for reasons she knew not. One thing that was certain to her, they would not be alone forever. She confided her feelings in Arthur, who took her premonitions to heart. He pleaded to the Enhanced to begin development of their own combat ships, but was met with initial resistance. What need was there for combat ships when there were no threats around? Then in 2410, the Enhanced intercepted a signal from space. Hyperion’s radio antenna had picked up a signal, at the complete surprise of the researchers onboard. The signal was weak, but it was unmistakably a broadcast from Earth. The broadcast was celebrating the recent discovery of a new Jump Tunnel in the year 2382. Not only did the knowledge of humanity’s progress alarm them, the fact that they were receiving it now meant that they were located only 28ly from Earth. The Enhanced quickly agreed, they would have to be able to defend themselves. By then more ships with shipyards had been built, and the Enhanced tasked these with building their first combat ships. Schools began educating students in self defense and ship combat. Civilian ships were retrofitted with weaponry. Quickly, the Enhanced’s military prowess grew. A council of the Enhanced’s most well respected members convened to discuss this new nation they were creating. They knew they would need to be a highly educated, well trained, military focused empire with a ruler to give unified direction and quick commands, much like the Roman Empire of Earth. Their leader would have to be someone of incredible talent and commitment. Unanimously they agreed, and on March 6, 2415, Ashara Astrum Lucem I was crowned Empress of the Black Ghost Empire. Standing before the Enhanced, an elderly Ashara addressed her people, her children….. “For my entire life I was told what I was. Chosen…Gifted…Divine…names given to me by my creator. Cheat…Fraud…Liar…names given to me by my peers. Demon…Evil…Unnatural…names given to me by humanity. Names we ALL have experienced. For these long years we have lived free from them and thrived on the Hyperion, but it will not be long until these names catch back up to us. While our journey through the cosmos was unforeseen, it will not remain undiscovered. Humanity WILL find us. We MUST be ready. We must evolve from more than a loose knit floating commune, we must unify under a single banner of strength. We must never again allow them to tell us what we are! Shunned to the black, forgotten like ghosts, it is in the eve of my life that I now know my name! From now on WE will tell everyone WHO WE ARE! I AM ASHARA ASTRUM LUCEM, AND WE ARE THE BLACK GHOST EMPIRE!” – Empress Ashara Astrum Lucem I at her coronation.

LONG LIVE THE BLACK GHOST EMPIRE