Rescue Sisters
By the 22nd century, humankind has started colonizing the solar system, with orbiting cities, huge stations at the LaGrange points (stable points between heavenly bodies), settlements on Mars and mining ops in the asteroid belt and some of the moons. Governments and commercial industries both sent explorers, miners, and colonists, and the solar system became as ethnically diverse as Earth. However, the primary languages of Spacers are English and Russian, with a smattering of Chinese. Religion followed along with the colonization; in particular, the Catholic Church sent priests, started orphanages and schools.
During this frontier time, rules were made to help members of multiple nations work cooperatively in space. Over time, the Spacer’s Code became the guiding principles of spacefaring society, and the basis of a godless “religion.”
R. Charles Hawkins, created a gravity generator, which took humankind to a new level of exploration and enabled people to live more comfortably in space. After his discovery was implemented, mankind spread as far as Saturn, although exploration stalled at the end of the solar system. An accident caused Hawkins to be injured such that he was never able to enjoy his own invention, and he died only a few years after its implementation. Hawkin’s widow, Gillian, a strong Catholic, started a new order. The Order of Our Lady of the Rescue, religious sisters who conduct search and rescue operations. OLR convents have become an integral part of station safety, and are hired by asteroid miners.
One of the most significant sociological changes of artificial gravity was the splitting of humanity to a new species. Spacers who believed that humanity should adapt to microgravity refused artificial gravity technology, preferring to genetically adapt the human body. The Zerogs have become an isolationist society, with minimal contact with humanity, except in cases of trade. They have also developed a philosophy of genetic purity, with intermarriages and relations between human and zerog punishable by death and the death of offspring.
Spacer's Code of Conduct
1. A Spacer never panics.
2. Double check everything: twice and thrice and yet again.
3. Assumptions kill. Do not make them.
4. Improvise intelligently.
5. Spacers survive first, feel second.
6. If it's irrelevant to survival, respect others' beliefs.
7. (unofficial) Trust in St. Gillian.
8. Do not talk about controversial subjects except in friendly, invited discussions.
9. Those who don't know when to put safety over mission fail at both.
10. Know your situation, your priorities, and your orders.
11. When dealing with the unknown, knowledge is your best tool.
12. Do not be afraid to form relationships.
Stories
"Leap of Faith" in Leaps of Faith, [1]
"Our Daily Bread" in Infinite Space, Infinite God I, [2]
"These Three" in Infinite Space, Infinite God, [3]
"Antivenin" in Infinite Space, Infinite God II, [4]
"Beatitude" by Fred Warren in Residential Aliens, [5]
"Of All Things, Seen and Unseen" by Fred Warren in Residential Aliens, [6]
"Code Seven" in Residential Aliens, [7]
