Carlos (Yaz) expressed an interest in a post-mortem or "what happens afterwards". I'm going to take the far-observer approach, so any personal goals you might have would be glossed over. As such, this will be from the point of view of a university class almost 900 years after the fact. The elderly human professor approaches the podium. First, he attaches his wrist-socket to the podium computer. The holoviewer springs to life, showing a slow slideshow of scenes from ancient history. "Today's lesson will be concerning the Frontier Period. You've read the text, so let's start with a question. What event heralded the end of the period?" He pauses for a moment, scanning the class. Eventually, he points to one of the students near the back. "Yes, Zusy, I see you haven't raised your hand, but nobody else has either. Take a guess." A young human female stands to address the class. Robot assistants spiral in to catch her words, both for the recorder but also for the acoustic system. "The discovery of alternate methods of planning a star-route?" The professor nods, "Good. Yes, once the frontier races were able to expand outside of the original systems, the Frontier exploded out into the rest of the galaxy. The megacorps couldn't compete, the UPF couldn't handle it anymore, and the Frontier framework broke apart." He points to another unexpecting student, "Mije, what was the difference in the alternate star-routes? Why did they work better than what they had before?" "Uh... they were better?" "How?" "They were faster?" "Demerit. Did you read the text? No, in fact, they were slower. The new star routes would exit further from the target system. Why was this better? Another student... you Nemarc!" "Uh... I don't know." "Haha! You look like you're expecting a demerit. But, you got it exactly right. Nobody knows. For some reason, the new plotting methods worked when the old ones didn't. Then later, after each system was explored, the old methods starting working again." "Some philosophers claim it was some version of the uncertainty principle - "what you can't see doesn't exist." More reasonable heads say that the people of the time were miscalculating their jumps, so jumping out further offset the error. Others say that the Sathar must have been involved somehow." "Hmm... Darmatha. You look confused. If you want to ask something, raise your pseudopod." A young Dralasite stands up, "Sir. I thought the Sathar were a legend." The professor smirks, "Certainly. Maybe they were. But the people of the time didn't think so. And we still have some Sathar 'bodies'. Hoax? Maybe. But it would have been difficult for the people at the time to have done it." The Dralasite holds up his pseudopod to continue, "You think they were real? But then, where are they?" "A good question. Again, nobody knows. Maybe the Frontier killed them all? After the 'Dramune Event' the only sightings were unconfirmed. Maybe they are still out there? Nobody has seen them since. Nobody has ever found a Sathar planet or Sathar ruins... it's like they never existed." Again, the Dralasite, "So then, why do we think they existed at all?" "Technology. The Frontier got a sudden infusion of alien technology. Nobody knows where it came from. But, many would argue that this was the reason for the end of the Frontier period. Why? Let's get another student. You there, X'xitcl." A Vrusk stands in response, "The Frrrontierrr could build space stations." "No. Demerit. They already had space stations. Although you've got the general idea. How many of you live on a planet?" None of the students raise their hands. "How many of your parents, grandparents, or any of your family live on a planet?" Again, no hands. "And that's just it. Who would want to? All the wealth is out in space. Plus, it's just nicer when you can choose your own gravity. Planets now are used for hiking expeditions or period dramas. In fact, I'd bet none of you even live in a star system. Anyone?" Again, no hands. "So, in conclusion, the new technology, better recycling, improved life support... deep space went from 'possible' to 'preferred'. Once we were out here, it became our way of life and the technology just kept getting better." "Hmm... I see class time is almost up. Any questions? Anything you want to know about? Remember the test is on the ten-day!" A young Yazirian stands, "Sir? What about the NeonTigers? Weren't they the ones who 'found' that new technology?" "Ah yes, you must be religious? You think the NeonTigers were channeling the desires of the Family of One?" "Sir, I didn't say that, you did." "Well, it is true that many philosophers find the rise of NeonTigers corporation somewhat... unusual. According to historical records, the founders were involved in so much of what we've just talked about. For many, it seems too much to be a mere coincidence. Maybe the records were falsified. Perhaps it was just coincidence. Perhaps... who knows?" "So then, maybe they were divine beings? I see that two of them were Yazirians. Does anyone have a record of their lineage?" "Haha... that is a topic for a different class."
