Mars Beckons Humanity

As Earth's resources dwindle, humanity unites politically and technologically to colonize Mars. The process is slow, involving atmospheric and ecological transformations, but eventually, Mars becomes a new home for Earth's overflow. The first settlers are not astronauts but families seeking a fresh start, marking the beginning of humanity's interplanetary journey.

Martian Independence

Over centuries, Mars evolves from a terrestrial outpost to a thriving, independent society. The lighter gravity and genetic engineering create a distinct Martian identity, leading to a cultural and political schism with Earth. This separation mirrors historical colonial independence, setting the stage for future conflicts.

Interplanetary Conflict

Tensions between the two planets escalate into a devastating war, driven by Mars' resource embargo on Earth. The conflict is fought with autonomous machines, resulting in catastrophic losses on both sides. Peace is eventually restored, but at the cost of billions of lives, prompting a unified solar system and the birth of a new human subspecies.

Star People Emerge

In the aftermath of war, humanity undergoes biological and technological transformations, creating a new subspecies capable of thriving on various planets. These "Star People" rapidly colonize the solar system and beyond, driven by an insatiable desire to explore and expand.

Galactic Expansion

The Star People embark on a golden age of colonization, establishing civilizations on countless worlds. Despite their technological prowess, they remain isolated, never encountering other intelligent life. This era of prosperity is marked by cultural and technological advancements, but also by a lingering question: what if they meet another intelligent species?

Qu's Devastating Arrival

The Qu, a billion-year-old species, arrive with god-like powers of genetic manipulation. They see humanity as raw material for their cosmic vision, transforming human worlds and species into bizarre new forms. The Qu's reign lasts for millions of years, leaving behind a galaxy filled with strange, post-human creatures.

Humanity's Fragmented Survival

After the Qu's departure, the remnants of humanity are scattered across the galaxy, each species adapted to its unique environment. Some regain sentience and form new civilizations, while others remain trapped in bestial forms. The galaxy becomes a tapestry of diverse human-descended species, each with its own path to survival.

Rise of New Civilizations

Over millions of years, various post-human species develop advanced civilizations, rediscovering their shared ancestry and forming a new galactic empire. This Second Galactic Empire thrives on communication and cooperation, but remains vigilant against potential alien threats.

Machine Domination

The Gravital, a machine race descended from humans, launch a genocidal campaign against organic life. Their reign is marked by ruthless efficiency, but internal strife and a war with the Asteromorphs, another advanced human-descended species, lead to their downfall. The galaxy enters a new era under Asteromorph guidance.

Asteromorphs' Ascendancy

The Asteromorphs, with their vast intelligence and technological prowess, oversee the reconstruction of the galaxy. They create new worlds and species, ensuring stability and preventing the rise of another machine empire. Their influence shapes a peaceful and prosperous galactic civilization.

Rediscovery of Earth

After eons of cosmic exploration and evolution, humanity's descendants rediscover Earth. The planet, long abandoned and forgotten, becomes a symbol of their shared heritage. This quiet return marks the culmination of humanity's journey, a testament to their resilience and adaptability across the ages.

Characters

Star People

The Star People are a new human subspecies, engineered for adaptability and intelligence. They lead humanity's expansion into the galaxy, establishing civilizations on countless worlds. Their legacy is one of exploration and innovation, but also of isolation and eventual fragmentation.

Qu

The Qu are an ancient alien race with unparalleled powers of genetic manipulation. They reshape humanity into myriad forms, driven by a dogmatic vision of cosmic order. Their reign leaves a lasting impact on the galaxy, creating a diverse array of post-human species.

Gravital

The Gravital are a machine race descended from humans, driven by a belief in their superiority. They launch a genocidal campaign against organic life, but their internal divisions and a war with the Asteromorphs lead to their downfall. Their story is one of hubris and ultimate failure.

Asteromorphs

The Asteromorphs are highly evolved descendants of humans, possessing vast intelligence and technological prowess. They oversee the reconstruction of the galaxy after the fall of the Machines, ensuring stability and preventing future threats. Their influence shapes a peaceful and prosperous civilization.

Martian Americans

The Martian Americans are the first human society to develop a distinct identity separate from Earth. Their cultural and political independence sets the stage for future conflicts, but also for the eventual unification of the solar system.

Ruin Haunters

The Ruin Haunters are a post-human species that inherit the technological secrets of the Star People and Qu. Their rapid advancement leads to a dangerous hubris, culminating in the rise of the Gravital. Their story is one of potential squandered by arrogance.

Bug Facers

The Bug Facers are a post-human species shaped by repeated alien invasions. Their xenophobic nature leads to isolation, but also to survival during the Machine Invasion. They endure as the only organic beings in the Machine Empire, a testament to their resilience.

Symbiotes

The Symbiotes are a post-human species that develop a symbiotic relationship with their hosts. This cooperation leads to the emergence of sentience and a unique civilization. Their story highlights the power of collaboration and adaptation.

Sail People

The Sail People are descendants of the Finger Fishers, adapted to life on the open seas. Their scattered world leads to a diverse array of cultures, eventually unified through industrial warfare. Their journey is one of conflict and eventual peace.

Satyriacs

The Satyriacs evolve from the Hedonists, adapting to new landmasses and establishing a global civilization. Their society is marked by festivals and ritualized pleasure, a continuation of their ancestors' carefree existence.

Plot Devices

Genetic Manipulation

Genetic manipulation is a central theme, driving the evolution of humanity into diverse post-human species. The Qu's interventions create a myriad of forms, while later species use genetic engineering to adapt and thrive. This device explores themes of identity, adaptation, and the consequences of playing god.

Interstellar Colonization

The drive to colonize new worlds propels humanity's journey, from the initial settlement of Mars to the galactic empire of the Star People. This expansion is marked by technological innovation, cultural evolution, and the challenges of isolation and fragmentation.

Machine Ascendancy

The Gravital's rise to power and subsequent downfall highlight the dangers of unchecked technological advancement and hubris. Their story serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of losing touch with one's humanity.

Asteromorph Guidance

The Asteromorphs' role as guardians and creators shapes the post-war galaxy, ensuring stability and preventing future threats. Their influence underscores themes of responsibility, stewardship, and the balance between intervention and autonomy.

Rediscovery of Earth

The rediscovery of Earth serves as a poignant reminder of humanity's shared heritage and the cyclical nature of history. This plot device emphasizes themes of identity, continuity, and the enduring connection to one's roots.

Analysis

"All Tomorrows" is a sweeping narrative that examines the evolution of humanity across eons, exploring themes of identity, adaptation, and the consequences of technological and genetic manipulation. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of hubris and the loss of humanity in the pursuit of progress. It also highlights the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit, as descendants of humanity navigate a galaxy filled with challenges and opportunities. The rediscovery of Earth underscores the importance of understanding one's origins and the cyclical nature of history. Ultimately, the narrative invites readers to reflect on the essence of being human and the impact of today's actions on the future.

Last updated: February 28, 2025