Survivalism

From Gothpoodle

Survivalists believe that Earth is heading toward apocalypse and that the only way to escape is to get off-world. Two major threats are global war and a machine singularity, but the big danger on the horizon is aliens. No, not the Virginians; most Survivalists think that’s fantasy, although the mini black hole discovery could well be some sort of cover-up. Survivalists know that Earth has been emitting radio and television signals since the early 20th century, a sort of cosmic “we are here” beacon. They’ve now reached out well beyond 150 light-years. Survivalists figure that any species tough enough to make its way into space is bound to be as paranoid and ornery as humans. The way things are going on Earth, they’ll probably be artificial intelligences or digital ghosts – but they might be just about anything. If so, then their best bet would be to wipe us out before we get tough and smart enough to be a threat.

It would be easy. A few relativistic “near-C” bombs accelerated by advanced antimatter drives could devastate Earth before we knew it. Or maybe they’ll fire millions of tiny pellets loaded with proteus nanoviruses and transform Earth into a mirror of their own ecosystem. In any case, the planet’s days are numbered. Whoever takes out Earth will do for Mercury, Mars, and Titan as well. The only safe place is the asteroid belt or the Kuiper Belt, burrowed into enough rock or ice to hide emissions. If humans can spread out far enough and fast enough, maybe the race will be able to buy enough time to survive.

There are a few dozen survivalist enclaves scattered through the Main Belt and Trojans, with a couple even farther out. Most are small, secretive, well armed, and unfriendly to strangers. They generally operate Duncanite-style vessels with mass driver engines rather than fusion drives in order to minimize their electromagnetic signature, and may maintain multiple bases, only one or two of which are their actual homes. They are not entirely antisocial: some visit Duncanite communities or trade with Gypsy Angels, and others are supporters of the Plymouth Rock Society movement. A few survivalist groups are associated with apocalyptic cults. Many are biochauvinists.