The Copernicus Incident

by Rocktavia

Codex Entries

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DOWNLOADING ENTRIES: IMPERIAL CODEX

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Science and Technology

Anti-Gravity Discs: Anti-Gravity Discs are miniature saucers derived from Nikola Tesla's research into Gravity whilst forming his Unified Field Theory. They are able to create fields of increased mass, decreased mass, and more. They can also be set to act as low-powered thrusters. The gravitic effect they generate can be modulated to different strengths and effective radii.

Data Crystals: The Equestrian Union and the Empire store data in a trinary system on specially-designed optical crystals. Most are triangular prisms that can store up to a Yottabyte, but more complex crystals in the shapes of rectangular prisms or even hexagonal prisms can store even more data. Unique Variants called AI Prisms are specially designed to host sentient artificial intelligences. They are actually in the shape of 5" pyramids, and designed to be inserted 'top-first'.

Dreadnought: Dreadnoughts are massive starships that are built around a single, ultra-high-power Railgun mounted along the spinal axis. They are often used for orbital bombardment and long-range engagements. When the Imperial Navy needs something that can split entire moons in two, they call in a Dreadnought. Each one is named after a character from the show. The 6 largest ones called Star Dreadnoughts are part of a battle group code-named 'Mane 6'. They are, in no particular order: ESES Rarity, ESES Twilight Sparkle, ESES Applejack, ESES Pinkie Pie, ESES Fluttershy, and the ESES Rainbow Dash.

Electronic Camouflage: Electronic Camouflage was the precursor to modern Spectral Inversion technology. They masked an object's visual profile from view, enabling it to largely move undetected. This does not mask an object's Radar signature or thermal profile. Used in conjunction with other technologies, this could be mitigated, but was largely rendered a moot point with the invention of Spectral Inversion Plating.

Gear Roll: Gear Rolls are storage solutions in widespread usage by the Equestrian Stellar Empire. They have a flexible Replication Pad, computer, Matter Storage, and Replication Matrix. Until activated, the device appears to be a black sheet of rubber. When it is activated, the device begins to break down whatever is placed on the surface with microscopic robots and spirits the particles away. A molecular template of the objects are stored inside the computer. Once the device is unrolled and reactivated, whatever was stored by the device is reconstituted. Most users tend to first pack a large bag, then store it inside a Gear Roll to be able to travel lighter than they would otherwise.

Gravitic Thrusters: Gravitic thrusters, designed for low-profile stealth missions and atmospheric flight, are non-emissive engine technologies that generate Gravitic fields. They are essentially over-sized Anti-Gravity Discs adapted to function as engines.

Matter Stores: Matter Stores store depolarized Quarks, aka the building blocks of subatomic particles. They also come in various sizes. The largest are designed to supply entire planets and can be the size of the Empire State Building. Smaller variants can be installed in Xenopads, Personal Robots, and other personal devices. Matter Stores that are designed to be man-portable are usually combined with Anti-Gravity Discs to mitigate the weight of stored matter.

Nanotechnology: While experiments with nanotechnology were in place prior to the formation of the Equestrian Union, most were suppressed by the ancient conspiracy known as The Darkness. During the Foundation Incident, the demonstration of a miraculous device known as The Divine Mist sparked a nanotechnological revolution in the earliest days of the fledgling Brony nation. By the time of the Second Exodus, nanotechnology is ubiquitous and has freed the citizens of the Union from material needs. Unfortunately, they are not able to share this technology with the rest of the world due to The Darkness' ubiquitous surveillance networks and reliance on keeping the population of the world reliant on material goods. This fact, combined with extreme bitterness and anger in the aftermath of the Second Nanotech War ultimately causes the Equestrian Union to build the first FTL starships and set out into the galaxy. (See Second Exodus, below)

Optical Computing: Optical computers are merely the latest in the ever-advancing field of information technology. In stark contrast to their copper and silicone ancestors, Optical Computers work by refracting light in a specific pattern to output a result. Prior to the foundation of United Equestria, optical computers were little more than prototypes. However, with the advancements and rapid fabrication that nanotechnology made possible, Optical Computing took a giant step forward. The most well-known examples of Optical Computers are the Replication Matrices that enable much more refined nanotechnological fabrication than previously thought possible.

Replication Pad: Replication Pads (or Rep-Pads for short) are frictionless surfaces coated in dormant Nanites. Upon activation, Rep-Pads generate or break down objects layer by layer. If creating an object, it is created from the top-down. The object seemingly rises from the pad. If breaking down an object, the pad works in the opposite manner; the object is seemingly swallowed up by the pad.

Replication Matrix: A Replication Matrix is a specially-constructed optical computer designed exclusively to coordinate swarms of Nanobots as they create, destroy, and transform objects. They are extremely fragile and normally stored in anti-shock gel if not immediately installed in a device. If a replication matrix shatters, it must be replaced immediately.

Shields: Shields are critical pieces of hardware for most front-line soldiers and are also ubiquitous on starships. Shields use a layer of low-temperature plasma suspended in a finely tuned magnetic field to protect the user from most damage. In order to fire upon the protected person or object, one must first weaken the plasma shell. The shield is completely ineffective against high-band emissions such as Vis and Gamma Rays.

Spectral Inversion Plating: Spectral Inversion Plating is a piece of technology that is able to mask all emissions of a vessel as well as absorb Radar waves and Ladar beams. It is part of a class of material called a Metamaterial, that is artificial composites modified to have unnatural and useful characteristics. Another metamaterial is Nanosteel.

Symbiotes: Symbiotes is the collective term for Nanite swarms within the human body. By default, they augment the regenerative abilities by repairing cell damage, restoring decayed DNA strands, and combating foreign pathogens with greater effectiveness than the body can on its own. 98.7% of all residents of the Equestrian Stellar Empire are equipped with this miraculous technology, effectively increasing the average lifespan to 170 years. The Symbiotes are theoretically able to also edit the body's structure - growing subdermal armor, for instance. Some users of Symbiotes called Avatars are able to override the microscopic robots' programming and take manual control, effectively truly merging themselves with Nanotechnology. Avatars are very rare, however.

Xenopads: Xenopads are mobile wristwatch terminals that are able to interface with and modify an overwhelming spectrum of technology. They are equipped with Miniature Fabricators capable of producing small gadgets like flashlights, blades, saws, screws, and barriers out of simple polymers and carbon nanotubes as well as deploying floating nanobots ("Foglets") that act as displays and interfaces.

Weaponry: The Equestrian Union and later Equestrian Stellar Empire extensively use magnetic weaponry as standard equipment. The firearms are standardized, highly customizable, and come in numerous bore sizes, measured in Millimeters. Higher bore sizes always reflect higher stopping power, in stark contrast to the combustion weapons of yore. The largest man-portable weapons are 40mm Heavy Cannons, which are designed as shoulder-fired anti-tank weaponry. Weapon variants that are smaller than 16mm can operate in a rapid-fire mode. Magnetic firearms are also able to shoot an effectively limitless number of rounds thanks to integrated microfabrication technology. Different Ammunition Templates can be activated using the on-board computer for different purposes. Standard ammo templates included with most firearms include Armor-Piercing, Incendiary, Soft Point, Stun Rounds, High Explosives, and more. More tech-savvy users commonly add their own templates that produce even more exotic effects.

People and Places

Macintosh I: Named after Big Macintosh, this planet lives up to the reputation of its namesake. Macintosh I is quiet, strong and deadly. It is a world of death and peril hostile to even the most augmented humans. Sandstorms rage across the surface during the day, and at night the vilest of alien monsters arise to prey on any being either lucky or foolish enough to survive the day.

Nikola Tesla: This Serbian inventor and shrewd businessman is responsible for the technological leap forward in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He started his first moderately successful business whilst still in college at the Graz University of Technology. After graduating summa cum laude, Tesla moved to the United States to become an intern at Thomas Edison's company, the Continental Edison Company. Through crafty outmaneuvering, Tesla eventually managed to take control of CEC, turning it into Tesla Electric Light and Manufacturing. The company would survive into the late 2010s before being purchased by Lozo Heavy Industries. Tesla was a veritable one-man industrial revolution, developing, with success, Radar, Radio, electric vehicles, and more. The 19th and 20th centuries are very different due to this leap in technological advancement.

Events and Culture

Credits: Shorthand for Matter Credits. Matter Credits are the universal currency of the late Equestrian Union and Equestrian Stellar Empire. A single credit represents 5 grams of matter or just over 12 Million Yottawatt-Hours. It is a less complex way of quantifying Matter and Energy, as both are interchangable thanks to technology. For example, an average personal computer weighs roughly 7 kilograms. It also costs 1400 credits, which means it would require 7000 grams of matter or 16.8 Billion Yottawatt-Hours of energy to synthesize. Thankfully, both are in abundant supply in the Empire.

The Second Exodus: Following the period of global devastation and upheaval in the wake of the Second Nanotech War, which once more ended in a stalemate between The Darkness and United Equestria, the UE Council voted 7 to 2 in favor of Operation Starchild. The plan entailed the construction of numerous colony vessels with a singular purpose: leaving earth to start anew among the stars. Vowing to someday return to Earth and finish what they started, the Bronies went off-world, leaving the majority of the planet to the evils of The Darkness. Unwilling to risk civilian casualties and intending to take down The Darkness without collateral damage, they would build their strength and make good on their vow 550 years later.

Unification War: In 2502, seven Outer Rim planets broke away from the Equestrian Stellar Empire and instigated a Civil War, known afterwards as the Unification War. Led by the Earth Return movement, these seven planets would soon grow in number to over thirty-five under the ultimate goal of an ahead of schedule, and by extension, more violent, return to Earth. What is unknown to most citizens of the Empire is that the leader of this Rebellion was none other than High Admiral Benedict Lozo, the Great-Great-Grandson of Doctor Joseph Lozo. This man was the only person driving the Insurrectionists forward; once he was assassinated, the Earth Return movement and Insurrectionists were crippled, the remainder of their forces easily being swept away. Ironically, this civil war delayed the return to earth by over 50 years.

Meta Concepts

Divergence: The human world depicted here is in a divergent timeline from our own, meaning that prior to a specific date, it essentially is our world. After a certain event or Point of Divergence, the timeline breaks off from our own into its own stream, after which events become unpredictable if compared to our own history. The human world diverges at some point in the early 1400s, although the more dramatic changes occur from 1870 and on. See Nikola Tesla above for the majority of these shifts. The key thing to remember is that Nikola Tesla was a much more competent businessman and salesperson in this world and thus was able to avoid the major pitfalls he experienced in our timeline. This resulted in his inventions gaining momentum much easier, the War of Currents never occuring, and a technological growth at almost 5 times the rate it should have been. A global internet existed as early as the 1970s. By the year 2010, humanity has rudimentary optical computers, advanced robotics, railguns, and advanced power generation technology.

Author's Note:

As can be inferred, this isn't actually an update. This is where I will put descriptions of technology and magic in the setting so as to not clutter the story with long strings of pseudo-scientific technobabble. Also, you'll find some historical stuff here.

Comments

[Mr Pones]

"My stories look best when read in Courier New!"

Ok what.

also: What if our fandom eventually grew to not just be about the show anymore?

So like, you mean the way it is right now? (Guaranteed replies.png)

[Rocktavia]

1851953
What I mean is, in this timeline, the fandom became an actual nation, and then later an interstellar empire. It will start to make more sense as I continue on.
Hopefully.

Also, I don't know why I added that Courier New note. Thanks for catching that.

[Mr Pones]

1851965 Ok then.

[Shpoople96]

200 year lifespan?
Isn't that a bit much?

[Vates Despero]

You know the Tragedy/Dark tag combo is probably driving away quite a few potential readers. Plus they contrast strongly with your description. If this really is a Tragedy you might want to take the "copious amounts of love, adventure, and silliness." bit out.

[Rocktavia]

1852244
Actually, such a long lifespan is really not that inconceivable given that [SPOILER REMOVED], leading to [SPOILER REMOVED]. As the story will show [SPOILER REMOVED] is even more effective at modifying the body's natural lifespan when combined with [SPOILER REMOVED]

1852259
Hmm... Good point. I guess the adventure tag by itself fits much better. Fixed. Thank you for the input.

[Vates Despero]

1852309 HUZZAH!! I was hoping that would be the direction it went! Moving from read later to read next! 5:00AM is to late to start new stories.

[Rocktavia]

1852313
While there are some darker moments, it is primarily a Sci-Fi epic across multiple universes.

Of course, by 'dark', I mean 'the bad guy gets close to winning and the hero feels like shit, but eventually they do win.'

Oh wait, that's called the climax. My bad.

[Rocktavia]

Remember to like, comment and favorite!
Uhm... That is if you like it.
and if its okay with you.

[Vates Despero]

1852322 Yeah, Tragedy is when ''the hero gets close to winning and the long struggle is about to pay off, but then everyone dies'.

[Rocktavia]

1852338
...
I plead insanity.

[Vates Despero]

This story needs something... what is it, it's on the tip of my tongue!!
...
...
...
Oh that's right! It needs more chapters, I knew I would figure it out eventually!

[Rocktavia]

1855581
Your wish is my command.
Codex was also updated. Let me know if you want me to elaborate on anything else in the story.

Edit: Hory sheet, this was one of the longest chapter's I've ever written.

[Rocktavia]

1862577
Goddammit. Thank you. EDIT: Any other issues?

[beingme2]

oh. okay then. I just thought that they were also gone to oblivion like what happen in the bridge (where its like it become Swiss cheese since some parts are just flat out gone)

and what do you mean by "time they don't have" ? says who? so long as life support is on and knowing that they have a stock of food and water in the ship, they can just stay put until the ship is fully repaired.

but what do I know? you will most likely explain more in the next chapter so for now, I will just treat it as a question that everyone will want answered when they encounter a cliffhanger.

again great chapter. looking forward for the next one

[Rocktavia]

1864934
cdn.derpiboo.ru/media/BAhbBlsHOgZmSSJoMjAxMi8xMi8xNC8yMF80OF81M180NzNfMTgxMTExX19VTk9QVF9fc2FmZV9hbmltYXRlZF9zd2VldGllX2JlbGxlX2V2aWxfaG9vZl9ydWJiaW5nX3NpbmlzdGllX2JlbGxlBjoGRVQ/181111__safe_animated_sweetie-belle_sleepless-in-ponyville_evil_hoof-rubbing_sinistie-belle.gif
Hehehehehehehe....

[beingme2]

by the way, on your comments; how do you put a link in my username? the ">>beingme2" part I mean. I am still kinda new to this commenting thing so sorry if it should be common knowledge.

[Rocktavia]

1865289
It's cool. You just hover your mouse over the post you want to reply to. Once you've done that, two buttons should appear in the right hand corner of the post. The one on the left is the one you click. This inserts a string of numbers which becomes the replyee's username once the comment is posted.

[beingme2]

1865539

got it! thank you

[MintyRest]

Nikola Tesla: This Serbian inventor and shrewd businessman

... Hahahahahahaha!
So this is an AU! Now I get it.

[Rocktavia]

1871126
Yep! All there in the codex, people! I have a prequel fic planned as well called In Utter Darkness that will go more in depth with the differences. Of course, there is a pony element to it. You see, manages to cross over into this human world, finding has taken over , so decides to create to preserve truth. then takes on a different form.

What's that? Not specific enough for you?

cdn.derpiboo.ru/media/BAhbBlsHOgZmSSJoMjAxMi8xMi8xNC8yMF80OF81M180NzNfMTgxMTExX19VTk9QVF9fc2FmZV9hbmltYXRlZF9zd2VldGllX2JlbGxlX2V2aWxfaG9vZl9ydWJiaW5nX3NpbmlzdGllX2JlbGxlBjoGRVQ/181111__safe_animated_sweetie-belle_sleepless-in-ponyville_evil_hoof-rubbing_sinistie-belle.gif
That's the point...

[Rocktavia]

Writer's Block is a biiiiiiitch....
Actually, it's not Writer's Block, per se. I have plenty of ideas to spare.

I just can't form the fucking words. I'm trudging ahead, though. I'm not going to abandon this. Anyway, I should have 2.2 out.... uhm, best case is tomorrow, but it may take until the weekend. Point is, it's coming.

Stay tuned.

EDIT: As of January Third, I've gotten 500 words of the chapter done. That's about 1/3 of my minimum length. I scrapped 2 earlier revisions in their entirety, which is why it took so damn long. I'm a damned nutcase / perfectionist.

EDIT 2: WHOOHOO! GOT IT DONE! It's a bit shorter than I wanted it to be, but it's good! Hopefully the next one won't take so damn long.

[Rocktavia]

1904134
CODEX ENTRIES UNLOCKED!
> Data Crystals <
> Electronic Camouflage <
> Gravitic Thrusters <

ADDITIONAL DATA RECOVERED!
> Spectral Inversion Plating <

[Rocktavia]

1947024
Let me put it this way: You're close. You're very close.
There will be an update soon, I've just been so damn busy lately.

The show will go on.

[TearingNose24]

this story needs more to it. chapter wise.