Verdant was colonized 416 local years ago from the world of One Hope. The colony ship chose an ideal subtropical location on the southern “Alpha” continent, and Captain Mueller initiated the massive offload of materials, equipment, and people. Shipboard life had been necessarily restrictive, controlled with the captain’s strong hand, and setting up the colony demanded continuing the restrictions. The country of Verdant Prime still controls the entire Alpha continent.
Now, four centuries later, Prime still believes in strong government control. They use no money, because all distribution and trade of goods and services is managed by the Solity government for the advancement of the people. From each according to his ability is a standard greeting, with standard response to each according to his need. The Capital department receives all requests and calculates the production quantities needed, passing those needs to the Labor department for execution. As has been common in human history, such a system works poorly due to the inherent delays.
Therefore, citizens are also controlled. People must apply to Solity for permission to date, called “fraternization,” based on DNA tests for controlled breeding. Parents raise children only to the age of four, after which all go into the creche-style Solity primary schools. Based on tested aptitudes and the needs of Solity, students may be Selected for secondary or tertiary schools. When education is complete for each, citizens are further Selected for their lifelong vocation, again based on aptitude and need. In rare circumstances, they may be re-Selected later in life. Citizens do not choose for themselves, except in minor things such as entertainment. People wear standard coveralls, color-coded to the Solity department in which they work. And, of course, controlling the populace also requires the ubiquitous Solity Guard wearing black with androgynous mirrored helmets and weapons.
Solity seems to work but has problems. Humans naturally yearn to fulfill themselves, but the incentives in Solity are to do the minimum necessary. No one works overtime, almost no one strives; working extra gets no benefits. Production often falls short of targets. Enjoyment is available, so people are generally happy—but Solity as a whole struggles to advance.
Of course, administrators are important to the functioning of Solity. Those who can get Selected into management wear the coveted purple coveralls, and they also get other perquisites that ordinary citizens do not. Larger offices, nicer materials, worldly goods—and power. When money is not the measure of wealth, then power rises to take its place.
In this fifth century After Touchdown, Solity is having severe problems both internally and externally. An active Lazarite resistance undermines even the few parts that work well. Conflicts with the other three countries are leading quickly to war.
The Solity of Verdant Prime cannot last.
Doc Honour Books 