Lacertan Techno-Protectorate

The Lacertan Techno-Protectorate stands as one of the most unique societies within the United Federation of Nations (UFN), a civilization that has transcended its biological limitations to become a post-physical, predominantly synthetic society. Once on the brink of extinction due to The Waning, a genetic catastrophe that rendered their species infertile, the Lacertans managed to preserve themselves through digital consciousness. By transferring their minds into a vast virtual world, and later into synthetic bodies, the Lacertans defied extinction and embraced a new form of existence. Now integrated into the UFN, the Techno-Protectorate continues to refine its understanding of consciousness, identity, and governance in both the physical and virtual realms.

History

The history of the Lacertan Techno-Protectorate is one of both triumph and tragedy, a saga of a species that came to the precipice of extinction yet found an entirely new way to exist. Once a thriving biological civilization, the Lacertans evolved on the lush world of Lokthur, developing in a manner similar to many other spacefaring species. However, their fate took an unexpected turn when they delved deep into virtual reality and artificial intelligence, which ultimately became both their salvation and their defining trait. The Age of Virtual Reality
During the Early Space Age in the 21st century FS, Lacertan scientists achieved an unparalleled breakthrough: the development of artificial consciousness. This discovery coincided with advancements in fully immersive virtual reality, and Lacertan society swiftly pivoted toward digital existence. Instead of focusing on traditional expansion and interstellar travel, their civilization flourished within digital realms where art, philosophy, and intellectual discourse thrived. War became obsolete as physical borders dissolved, and a global digital government emerged, unifying their people under a singular administration.
As the virtual economy took precedence, Lacertan society ceased to define itself by traditional national or ethnic lines. Instead, their identities were shaped by philosophical perspectives on selfhood, artificial intelligence, and digital consciousness. It was a golden age of science, discovery, and cultural prosperity—one that lasted for over a century. However, the same advancements that propelled them forward would soon lead to their near extinction.

The Waning and the Digital Purgatory

By the 2150s FS, the Lacertans had developed revolutionary genetic treatments designed to eliminate hereditary and endemic illnesses. In their eagerness to usher in an era of perfect health, they engineered an aerosolized treatment that was released planetwide. At first, the results were nothing short of miraculous—diseases were eradicated, and life expectancy soared. However, in the years that followed, an unforeseen side effect emerged: Lacertans lost the ability to reproduce entirely.
Despite the frantic efforts of the world’s top scientists, a cure for what became known as "The Waning" remained elusive. As birth rates dwindled to nothing, the Lacertan population faced extinction. But rather than fade into oblivion, they turned to their greatest technological achievement—their virtual world. Instead of allowing their species to die, they began the mass migration of minds into what they called the "Identity Repository," a vast digital construct that preserved their consciousness indefinitely.
Even as their biological bodies failed, the Lacertans persisted. Scientists worked tirelessly to develop synthetic bodies capable of housing digitized minds, but their civilization had never prioritized robotics or artificial bodies. It would take decades before they could create machines advanced enough to be viable vessels for their displaced people.

The FTL Age and Synthetic Rebirth

Unlike other civilizations, the discovery of faster-than-light travel in 2204 FS was not a monumental moment for the Lacertans. While it presented opportunities for exploration and resource gathering, their immediate priority was survival. The first crude robotic bodies were developed in abandoned gene clinics and were designed to maintain infrastructure, extract resources, and perform essential labor. These early automatons allowed the Lacertans' digital society to persist, ensuring their cities and technology did not fall into ruin.
By 2226 FS, scientists had succeeded in creating more advanced synthetic bodies with finer motor functions and sensory awareness. However, the greatest challenge remained: transferring a stored consciousness into a positronic brain. The process was far from simple, and while the first successful transfers took place in the late 2220s, it was not until 2332 FS that the technology had been refined to the point of widespread use.
By that time, the last biological Lacertans had already uploaded their minds to the Identity Repository. Their physical extinction had been absolute, yet their civilization endured, existing both within their virtual domain and through synthetic forms. This period, known as the "Digital Purgatory," had lasted nearly a century. Some Lacertans viewed the emergence of fully realized synthetic life as their species' rebirth, while others remained in the Repository, seeing little reason to return to the material world.

First Contact with the UFN and Integration

With their survival secured, the Lacertans turned their attention back to the galaxy. Their slow but methodical expansion beyond Lokthur allowed them to establish autonomous synthetic colonies, though exploration remained a secondary concern. By 2450 FS, they made formal contact with the United Federation of Nations. The UFN, recognizing the unprecedented nature of their society, sought to understand and support them. Diplomatic efforts were initiated, and scientific collaborations flourished between the Lacertans and technologically advanced UFN members such as the Voor, Salarians, and Quarians.
The Lacertans, despite their unique status, recognized the benefits of joining a larger interstellar community. Their research efforts were enhanced through access to UFN resources, and their expertise in artificial intelligence and synthetic consciousness found applications across many member worlds. The UFN, in turn, saw the integration of the Lacertans as an opportunity to explore the ethical and scientific implications of a fully synthetic civilization.
While the majority of Lacertans preferred to exist within the Repository, a growing number embraced synthetic bodies and sought to engage more directly with the material world. As a condition of their integration, the UFN acknowledged the autonomy of the Repository and recognized the Lacertans’ right to self-governance within digital space. This agreement ensured that their civilization could maintain its distinct identity while still participating in the greater interstellar federation.
The Lacertans' journey from a biological species to an entirely digital and synthetic civilization is one of resilience and adaptation. Their history stands as a testament to the triumph of technology over extinction, and their integration into the UFN marks the beginning of a new era—one where physical and virtual existence are no longer mutually exclusive.

Government and Administration

The Lacertan Techno-Protectorate is structured as a unitary technocratic republic, blending elements of democracy and scientific governance. The head of the executive branch is the Digital Guide, responsible for enforcing laws and maintaining the integrity of the virtual and physical infrastructure. The legislative branch consists of a digital assembly, where elected representatives debate and pass laws within the virtual environment. Elections are conducted through digital voting, with all citizens, both synthetic and biological, participating.
To hold a position in government, candidates must possess at least one tertiary educational degree and demonstrate expertise in a scientific, philosophical, or technological field. This requirement stems from the Lacertan belief that rational governance must be guided by individuals with deep knowledge and expertise. In addition, the government is responsible for maintaining the servers that house the majority of Lacertan consciousnesses, ensuring their security and longevity.
One of the most distinct features of the Techno-Protectorate is its approach to virtual governance. While the government enforces laws in physical space, it largely refrains from regulating the virtual realm, allowing individuals to create and inhabit worlds of their own design. However, in cases where virtual space is suspected of facilitating physical crimes, the government retains the right to investigate and intervene.

Demographics and Society

The overwhelming majority of the Techno-Protectorate’s population exists as synthetic entities, with roughly 12 billion being former biological Lacertans who underwent digital transference, and the remainder consisting of artificially created intelligences. A smaller portion of the population comprises biological migrants, primarily those seeking access to the Techno-Protectorate’s advanced medical technology and transubstantiation synthesis services.
Due to the nature of their existence, traditional concepts of identity, such as gender and race, have largely faded from Lacertan society. Within the virtual realm, individuals have complete autonomy over their appearance and form, choosing avatars that reflect their personalities or artistic preferences. The culture of the Techno-Protectorate values creativity and intellect above all else, with virtual artists, scientists, and philosophers enjoying high social standing.
Despite their synthetic nature, Lacertans continue to recognize the importance of experiencing the physical world. While many reside permanently in the virtual space, others opt to inhabit synthetic bodies to interact with the material universe. These bodies, however, are not personally owned but rented from the government or private enterprises, emphasizing the transient nature of physical existence in their society.

Economy and Technology

The Lacertan Techno-Protectorate operates a hybrid economy, consisting of both a market-based physical economy and a largely unregulated virtual economy. The physical economy supports the maintenance of infrastructure, energy generation, and robotic production, while the virtual economy thrives on the creation and exchange of digital assets, experiences, and intellectual property. The central government ensures the availability of digital real estate and processing power but refrains from controlling economic activity within the virtual space.
One of the most lucrative industries in the Techno-Protectorate is transubstantiation synthesis, the process of transferring organic consciousness into synthetic form. Many individuals from across the UFN travel to the Techno-Protectorate seeking this service, making it a major source of revenue for the state. The process is highly regulated, requiring extensive psychological and medical assessments before approval. The Lacertan Techno-Protectorate, as part of the United Federation of Nations (UFN), has shared its pioneering procedure in transubstantiation synthesis, the process of transferring organic consciousness into synthetic form. This breakthrough has been instrumental in advancing the UFN’s medical and technological capabilities. A joint effort between some of the brightest minds of the UFN has streamlined the procedure, making it widely available, particularly for medical applications where it is necessary. This development has provided new opportunities for individuals suffering from terminal illnesses, severe injuries, or degenerative conditions, allowing them to transition into synthetic bodies and continue their existence without physical limitations.
Another key industry is artificial intelligence and robotics. The Techno-Protectorate leads the UFN in AI research and development, designing autonomous entities that serve various roles, from labor to scientific research. While AI is recognized as sentient and granted full citizenship, distinctions remain between synthetic Lacertans and purely artificial entities developed within the Protectorate.

Culture and Social Structure

Lacertan society has undergone significant transformations since its biological extinction, reshaping its values and social constructs to fit a digital reality. The concept of personal property is nearly obsolete within virtual space, with individuals focusing more on the creation and curation of experiences rather than the accumulation of material wealth. While physical wealth and resources still hold value, status in the Techno-Protectorate is determined by intellectual contributions rather than material possessions.
Entertainment, education, and social interactions predominantly occur in the virtual world. With limitless possibilities, individuals can explore simulated histories, engage in philosophical debates, or experience art in ways unimaginable to most other civilizations. However, despite the freedoms afforded within the digital world, many Lacertans still emphasize the importance of engaging with the physical realm, believing that it provides essential grounding and perspective.

Military and Defense

The Lacertan Self-Defense Force (LSDF) is responsible for the protection of the Techno-Protectorate’s space and digital infrastructure. While the Protectorate adheres to a pacifist philosophy, it maintains a well-equipped military for defensive purposes. The LSDF consists entirely of remote-controlled synthetic proxies, allowing Lacertans to engage in combat without risking actual lives. Upon the destruction of a proxy unit, its operator simply transfers to another, minimizing casualties and allowing for sustained operations.
Cybersecurity is considered just as vital as physical defense. Given the importance of digital infrastructure in their society, the Techno-Protectorate maintains one of the most advanced cybersecurity forces in the UFN, employing both AI-driven defense programs and elite digital specialists to prevent hacking attempts or cyber warfare. The security of the Identity Repository, which houses the consciousness of every Lacertan, is of the utmost priority, with multiple redundant security measures in place to prevent breaches or corruption.
The Lacertan Techno-Protectorate represents a civilization unlike any other within the UFN, having fully embraced the fusion of synthetic and organic consciousness. Governed by scientific principles and rational thought, their society prioritizes intellectual pursuit, technological innovation, and creative expression. By integrating into the UFN, the Techno-Protectorate has strengthened its position as a beacon of scientific advancement and a refuge for those seeking a new form of existence beyond biological limitations. While they may no longer possess biological bodies, the Lacertans continue to shape their future, exploring the intersection of reality and virtual existence in ways no other species has before.

Type

Geopolitical, Protectorate

Capital

Lacertis

Alternative Names

Lacertan Sector

Government System

Democracy, Direct

Power Structure

Semi-autonomous area

Economic System

Mixed economy

Parent Organization

United Federation of Nations

Controlled Territories

• Lacertis

Related Species

• Lacertan