New World Safeguard
"We thought it was just Earth, but every planet we've visited had the same problem. Dozens of Core Stars are disappering, and nobody understands why. Our greatest foe is a force we can't understand."The New World Safeguard (NWS (pronounced “news”)) is an independent agency of the federal government of the United States. It specializes in aeronautics and space research, though it contains individuals from a variety of professions. NWS’ origins are controversial, and it’s debated whether NWS lived up to its name or if it fooled millions of people.- Captain Axel Bourgeois
Structure
Though NWS-Atlas' migration took longer than anticipated, the structure of NWS has changed little since its origins two centuries ago. Because of finite housing and limited food reserves, Captain Axel would only take the most capable individuals of each planet he encountered. Axel would then personally evaluate these few and select three from among them to represent their peers and the respective planet. Though Axel had many qualities he favored, he claimed to have chosen those with “the best sense of their home’s core principles.” This ranged from culture to history to religion.
In With The New
Originally, humans were the dominant demographic across the staff, each containing a different set of skills to better assist younger generations. However, as the migration’s duration extended, Captain Axel began adopting the inhabitants of other planets. As a result, the NWS staff is very cosmopolitan. Each planet’s respective representatives have the role of teaching younger generations about their history as well as passing down useful martial or magic skills. Among the three representatives of each planet is the Chief Representative. The Chief’s role is not unlike that of a principal, though they dictate what lessons are taught. Though it is not a requirement, Axel prefers that the representatives have at least some capacity for magic. The Chief is often the most skilled in the arcane arts. The rest of the staff are sorted by the skills required to keep the NWS-Atlas in pristine condition and operation. Captain Axel holds supreme authority.Public Agenda
To Earth, NWS represented hope. Axel Bourgeois could not promise that all would be saved, but he agreed to take anyone that best represented the planet’s core principles. A portion of NWS, led by Igor Voznesensky, searched for Zhizn in the meantime. Though NWS hoped there would be no need for space travel, they believed Earth was far beyond saving. NWS encouraged all to show what they could provide the organization with.
History
NWS, originally PFO (Prophets of the Final Hours) was an American anti-war social movement created during World War IV, a global war that started in 50 BE. World War IV was a chaotic time for Earth. Gods were instigating minor religious wars, and a nuclear winter had damaged several global superpowers. Paranoia was rampant, as most countries were at war against each other over grievances of dubious justification. PFO was created as an attempt to convince the American government to cease involvement in the war.
In the chaos and confusion of another invasion on Russian soil, Zhizn, a Earth Core Star, had disappeared. When enough news left Russia, all participants in World War IV immediately ceased fire. A man named Igor Voznesensky, among four other individuals, had originally been tasked with guarding Zhizn, which was sealed beneath Russia. However, Russia was suffering from a famine caused by nuclear winter. A rapidly declining population combined with unending aggression from neighboring nations meant that many Russians were haphazardly drafted, Voznesensky's group among them. Zhizn had been left unguarded.
The effects of Zhizn’s absence came in waves, and the soil began corrupting all life it touched. From 40 BE onward, Earth was struck with infertility and undeath. Cemeteries were sealed off from the public to protect them from the undead, and no new births were recorded. PFO, originally a small social movement, exploded in popularity. Several key figures arose during this period, among them Axel Bourgeois, a Louisianian engineer. Bourgeois, a close friend of Voznesensky, heeded the advice of PFO's oracles and began creating a spaceship that would eventually be known as the NWS-Atlas. With Bourgeois as a powerful spokesperson and Voznesensky's credibility as a Pillar Guardian, America and Russia entered an uneasy alliance. In 25 BE, PFO was renamed NWS, featuring engineers and scientists from across the entire world.
Demography and Population
Because of NWS “three-representative rule,” Captain Axel took thirteen members of each planet he encountered, with the other ten being evenly split among males and females. There are approximately 520 members aboard the NWS-Atlas, not including the NWS staff.
Education
Those outside of the NWS staff are taught by their planet’s representatives on culture, religion, martial arts, and arcane arts. The NWS-Atlas can be thought of as a university; adolescents and adults are asked what they wish to specialize in, and children are taught rudimentary courses to prepare them for adulthood. Though it does not happen often, representatives may choose one of their pupils as a successor. When this does occur, however, said student may be asked to lead class discussions. They are also privy to some of the privileges typically given to representatives such as private knowledge and access to restricted parts of the NWS-Atlas.
The best of us. The whole of us.
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