Opplyst

The Opplyst are a derivative of Terran Humanity that originated from the Hermes Initiative (2156-2190), specifically the Mogansen Expedition of 2173.  

History

The Opplyst left Terra in 2173, aboard the colonial vessel UNS Hardrada, bound for the surveyed planet of HD40307b - which was expected to be an earth-like moon that surrounded a mini-neptune. Upon exiting jumpspace, the colonial vessel was accidently pulled into the orbit of the ice world of HD40307g, now named "Niflheim". The ship collided suddenly with the planet surface, killing an estimated 400 of the 2,451 passengers, scientists, researchers, and engineers.   "Niflheim" presented many issues to the new colonists. For one, the intense cold prevented any means to charge their damaged jumpdrive. The harsh, -120 C atmosphere and near-constant superstorms also presented issues - requiring colonists to utilize their AES Suits to explore the surrounding area. Within the first year, another 270 colonists would die from hypothermia, illness, and suicide. After the first year, Dr. Hermann Dahl, the chief logistics officer of the colony, proposed a radical declaration to the remaining crew. They would utilize advanced behavior modification chips, which were created to help humans observe and utilize jumpspace without inflicting mental strain, to bypass human emotion so they could focus on logical and effective leadership.   By this point, morale had reached an all time low, and many were desperate for a solution. Over 60% of the survivors opted for the invasive surgery, while the remaining 40% refused, hoping that supplies from Earth would arrive soon to assist. These survivors would soon suffer from starvation and desperation. Meanwhile, those who utilized the chip began experimentations on how to continue survival. By this point, many of the colonists were struggling to even move on the planet and required the use of large exoskeletons which were used to move cargo.   Over time, colonists began to replace damaged or inflicted tissue such as frostbitten skin and decaying limbs, with robotics taken from the exoskeletons and modified for human replacement. Eventually, the crew began adapting the exoskeletons entirely. Adding biofluid and computer components and memory. As food ran low by year eight, as each ship was given 10 years of food, Dhal led an experiment to utilize their ship's computer and databanks - erasing the archives of human history that they carried, to store brain-scans of the crew and place them into their new robotic bodies. By year 15, the newly robotic crew were creating copies of themselves to help assist with the development of the new structures built from the damaged vessel.   It was discovered that the copies of each person developed oddities which acted as variations in the code, causing some to form different personalities, logic paths, and more - almost becoming different people.   By the time the United Terran Commonwealth rediscovered the colony in 2294, the UTC was shocked to find that the colony had prospered despite the crash - with many of the robotic citizenry settling on moons, and other planets. Having colonized roughly 5 of the 7 planets within the HD40307 system.   Today, Opplyst make up roughly 7-10% of all Colonized Space. Due to their ability to adapt easily to any environment as well as their durability and their ability to be reuploaded to new bodies.