DOCK99 Lore Bible
DOCK99
This page will delve into the rich and complex world of Dock 99, exploring the characters, societies, and conflicts that shape this unique and fascinating corner of the galaxy.
Welcome to Dock 99, a rundown fuel station located inside Sovereign Space Station “Libertina'' in orbit around Venus. The Sol system being a backwater of the galaxy, there is no central government having control over the system, it is seen as fairly lawless compared to its surrounding systems and usually just “not-worth-it”for what it has to offer. Dock99 at Libertina serves as a landing spot for spaceships looking to fill up on fuel and buy groceries, or make a nefarious deal. The dock is run by Wovo, a lion hybrid with a reputation for getting things done and keeping his mouth shut. But Wovo's story is not just one of a terrible businessman, but also one of betrayal and survival.
The universe of Dock 99 is one where Earth has been taken over by DIY gene manipulation and people have concocted various homemade creatures like human-animal hybrids, large flesh forests, and even the odd sea serpent. Over the next few hundred years many sentient hybrids have formed their own societies and cultures, and their interactions with other hybrids and the remaining humans are often fraught with tension and mistrust.
The story's main protagonist is one of these hybrids: “Sigurd”, an anthropomorphic pitbull who escaped thralldom trying to find his place in the universe. And how he ended up at Dock99 and his relationships with the other employees
The Dock is also home to a colony of sentient bumblebees, created by the same A.I. that was the catalyst for the collapse of the old world order. These bumblebees, once seen as pests, have evolved to be sentient creatures through generations of self-directed gene manipulation.
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World before the story:
Over two centuries ago, Earth underwent a catastrophic collapse, marked by a series of devastating events that led to the breakdown of ecosystems and the decline of human civilization. This dark period in history was driven by the rapid and uncontrolled advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly the rise of open-source A.I.s. While these technologies held immense potential, their unpredictability and dangerous nature often led to widespread chaos.
In the final years preceding the collapse of the Old Order, technological progress experienced an unparalleled surge, largely due to the emergence of various AGIs. This rapid development prompted most major corporations to construct orbital hubs and space stations throughout the solar system. An AGI was also responsible for establishing contact with alien races in Earth's interstellar vicinity.
As the collapse loomed, Earth's elite class sought refuge in the orbiting space stations, abandoning the crumbling world below.
The collapse was further exacerbated by the unbridled spread of open-source gene manipulation, which irreversibly altered the planet's ecosystems. Even some of the most seemingly innocuous hybrids, born from this unchecked experimentation, caused catastrophic consequences. As ecosystems crumbled one after another, desperate laws were enacted in an attempt to stem the tide of destruction.
However, the open-source nature of the technology had already rendered it unstoppable; the damage was irreversible.
Large swaths of land became uninhabitable, overtaken by the exceedingly dangerous creatures birthed by these experiments. In some areas, these new entities thrived, rapidly and dramatically transforming Earth's fauna. Famine after famine ravaged the human population, further contributing to the collapse of civilization.
The final nail in the coffin for the Old World Order came in the form of the "March of the Bumblebees." For reasons still unknown, A.I.-enhanced bumblebee hybrids began assaulting human infrastructure and indiscriminately killing humans. The bumblebees' ability to communicate with each other and the A.I., combined with the A.I.'s access to human communication and surveillance, swiftly led to the downfall of the remaining human societies. As suddenly as it began, the onslaught ceased. The reason for the bumblebees' attacks and their abrupt end remains an enigma, but it has left a lasting legacy of hatred and fear towards these insects.
In the wake of these calamitous events, Earth was left a vastly different place.
Only small pockets of human populations remained, with a few notable exceptions such as the Smart Republic of WeChina. A handful of city-states with access to space managed to weather the storm, including Dubai, Vegas, and other former major cities typically situated in arid desert landscapes where the hybrid experiment threat seemed less perilous. This new world, forged from the ashes of the old, is now inhabited by human-animal hybrids and remnants of humanity, struggling to rebuild and find their place in a lawless and dangerous landscape.
Setting during Story:
In the aftermath of the devastating "March of the Bumblebees" event, which witnessed AI-controlled bumblebee hybrids attack human infrastructure and precipitate the collapse of the Old World Order, Earth has been left fractured and scarred. People now live in isolated communities, each adapting to the unique challenges that their drastically altered environments present. While some of these communities have managed to establish a semblance of stability, others grapple with the harsh realities of survival amidst relentless adversity.
One notable exception to this desolation is the Smart Republic of WeChina, an advanced society that has managed not only to survive but also to thrive in the post-collapse world. The entire country is governed by an AI called WeChina, an evolution of today's WeChat that steadily grew in influence and popularity over the years. The society operates on a Universal Basic Income (UBI) system, where work and good behavior are rewarded with "likes". The most "liked" citizens are catapulted into stardom, and everyone receives likes for completing tasks, jobs, and other activities. Unallocated likes are distributed daily to each citizen, who can then bestow them upon others as tips or tokens of appreciation.
WeChina's vast borders are safeguarded by soldiers who receive significant like rewards and loot crates for each enemy they vanquish. Bonuses and other incentives, such as meticulously planned dinners and surprises orchestrated by the AI, are provided to maintain the population's happiness and engagement.
Over time, the AI system down-prioritized politicians, rendering them obsolete and effectively assuming full control of the society. Despite the apparent loss of autonomy, the population flourishes, particularly among the "liked."
Earth's once extensive and interconnected global society is now a distant memory, supplanted by a patchwork of isolated communities and mutated landscapes. However, the indomitable human spirit persists, continually adapting and striving to make the best of their altered circumstances.
In contrast, most orbital hubs and space stations teem with overpopulation. The majority are operated by corporations that pay their workers with company-specific currency, only redeemable at shops within the stations. This system traps low-wage workers at the stations, as prices fluctuate based not on supply and demand but on corporate profits. Some stations are "free," and those companies that push their workers beyond their limits tend to get new management, and transition into free stations, which are often plagued by poverty and crime.
The unregulated experiments that followed the collapse have only continued, and even alien species travel to Earth to conduct research away from the watchful eyes of the law prevalent in most systems. Several types of hybrids have been engineered by large corporations, specifically designed to be better suited for life in space.
Libertina is one of these free stations, governed by loose policies that dictate conduct and construction. In the event of significant disputes, all employed individuals are granted a vote, with owners receiving three.
Libertina, along with most of the galaxy, relies on two primary forms of currency: Rhodium, a valuable metal used as "cash," and TT (Tangle Tokens), a quantum-entangled blockchain that enables instantaneous currency transfers across the galaxy. Rhodium's scarcity and high value make it a desirable medium for cash transactions, while TT's advanced technology ensures a secure and efficient means of transferring wealth. This dual system provides residents of Libertina and other galactic communities with diverse options for managing their finances, allowing them to navigate the economic intricacies of a post-collapse society.
In this new world order, Earth's inhabitants must navigate a complex and treacherous landscape, balancing the demands of powerful corporations, the consequences of unchecked experimentation, and the struggle for survival in a harsh, unforgiving environment.
Sigurd, a unique pitbull-human-lab rat hybrid, is an extraordinary member of Torkil's Bog Dogs. With nearly hairless, pale skin and fur, he appears almost ghostly compared to his packmates. On the back of his head, his hair grows thick and long over the area where a part of his cybernetic implant is located, further emphasizing his distinct appearance.
Sigurd's story begins in Eidfjord, where Torkil is in the market for a new litter of dogs to replenish the ranks of his Bog Dogs, who serve as workers and traders in the harsh, cold region. Every spring, Torkil buys a fresh litter of dog hybrids to replace those that succumbed to the brutal winter.
SIGURD SERPENT SLAYER
This year, Torkil's usual trader has something special in store: a one-of-a-kind hairless pup with state-of-the-art genetic enhancements and internal rhodium nanobot systems. The trader explains that the dog, a gift from King Og himself, is a true marvel. With a remote control, the pup's body heat, strength, and healing capabilities can be adjusted at will.
The catch? The trader demands the same price for this unique dog as he would for the entire litter of 20 hybrids. Though the trader insists that the dog is worth far more, Torkil is skeptical, especially given the pup's lack of fur. As the two argue, the trader accidentally drops the remote into a bucket of water. The moment it touches the liquid, a horrifying cacophony of screams and growls erupt from the crate housing the litter.
The trader fumbles to retrieve the remote, rushing to open the crate in hopes of salvaging the situation. However, as the crate is opened, the hairless pup - now a rabid, snarling beast - lunges at the trader, ripping open his throat and inflicting a mortal wound. Torkil manages to pull the pup away and, holding him by the neck, smiles as he names him Sigurd, the Serpent Slayer, for dispatching the snake-like trader.
A cursory examination of the crate reveals that the entire litter of 20 was killed in the brief time between the remote's immersion and the crate's opening. Torkil keeps Sigurd at bay until he can find someone to repair the remote. The repairs, however, are far from perfect, leaving the controller with a single knob that ranges from 1-9 and activates all of Sigurd's powers simultaneously, resulting in his rabid state when turned to maximum.
Torkil decides to invest the money he "saved" during this transaction on winter jackets for the Bog Dogs, ensuring their survival in the harsh climate of the Iron Valley. Thus, Sigurd, the “Serpent” Slayer, is welcomed into the ranks of the Bog Dogs, where he works and trades alongside his packmates, his dark origins and unique abilities making him a formidable and unforgettable addition to the crew.
Sigurd grows up from puppydom under the tutelage of Hrolf, Hrolf also gets the responsibility of learning how to best use the remote. Taking baby steps, they through the years improved Sigurds skills way beyond what they had imagined could be possible. Though something they learned quickly was Sigurds aggressiveness increased to extreme amounts not far up the scale of 1-9.. Hitting the upper numbers his aggressiveness turns into psychosis and rabid violence. The other early lesson was that on any scale his metabolic rate drains him of calories and he needs a lot of nourishment to keep up with the overdrive of his systems. After being activated for a while his body is completely drained and he experiences huge amounts of pain when he recovers. Though leaving the scale on 1 and eating copious amounts of food will make him recover fast and painlessly.
Sigurd hits early adulthood not many years after arriving(most dog hybrids reach adulthood in just a few years but can live very long lives, many into their 40s.) Torkil takes advantage of his abilities by using him as a caravan guard so he and just a few more bodies are needed to make the journey to Eidfjord. Something he used to have to take half his Bear clan to do previously but the amount of damage Sigurd can do in just a short amount of time exceeds even the brutality of a large group of 500kg “werebears”.
During one of his trips to Eidfjord, Sigurd met an enslaved soldier from the Kingdom of Kormt, an island in the North Sea, where a civil war was raging. The slave spoke of a launchpad on the island of Kormt, where ships could take off and travel to other planets. This story left a mark on Sigurd and he often daydreamed of what he might experience if he had ever escaped to space.
FAX
Fax, a Norwegian Forest Cat hybrid, is a mysterious, enigmatic and solitary character. With striking green eyes and an impressive coat of fur under his not so impressive wool coat, Fax is a captivating presence. His origins are mostly a mystery, but it is known that he was once part of the Old Great temple that burned down only a few years back.His hybridkind was made for the sole purpose to serve as the caretakers of only the largest of Freyas temples. The circumstances on how the temple burned down he never speaks of and it is obvious to any one stupid enough to bring it up that it is a very sore point. But this traumatic past has left him with a profound desire for freedom and a deep mistrust of those who exploit others.
Fax's connection to Freya, the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, is evident in his reverence for her statue in Uvdal. In honor of his connection to the goddess, Fax regularly leaves sacrificial offerings at her statue, demonstrating his deep respect and devotion.
Despite his complex past and tough exterior, Fax forms a strong bond with Sigurd after rescuing him from near death on the Hardangervidda. Their relationship, built on mutual respect and shared experiences, is characterized by their ongoing exchange of playful insults. Fax teaches Sigurd advanced hunting skills and combat techniques, becoming both a mentor and a sparring partner as their bond deepens.
Fax has a complicated relationship with Heimer, the wise man who helped heal Sigurd. While they share a mutual respect and care for one another, Fax finds it hard to reconcile Heimer's pragmatic approach to working with Torkil's clan and their treatment of hybrid thralls. Fax's strong sense of justice and his belief in the value of all beings make him a vocal critic of the oppressive hierarchy perpetuated by Torkil and his followers.
Through his relationship with Sigurd, Fax rediscovers his sense of purpose and becomes an integral part of the unfolding story. His enigmatic past, strong convictions, and deep connection to Norse mythology make him a fascinating and compelling character in the narrative.