War had cost lives, money, and driven up the price of goods from the colonies. Most of World War Four took place in the stars, but when Earthling lifestyles were affected, public opinion changed. The very resources being fought over had become ludicrously expensive because of the war.
With public opinion pushing for peace, countries of the world came together to form a peaceful union so humanity would no longer know war. Countries were kept in place for ease of governance, but they became part of Regions, each of which was governed by a council of Regents. At the top of the food chain was a duly elected President of Earth. The new United Earth Government was established in 2163 with the Peaceful Union Act.
Before World War Four began, a genetic testing system rated people by their genetic potential. By the time it ended, it was so popular the ranks were used for official business. The UEG made the system law and tattooed a citizen’s rank on their necks. They became known as Brands. A higher rank meant food, housing, and education was paid for. Alphas were encouraged to be polyamorous to create more high-quality genetic variation.
Not all countries signed on to the United Earth Government, so despite undergoing a process of de-weaponization, the new United Earth Government maintained good relations with a network of security contractors. Only once did an independent nation attack a UEG nation, and they were met with the force of every UEG security contractor. After that, other nations sought a peaceful approach to their conflicts. One by one the rogue nations realized joining the UEG would be more beneficial than remaining independent.
By twenty-one seventy-five, space fleets and most weapons had been decommissioned and destroyed. Non-lethal weapons became abundant. Still, there had been a steady rise in piracy. Soldiers from the war had been poorly cared for in the formation of the UEG. So, many soldiers moved to the colonies and employed their skills and knowledge to their benefit.
Early in the de-weaponization process, some former soldiers got the idea to steal a ship before it was destroyed. Other former soldiers were inspired by the heist and organized their own. In the colonies, people salvaged everything they could from the wreckage of war. With a growing pirate problem, the UEG established Earth Orbit Security, a limited and purely defensive organization. It was the final piece in the UEG’s establishment. Over the years, the people of Earth gradually saw a more prosperous world develop around them.
Earth finally knew peace.