Human

The Lurran Consortium was formed in 2105 as Earth's primary system of businesses. Eight powerful corporations control each continent, creating a unified commercial network that spans the globe and, eventually, the stars.

The system was created by a man of Basque origins to foster world peace in 2187. It was rooted in the economic theories of Elizalde Otxoa, a famous economist who in 2047 published a book describing a system that maximized profits on a global scale by consolidating all businesses on each continent into a single continental business.

This reduced investment in marketing products and encouraged businesses to expand influence over entire industries. For example, propulsion systems were mostly made in Oceania (Gorbillian Industries), while medical innovations came out of South America (Sheraton Innovations).

Humans are the galaxy's most prolific expanders. Where other species saw obstacles, humans saw opportunities. They viewed oceans as obstacles that eventually became cities, developing unparalleled expertise in floating arcologies, abyssal construction methods, high-pressure habitats, desalination megaplants, and autonomous underwater maintenance systems.

This expertise proved uniquely valuable in interstellar trade. In 2295, humanity traded centuries of ocean-colonization technology to the Zelmoks in exchange for the manufacturing process of rhosvenolyte — one of the most successful commercial agreements in interstellar history.

There is one world language that every child learns in addition to a more traditional language. Humans love Ortuvian Tea, a beverage similar to Earl Grey from the planet Ortuvia, 176 light years from Sol — though Squelgians famously hate it.

People do not get married permanently. A Bassali is a long-term mate with no legal ties. Personal hygiene is handled through puhdista stalls rather than traditional showers, and food can be synthesized molecule-by-molecule using a grubox.

Throughout Consortium space, humans are known for their drive for profit and monetary gain, their rapid technological advancement, and their remarkable adaptability. They are also known for their resilience — having survived devastating events like Masey's Massacre in 2037 and rebuilt across multiple star systems.

No one calls it Earth while in space.