... means that I have at least an idea for a Theme for the next issue of
Freelance Traveller. This might or might not be a good choice under the
circumstances, but...

...if enough people apply their knowledge and (mostly fresh) experience to
writing, I think we could have a Theme Issue on the topic of Plagues.

* We know that, canonically, the conquest of the Ziru Sirka was accompanied
  by what came to be known as the Plague of Duskir. Stories about it, and
  how it was ultimately brought under control, would fall under this theme.
* The partial isolation of the Long Night would have epidemiological
  implications, as would the resumption of contact as the nascent Third
  Imperium (and other dawn polities) expanded and coalesced. What sort of
  response do individual worlds - or the Imperium, or any subordinate
  polity-in-all-but-name - have to a pandemic?

* To what extent do human diseases cross between any of the major human
  racial goups, or between them and the more extreme minor-racial variants?
  What about to non-humans of Terrestrial origin (e.g., Dolphins, Vargr,
  uplifts)? What about to non-humans of non-Terrestrial origin (e.g.,
  Virushi, Llellewyloly, Bawapakerwa-a-a-awapawab) or of geneered mix
  (e.g., Luriani)? What about the reverse - minor-racial diseases crossing
  into major human racial groups?

* What sort of diseases are endemic to specific worlds or regions, and what
  sort are "universal"?

* What sort of medical technology exists to address specific classes of
  disease, or complications therefrom?

* Are there techniques that can be used on some races but not others? What
  are they, and why don't they cross?

* We know of bacteria, viri, fungi, parasites, prions, and protozoa as
  infection agents; under what circumstances is each likely to be able to
  cross racial/species boundaries?

* What sort of protocols are there in place on various worlds to try to
  minimize or block the spread of infectious diseases?

* What sort of failure modes are there that might let a disease go pandemic
  on one or more worlds?

Use your imaginations, folks, and don't leave the entire idea to those who
have formal medical knowledge - this is the Far Future, and we can use any
sort of Far Futuristic ideas that will make interesting reading and don't
do _too_ much snapping of the Suspenders of Disbelief.

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--
Jeff Zeitlin, Editor
Freelance Traveller
    The Electronic Fan-Supported Traveller® Resource
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