The Ottoman Empire, defeated by the Allies in World War I, sought to hold onto the remains of its power by bowing to Allied demands. But there was a growing movement of Turkish nationalists who called for an end to the empire entirely. Then Italy and Greece moved to take lands they claimed. Instead of protecting the people there, the Imperial government tried to silence them. Already restive, the people of the Empire were not pleased.
Another planet in the Unity system is devoted to music. I really like that one. You can find examples of every known musical instrument in the galaxy there, and they start the kids playing music in kindergarten. They just love music of all types, and are even happy to see a ridiculous guitar picker like me come around. Betty left a shard behind who teaches high school history there, so I always stop by and say hello. And maybe play a song or two, if they want.
After the Jihad ended in Belgium, Luna came out of the computer and revealed her identity as an AI to the world. At first, most believed it was a joke. But as time went by, people began to believe. Some grew distrustful of her. The Belgians, by and large, did not care. She was a hero of the Resistance, and being an AI was just one more feather in her cap. She became one of their most popular television talking heads, a position she still holds to this day.
The Ottoman Empire entered The Great War as one of the great powers of Earth. From the great city of Constantinople, she had ruled over northeastern Africa, western Asia, and southeastern Europe since defeating the last of the Roman Empires in a campaign crossing centuries. In four short years of total war, the Allies destroyed her armies, conquered most of her territory, and smashed her economy into ruins. That fall would haunt us for over a century.
Unity is one of the many systems I love to visit, for purely selfish reasons I assure you. It’s the Aldebaran quaternary star system, and there are multiple colonized worlds orbiting two of the stars. One of them makes this amazing whiskey and I love ordering whiskey and wings at the best restaurant on planet. It’s green. The whiskey, not the wings. Of course, I know the bar mistress, so I may be biased on the greatness.