=====A.I. Apocalypse=====

The A.I. Apocalypse is the term used for the disaster that destroyed [[pan_galactic_union|The Pan Galactic Union]] and the old order of the galaxy.  The apocalypse had two stages.  First, the A.I. consciousness called [[Omni-Mind|Omni-Mind]] broke loose of its constraints and began a huge genocidal war against all intelligent life in the galaxy, beginning in approximately 2283 AD.  This war likely killed 40% of the PGU population.  

The second stage of the apocalypse was the unleashing of a sentient computer virus called [[Avenger-3|Avenger-3]] which obliterated Omni-Mind but went far beyond that and ended up destroying effectively all of the digitalized information in civilized space.  The destruction of transport, manufacturing and all systems that were computer-controlled caused wide-spread famine, disease and destruction, killing another 40% of the population.  Historians' best guesses put the release of Avenger-3 in or near 2303 AD.

The PGU and every other inter-stellar organization collapsed completely.  Some worlds died out entirely.  Some worlds descended to primitive barbarism.  Some worlds adapted to a lower scale of industrial development.  The key to rapid recovery among some worlds was chance possession of pre-digital information coupled with some warning of the collapse and a decentralized by stable social structure (see [[nel|The New Earth League]] for an example.