Milky Way
Description
The Milky Way Galaxy is home to humanity, and a whole lot more. It is a spiral galaxy roughly 100,000 light-years in diameter. Until very recently it was also the only galaxy with whom any of its living inhabitants (with the exception of the F'Sherl-Ganni) had communicated.
The most accurate galactic census data is compiled by HeadCount Incorporated, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Wormgate Corporation. HeadCount Incorporated performs censuses on the 115,128 star systems officially connected to Wormgates, and at last count showed just over 10,200 trillion sophonts from 203,175 different sapient species and 121,016 different genetic systems. Humans, prolific procreators by almost anyone's standards, account for around one person in 10,000.
HeadCount Incorporated does not, however, perform censuses on the Gatekeepers themselves. The F'Sherl-Ganni, were they to allow census-takers into all of their Buuthandi, would rocket past Humanity and three other species to claim the #1 spot with 54 trillion sophonts.
Those readers curious for more detailed information (like the list of the top five most populous species in the Galaxy, or the number of actual 31st-century people who still read webcomics) are encouraged to subscribe to HeadCount Incorporated's Galactic Demographics Weekly. (Note: Hypernet service required. For more information contact a hypernet service provider near you.) [footnote, 2002-07-14].
History
Part of the "Local Group", the Milky Way Galaxy is due to collide with the Andromeda galaxy at some point in the future. This has proven to be a source of consternation for some of the sophont races, and some digital sophonts, too. Petey, in particular has taken up war with Andromeda and the Pa'anuri.
Notable Residents and Expatriates
Everyone in Schlock Mercenary lore, basically.
Affiliations & Relationships
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Appearances
First appearance
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Other notable appearances
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Author's Note
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Speculation
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