Sigma Program

Sigma Program
Information
Variation(s)	Sigma Initiative
Type	Scientific research group
Established	2040
Status	Presumed defunct
Headquarters	Sigma Central, United States
Leader(s)	Council
Affiliation(s)	Sigma 1 Sigma 2 Sigma 3 Sigma 4 Sigma 5 Sigma 6

Sigma Program (a.k.a. the Sigma Initiative) was a scientific program initiated by humanity in the 21st century.

Overview

During its decades of operation, the Sigma Program was seen as humanity's best hope to stem the deterioration of Earth's biosphere. It received funding from over 200 nations, along with private investors. It was divided into numerous branches to deal with the issues facing humanity (e.g. climate change). It was led by a council.

History

The interior of a Sigma Program facility

The Sigma Program was founded in 2040 as an attempt to stave off the Brink. By 2070, the Brink had, at best, been postponed, and certainly not averted, as humanity's deleterious effects on Earth continued. However, human civilization endured, and a deadly scramble over the planet's remaining resources was held at bay by the opportunities Sigma provided across the world. The announcement of the Exodus Armada project, a proposed interstellar fleet that would fill its spacebound ranks through a worldwide lottery, ignited a new wave of optimism. Many sought to obtain Sigma research grants.

In the early 22nd century, Sigma 6 was enacted as a top-secret branch that could study the possibility of interdimensional travel. If successful, this would make the Exodus Armada obsolete. Regardless, work on the armada continued, though while the world believed that seats would be distributed through a lottery, in truth, the Sigma top brass and their most powerful backers had already begun auctioning off slots to the highest bidder. By the time the lottery even came about, the results would be rigged.

Branches

At the time of its fall, the Sigma Program had six operating branches, each specializing in a given area, albeit with overlap at times (e.g. both Sigma 1 & 5 worked on the Exodus Armada):

• Sigma 1 (construction)
• Sigma 2 (satellites)
• Sigma 3 (genetic engineering)
• Sigma 4 (deep-earth drilling)
• Sigma 5 (space colonization)
• Sigma 6 (interdimensional travel)

Known Members

• Preston Swift (benefactor, loose affiliation)

Security

• Major Carl Barclay
• Julian Nassar

Scientific

• Dr. Clive Cullin
• Dr. Edgar Fletcher
• Dr. Lilla Nassar
• Dr. Marilyn Sumner

Notes

• The program may be a reference to "Sigma;" one of the names considered for Stormgate during development.

Trivia

• The name, and subsequent 6 branches, may be a reference to Six Sigma, a set of methodologies and tools that focus on improving manufacturing processes.