Gat. An independent world in Quadrant 1. Member of the Seven Worlds Defence Alliance. Has a Senate, which is directly elected by the colony's population. Three main parties; First Gattian Party, the Social Conservative Party and the Right-Thinking Coalition. The current majority party is the FGA. Gat has had a strong economy for a while now. In general, they are concerned to protect themselves against threats from outside as well as disruptive elements with society. In 3207 the President is Ali Elliam.

Generation Ship. A very large ship designed for STL interstellar transport. A self-contained ecosystem and thousands of inhabitants and their descendants who expect to spend up to a century or even longer getting to their destination. Rendered unnecessary by the invention of HS Drive. It is believed that some of these might have been built some time before the Technological Dark Age on Earth (2831-2856) - but records were destroyed and confirmation is difficult.

Genesplice 9 (CLASSIFIED ENTRY) A species of Forerunner genetically designed bioweapon, characterised by
extreme aggressiveness and rapid reproduction. These creatures are very durable and capable of operating in a fantasically wide range of hostile environments, including periods of hard vacuum and extremes of temperature and pressure. GS9s are highly aggressive and their parasitic lifecycle makes them extremely dangerous in any populated environment. They are not regarded as sentient. Artist's impression based on recent sightings. They appear to be located at some former Forerunner base sites, stored in stasis in large numbers (up to 10,000 at a time). Caches have been found in the Tuskan, Roopy and Penni systems in Quadrant 7.
Anyone encountering them is encouraged to take off and nuke the whole site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

Ghosts: See space ghosts

Ghost Pirates: (see also, space ghosts and USO)
There is a widespread belief among the more experienced space crews that there is a tribe of space pirates that live in interstellar space and prey on humanities ships. Stories include tales of cannibalism, powers of invisibility and the ability to breath vacuum. They are also known variously as 'corsairs', 'predators' and even 'flying dutchmen' (for reasons that are not all that clear). Of course, none of this has ever been substantiated - and it remains a colourful myth - much called upon by the more lurid tri-v film-makers

G-Launcher. Infantry grenade launcher. Used occasionally by Ground Force troops and extensively by local planetary militias.

Gorilla. Independent world in Quadrant Zero. It is an important waypoint between many of the more powerful polities, located as it is between the Earth Empire, the Venerian Republic, the Mars Association and the Mald Foundation. Over the years many polities have tentatively approached the Gorillas with a view to getting them to join - but the Gorillas are famously independent. Gorilla is also the home of the League of Non-Aligned Worlds.

Go Rin No Sho. ('A book of five circles') An ancient text on military strategy, believed to have been written nearly 900 years ago by a famous warrior. This text has formed a central part of the training and philosphy of the Martian Star Navy, and the Martian military in general. Full text here.

Granyt. System in Quadrant 7 - scene of a major battle against the exterminators. system map

Gratermass Protocol:  A methodology developed by the famous Earther genius and scientist, Professor Gratermass.  This enables survey ships to determine with some accuracy when, exactly, a world was destroyed by Exterminators. Professor Gratermass.

Greater Federation of Asteel (GFA):  One of the most powerful interstellar nations.  The 'Esteelers' are a young nation with a very thrusting an entrepreneurial spirit.  Their political system is a presidential democracy.  Critics accuse their system of being too much under the influence of big corporations.

'Grey' Aliens:  These do not exist.  Not at all.  No way.  And they definately do not have mind control powers, no sir.

Grinning Carcass : A popular beat combo, renowned for their outrageous sex, drugs and rock and roll lifestyles, and have become very popular with the 'alternative youth of Ningi' (Q7). The five piece band have got their reputation from controversial songs such as 'love the machines', 'driven beserk' and 'fight for them' which have been rumoured to be linked to the so-called 'exterminator cult'. picture

Ground Company : Highly mobile planetside ground forces using a mixture of advanced armoured vehicles, and GF infantry in powered personal armour.

Groundhog. Slang term of abuse used by spacers to refer to those who live most of the time on the surface of a planet.

Guided Smart Mines:  A warship system that leaves an active homing missile that is activated by the proximity of a hostile ship moving nearby,

Gum:  Union of Xyon Colonial Capital for Quadrant 2

Gustav. One of the very first human colony worlds. Formerly known as Alpha Centauri, Gustav is very close to Sol. The colony was destroyed in the first AI war (2900) by a rogue AI - and the system has remained off-limits ever singe (to the extent that it is not shown on star maps any more. A small orbital monitoring force remains in the system, manned by Centauri Conglomerate personnel.