'Naturals':  Members of humanity who do not have genetically engineered pure genes, and are not perfect.  There are many of these in all worlds, but due to their genetic disability cannot take certain roles in society (such as being in charge or anything).  Nobody questions this (well, nobody of any importance, anyway).

Typically, the majority of every world are naturals. In the Homeworlds in Q0 the split is probably about 70% naturals to 30% perfects. Out in the colonies where the genetic technology is not so readily available, the proportions are probably more like 80% or even 90% naturals - though of course often there are many descendants of perfects who formed the original colonists perhaps.

If anything perhaps the 'pure perfect'(I nearly said 'purebloods'...) is more highly regarded in the outer quadrants because they are in demand for the military, spacecrew and natural leaders for the community.

The key issue is that in the case of the respective status of naturals and perfects, there can be no question of naturals having the same status as a perfects because a natural is scienficially proven to be genetically inferior to a perfect - they live less long, they are prone to all sorts of diseases and they're generally less intelligent. Unlike minor physical appearance differences that were important in the race issue in ancient times, the difference is real.

It is quite rare for a natural to even try to stand for high office because of the lack of public confidence the population would have in his health and ability. The vast majority of naturals accpt that their 'betters' are well suited to take positions of authority and are generally quite politically apathetic. So a 'naturals rights' issue rarely enters mainstream politics.

Of course, the outlawed Democracy and Freedom Today movement argues differently, but the're just a bunch of dangerous criminals that nobody takes seriously.

NeoPope : The titular head of one of the largest religions of humanity - the Universal Church. This is an ancient belief system, dating back over two thousand years. There remains much debate about its origins, but what is clear is that it grew out of a range of monotheistic religions of ancient times. The NeoPope is surrounded by complex and colourful ritual and is esconced in a magnificent 500 year old Seesars palace in the ancient city of Las Vegas. The current NeoPope, Her Tranquility Dolores Pieta XIV is an arch-traditionalist who has been undoing some of the more radical innovations of the last century, such as rejecting the previously tolerated Sirius Conclave of Bright Slave Souls as a part of the canon of the Universal Church.

New Davidians: An ancient sect which traces its origins to the 27th century Terran prophet and guru, David Icke. See here for longer article.

New London:  Independent colony in Q6

Nissan. Technically an uninhabited world, it has recently undergone a major economic failure. Unfortunately immediately prior to the failure of the colony it negotiated its membership of the new League of Non-Aligned Worlds. So whilst only having a population of a few thousand crazed survivalists, it clings to its League membership, in the hope that the colony can be revitalised at some time in the future.

Nose. An independent world in Quadrant 1. Member of the Seven Worlds Defence Alliance. Nose has a Xyonist-style bi-cameral and federal government with a 10 member High Council (Hakamim) and 50 member Parliament (Sanhedrin). Strongly commercialistic, the Nosers are very involved in interstellar trade. Sometimes to the exclusion of other matters of common interest. Some regard them as a bit soft on pirates. In 3207 the Prime Minister is Moises Portie.

Nuclear Weapons.  All polities have nulcear weapons, and are prepared to use them in extreme circumstances.  Nuclear weapons have not been much used in recent human wars because most wars have been about economics, and such weapons would be inappropriate.  Nukes have been used on an unprecedented scale against the Exterminator menace - and with considerable effect.