[Astromancer]

A rift on the last one. History is seemingly unchanged until a Soviet expedition to Antarctica discovers what seems like a ancient alien base in 1957. While trying to discover the secrets of base's technology the soviets unleash a burst of radiation that kills them immediately. This goes largely unnoticed beyond the expedition going missing. However, the base, sadly deteriorated, attempts to fulfill it's designed function. All it achieves in melting Antarctica's ice over the next twenty years.

The local year on this Q6 Low Manna world is 1990. Sea level is about 61 meters or approximately 200 feet higher than on Homeline. Vast numbers of Europeans fled to the USA, Canada, Australia, and anyplace else that would take them in. Many millions died in the forced migrations in the third world. Because of a more maritime climate, Russia's agriculture is healthier, but they suffered from the global economic crisis. Trade is beginning to be reestablished as ports begin to open in new higher areas.

This is a post-disaster world trying to mend. Homeline, Centrum and the Cabal, are looking for any Alien tech, the base the soviets found is slag after it melted down. many Swagmen are smuggling in useful tech to nations they like so this world may get to TL8 sooner than you think. Homeline Russia and China seem inordinately interested in this world.