The following will give you insight to the backstory of the UTF's military and colonies. Topics regarding actual human customs will come later. You really don't need to read this. I kind of made it for fun myself.

Brace yourself for bad grammar.

UTF Eras.

2033-2130: Inter solar era. This was a difficult time for the UTF as a large population of humans were living in poverty from the after effects of WWIII as opposed to the rich who had benefitted. Earth was largely polluted as well. White supremacist Neo Nazis rose as well, against the idea of unification along with various Nationalists wishing to return to country based rule. Luckily, this was also a time for the colonization of the solar system. Rail gun based weapons replace conventional ones.

2131-2250: The extra solar era. Colonization of the Alpha Centauri, Tau Ceti, and Gisselle systems occurred after star ships were equipped with faster than light engines. During this time, the two planet and 3 moon colonies of Tau Ceti rebelled against UTF. The rebellion was crushed in the first extra solar war. This was also when the first power armor was created and space ships became armed for war.

2251-2370: The Orion era. Soon the original colonies were getting crowded themselves. With the the creation of wormhole teleportation, the UTF was able to traverse to far away star systems. The first of these new colonies was Auraxis. During this time, the Helghast star systems rebelled creating a massive conflict that lasted decades. Artificial intelligence was created in this time.

2390: Creation of the 23rd counter terrorist unit. A highly secretive group of assassins who also recon possible colonies.

2370-2430: The technology war. The two largest mega corporations; Crynet and Vanu go to war with each other due to increased rivalry and animosity in the economy. The UTF is forced to intervene against their former allies. All of Crynet's assets are seized but all Vanu technology is lost with the exception of cloaking and kinetic barrier technology. This new technology improves Power Armor, starships and schematics are used to create Dreadnought super ships.

2420: The 23rd goes public, but civilians are ignorant that they are a government unit and instead believe the division to be something akin to urban legend serial killers. The UTF remains silent on the issue.

2470: A Zombie like infection swarms the colony of Romero. The UTF has no choice to destroy the planet with the use of Dreadnoughts.

2430-current: The "Liberty" Era. Tired of being ignored and tired of the socialistic restrictions on the economy, a series of corporations go rogue and declare war on the UTF, forming Mega Corp and promising economic liberty despite the heads of the conglomerate wishing for an autocratic oligarchy. Anarchists gain influence as well.

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For those of you who still can not picture Shadow who belong to the 23rd, here is how they look like. I'd imagine them to have more black however. I based their appearances off of ghost recon. Their recon armor is made up of a certain material that allows them to spread a light refraction technology to let them cloak and spread a kinetic barrier which is made up of concentrated energy netted in the form of transparent purple hexagons due to the shape's rigidness. Their shades provide them with a HUD and let them see through walls. Their bandanna can filter out any wastes at the cost of being unable to smell. Their suit functions can be controlled vocally, neurally, or physically through touch screens or holograms. Recon armor is solar powered with a battery reserve.

This is an image of a 23rd recon drone. Each unit has a VI and is commanded via neural and cellular communication connected to a commando's HUD. Each drone is solar powered with a back up battery. Drones are outfitted with a camera and other equipment to spy on enemies.

This is what a UTF VTOL would be like. I found the hawk from Halo Wars to suit my head canon the most. VTOLS can hold up to 20 people. The pilot fires a rail gun turret and series of missiles. The gunner operates a back turret and a coil gun.

This is how I'd imagine a UTF starship to look like. Like I said, starships use Tesla canons to disable kinetic barriers and power (electricity is powerful in space since it can travel in a vacuum). Since there is no air in space, all missiles, cannons and nukes are rail gun powered. Starships in the UTF are protected by an overshield, have artificial gravity and can teleport through the use of space-time rips. The Navy of the UTF follows a similar structure to modern day USA.

The following depicts a super soldier-the strongest ground units of the UTF. There are one thousand of them in service. Each one of them is augmented to be at least 7 ft 2.

They wear a power armor that is made up of the same material used to create starships, allowing the suit to spread a cloaking and energy shield. Neural interfaces and nano tech are used to power the armor along with a suit specific VI. In addition to the typical functions of recon armor like cloaking and energy shields, the power armor allows soldiers to carry up to 5 tons and sprint nearly impossible distances. Each suit of power armor is energized by solar energy and miniature cold fusion reactors.

Typical UTF soldiers. UTF soldiers wear red to symbolize the colors of the federation and black to symbolize might. Unlike Shadow, typical foot soldiers lack and Overshield or cloaking. They still are equipped with HUDs and their base armor is stronger than the material that makes up recon armor. The UTF Armed Forces structure equates America's.

(I found the soldiers of the Terran Republic to provide the best allusion for obvious reasons.)

The following is an example of a UTF interceptor that is used by the air force. Despite the name suggesting otherwise, the Air Force deploys interceptors in space as well. The interceptor is equipped with an overshield, gauss launcher, missile pods and rail turrets.

A UTF bomber. Unlike the interceptor, the bomber is slower and is equipped with mini nukes rather than a gauss launcher. It is equipped with an overshield as well.

Navy Orbital Vehicle Assault units. NOVA troopers are a commando group dedicated to the protection and raids of starships. They were formed in response to the creation of zero gravity war. Their armor is equipped with a kinetic barrier and an anti gravity pack to help them fly in space. Their suits provide and oxygen recycling and heating system to keep the user alive in space as long as it is powered. Since the suit is solar powered, this is not an issue.

Eagle Rangers. They are the commando division of the UTF air force. Their suits are equipped with a light overshield to protect them from incoming fire. Eagle Rangers also utilize thruster packs as well as magnetic armor to highjack enemy airships and mechs. Eagle Rangers are trained in the flight of vehicles as well.

Now on to the UTF's colonies. After the formation of the UTF, NASA surrendered its documents to the new government which detailed terraforming. Due to Earth being on the verge of collapse, all funding priorities were immediately shifted for extraterran colonization. Terraformers were finally available for use in 2040. Terra forming equipment includes artificial gravity generators, waste and radiation dispersion units, artificial ozone layer creators and ways to distribute oxygen forming bacteria and plants.

Starships are capable of using "dark matter torches" to help curve space-time to reduce the effects of time dilation between colonies. Equipment developed in the early 22nd century allows faster than light communication.

This is how a typical human city would look like in the 26th century. This is city of New Detroit on the colony of Pandora. Scarecrow's birthplace.

Colonies of the UTF:

Earth: Humanity's home world. Earth retains a population of 550 million after colonization eased the burden on this planet. Wastes and pollution have been largely expelled from Earth due to the use of terraformers. Many former countries on Earth are mostly vacant, having been either destroyed in WWIII or having it's citizens migrated to extraterran colonies. The empty space has been replaced with wild life and nature preserves. The capitals of intact countries are the only cities remaining standing. The city of Brussels is the capital of the UTF. The executive branch is housed here.

Scorch is from Earth, having been born in Vancouver; one of the 3 remaining. cities in Canada.

Mars. The second colony of the UTF which was fully colonized in 2034. It has a population 200 million. It's population is mostly mixed ethnicities. The planet has been terraformed in 2040 to make life more viable. Soil, followed by genetically modified plants were added to the planet as the photosynthesis introduced an oxygen atmosphere. Mars can accurately be likened to a cold desert. In 2150, water was taken from an inhospitable ice planet to create an artificial ocean. A few mega corp bases are a threat to the UTF.

Venus. Colonized in 2045 after waste dispersion was used to reduce the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. An artificial ozone layer was created to protect colonists from radiation. The humid and hot atmosphere widely morphed venus into a warm rainforest. Most people on Venus are from South America. Due to the lack of moon, night on venus is extremely dark so satellites provide artificial light. Artificial gravity is used to keep the artificial ocean in check. The planet has a population of 200 million and planet rights advocates are strong.

Titan. Birth Place of Overwatch. The moon was colonized in 2050 by the addition of an oxygen atmosphere which heated the planet enough to melt its frozen oceans. Safe nuclear fusion techniques were used to modify the methane lake to become normal water. Much to the UTF's surprise, patches of land that could support plants were found. The colony is mostly a cold, ocean world with a population of 50 million with people mostly being Belgian and Swiss descent. There is constant rain on the planet.

Europa. Colonized in 2048. It was colonized and is virtually identical to titan although with more land. It's larger size allows for a population of 50 million. It's population is mostly Greek, Italian and Macedonian descent. The planet is mostly an arctic. There is a strong planet's rights presence. The UTF watches this planet constantly.

Sera (Tau Ceti E). A planet colonized in 2150. It houses a population of 40 million. It's population is mostly Welsh, Scottish and Irish. The planet was near Earth Like, requiring only the introduction of animals and a few edits to the bacteria of the colony. In 2170 the planet was the head quarters of the Union of Independent Republics which was made up of Tau Ceti colonies that attempted secession from the UTF. The current president of the federation is from Sera. It is the military capital of the UTF with the disarmament and security council located here.

Mirdiem (Gliese 667 C). Colonized in 2180. Since the planet is larger than Earth, artificial gravity generators were used to make sure human colonists were not crushed by the immense force. Oxygen was also added to the atmosphere along with bacteria and plants. The triple star system creates bizarre day and night cycles. A few lakes exist as well. The population is 50 million with residents being Mexican and south American. A failed Mega Corp insurrection took place in 2528, it was stopped by 4 certain assailants. It is the manufacturing capital of the UTF.

Vekta. A mega Earth Colonized in 2140 in the Alpha Centauri system. It was the first extra solar colony. To the UTF's surprise, the planet was discovered to be completely Earth like and supported simple life. Its population totals 200 million with most of the population being far east Asian descent. The colony is mostly flatlands populated large urban cities. Mega Corp is strongly present. It is the economic hub of the UTF.

Kepler 22b, or simply Kepler. Colonized in 2370. Artificial gravity was used to make life more viable. Furthermore, a large quantity of the planet's ocean was drained to create land and give water to dry colonies. A large population of simple marine life exists on the planet; ranging from fish like aliens to crustaceans. It's people are mostly Scandinavian with a population of 90 million. It is the fishing capital of the UTF. There is a mild Mega Corp influence.

The Helghan trinity star system. Colonized in 2270 by colonists mostly of British, Australian and New Zealand descent. The large presence of Mars like worlds in each star system was considered a breakthrough of the UTF who used the worlds as a military hub. However, a fascist political group seized power in 2332.and battled the UTF until 2370. Despite the UTF's larger military force, the sheer number of Helghan colonies proved nearly detrimental. Today, neo Fascists have a lingering presence.

Auraxis. Birth Place of X-ray. Colonized in 2251, the planet was extremely Earth like with a variety of biomes, albeit slightly cooler. The population totaled 200 million with a mostly Russian, Armenian, Ukrainian and Georgian population. The planet has become a significant battle site between the UTF and Mega Corp since 2515, although there haven't been any major civilian casualties as of yet.

Requiem. Where Shadow grew up. The colony was discovered in 2330 and was Earth like in the sense that it sported plant life as well as native reptiles and aquatic creatures. The planet is mostly grass land with mountainous plains. A significant on the colony as well though. The planet is mainly consisted of Dutch, and French peoples with a total population of 100 million. It is the general innovation capital of the UTF. The planet is safe from insurrection influence.

Elysium. Colonized in 2273. The planet is completely Earth like with no terraforming required to live on the planet. As a result, the planet holds a natural beauty that makes it a popular resort location. The planet contains a varied environment from beaches to lavish mountains. It's people are French and English with a population of 180 million. It is the arts capital of the UTF.

Pandora. Colonized in 2290. Despite a poisonous atmosphere and higher gravity, the planet had a native population of animal which proved to be extremely feral. Terraformers allowed the planet to be habitable for humans although it killed off the local fauna. The people of Pandora are mostly of American descent. Many secessionist groups preside in the rural areas. The agricultural commission is based here.

Mahatma. Colonized in 2410. It's people are mostly Indian, Bangladeshi and Malaysian. The planet was discovered to be Earth like and housed a population of diminutive mammals and koi like fish. The atmosphere is much more humid, but just as cool as India as well. It's population is 200 million. Mega Corp is influential on this planet.

Bernstein (Kepler 62 E). Colonized in 2340. The distant colony is Earth Like and required only artificial gravity to be colonized as well as the removal of poison in the atmosphere. The planet maintains cold temperatures and a large ocean that was partially drained to supply colonies that lack water. The people of Bernstein are mostly German and Danish with a population of 190 million. It is the political capital of the UTF, with the central congress located here. Due to a high military presence, there is little to no terrorist support.

Sultan (Gliese 581 d) Colonized in 2194. This planet required an ocean that was extracted by water reduction in from Gliese 581g. After artificial gravity was used to restore the planet to habitability, a large concentration of Arabian immigrants settles on the planet. The planet is mostly a desert, but bearable. It's population is around 200 million. Planet's rights insurrectionists are moderately present.

Apex (Gliese 581g). Colonized in 2193. The planet was terraformed by adding additional oxygen through plants and bacteria and using artificial gravity generators. The poisonous atmosphere was removed as well. The planet is mostly a cold tundra with frozen oceans as common sight. It's population is 90 million and is mostly Canadian . Due to the fact that it resides in the center of the colonies, Apex is the location for the Council of Colonial affairs that deals with relations among planets. Mega Corp has a strong presence.

Las Masas. Colonized in in 2380. The planet is temperate with snow being common even in the summers and contains spread out forests. It's population is 300 million with its citizens being Spanish and Portuguese. It is one of the furthest colonies from Earth. It has become a minor bastion for Neo Fascist support.

Mojave. Colonized in 2298. This planet had a desert like structure before minor terraformation, although temperatures are only slightly hotter than those of Earth's. It's population generally descends from Americans who came from the western part of their region. Casinos (owned by the government and private groups) are popular on this planet, but many have ties to Mega Corp. One 23rd squad is always needed on this planet to police these conglomerates. Population is 200 million.

Warsaw. Contains a population of 220 million, majority of which are Eastern European. This planet is known for being one of the main suppliers of woods for the colonies due to the alarming rate at which trees grow. Allowing for sustainable development. Unfortunately, this also attracts occasional Mega Corp goons.

Ferdinand. Colonized in 2330. This planet is generally mountainous with sprawling forests that were added during terraforming. It's population is 180 million with those of Austrian, Hungarian and Czech descent. It's population is home to some anarchist orientated terrorist groups who may or may not be PRM affiliated.

Yankee. Colonized in 2275. The planet required mass terraformation to colonized. Its wildlife (both flora and fauna) was entirely added by human colonists and thus resembles many of the organisms on Earth. The population is mainly of North Easterm American and Canadian descent with some prevalent immigrants. Its population is 180 million. The cities of the planet are modeled after New England cities (futuristic versions anyway). Mega Corp has its sympathizers here.

Zulu. Colonized in 2315. This planet is colonized mostly from peoples from Africa. It required no terraforming form the UTF to be colonized. It's population is 100 million. The planet has a few Planet Right's Movement gangs that are frequently broken up by local security. The colony bears a diverse range of biomes (although reminiscent of Africa).

Akira. Colonized in 2145. This planet is colonized mostly of South Korean and Japanese populations. It is known for its sprawling urban metropolises. It's often referred to as the "twin" of Vekta. The planet has sprawling oceans often used for fishing, but has numerous cases of Kaiju rising from the ocean. UTF coast guard is based here. It's population is 220 million.

Demeter. Colonized in 2300. The planet has a mixed population of around 100 million. It did not require any alternations to be made in order to sustain a a human population. However, this also means that the local flora and fauna do pose a minor problem and requires the Federation to take extra steps to ensure safety of citizens. The planet is known for its production of AI and cybernetics.

Author's Notes:

So did I get all the scientific principals right?

There are subtle video game references along with a zombie movie reference, find them.

I wasted your time with trivial lore, didn't I?