2004 (TU)

Events

 * February
 * February 19: The Triton Foundation announces an advanced gene-therapy treatment that fights most known forms of cancer. (AB: Aberrant Core Rules (hardcover), p 12)


 * May
 * May 1: The World Health Organization approves a series of new techniques for genetic engineering, many of which were created by the [{Triton Foundation]]. Most national food inspection groups, such as the FDA in the United States, copy this move, marking the first widespread use of genetic engineering for livestock and crops. Global food production increases by 25% by 2006. (AB: Aberrant Core Rules (hardcover), p 12)


 * June
 * June 1: The hypercombustion engine is released to the public. Designed by nova Tetsuo Yamato, the engine is a super-efficient internal combustion engine suitable for all applications. It uses fuel at one-tenth the rate while increasing power tenfold (giving an overall 100-fold increase in gain). By 2014, all automotive transportation uses hypercombustion engines exclusively. (AB: Aberrant Core Rules (hardcover), p 12)
 * June 15: In the wake of the São Paulo bombing, the UN Secretary-General grants Project Utopia's Science and Technology Department authority to monitor, approve and regulate new technologies, particularly those derived from the "nova boom." Many member nations and corporations vehemently protest this decision. (AB: Aberrant Core Rules (hardcover), p 12)


 * July
 * July 24: The first Summer Olympic games to feature nova-only competitions. Events include variations on standard track-and-field events. The games become the second-highest-rated sports event of the year. (AB: Aberrant Core Rules (hardcover), p 12)


 * September
 * September 6: Project Utopia opens a special Rashoud facility in Bahrain. Ostensibly designed to assist novas with high levels of quantum buildup,Utopia is given leeway to confine novas considered in need of therapy by the UN as a whole. The facility's opening is not publicized, nor are the media or public allowed on the grounds, though documentaries of its existence soon flood the OpNet. (AB: Aberrant Core Rules (hardcover), p 12)
 * September 30: The inaugural match of the Xtreme Warfare Federation, XWF, takes place in Madison Square Garden. The XWF is founded in response to increasing public demand for nova sporting events, and decreasing interest in traditional (i.e. baseline) sports. The pay-per-view event brings massive ratings and is carried over the OpNet. Licensing revenues alone top $1 billion in a single year. The initial match is the highest-rated television event of 2004. (AB: Aberrant Core Rules (hardcover), p 12)


 * November
 * November 3: Lauren Pendleton is elected both the first female and first Libertarian president of the United States. The press credits her victory to voters disgruntled with two sex scandals by two consecutive presidents from both major political parties. The Libertarian Party and various independent candidates hold a sizeable portion of legislative seats in the election. (AB: Aberrant Core Rules (hardcover), p 12)


 * December
 * December 31: Æon Society census reports appoximately 3000 known novas in the world population. (AB: Aberrant Core Rules (hardcover), pp 12)