Editing Space: Above and Beyond (section)

==Plot==
Lacking technology that would enable faster-than-light ([[Faster Than Light|FTL]]) travel, [[Space colonization|colonization]] is accomplished by taking advantage of transient but predictable, naturally occurring [[wormhole]]s in space, which allow travelers to traverse vast distances. Without warning, a previously unknown [[extraterrestrial life|alien species]], the "Chigs", attack and destroy Earth's first [[Extrasolar planet|extra-solar colony]] and then destroy a second [[colony ship]]. The bulk of the [[Earth]] military forces sent to confront the Chigs are destroyed or [[outflank]]ed, in part because the Chigs have some form of FTL, affording them greater freedom of movement (although this technology appears limited, the Chigs also often use natural wormholes).

At the opening of the series, the Chigs have defeated all counter-attacks and have entered the [[Solar System]]. In desperation, unproven and under-trained outfits like the 58th "Wildcards" are thrown against the Chigs. The Wildcards are the focus of the series, which follows them as they grow from untried [[cadet]]s into veterans. Although the unified Earth forces come under the control of a reformed [[United Nations]] (UN), the UN has no formal [[armed force]]s, so [[navy|navies]] such as the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] and the [[Royal Navy]] operate interstellar [[starship]]s.

Prior to the events of the show, there was a war between humans and [[artificial intelligence|androids]] known as ''[[Silicate (Space: Above and Beyond)|Silicates]]''. These human-looking [[android (robot)|androids]], referred to as "walking [[personal computers]]", rebelled, formed their own societies, and waged a [[guerrilla warfare|guerrilla war]] against the humans from remote bases. The Silicates are also suspected of conniving with the Chigs. To defeat the Silicates, a new [[underclass]] of [[genetic engineering|genetically engineered]] and artificially [[gestation|gestated]] humans were bred to quickly swell the ranks of the military. These troops, collectively known as ''[[#In Vitroes|In Vitroes]]'' or sometimes, pejoratively, "tanks" or "nipple-necks", are born at the [[senescence|physical age]] of 18 and trained solely for combat. In the post-war period, the "tanks" have attempted (with mixed success) to re-enter human society.