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Belter is a term used to refer to persons born in the Asteroid Belt. They are an oppressed and mistrusted working class that provide many goods for Earth and Mars through the mining and other work facilities built on the asteroids. Although they are a weaker, less organized faction, they have started to resist the powers of Earth and Mars. The Outer Planets Alliance (OPA) was formed to bring together the Belt and to further their interests.

Physical Distinctive Traits

Humans born in the Belt are taller and thinner than those on Earth and Mars because of the decreased gravity. As a consequence, they cannot survive in planetary gravity for very long. Because of these physical differences, Belters are dehumanized and regarded as second-class citizens by many Earth and Mars residents, since they superficially seem to be a deviation from the species norms of humans.

Language

Belters speak Belter Creole, a patois of the human languages used by the original settlers. Depending on the social status of the speaker, this can be nearly impossible for non-Belters to understand. They also have a variety of physical gestures not shared by people from the inner planets, due to the need to be able to make them while wearing spacesuits.

Gestation

Due to the effects on the human body in low gravity, Belters have great difficulty in completing normal, healthy pregnancies. Abdominal and uterine muscles atrophy from underuse, rendering labor a very lengthy, painful, and dangerous process. When possible, Belter women will relocate to Ceres station where the spin gravity allows a more predictable pregnancy and delivery. Ganymede station is frequently cited as a hospitable location for childbirth due to the high density of medical science professionals among the belt and outer planets.

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