Alpha Caste is a societal enclave originally designated in certain exegeses of the The Foster Manifesto for Alpha-Humanity. At different historical periods it is enforced through any of a number of means:
- Genetic insularity
- Policies of apartheid
- Spatial segregation
- Cultural isolationism
- Institutional barriers (i.e. to social mobility or access)
Today it takes several forms, of varying resemblance to the original Fosterite societal blueprint.
Early Fosterite Society
Main Article: Early Fosterite Society
The Alpha Caste in this period was seen as more of a vanguard than a ruling minority. The heavy modifications of their genotypes and phenotypes came later, after they were segregated.
As this developed, they became cloistered in every way, being practically invisible to Beta and lower castes, save for class traitors who preferred to protect the minor privileges of being a slave for people living in heaven.
Wartime Fosterite Society
Main Article: Wartime Fosterite Society
Late Fosterite Society
Main Article: Fosterite Golden Age Society
Eventually, the inequality was so visible yet so invisible due to the Alpha Caste's segregation that revolution became inevitable - the inequality was palpable, and no human faces would show themselves to argue for it. Eventually, this resulted in a series of uprisings of the Beta and Delta castes, with major portions of the Omega Sector. Almost the entire Gamma Sector and some portions of the Omega Sector played the role of loyalists to the old Fosterite order.
The solution to the remaining Alpha Castes who foresaw the seemingly inevitable revolution coming to their Arco was to go underground. They claimed that they would merge with Beta society in every way, abdicating their ruling status, engineered bloodline and various other privileges. But behind the scenes, they convened in secret places to maintain all of these advantages. And they were successful - the remaining Alpha Castes' every desire is soon made into reality, as they secretly leverage every institution of Fosterite society to make it so.
They make a convincing show of it. Alphas constitute about .001% of the population of the Beta Sectors they've joined, and they generally blend in with the population... at least for the most part. Their heavily altered genes and subtle Transhumanist alterations can make them appear so improbably perfect that they arouse suspicion. But the punishment for outing and Alpha, whether it's you or them or both, is death and worse. The narrative given for this is that enforcing full Alpha integration will result in their complete assimilation back into the Beta Caste
Oh, and then there's this. Almost every Beta is secretly contacted and led to believe they are Alpha Caste. They are sworn to secrecy, promised every luxury in the future, and strung along for the rest of their lives. They might even get access to Sub-Alpha Sector with a level of luxury that would impress a Beta and make an Alpha laugh. This subterfuge is mostly carried out by the Alpha Spy Agency [Rename], though true Alphas enforce trained habits when interacting with Betas that assist in this goal.