Welcome To Liu Xiu
Liu Xiu is many things. It is an idea. It is a setting. It is a common background. My initial idea on making this was a place where species and nations from all over the NS Milky Way Galaxy could meet in common, with good plausible reason, with a chance to grow their own RP's without having to artificially contrive reasons for interaction. Being as it is divided into four quadrants, sheer scope dictates that only the most foolhardy RP'ers try to claim a presence in more than two quadrants of the galaxy. That divides us, it contains us. It stifles, in its own way, our creativity.
My intent with Liu Xiu is this; It is a neutral system, located in coreward Gamma. I do this to allow inhabitants of the neighbouring Alpha, Delta, and far-off Beta to be able to easily explain their own presence in the system. It is, as I already said, a neutral system. Players can establish presences here, whether official, like an Enclave, or unofficial, like a Outpost. There is no overarching single IC thread. There is no 'you must interact with everyone else'. Liu Xiu is a chance for you to meet new people without trying to worry about justifying it logically. You sign up here; Hey presto, you're done. You want to make a thread set in your enclave that takes you over the system? Go ahead. You've decided one of your characters has a lengthy backstory all based on Jiwao? Done. This is everyone's playground.
(Any questions or discussions on Xiu Liu can be answered at the NSFT IRC channel. There is always someone here, so feel free to pop in!)
Features Of The Liu Xiu Star System
This terms describes nearly everything in Liu Xiu. Because it is neutral, no nation has sovereignty over the system aside from in their own Enclaves. As a result, it is nominally patrolled by the naval and police forces of the Polyarchy, who are not shy to call for aid from foreign vessels should it be required. However, they do not apply any nation's laws in the Zone. The only things truly illegal in the Zone are unjustified hostile actions such as piracy, and heavy ordinance. While the trade of arms dealing is a venerable one and welcome to the system, high powered military grade munitions and weapons are not.
The most hospitable planet in the system is Jiwao. A large planet, Jiwao has plenty of water locked away at the polar icecaps which actually stretch for thousands of miles towards the equator. Cold winds push through the valleys and over the plains, with scattered mountain ranges offering a tempting location for the newly imported sport known to the locals as 'white run', or sometimes 'idiot's fun'. The planet is rich in mineral deposits, but its true value lies as the most desirable planetary real estate in a declared hub for free trade. Dozens of minor settlements and larger municipalities dot the land, each one a place to lose yourself in, or get lost in, fates which have befallen many in equal measure. The planet hosts multiple space stations. Jiwao also hosts the oldest settlement in the system, the city of One Man Cripple which dates back to the original colonisation and opening of the system two years ago.
Herp, the second planet out of the system, is a low-gravity world. Rich in water, less than eight percant of the planet's surface is uncovered by water. Much of this land is left as rocky mesas and islets, with towering peaks offering prime locations for what is jokingly known as 'beachfront' property. Actual beaches on the planet in the sense of water and sand are unheard of, with the closest being the rocky slopes of the spires and the averagely-sized four metre-tall waves that crash against them. Because of this, transport from spire to spire is done by either orbital-capable craft, or the gargantuan airships that travel from place to place, offloading passengers, carrying out tours, and even performing weather-watch roles.
The planetary sport, which also happens to be the leading cause of death, is airsurfing. This sport entails strapping oneself to an airship by means of a giant tether, before being pulled along by it on a pair of waterskis. Despite numerous attempts to get the sport banned, the majority of the system's inhabitants favour it, since the footage of any accident is inevitably bloody and hilarious. The second, and perhaps most important feature of Herp is the numerous yet small orbital dockyards. While they will never build anything more ferocious than a patrol cutter, each one is a reliable profit-maker for their owner in a system like Liu Xiu.
The planetary sport, which also happens to be the leading cause of death, is airsurfing. This sport entails strapping oneself to an airship by means of a giant tether, before being pulled along by it on a pair of waterskis. Despite numerous attempts to get the sport banned, the majority of the system's inhabitants favour it, since the footage of any accident is inevitably bloody and hilarious. The second, and perhaps most important feature of Herp is the numerous yet small orbital dockyards. While they will never build anything more ferocious than a patrol cutter, each one is a reliable profit-maker for their owner in a system like Liu Xiu.
Taen is the third planet of the system, and despite its unlikely appearance, has earned the name of the breadbasket planet. The atmosphere of the planet is unpleasantly unbreathable to say the least, with a peculiar gas in it causing a horrifically foul smell to human noses. However, the soil of the planet is unusually rich and fertile, and adapts well to foreign crops. The inhabitants get around this by building great domed farms and towns on the surface, allowing each species to alter the atmosphere to their own liking. Despite this, it has been noted that long-term residents do tend to leave the planet with distinctly inhibited senses of smell.
The solitary gas giant of the system, Kappa 7 is an exceptionally large celestial body. With its mass mostly consisting of helium and hydrogen, the giant is a popular location for orbital refinery stations, each of whom receive a yearly quota limit to take. Because of its sheer size and remoteness, Kappa 7 is a favourite point for those who desire to exchange technically 'grey' items when it comes to legality with a measure of discreteness.
One of the peculiarities of Xiu Liu is the 'Double Belter'. This refers to an interconnected double ring of asteroid belts, each one on a slightly different orbital plane to each other. The Twins as they're called by locals who deride 'Double Belter' as being too long, dull and awkward to use in daily conversation. Located as they are on the outskirts of the system, a loosening of regulations on acceptable defensive weapons has been embraced by navy ships, who know that the miners and 'legitimate merchants' who base themselves there are at greater risk while being too far for the majority of any warship to reach them.
Enclaves
As an open trading post, any nation is more than welcome to establish their own outposts in the system. These enclaves are, for all intents and purposes, small beacons of their owners jurisdiction in Liu Xiu, operating under their creator's own national laws. These differ from normal outposts and settlements which, even if created and inhabited solely by one species, are placed under the neutral zone of the system. (No player may have more than one Enclave, nor may an Enclave be broken up into more than one location. In return, what happens in your Enclave is yours to deal with.)
Piraeus is the local Polyarchy enclave in the system. While the peculiarities of its government mean that the system is patrolled by Nautikon ships, only Piraeus is actually governed by Polyarchy law. With the sole right to an orbital elevator on Jiwao jealously guarded by the local shipping conglomerates, the city was intended by its governors to act as an organised hub for cargo-moving, but the rise of the shipping industry in Cripple in the last year has put paid to that notion. With that in mind, the space station Shinfao in geo-synchronous orbit with Piraeus now largely serves to transfer scheduled personnel and supplies from the enclave to ships bound back to the Polyarchy's own space.
The Windrose of Infinities is a hybrid vessel originally designed by the United Syberian Industrial Conglomerate (USIC) as one of the largest representatives of the Imperial Commerce Ship (ICS) class in 1690 IAC. Problems with the massive vessel began almost immediately. USIC’s shipbuilding arm had little experience with such large vessels, and the facilities of Katsumo Shipping Conglomerate (USIC’s primary partner in the venture) proved inadequate to the task. The original schematics for the Windrose to resemble an eight-pointed version of its namesake, with the four major arms extending six kilometres from the epicentre and the four secondary arms extending three kilometres. The Four Cardinals were designed as the Windrose’s primary commercial, habitation, and administrative areas. The Ordinals, or the shorter arms, were designed as the primary industrial and shipping nodes for the ship. The Cardinals and the Ordinals were joined by the Septentrio, a giant ring some three kilometres in diameter housing the ships critical systems and a series of specialised zero-gravity facilities.
Initial framework on the ship’s key components was completed in 1705 IAC at the Katsumo Satellite 47 Yards, associated with Prometheus Centauri’s Kamiumi ring habitat. Construction was suspended for the installation of gravimetric and Verner drives and following drive tests. Both tests proved to be spectacular failures for the conglomerates’ efforts, with severe damage to the Septentrio and the untested Verner drives (whose casements were damaged during the primary drives failures). USIC and Katsumo opted to ‘deprioritise’ the project, moving the incomplete ship to a storage mooring maintained by Katsumo in the Ixion Asteroid Belt. Two years later, the conglomerates initiated a search to breakdown and reclaim the ship. However, the announcement attracted the attention of the Office of Verge Affairs. OVA, through the auspices of the Blackpool Holding Group, Ltd., and several of its corporate partners, purchased the vessel and engaged the services of the Twin Star Lines Corporation to complete the Windrose at its Heligo Yards Complex. While specific costs of completing construction remain unknown, OVA did drop the ICS classification in favour of a Imperial Space Installation and submitted a modified set of schematics for the ship.
The Cardinals were maintained at six kilometres, but the Ordinals were all shortened to two kilometres in length. Two Ordinals would also carry additional QS-reactors and D-sinks. The reclassification of the ship allowed for its problematic gravimetrics to be extensively redesigned to only minimums needed to maintain basic movement and station-keeping when appropriate. Linear drive frames were replaced with six concentric rings of gravimetrics located in closely grouped trios at the bow and stern of the Septentrio. However, OVA secured a military-grade quartet of Verner drives from SUPTRA-Corp. with the backing of the Kriegsmarine allowing its Windrose to possess greater range and endurance than the original USIC design. After two additional years of construction, the ISI Windrose of Infinities was completed and moved to Sol for final work-up and pairing with its defensive assets. The mobile installation was first moved to the Stardust system along the Waystream Trade Route.
The changes in the ship’s classification necessitated changes in its administrative. Windrose cannot claim a captain. Instead, it is classified as a canton by OVA and is administered by a superintendent (currently the Camarilla Community SI Favonius). The superintendent enjoys primacy in all affairs relating to the defence and security of the installation, as well as its interaction with foreign nationals and states. However, the superintendent is beholden to the Board of Control with relation to intra-installation affairs. The Board of Control consists of representatives from the Blackpool Holding Group, Ltd., (17 percent), Bond Genetic Medical (8 percent), Citinnovations (12 percent), Miles Netics (15 percent), Randall-Royal of Yalta (8 percent), Rendhelm Development Bank (20 percent), and Twin Star Lines Corporation (20 percent), each being a proxy for the voting shares of their respective corporation. This leaves Windrose as a functional freeport under OVA protection maintaining main amenities, facilities, services, and luxuries common to the Greater Raumreich but scant in the Verge.
Following the increased stability along the periphery of the Solarian Reaches and the increased need for a more visible presence along the Lanthe Route (stretching from AC/Sol to Vessader on the opposite side of the galaxy), OVA authorised the relocation of the Windrose to Liu Xiu system. Officially, the decision was labeled as a mutual decision by the Office’s superintendent and the Board of Control in an effort to ‘realise the continuing economic success of the unique community under our administration’. Unofficially, rumours abound that OVA’s decision to relocate one of its major satellite facilities stemmed from continued conflict in the spatial volumes along the Lanthe Route caused by the continued expansionism of the Vipran Imperium and its TSAR-associated satellite states.
ISI Windrose of Infinities established itself in the Kappa 7 planetary system. While aware of the jovian’s reptuation, OVA maintains little interest in the affairs of its neighbouring community. It maintains open relationships with all outposts and enclaves that are willing, and frequently advertises the empire’s noted history for strict privacy laws and banking integrity. Windrose also carries an integral ansible platform, connecting the system with the NovaTech-maintained network along the Lanthe Route so long as it’s present (although access is typically restricted for those that are not residents). Additionally, goods from the Ordinals manufactories are becoming increasingly available in the system and five parasite elevators connect Windrose with mining centres within the atmosphere of Kappa 7. The Windrose participates in the local gas economy, but it is increasingly mentioned as a possible source for exported anti-matter appearing in the surrounding volumes around the Lanthe Route.
Superintendent Favonius is known for publicly supporting policies to coordinate with the Polyarchy’s local authorities and Verge Security Service warships are making the system a somewhat regular stop on their patrol route. The Windrose is presently reliant on its own drones, gunboats, frigates, and four Limbo-class defence platforms for its defence and custom patrols. There is some speculation the Board of Control may seek to build Windrose into the outer system’s version of Cripple. If so, the Board’s membership is taking an extremely long-term view given present levels of activity, though the empire’s notoriously lax economic and corporate laws possess numerous possibilities for the system.
Initial framework on the ship’s key components was completed in 1705 IAC at the Katsumo Satellite 47 Yards, associated with Prometheus Centauri’s Kamiumi ring habitat. Construction was suspended for the installation of gravimetric and Verner drives and following drive tests. Both tests proved to be spectacular failures for the conglomerates’ efforts, with severe damage to the Septentrio and the untested Verner drives (whose casements were damaged during the primary drives failures). USIC and Katsumo opted to ‘deprioritise’ the project, moving the incomplete ship to a storage mooring maintained by Katsumo in the Ixion Asteroid Belt. Two years later, the conglomerates initiated a search to breakdown and reclaim the ship. However, the announcement attracted the attention of the Office of Verge Affairs. OVA, through the auspices of the Blackpool Holding Group, Ltd., and several of its corporate partners, purchased the vessel and engaged the services of the Twin Star Lines Corporation to complete the Windrose at its Heligo Yards Complex. While specific costs of completing construction remain unknown, OVA did drop the ICS classification in favour of a Imperial Space Installation and submitted a modified set of schematics for the ship.
The Cardinals were maintained at six kilometres, but the Ordinals were all shortened to two kilometres in length. Two Ordinals would also carry additional QS-reactors and D-sinks. The reclassification of the ship allowed for its problematic gravimetrics to be extensively redesigned to only minimums needed to maintain basic movement and station-keeping when appropriate. Linear drive frames were replaced with six concentric rings of gravimetrics located in closely grouped trios at the bow and stern of the Septentrio. However, OVA secured a military-grade quartet of Verner drives from SUPTRA-Corp. with the backing of the Kriegsmarine allowing its Windrose to possess greater range and endurance than the original USIC design. After two additional years of construction, the ISI Windrose of Infinities was completed and moved to Sol for final work-up and pairing with its defensive assets. The mobile installation was first moved to the Stardust system along the Waystream Trade Route.
The changes in the ship’s classification necessitated changes in its administrative. Windrose cannot claim a captain. Instead, it is classified as a canton by OVA and is administered by a superintendent (currently the Camarilla Community SI Favonius). The superintendent enjoys primacy in all affairs relating to the defence and security of the installation, as well as its interaction with foreign nationals and states. However, the superintendent is beholden to the Board of Control with relation to intra-installation affairs. The Board of Control consists of representatives from the Blackpool Holding Group, Ltd., (17 percent), Bond Genetic Medical (8 percent), Citinnovations (12 percent), Miles Netics (15 percent), Randall-Royal of Yalta (8 percent), Rendhelm Development Bank (20 percent), and Twin Star Lines Corporation (20 percent), each being a proxy for the voting shares of their respective corporation. This leaves Windrose as a functional freeport under OVA protection maintaining main amenities, facilities, services, and luxuries common to the Greater Raumreich but scant in the Verge.
Following the increased stability along the periphery of the Solarian Reaches and the increased need for a more visible presence along the Lanthe Route (stretching from AC/Sol to Vessader on the opposite side of the galaxy), OVA authorised the relocation of the Windrose to Liu Xiu system. Officially, the decision was labeled as a mutual decision by the Office’s superintendent and the Board of Control in an effort to ‘realise the continuing economic success of the unique community under our administration’. Unofficially, rumours abound that OVA’s decision to relocate one of its major satellite facilities stemmed from continued conflict in the spatial volumes along the Lanthe Route caused by the continued expansionism of the Vipran Imperium and its TSAR-associated satellite states.
ISI Windrose of Infinities established itself in the Kappa 7 planetary system. While aware of the jovian’s reptuation, OVA maintains little interest in the affairs of its neighbouring community. It maintains open relationships with all outposts and enclaves that are willing, and frequently advertises the empire’s noted history for strict privacy laws and banking integrity. Windrose also carries an integral ansible platform, connecting the system with the NovaTech-maintained network along the Lanthe Route so long as it’s present (although access is typically restricted for those that are not residents). Additionally, goods from the Ordinals manufactories are becoming increasingly available in the system and five parasite elevators connect Windrose with mining centres within the atmosphere of Kappa 7. The Windrose participates in the local gas economy, but it is increasingly mentioned as a possible source for exported anti-matter appearing in the surrounding volumes around the Lanthe Route.
Superintendent Favonius is known for publicly supporting policies to coordinate with the Polyarchy’s local authorities and Verge Security Service warships are making the system a somewhat regular stop on their patrol route. The Windrose is presently reliant on its own drones, gunboats, frigates, and four Limbo-class defence platforms for its defence and custom patrols. There is some speculation the Board of Control may seek to build Windrose into the outer system’s version of Cripple. If so, the Board’s membership is taking an extremely long-term view given present levels of activity, though the empire’s notoriously lax economic and corporate laws possess numerous possibilities for the system.
A stripped-down variant on the Kiith Federation's standard Slipgate station, Klahrees was established as a trade hub in the Liu Xiu system above Jiwao to both increase the wealth of the nearby Aiowe colony and spread Kiith cultural influence throughout the sector. While still maintaining the standard spoke-and-octagon shape endemic to Slipgate designs, much of the machinery needed to maintain numerous stable wormholes has been stripped out and replaced with increased docking and internal infrastructure suitable for non-Kiith citizenry and shipping. Unlike most Kiith stations, the “upper” octagonal structure has amenities such as artificial gravity and well-luxuriated habitation suites. It boasts a robust commercial area, designed to let vendors and merchants from across the galaxy set up shop and sell their wares.
The central spoke houses the Kiith governmental offices, cultural outreach center, and religious center. It also sports an advanced government-subsidized cybernetics clinic capable of providing both emergency replacement and elective augmentation to patients of nearly any nationality and species. The clinic bills itself as providing the most advanced cybernetics care in the sector, and prides itself on a policy of non-discrimination.
The lower octagon is primarily a microgravity shipping and warehouse hub, acting as the receiving port for 80% of the station's shipping and visitor transit. It features large enclosed secured container cells for shipped goods. Despite being home to some of the station's shadier elements, the port authority extends a guarantee of cargo integrity from the moment it is secured in storage to the moment it is placed on its outbound transport and armed drones are on constant patrol to ensure individual safety.
The central spoke houses the Kiith governmental offices, cultural outreach center, and religious center. It also sports an advanced government-subsidized cybernetics clinic capable of providing both emergency replacement and elective augmentation to patients of nearly any nationality and species. The clinic bills itself as providing the most advanced cybernetics care in the sector, and prides itself on a policy of non-discrimination.
The lower octagon is primarily a microgravity shipping and warehouse hub, acting as the receiving port for 80% of the station's shipping and visitor transit. It features large enclosed secured container cells for shipped goods. Despite being home to some of the station's shadier elements, the port authority extends a guarantee of cargo integrity from the moment it is secured in storage to the moment it is placed on its outbound transport and armed drones are on constant patrol to ensure individual safety.
Ser Aliir is a standard Malis 2 type Rhustarim orbital trade depot that sits in orbit over Jiwao. A central spire provides the majority of the station's habitable area and trading posts, while the oval shaped ring which is about two thirds from the 'bottom' of the spire contains numerous docking facilities designed specifically to accept as many different types of ships the Rhustarim could conceive of. The lower levels of the spire lack gravity, and are home to most of the station's systems. Unlike most Malis-2's, Ser Aliir uses a variant on older fusion rocket designs for propulsion instead of the solar and laser sails which are normally used and a number of radiators line the outer edge of the spire and the 'lower' side of the docking ring, all of which are capable of extending further to increase the surface area when required. Life support is provided by a biodome in the lower levels, while a less efficient but more aesthetically pleasing 'forest' can be found in the middle level of the Spire. Thanks to gene manipulation coupled with a low destiny utility fog mean the station can provide sustainable atmosphere for up to 2,000 humanoid individuals at a time. Living space is provided for only 500 personnel, but numerous hostels and travel lodges provide temporary lodgings for up to an additional 800 at a time. The station is defended by a single layer of shielding and a large number of micro missile launchers for point defence. Ser Aliir lacks any kind of truly offensive weaponry as is befitting its nature as a diplomatic and commercial hub. A single graser at each tip of the spire provides some measure of proper defence in the event of a concerted attack.
Ser Aliir is less industrious than most Malis class stations, and instead is a commercial and entertainment hub, serving as a cultural hotspot for the Hegemony. Despite its origins in the Malis system, Ser Aliir has a diverse population from all across Hegemonic space. A number of holosuites, VR stations, sports centres and strip clubs and other forms of entertainment fill the upper levels of the Spire, with shopping and food courts can be found among the more central levels. Available products range from simple data packets showcasing various films, stories and games from across Hegemonic space, right up to high-quality Hegemonic cybernetics (just short of full body transplants or mind uploads). Tourists with a larger budget, or VIP from other civilisations, are welcome to the top most 15 decks of the Spire which have plenty of examples of the more upper class and expensive facets of Rhustarim entertainment. Ser Aliir also provides several travel agencies to make it easy for tourists who wish to see the Hegemony proper to book travel to Rhustarim space.
Most of Ser Aliir's trading centre is housed in the docking ring alongside the bays. The Ring is managed by a single Oarch level AI, leaving it almost completely devoid of organic beings. What few Rhustarim actually live and work in the Ring are mostly for public relations, the Intellect using a small army of drones to manage shipments and hard light holograms to talk with whomever arrives for trade reasons as opposed to tourist motivations. As is typical of a station operated by Malisette Rhustarim, the docking bay is driven towards efficiency over pleasantries. The dock is where the actual transfer of materials and transport of goods occurs, talks are typically hosted in the Spire.
Ser Aliir is less industrious than most Malis class stations, and instead is a commercial and entertainment hub, serving as a cultural hotspot for the Hegemony. Despite its origins in the Malis system, Ser Aliir has a diverse population from all across Hegemonic space. A number of holosuites, VR stations, sports centres and strip clubs and other forms of entertainment fill the upper levels of the Spire, with shopping and food courts can be found among the more central levels. Available products range from simple data packets showcasing various films, stories and games from across Hegemonic space, right up to high-quality Hegemonic cybernetics (just short of full body transplants or mind uploads). Tourists with a larger budget, or VIP from other civilisations, are welcome to the top most 15 decks of the Spire which have plenty of examples of the more upper class and expensive facets of Rhustarim entertainment. Ser Aliir also provides several travel agencies to make it easy for tourists who wish to see the Hegemony proper to book travel to Rhustarim space.
Most of Ser Aliir's trading centre is housed in the docking ring alongside the bays. The Ring is managed by a single Oarch level AI, leaving it almost completely devoid of organic beings. What few Rhustarim actually live and work in the Ring are mostly for public relations, the Intellect using a small army of drones to manage shipments and hard light holograms to talk with whomever arrives for trade reasons as opposed to tourist motivations. As is typical of a station operated by Malisette Rhustarim, the docking bay is driven towards efficiency over pleasantries. The dock is where the actual transfer of materials and transport of goods occurs, talks are typically hosted in the Spire.
Arxxae Punaatum, or Citadel Point as it is commonly known to non-Uthani, is the second major attempt by the Territorial Directorate of the Imperium to establish a safe-zone to conduct trade and diplomacy with nations and species not relatively close to the Imperium's borders. Following suit to their cautious nature in diplomatic affairs, Citadel Point was established on Herp originally to provide a testing ground for possible aquatic settlements and aquaculture experimentation. However the project was abandoned early in its life in favor of orbital programs, leaving those settlers who chose to remain behind confined to the ground-based structures established within the coastal spires.
Arxxae Punaatum was nearly forgotten until a year ago when the Territorial Directorate was finally granted permission to begin building diplomatic stations and enclaves in friendly and neutral territory. The Territorial Directorate of the Imperium was quick to take note of the expanding opportunities in the Liu Xiu system, and, after making contact with the original settlers of Citadel Point. Received permission to renovate the spire complex for diplomatic and trade purposes, bringing in settlers and staff from the Imperium to compliment the number of Uthani still living within the complex. At current it is estimated that some four hundred Uthani inhabit the complex, with professions varying from aquaculture-farmer to diplomatic envoy.
The complex itself, despite its name is not impressive. Three coastal spires make up the superstructure and main living quarters of the complex, all of which are connected via a large steel triangular platform at their peaks with various artificial buildings that accommodate shipping and trade. Despite the original program's failure to foster aquatic settlement, the aquaculture experiments proved fruitful and in saying such the water around the spires serve as vast fields where small water-borne craft are often seen darting about collecting or planting the harvest, all of which are contained via a metallic chain that extends along the perimeter of the "fields."
The highest levels of the spires themselves serve as minor manufacturing and shipping centers, where the vast majority of imports are processed and all of the exports are produced. Located below this level are the diplomatic housing and conference centers, where the official representatives of the Territorial Directorate live and conduct business with foreign emissaries and diplomats. Below this level at the base of the spire lives the domestic staff of Citadel Point. Here the farmers and service staff of the complex live and buy their necessities, this area is also home to "characters of ill-repute" which represent a broader criminal organization. The final area is the underground complex dug into the bedrock below the spires, this area serves the small contingent of Territorial Directorate Enforcers who are charged with defending Citadel Point and enforcing Uthani law within the enclave.
Arxxae Punaatum was nearly forgotten until a year ago when the Territorial Directorate was finally granted permission to begin building diplomatic stations and enclaves in friendly and neutral territory. The Territorial Directorate of the Imperium was quick to take note of the expanding opportunities in the Liu Xiu system, and, after making contact with the original settlers of Citadel Point. Received permission to renovate the spire complex for diplomatic and trade purposes, bringing in settlers and staff from the Imperium to compliment the number of Uthani still living within the complex. At current it is estimated that some four hundred Uthani inhabit the complex, with professions varying from aquaculture-farmer to diplomatic envoy.
The complex itself, despite its name is not impressive. Three coastal spires make up the superstructure and main living quarters of the complex, all of which are connected via a large steel triangular platform at their peaks with various artificial buildings that accommodate shipping and trade. Despite the original program's failure to foster aquatic settlement, the aquaculture experiments proved fruitful and in saying such the water around the spires serve as vast fields where small water-borne craft are often seen darting about collecting or planting the harvest, all of which are contained via a metallic chain that extends along the perimeter of the "fields."
The highest levels of the spires themselves serve as minor manufacturing and shipping centers, where the vast majority of imports are processed and all of the exports are produced. Located below this level are the diplomatic housing and conference centers, where the official representatives of the Territorial Directorate live and conduct business with foreign emissaries and diplomats. Below this level at the base of the spire lives the domestic staff of Citadel Point. Here the farmers and service staff of the complex live and buy their necessities, this area is also home to "characters of ill-repute" which represent a broader criminal organization. The final area is the underground complex dug into the bedrock below the spires, this area serves the small contingent of Territorial Directorate Enforcers who are charged with defending Citadel Point and enforcing Uthani law within the enclave.
The Telrosian Union's station, Sanctum, is a state of the art, completely new design of orbital stations for the purpose of pursuing diplomatic and economic endeavors in foreign space. The design was commissioned by the government several years ago, seeking one that could mixed defensibility, economic and diplomatic comfort, and an impression of awe, seeing as this would be one of the first moves for the Union to be recognized by the greater galaxy. A Dryadali architect, Achiq Yupanqui, won the resulting contest with a design that has managed to mix all three into a perfect package. This design uses the shape of a diamond, a white hull with blue lights seen shining and blinking all over from all the equipment and lighting, to provide sleek, vibrant surfaces that can glance some enemy fire and provide a maximum range and number of defensive weaponry and laser shielding that can be brought to bear on its six kilometers worth of surface. Covered in heavy and pulse laser turrets, plasma missile tubes and point defense lasers and Cloudburst missile launchers, it is a veritable fortress when needed. For the sake of stability and peace, they are made to be deployable, to be revealed only when trouble rears its head.
From each corner on the side, an array of factories, shipyards and trade stations branch out from the main 'trunk', providing a host of entertainment, purchasing and production venues for the Liu Xiu system. The main structure itself is host to a large facility to house a diplomatic station that can handle many meetings of various levels at the same time, provide the creature comforts for any species that comes aboard, and the space set aside for any nation or organization who wishes to rent space so as to gain rapid contact with the Union for any such purpose as is needed. The facility houses up to over three hundred Union employees, with a company of Union Marines to serve as a defensive garrison, due to much of the station's administrative and production systems being handled by widespread automation.
It also comes with the TUS Ikram, a Saber-class Frigate of the Union Navy as additional garrison, which dedicates two months of every year to aiding the Polyarchy in patrolling the Liu Xiu System exclusive, as part of the deal struck for getting an Enclave and an outpost in the system.
From each corner on the side, an array of factories, shipyards and trade stations branch out from the main 'trunk', providing a host of entertainment, purchasing and production venues for the Liu Xiu system. The main structure itself is host to a large facility to house a diplomatic station that can handle many meetings of various levels at the same time, provide the creature comforts for any species that comes aboard, and the space set aside for any nation or organization who wishes to rent space so as to gain rapid contact with the Union for any such purpose as is needed. The facility houses up to over three hundred Union employees, with a company of Union Marines to serve as a defensive garrison, due to much of the station's administrative and production systems being handled by widespread automation.
It also comes with the TUS Ikram, a Saber-class Frigate of the Union Navy as additional garrison, which dedicates two months of every year to aiding the Polyarchy in patrolling the Liu Xiu System exclusive, as part of the deal struck for getting an Enclave and an outpost in the system.
Located on Jiwao, this planetary enclave serves as both the administrative hub of the current colonization push of independent Beta Quadrant settlers into the Gamma Quadrant, and also the official presence of the Imperial Star Republic within Gamma. Built to withstand the fickle cold temperatures of Jiwao, Greywinter is built primary within the side of a sheer cliff face, overlooking three massive landing pads that sit on the barren plain. These landing pads are built to handle the load from a single Wayfarer class colony ship each, and while offering little to n o protection from the elements, are well built and only a short walk away from the main customs office, which is a semi-circular building that also serves as a basic wall between the landing pads and the rest of the enclave. It is connected to the main facility via a emergency service tunnel (and is more often than not the primary causeway for enclave personnel who would prefer not to be exposed to Jiwao's elements). Immediately beyond the customs office lies a smaller walled compound that is comprised of six small shuttle hangars and six much smaller landings pads. These are local and small scale transportation around the planet and to the station in orbit. Beyond these structures is the primary facility.
The primary structure of the facility is built deep within the cliff face, and houses the enclave's internal storage warehouses, maintenance bays, temporary civilian housing, a single medical facility, a large cafeteria and the administrative and diplomatic facilities. Appearing from the outside as three large off-white slabs of steel jutting from the cliff face, the enclave bears no exterior decoration save for the Imperial Star Republic's flag emblazoned on the central slab. Located on the lowest floors of the enclave, the maintenance bays and supply warehouses are unremarkable and were not designed to be anything other than what they are. In the two maintenance bays there is always a constant workforce that make sure that the shuttles, starships and facility systems continue to stay in perfect working condition. The enclave's on-site power core is also located deep beneath the maintenance bays. The warehouse supplies the enclave with it's own imported and locally purchased food, as well as processing water from the nearby glacier. While the exterior and interior service areas are built for purpose and to withstand Jiwao's somewhat harsh environment, the offices and habitation quarters of the facility are designed to feel organic and welcoming to both staff and visitors. Temporary civilian housing includes several hundred small, but very clean, apartments all linked to a large circular common room where colonists and other visitors have access to entertainment media and the civilian cafeteria.
The primary staff quarters are designed for long term habitation of staff and their families and, as such, are larger apartments that include several rooms including a kitchen, a entertainment room, two bedrooms and a single washroom. These apartments are built deep within the mountain and are constructed in a series of rings around the primary staff cafeteria and entertainment facilities, though staff and their families are free to schedule trips to other locations across Jiwao when appropriate. The administrative section of the enclave is located on the uppermost floors of the facility and are fairly typical of any government office. It is here that administrative personnel manage the running of the facility, communicating with the outpost in orbit, and receiving foreign dignitaries.
The primary structure of the facility is built deep within the cliff face, and houses the enclave's internal storage warehouses, maintenance bays, temporary civilian housing, a single medical facility, a large cafeteria and the administrative and diplomatic facilities. Appearing from the outside as three large off-white slabs of steel jutting from the cliff face, the enclave bears no exterior decoration save for the Imperial Star Republic's flag emblazoned on the central slab. Located on the lowest floors of the enclave, the maintenance bays and supply warehouses are unremarkable and were not designed to be anything other than what they are. In the two maintenance bays there is always a constant workforce that make sure that the shuttles, starships and facility systems continue to stay in perfect working condition. The enclave's on-site power core is also located deep beneath the maintenance bays. The warehouse supplies the enclave with it's own imported and locally purchased food, as well as processing water from the nearby glacier. While the exterior and interior service areas are built for purpose and to withstand Jiwao's somewhat harsh environment, the offices and habitation quarters of the facility are designed to feel organic and welcoming to both staff and visitors. Temporary civilian housing includes several hundred small, but very clean, apartments all linked to a large circular common room where colonists and other visitors have access to entertainment media and the civilian cafeteria.
The primary staff quarters are designed for long term habitation of staff and their families and, as such, are larger apartments that include several rooms including a kitchen, a entertainment room, two bedrooms and a single washroom. These apartments are built deep within the mountain and are constructed in a series of rings around the primary staff cafeteria and entertainment facilities, though staff and their families are free to schedule trips to other locations across Jiwao when appropriate. The administrative section of the enclave is located on the uppermost floors of the facility and are fairly typical of any government office. It is here that administrative personnel manage the running of the facility, communicating with the outpost in orbit, and receiving foreign dignitaries.
Outposts
Whether a burgeoning town, or a bare mine complex, all non-Enclaves are gathered under the designation of outposts. By their very nature, outposts are more likely to have multiple species within their confines, and as a result are far more common. With that said, outposts can still serve as representations of their founder's homes, often serving as an unofficial presence.
Nobody quite knows how the city of One Man Cripple, known as Cripple to its denizens, quite came to own the name. Nonetheless, those who visit the city all quickly come to one conclusion, no matter their own personal experiences there; It deserves it. In Cripple, humans walk alongside four-legged insectoid Banda'i, the winged lizardlike r'mon'oz rub shoulders with scavenging Karkouah, deals are struck, fortunes made and lost, crime runs rife, and excitement is never far. Despite, or rather because of, not having access to the orbital elevator of Piraeus, the city boasts an astonishing number of warehouses and landing pads for orbital cargo ships transshipping from the space stations in orbit.
If pressed to describe the heart of the city, a tourist would tell you it was the great bazaars in the eastern district of the town with merchants trying to fleece the gullible, along with the few hostels and way-houses located there and all the myriad means of entertainment guests receive. A regular visitor would probably tell you it's the starport, with the various pads bristling with ships from across the galaxy and as many species as you could ever dream of. But any local would tell you it is the Dark. A tightly-packed district in the north-west of the city, the Dark is the home of the various gangs that find their way to something like Cripple as easily as a warrenbeast to a magma lake. The region earned its name for two reasons; The high hills behind the district restrict the sunlight, and for the fact that no law enforcement goes in less than mob-handed. Dense constructs are compacted along narrow paths, with entrances to the underground network known as the Rocks dotted about.
The Rocks are prized by locals. Traders store their prized goods in hand-made vaults, gangs keep their stash of illicits, and more than one species has taken to the caves to live in. One of the biggest attractions is Brakto, a synth-pop club where the drink flows freely, sex is plentiful, and the drugs come cheap. On an unrelated note, recent months have seen a spate in missing persons reports and reported animal attacks in the Rocks. Law enforcement have so far decided to leave well enough alone.
If pressed to describe the heart of the city, a tourist would tell you it was the great bazaars in the eastern district of the town with merchants trying to fleece the gullible, along with the few hostels and way-houses located there and all the myriad means of entertainment guests receive. A regular visitor would probably tell you it's the starport, with the various pads bristling with ships from across the galaxy and as many species as you could ever dream of. But any local would tell you it is the Dark. A tightly-packed district in the north-west of the city, the Dark is the home of the various gangs that find their way to something like Cripple as easily as a warrenbeast to a magma lake. The region earned its name for two reasons; The high hills behind the district restrict the sunlight, and for the fact that no law enforcement goes in less than mob-handed. Dense constructs are compacted along narrow paths, with entrances to the underground network known as the Rocks dotted about.
The Rocks are prized by locals. Traders store their prized goods in hand-made vaults, gangs keep their stash of illicits, and more than one species has taken to the caves to live in. One of the biggest attractions is Brakto, a synth-pop club where the drink flows freely, sex is plentiful, and the drugs come cheap. On an unrelated note, recent months have seen a spate in missing persons reports and reported animal attacks in the Rocks. Law enforcement have so far decided to leave well enough alone.
Located among the Twins, the outpost known as Ze'Rhiss consumes one of the larger asteroids near where the two planes intersect. While the name is technically that of the starport on the surface, Ze'Rhiss is used often to simply reference the asteroid itself. Criss-crossed with Huerdaen Rail lines that lead to the several smaller mining posts across the rock, Ze'Rhiss serves as the shipping center for bases on its own asteroid and the several smaller companies that mine the smaller rocks nearby. While run by the Huerdaen company Kai'Kitalli Incorporated, it is a home to many species and nationalities, almost as widely populated as Cripple. The Huerdaen influence, however, is clear for all. The outpost itself is sunk into the surface of the asteroid, with a single, deadly "Big Twenty-Five" anti-orbital weapon emplaced near the entrance. Thus defended, the place is arguably one of the safer locations among the Twins, despite its inability to cater to warships. The facility is sunk into the surface, with entirely internal docking, though most traffic through the facility is completely industrial.
There is a second aspect of Ze'Rhiss, however, that has created its own small corner of the market. As the facility is run by KKI, many Huerdaen products are more easily available, and their motivation to enforce laws against weapons and materiel coming into the system is somewhat lacking. Security is maintained by KKI corporate militia and a large number of hired mercenaries, making it secure, but generally out of the reach of more stringent laws. Because of this, it has found itself a place of business for arms dealers and smugglers, for those who can maintain the neutrality and peace of the station. With external threats still suffering behind the presence of the massive anti-orbital weapon, Ze'Rhiss survives by straddling law and order, maintaining peace by force.
There is a second aspect of Ze'Rhiss, however, that has created its own small corner of the market. As the facility is run by KKI, many Huerdaen products are more easily available, and their motivation to enforce laws against weapons and materiel coming into the system is somewhat lacking. Security is maintained by KKI corporate militia and a large number of hired mercenaries, making it secure, but generally out of the reach of more stringent laws. Because of this, it has found itself a place of business for arms dealers and smugglers, for those who can maintain the neutrality and peace of the station. With external threats still suffering behind the presence of the massive anti-orbital weapon, Ze'Rhiss survives by straddling law and order, maintaining peace by force.
Located in the northern polar regions of Jiwao, Oubliette is a small outpost owned by the Greater Lanthe Development Group (GLDG). GLDG is a barebones legally entity (officially chartered in the Dominion of Mars) for the expressed purpose of ‘aiding in the continued development and economic growth of the interstellar community along the Lanthe Route’ and supporting OVA. The group is funded in the majority by the United Pholus Banking Guild (UPBG), the largest banking and financial corporation in the Raumreich Oversector, and several other parties considered part of the unofficial Turin Combine. The majority of information and exact investment of UPBG’s various partners in Oubliette remain unknown, shielded by the zealous privacy of Alpha Centauri banking law. There are a dozen partners in total, with only the Application&Fabrications Horizons, Corleigh Armaments and Development Corporation (CADC), Genechanical, Olbers Foundation, and NuForce being listed publicly. Tactical Solutions Group, the Turin Combine’s equally unofficial security arm, is listed as the ‘internal security consultants’ for Oubliette.
The outpost is built as a series of four concentric rings and two outlying hexagons buried into one of the mountain ranges besieged by the planet’s polar caps. The concentric rings are linked by a series of tunnels and private mag-levs, including a central trunkline leading from Oubliette’s main hangar to the central ring. The central ring is the only part of the structure that is open to natural light and acts as the outpost’s administrative centre. It houses the offices of the Resident-Director, the ranking representative of the GLDG, and the areas of the facility devoted to public receptions. The current resident-director is Ignaas Pauwel Zegher, a naturalised imperial citizen from the now-Verniian system of Acler and a former officer with the Tactical Solutions Group. He is known for his emphasis Oubliette’s security and efforts to remain closer to OVA authorities on the ISI Windrose of Infinities than the Polyarchy’s planet-bound authorities, although he drifts clear of a formal break or legal incident with the latter.
The second ring of Oubliette’s main facility is the main residence area. The remaining two rings are a network of laboratories, technical facilities, and ‘extensive data-simulation nodes’. While most of the facility is rented by GLDG investors, several facilities in the rings remain open with Director Zegher openly advertising for interested parties. The two hexagons located several kilometres distant from Oubliette’s core are listed as ‘intensive research labs’ and are only accessible through their own respective hangers. Oubliette-A and Oubliette-B also include independent reactors, private residential areas, and self-contained unisphere networks linked only to the Resident-Director’s personal network. Oubliette-A is currently leased to CADC. Oubliette-B is leased jointly to Genechancial and App&Fab, though their lease is set to expire within five years (IAC standard).
Oubliette prefers to use the more discrete facilities of Cripple for its various shipments, though certain supplies are routed through Piraeus’ space elevator as needed. Recently, Zegher started renting and leasing space and facilities on some of Jiwao’s space stations, though the specifics of these contracts remain unknown.
The outpost is built as a series of four concentric rings and two outlying hexagons buried into one of the mountain ranges besieged by the planet’s polar caps. The concentric rings are linked by a series of tunnels and private mag-levs, including a central trunkline leading from Oubliette’s main hangar to the central ring. The central ring is the only part of the structure that is open to natural light and acts as the outpost’s administrative centre. It houses the offices of the Resident-Director, the ranking representative of the GLDG, and the areas of the facility devoted to public receptions. The current resident-director is Ignaas Pauwel Zegher, a naturalised imperial citizen from the now-Verniian system of Acler and a former officer with the Tactical Solutions Group. He is known for his emphasis Oubliette’s security and efforts to remain closer to OVA authorities on the ISI Windrose of Infinities than the Polyarchy’s planet-bound authorities, although he drifts clear of a formal break or legal incident with the latter.
The second ring of Oubliette’s main facility is the main residence area. The remaining two rings are a network of laboratories, technical facilities, and ‘extensive data-simulation nodes’. While most of the facility is rented by GLDG investors, several facilities in the rings remain open with Director Zegher openly advertising for interested parties. The two hexagons located several kilometres distant from Oubliette’s core are listed as ‘intensive research labs’ and are only accessible through their own respective hangers. Oubliette-A and Oubliette-B also include independent reactors, private residential areas, and self-contained unisphere networks linked only to the Resident-Director’s personal network. Oubliette-A is currently leased to CADC. Oubliette-B is leased jointly to Genechancial and App&Fab, though their lease is set to expire within five years (IAC standard).
Oubliette prefers to use the more discrete facilities of Cripple for its various shipments, though certain supplies are routed through Piraeus’ space elevator as needed. Recently, Zegher started renting and leasing space and facilities on some of Jiwao’s space stations, though the specifics of these contracts remain unknown.
In close orbit of Liu Xiu itself, the Kieros Array is the name given to the thousands of long, thin, glittering solar arrays that convert Liu Xiu's photonic output into usable energy. Set up by the Celthan Conglomerate (a Kiith corporation), the array's aim was to provide cheap and clean power to the entire system without having to ship isotopes in from Kappa 7. Energy is transmitted from the array itself to an automated central routing station, where it is converted into electric energy and beamed via laser and mirror networks to stations and orbital receiving stations throughout the system. Due to the intense electromagnetic interference of the array's close proximity to the primary, it can occasionally be used to mask the presence vessels hiding behind its panels.
Amara's Aerie is a 5 kilometer long by 2.4 kilometer wide, roughly triangular structure, the middle of which consists of a 1.2 km long, 500 meter wide, 240 meter deep ship construction bay. The bridge, administrative, and shipyard control facilities are on a combination of 4 towers (at each corner of the bay) and a single arch over the ventral side. The main hull structure is a series of modules interconnected by girderwork matrices. Modules include engines, weapons and defense stations, construction/fabrication workshops, as well as a host of other support facilities.
The Aerie is named after its owner and master, a woman named Amara N'Lereth. She arrived in-system approximately a year ago, registering with the local authorities and then soon after beginning operations once all the proper licensing procedures were completed. Amara generally restricts herself to the central command tower, but occasionally visits particularly high-paying customers for negotiations.
Besides functioning as a shipyard and repair facility, Amara's Aerie offers a wide variety of services ranging from markets (For various goods), gambling facilities, hotels, and other facilities designed for the discriminating (and discrete) customer. Security is top notch and handles any and all incidents quickly and efficiently. All independent ships are welcome at the station/ship, which provides facilities equal to the best starport, but without political entanglements. The Aerie is defended by a number of attack craft bays, drones, and a fairly extensive defensive weapon network, which some rumors say includes heavy anti-ship weapons. Shielding is definitely extremely heavy, but the details are unknown.
The Aerie moves from place to place within the Liu Xiu system looking for customers. It generally stays a month at a time at any given location, and then gives advance notice (in the form of advertisements). Occasionally in emergencies, the facility will sometimes move out to meet a disabled ship in need of serious repair. This is general done only for the rare customer with a Level 1 Maintenance Contract. The Aerie can hold at least 50,000 guests/customers at any one time, plus its own support staff and crew.
Just about any product or service imaginable can be found on the Aerie, though in some cases only the deal making is done here, with the goods delivered to pre-arraigned meeting spots out-system.
The Aerie is named after its owner and master, a woman named Amara N'Lereth. She arrived in-system approximately a year ago, registering with the local authorities and then soon after beginning operations once all the proper licensing procedures were completed. Amara generally restricts herself to the central command tower, but occasionally visits particularly high-paying customers for negotiations.
Besides functioning as a shipyard and repair facility, Amara's Aerie offers a wide variety of services ranging from markets (For various goods), gambling facilities, hotels, and other facilities designed for the discriminating (and discrete) customer. Security is top notch and handles any and all incidents quickly and efficiently. All independent ships are welcome at the station/ship, which provides facilities equal to the best starport, but without political entanglements. The Aerie is defended by a number of attack craft bays, drones, and a fairly extensive defensive weapon network, which some rumors say includes heavy anti-ship weapons. Shielding is definitely extremely heavy, but the details are unknown.
The Aerie moves from place to place within the Liu Xiu system looking for customers. It generally stays a month at a time at any given location, and then gives advance notice (in the form of advertisements). Occasionally in emergencies, the facility will sometimes move out to meet a disabled ship in need of serious repair. This is general done only for the rare customer with a Level 1 Maintenance Contract. The Aerie can hold at least 50,000 guests/customers at any one time, plus its own support staff and crew.
Just about any product or service imaginable can be found on the Aerie, though in some cases only the deal making is done here, with the goods delivered to pre-arraigned meeting spots out-system.
Artificial Satellite SemiSynch-ORB 7-1286κ, or "Harriers' Haven" as it is more commonly known, is a relatively small space station (in comparison to other stations and satellite near its orbital plane), seemingly originally designed as a deep space trading or transportation platform, now locked in a slowly decaying and increasingly tenuous orbit around the hungering, gargantuan planet of Kappa 7 in the Liu Xiu System. Originally installed in a semi-synchronous orbit above Kappa 7 some eighty years ago (the station itself already almost forty years old at the point of capture), due to a derelict orbital correction system and an increasingly aging platform, 7-1286κ has consequentially drifted over its lifespan; at the present, it is expected that within thirty years, the station will reach an orbital path smaller than the circumference of Kappa 7, ultimately ending in its penetration into the upper visible atmosphere of the gas giant and, inevitably, its destruction. Minimal efforts have been taken to prolong the functional lifespan of the station, resulting in a slightly elliptical orbit with an extreme apoapsis of approximately 2,380 ± 2.2 km, making its orbit transverse between low and medium orbital trajectories.
Insofar as 7-1286κ itself, the station's original manufacturer is unknown; a partially obscured splash of paint upon its surface once indicated its owner and point of origin, but all that remains is illegible and faded lettering, partially damaged by high-altitude oxidation and eroded by time. The station is moderate in size, capable of housing approximately 1,500 permanent residents, with room for an estimated 900 temporary residents based on calculations of volume and available space. It is equipped with two hangars capable of housing frigates within intermediate and small size ranges (one to two each, depending on size and configuration); one hangar capable of housing a light frigate; a maintenance hangar capable of housing a single intermediate frigate, though cursory inspection reveals it is occupied by a light frigate of increasing age, making it no longer accessible; and a solitary hangar that once might have been capable of housing a small cruiser, but has since been partially sealed and scrawled with graffiti stating "FUCK OVIES!" - a possible reference to the increased activity of the Office of Verge Affairs of the United Star Empire of Valinon and a general increase in Raumreich Oversector commercial and industrial traffic. In addition, 7-1286κ is home to several shuttle bays capable of housing approximately thirty shuttles of small to intermediate sizes.
Though not immediately apparent upon inspection, 7-1286κ also contains - in addition to its several hangars - a functional linear accelerator running through the central mass of the body of the station, theoretically capable of accelerating craft to relativistic speeds in order to assist in escape from Kappa 7 and, ultimately, the Liu Xiu System as a whole; however, the linear accelerator entry port has since been partially sealed, with massive hangar doors partially closed and the remaining gap haphazardly sealed with scrap metal plating and a convoluted network of struts and tubing.
Despite a non-functional orbital correction system and a general lack in reaction control systems (both mass- and wheel-based), life support systems aboard 7-1286κ are feeble, but adequate; two large oxygen gardens are visible from the exterior of the station, with visible evidence indicating a lack of care; in truth, many of the cabins, chambers, and corridors that once bordered the oxygen gardens have since become overrun with various forms of flora. Further, the station is equipped with a carbon recycling system capable of chemically rendering carbon dioxide (from activity) and carbon monoxide (from emissions) and other oxygen-based molecular compounds to supplement life support aboard the platform.
Insofar as communications, 7-1286κ is equipped with two ansible systems, with one functioning almost continuously, allowing not only for communication with nearby craft, but much of the traffic of the hemisphere of Kappa 7 the station happens to be above at any given time. Though obvious necessity requires its use in order to coordinate nearby traffic, evidence of occupation is mostly discerned due to a near continuous superluminal broadcast from 7-1286κ consisting primarily of popular music and several commentary-based programs relating to the primary denizens and focus of the station (See below.), complete with amusing anecdotes, conversations, contests, and news headlines from around Liu Xiu (in addition to popular music relayed frequently).
As mentioned, however, 7-1286κ is equipped with two anisible systems; while one seems to function consistently, if but with limited range, craft and platforms capable of intercepting open-channel superluminal communications under basic telemetric scans frequently are capable of identifying several bursts of high-energy broadcasts composed seemingly entirely of static and garbled quotations from several popular novels. Attempts to pinpoint the target of these broadcasts have found that the semi-frequent (once or twice in a standard month) broadcasts never seem to focus toward the same segment of the sky based on astronomical reckoning.
As noted by its more common name - that of "Harriers' Haven" - 7-1286κ has some reputation due to the perception of its most common frequent guests and residents. Though piracy is technically illegal in the Neutral Zone, 7-1286κ has a reputation of turning a blind-eye to the temporary housing of suspected pirates and harriers, including allowing for temporary stays of craft undergoing maintenance; even so, due to the high-risk nature of accepting and housing criminal traffic, 7-1286κ most often houses individuals whom, while often operating illegally, are not strictly declared "outlaw". Common guests to the station consist, primarily, of "grey" and "black market" retailers and miners (chief amongst them being hydrogen-2 and tritium-skimmers working from Kappa 7), free-contract bondsmen, interstellar fugitives, fetchers and salvage collectors, and several groups of libertarian-minded individuals and families.
Despite only any real acceptance of "moderate criminal activity", with some notable exceptions, in the recent decade, 7-1286κ has come under suspect by several nations operating in the system - both officially and unofficially - due to a recent increase in organized criminal activity in the Sagittarius System. Due to burgeoning "black" and "grey" markets in Sagittarius, outside of the Neutral Zone, some have come to suspect that organized criminal activity has made its way to Liu Xiu. Even so, due to the relatively small presence of so-called "hot traffic" at 7-1286κ, there remains no confirmation of possible criminal conspiracy or high-complexity racketeering operations being based from the small station, only rumors and quiet whispers of high probability.
Insofar as 7-1286κ itself, the station's original manufacturer is unknown; a partially obscured splash of paint upon its surface once indicated its owner and point of origin, but all that remains is illegible and faded lettering, partially damaged by high-altitude oxidation and eroded by time. The station is moderate in size, capable of housing approximately 1,500 permanent residents, with room for an estimated 900 temporary residents based on calculations of volume and available space. It is equipped with two hangars capable of housing frigates within intermediate and small size ranges (one to two each, depending on size and configuration); one hangar capable of housing a light frigate; a maintenance hangar capable of housing a single intermediate frigate, though cursory inspection reveals it is occupied by a light frigate of increasing age, making it no longer accessible; and a solitary hangar that once might have been capable of housing a small cruiser, but has since been partially sealed and scrawled with graffiti stating "FUCK OVIES!" - a possible reference to the increased activity of the Office of Verge Affairs of the United Star Empire of Valinon and a general increase in Raumreich Oversector commercial and industrial traffic. In addition, 7-1286κ is home to several shuttle bays capable of housing approximately thirty shuttles of small to intermediate sizes.
Though not immediately apparent upon inspection, 7-1286κ also contains - in addition to its several hangars - a functional linear accelerator running through the central mass of the body of the station, theoretically capable of accelerating craft to relativistic speeds in order to assist in escape from Kappa 7 and, ultimately, the Liu Xiu System as a whole; however, the linear accelerator entry port has since been partially sealed, with massive hangar doors partially closed and the remaining gap haphazardly sealed with scrap metal plating and a convoluted network of struts and tubing.
Despite a non-functional orbital correction system and a general lack in reaction control systems (both mass- and wheel-based), life support systems aboard 7-1286κ are feeble, but adequate; two large oxygen gardens are visible from the exterior of the station, with visible evidence indicating a lack of care; in truth, many of the cabins, chambers, and corridors that once bordered the oxygen gardens have since become overrun with various forms of flora. Further, the station is equipped with a carbon recycling system capable of chemically rendering carbon dioxide (from activity) and carbon monoxide (from emissions) and other oxygen-based molecular compounds to supplement life support aboard the platform.
Insofar as communications, 7-1286κ is equipped with two ansible systems, with one functioning almost continuously, allowing not only for communication with nearby craft, but much of the traffic of the hemisphere of Kappa 7 the station happens to be above at any given time. Though obvious necessity requires its use in order to coordinate nearby traffic, evidence of occupation is mostly discerned due to a near continuous superluminal broadcast from 7-1286κ consisting primarily of popular music and several commentary-based programs relating to the primary denizens and focus of the station (See below.), complete with amusing anecdotes, conversations, contests, and news headlines from around Liu Xiu (in addition to popular music relayed frequently).
As mentioned, however, 7-1286κ is equipped with two anisible systems; while one seems to function consistently, if but with limited range, craft and platforms capable of intercepting open-channel superluminal communications under basic telemetric scans frequently are capable of identifying several bursts of high-energy broadcasts composed seemingly entirely of static and garbled quotations from several popular novels. Attempts to pinpoint the target of these broadcasts have found that the semi-frequent (once or twice in a standard month) broadcasts never seem to focus toward the same segment of the sky based on astronomical reckoning.
As noted by its more common name - that of "Harriers' Haven" - 7-1286κ has some reputation due to the perception of its most common frequent guests and residents. Though piracy is technically illegal in the Neutral Zone, 7-1286κ has a reputation of turning a blind-eye to the temporary housing of suspected pirates and harriers, including allowing for temporary stays of craft undergoing maintenance; even so, due to the high-risk nature of accepting and housing criminal traffic, 7-1286κ most often houses individuals whom, while often operating illegally, are not strictly declared "outlaw". Common guests to the station consist, primarily, of "grey" and "black market" retailers and miners (chief amongst them being hydrogen-2 and tritium-skimmers working from Kappa 7), free-contract bondsmen, interstellar fugitives, fetchers and salvage collectors, and several groups of libertarian-minded individuals and families.
Despite only any real acceptance of "moderate criminal activity", with some notable exceptions, in the recent decade, 7-1286κ has come under suspect by several nations operating in the system - both officially and unofficially - due to a recent increase in organized criminal activity in the Sagittarius System. Due to burgeoning "black" and "grey" markets in Sagittarius, outside of the Neutral Zone, some have come to suspect that organized criminal activity has made its way to Liu Xiu. Even so, due to the relatively small presence of so-called "hot traffic" at 7-1286κ, there remains no confirmation of possible criminal conspiracy or high-complexity racketeering operations being based from the small station, only rumors and quiet whispers of high probability.
Tightrope is a fuel depot maintained and operated by Phoenix Energy, one of the Imperium's largest energy corporations. The main storage sphere of Tightrope houses a supply of antimatter suspended in a containment field. At this point in time, Tightrope's antimatter supply is primarily intended for usage by Verniian and Valinor clients, and as such its storage is nowhere near capacity. However, it still carries a couple dozen tons on board. The secondary fuel tanks are each filled with metastable metallic hydrogen, helium-3, and other fuels for use in fusion or singularity reactors.
Tightrope has no crew. Instead, Phoenix rents office space and hangar room aboard the Windrose of Infinities for its administrators and technicians in the system. Maintenance is primarily done via teleoperated drones, and most ships approaching for fueling are required to slave their navigation systems to a control craft for docking. The station is, in deference to the sensibilities of its Polyarchy hosts, lightly defended. Defenses consist of a full coverage (electromagnetic & kinetic) cruiser grade battle screen, and four x-ray laser armed point-defense drones.
Tightrope has no crew. Instead, Phoenix rents office space and hangar room aboard the Windrose of Infinities for its administrators and technicians in the system. Maintenance is primarily done via teleoperated drones, and most ships approaching for fueling are required to slave their navigation systems to a control craft for docking. The station is, in deference to the sensibilities of its Polyarchy hosts, lightly defended. Defenses consist of a full coverage (electromagnetic & kinetic) cruiser grade battle screen, and four x-ray laser armed point-defense drones.
In addition to its massive Enclave station at Kappa 7, the Union also requisitioned a somewhat large asteroid out in the Double Belter. This facility was represented by the Quetzal Corporation, a major producer of weapons, information technology as well as being one of the leading companies in research and development. They are often given contracts by the Union given to improve or invent new technologies for them. This facility is just exactly that to the outside eye, it is built into the rocky surface of the asteroid, utilizing the outer shell as additional armor in case of any attacks. In the absence of any official Union protection, and with rules relaxed out there, they have deployed a network of anti-ship weaponry and satellites around it to keep the facility secure from raiders and pirates. Two heavy laser turrets, three missile tubes and a point defense network, along with ten or twelve missile satellites are what the Corporation has managed to develop.
Here, they develop new technologies and/or produce information technology for the various powers and Enclaves in the system, as well as the Union government. They have been pursuing new lines of technology by wooing scientists from other nations to work for them and purchasing technologies that they can study and attempt to improve upon. As with any in the Double Belter, however, there are always secrets and people playing close to the legal line. Some would say that they also produce weapons there, despite the ban, and have quite a black market going on there for weapons, armor and other such items. There is no such proof, so they are just rumors relegated to bitter former employees and business rivals.
Right?
Here, they develop new technologies and/or produce information technology for the various powers and Enclaves in the system, as well as the Union government. They have been pursuing new lines of technology by wooing scientists from other nations to work for them and purchasing technologies that they can study and attempt to improve upon. As with any in the Double Belter, however, there are always secrets and people playing close to the legal line. Some would say that they also produce weapons there, despite the ban, and have quite a black market going on there for weapons, armor and other such items. There is no such proof, so they are just rumors relegated to bitter former employees and business rivals.
Right?
“They leave you alone” ~ Kalya Madur, wanted for Arson, Murder
On Taen, at each entrance to Crashtown, stands a hand-painted sign with the four laws of Crashtown: "No Murderin’," "No Rapin’," "No Theivin’" and "No Slavin’." The latter usually appears painted on more recently than the others.
The society of the small settlement is notoriously lax on other issues, and with its community diverse enough that it can agree on no other laws. Although it is less than a year old, no one knows who the original settlers, the tight-lipped guild, were, and it is widely suspected they were originally mutineers from some minor government. What is known is that the area is built around The Ship, a warship of unknown origins; five hundred and sixty meters long, the vessel appears almost perfectly, and mysteriously, landed on the planet, The entire structure is long, built around a pair of massive drive pods, and banks of forward facing torpedo weapons, and study, powerful turreted weapons of which only the dorsal examples survive.
The term around the ship is quite literal; crashtown is a dive by any standard, with a number of crude and often malfunctioning habitats built directly onto the ship, taking advantage of its large and seemingly reliable air processing systems.
The Ship provides atmospheric, water and power systems for both the inhabitants of crashtown and its score or so of domefarms, its dismantled carcass allowing Crashtown’s residents to have established their colony at relatively low costs, and thus giving them the opportunity to expand relatively quickly.
This does not come free, however, and the secretive Guild, officially the Ship’s Company, charges for access to its resources, keeping the majority of the population dependant on their monopoly on essential services; Crashtown is an easy place to move to, but a hard place to earn a living thanks to the Guild, who are widely claimed to be the original crew of The Ship and who assert that they have the means to control it fully, though more typically they will merely stop the resources to any individuals who fail to pay their service fees. The Guild maintains a standing force of almost three hundred ‘prods’ armed with less-lethal weapons that serve as a police force for the settlement, but for the most part the Guild restrict their interests to acquiring fees and making sure to turn an appropriately blind eye to the more capable residents’ activities.
The most important thing the Guild do, for the residents, at least, is maintain early warning systems and some of the Ship’s original munitions; while unable to harm a warship, such systems are hoped by many to deter any casual attempt to search the settlement by official forces. The effectiveness of this claim remains to be seen.
Foremost among those are information brokers, most particularly the firm Cala and Sons, who occupy the ship’s communications system, and use its originally sophisticated (and inventively maintained) communications and electronic warfare suites to transact their business securely.
They directly support and are the major interest for a number of privateers, bounty hunters and pirate factions that purchase information in Crashtown, and likewise make trades of their goods and services; and of course, where they go, services to match also exist, from gunsmiths to deposit companies, a number of commercial ventures that straddle the line between business and gang dominate much of the downtown life of Crashtown. More respectable fringe businesses operate here too, low-cost xenoarcheologists and explorer parties can often fill up their numbers from talented spacers with a mark on their record that keep them from more respectable haunts at Crashtown, and almost anything can be found despite the settlement’s small size.
Naturally not everyone has the interest or will to be involved in such activities, and the majority of the population not involved in the fringe economy or the service industries that cater for it are instead employed in the twin trades of agriculture and brewing, with ales and space rations leading the export potential of Crashtown. These businesses are booming, and recent waves of refugees from the Gamma Quadrant’s recent chequered past have boosted Crashtown from a mere pirate’s den into a small boom town that feels every bit the frontier town; there are few riches in Crashtown, but there are opportunities nonetheless.
On Taen, at each entrance to Crashtown, stands a hand-painted sign with the four laws of Crashtown: "No Murderin’," "No Rapin’," "No Theivin’" and "No Slavin’." The latter usually appears painted on more recently than the others.
The society of the small settlement is notoriously lax on other issues, and with its community diverse enough that it can agree on no other laws. Although it is less than a year old, no one knows who the original settlers, the tight-lipped guild, were, and it is widely suspected they were originally mutineers from some minor government. What is known is that the area is built around The Ship, a warship of unknown origins; five hundred and sixty meters long, the vessel appears almost perfectly, and mysteriously, landed on the planet, The entire structure is long, built around a pair of massive drive pods, and banks of forward facing torpedo weapons, and study, powerful turreted weapons of which only the dorsal examples survive.
The term around the ship is quite literal; crashtown is a dive by any standard, with a number of crude and often malfunctioning habitats built directly onto the ship, taking advantage of its large and seemingly reliable air processing systems.
The Ship provides atmospheric, water and power systems for both the inhabitants of crashtown and its score or so of domefarms, its dismantled carcass allowing Crashtown’s residents to have established their colony at relatively low costs, and thus giving them the opportunity to expand relatively quickly.
This does not come free, however, and the secretive Guild, officially the Ship’s Company, charges for access to its resources, keeping the majority of the population dependant on their monopoly on essential services; Crashtown is an easy place to move to, but a hard place to earn a living thanks to the Guild, who are widely claimed to be the original crew of The Ship and who assert that they have the means to control it fully, though more typically they will merely stop the resources to any individuals who fail to pay their service fees. The Guild maintains a standing force of almost three hundred ‘prods’ armed with less-lethal weapons that serve as a police force for the settlement, but for the most part the Guild restrict their interests to acquiring fees and making sure to turn an appropriately blind eye to the more capable residents’ activities.
The most important thing the Guild do, for the residents, at least, is maintain early warning systems and some of the Ship’s original munitions; while unable to harm a warship, such systems are hoped by many to deter any casual attempt to search the settlement by official forces. The effectiveness of this claim remains to be seen.
Foremost among those are information brokers, most particularly the firm Cala and Sons, who occupy the ship’s communications system, and use its originally sophisticated (and inventively maintained) communications and electronic warfare suites to transact their business securely.
They directly support and are the major interest for a number of privateers, bounty hunters and pirate factions that purchase information in Crashtown, and likewise make trades of their goods and services; and of course, where they go, services to match also exist, from gunsmiths to deposit companies, a number of commercial ventures that straddle the line between business and gang dominate much of the downtown life of Crashtown. More respectable fringe businesses operate here too, low-cost xenoarcheologists and explorer parties can often fill up their numbers from talented spacers with a mark on their record that keep them from more respectable haunts at Crashtown, and almost anything can be found despite the settlement’s small size.
Naturally not everyone has the interest or will to be involved in such activities, and the majority of the population not involved in the fringe economy or the service industries that cater for it are instead employed in the twin trades of agriculture and brewing, with ales and space rations leading the export potential of Crashtown. These businesses are booming, and recent waves of refugees from the Gamma Quadrant’s recent chequered past have boosted Crashtown from a mere pirate’s den into a small boom town that feels every bit the frontier town; there are few riches in Crashtown, but there are opportunities nonetheless.
The outpost is part of the starport ring above Jiwao and serves as the official point of arrival and departure for colony ships coming to and from the Beta Quadrant. Other than being plastered with Vocian propaganda, it is fairly unremarkable and designed to handle large numbers of colonist transfers and shipping supplies down to Greywinter.
A representative of the Principality in the Milky Way Galaxy, KM-2515 is founded by the more business-orientated element of Soros Detachment which seek to expand both private and the Detachment commercial interest into the greater expanse of the galaxy. The effort, part private and part national interest of the Congregation seek to provide information and good services throughout the Liu Xiu system by capitalizing on Principality unique virtual storage technology.
KM-2515 carries the tone of Principality pre-fabricated space outpost with sturdy and blocky architecture made to be modular in appearance; in a fair distance, the outpost looked nothing more than a collection of hexagonal blocks with a defined spinning-top like shape that suggests it rotates for gravity but on the contrary the outpost have its own gravity generators to do so. Majority of KM-2515 components are specialized Principality-standard storage modules, accompanied by occasional spear-like antennas in optimized locations. There are three specialized ship docking bays, each radiating like a spoke from the center of the outpost.
KM-2515 only have two primary commercial presence, consisting of Cocoon Transmatter Services and Ligtel Refiners; Cocoon Transmatter Services represent seventy percent share on the outpost while the rest belonged to Ligtel Refiners and smaller independent private ventures, such as L-90 Mercenaries and free slots offered for others that wished to set up shop inside the outpost.
As reiterated, Cocoon Transmatter Services provide specialized D-Terminals (or simply D-T) for users to use as a communication device and a virtual storage system. For a small fee, the user can use D-T to both communicate and purchase or transfer physical goods between D-Ts and the outpost itself. The user can also use the D-T system to anonymously post information or buy for one as long the user is within the reception of the outpost or another D-T unit that is within coverage of the outpost.
Ligtel Refiners on the other hand provide refining services to most common astro-resources utilizing Principality relativistic matter processor technology, to quickly and efficiently output refined products as requested by a client for a certain fee. The same outpost also serve as a common trading place; for a small fee, the outpost can buy or sell products as requested by interested clients. KM-2515 is gravitationally anchored near Kappa 7 although it can move to a new location if it's required.
KM-2515 carries the tone of Principality pre-fabricated space outpost with sturdy and blocky architecture made to be modular in appearance; in a fair distance, the outpost looked nothing more than a collection of hexagonal blocks with a defined spinning-top like shape that suggests it rotates for gravity but on the contrary the outpost have its own gravity generators to do so. Majority of KM-2515 components are specialized Principality-standard storage modules, accompanied by occasional spear-like antennas in optimized locations. There are three specialized ship docking bays, each radiating like a spoke from the center of the outpost.
KM-2515 only have two primary commercial presence, consisting of Cocoon Transmatter Services and Ligtel Refiners; Cocoon Transmatter Services represent seventy percent share on the outpost while the rest belonged to Ligtel Refiners and smaller independent private ventures, such as L-90 Mercenaries and free slots offered for others that wished to set up shop inside the outpost.
As reiterated, Cocoon Transmatter Services provide specialized D-Terminals (or simply D-T) for users to use as a communication device and a virtual storage system. For a small fee, the user can use D-T to both communicate and purchase or transfer physical goods between D-Ts and the outpost itself. The user can also use the D-T system to anonymously post information or buy for one as long the user is within the reception of the outpost or another D-T unit that is within coverage of the outpost.
Ligtel Refiners on the other hand provide refining services to most common astro-resources utilizing Principality relativistic matter processor technology, to quickly and efficiently output refined products as requested by a client for a certain fee. The same outpost also serve as a common trading place; for a small fee, the outpost can buy or sell products as requested by interested clients. KM-2515 is gravitationally anchored near Kappa 7 although it can move to a new location if it's required.
The Code
The Code is, simply put, the few do not's of Liu Xiu;
The Code is, simply put, the few do not's of Liu Xiu;
I. Do not try to conquer the System unless this is part of a system wide, pre-arranged RP.
II. Do not cause anything to change/alter/destroy another player's Enclave, again unless pre-arranged.
III. Do not not have fun.
Applications
This is where you become part of Liu Xiu. Simply use the template below to make your claim, and when accepted you're free to do as you please. Please note; I will tolerate a great deal in the System. One thing I will not tolerate is poor sportsmanship. I also guarantee you that if I deny your application, I will personally TG you with the reason why.
- Code: Select all
[quote][b]Enclave Or Outpost?;[/b]
[b]Nation Name;[/b]
[b]Name of Enclave/Outpost;[/b]
[b]Description of your Claim;[/b][/quote]
