UFRSivio

Discovery: A Broken Galaxy

If anyone is confused by the term DRADIS, it is from the show Battlestar Galactica. It means Direction, RAnge, and DIStance in the show. While its primary means in the show are used to detect vessels, it can be used for other multi-functional purposes such as water, radiation signatures, and looking at celestial bodies.

Small edit: I can change the term to something else if necessary though.

Discovery: A Broken Galaxy

Alistair looked over the evidence that was sent to him and then to the captain. "Captain, if you will excuse me from the bridge," he whispered. "I would like to take personal command of this investigation. It's serious, but not as serious as we may have thought. Potentially, we have a stowaway." The XO stood up and looked around. "Please alert me the moment we transition into the Polaris system. I want a full scan of all DRADIS contacts sent to my datapad the second we drop back into real space. This will include the stars, potential planets, and potentially unusual objects such as ships or stations." Then he left the bridge.

Near the vent corridor, Vance's expression grew colder than the vacuum outside the hull. He once again finished reviewing the report from Evie Lu regarding the magnetic weapon discharge, missing fuel, and damage that had taken place. Vance, along with some marines, began a sweep of lockers, bathrooms, the cargo hold, and vents until they found what they were looking for: a disheveled figured huddled behind a crate of spare environmental suits.

The marines with Vance immediately pointed their guns at the disheveled man. Vance didn't shout, telling his men to stand down; he just merely beckoned the intruder out. As the stowaway stood, Alistair leveled a gaze that could have frozen a star. "This ship was built with a singular purpose," he stated, his voice echoing with authority throughout the room and the corridor outside. "Every member of this crew was hand-selected as paragons of the United Systems Federation's ideals - disciplined, specialized, honored, and devoted to our mission. I will not have it tarnished by some parasite." He paused for a moment, with a dangerous glint in his eyes. "You are an uncalculated variable in a mission that demands absolute precision. Until we decide what to do with you, to the brig." He looked over to the marines and ordered them to take this man to the brig.

Discovery: A Broken Galaxy

Or one of the marines got too gung-ho about following orders to mess with the engineers

@Cyrania

It'd be kinda funny to be honest. I think I will make a post for a stowaway, unless anyone has any objections and wants a crew member to have already lost their shit lol

Discovery: A Broken Galaxy

Hider

<Snipped quote by UFRSivio>

*rubs hands* As you can see from Swanhilde, I definitely am not opposed to some worldbuilding.

We should keep Gliese 514 b as we do have @Cmmelody's Kore Soteria already developed to be an AI/Computer Tech leading planet with very unique seasons. Perhaps there could discussions there about how exactly that works out with the planet.

Then also don't forget @Starlance's Pomona being on Wolf 1061c as our main mining and manufacturing colony with most inhabitants having a dwarven existence.

As for ideas for the other colonies, obviously there should be major archeological settlements where there are signs of aliens civilizations, likely with black market activities around them as well as illicit treasure hunters seek to make a fortune from selling what they steal from the sites to wealthy collectors or seek to find remnants of alien tech and weaponry to be reverse-engineered by pirates. Then also there will probably be some rich idiots visiting dig sites just to sight see actual alien ruins, and those guys along with the archeologists will also draw traders who'll come set up shop in order to supply the archeologists and any other travelers with anything they can't otherwise get. Those traders though will likely be heavily restricted though in how they set up as of course, the USF and the archeologists won't want any traces of the aliens accidently erased. But from those traders, especially those that find an oasis of some sort or find someone to develop a reliable way to find water, settlements could rise around them and start to flourish. It could especially be fun to have some of those settlements, especially major cities, be mostly if not completely underground to stay out of the sun's rays or if some settlements have switched to being mostly active at night so that they can rest during the heat.

As for other places, I would propose some of the smaller outer rim ice planets like Pluto or similar moons of gas giants could be used as relay points. With how the USF is spreading out, having a line of communication is key. And if computers are involved in anyway, the ice planets would be good for contrasting the computer's heat. Otherwise, they could just end up being a good place to set up space stations that service ships and refuel them.

Gamma Cephei's Tadmor could have potential to be another good farming planet, one that's more farm focused rather than Swanhilde's sea focused. Given the population sizes we're talking about and all the potential for trouble, having at least three planets that can reliably grow food would be a huge boon for the USF (though they'd certainly want more if they could get them as while there's a lot of metals and other resources out there, there's not a lot of food so far). And since the USF would be working hard to make sure their second major source of food is protected (as Swanhilde is just too far out to really focus resources on), Tadmor would be the 'idyllic but safe' planet where most inhabitants' focus are on growing crops and selling them, but would also be a place where artists would start to flourish as they'd be within enough abundance so that there are people that can focus on art. The binary star system aspect could also add interesting dilemmas to the farming aspect, especially in how it affects the seasons for growing crops. But also be a great muse for the artists looking up at the sky. There could also be possibly be some land dedicated to 'safaris' where wild animals and plants are let loose to act as a secondary preservation of Earth's various organisms in case something should go wrong there.

But if you don't like that idea for Tadmor, it could be adapted for another system or two. I do vote that the USF needs at least one more farming-oriented planet in order to help subsidize those planets that can't grow their own food along with the mining operations on asteroids and the like. And that there should be some planets that can get terraformed enough to where they can at self-reliant in a pinch if everything should collapse tomorrow.

I would also suggest that one if not more of the not quite habitable planets could be made into an experimental testing grounds for weaponry, spaceships, and other such tech for the USF and/or other corporations. This way, such testing wouldn't have any chance of going wrong on an actually populated planet and it could be tightly monitored for secrecy.

There are also definitely pirate hideouts within some of the asteroid belts and using un-colonized worlds that are survivable with a space suit. But of course, they prefer to be able to breath and so Swanhilde and other colonized planets with areas that aren't very inhabited are their preferred hiding spots.

@Cyrania

Started working on the remaining inhabited systems, but haven't put the ideas in the Google Docs yet.

Discovery: A Broken Galaxy

Perhaps instead of a full blown terrorist group, could be a stowaway who doesn't know how to keep a low profile or someone who already lost their shit.

Discovery: A Broken Galaxy

As Alistair transferred notes from his datapad to his council, he received a notification from Quartermaster Lu.

From: Alistair Kaelen Vance <[e-mail]>
To: Evie Lu <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: Vents 26-A and 27-A Malfunction Report

Quartermaster Lu,

Thank you for the rapid and thorough report. Your efficiency and initiative in the matter is noted and appreciated.

These findings are concerning. The details you have provided strongly indicate a potential saboteur in our midst, even more so with the unauthorized usage of M34 and AK47 shells and the systematic destruction of monitoring equipment. Destruction and unauthorized usage of mission-critical systems and armaments while in hyperspace is a severe breach of regulation and is a threat to the safety of the ship and, more importantly, the crew.

I am initiating a full security sweep. I will include the Captain and Major Sadek in the loop. This information is on a need to know basis only. We cannot have this potential saboteur being tipped off during humanity's most important mission. Please coordinate with the Major to see who accessed the armoury and these sections of the ships within the last 24 hours. I will also be reviewing all relevant footage, assuming similar incidents did not take place.

In addition, please secure all evidence you have collected.

The missing nitrogen fuel is also a concern. It will be logged and accounted for in the next calculated burn.

It is imperative we deal with this swiftly and efficiently.

Commander Alistair Kaelen Vance
Executive Officer, USF Arcadian

Alistair then forwards this email chain to both the Captain and Major Sadek, letting them know the urgency of this situation and that it is on a need to know basis.

Discovery: A Broken Galaxy

So far... the reactions that I see for the XO are great lol Kind of what I was going for a little bit, even if he does have trouble showing he does care.

Discovery: A Broken Galaxy

The Arcadian

24 September 2190, 1302 Central European Standard Time

Alistair Kaelen Vance, the XO of the the Arcadian, always took a methodical approach to his duties onboard the ship. It was structured, efficient. This sequence of checks was his way of helping to manage the ship in the inherent chaos of deep space, a practice that often offered a sense of control and purpose.

He began his rounds in the main engineering bay, massive room that thrummed with the controlled roar of the fusion reactors that fed the Argos drive. In his hand, Vance held a datapad that show the limited AI running diagnostics. He spoke quietly to Hobby, the Chief Engineer from the Epsilon Eridani system. Together, they had checked the power output metrics, heat dissipation, efficiency, and the maintenance scheduling for the foreseeable future. After the checks, Vance received and approved two requests for replacement parts for the life support systems in the hydroponics bay, at a small cost at his private hobby in his quarters. This was one of the many ways he showed his care for the crew.

From there, he made a brief visit to the armoury. Vance needed to review the inventory of all the power amour and magnetic weapons, ensuring that they were in compliance with USF regulation with the ship's mission parameters. He exchanged a curt, professional nod with the marines' leader, Major Kashvi Sikander Sadek. Despite the chip on her shoulder, she is a woman he often respected due to her discipline and rise to something greater than the upbringing she received in Shivapoor.

Finally, Vance made the walk through the corridor towards the bridge. His mind wandered for a moment to his homeworld, Eden, and the sight of twin moons, Evae and Adae. The twins were sometimes unpredictable chaos, something he missed from time to time. He shook his head and tightened his grip on his datapad, refocusing on the task at hand. His responsibilities as the XO were clear: manage the ship, its crew, and ensure order. His reserved demeanor was a shield, not a barrier. This was to ensure the protection of the entire crew through precision.

Alistair arrived on the bridge shortly after the Captain had taken his seat. He paused for a moment, observing the vibrancy that was hyperspace. The XO admired its beautiful, yet terrifying and unstructured sight. After settling into his own chair, the XO quickly checked his own console displays. He had heard Lauzon's question, a casual break from protocol to help foster camaraderie.

Without diverting his gaze, Vance responded, "The ship is operating at 98.4 percent efficiency across all major systems, Captain." His voice was crisp and professional. He paused for a second, allowing for a rare smile before adding, "Our destination represents a significant step forward for humanity."

Discovery: A Broken Galaxy

@Cyrania You're right about Pamona and Soteria, that's my bad. I have so much stuff going on in my head for the lore here and IRL, I completely forgot about it. I do like the ideas you have presented there, though.

Discovery: A Broken Galaxy

So in case anyone is wondering and haven't checked the Google Docs, here is a compiled list of the inhabited systems. I am willing to accept ideas for inhabited colonies in any of these systems.

1) Sol System (obviously)
2) Alpha Centauri, a triple star system. All three stars will have at least one inhabited colony. I created a planed called Eden that orbits Alpha Centauri A. Proxima B is likely inhabitable IRL, so will likely include it.
3) Gliese 514. Unsure about including Gliese 514b due to its eccentric orbit that brings it in and out of the habitable zone, but will still keep it as an inhabited system. Might create a new planet here.
4) Barnard's Star. Currently, IRL, none of its four planets are in the habitable zone. They are too close, but the system will still be claimed.
5) Wolf 1061. There are three confirmed planets IRL, with a super-Earth is located near the inner edge of habitable zone.
6) Sirius. A binary system with two white star orbiting a distance of 20 AU. Sirius A is a main sequence, while Sirius B is a white dwarf. Will likely come up with a handful of planets, as there are not planets discovered IRL.
7) Tau Ceti. An inhabited planet will be here. It is a desert planet that was once inhabited by a reptilian species. Evidence does show this reptilian species' civilization. Archaeology is underway as to what happened to them due to them being extinct. The planet is the second closest planet and its year is about half as long as Earth's year.
8) Epsilon Indi. Another desert planet with a similar history to Tau Ceti. However, this civilization is separate from the reptilians of Tau Ceti.
9) Epsilon Eridani. This system is relatively new compared to many other systems, but has the potential for habitable Earth-like bodies.
10) Ross 128. IRL, currently only has one planet with reduced chances of habitability and is also tidally locked.
11) Gliese 667 is a triple star system. All three a smaller than the Sun. AB orbit each other, with the greatest distance at 20 AU and the closest at 5 AU. C orbits the pair at about 230 AU. IRL, C is the only star in this system with confirmed planets, with two being confirmed Super-Earths
12) 47 Ursae Majoris. Three confirmed planets IRL. The first is a gas giant 2.53 times the mass of Jupiter and takes about 3 years to orbit 47UMa; the second takes 6.55 years; and the third takes 38.33 years. IRL, any terrestrial planets may have been disrupted during their development due to 47 UMab. Thus, any habitable planets/moons could be desert/arid worlds unless they are terraformed.
13) Gamma Cephei is a binary system. Gamma A is named Errai and is a K1 giant/subgiant star. Gamma B is a red dwarf. An exoplanet named Tadmor is confirmed IRL. It is potentially in the habitable zone.
14) Xi Bootis is a binary system with a G-type star that is 88% mass and 82% radius of our sun, and a K-type that is 66% of our sun's mass and 61% of its radius. No confirmed planets IRL.
15) Sigma Draconis is a main sequence dwarf. No confirmed planets IRL.
16) Gliese 876 is a red dwarf with about 35% of our sun's mass. Four confirmed planets: G876 d, the innermost with a of 6.7 times that of Earth; G876 c, 0.74 times the mass of Jupiter and is in the habitable zone and takes about 30 days; G876 B, about twice the mass of Jupiter and takes about 61 days; and G876 e is the size of Uranus and is the furthest, taking 124 days to make a complete orbit.
17) 82 Eridani is a main sequence star and hosts three confirmed planets and a dust disk IRL. It is slightly smaller than our sun. The planets are super Earths, but their orbits last 90 days or less.
18) Delta Pavonis is slightly larger in mass, radius, and brightness than our sun, but has less temperature and is expected to start the process of becoming a red giant. No confirmed planets IRL.
19) Kepler-22. The furthest system colonized by humanity. The colony is called Swanhilde.
20) Lalande 21185 is the brightest red dwarf in Earth's northern hemisphere. Two confirmed planers, one unconfirmed IRL, with all three outside the habitable zone.