User:Skrem 7

The Present

The year is 2517. Humanity's galactic golden age is beginning to come to a close. The Sol Interplanetary Coalition, often abbreviated as the SIC, offers less and less stability for its participant members as humans spread further and wider into the known universe, encountering bizarre worlds, lifeforms, and materials. Notable members of the SIC include the Earth Federation, the Martian Cartel, the Belter Collective, and the Ganymede Republic. At the economic level stands Nanotrasen, a significant materials-based company that specializes in the harvesting and application of baroxuldium, better known as plasma. Sometimes also referred to as the Company, Nanotrasen's research and products make up several essential parts of life in the 26th century. The usage of bluespace, an anomalous material that permits for warping of distance, has only increased their considerable market share. For countless decades, Nanotrasen has peaked at corporate charts of revenue, employment rate, and expansion, fitting their stations and establishments with a wide range of workers, from humans, to artificially intelligent robots, to humanoid lizards; there is none that Nanotrasen will not hire and exploit in its quest to spread humanity even further across the stars. It is an era of technology and innovation, but also of immense conflict.

The No.1 enemy of Nanotrasen, known as the Syndicate, seeks to subvert and sabotage Nanotrasen's assets wherever they can. A corporate cartel comprised of various influential companies which have at some point been wronged by Nanotrasen, the Syndicate represents a decentralized effort to counter the domination that Nanotrasen exercises in new and revolutionary markets, such as death-defying medical technology or highly-advanced energy weaponry. Whether by planting sleeper agents into Nanotrasen employment, or contracting the infamous mercenary group known as the Gorlex Mauraders to perform a board-and-scuttle operation, the Syndicate performs countless operations to directly or indirectly target Nanotrasen's stations, employees, and resources.

But the Syndicate only represents one of several threats that Nanotrasen faces. They too must contend with the growing, cosmic powers which have awakened once again as humanity plies its exploration into the ruins of a long-dead civilization known as the Vxtvul Empire. Not only do they threaten Nanotrasen, but all of humanity and the various alien peoples that have been uncovered. The Opsillian Republic, an effective puppet-government of the SIC, generally represents a galactic voice for the reptilian vuulen on their homeworld of Sangris. The ex'hau and ethereal people, moths and bioluminescent slime people respectively, are both settled at significant distance from humanity, but that distance only promises to close as humanity's irresistible urge to spread continues. The plasmamen, animated remains of humans who have incinerated in plasmafires, dully continue in human borders, as do polysmorphs and IPCS: the former a series of human-xenomorph hybrid experiments, the latter a mimic of organic intelligence- a humanoid robot with free will. Finally, the children of the Vxtvul Empire, the preternis people rapidly spread and enforce their own territory at the edges of human space. The Remnants of Vxtvul represent the largest potential threat to the SIC's unity and establishment of peace, yet action only exists at the micro-level. For example, some human explorers or corporate scientists go to raid and scavenge the carcass of the Vxtrin's work, and the preternis oppose them wherever possible.

Your character could be one of these many alien species. They could have been raised on a bustling station, in a juvenile colony, in the depths of an under-city where street construction at skyscraper-level heights blots the sun from reaching the ground: this is a time of fabulous constructions, and awe-inspiring ingenuity. Life expectancy has never been higher, and developments in biomechanical and genetic research permit for the eradication or rectifying of even the most severe ailments. However, despite all this, life in space is still ultimately cruel and dangerous. In the infinite void, the machines that guarantee basic organic need can turn dangerous and catastrophic if not maintained well, and there will always be countless workers in the process of guaranteeing such needs. Maybe it was a deal too good to pass up, or it was the only job you could take, but regardless, you've found yourself in the employment of the corporate giant known as Nanotrasen. Perhaps you've spent a lot of time aboard their stations, or you were enlisted in a sponsorship program, but regardless, you've been transferred or hired to one of Nanotrasen's newest stations. Sporting several experimental devices and state-of-the-art facilities, the station's purpose is multifold; combining manufacturing research, power development, material harvesting, and a variety of other sciences.

Welcome to Space Station 13.

Organizations

Nanotrasen

Nanotrasen's corporate logo

Nanotrasen is the largest independent company across all of Commonwealth space. Their wealth and unrivaled corporate power have gained admiration and jealousy from many. Led by the ruthless Quentin Zandar, Nanotrasen has, in recent history, become more aggressive than ever. Conflicts in recent years have arisen between Nanotrasen and the more newly founded Syndicate, while the Commonwealth attempts to keep the situation stable. Currently, situations are at a near boiling point, due to the recent discovery of a new mineral dubbed plasma. With the two competitors vying for the ability to research this revolutionary material, Nanotrasen has managed to achieve temporary sole research abilities through bribes and threats of Commonwealth Officials. All of these underhanded tactics, has led to Nanotrasen becoming weaker than ever, and if the infant research facility “Space Station 13” is to fail, Nanotrasen’s long age of domination may come to an end.

The Syndicate

The Syndicate's official logo

A corporate coalition founded to oppose Nanotrasen’s long run domination over the Commonwealth market. Founded by prominent corporations such as Cybersun Industries, Donk Co., and Waffle Co., when combined the market share of the Syndicate is much higher than Nanotrasen. However, the Syndicate struggles with internal unity, with many of the internal companies being long term rivals. Though struggling to maintain their coalition, the Syndicate has managed to reverse Nanotrasen’s long term growth in total market share. In the modern-day, the Syndicate is working on slowing Nanotrasen’s plasma research through corporate espionage and other underhanded tactics, and are attempting to get their own plasma research facility.

The Commonwealth of Orion

The Emblem of the Commonwealth of Orion

The greatest power known to all, the Commonwealth of Orion was founded on the four principles of freedom, democracy, safety, and justice. The Commonwealth has, for 211 years, been the sole known galactic superpower, after the defeat of their authoritarian rivals the URS led to a golden age of human expansion. The golden age came to a close with the Soul Act of 2480, leading to the revolt of 200 systems and a fragmenting of the Commonwealth’s once monolithic power. This revolt is finally coming to an end however with a mere 10 systems remaining in open revolt. Accompanying this is the decrease in corporate influence over politics, with both the Syndicate and Nanotrasen losing influence in recent years over politicians. For now, the Commonwealth is seeking to maintain a balance between the Syndicate and Nanotrasen, until their internal issues come to an end.

The Wizard Federation

A collective of magic users dedicated to further educating themselves and keeping their magic from lesser beings. Nearly every wizard or witch is aligned with this collective, and they are a relatively enigmatic power rarely dealing with those below them. To train, however, the Federation sends their apprentices across the stars to cause havoc and mayhem. Space Station 13 orbits lavaland, where many wizards once tinkered, and may just become a target for the next new wizard test.

The Cult of Eldritch Gods

A collective of cults banned across Commonwealth space, due to their violent practices and avocation. The two largest cults, the Blood Cult of Nar-Sie and the Clock Cult of Ratvar, have fled to the far outer systems of the Commonwealth. However, even in exile they still seek to bring their eldritch gods to the mortal plane. Many people do not believe these gods even exist across most of space, but they are terribly real. However, their forceful conversion rituals are known to be stopped by holy water, which has led to their near eradication. Their threat to the Commonwealth and Nanotrasen is seen as of little significance.

Species

Humans

Humans originate from the planet Earth in the Sol system. They are the largest and most populous race across all of SIC space. With unmatched ambition and rapid expansion, humanity finds itself the largest empire of the present year, 2517.

Lizardpersons/Vuulen

Vuulen originate from the planet Sangris within the Val system. The first species humanity has encountered outside of the Sol system, the Coalition's invasion of Sangris in 2401 marked the beginning of a troubled history between humans and vuulen. While the passage of time and more lenient xeno policies have seen the creation of several habituation stations, designed with the intent to integrate the lizards into human communities. While they enjoy significantly more rights than in the past, corporations such as Nanotrasen still exploit the apprehension surrounding vuulen to extend them less pay and protection under company policy.

Phytosians

Phytosians originate from the planet Mulvoda within the Creo system. The most recent species humanity has encountered, the secretive and isolated nature of their primary government, the Gukdem Confederacy, means very few are seen in SIC space. While slowly beginning to work through diplomatic relations with the Coalition, the few phytosians that venture out and explore the galaxy tend to either be political exiles or loyalists, the former fleeing persecution while the latter seek to gather more information about this strange universe that the phytosian collective has been exposed to.

Plasmamen

Plasmamen are the animated remains of humans who have died in plasmafires which are then exposed to pure plasma environments. Technically the first xeno species humanity has encountered, the initial experiments with baroxuldium (also known as plasma) were disasterous, spawning the first generation of plasmamen in 2384. Holding onto glimpses of all the lives that perished in the fire, each plasmaman continues their newfound existence with apathy and detachment ever-present. Often confused regarding their past identities because of these overlapping memories, they continue to work in SIC space, often resuming their past occupation.

Mothpersons/Ex'hau

Ex'hau originate from the low-g planet of Wallalius within the Deria system. One of two space-faring species that humanity has uncovered, the significant decentralization of their people in their body of space means widespread, constant conflict and tension. While physically distant from the Sol and Val systems, some mothpersons still find their way to SIC space in search of a new life, sometimes as an escape from their old one. As humans are primarily suited to one-g environments, any ex'hai that wishes to work on a standard station often has to undergo significant treatment and therapy in order to make their bodies able to withstand the stress of standard gravity.

Ethereals

Ethereals originate from the planet Borealia within the Elix system. The other space-faring species that humanity has discovered, these benign humanoids work under the guidance of religious elders, most commonly the Lightseers. Their primary expansion into space is motivated by pilgrimage or other cultural reasons. Believing themselves to be the descendants of stars, ethereals often find themselves in SIC space either mid-transit or whilst obtaining work in order to pay their journeys. Older ones who have completed various pilgrimages might settle down into an established position, working to fund other ethereals or simply integrate into a newfound galactic community.

Preterni

Preterni of the present day originate from the mechanical world of Ur'lan on the fringes of the Val system. A species uniquely produced from highly-advanced lathes that were created by the ancient Vxtrin people, the preterni expand and lay claim to much of the Vxtvul Empire's old technology, ensuring their continuation through the re-activation and maintenance of several preterni lathes. Highly at odds with humanity due to their scrapping, destruction, and subversion of several Vxtvul creations, the Remnants and the Coalition exist in an uneasy cold war, neither desiring to openly attack the other, while they secretly try to combat and parley over the immensely valuable technology present in Vxtvul ruins.

Polysmorphs

Polysmorphs come from various colonies that were established by Sano-Waltfield Industries, though the human-xenomorph hybrids are no longer produced and are incapable of natural reproduction. As a result, they're expected to die out within the next century or two, depending on how long they can live. Despite this, they're still kept in employment by Nanotrasen, permitted to live on SIC stations so long as their work with NT continues. Often dysfunctional and odd, very few are comfortable in their presence, especially with their visage so closely related to xenomorphs.

IPCs

IPCs are robotic humanoids that are produced by humans. Possessing free will and sapience due to their lack of artificial intelligence laws, the integrated positronic chassis are common workers in various positions across all of civilized space, though they mostly work within the borders of the SIC. They are often underpaid, and those that exist in SIC space as quasi-civilians often undergo extensive surveillance and auditing to ensure they possess no threat to organics.

Locations

Space Station 13

Space Station 13 is Nanotrasen’s thirteenth non-subsidiary owned research station dedicated to plasma research. Uniquely, Space Station 13 is the only plasma research facility. Constructed in orbit of the planet dubbed Lavaland, plasma is found here and in the surrounding solar system abundantly. As one of the first actual Nanotrasen research stations constructed in fifty years, it serves many additional purposes such as:

• Genetics Research, with a team staffed by some of the best scientists from Chimera DNA Technologies
• Bluespace Technology, due to a large amount of bluespace “glitches” end with their trips ending somewhere in the solar system. An odd amount of ruins has been observed in flyovers of the planet
• Artificial Intelligence Testing: Nanotrasen, in secret, have created fully functional Ai’s under a Man-Machine Interfaces, and are testing some new versions of this technology in station

Lavaland

Lavaland is the planet Space Station 13 is currently in orbit around. Deep in the far reaches of Commonwealth space, Lavaland is one of the most recent discoveries by explorers. This planet is full of a previously undiscovered mineral known as plasma, with unique properties allowing technologies never previously thought possible. Uniquely, lavaland is also covered with an offshoot of the species Unathi, ruins of ancient wizard dwellings, and extremely hostile fauna to all life. This planet is one of the most dangerous in the galaxy, due to this all and additionally the known bluespace instability.

Central Command

Space Station 13 is located in the Ciastor sector, and every sector has one Central Command or CentComm. CentComm is a large facility currently running Space Station 13’s housing facilities, Emergency Response Teams, and the sector’s bureaucracy. CentComm is also responsible for sending the escape shuttle to retrieve the crew at the end of the shift, or due to disaster on the station. Occasionally CentComm has an officer actively keeping tabs on the station, but due to impracticality this only occurs rarely.