Common Terms and Abbreviations:
FTL - Faster Than Light. Often used when talking about the speeds of starships, or 'FTL drives', where the method of FTL travel is unknown.
GCY - Galactic Common Year. Established by the Cha'karri - or other species still in existence during that time - during a time where no other species had achieved FTL travel. Outside of the Cha'karri records, the earliest recorded year of the Galactic Common Calendar is 157 GCY.
GCC - Galactic Common Calendar. Year as of "Chapter 5 - Rumblings in The Deep": 15739 GCY.
GST - Galactic Standard Time. 100 seconds go into a minute, 100 minutes go into an hour, 10 hours go into a day, 500 days go into a year. Every 10 years is a decade, 100 years a century, 1000 a millennium, 10000 a centennium, 100000 a "myriad of year." For unknown reasons, the phrase "Giga Life" from the cha'karri means "1 billion years." As for why there does not exist one for 1 million, 10 million, or 100 million is unknown as well.
SRW - Shattered Realms War. Further information is avaliable under section "Events," belonging to its own sub-section.
UNE - United Nations of Earth. Further information is avaliable under the sub-section "Humanity," in the section "Species in The Galaxy."
LVT - Lud Void Traversers. Further informations is avaliable under the sub-section "Ludrians," in the section "Species in The Galaxy."
OSP - Orbital Space Station. A space station that orbits around a planet, natural satellite, or any other orbitable celestial body that is not a star.
FDSP - Free Drifting Space Station. A space station that does not orbit around a celestial body, and instead, drifts freely in space.
SOSP - Solar Orbiting Space Station. A space station that orbits a star, often used in hostile or commonly travled solar systems to protect an asset in the system.
HSS - Humanity's Spaceship. Prefix used for the UNE's spaceships.
Species in The Galaxy:
Humanity (adj: Human, singular: Human, multiple: Humans):
One of the younger species in the galaxy, but also the fastest growing. Discovered FTL travel in 15639 GCY, and expanded rapidly before encountering the borders of other nations, where expansion stopped. Expansion recently resumed with the advent of the SRW. Their ruling body is the United Nations of Earth, and is currently headed by President Arthur Laudrick. They are a solitary force in the SRW with no direct allies or enemies. The only force that has actively engaged humanity in more than just skrimishes is the Tellairan Hive. As humanity is the lead species of this story, it will have far more information in it than the other races. Such as... Space Naval Rankings:
Private - The beginner, given the basics of duty, like handing over mass driver rounds or wheeling carts of energy batteries for the turbolasers.
??? - Ranks will go here, though it is currently uncertain as to what ranks shall occupy these positions.
Ensign - Somewhat low on the ranking specturm, though something to be proud of. The holder of this rank is commissioned a corvette to captain, and a new name for the ship if another one is unavaliable. Takes orders from their commanding Captain.
Captain - Medium-low on the ranking chart. The holder of this rank is commissioned a destroyer to captain, and the previously owned corvette is given to an Ensign or other commanding officer. The previous name of the corvette shall be removed from the vessel and transferred over to the new destroyer. Is the commanding officer of 5 corvettes and takes orders from their commanding Sergeant.
Sergeant - Medium of the ranking chart. The holder of this rank is commissioned a cruiser to captain, and the previously owned destroyer is given to a Captain or other commanding officer. The previous name of the destroyer shall be removed from the vessel and transferred over to the new cruiser. Is the commanding officer of 5 destroyers and takes orders from their commanding Lieutenant.
Lieutenant - Medium-high on the ranking chart. The holder of this ranks is commissioned a battlecruiser to captain, and the previously owned cruiser is given to a Sergeant or other commanding officer. The previous name of the cruiser shall be removed from the vessel and transferred over to the new battlecruiser. Is the commanding officer of 3 cruisers and takes orders from their commanding Major
Major - Medium-high on the ranking chart. The holder of this rank is either commissioned a carrier, or allowed to modify their current battlecruiser. Should the major choose to captain a carrier, the previously owned cruiser is given to a Lieutenant or other commanding officer. The previous name of the cruiser shall be removed from the vessel and transferred over the new carrier. Is the commanding officer of 3 Lieutenant-ranked battlecruisers and takes orders directly from the commanding officer of the fleet, which is either an admiral or a commanding officer directly under the admiral.
??? - Ranks will go here, though it is currently uncertain as to what ranks shall occupy these positions.
Admiral - The commander of a fleet. Though fleets may be split into smaller fleets, the person who holds this rank has the final say in the fleet. Currently, there are 5 officers who hold the rank of Admiral.
Fleet Admiral - The commander of the space navy, the top brass, the one who makes the rules 'round here. This person is the highest authority in the space navy, and only one person can hold this rank at a time. Though this ranking can be held outside of wartime, the only time when the person who holds this rank actually does anything is duing wartime. This is a Branch Commander ranking.
Commander-in-Chief - The only person in the military that has higher authority than the Branch Commanders. This person is often only needed to settle legal disputes between the branches of the military, and the actual commanding is often left to the respective Branch Commanders.
Tellairan (adj: Tellairan, singular: Tellairan, multiple: Tellairans):
Referred to as the Tellairan Hive when speaking generally. A hive mind that predates most space-faring empires. The members of this speices are connected by a inherint neural link that connects all tellairans into one mind. Should any member of this species be disconnected from the neural link, it will quickly die. This bipedal species has an average height of 10 feet, with many similarities to the human race. Differences include a lack of body hair, two pairs of arms with four fingers, three sets of eyes, and a predominately white skin color, as well as a four-toed foot. No, not a human white, but the actual color white. This hive minds seeks only to conquer and expand, through any means necessary. Since they are all of one mind, there has is no actual government, or specialized members of the species. They are all drones for the mind, and an individual drone does not show any different talents or preferences compared to any other drone. A hive mind can only be destroyed by killing any and all drones. Its technological and military prowess are extremely high, and can only be matched by the cha'karri and riifrei.
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Cha'karri (adj: Cha'karrian, singular: Cha'karran, multiple: Cha'karri):
An ancient species that is considered the first sapients in the galaxy. Ruled by the Cha'kaan Imperium, this species is known for its overwhelming superiority in every aspect, be it science, physical prowess, military, or history. This species closely follows the same beliefs as that of the Isolationist faction of humanity, and only gets involved when the Emperor deems it necessary. Though having scared off the tellairan military multiple times, small amounts of tellairan vessels harrass the cha'karri at every opprotunity. The cha'karri react only in self-defense, and have never been recorded to actively involve themselves in any "squabbles" between the other races. This bipedal species has an average height of about 4 feet, and is resembles dragons of human fantasy novels. This race's legs are shaped like a lightning bolt, where the knees go back and slightly upwards, before continuing down until the three-toed claws are flush with the knees. They have a singular horn potruding back from their cranium, and extends about half a foot forward. This species has a single pair of arms that are similar to the legs, having three fingers/claws, but without the distinctive lightning bolt shape of the legs. Most often, the color of their scales are green, but other members of the race have blue, black, gray, or even red scales. The royal family is the only lineage known to have purple scales.
Riifrei (adj: Riifrei, singular: Riifrei, multiple: Riifrei):
The riifrei are not like other species, in that the riifrei live in the vacuum of space. They feed off of UV rays and cosmic radiation, making them much like plants. However, they do posess a rather skewed technology. Most of their 'weapons' consist of them using contraptions to amplify their already powerful biological weaponry. Though the actual workings of the riifrei and their technology are still not understood, many species assume they are the result of cha'karrian experimentation, due to the large amount of riifrei observed in cha'karrian space. The riifrei resemble whales from Earth, only that their size is that of asteroids and live in space. They come in green, red, or a greenish blue color.
Ludrians (adj: Ludrian, singular: Lundrian, multiple: Ludrians):
The ludrians are orginized under the Lud Void Traversers, a rather unique nation. The ludrians have no known systems under their control, instead preferring to roam the wonders and locations the galaxy contains. Orginized in an oligarchy, the government's main purpose is to decide which system or other locations to visit next. There is only ever a need for diplomacy during first contact, as the ludrians most often have no need for anything from the nations they visit, nor do the nations they visit often need anything from them aside from knowledge, which most of which the ludrians are happy to cede. Though the ludrians only share information obtained in the galaxy they are currently in, it is speculated that the Lud Void Traversers have roots in other galaxies. The speculation has no base, but is quite popular among the other races. The ludrians hold their advantage in the field of FTL travel, as this is the focus of their entire civilization.
Events:
Shattered Realms War (SRW):
The Shattered Realms War is the focus of the story "Of Blood, Steel, and Lasers," and is the galactic equivalent of World War 1. Beginning on 15729 GCY, SRW has raged for 10 years, until we arrive at the current time of 15739 GCY. This war was begun by the Tellairan Hive, when it launched its massive forces to invade and enslave every species that was not tellairan. Though they offered preferrable treatment to those who willingly submitted, only a few submitted to them immediately. However, after a few years of the Tellairan Hive basically bullying the small and medium nations, many caved in and accepted vassaldom within five years. After 15734 GCY, the amount of nations that submitted to Tellairan display of force reached zero, and nations only submitted when they lost a large, or important, part of their territory. There were also some species that refused to bend knee, and were extinguished by the Tellairan Hive. Though these species were supposed to be eradicated by the Tellairan Hive, the riifrei, ludrians, or cha'karri would intervene to save a few members of each species, effectively preserving the species themselves. Currently, the Tellairan Hive is experiencing a roadblock in the form of powerful nations and the UNE, which had made it into the ranks of galactic superpowers in 15736 GCY.
Battle of Tau Ceti - The first major battle between the tellairans and humanity, conducted in the system of Tau Ceti. Humanity was able to repel the Tellairan Hive from Tau Ceti space, and secured themselves the first major victory in the SRW. Though a normal victory and loss on the surface, hidden whispers tell of a darker plan at work... Diagram of the battle in the post-chapter note.
Founding of The Galactic Calendar:
Though mostly a historic anomoly, this event actually happened. Though the only species that has knowledge of this event is the cha'karri, scholars of other races have tried constantly to obtain knowledge about this surely important historical event.
People (Persons, Individuals, Important Characters, Memorable Figure, etc.)
Taliseen Gunther Avet - The main character of "Of Blood, Steel, and Lasers" and a human in the service of the United Nations of Earth's space navy. He holds the rank of Ensign and is the captain of the corvette "Duty." Was awarded the Bronze Star for Heroic Service for his actions in the Battle of Tau Ceti. His middle name is never actually mentioned in the story.
Captain Mary Reacher - A female captain belonging to the United Nations of Earth's space navy. She captains the destroyer "Charmer." Was awarded the Bronze Star for Heroic Service for her actions in the Battle of Tau Ceti.
Major John Williams - A close friend of Mary Reacher, and is a major of the United Nations of Earth's space navy. Was the leader of the forces that repelled the tellairans in the Battle of Tau Ceti. Was awarded the Silver Star for Meritorious Service for his actions in the Battle of Tau Ceti.
President Arthur Laudrick - The current president of the United Nations of Earth.
Orginizations and Members
Varthõrÿņ Council - An orginization shrouded in darkness. It seems to have some connection to the tellairan hive mind, but the exact nature of that connection is unknown. It also seems to have some ability to use psionic energy, and in possibly massive amounts. The names of the known members are: Hrõfgëir, Drõstë, and Nãävgæ.
Other (Anything important that doesn't fall into any of the previous catagories):
Bronze Star for Heroic Service - A medal given to members of the UNE's military for distinguishing themselves on the battlefield.
Mass Drivers - Kinetic batteries meant for space warfare. Has no explosive power, but has much of the destructive power of missiles and much of the speed of energy weapons. One of the three main forms of weaponry.
Energy Weapons - Energy weapons are weapons that use lasers as their way of injury. It has the fastest speed and melts through many things, but has trouble penetrating shields and uses the most amount of energy out of the three main forms of weaponry. Turbolasers and energy rifles are two applications of this technology.
Missiles - By far the most destructive of the three main forms of weaponry. Missiles either are on the level, or surpass that of nuclear missiles. This is mainly used in space-to-space and ground-to-space combat,and ground-to-ground and space-to-ground have less destructive missiles to avoid destroying the enviornment.
Hyperspace - A method of FTL travel where a ship uses a hyperdrive to access hyperplanes to travel between systems. Though fast and efficient, it is bound by hyperplanes, and must move through the hyperplanes to get from system to system. Enters hyperspace through hypergates, loose areas of space. Hyperspace travel is not Intradimensional travel.
Wormholes - A method of FTL travel restricted by immoveable wormhole generators at the edges of solar systems. Wormhole generators generate wormholes for ships that lack FTL drives to move from system to system with. These wormhole generators, however, have a certain range, and new ones must be built to travel through the galaxy. Wormhole travel is different from intradimensional jump, as a wormhole "folds" space, instead of leaving it to enter another dimension.
Intradimensional Jump - As the name suggests, a method of travel (not actually FTL travel) that allows the ship outfitted with this drive to move into a different dimension (often called the 5th dimension, energy dimension, or the Broken Plane), and then leave the 5th dimension and appear elsewhere in the original dimension. Possible application of this technology include the visitation of other dimensions, or even harnessing the power of these dimensions to create energy.
Warp - A versatile method of FTL travel where a ship is surrounded by a warp bubble that allows it to reach speeds faster than light. Though somewhat slow, it is not restricted to hyperplanes or bound by wormhole generators.
Cloaking Ship - A starship that serves only to cloak a larger fleet. It is effectively useless in combat, and, once the fleet it is protecting reaches its destination, it usually leaves immediately unless it it destroyed first. It has no weapons and armor just strong enough to not be destroyed by a vacuum.