I wasn't sure whether to post this in the main forum, in the fiction/lore forum, or here in Exploration. I figured here is where people are most likely to actually need this info, so here it is. I hope it comes in handy to anyone setting out on an Exploration run... or to anyone suddenly needing the closest starport to dash back to after smashing out their cockpit glass.
After my two month long (and occasionally interrupted) grand tour of the Outback, here are the results of my surveying. This is, as near as I can tell, a complete list of inhabited star systems situated outside the Bubble. There are 17 systems in total. I looked all over the forum and as far as I know, no-one else has compiled all this information in one easy-to-find place. If it's not complete, please let me know and I will update the list - and yes, I know I haven't added the new station in Maia yet. The systems are listed in alphanumeric order.
The system descriptions are partly based on established Elite lore, partly on Galnet and other "official" ED news sources, and partly on my own bizarre imagination. As with all fan-based lore, it is open to re-interpretation, cancellation and revokation at any time.
17 Draconis
Galactic co-ordinates: -306 272 50
Distance from Sol: 412 LY
System government: Confederacy Federation
Default map status: Explored
Starports: 1
Paradiso Outpost Service Confederacy Federation
[This system is something of an anomaly, being created to show off aspects of the game for a tech show demonstration in 2014. I suppose one could write up a "lore" reason for its existence. I had something like the following in mind.]
Eccentric holovid director Jeb Danishman was a stickler for detail. When nitpickers pointed out that the "far flung Seronetta system" featured in his 3181 blockbuster "Distant Suns" trilogy was actually and obviously the Altair system, he took it personally. So for his next planned trilogy, "The Farthest Stars", he decided to spare no expense and set out to build his very own star system, out in deep space, to use as a film set. Universal Cartographics was of tremendous help, pointing out that the best star system that fitted his criteria (remote, uninhabited Earth-like planet with a unique and distinctive star-system layout) was 17 Draconis, with an Earth-like in orbit around a gas giant in a triple-sun system.
Filming began in 3187, after a five-month-long voyage using old-style hyperdrives. Of course, the actors and crew needed a real-live space station to cater to their whims in between takes, as well as a space station to use as a scenic backdrop, so one was hastily built and shipped out. Filming took seven years, during which time the system also played host to tourist liners full of holovid fans hoping for a glimpse of their favourite stars. Unfortunately, "The Farthest Stars" failed to live up to the hype and made a substantial loss, ruining Danishman's reputation in the process. The film set was abandoned with Federation-backed administrators taking control, providing a skeleton crew to look after the occasional tourist cruiser that still made it out this far.
Over a hundred years later, the situation has changed very little. Visitors to 17 Draconis should be aware that, although Paradiso Outpost looks like a fully functional Orbis-class space station from the outside, it's still mostly an empty movie prop on the inside. As the planet below is still largely uninhabited, there is nothing to actually buy here and, while the automated goods transshipment facility will happily take commodities off your hands, the extreme lack of demand for anything at all means any regular trade goods brought out here will likely make a significant loss when sold. The "shipyard" is also devoid of any actual parts and modules for sale, though the damage-repair facility and ship repainting dock (both extensively used by Danishman during filming) are still fully operational.
Aditi
Galactic co-ordinates: 73 -338 -159
Distance from Sol: 380 LY
System government: Patronage Empire
Default map status: Explored
Starports: 2
PEW-1901 Agricultural Patronage Empire
SMJL-Central Refinery Corporate Empire
The first stop on the "Fehu Spur", a couple of widely-spaced Imperial worlds founded far out from the main front of Imperial colonization, in the opposite direction from Achenar to Federation space. Founded in secret during the last major conflict with the Federation, their existence is now public knowledge, though they are still seen by certain members of the Imperial ruling class as an emergency redoubt, in the unlikely event of the Empire suffering a severe military defeat within its home space. As it stands, the two systems of the Fehu Spur make perfect stopping bases for explorers setting off in (or coming home from) the general direction of Galactic Down. The next stop out and terminus of the Spur is the Fehu system.
Almagest
Galactic co-ordinates: -275 -11 -271
Distance from Sol: 386 LY
System government: Corporate Independent
Default map status: Unexplored
Starports: 1
Sirius Reach Terraforming Corporate Independent
This is the fourth of seven stops along the "Sothis Spur", a string of colonies very recently established By Sirius Corporation. Situated roughly halfway between Te Kaha and Sothis, it is a "natural"s stopping-off point for anyone wishing to visit Sothis by the most direct route. As with most of the Sothis Spur worlds the station is an Orbis-class and is still "under construction" at time of writing.
BD+22 4939
Galactic co-ordinates: -236 -193 -80
Distance from Sol: 315 LY
System government: Dictatorship Independent
Default map status: Explored
Starports: 1
Hansford's Landing Agricultural-Refinery Dictatorship Independent
There are four planets in this system with oxygen atmospheres, though only the innermost was within the habitable zone of the star. Terraforming of the first planet was begun over fifty years ago by a consortium of independent factions that promised colonists a frontier lifestyle far away from interference by any of the major galactic powers. The terraforming is now complete; situated just outside the "bubble" of Inhabited Space, this system - which is yet to be granted a common name, even though the colonists vehemently disagree about how the catalogue designation should be pronounced - is now home to a flourishing agricultural planet but, due to the lack of neighbours to trade their agricultural produce with at the moment, the system remains a quiet backwater. It may be a helpful Last Stop for explorers bound for "The Negs", or the Rimward-Down-and-Spinward direction.
Canopus
Galactic co-ordinates: 280 -132 -40
Distance from Sol: 312 LY
System government: Anarchy Independent
Default map status: Explored
Starports: 1
Rangarajan's Base Extraction Democracy Federation
From Earth and from most of the worlds first colonized by Mankind, the white supergiant star Canopus is one of the brightest stars in the night sky, a shining beacon that attracted adventurers and colonists in the very early days of exploration - especially once minable resources were found on the few barren planets in the system. The only starport orbits a world at a considerable distance from the FSD arrival point, so travellers heading off in the general direction of the Magellanic Clouds and are seeking a quick stopover may be better advised to avoid this star system in favour of neighbouring Exphiay.
Long a haunt for pirates and privateers, the controlling factions of Canopus and Exphiay have recently been at loggerheads. Currently, the ruling faction of Canopus is a Federation-aligned faction originally based out of Exphiay - which is ironic as the criminal gang ousted from Canopus now controls the Exphiay system. Explorers hoping to use one of these two stars as an emergency repair facility are well advised to spend the few seconds it takes to check the starmap and ensure which (if either) system is not in anarchy.
Ceos
Galactic co-ordinates: -349 13 -339
Distance from Sol: 486 LY
System government: Corporate Independent
Default map status: Unexplored
Starports: 1
New Dawn Station Terraforming Corporate Independent
The second-last stop on the Sothis Spur, and within an easy single jump of Sothis itself. This unusual proximity of two frontier worlds means that Ceos and Sothis usually have a more turbulent political situation than other Spur worlds. For example, it was recently (and briefly) taken over by a Communist faction.
Exphiay
Galactic co-ordinates: 290 -129 -30
Distance from Sol: 318 LY
System government: Anarchy Independent
Default map status: Explored
Starports: 2
Worlidge Hub Service Anarchy Independent
James K Winston Refinery Anarchy Independent
Slightly further away from Sol than the nearby Canopus system, Exphiay was originally founded by a small splinter group from there. The proximity and the lack of any other neighbours means that local facitons are constantly meddling in the affairs of their neighbour.
In many respects, Exphiay is a more accessable system than nearby Canopus, in that the stations are much closer to the arrival point and that there are two stations to choose from, giving twice the likelihood that there will be a "safe" spaceport for a poorly armed or badly damaged explorer. Both stations are currently under the control of a criminal gang from Canopus, but this may change again in the future.
Fehu
Galactic co-ordinates: 46 -449 -127
Distance from Sol: 468 LY
System government: Patronage Empire
Default map status: Explored
Starports: 2
Frigschneck's Resort Agricultural Patronage Empire
Thompson-Keen Asylum Refinery Patronage Empire
The terminus of the Fehu Spur, Fehu has all the comforts of civilization that a long-established colony world brings, while at the same time being "way out there" on the furthest fringe of Human space. The name of the space station around the agricultural world indicates a desire by the local governor to promote Fehu as a "get away from it all" tourist destination. Wealthy tourists are advised that, although the station is very upmarket in appearance, the facilities are nowhere near as luxurious as can be found on more central Imperial tourist planets. It is, however, an ideal "last stop" for anyone heading off exploring in the general direction of Galactic Down; Fehu is about halfway between Sol and the edge of the easily navigable galactic disc.
HIP 74290
Galactic co-ordinates: -254 -40 279
Distance from Sol: 379 LY
System government: Democracy Independent
Default map status: Unexplored
Starports: 1
Pratchett's Disc Terraforming, Extraction Democracy Independent
In the 2900s, a wave of "twentieth century mania" swept the galaxy, seeing a fashionable revival of hundreds of millenia-old entertainment franchises such as books, television and movies. The legacy of this can still be seen in numerous systems, such as George Lucas Station in the Leesti system. But one of the most interesting legacies, from an anthropological point of view, has to be the remote colony of HIP 74290.
At the height of the craze in the 2950s, several dozen "themed" colony ships were launched, each one carrying diehard fans of a certain film or book franchise, with the aim of founding self-sufficient colonies in deep space that imitated their beloved fictional civilizations as closely as possible. The only one that seems to have flourished is the one launched towards HIP 74290, which was themed around the "Discworld" novels written by fantasy-humour novelist Terry Pratchett. Assumed lost along with all the others, the galaxy was pleasantly surprised when contact was re-established with this eccentric lost colony in 3274.
Many doctoral theses have been written on the reasons why the "Discworld" colony not only survived but thrived, while the colony ships launched by the likes of the Klingons, Jedi, Elves, Timelords and the fans of "Gilligan's Island" all either failed or disappeared without trace. But in the HIP 74290 system, the colonists have done their best to re-create the Discworld universe, even though the terraforming of their chosen homeworld is still far from complete. There are three factions that vie for control here: the Ankh Guards (Democrats), One Vote One Value (dictatorship) and the criminal gang known as The Guild.
The system is also a practical alternative to Quince at being the "Last Stop" before heading off towards the Galactic Core.
HIP 8396
Galactic co-ordinates: -226 -13 -193
Distance from Sol: 297 LY
System government: Corporate Independent
Default map status: Unexplored
Starports: 1
Stepping Stone Base Extraction Corporate Independent
The second stop on the Sothis Spur, and unusual in that it is not a terraforming base, but rather a mining colony. Travellers are advised that facilities here are still extremely spartan; there is no shipyard, repair facilities nor munitions supply, for example. There isn't even a functioning Bulletin Board. The situation in this system is nevertheless positive, with Sirius Corp spending millions of credits on expanding the facilities here and encouraging miners to travel out here to begin to develop the system as a viable trading stop enroute to Sothis. Please note that the only starport in the system is an Outpost, so larger ships are not yet catered for.
LTT 9846
Galactic co-ordinates: -90 -272 11
Distance from Sol: 286 LY
System government: Anarchy Independent
Default map status: Explored
Starports: 1
Geoffrey's Crash Industrial Anarchy Independent
This system contains one of those rarities, a highly developed heavy industrial economy in deep space. Founded by a cartel of speculative investors not long after the invention of the Frame Shift Drive, the anticipated boom on colonization of neighbouring stars never materialized. With no market for their goods, the economy never really took off and the system has since fallen into Anarchy; well-armed long-range merchant ships with a spacious cargo hold are advised that many pieces of heavy machinery can often be obtained here far cheaper than they can in the more densely populated regions.
New Yembo
Galactic co-ordinates: -334 5 73
Distance from Sol: 341 LY
System government: Corporate Independent
Default map status: Unexplored
Starports: 1
Unity Terraforming, Extraction Corporate Independent
As may be assumed from the name, this planet was founded in very recent times by a faction based in the Yembo system. It's been less than a year since the mobile phase of the starport Unity arrived in orbit in the system formerly known as HIP 101110. This was the first system in which the efforts of independent pilots in expanding the frontier of human space was formally asked for and formally recognized, with the names of the top four contributors to the Unity Project emblazoned on the starmap entry for the system. It was the model for the later, successful Sirius Corp colonization efforts in the Sothis Spur.
Quince
Galactic co-ordinates: 57 341 333
Distance from Sol: 480 LY
System government: Patronage Empire
Default map status: Explored
Starports: 2
Millerport Agricultural Patronage Empire
Jeffries High Tourism Patronage Empire
[Quince is another galactic anomaly. In the FE2/FFE map, Quince was a central Imperial system, located not far from Facece and Achenar. It's lock-stock-and-barrel relocation to way out here in deep space is something that requires an explanation in Lore. Here is my attempt.]
A hundred years ago, Quince was a loyal, prosperous Imperial system, deep in Imperial space. Their sun was a red giant star but no-one really considered this to be a problem until, as eventually happens to all such stars, it became unstable and imploded into a white dwarf. Imperial astrometricians were, of course, forewarned decades in advance that this catastrophe was going to happen, so in 3266 they made the recommendation to evacuate the entire star system. The question arose as to where to relocate the people and, just as importantly, the indigenous lifeforms of the jungle planet New America that were widely seen as important to the colony's cultural identity. The Imperial Senate ratified the expensive evacuation project, in recognition of the centuries of service Quincet soldiers had happily provided for the defence and expansion of the Empire.
An uncolonized red giant star was located and it had a suitable planet with nearly identical surface conditions to New America; it also happened to have a continent recently stripped of native life by a recent asteroid impact. It was very, very far away from the rest of Imperial space, but the colonists believed the near-perfect match to their soon-to-become-extinct home system was worth that sacrifice. "Old Quince" was evacuated in plenty of time, well before the conflagration which happened in 3291. The white dwarf star in Imperial space formerly known as Quince has, in accordance with the wishes of the people of Quince and the charter of Universal Cartographics, been deleted from the galactic stellar database.
Until the recent colonization of the worlds of the Sothis Spur, Quince (nobody ever calls it "New Quince"; doing so is considered extremely rude and most Quincets remain very sensitive to being insulted) was the furthest Human colony from Sol and remains by far the most remote outpost of the Empire. In the years since the evacuation, the people of Quince have become fervent pacifists, knowing full well that the resupply route to the rest of Imperial space is not only very long, but passes right through the heart of both the Alliance and the Federation.
Quince is widely seen by many explorers of all political persuasions as being an excellent "Last Stop" before making the run towards the Galactic Core.
Robigo
Galactic co-ordinates: -303 7 -314
Distance from Sol: 436 LY
System government: Corporate Independent
Default map status: Unexplored
Starports: 1
Robigo Mines Extraction Corporate Independent
This small mining colony, stop 5 on the Sothis Spur route, offers the chance for pilots flying smaller ships to make a small profit on the side while enroute out to Sothis, producing some minerals that are in demand in the nearby Terraforming systems. Please note the error on the Galactic starmap: the map classifies it as another Terraforming system, when in fact the system is Extraction only. There are no terraformable planets in the system.
Sothis
Galactic co-ordinates: -353 10 -346
Distance from Sol: 494 LY
System government: Democracy Federation
Default map status: Unexplored
Starports: 2
Newholm Station Terraforming Democracy Federation
Sothis Mining Extraction Corporate Independent
Sothis is perhaps the most famous of the Outback systems and in the months since it was founded has become something of a pilgrimage site for explorers, tourists and the opportunistic. There are several reasons for this. At 494 LY from Sol, it's currently the most remote human settlement (although more remote ones are being planned as this is written). It is a logical Last Stop for explorers bound Spinward. The fact that Universal Cartographics still considers the system "Unexplored" - and will therefore pay commanders for scanning data for it - adds to the allure as there are a large number of high-value exploration targets in the system, including a binary pair of Earth-like worlds. The proximity to Ceos means there's always a chance to make money by meddling in the local politics - the system has swapped hands several times since Sirius Corp founded it less than a year ago, with a pro-Federation faction currently in control.
Perhaps the most interesting, and certainly one of the most lucrative, properties of the Sothis system is the recent discovery of an unusual allotropic form of gold that can be synthesised from regular gold only on exposure to underwater volcanic vents in this system. This "crystalline gold" is a Rare Good; it is highly sought after and valued everywhere else in Human space.
Takurua
Galactic co-ordinates: -254 -5 -254
Distance from Sol: 359 LY
System government: Corporate Independent
Default map status: Unexplored
Starports: 1
Foothold Orbital Terraforming Corporate Independent
Takurua, the third stop along the Sothis Spur, would be entirely unremarkable were it not for a curious social experiment introduced into the system on the orders of Pranav Antal, whereby they (briefly) took economic control of the system. You'll have to ask the Simguru's ardent followers if they thought the effort was worthwhile and/or if they intend to resume Control anytime soon, but for followers of other Powers, it was just another demonstration of the eccentric nature of that Power. The Control System status of Takurua has since been abandoned, with the system reverting to its previous, unassuming state.
Te Kaha
Galactic co-ordinates: -173 13 -155
Distance from Sol: 232 LY
System government: Corporate Independent
Default map status: Unexplored
Starports: 1
New Horizons Orbital Terraforming Corporate Independent
Only just "outside" the Bubble of inhabited systems, Te Kaha was founded by Sirius Corp at the same time as the other Sothis Spur worlds. The ultimate goal, one assumes, is to see these terraformed worlds become the nuclei of further expansion and development into nearby systems along the Spur.
After my two month long (and occasionally interrupted) grand tour of the Outback, here are the results of my surveying. This is, as near as I can tell, a complete list of inhabited star systems situated outside the Bubble. There are 17 systems in total. I looked all over the forum and as far as I know, no-one else has compiled all this information in one easy-to-find place. If it's not complete, please let me know and I will update the list - and yes, I know I haven't added the new station in Maia yet. The systems are listed in alphanumeric order.
The system descriptions are partly based on established Elite lore, partly on Galnet and other "official" ED news sources, and partly on my own bizarre imagination. As with all fan-based lore, it is open to re-interpretation, cancellation and revokation at any time.
17 Draconis
Galactic co-ordinates: -306 272 50
Distance from Sol: 412 LY
System government: Confederacy Federation
Default map status: Explored
Starports: 1
Paradiso Outpost Service Confederacy Federation
[This system is something of an anomaly, being created to show off aspects of the game for a tech show demonstration in 2014. I suppose one could write up a "lore" reason for its existence. I had something like the following in mind.]
Eccentric holovid director Jeb Danishman was a stickler for detail. When nitpickers pointed out that the "far flung Seronetta system" featured in his 3181 blockbuster "Distant Suns" trilogy was actually and obviously the Altair system, he took it personally. So for his next planned trilogy, "The Farthest Stars", he decided to spare no expense and set out to build his very own star system, out in deep space, to use as a film set. Universal Cartographics was of tremendous help, pointing out that the best star system that fitted his criteria (remote, uninhabited Earth-like planet with a unique and distinctive star-system layout) was 17 Draconis, with an Earth-like in orbit around a gas giant in a triple-sun system.
Filming began in 3187, after a five-month-long voyage using old-style hyperdrives. Of course, the actors and crew needed a real-live space station to cater to their whims in between takes, as well as a space station to use as a scenic backdrop, so one was hastily built and shipped out. Filming took seven years, during which time the system also played host to tourist liners full of holovid fans hoping for a glimpse of their favourite stars. Unfortunately, "The Farthest Stars" failed to live up to the hype and made a substantial loss, ruining Danishman's reputation in the process. The film set was abandoned with Federation-backed administrators taking control, providing a skeleton crew to look after the occasional tourist cruiser that still made it out this far.
Over a hundred years later, the situation has changed very little. Visitors to 17 Draconis should be aware that, although Paradiso Outpost looks like a fully functional Orbis-class space station from the outside, it's still mostly an empty movie prop on the inside. As the planet below is still largely uninhabited, there is nothing to actually buy here and, while the automated goods transshipment facility will happily take commodities off your hands, the extreme lack of demand for anything at all means any regular trade goods brought out here will likely make a significant loss when sold. The "shipyard" is also devoid of any actual parts and modules for sale, though the damage-repair facility and ship repainting dock (both extensively used by Danishman during filming) are still fully operational.
Aditi
Galactic co-ordinates: 73 -338 -159
Distance from Sol: 380 LY
System government: Patronage Empire
Default map status: Explored
Starports: 2
PEW-1901 Agricultural Patronage Empire
SMJL-Central Refinery Corporate Empire
The first stop on the "Fehu Spur", a couple of widely-spaced Imperial worlds founded far out from the main front of Imperial colonization, in the opposite direction from Achenar to Federation space. Founded in secret during the last major conflict with the Federation, their existence is now public knowledge, though they are still seen by certain members of the Imperial ruling class as an emergency redoubt, in the unlikely event of the Empire suffering a severe military defeat within its home space. As it stands, the two systems of the Fehu Spur make perfect stopping bases for explorers setting off in (or coming home from) the general direction of Galactic Down. The next stop out and terminus of the Spur is the Fehu system.
Almagest
Galactic co-ordinates: -275 -11 -271
Distance from Sol: 386 LY
System government: Corporate Independent
Default map status: Unexplored
Starports: 1
Sirius Reach Terraforming Corporate Independent
This is the fourth of seven stops along the "Sothis Spur", a string of colonies very recently established By Sirius Corporation. Situated roughly halfway between Te Kaha and Sothis, it is a "natural"s stopping-off point for anyone wishing to visit Sothis by the most direct route. As with most of the Sothis Spur worlds the station is an Orbis-class and is still "under construction" at time of writing.
BD+22 4939
Galactic co-ordinates: -236 -193 -80
Distance from Sol: 315 LY
System government: Dictatorship Independent
Default map status: Explored
Starports: 1
Hansford's Landing Agricultural-Refinery Dictatorship Independent
There are four planets in this system with oxygen atmospheres, though only the innermost was within the habitable zone of the star. Terraforming of the first planet was begun over fifty years ago by a consortium of independent factions that promised colonists a frontier lifestyle far away from interference by any of the major galactic powers. The terraforming is now complete; situated just outside the "bubble" of Inhabited Space, this system - which is yet to be granted a common name, even though the colonists vehemently disagree about how the catalogue designation should be pronounced - is now home to a flourishing agricultural planet but, due to the lack of neighbours to trade their agricultural produce with at the moment, the system remains a quiet backwater. It may be a helpful Last Stop for explorers bound for "The Negs", or the Rimward-Down-and-Spinward direction.
Canopus
Galactic co-ordinates: 280 -132 -40
Distance from Sol: 312 LY
System government: Anarchy Independent
Default map status: Explored
Starports: 1
Rangarajan's Base Extraction Democracy Federation
From Earth and from most of the worlds first colonized by Mankind, the white supergiant star Canopus is one of the brightest stars in the night sky, a shining beacon that attracted adventurers and colonists in the very early days of exploration - especially once minable resources were found on the few barren planets in the system. The only starport orbits a world at a considerable distance from the FSD arrival point, so travellers heading off in the general direction of the Magellanic Clouds and are seeking a quick stopover may be better advised to avoid this star system in favour of neighbouring Exphiay.
Long a haunt for pirates and privateers, the controlling factions of Canopus and Exphiay have recently been at loggerheads. Currently, the ruling faction of Canopus is a Federation-aligned faction originally based out of Exphiay - which is ironic as the criminal gang ousted from Canopus now controls the Exphiay system. Explorers hoping to use one of these two stars as an emergency repair facility are well advised to spend the few seconds it takes to check the starmap and ensure which (if either) system is not in anarchy.
Ceos
Galactic co-ordinates: -349 13 -339
Distance from Sol: 486 LY
System government: Corporate Independent
Default map status: Unexplored
Starports: 1
New Dawn Station Terraforming Corporate Independent
The second-last stop on the Sothis Spur, and within an easy single jump of Sothis itself. This unusual proximity of two frontier worlds means that Ceos and Sothis usually have a more turbulent political situation than other Spur worlds. For example, it was recently (and briefly) taken over by a Communist faction.
Exphiay
Galactic co-ordinates: 290 -129 -30
Distance from Sol: 318 LY
System government: Anarchy Independent
Default map status: Explored
Starports: 2
Worlidge Hub Service Anarchy Independent
James K Winston Refinery Anarchy Independent
Slightly further away from Sol than the nearby Canopus system, Exphiay was originally founded by a small splinter group from there. The proximity and the lack of any other neighbours means that local facitons are constantly meddling in the affairs of their neighbour.
In many respects, Exphiay is a more accessable system than nearby Canopus, in that the stations are much closer to the arrival point and that there are two stations to choose from, giving twice the likelihood that there will be a "safe" spaceport for a poorly armed or badly damaged explorer. Both stations are currently under the control of a criminal gang from Canopus, but this may change again in the future.
Fehu
Galactic co-ordinates: 46 -449 -127
Distance from Sol: 468 LY
System government: Patronage Empire
Default map status: Explored
Starports: 2
Frigschneck's Resort Agricultural Patronage Empire
Thompson-Keen Asylum Refinery Patronage Empire
The terminus of the Fehu Spur, Fehu has all the comforts of civilization that a long-established colony world brings, while at the same time being "way out there" on the furthest fringe of Human space. The name of the space station around the agricultural world indicates a desire by the local governor to promote Fehu as a "get away from it all" tourist destination. Wealthy tourists are advised that, although the station is very upmarket in appearance, the facilities are nowhere near as luxurious as can be found on more central Imperial tourist planets. It is, however, an ideal "last stop" for anyone heading off exploring in the general direction of Galactic Down; Fehu is about halfway between Sol and the edge of the easily navigable galactic disc.
HIP 74290
Galactic co-ordinates: -254 -40 279
Distance from Sol: 379 LY
System government: Democracy Independent
Default map status: Unexplored
Starports: 1
Pratchett's Disc Terraforming, Extraction Democracy Independent
In the 2900s, a wave of "twentieth century mania" swept the galaxy, seeing a fashionable revival of hundreds of millenia-old entertainment franchises such as books, television and movies. The legacy of this can still be seen in numerous systems, such as George Lucas Station in the Leesti system. But one of the most interesting legacies, from an anthropological point of view, has to be the remote colony of HIP 74290.
At the height of the craze in the 2950s, several dozen "themed" colony ships were launched, each one carrying diehard fans of a certain film or book franchise, with the aim of founding self-sufficient colonies in deep space that imitated their beloved fictional civilizations as closely as possible. The only one that seems to have flourished is the one launched towards HIP 74290, which was themed around the "Discworld" novels written by fantasy-humour novelist Terry Pratchett. Assumed lost along with all the others, the galaxy was pleasantly surprised when contact was re-established with this eccentric lost colony in 3274.
Many doctoral theses have been written on the reasons why the "Discworld" colony not only survived but thrived, while the colony ships launched by the likes of the Klingons, Jedi, Elves, Timelords and the fans of "Gilligan's Island" all either failed or disappeared without trace. But in the HIP 74290 system, the colonists have done their best to re-create the Discworld universe, even though the terraforming of their chosen homeworld is still far from complete. There are three factions that vie for control here: the Ankh Guards (Democrats), One Vote One Value (dictatorship) and the criminal gang known as The Guild.
The system is also a practical alternative to Quince at being the "Last Stop" before heading off towards the Galactic Core.
HIP 8396
Galactic co-ordinates: -226 -13 -193
Distance from Sol: 297 LY
System government: Corporate Independent
Default map status: Unexplored
Starports: 1
Stepping Stone Base Extraction Corporate Independent
The second stop on the Sothis Spur, and unusual in that it is not a terraforming base, but rather a mining colony. Travellers are advised that facilities here are still extremely spartan; there is no shipyard, repair facilities nor munitions supply, for example. There isn't even a functioning Bulletin Board. The situation in this system is nevertheless positive, with Sirius Corp spending millions of credits on expanding the facilities here and encouraging miners to travel out here to begin to develop the system as a viable trading stop enroute to Sothis. Please note that the only starport in the system is an Outpost, so larger ships are not yet catered for.
LTT 9846
Galactic co-ordinates: -90 -272 11
Distance from Sol: 286 LY
System government: Anarchy Independent
Default map status: Explored
Starports: 1
Geoffrey's Crash Industrial Anarchy Independent
This system contains one of those rarities, a highly developed heavy industrial economy in deep space. Founded by a cartel of speculative investors not long after the invention of the Frame Shift Drive, the anticipated boom on colonization of neighbouring stars never materialized. With no market for their goods, the economy never really took off and the system has since fallen into Anarchy; well-armed long-range merchant ships with a spacious cargo hold are advised that many pieces of heavy machinery can often be obtained here far cheaper than they can in the more densely populated regions.
New Yembo
Galactic co-ordinates: -334 5 73
Distance from Sol: 341 LY
System government: Corporate Independent
Default map status: Unexplored
Starports: 1
Unity Terraforming, Extraction Corporate Independent
As may be assumed from the name, this planet was founded in very recent times by a faction based in the Yembo system. It's been less than a year since the mobile phase of the starport Unity arrived in orbit in the system formerly known as HIP 101110. This was the first system in which the efforts of independent pilots in expanding the frontier of human space was formally asked for and formally recognized, with the names of the top four contributors to the Unity Project emblazoned on the starmap entry for the system. It was the model for the later, successful Sirius Corp colonization efforts in the Sothis Spur.
Quince
Galactic co-ordinates: 57 341 333
Distance from Sol: 480 LY
System government: Patronage Empire
Default map status: Explored
Starports: 2
Millerport Agricultural Patronage Empire
Jeffries High Tourism Patronage Empire
[Quince is another galactic anomaly. In the FE2/FFE map, Quince was a central Imperial system, located not far from Facece and Achenar. It's lock-stock-and-barrel relocation to way out here in deep space is something that requires an explanation in Lore. Here is my attempt.]
A hundred years ago, Quince was a loyal, prosperous Imperial system, deep in Imperial space. Their sun was a red giant star but no-one really considered this to be a problem until, as eventually happens to all such stars, it became unstable and imploded into a white dwarf. Imperial astrometricians were, of course, forewarned decades in advance that this catastrophe was going to happen, so in 3266 they made the recommendation to evacuate the entire star system. The question arose as to where to relocate the people and, just as importantly, the indigenous lifeforms of the jungle planet New America that were widely seen as important to the colony's cultural identity. The Imperial Senate ratified the expensive evacuation project, in recognition of the centuries of service Quincet soldiers had happily provided for the defence and expansion of the Empire.
An uncolonized red giant star was located and it had a suitable planet with nearly identical surface conditions to New America; it also happened to have a continent recently stripped of native life by a recent asteroid impact. It was very, very far away from the rest of Imperial space, but the colonists believed the near-perfect match to their soon-to-become-extinct home system was worth that sacrifice. "Old Quince" was evacuated in plenty of time, well before the conflagration which happened in 3291. The white dwarf star in Imperial space formerly known as Quince has, in accordance with the wishes of the people of Quince and the charter of Universal Cartographics, been deleted from the galactic stellar database.
Until the recent colonization of the worlds of the Sothis Spur, Quince (nobody ever calls it "New Quince"; doing so is considered extremely rude and most Quincets remain very sensitive to being insulted) was the furthest Human colony from Sol and remains by far the most remote outpost of the Empire. In the years since the evacuation, the people of Quince have become fervent pacifists, knowing full well that the resupply route to the rest of Imperial space is not only very long, but passes right through the heart of both the Alliance and the Federation.
Quince is widely seen by many explorers of all political persuasions as being an excellent "Last Stop" before making the run towards the Galactic Core.
Robigo
Galactic co-ordinates: -303 7 -314
Distance from Sol: 436 LY
System government: Corporate Independent
Default map status: Unexplored
Starports: 1
Robigo Mines Extraction Corporate Independent
This small mining colony, stop 5 on the Sothis Spur route, offers the chance for pilots flying smaller ships to make a small profit on the side while enroute out to Sothis, producing some minerals that are in demand in the nearby Terraforming systems. Please note the error on the Galactic starmap: the map classifies it as another Terraforming system, when in fact the system is Extraction only. There are no terraformable planets in the system.
Sothis
Galactic co-ordinates: -353 10 -346
Distance from Sol: 494 LY
System government: Democracy Federation
Default map status: Unexplored
Starports: 2
Newholm Station Terraforming Democracy Federation
Sothis Mining Extraction Corporate Independent
Sothis is perhaps the most famous of the Outback systems and in the months since it was founded has become something of a pilgrimage site for explorers, tourists and the opportunistic. There are several reasons for this. At 494 LY from Sol, it's currently the most remote human settlement (although more remote ones are being planned as this is written). It is a logical Last Stop for explorers bound Spinward. The fact that Universal Cartographics still considers the system "Unexplored" - and will therefore pay commanders for scanning data for it - adds to the allure as there are a large number of high-value exploration targets in the system, including a binary pair of Earth-like worlds. The proximity to Ceos means there's always a chance to make money by meddling in the local politics - the system has swapped hands several times since Sirius Corp founded it less than a year ago, with a pro-Federation faction currently in control.
Perhaps the most interesting, and certainly one of the most lucrative, properties of the Sothis system is the recent discovery of an unusual allotropic form of gold that can be synthesised from regular gold only on exposure to underwater volcanic vents in this system. This "crystalline gold" is a Rare Good; it is highly sought after and valued everywhere else in Human space.
Takurua
Galactic co-ordinates: -254 -5 -254
Distance from Sol: 359 LY
System government: Corporate Independent
Default map status: Unexplored
Starports: 1
Foothold Orbital Terraforming Corporate Independent
Takurua, the third stop along the Sothis Spur, would be entirely unremarkable were it not for a curious social experiment introduced into the system on the orders of Pranav Antal, whereby they (briefly) took economic control of the system. You'll have to ask the Simguru's ardent followers if they thought the effort was worthwhile and/or if they intend to resume Control anytime soon, but for followers of other Powers, it was just another demonstration of the eccentric nature of that Power. The Control System status of Takurua has since been abandoned, with the system reverting to its previous, unassuming state.
Te Kaha
Galactic co-ordinates: -173 13 -155
Distance from Sol: 232 LY
System government: Corporate Independent
Default map status: Unexplored
Starports: 1
New Horizons Orbital Terraforming Corporate Independent
Only just "outside" the Bubble of inhabited systems, Te Kaha was founded by Sirius Corp at the same time as the other Sothis Spur worlds. The ultimate goal, one assumes, is to see these terraformed worlds become the nuclei of further expansion and development into nearby systems along the Spur.
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