[Project_SN] Storybook/Setting Log

[Kilgs]

YEAR 7, Part II

YEAR 7, Part II​

[Intercepted Message]
DEST: Admiral Geradla, USSN-SPFLTFORCOM
ORI: Captain Mary Grams, USSN--Path of Ages

We have successfully plotted the route to GS050106. I made the decision to terminate our survey early given the positive information that our study of two objects within the system has accumulated. Admiral, I can report that there are two habitable planets within the system. I have logged, per Captain’s Prerogative, the system with my Gate Commission filing as the “Lawhead” system. This message will hopefully reach you and the Colonial Development office in the midst of preparation for expansion into the Centaurus Super-Cluster.

I must also report that a Korean exploration vessel, the “Fast Wind”, was detected near our own scouting position. Despite technological differences, I would imagine that their discovery and survey of the system should have occurred by the time that you receive this correspondence. I deployed a hailing buoy within the orbit of Lawhead III with a personal salutation to the crew. I trust this will meet with your approval.

Attached, please find all of the planetary data accumulated on Lawhead III. Even a cursory examination indicates that the planet is a Class V garden world with significant potential for colonization. I have had our science officer package the atmospheric, mineral, and ecological information available into a quick-packet for dissemination to your staff immediately upon receipt. This should spur American interest in the system.

In Service,
Captain Mary Grams, Commander, USSF, Capt.-USMC ret.
Path of Ages, Exploration Frigate
[Congruence-Halliwell/Halliwell’s Star][Gate][Centaurus]

URAL FEDERATION TROOPS INVOLVED IN BORDER CONFRONTATION WITH UKRAINIAN FORCES

Elements of the 13th Mechanized Infantry division were involved in the exchange with Ural Federation troops earlier this week. While no official statement has been provided by either polity, the use of exo-armor along the disputed border city of Timashyovsk marks a significant escalation of the on-going dispute over the region between the nations. The 13th Mechanized Infantry division was deployed last year to the region in response to Ural Federation rhetoric and troop movements in the region. Observer reports that three exo-squads responded to an incursion near the city by Ural Federation troops in pursuit of several vehicles crossing the border. The Federation troops were met with heavy weapons fire that decimated several APC’s and caused a general withdrawal back across the regional border. No reports of casualties have been released but the wreckage of several vehicles was clearly visible through satellite imagery. The border region along the Ural Federation-Ukrainian held coastal region has been the scene of escalating incidents as the Federation lays claim to the lands held on the eastern coast of the Black Sea due to past claims prior to the 3rd Crimean War.

The expansion of Ukraine to the eastern shore of the Black Sea and their annexation of those lands during the dwindling of the Russian Federation from previous holdings under pressure from Ural and the Baltic states, has long been an issue with the Ural Federation. The Federation maintains that the eastern shoreline belongs to it due to their control of the land bridge between north Asia and the Middle East. The Greater Western Asian Republic (GAR) holds the former territories of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan despite continued strife within those regions due to the Ural Federation’s claims there also. The entire region has been subject to numerous pushes and retaliations amongst all three powers. The curtailing of GAR activities in the region over a decade ago have kept the region more stable than in the past but these new activities are raising concerns over a new conflict.

The Greater Asian Republic has publicly stated that tensions in the region, which is shared by the three polities, has caused a “re-thinking of our traditional approach” to diplomacy in the region. At this time, the GAR has not increased its military forces along their own border but experts indicate that such a move is likely given the saber-rattling of the Federation. “Any move by the GAR would significantly alter the positions of the Ukrainian and Federation intentions near the Black Sea,” noted Anna Motiskoy, a regional expert with the Hastings-Krohn thinktank. “The exploitation of resources in the area and the continuing damage to the Black Sea have pushed the [local populations] into a serious struggle for the remaining assets in the area.”

VIASYN REPORTS STRONG PROFITS AMIDST RUMORS
The allegations of financial firms over Viasyn’s transtellar operations have clouded the corporation’s image for the past few months. Today, the CEO, Konrad Teust, told shareholders that the corporation’s colonial support operations and transport lines were showing increasing profits. While the shareholder meeting was restricted via PNA, an anonymous shareholder confirmed that Teust spoke directly to the electronic audience about the expansion of corporate activities in the Virgo Super-Cluster. It was reported that he specifically noted their on-going logistical support to the colonial government of St. Godia in the XXXX/Virgo system. This support has been a concern of humanitarian groups and accusations of arms trafficking have been levied against the corporation. The anonymous shareholder noted that the CEO did not elaborate on their activities but, it was noted, that the mood of the group was confident in the transtellar’s future.

[ONN] SUKHOTAI AND INDONESIA FIRM UP RELATIONS
The governments of Sukhotai and Indonesia increased diplomatic ties through the signing of a series of treaties. While the treaties dealt with maritime and trade issues, the underlying specter of the Pacific Rim Alliance has likely played a part. With senior government officials on both sides praising the other polity and promising continued cooperation, the overall theme of the highly publicized event was that the nations of the Pacific were coming together against the aggressive PRA.

Sukhotai and Indonesia have maintained a cold relationship in the past few decades with border conflicts and economic disputes. The two nations share a tense relationship with Malaysia and this had resulted in some collaboration in the mid-21st century conflicts with Malaysian forces. Sukhotai’s initial expansion from old Thailand into neighboring polities of Myanamar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam has been inactive for the past few decades. The borders of the polity have solidified with the increased security and economic might of the southeast Asian nation. Originally formed out of a military coup, the Sukhotai government has evolved into a more stable fixture in the volatile region of cultural differences.

With Indonesia stinging from the loss of significant territory after the invasion of Borneo by the PRA, the warming of relations between these two polities signals a shift in priorities. The Pacific Rim Alliance government had no official comment on the event.

 

[Kilgs]

YEAR 7, Part III

YEAR 7, Part III​

​

RHINE COLLECTIVE CONFIRMS CONSTRUCTION ON DUNKELTRAUM V
[Dunkeltraum V/Dunkeltraum][Gate/Centaurus]

Officials from the Rhine Collective have confirmed the construction of a sealed resource extraction station on the surface of Dunkeltraum V. Listed as a large ice-bound rocky object, Dunkeltraum V holds minimal attraction for habitation with an average temperature of -224 Celsius. It does boast a standard gravity of 1.103 which makes it a functional setting for resource exploitation.

The minimal survey required by the Gate Accords notes the presence of “valuable minerals” but without specification. Such documentation is customary in the official survey reports by polities. While findings must be published, the data available is only that sufficient to provide a summary of a system’s contents.

[ONN] BALKAN SHEEPHERDERS TRAVEL TO THE STARS
The UN Resettlement Office commenced a new phase in their Centaurus efforts with the voluntary emigration of almost one thousand Balkan Aromanians. The particular population that elected for relocation has held traditional herding and habitation areas in the war-torn middle Balkans near the former Serbian Union. In the years since the collapse of the Union, the Aromanian groups holding to traditional sheep-herding lifestyles in the upper elevations have been the targets of raiding and harassment. The three communities were approached by the UN Resettlement Office and agreed to relocation on Ciel Vert/Cuento.

“It is our hope that, with a little interstellar help,” noted UN Coordinator Malcom Indagi, “the traditional existence of these people can continue in a galaxy far, far away.” When questioned on the UN’s commitment to other indigenous peoples, Indagi noted that the program was entirely voluntary. “I want to emphasize that there are entire continents out there for traditional living. For those peoples whose way of life is threatened by shrinking lands here on Earth, please let us find a place for you to continue your traditions and culture.

The colonial effort is being run alongside the continued Mexicali resettlement taking place on Ciel Vert. The UN noted that the small amount of the Balkan population made it possible for them to be transported without impacting schedules for their main project. It was also noted that the infrastructure required for a pastoral population would keep costs down and ensure resources were available for assistance.

FEDERATION EXPLORER LOGS ROUTE AND SURVEYS OF GS02-0502
The Ural Federation has logged their first Gate Commission Survey report regarding their activities. The Federation has dispatched the Moranatov, a modern explorer-series vessel, to the Centaurus Cluster. The Moranatov has been operating out of the Halliwell’s Star system for the past year. The report logged with the Commission indicates a full survey of GS02-0502. The Federation neglected to complete the survey according to their own report.

The GS02-0502 system is a K-class star system with ten system objects. While astronomical observations seemed to indicate a Terran-type planet at Object IV, the Federation report indicates that it is void of sufficient oxygen. With an atmospheric pressure of 0.89 and contents of over 16% carbon dioxide, 5% carbon oxide and only 12% oxygen, the planet is devoid of life. The Federation has reportedly been in search of prime colonization objects to mark a shift from its Virgo activities which have been limited to resource extraction.

 

[Kilgs]

Year 8, Part I

YEAR 8​

Digital Excerpt-- Digipedia.cas/Astrography/Centaurus/Nomenclature
ASTROGRAPHIC NAMING (Formal/Informal)—In summary, the identification of a stellar object conforms to galactic position, cluster, and discovery order. The identification of stars and objects within the Centaurus Cluster presented the Sol-centric naming conventions with some difficulty. The majority of objects mapped in the Virgo system were given coordinates relative to the Sol system. Since such coordinates are widely inaccurate over the distances between Virgo and Centaurus another method was needed. The immediate need to name the objects and systems discovered has given rise to a consensus amongst the scientific community for a standard procedure.

With the grouping of the stellar objects into various clusters, the astrographic community has authorized the naming of each cluster, upon its identification, within the Greek alphabet. These namings are generally in order of discovery or grouping. A collection of stars are grouped in a cluster either through the probability of stellar routes or consensus amongst the community. The Halliwell Astrographic Institute has worked with the Gate Commission to standardize these groupings.

As common usage of another name takes precedence, it tends to replace the initial identification of the Greek letter. For example, the Gate Cluster was originally the Alpha-Centaurus Cluster. The Beta Cluster, indicating the second observed grouping, has consistently been referred to as the Elasis Cluster [E]. This is due to the prominent supergiant Elasis that is clearly visible from the Halliwell Astrographic’s Observatory. The star’s position has resulted in the adoption of that name to denote its clustered systems. Additionally, the Gamma Cluster, located directly beneath the Gate Cluster, has been christened the Kommelar Cluster. The stellar grouping’s name is derived from Edwin Kommelar, a Rhine Collective astrographer, who posited the grouping and predicted the routes that would connect the two clusters. The “Race for Kommelar” cemented the name after a Rhine Collective opinion piece foresaw the Collective’s interest in the cluster.

A stellar ID consists of alphanumerics that principally denote the cluster of origin. Therefore, the Halliwell system is identified as [GS-0404-10]. While coordinates are sometimes part of a Stellar ID, additional considerations go into the actual alphanumeric. [See Stellar Configuration]. The initial identification [GS] indicate that the system is contained within the Gate [G] cluster.

Stellar coordinates have been determined to rest on the unanimous position of the Torus Gate. Observation over the past two decades has confirmed that the Gate has not altered its position within a certainty of 0.002 centimeters. Given the certainty of its position, the Torus Gate was established as Centaurus [0.0.0], the remainder of stellar objects have been catalogued relative to the Gate’s position.

Stellar coordinates are listed as [x.y.z] to differentiate them from Stellar ID listings.

COMMONWEALTH MAPS ROUTE TO TRINARY SYSTEM FOR SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES GS-070100
The Commonwealth Survey Service reported the successful plotting of a route to GS-070100. The system features a trinary stellar phenomena and is located on the edges of the Gate Cluster. The system has been of interest to several research and scientific entities over the past decade since its composition was reliably determined through observation. The Spaceturk Foundation, Royal Society of Astronomy and the Federation of Astronomical Societies have all made petitions to the Commonwealth for a detailed survey of the three star system.

The system lies perpendicular to Basker [GS060103/Gate] along the outer edge of the Gate Cluster’s accepted borders. The Commonwealth exploration effort has been focused on the discovery of a route outside the Gate Cluster and branching to the neighboring Elasis group. It is believed that King George VII interceded on the behalf of the scientific community and retasked the effort towards GS-010700.

3rd GENERATION NEURAL MAPPING GAINS ANNOUNCED BY ACHIKU DYNAMICS
Achiku Dynamics, a Caribbean-based R&D corporation, has announced the development of additional neural byways and coordination. The company has been acting under contract with the United States Department of Defense to develop more advanced methods of parlaying human thought into mechanical motion. Utilizing the limited mapping networks developed for cybernetic prostheses, Achiku has announced that nearly 90% of neural connections required for human mobility and sensory interaction have been mapped by their new systems.

While neural networking is commonplace amongst aerospace and computer operation, the development of a humanoid-based armor unit that functions in sync with human thought has eluded military designers for several decades.

The Department of Defense has funded the research through their Man Of War Project which aims to replicate the speed and range of motion delivered by the human brain to hardware and material. The Man of War Project is centered on the development of battle armor and assault chassis configured to operate within human mobility parameters. Combat walkers and battle-suits have been present in modern militaries for several decades but they suffer from a free-flowing thought/action transfer system. The new system is intended to close the gap and allow direct neural networking with military hardware outside of the conventional aerospace and ground armor units.

RIM CORP NEAR INSOLVENCY OVER COLONIAL ENTERPRISE
[Adamant Orbital/Tau Ceti/Virgo]

Forced to undertake heavy debts to ensure the success of their colonial project, Rim Corporation has been reported to have suffered near-catastrophic solvency damage in the wake of the colony’s failure. Adamant Orbital Colony, placed in the Tau Ceti system with the full support of the Rim Corporation has suffered setback after setback since attempting to carve out a viable extraction on the hostile world. Composed of frozen gases and chemicals, the iceball was rated as a significant venture capable of providing capital for generations to come. The colony project was financed in-house by the corporation. At the time of its announcement, Andriana La-Kun, CFO, stated that the reason for the investment choice was to safeguard the profits for investors. “We have significant confidence in the viability of this venture and look forward to reporting that very success to our investors,” she noted at a press conference three years ago.

Since its founding, the Adamant colony was the site of numerous setbacks to the extent that the corporation is believed to have hired a private research group to investigate the situation. While the collection and preparation of the chem-saturated ice was successful, the colony experienced an array of environmental problems. Reports from the colony are sketchy due to private ownership but it is believed that the disruptions caused significant friction between employees and managers. Four months ago, a report was intercepted between offices that detailed a series of demonstrations and riots by the more than two thousand workers who had been contracted for five year terms at the facility.

 

[Kilgs]

Year 8, Part II

YEAR 8, Part II​

UNITED STATES COLONIAL EFFORT UNDERWAY IN GATE CLUSTER
Reports from Halliwell’s Star indicate that the colonial fleet tasked with the beginnings of a colony for Lawhead [GS050106/Gate]. The system was reported by the USSF two years ago and the United States has poured incredible resources into marshalling an effort for the habitation-friendly system. The vessel responsible for the survey, the Path of Ages, has been in long-orbit in the Halliwell’s Star system awaiting the arrival of the colony vessels.

The flotilla was in-system for only a few weeks before accelerating to grav-track in the direction of Hamnida/Gate. The Hamnida system stands midway between Lawhead and Halliwell’s Star. The Path of Ages was in proximity to the flotilla prior to the transit and was observed departing several hours earlier on the same heading.

The United States has publicly stated their intention to settle the Lawhead system. The system contains nine planetary objects circling a G3V star. Two of the nine objects, VIII.A and VIII.B are binary objects in a tight orbit. The analysis of Lawhead III and IV indicate strong colonization possibilities.

VENEZUELAN PRESIDENTIAL AIDE EXONERATED AT TRIAL
Adele Kirtz, a former executive branch aide to Venezuelan President Lira Fudara, was acquitted of charges of political corruption, accepting bribes, using official resources for improper purpose and a total of eleven other criminal counts after a jury returned the verdict in less than three hours. The trial, instigated by the Special Attorney General of Venezuela after a lengthy investigation, lasted three weeks and presented testimony from over thirty witnesses for the prosecution. The verdict was read out loud in court the same day that the jury was ordered into deliberations and the quick decision caught many involved off guard.

President Fudara did not make official remarks about the verdict but anonymous sources indicated that she was pleased with the news. President Lira Fudara has weathered accusations of corruption throughout her nine years in office. A member of the Economic Progressive Party, Fudara is in her second six-year term as President of Venezuela.

Allegations of corruption are commonplace amongst Venezuelan political circles due to the high level of cooperation with multinational corporations. The capital and influence present within Venezuela by corporate interests has made many conclude that the government is a façade for corporate interests. With the high level of profits for energy and resource corporations such as PetrAm and UniCo, the country is ranked #6 in the Klaus Failure of Public Integrity rankings. Many disaffected civilian groups state that the National Assembly and the executive branch are rubber-stamp figureheads for corporate interests.

SAG Luis Medecina was appointed by the now defunct Political Integrity Commission to undertake the prosecution against Kirtz. The PIC was initiated at the request of the National Assembly in response to increasing civilian protests and outrage at perceived political corruption at the behest of corporate interests. The PIC initiated 37 separate investigations with only Adele Kirtz facing charges as a result. The National Assembly, after a significant changeover in representation in the past two elections, was cancelled due to a “lack of substance” and accusations of political assassination.

 

[Kilgs]

[Note: Just a quick apology, the fall was very busy so posting here fell by the wayside. I was also delaying to see 2nd edition VBAM to see if I should shift to the new mechanics. The main time sink here are the short stories which I think are important but, like all things, when fun becomes work it lags. Updates shortly. The game is currently in Year 27 so I have ample catching up to do!]

 

[Kilgs]

Year 9, Part I

YEAR 9, Part I​

[Ciulacan Trafficking Story]
(Ramon and Bauer come across a trafficking operation. The clues lead to a prominent citizen but moral questions on their motivation arise. Readers learn that Ramon has married Bauer’s daughter. Bauer is almost done so “only 2 days to retirement” jokes.)

[ONN] EGYPTIAN COLONIAL EXPEDITION BENEFITS FROM FOREIGN SUPPORT
The last group of over 6,000 Egyptian colonists have been loaded aboard the colonial flotilla bound for the Centauran Super-Cluster. The Egyptian government has been in close communication with the Commonwealth regarding the location of the colony and all evidence points toward Constantine IV/Constantine in the Gate Cluster. The site of the Commonwealth’s own pioneering in the Centauran, Constantine IV is reported as an extremely habitable planet with significant resources. The Commonwealth has been publicly enthusiastic for the Egyptian colony but many critics point out that the Egyptians would have little in the way of support or infrastructure available to them so many light-years from home. The Egyptian government has been forced to rely on private contracts and NAA launch facilities to support their push towards the stars. While investment has been made within Egypt for upgrading their space facilities, all reports indicate that the majority of funding has become tied up in environmental efforts. The increasing desertification and poisoning of the Nile Valley agricultural region has made emigration a national issue. Faced with decreasing resources and a growing population, the Egyptian government has been promoting off-world emigration as a national policy.

SAIPAN RESOLUTION SUPPORTS ANNEXATION BY PACIFIC RIM ALLIANCE [Earth/Sol][Virgo]
Late last week, the Federal State of Saipan confirmed the citizen resolution supporting inclusion into the Pacific Rim Alliance. The resolution was put to the electorate in a vote that many human rights groups believed to be plagued with intimidation and vote-rigging. Volunteer observers from the Democracy International, an NGO that supports elections across the globe, were denied entry to the islands during the voting period. President Marian Akana, leader of the Chamorro-supported Republican-Socialist Party, hailed the results as a break-through moment for the island nation.

With a population barely exceeding 100,000, Saipan has been an isolated nation-state in the deep Pacific region of the Marianas Islands. With the retreat of the United States from the Pacific, the principal economic influx to the Northern Marianas Islands (Guam and Saipan) from the eastern democracy dried up as military installations and tourism evaporated.

The Northern Marianas Islands have undergone several political changes with zero impact on the global stage. The Federation of Guam, installed by a coup supported by private military companies, has been the more relevant topic of discussion. The autocratic government controlled by the Ikichiaz family, former Japanese investors, was originally installed as a caretaker council to safeguard economic and civic interests with the departure of the United States. The cartel that formed the council eventually became dominated by the foreign investors who owned a significant portion of the island. The foreign caretakers were accused by local Chamorro peoples of marginalizing the native populations. An uprising three decades ago by Chamorro rebels led the council to engage the services of several private military companies to maintain a standing professional military. The rebellion was quickly crushed, despite support from the Chamorro groups on other islands, and the caretaker council was reformed under President Ikichiaz Tore. Since that time, the Ikichiaz family has maintained complete control of the island-nation. Relationships with Saipan have continued to deteriorate and the threat from the stronger Federation of Guam has been a constant concern to the Saipan people.

The Pacific Rim Alliance offer for membership was first extended almost a decade ago but it was ignored under pressure from the government of neighboring Guam. The ascension of the Rep-Soc Party, supported by the prominent Chamorro indigenous people and the military, signaled a change in the reception for the PRA. With the collapse of the military-led government in Guam, the FSS has maintained a steady build-up of military hardware that experts confirm is unsustainable by current economic benchmarks. The neighboring island of Tinian has formed the nucleus for the build-up and significant installations have been constructed over the years. The FSS has refused to disclose the donor of the hardware and the various models represent Ecuadorian arms manufacturers which are freely available on the open market.

ARABIAN NATIONS FIRM UP OPPOSITION TO YEMEN AGGRESSION
[Riyadh, United Arabia][Earth/Sol/Virgo]
The Arabian Council of Sovereigns, also known as the Council of United Arabia, approved a measure authorizing proactive military measures against the nation of Yemen. The move was predicted by many but fears that it will escalate the tension on the Arabian peninsula are increasing. The Council was reportedly delayed by the vote of Oman’s King, XXXXX, who was pressing for a more direct approach to the growing rhetoric and cross-border incidents from the Islamic fundamentalist government in Yemen. The past year has seen a dramatic rise since the installment of Shaykh Samir al-Qammi as the theocracy’s leader two years ago. Concerns of state-sponsored terrorism and a rise in global incidents by Islamic extremist groups has prompted significant attention to the activities of the Yemeni government.

The discovery of a drone command-control center on a Yemen-based freighter off the coast of Egypt, has raised accusations of the Yemen government supporting terrorist and military actions throughout the Middle East and African theaters. The Egyptian government has reportedly been in conference with UA officials regarding joint concerns over Yemen and its actions abroad. The Yemen government has publicly stated that the freighter was “an independent mercantile vessel that had no ties other than flag of origin to the Kingdom of Allah.”

The Yemen government refers to itself as the Kingdom of Allah in official correspondence.

US DEPARTMENT OF STATE CONFIRMS KILTON COLONY IN LAWHEAD SYSTEM
[Washington Central/USA][Earth/Sol/Virgo]
It was confirmed today that the United States of America has secured the first foothold within the newly-discovered Lawhead system within the Centaurus Super-Cluster. Preliminary reports indicate that several thousand individuals with an estimated $11.3 billion [US dollar] in materiel was deployed on the planet’s surface. Secretary of State Anselm Holder stated that it was the intention of America “to settle, inhabit and prosper on the surface of Lawhead III for as long as the United States stands.” In response to several questions regarding rumored Korean Union colonization, Holder indicated that it was known that Korean missions to the system were on-going but that no concrete information regarding their intentions was available. As the colony is a private-public cooperative project, the Secretary was quick to confirm that the United States was not making any territorial claims outside of the locality of the colony.

Secretary Holder downplayed rumors that diplomatic meetings had taken place regarding the colonization of the planet between the Korean Union and the United States.

“Any such negotiations are unnecessary in light of our continued commitment to the Gate Accord which ensures access of objects within the Centaurus SuperCluster to all peoples of Earth,” he noted. “Per official policy, I can neither confirm or deny the presence of armed forces members within the Lawhead system however, I would note that the principal exploration mission was conducted by the USSF.” Secretary Holder would not comment on reports of a KU colonial mission underway from their orbital complex in the Beta Hydri system.

 

[Kilgs]

Year 9, Part II

YEAR 9, Part II​

CENTAURAN-VIRGO INDUSTRIAL COMPACT TO FORM LONGEST “SILK ROAD”
Press Release and Commentary—[Downing Street][Earth/Sol]
The first flotilla of trade vessels under the Centauran-Virgo Industrial Compact have launched from the Virgo Super-Cluster en route to Halliwell’s Star. A joint venture of the South African Union, United Kingdom and Australia, the CVIC is a significant boost to the economy of Halliwell City within the Centaurus Super-Cluster. Endorsed by Commonwealth officials, the trade route is being hailed as the ‘longest trade route in existence.’ The Prime Minister of Britain noted that the Centaurus-Virgo Gate route will span ‘…over 176 million light-years.’ The exact distance negated by transit through the Torus Gate is unknown but that number appears to be the consensus among the scientific community.

It is known that in the Gate Cluster and surrounding areas, according to astronomical studies taking place on Halliwell/Halliwell’s Star, that stellar groupings are closer than commonly found in the Virgo Super-Cluster. However, the general structure and formation of these stellar objects appears to follow conventional thinking. Large clusters of tightly grouped stars are contained within a smaller amount of space with satellite clusters of similar groupings surrounding the region known as the Gate Cluster. Even so, business analysts indicate that the close proximity of stellar destinations within the Centaurus Super-Cluster make it an ideal location for trade and industry.

The Commonwealth released the proposed route of the CVIC trade flotilla. It is to consist of a round trip through the Torus Gate, to Halliwell’s Star, and then to Constantine. As the latest colonial project by the Commonwealth, the Constantine-IV colony, Nehru, is receiving a significant amount of support and many critics claim that the CVIC is a subsidy to the colony. As Nehru has been active for a minimal amount of time, it is clear that worthwhile exports are unlikely. However, the importation of high-tech goods and expanding the development base is a positive move towards the commitment of the Commonwealth in the Centauran Super-Cluster.

CENTAURAN SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY DECLARED BY THE SUPREME HOUSE OF JUSTICE
[Greater West Asian Republic/Earth/Sol][Virgo]
The Supreme Watcher of the Baha’I faith has declared that the Torus Gate is a manifestation of God’s Will for humanity’s destiny amongst the stars. According to the Baha’i, the Gate is a physical gift to humanity in place of their awaited Guardian, the descendant of Shoghi Effendi. The public disclosure of the Gate had led to similar proclamations by the various Assemblies within the Baha'i community as a sign of divine favor. The Supreme House of Justice, in the Greater Asian Republic, has paralleled the existence of the Torus Gate with the origins of the faith. The original founder of the Baha'i faith referred to himself as the “Bab”, Arabic for Gate, and early converts to the religion were called “Babists.”

The Baha’i faith has grown exponentially since the 20th century as its universal message has appealed to the many Islamic adherents wearied by factionalism. The Baha’i faith has a significant following amongst populations that are off-planet or engaged in extra-solar pursuits. The faith’s directives to embrace science, support exploration of the universe, and dedication to world peace has made it a common faith amongst declared worshippers. The adoption of the Rights of Man As Bestowed by the Supreme House of Justice in the mid-21st century caused many to turn towards the vision of universalism portrayed by the religion. The Rights softened many of the earlier prohibitions and emphasized a more empathic approach to cultivating the worship of God amongst the people of Earth. The prohibitions against a number of social issues such as same-sex relationships, premarital relationships, the removal of hair and other mores have been excised from the primary message.

Detractors have noted that the Baha’i faith has become a thin veneer for the modern mores to weaken the worship of God by its loosening of many strictures. The Jujarat faction, one of several communities that refused to sign the Rights Of Man proclamation, has argued that the faith has been coopted for secular purposes. Several of the existing factions have turned to militant means to pressure the Supreme House of Justice into retracting the proclamations without success.

The Centauran Spiritual Assembly headquarters will be located in Halliwell City/Halliwell’s Star[Gate/Centaurus].