Hyperlane (Cosmoria)

Template:SiteNoticeA Hyperlane is a volume of space connecting two or more star systems that has been deliberately cleared of particles and other obstacles for the purposes of maximizing the efficiency and safe speed of faster-than-light technologies.

History

All civilizations which discover FTL quickly figured out that in regular interstellar space the density of atoms and the occasional specks of dust significantly increased energy consumption in Warp Drives or similar drives such as Hex Drives. As greater cargoes were transported via Warp Drive, the largest craft became uneconomical given the drag created by the dust. Between two heavily-trading star systems, long lines of satellites created areas of lower density using pulses of ions similar to stellar wind. These long lines are greatly expensive, meaning that only the most highly-used trade routes would get them. Additionally, they required constant maintenance as the stars changed in position relative to one another.

It is not clearly known which species first created hyperlanes, but many ancient unused (typically heavily damaged) hyperlanes have been identified scattered throughout Cosmoria. The oldest probes which were likely part of hyperlanes are dated at over 1 million years old. Other less likely candidates have been found, but they are so degraded that their exact purpose was unclear.

Anemoi Line

For nearly one million years, civilizations located on opposite sides of Cosmoria's core, the Lux Aeterna, have desired to trade. The obvious solution, traveling directly through the core, is usually difficult, especially for large freighters. Shielding against the Lux Aeterna's "corrosive" environment is expensive especially for the razor-thin margins many merchants have operated under.

Governments willing to boost trade and thus their own economies began the construction of the largest hyperlane in history, the Anemoi Line. Construction began in about 800,000 BCE and was spear-headed by the Providence Union. It took nearly 1,000 years to build as sub-light craft slowly dropped off components. The line started in the Varona System where several other hyperlanes join it before it cuts through Morid, skirting the core. It passed through Martial Space and ended at Zushilo.

Allowing for fast trade across nearly all civilizations in the galaxy, it would become even more profitable as Ma'eau fought its civil war, buying vast amounts of material for the fight. As more civilizations emerged both in Martial Space and Aylathiya, the line expanded to encompass nearly all of the stars therein. Currently, the line is as well-traveled as ever, with gigatonnes of material flowing through it at any time. Eos, Aylathiya's Sphere, Maea, and Telva are important nexuses through which most international trade flows through.

Construction

In all cases, hyperlanes must be constructed from both ends of the lane - typically, these are points in the outer regions of a star system, relatively devoid of dust and almost always beyond the orbits of the large planets. On each side, a hyperlane anchor would be placed, and they must be maintained in the exact spot relative to the star - in other words, they must be equipped with engines strong enough to counter the gravitational pull of the star in question. While this is typically extremely small considering its location, a sufficient displacement of this anchor would cause the hyperlane to rapidly degrade.

Once both anchors are placed and aimed at one another, more craft would be "strung" along the hyperlane, held in place by engines and powered via laser transmission down the line. Most of the nodes of a hyperlane, the stations that maintain the clear space, were put in place by slower-than-light vessels historically. Most precise faster-than-light systems now allow for the speedy construction of hyperlanes. They are currently built at a rate of one light year per two years, much faster than the original speed of one light year per decade.

Importance

Hyperlanes are of economic and strategic importance in interstellar civilizations. As they effectively cut travel time and costs in half or even more between two systems, trade and transport between these systems are practically guaranteed to jump after one's construction. They are also extremely useful in traversing difficult space such as nebulas and dense cores, and in creating a transport corridor between a state's core territories and more peripheral regions. They are generally considered one of the three key technologies enabling galactic empires.

Limitations

Hyperlanes have a carrying capacity. The oldest lanes were 100 meters across, meaning that only smaller ships could use them to leave room for two-way travel. Some of these ancient lanes exist to this day. Jams were common in these older lanes as many more massive freighters traveled slowly down the lane compared to smaller ships. More modern lines are well over a kilometer across, greatly increasing throughput. Large freighters travel down the middle of the lane while smaller ships squeeze by at nearly maximum speed.

Collisions, while rare, are devastating. They can tear up much of the lane as material shreds through its nodes. Additionally, they can be easily targeted during times of war. Targeting an international hyperlane, especially the Amenoi Line, is a sure way to earn the hatred of every nation in Cosmoria; however, internal hyperlanes are fair game in times of war.