Index:Distant Worlds/Commercial Brands
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Article contains products which contain Nicotine, Alcohol or Drugs
Article contributors: TheStellarExplorer, Gerardagh
OVERVIEW
List of proprietary intellectual properties, bewerages, softwares and so on within the world of Distant Worlds
- Dragon Cigars | Vishapakar - Dragon's Fall, Forgotten Planet mention
- Twilight Tea | Emerald (reference to Vela)
- Haumea Bourbon Whiskey | Sol - Archangels Rise mention
- Edelweiss Moonshine | brewed alcohol from pines, bushes, berries met in edelweiss
- Quick consumption products (f.e sublimated mashed potatoes mention in dragons fall) | United LunaTerra, United Sol Command - Novellas mentions
- Ceres ShipYards
- StarSoft Operation System | Linuxoid like UNIX system
- IPv6 based technologies still in use (unique identificators in intergalactic web)
- Social Media accesses thru the tablets | Mentions of usage by Wells in novellas
- Cetus Jeep Brand
- Jack Daniels Speedster | dog breed reference, hyperactivity drug used by SEA later on mutated variants the crime syndicates
- Jack Daniels Joker | Extreme pain silencer drug, used among crime syndicates and corrupt militant, makes humans walking zombies until drug effect ends leaving them nauseaus and weak for hours
-Yarkhushta Bakery
Ceres Shipyards: Forging the Path Among the Stars
On the Dwarf Planet Ceres lies one of the most significant organizations within the Solar System’s sphere of influence: Ceres Shipyards, a cornerstone of interplanetary and interstellar infrastructure, later renowned for its pivotal role in developing Bridge Haulers. This prestigious institution traces its establishment to Lord Ashur Willson of Copenhagen City, Denmark Province, Old Earth.
Origins in Terrestrial Industry
Ceres Shipyards’ roots extend back to the German Province on Old Earth, where global automotive, aeronautical, and maritime titans united under the auspices of the United Nations’ grand unification initiative. Companies like BMW, Toyota, Mercedes, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Boeing, Airbus, Blue Origin, and SpaceX collaborated to form a joint venture dedicated to interplanetary vehicle manufacturing during the era of Mars and Lunar colonization. This historic alliance culminated in the signing of “The Expanse Concord”, a milestone agreement heralding a new age of cooperation.
The Concord’s attention turned swiftly to the riches of the Asteroid Belt, spurred by United Nations regulations. Their first triumph, the ISU-01 (Interplanetary Supply Unit - 01), was constructed in Earth’s orbit—a ship capable of extracting and transporting asteroid resources. Powered by Helium-3 reactors and hydrogen propulsion engines—affectionately nicknamed “JeyJey’s Pushers” after their inventor, James Jackson—the ISU-01 set the stage for the Expanse Concord’s dominance in spacefaring industries.
The Move to Ceres
As their operations expanded, the Expanse Concord voted to establish a permanent presence within the Asteroid Belt. Supported by resources from Earth and the Belt itself, they built the “Builders League” facility on Ceres, its iconic structure resembling a barrel pointing into the depths of the dwarf planet. With its burgeoning success, the Concord rebranded as Ceres Shipyards, cementing its legacy as a powerhouse in interplanetary manufacturing.
A Turning Point in the Cold War
During the Cold War between the United LunaTerra and the newly independent Martian Technate, Ceres Shipyards faced its most critical challenge. With United LunaTerra suffering a historic defeat in the Asteroid Belt and retreating from the region, Ceres found itself without its primary partner. In response, the shipyard forged a precarious three-way agreement between United LunaTerra, the Martian Technocratic Republics, and itself, transforming into a non-governmental private entity under the leadership of CEO Garret Hershchel.
Despite the shifting political landscape, Ceres Shipyards remained indispensable to both powers, producing notable ships like the Kepler-Class Interstellar Cruisers for United LunaTerra and the Njdeh-Class Reapers for the Martian Technate. The Reapers became iconic for their frontal shield design, allowing for devastating ramming attacks—a feature that highlighted both Martian ingenuity and Ceres’ engineering prowess.
The Juggernaut Era
By the mid-24th century, the Martian Technate had begun construction on the fearsome Juggernaut-Class Destroyers, their capabilities leaked by intelligence reports, sparking fear across the stars. Designed with railgun-based magnetic launchers capable of deploying nuclear warheads, these vessels symbolized Martian military supremacy. The Juggernaut-Class Snow Leopard, however, was famously defeated when Asim Hassan exploited its weak, unprotected reactor section on the ship’s belly—a vulnerability that turned the tide of perception against the Martians.
Fallout and Repercussions
Amid rising tensions, including the catastrophic nuclear destruction of Indra City on Vishapakar, Ceres Shipyards faced mounting criticism for its collaboration with the Martian Technate. To preserve its reputation, the company announced the termination of its partnership with the Technate, along with the suspension of contracts with the Cetus Federal Republic, temporarily halting military-capable ship production for the second-largest superpower in the stellar neighborhood.
The Legacy
By the 26th Century, the political and economic landscape of the Solar System underwent dramatic transformations. Many nations and colonies began shifting their priorities from local stellar neighborhoods to interstellar expansion across the stars via The Bridge, a development that reshaped traditional industries. Ceres Shipyards, once a titan of interplanetary and interstellar manufacturing, faced mounting challenges that forced its integration into the United Sol Command's dockyards.
The Decline of an Independent Giant
The 25th century marked a decline for Ceres Shipyards as the demand for localized interstellar vessels dwindled. With more nations and corporations establishing colonies beyond the reach of the Asteroid Belt, the economic value of resources from the Belt and its adjacent infrastructure diminished. The advent of Bridge travel technology, which enabled efficient transport between distant star systems, made traditional shipbuilding tied to local infrastructure less critical.
For Ceres Shipyards, this shift presented an existential threat. Despite its innovative engineering legacy and production capabilities, the company struggled to compete with Azimuth Corporation operating near Bridge terminals or producing advanced designs for post-Bridge vessels. This was compounded by a decrease in government contracts from major Sol powers, both of whom pivoted their focus toward securing influence in the far reaches of the galaxy.
Risk of Bankruptcy and a Strategic Integration
By the mid-26th century, Ceres Shipyards faced bankruptcy. In a bid to salvage its legacy and protect thousands of jobs, the company entered negotiations with the United Sol Command (USC). The USC, responsible for maintaining the defense and logistics of the Cooper's Star sphere and beyond its exploited systems, saw value in Ceres Shipyards’ expertise in crafting durable, multi-role vessels.
The result was a historic agreement: Ceres Shipyards became an official division within the United Sol Command's Dockyards, headquartered at Cooper's Star Gamma but now operating across multiple locations in the Fort's systems. This integration provided Ceres Shipyards with financial stability and access to cutting-edge technologies developed by the USC.
The Evolution of Ceres Shipyards
Under the USC’s oversight, Ceres Shipyards shifted its focus to the construction and maintenance of vessels critical to United Sol Command's defense and logistics, including:
- 1. Bridge-Ready Supply Ships – Designed to operate efficiently between the Solar System and distant colonies via Bridge routes, optimizing resource transport.
- 2. Multi-Purpose Military Vessels – Medium-sized, heavily armored ships designed for both combat and reconnaissance, favored by the USC.
- 3. Advanced Repair and Refitting Platforms – Leveraging its expertise in ship maintenance, Ceres Shipyards became a hub for upgrading aging vessels to meet new interstellar standards.
Dragon Cigars
The Dragon Cigars, also known as Vishap Cigars, are a distinguished tobacco commodity from the planet Vishapakar in Barnard’s Star. First crafted in 2234 by a notable agriculturalist within the communist colonies, the cigars quickly gained fame. Grown within the colony's artificial environment, the tobacco developed a unique flavor reminiscent of roses—a sweet taste that soon spread throughout the settlement, capturing the hearts of enthusiasts.
Vishap Cigars are known for their striking appearance: wrapped in reddish tobacco leaves, each cigar is emblazoned with the words “Vishap Cigar” and features a carved dragon in the ancient Chinese art style. With each puff, the smoker enjoys a delicate rose aroma, further enhancing the cigars' unique appeal. This distinct combination of taste and presentation made them a sought-after luxury across the local stellar neighborhood during the 24th century, particularly in the Solar System, alongside Haumean Bourbon Whiskey.
During the Dragon’s Fall War, Harrison Wells received a gift of Vishap Cigars from an S.E.A. mercenary on Lagrangian Station 4, and they soon became his favorite smoke.
By the 26th century, even after humanity’s mass shift into other parts of the galaxy, the legacy of Vishap Cigars carried on. They remain popular among vintage aficionados in the Abraham star system, neighboring Cooper’s Star, continuing to embody an era’s charm and indulgence.
Twiligh Tea
The Twilight Tea, also known as "Dark Tea," is a popular beverage cherished across humanity's far-reaching colonies. Its rapid rise in popularity owes much to its ease of cultivation and mass production. Originally grown in the misty, oxygen-rich fields of Emerald, these tea leaves developed a deeper, bolder taste compared to the traditional black teas of Old Earth.
Dedicated agricultural fields on Emerald, Atlantis, and Aboriya cultivate this tea with care. Colonies on Atlantis and Aboriya, in particular, have adapted their domes to replicate the oxygen-rich environment needed to foster the unique character of these leaves.
Twilight Tea is widely enjoyed throughout human settlements, from the Solar System to the outer colonies connected by the Bridges. The tea’s heightened oxygenation gives it a richer taste and provides a calming effect, often accompanied by mild visual and sensory relaxation. Many see it as a gentle, harmless alternative to nicotine found in tobacco leaves, like those used in Vishap Cigars and similar brands.
Burning the dried leaves of Twilight Tea releases a warm, woodsy aroma reminiscent of Old Earth forests, making it a favorite for luxury hotels, service rooms, and bars aiming to create a welcoming ambiance. Some consider Twilight Tea a cultural phenomenon and the pinnacle of tea craft, embodying humanity’s resilience and tradition.
However, the tea’s relaxing effects have earned it a dubious reputation among certain criminal syndicates, who see it as a "weakening agent" for their mercenaries. As a result, some factions have banned it within their ranks, leading to widespread disagreement and an underground market to smuggle the tea to eager consumers.
Haumea Bourbon Whiskey
Haumean Bourbon Whiskey is an iconic beverage within the Solar System, produced exclusively on the dwarf planet Haumea and its moons. Its distinct taste—spiced and enriched by aging in American Oak barrels—lends a unique character to its whiskey craftsmanship. With the oak wood imported directly from Old Earth, this whiskey retains a timeless flavor, and the rarity of its origin has led to a marked premium in price.
Remaining popular into the 26th century among pubs, bars, and luxury enthusiasts, Haumean Bourbon evokes a nostalgic connection to humanity’s roots. Though humanity has spread across new territories around Cooper’s Star, the logistical challenges of transporting Haumean Bourbon across vast distances haven’t deterred its dedicated followers, as organizations continue to maintain production on Haumea.
Enthusiasts enjoy several serving variations, primarily the traditional old-fashioned style. One especially daring mix pairs it with a safe dose of Killer Quinn’s cyanidic juice, creating a signature blend. However, many still recommend the classic bourbon enjoyed with a Vishap Cigar for the ultimate experience.
Haumean Bourbon is preferred drink of United LunaTerra's ex Prime Minister Anders Arashi
Edelweiss Moonshine
Edelweiss Moonshine—humorously dubbed “Hardcore Men’s Motor Oil” or “Tengri Vodka”—is a robust alcoholic beverage beloved by the colonies of the Edelweiss Galaxy, particularly those under the SnowStorm Union. Traditionally distilled from any plant that can endure the harsh local environments, its origins trace back to Wolf Totem, where it was first brewed from pine needles and fir cones. With an alcohol content of 45%, Edelweiss Moonshine embodies the resilience and vigor of people born in the blizzards of distant worlds.
Connoisseurs often recommend pairing Edelweiss Moonshine with edible roots grown on Kozuya’s barren lands, adding a naturally sweet, earthy note that perfectly complements this powerful, pine-scented spirit.
Volex
The Volex Open-Source Operating System, or simply Volex OS, is a QTCI-based (Quantum-Transistorial Computer Interface) operating system that carries forward the legacy of UNIX-like operating systems, including Linux, originally developed by Linus Torvalds. Written in the 22nd century by Voles Sambre, Volex is regarded as the spiritual successor to Linux, much as Linux once followed in the footsteps of UNIX. In homage to Linux’s naming convention, which was inspired by Linus, Volex derives its name from its creator, Voles.
The Volex kernel is specifically designed for Quantum-Transistorial Computers, providing an efficient interface for advanced, next-generation machines. Acting as a bridge between traditional transistorial hardware and quantum qubit hardware, the kernel natively translates machine instructions seamlessly between these systems. Volex is primarily written in Q Language, supported by Q-Assembler, providing an optimized, command-line-driven environment. This lean and fast interface is particularly favored in data centers for its unmatched performance.
Volex OS, by default, provides seamless native support for IPv6 networking, assigning each kernel a unique /64 identifier without the need for manual configuration or DHCPv6. This feature ensures streamlined connectivity, allowing systems to integrate effortlessly into IPv6 networks and maintain high efficiency across galaxy-wide infrastructure. With its automatic addressing, Volex OS supports scalable networking solutions for everything from individual devices to massive data centers, facilitating reliable, decentralized communication without administrative overhead.
Volex OS is widely adopted across galaxies as a preferred, open-source operating system, freely available to everyone, forever, thanks to a global network of volunteer developers who maintain the kernel. This commitment to openness contrasts sharply with proprietary software from Old Earth, such as Microsoft Windows or Apple MacOS. The values of freedom, user accessibility, and expanding software support that distinguished Linux now live on and flourish in Volex.
Over time, Volex has spawned numerous distributions, the most notable of which is StarOS, developed by AstralTech—a consortium of organizations dedicated to unifying star systems through technology. StarOS is particularly popular on devices like tablets, cloud infrastructures, and spaceship board computers. However, it has faced criticism for moving away from Volex’s core ethos by introducing proprietary elements.