. The science isn't perfect, nor is the writing itself. Concept material for the universe can be found in this thread (just the posts I did there, for clarification). I will post the prologue and the first chapter and see how it is received.===============================================
Prologue
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In a remote corner of our galaxy lies a star, still young by astronomical standards. Though slightly smaller than our sun, it is equally bright and a healthy yellow. Around it orbits but a single planet at the precise distance required to produce a stable, temperate climate. Its two moons keep the expansive oceans churning and provide ample light to the nocturnal creatures indigenous there. The planet posesses three major continents, all with a significant amount of arboreal terrain.
Several centuries ago, with the advent of expedient interplanetary travel, we humans explored the galaxy, mapping and recording everything of interest they encountered. Colonization of distant worlds picked up and quickly became second nature to our distant ancestors. Soon, a group of colonists arrived at this distant star. They called it "Kartal". It is generally assumed that the planet was given a name as well, however it has been lost in the stormy winds of our history. Thus, the planet is simply known as Kartal Prime.
And so the colonists of Kartal Prime did what they did best: they colonized. They built towns, cities, spaceports; erected towering monuments to civilization; built complex, winding infrastructure. They prospered as trade routes were established under a fledgeling galactic government and soon the planet became a favorite tourist destination.
Luxury resorts were built, cheap tourist attractions made, and tacky souvenir shops founded. Kartal Prime ascended to the status and prestige afforded the megalithic wealths of the galaxy. The now-defined Imperial government established a military outpost on one of the moons where secret weapons research was conducted. Alas, the scientists stationed there quickly succumbed to base human qualities, foremost among them, greed.
At first, the researchers were amazingly succesful, designing many things still in use today: the multi-phased energy shield, the neutron cannon, plasma converters, and a prototype phasing-cloak field generator. As time went on, they became more secretive, insubordinate, and they no longer heeded the orders the of the facility's commander. A mutiny was staged, and the Imperial garrison was eliminated. Word got out to the citizens of Kartal Prime, and they became nervous and requested assistance from the sector's Fleet Admiral. The researchers' cabal then publicly announced they were devising the "ultimate weapon", and brook no aggression or harrasment. Fleet Admiral Zachson (see attached report, file number 43274C) ordered an immediate assault on the facility, an attack which cost the Imperium her 3rd Fleet. The madmen had used their secret technologies to annihilate Zachson's forces. The last transmission ever received from the Kartal system originated from Lt. JG Fazzic (43274D), a pilot who's ship had been incapacitated. His report stated that the scientists had apparantly unleashed their secret weapon in retaliation for the attack.
Unfortunately, we never learned what precisely occured. Scholars have pieced together what little we do know, however most of it is pure speculation. All reconnaisance ships and scanning probes sent to investigate never reported back, and were never located again. We believe the researchers had used their weapon on the star Kartal itself, and caused some disruption in its nuclear reactions. It is evident that their so-called "ultimate weapon" backfired on them, as Fazzic's ship's logs (43274E) revealed that the moon's orbit began to decay. It should have crashed on Kartal Prime some 23 years later, 2557 A.D. We cannot be certain, however, as soon after the incident Kartal's color began to fluctuate and darken to red. It pulsed with excessive amounts of gamma radiation, until finally, all contact was lost. The entire system became shrouded in a black sphere, much like a black hole. We assume it has some type of event horizon, which would explain the loss of all our ships sent there.
Yesterday, however, the entire "black sphere" seems to have disappeared, without a trace. A lost merchant ship stumbled its way into the system, and reported back to a listening post a few light-years away.
Recontanct has been made with the Kartal System.
- Imperial Magistrate Iez Zinzt, Oct. 7 2973 A.D.
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Chapter 1 in a bit... I'm lazy, so sue me
