Breaking Down The ‘Galaxy’ In Nash

Hey all!

Earlier in the year I dropped a few posts about my Highton Heroes series to purely talk about it from an information perspective. My goal was to introduce you to the world I’m writing in, along with some of the main characters.

Now, it’s time to do the same for Nash! Over the next few months, I’ll be dropping some posts about the world (or universe, really) that Nash takes place in.

This week is an overview of where humanity is at in the year 2429. How far have they ventured beyond Earth? How much of the Milky Way have they explored? What planets are they set up on?

Let’s dive in and cover all these questions…

Layout of the Galaxy (and Universe)

The universe, as we understand it, is constructed of an uncountable number of galaxies. A galaxy is a gravitationally bound system of components in space rotating around a massive black hole at the centre. Between galaxies, there is only a vacuum of nothing.

The most prominent component of a galaxy is a star. Each star can have a system of planets, asteroids and other bodies orbiting around it. Each star with orbiting bodies is known as a system. Multiple systems are gravitationally drawn to each other and form what is known as a cluster or sector of a galaxy.

Our species, human, originate from The Milky Way galaxy. In 2429, they have not yet ventured beyond their home sector, officially titled: Initius.

Their home system within Initius is known as the Sol System. Humanity have ventured out to discover two neighbouring systems they have titled Veras and Porter.

In Sol, Veras and Porter, humanity has spread out and grown new settlements, research stations and cities. Despite intense investigation and exploration, humanity has not discovered any new intelligent or developed life or civilisations. They have, however, discovered new flora and fauna species.

Sol System

The Sol System is humanity’s home system (this part is NOT fiction!). In 2429, the system is the centre of operations for the Human Alliance, its military and many businesses.

Mercury

An uninhabitable planet with extreme temperatures. Shielded mining operations are undertaken on various parts on the surface.

Venus

An uninhabitable planet with very high temperatures and a toxic atmosphere. The atmosphere itself is also very dense, meaning the pressure can crush a human.

Earth

The home planet of the human race. Today, it is the centre of human culture in terms of politics, business and military. It acts as the capital of the Sol System. Natural resource availability is now low, but importing from other worlds is a relatively simple process – minus the politics. Small farming communities exist in domes on Earth’s moon.

Mars

The first planet to undergo a terraforming process which has seen 41% of its surface become habitable. The process was ceased when the Veras system was discovered with many habitable worlds. Mars contains many small communities and one megacity. It is renowned for some of the best residential spots. Small farming communities exist in domes on Mars’ two moons.

Asteroid Belt

This belt of asteroids rests between Mars and Jupiter. It contains several large rocks and dwarf planets that are home to various mining operations.

Gas Giants

Gas Giants are large planets that consist mostly of gases with a relatively small rocky core. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are all classed as Gas Giants. While these planets can never be habitable, their many surrounding moons have been useful for mining and farming communities. Some moons have developed their own flora and fauna such as Jupiter’s moon Titan.

Veras System

The Veras System was the first system discovered through space exploration in 2226. Planet Prinipal was found first and declared the system’s capital. Mapping of the entire system is nearing completion and all major bodies have been discovered and utilised to the best of their ability.

Haxus

A mineral rich planet which, through a deal between government and business, is owned by the Haxus Mining Company. The planet is otherwise uninhabitable due to its proximity to the sun.

Prinipal

This is a large world with many dusty arid environments. What isn’t dust is home to strange flora, including a flat blue grass. It is the capital of the Veras System. The best habitable areas have plenty of flat land for human development. The planet boasts the largest megacity to date, which acts as a hub for the system.

Paramon

Deemed a paradise planet, Paramon is generally considered to have the perfect climate. High-class cities and settlements have been developed across its surface. Tourism is a prominent industry for the planet. Many areas have been protected to preserve its ecosystem which contains many strange flora and fauna species.

Akar

Akar is a remote world, its surface mostly sands and rock with small ice deserts on its poles. It is home to many active volcanoes in the central regions. There is little to research or mine, however many popular reclusive colonies exist here.

Seta/Alta

Seta and Alta form a binary star network, orbiting eachother in lockstep as they orbit the sun. Due to this, the two planets have a strange day/night cycle. Seta is a mostly ocean planet with few rocky islands on the surface. The underwater ecosystem is very diverse and studied by several underwater research stations. It’s also home to an expansive tourism industry. Alta contains a very wet Earth-like atmosphere. Colonies have been established here as well as residence for Seta tourists.

Exees/Fersper

These two outlying gas giants are known as the ‘prettiest of all the gas giants’. Several stations exist around the planets as popular tourist destinations. Small mining operations exist on the many gas giant moons.

Luyer

Luyer is a small icy outer world. Being so far from its sun means the planet has extremely low temperatures. To survive on the surface requires heavy protective gear.

Porter System

The Porter System was discovered in 2286. The star is a red supergiant, making it hotter than other system stars. Porter is less developed and mapped than Sol and Veras. It is also economically poorer. Planet Lesem to the edge of the system is under control of the rogue Sovereign Colonies.

Lymost

This is currently the systems capital and only world controlled by the Human Alliance. The equator is uninhabitable due to intense heat but various pockets in the upper hemispheres and poles were ideal for colonisation. The planet has a unique ecosystem of flora and fauna that has adapted to the high temperatures. Lymost contains several small cities and one large slum city. Due to loose laws, Lymost is popular as an industrial centre.

Lesem

This planet resides in Sovereign territory. It bears some grassy lands and water. Many independent settlements and individuals reside here under the protection of the Rebel Gangs.

Insigor

This is the last habitable planet before the gas giant fringe in the Porter System. It has a similar atmosphere to Lesem but houses less water and resources. Like Lesem, many independent settlements and families reside here under the protection of the Gangs.

Vastor/Charlton

These gas giants reside on the edge of the Porter System. Vastor is medium size, while Charlton is the largest gas giant discovered to date. Charlton has a ring of asteroids and more moons than any other planet. The space surrounding these two planets are home to the shadowy rebel gangs of the Sovereign colonies. They reside on the moons, asteroids and various space stations. The Sovereigns have set up several small mining operations for resources.

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Phew!

If you made it this far, thanks for reading! I know for some this may have been a bit too technical and a slog. For others, you probably spotted several flaws and impossibilities. Either way, got some feedback? I’d love to hear it in the comments!

I’m always looking to improve both delivery and the scientific accuracy for my Nash series. While it’s not authentic (serious) sci-fi like The Expanse, it aims to be authentic-feeling like Mass Effect.

What’s next? The various Factions of humanity that operate in these systems (and beyond).

Til next time,

Dean