Location The Galactica

[Mr. Teatime]

The Galactica

neutral — space station — Apex​

Appearance:
Nothing less than a massive luxury entertainment station, the Galactica space station reveals its purpose transparently as a place for the rich and well-connected to leave behind the struggles and strife of wealthy life and find some peace of mind.

A transparent and shielded dome openly displays the magnificent, living city at Galactica's core. Green trees and flowering fields flourish in the temperature-controlled space, sharing real estate with towering, geometric buildings. Its core is encircled by mountainous skyscrapers, each loftier than the last, serving as places of business or entertainment. The entire stellate structure if viewed from above shines from its core's facsimile of natural lighting and running lights dancing along its extended metal arms.

An array of ionic plasma thrusters glows below the crown of arms, strategically placed to avoid visibility by the station's patrons. External docking ports and landing areas take up space on the arms themselves, often seen accommodating even the most massive cruise liners or even military craft.

Origins:
The brainchild of a few ambitious people and their investors, the Hotel Galactica was constructed in secrecy before being revealed through viral advertisement and word of mouth spoken by just the right people. Now its a popular place for wealthy and powerful people, featuring everything from high-stakes casinos and gambling, galactic delicacies from far-flung worlds, and even more secretive known only to those in the know. Knowledge of the station's original designer and owner are rare, more rumor than anything else, with the most common theory presenting the tale of a very bored and fabulously wealthy stockbroker building his own retirement.

Expanding beyond its original purpose as a result of the needs of such a large station, no small few aboard are long-term residents or live-in employees. From the Arms to the Promenade, there's something for everyone aboard the Galactica.

After Apex was "hired" to run security for the luxury station, its reputation has only grown. Galactica is a neutral station that welcomes all clients, contingent on their ability to pay and cause no trouble, from Galactic Senate leaders to crime lords.

Apex Security:
To keep the station and its clientele safe, Apex Security has integrated its own methods into the existing structure. A central security network housed in the Watchtower monitors alarms, cameras, various manned and automated checkpoints, and a veritable army of networked RN-18 security droids. Organic officers and more advanced droid models are keyed into encrypted comms networks to maintain open communication.

This network, as with all on the Galactica, is maintained and guarded by network security droids. These droids provide both constant monitoring and defense against slicers. Because of its interconnectedness, a threat to security can be identified and information rapidly disseminated through the entire network, coordinating efforts to track them down.

A military no-fly zone is established around the station. Complementary shuttles can be used to move military personnel from their craft to the Galactica. Sattelite hangars allow military starfighters to land for transport. Rarely, Galactica may authorize very specific exceptions.

Locations:
Galactica, unlike most space stations, is mobile. Equipped with both a hyperdrive and sublight thrusters, it travels primarily through The Slice along the Hydian Way and stops regularly. Its current location is broadcast to clients.

Its interior is broken up into several decks and sections, detailed below.

— Galactica Promenade

By far the main attraction, the domed core of Galactica is a true city among the stars. Luxury hotels, green grass, trees, flowers, and other plantlife make it almost seem planet-bound. Then one looks up and sees the brilliant lights and dark tapestry of space stretched out across the sky. A combination of carbon-reinforced, borosilicate-infused transparisteel and planetary-grade shielding makes up the dome from horizon to horizon. Integrated- and expensive- systems take in ambient stellar energy and refract it along the dome's interior to mimic natural lighting on a standard 24-hour rhythm.

Masterfully crafted botanical arrangements are paired with sleek metallic walkways and shining, geometric structures that reflect the ambient starlight and passerby. These structures contain luxury hotels, haute restaurants, high-security meeting rooms, luxurious spas, the Starlight Casino, and nearly any other top-of-the-line amenity the galactic elite could possibly want on offer. A large, open-air park features simulated seasonal changes and even peaceful animal life within its borders.

Just outside the dome is the Central Control Tower, controlling the station's course and orbit.

Staying within the city proper is expensive, but certainly well worth the price. Access is restricted to Galactica members and their immediate family or specifically authorized guests. While carrying weapons isn't restricted, security in Galactica Promenade is extremely high and the use of weapons can only go poorly.

— Central Ring

Also called the 'Red Light', Galactica's central ring encircles Galactica Promenade and is home to a staggering array of entertainment venues. Movie theaters, live theatre, massage parlors, classy bordellos, racing tracks for both speeders and fathier, casinos, boutiques, storefronts, and restaurants with cuisine from across the galaxy. Mag-lines and overhead speeder traffic carry passengers across the ring to whatever destination they desire. By far the most well-populated of Galactica's sections, Red Light is easier to get into than Galactica Promenade but still a place to have fun and spend credits.

A neon wonderland of endless entertainment, Red Light is a true melting pot. If one can afford it, all are welcome. Access isn't restricted like with the Promenade, but causing trouble can easily get one barred from the station. While carrying weapons isn't restricted, security in Red Light is high and the use of weapons can only go poorly.

— The Arms

Representing the outermost sections and docking areas, the Arms are where less wealthy passersby and dockworkers reside. Docking staff and droids wander the streets alongside bounty hunters, freighter pilots, merchants, and anyone else looking for a stopover point. Full refueling and repair services are offered. Like everywhere else, places to stay, eat, and be entertained are prominent along the multi-deck structures. Although not as highly polished as the Promenade itself, the Arms nonetheless resemble a well-off city with a large range of species and venues on offer.

The Arms' massive market streets are particularly notable for their street food stalls and other goods from across the galaxy. Interior hangars and exterior docking areas are both present, with traffic control keeping things neat and organized.

Wealthy clients and those with passes to stay in the Central Ring or Galactica Promenade are taken from their docking port or hangar directly to their destination via mag-tubes and rails, bypassing the Arms entirely. Access isn't restricted like with the Promenade, but causing trouble can easily get one barred from the station. While carrying weapons isn't restricted, security in the Arms is high and the use of weapons can only go poorly.

— The Maze

Also called the 'Spike' for its exterior appearance, the Maze is not a place Galactica visitors ever go. Colossal in size, Galactica needs plumbers, mechanics, engineers, cleaners, janitors, and every other behind-the-scenes service imaginable. Well-kept residential wards contain not just employees but their families as well. Individual apartments are reasonably sized and provided for. Workers pay no rent- accommodation is covered in their employment contract- and receive additional grocery stipends and health care. A thriving culture has even formed some business down in the Maze.

Outside the residential wards, a confusing network of maintenance tunnels connects much of the station. Everything is kept clean and in perfect working order without clients and visitors having to see much of the behind-the-scenes.

Visitors are barred access to the Maze for security purposes with very few exceptions. Unauthorized access can only go poorly.

Intent:
To serve as Apex's main base of operations and source of passive income. Apex is a neutral organization that takes no sides, a policy also reflected in the Galactica itself. It also works as a safe, neutral meeting place for members of other factions owing to strict policies of security and discretion.

 

[Logan]

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