Axis Fold Device or AFD - a faster-than-light (FTL) travel drive for
starships, currently limited to ships over 100 dtons displacement. The Axis
Fold Device is explained in lay terms to "fold space" so that a
starship need travel no distance to get from point A to point B, because
the two points in space are made adjacent each other. Other explanations
describe it more as a "gateway" or "tunnel". In any
case, very few people have a grasp on the technology and even fewer can
approximate a grasp of the physics. Reverse-engineering of the technology
accounts for the current understanding.
Travelers commonly experience nausea, blackouts and nose bleeds.
Fatigue is often felt for 2 to 3 days afterward, even though the travel,
commonly called "folding over", is completed in about three seconds
from the point of view of the traveler. Great distance from gravity distortion
is required, and standard procedure is to travel 66 hours at 2g before
making the calculations for engaging the AFD.
Black Rock - The second system recontacted by Haven was Black Rock, home to the mining stations that supplied the raw materials that built the great domed cities of Nadir. The trip was greatly complicated by the fact that no refueling source exists in the system. In it's heyday there had been fuel collection and processing rigs in orbit around the dim, red star, but they had fallen into disrepair long before the ore ships stopped coming.
The Vagabond, an elderly merchant with J3 drive and a jump governor was refurbished and refitted with extra tankage for the trip. She jumped out-system on 2.1938.3.2, never to be seen or heard from again. Debris from the ship was found in decaying orbit around Black Rock late in the Inhuman War. When the Vagabond did not return on time, all system defenses were put on alert against the eventuality that a hostile force might follow her trail back to Haven.
The second expedition to Black Rock in 2.1939 consisted of three ships: Jackrabbit, Lady Jayn a rather scabby old J2 free trader, and The Border Crosser a rickety old ore ship that had been serving as an in-system tug for sixty years. Lady Jayn and Crosser were armed heavily with lasers and missiles, but were not carrying fuel for a return trip. Jackrabbit would be able to refuel from cargo-bay-mounted fuel tanks on the other two ships. All aboard the ships went in ready for a fight. They entered well outside of the orbit of the world and scanned for other ships as they refueled Jackrabbit in preparation for an emergency exit from the system. When no ship were detected after five days of sweeps, a careful approach toward the planet was attempted by the Lady Jayn. Radio frequency activity was detected on the surface, but no replies were received after eleven days of attempts. Planetary defensive systems were detected by Jackrabbit, but no voice contact could be established. As the Lady Jayn reached the 100,000 km defensive perimeter she was hit by a meson weapon amid ships. Her Axis Fold Device was obliterated on the first shot, but she was able to break off her approach before a second attack disabled her main power plant. She drifted out of range shortly after taking a third hit in her drive areas. The Border Crosser was able to retrieve her crew, including two dead, as she drifted away from the planet.
Because Jackrabbit was able to pinpoint the source of the attacks, the three ships were able to mount a missile attack on the meson site. Though successful at knocking out the meson weapon, it was determined that the planet was defended by several other weapon systems. Jackrabbit returned to Haven with the news while Crosser remained at a safe distance and gathered intelligence that proved very useful the following year when the first battle of what would come to be known as the Inhuman War was fought.
In 2.1941, when the security systems of Black Rock had all been subdued, Black Rock was found to be a treasure trove of mined ore, computer equipment, mining equipment, repair facilities and deep, rich mines. No humans were found alive anywhere in the system. Logs showed that most had abandoned the facility when food and payroll stopped arriving. Several dozen had stayed behind to defend the facilities and equipment from pirate attacks. They automated the defensive systems, but when supplies dwindled most of them used cryogenic pods to enter suspended animation, hoping to it wait out until the next supply ship arrived. Those that did not sleep later died of natural causes or malnutrition. The cryo modules maintained the others for about three years at best.
Today Black Rock is a major source for raw materials used to build ships, cities and machinery for the prosperity of Haven.
Economic Structure - With elements of both socialism (government redistribution of humanitarian necessities) and fascism (dictatorial para-military rule, state sponsored industrialization of the private sector) the economy of Haven is very tightly controlled. All transactions and nearly all possessions are recorded and redistributed by the machinery of the impersonal bureaucracy. Relaxing of rationing and economic controls are slowly being instituted as relative prosperity (for business) is realized.
Far Fields - The first star system that Haven ships visited (on 2.1933.33.3) was Far Fields. At the time that interstellar transport stopped, Far Fields was undergoing terra-transformation development for use by the farming companies of Haven. All company personnel had been evacuated after pirate attacks became a regular occurrence for ships refueling at the gas giant in-system. The Jackrabbit, a former transport ship previously owned by Grain Growers Collective, had been converted, repaired and armed for the J2 trip. The ship jumped in, refueled, took readings, then returned to Haven. The three week round trip was cheered by all Havenites. News that there was no traffic or transmissions in the Far Fields system encouraged the CES to make a return trip scarcely three months later, this time with two ships, to explore the planet itself.
The Jackrabbit and the newly dubbed Explorer made the exploratory mission. Explorer had been an Imperial scouting ship and had been stranded on Haven due to lack of repair facilities long ago. Most of the ships systems had been intact. Her power plant had to be replaced almost completely before she could be returned to service. Her role in the exploration was crucial due to her streamlined hull, extensive survey equipment and specialized computer systems.
The survey team, led by Arndt-Vim Feller, found a lush and fully transformed world ready for colonization and farming. Seven starship crash sites were identified, one of which had had survivors. The tiny village that the five survivors had established was populated by very happy and technologically backward descendents who used the wreck as a mausoleum for their dead, but were otherwise well-adjusted. The "Family" of thirty-three descendents were granted a 100 sq km homestead and allowed a certain amount of autonomy. Most of the group elected to join Haven society so that today there are only 9 remaining. Farming research is the largest sector of the local economy. Farm exports are relatively low due to lack of need and transportation costs vs. products readily available on Haven.
Farm Holdings Interstel - One of the Big Three farming companies, Farm Holdings was a large interstellar farming concern prior to the Interregnum. Their headquarters has always been on Haven
Feller - Arndt Feller is looked upon as the founding father of the state. With the Imperial government falling down around him, on 2.1833.37.7 Governor Feller did the only thing left for a caring man of substance to do. He consolidated all government bureaus under his direct control for the good of the people, and he did so without an eye toward personal gain. Feller took the time to explain each step of the process to his people, to help calm the populace in the face of impending doom. His fatherly talks were recorded and made available in holovid format to everyone to view on a daily basis. By taking the time to explain the necessity of hardship programs like rationing, production quotas, curfews, biological tasking, pacification training, compulsory service, patterned family growth and shared resourcing, Feller made possible the nigh impossible survival and flourishing of a world cut off from its trade partners. He had the foresight to save Haven from regression into barbarism and he had the forethought to train his son to take his place as he aged.
Danl Vollor Feller succeed his father on 2.1865.22.3 and followed almost perfectly in his footsteps. Often referred to as the Forgotten Feller, D.V. (as he was known in that time) made few personal appearances during his short term of office.
Arndt-Vollor Feller was sworn in as the third Feller on 2.1875.48.6 by his father who retired due to fragile health. Feller III, as he chose to be called, was only thirty-two at the time the began serving. Our people quickly left off any wondering about his ability to carry out his grandfather's plan when he reinstituted the weekly chat sessions and showed himself eloquent, intelligent and personable. His nearly sixty years of service to Haven and her people during some of her darkest hours are evidence of providence smiling on them.
The current Feller, Arndt-Vim Feller, was robust and outspoken from the beginning. By the time he stepped in at his fathers death on 2.1934.2.1, Vim was already well-known and well-liked by all Havenites. The fact that Haven has regained the stars under this, our fourth Feller, is no coincidence. Since his service in the Space Navy during his youth, and continuing up the ranks of civil service, Vim Feller has pressed hard for expansion into the belts and beyond. He was aboard the first space vessel to reach Far Fields in 2.1933 and has maintained close ties in the Colonization and Exploration Service. Most of his personal chat sessions recorded in the past nineteen years have talked about expansion, colonization and reestablishing contact with interstellar society. Over the past several years he has made a point to celebrate the relaxing of austerity programs and ordering celebrations to honor the success and foresight of Arndt Feller's Great Plan.
Growth Product Farms - a top producing company and chief benefactor of state sponsored genetic engineering. Much of the state university research is carried out on farms owned by GPF and the company gets the first opportunity to sell new varieties of seed. GPF is also the largest grower of medicinal plants for the drug industry.
Grain Growers Collective - The largest policy and trade board for Haven. Seats on the commission of The Collective are some of the most sought-after seats outside of government.
Inhuman War - From the first time that a human from Haven set foot on Black Rock until the last Inhuman was destroyed, is a time in the history of our society that will forever be remembered as the Inhuman War. Numbering approximately one-thousand, the cunning (though mindless), robotic Inhumans were created for security duty on in the harsh environment of Black Rock. For nearly two years they fought the forces of Haven for every piece of ground, every corridor and chamber of the mining facility. Over four-thousand women and men lost their lives at the hands of these vile, humanoid machines that were controlled by a central security computer network in the heart of the mining headquarters deep within the planet.
It was during this sad hour for Haven that one of her proudest achievements was made. Haven's Space Marine Corps were born, peopled by the bravest souls from the Palace Guard and Navy special forces, and unleashed with a fury and determination that only human beings can achieve, against the vile Inhuman forces. With two incursions over a one month period the Marines penetrated the security complex and deactivated all of the Inhumans. Less than one-hundred Marines were lost in the takeover as they overwhelmed their foes with ingenuity and determination.
Ironbound Mining and Minting - Ironbound has been operating in the Haven systems for over six hundred years. Mining mostly iron, copper, nickel and tin in the early days, the company has continued to mine the sparse belt, which was formerly known as the Ironbound Belt, but was renamed Haven's Hope a century ago.
Jonn Deer - Exclusively a farming machinery producer, the Deer company has a five century heritage on Haven. Converted from a sales and repair depot that was maintained on Haven by a large, interstellar farm implement company, Deer has gone on to become primary provider of new machinery to the important farming industry.
Military
League of Peace - Maintaining the name
and a portion of the purpose that it had in the Old Days, the LP is responsible for law
and order on Haven proper. Added to it's duties by the Fellers have been Suborbital
Defense, Palace Guard and Quick Militia divisions.
Haven Space Navy - The Space Navy grew
out of the left over systems defense forces and has been given the duty both of protecting
and policing the systems that Haven controls.
Space Marine Corps - The newest force,
the Corps was drawn from special units of the Navy and Palace Guard when a landing force
was needed at Black Rock to win the Inhuman War. The actual numbers of the Corps are a
closely guarded secret, but small numbers of these elite troops are kept in each system
and at HSN headquarters on Haven.
Colonization and Exploration Service - Exploration and mapping of space in Haven's neighborhood is the exclusive domain of her most prestigious service. Sometimes called scouts, this group is heralded as the generator of hope for the future of Haven and her people. The service gets the best and newest equipment and technology to help them carry out their mission of expanding the borders and re-establishing contact with the interstellar communities. Currently, all eyes are on the upcoming trade talks with delegations from Jager Belt and Harpy, two newly contacted trade worlds beyond The Rosettes.
Nadir - Formerly the subsector capital, this world has recently been recontacted. Official reports say that the society of Nadir is no longer star-faring and a Reclamation Bureau has been established to begin reconstruction of the capital.
Rayeth Robotics - The only robotics producer on Haven, Rayeth produces mechanized workhorses exclusively. Farming and production robots of their own design are interspersed with mining and cargo-handling designs that they have been reverse-engineered from those found on Black Rock. The growth of Rayeth from nothing to the status of fourth largest private organization in the span of thirty years is a great tribute to the ingenuity and industriousness of her workers.
Reclamation Bureau - This newly established agency has been charged with reclaiming the world of Nadir and reestablishing the world as sector capital. Navy, CES and Marine detachments have been assigned to assist the effort in the Nadir system and recruitment of experts in all areas of technology and the sciences continues apace.
Religion - There is no question at this point in history that the universe is a created reality. All humans carry a common memory of "The Scattering", a vague recollection of being sent out from a long forgotten home. This is coupled with a certainty that they will return home at some point in the future. The period in between, life, is often called "the only mystery". Philosophical arguments rage over what the purpose of life is. Gaining knowledge? Learning humility? Amassing power? Enriching others? Proving your faith or personal bravery? Bringing about galactic peace? Unifying all mankind under one ruler? Creating art or technology? The number of factions are almost infinite, but it is universally agreed that government cannot dictate to people what they find within themselves.
Sandwich Industrial Development - The Sandwich Plains Produce Company was the first to benefit on a large scale from industrialization of Haven. A division of the company had been involved in building farm machinery on Haven before the Empire stumbled, because of their very specialized needs for exotic vegetable processing. Because they were the only company on the planet that had experience in building large assembly plants, they were given many government and private contracts. Today they are the largest construction company in the Haven collective of worlds.
Schenddler Power Products - Maker of industrial motors, jet engines and anti-grav units. Their famously over-engineered products tend to last seemingly forever. Schenddler is the pioneer of the concept called 'life-long engineering' under which a maintenance person (or crew) is mated with a piece of equipment from the time it is ordered, through production and into the field. They have jokingly been accused of selling mechanics and throwing in a motor to sweeten the deal.
Social Structure - Roles of the Sexes -Women in Haven society are channeled into intellectual, technological and academic areas. Men are directed toward bureaucracy, management, administration, organization or law enforcement. The men and women of Haven are proud of their roles and serve each other honorably in the positions that careful testing leads them to.
Military Indoctrination - Most children are required to attend two years of military academy to end their secondary education. Males, depending on aptitude, proceed to university training or military service (at least two years). Women most often pursue technical degree studies before entering the military or the work force. Exceptions abound, especially among two special classes: Academicians and Agriculturists. Children with high IQs are directed into university life. Farming families have been given special dispensation to direct there own affairs, operating as they see fit so long as agricultural production increases on a regular basis. Due to this the farming community is quite isolated. Several medium-sized corporate farming operations exist, away from population centers, where they run autonomous villages.
State Bank of Haven - Soon after the institution of the Feller plan, all six of the banking companies on Haven were consolidated into one organization that is closely administered by the central government to ensure that the movement of money serves the best interest of the populace. The old-fashioned ideas of local currency have been swept aside and all of Haven operates on the E-Trade Units monitored by the bank.
Suspended Documents - The government of Haven formerly ran as a civil service bureaucracy under charter from the Duchy of Quiet Stars, the sector in which Haven lies. The governors were appointed by the Duke or Duchess and most often went to Agricultural Ministry staff members who were next in line for Vice Minister positions. The charter, a 750,000 word set of documents, was "suspended" by Arndt Feller in 2.1834.1.1 so that he could fully implement a new set of rules for the preservation of Haven society.
Talmadg Shipyards - Criticized for being too closely controlled by the Navy, Talmadg is what has become of the old repair depot. The original company by the same name, that ran the depot, fired it's workers and closed the yards when traffic decreased in system. Feller took over the yards when he suspended the Imperial trade pact in 2.1833. The current company is 51% privately owned with the government maintaining the rest. The yard can build star ships up to Jump-2, but so far has only made one hull design, the Governor Feller class cruiser of which there are three in service and three being built. All of the other ships they have "built" have been existing hulls that they have refitted and returned to service. Several corporations have made requests for new ships, but have been put off while Navy ships are being built. A new starship yard is being built on Black Rock by a collection of companies who need their own starship designs produced.
Technology - Arndt Feller was of the belief that the culture of Haven with it's agricultural base and university was in a unique position to survive the Interregnum and to emerge from it in an influential position, if it could add the third leg of technology / industry to the combination. The government took over directing, but not the day-to-day operations, of all industry and larger businesses on Haven. He used a calm, but firm manner to reassure and unify the populace behind a common goal of technological advancement. The people willingly accepted a change to a dictatorial government, a strict police state and rigid rationing of consumer goods to get behind this vision.