Soon after reaching out to the stars and venturing into space, many species try to visit other worlds beyond their own star. However, until they discover the secrets of Hyperspace and the hyperdrive, they are forced to travel at slower-than-light speeds. Unfortunately, to reach even the closest star at these velocities can take decades. Because of the huge times involved in travel, many species resort to constructing gigantic ships which can support large crews for decades or even centuries. Due to the distances and travel times, each of the ships must also be prepared to set up a fully self-sufficient colony when it arrives at the destination. One of these such species were the Karmtrani...
When the Karmtranian astronomers first detected several massive asteroids on a collision course with their planet, the species had already been actively pursuing space travel for nearly a century, but were still using slower-than-light methods of travel. While the impending asteroids were still several decades away, they were of such unprecedented size that there would be no conceivable way to avert their impact. Clearly, the species had to survive, even if the home planet were doomed.
After several years of research and thought, the planetary governing body unveiled its plan. It would be an undertaking of monumental proportions, but the planet had no other choice. A few decades earlier, several large mineral-rich asteroids had been towed into high orbit around the planet to be used for their resources. The new plan was to finish hollowing out these asteroids and turn them into gigantic colony ships.
Work was quickly commenced and proceeded at a frenetic pace. Within only a decade, each of the asteroids, all several kilometers in diameter, had been hollowed out. Massive ion drives were fitted to one end of each rock, while life-support equipment, shuttle hanger bays, cargo storage, control rooms, and a myriad of other features were added both inside and outside of each asteroid. Each asteroid was outfitted with all of the equipment and resources it would need to remain self-sufficient for several centuries, as well as the material and resources necessary to colonize a new world.
Once construction was finished on the Eden-class colony ships, the engineers started them rotating around their long axis to create a simulated gravity field for the colonists. An atmosphere was introduced inside and the interior surface of the asteroid was terraformed with rivers, lakes, forests, and more. Residences, offices, and everything else that would be required was built and rechecked.
Finally, the chosen colonists were loaded onto each ship along with genetic samples of as many plants and animals as could be found. These few vessels would be the Karmtrani species' last hope to carry on. Once they reached a suitable destination, they would use all the equipment locked away in storage to begin a new world.
* Even though the Space is set at 1, this is meant to represent an acceleration, not top velocity. Since the vessel lacks a hyperdrive, it accelerates continuously until half-way through the voyage. At this point, the ship begins decelerating at the same rate. During a voyage, the ship can reach upwards of 90% the speed of light.
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| Stats: | Chris Curtis |
| Illustration: | Star Wars Customizable Card Game, Decipher |