The setting

Hellion is a solar system many lightyears from Earth. Despite its remoteness, it is the destination of the first interstellar colonization mission during the 23rd century. Almost a million colonists, suspended in cryogenic hibernation, leave Sol on a journey that will take many decades.

However, when they wake up, almost a century later, they find themselves trapped inside a nightmare. Instead of living in a manmade paradise they are forced to fight for survival surrounded by deserted stations, incomplete orbital habitats and derelict warships.

With the closest rescue operation half a century away, orbital economy in disarray and no authorities in sight, many turn to scavenging, stealing and outright violence. Others try to live in a more civilized way and begin uncovering the truth behind the largest disaster in human history.

Pre-Launch History

Before mankind ventured across the void it had to conquer the Solar system. The great expanse began during the second half of the 21st century. In less than 200 years mankind had completed its transformation from a terrestrial into a space faring civilization. Over 45 billion people called Sol their home and almost two thirds had never been to Earth.

The reformed UN government put a lot of effort into bridging the gaps between nations during the late 21st century but in so doing it disregarded the divisions that began forming during the great expanse. The early days of space exploration were dominated by various private companies, from small independent enterprises to large international conglomerates. As society changed and technology advanced these companies gradually reduced their Earth-based operations and eventually transformed into independent state-like entities each with their own values, goals and agendas. They were among the first to call space their home.

In the end the UN Government remained the highest authority in the Solar system but many regions stayed outside its influence in the hands of independent entities. “The Expedition Project” brought the factions of Sol together due to its importance and size but only for a moment.

The Expedition

“Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning. Nothing will now be impossible for them.” Genesis 11:6

For a while it seemed that mankind’s expanse had reached its limit and that the stars would forever remain beyond our reach. Until, at the start of the 22nd century, the discovery of the warp-drive opened the galaxy to us. The stars were no longer our guides, they had become our destination.

The advancements in Warp-drive technology rendered interplanetary distances trivial while FTL communications enabled a near instantaneous information exchange. For many, this meant that mankind was finally ready to step outside its cradle. Decades of careful research, scanning and unmanned reconnaissance missions followed. At long last the probes found a perfect place for the new home of mankind. A small red giant star 1700ly away. They named it Hellion.

The Expedition project was a colossal undertaking that took 64 years to complete and consumed more resources and manpower than any other endeavor in human history. The center of the project was a massive flagship “Daedalus”, a giant vessel over 12km in length, using a micro-singularity as its core. Safely stored inside its vast hull was all the equipment the colonists would need to establish orbital infrastructure in an alien system. Everything from science, construction and terraforming gear to self-replicating mining probes and weapon systems.

On April 11th 2292 Earth standard time, the expedition fleet, carrying almost a million colonists, embarked on its 78 year long journey towards Hellion.

The Factions

The main driving force behind the expedition was the UN Government but the project as a whole belonged to all political and economic factions of Sol. The most prominent among these groups were the former pioneers of space exploration, the independent corporate entities that still maintained control over large portion of Sol’s economy.

Altair Corporation

“We make space a better place!”

The “industrialists” behind the Expedition project, the Altair Corporation was one of the largest groups involved in the colonization of Hellion second only to UN Government. It was responsible for the production of majority of resources as well as orbital construction from shipyards and refineries to large habitats.

Like the company itself, their equipment is exceptionally robust and flexible. Their ships are among the most versatile in Hellion and can usually fit any role from mining and exploration to military applications. If you want something built safe and reliable, you can’t go wrong with “Alt-Corp”!

Broken dreams

When you wake up from your century long journey there is no colony, no safe haven and no place to call home. Hellion is not even a shadow of what it was supposed to be. It is a desolate graveyard of Mankind’s hopes, dreams and ambitions scattered across the empty void. Instead of grand habitats and planets waiting to receive new settlers, there are only ruins, debris fields and empty stations.

There is evidence of devastation and conflict everywhere. Derelict ships destroyed by weapon fire, outposts hit by powerful explosives, empty vessels without any apparent damage and habitats hit by biological agents. Many of the sophisticated computer systems designed to handle any eventuality are malfunctioning and causing havoc among the automated systems under their control. War it seems, is the only constant in our ever changing history.

Still, the most disturbing fact is the absence of people. UN officials, corporate representatives, engineers, scientists and law enforcement troops, all dead or gone without a trace.

The only places still working as intended are small outposts, barely capable of supporting life. Like the one you woke up in. The systems may be working for now but they show signs of extensive wear. Without immediate repair the outposts will soon run out of air and power. If you plan to survive, you will need to obtain the needed tools and resources elsewhere.

The small ship docked outside may be only a little more than a shuttle craft by Earth standards but it is the best one you have.