Lore/Timeline
The Galactic Timeline
14 byr BCE - 11byr BCE
The Primordial Age
But of those early years none can speak, for the Universe was new, and the distance between galaxies was comparable to the distance between those of us gathered here tonight. In that forgotten age Light was omnipresent, and the chthonic forces of creation struck their hammers down hard against the anvil of space time, such that even today, you may still hear the echoes.
On the Nature of the Cosmos
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11 byr BCE - 2 byr BCE
The Foundational Aeon
Stop thinking about it that way. They aren’t ‘running away’ from each other. It’s, listen, it’s more like this. Red and Blue, yeah? Like the ends of a magnet. Yes, exactly. It’s like that gray bar in the center. It keeps them apart, but it’s also part of them. No, no. Forget it.
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2 byr BCE - 37,000 BCE
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I have just awoken from a terrible dream, and there is no one here who can console me.
[Pottery etching from an archaeological dig in the Cygnus Sector Dead Zone]
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37,000 BCE
The 'First' Age
In threes, you see. Always in threes. Two to oppose, and one to bind. Asking ‘Who was first?’ is pointless. It’s a taxonomic argument - generational semantics. There was no ‘first’. There were three.
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23,000 - 20,000 BCE
The Precursor Wars
And during my travels across the Foyle Expanse, I began to notice that same strange pattern. Here and there we’d pass by the Derelicts, or refuel in high orbit over vast, unnatural scars in the earth below - jagged, like wounds carved into the very stone by the gods. At one such location the survey teams reported these scars contained strong ore deposits, but the natives repelled us fiercely. They claim it is some holy place, and I lack the armament to convince them otherwise.
Journal of a Star-Crossed Trader
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20,000 BCE - 17,000 BCE
The Age of Silence
“Following this unknown but evident catastrophe, the galaxy experienced its own version of the Cambrian Explosion. Here the races were given the room and ability to expand and flourish. Is it a coincidence that so many divergent species developed along these parallel paths at – from a galactic standpoint – the same time? I dunno man, just like, don’t forget to grab some new solar panels when you go to the colony.”
Seldes VI Frontier Node
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17,000 BCE - 14,000 BCE
The Age of Catastrophe
”It is our duty. It is the only thing we should ever hope to do - to preserve not only our existence, but the very existence of life itself! They MUST be stopped, here and now, by any means! No cost is too high! Now men, ready your weapons!”
The Last Stand at Narkassa IV
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1969 CE
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“We choose to go to the Moon not because it is easy, but because it is hard.”
Address at Rice University on the Nation's Space Effort
Humanity successfully completes a manned mission to Luna, the Galactic signifier that a species has joined the Galactic Community. Although the event itself is not witnessed, routine surveillance sweeps of the system conducted by survey drones record the evidence of this achievement.
2075 CE
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“One year ago today, the tragic loss of the brave colonists aboard the ISRO Timingila reminded us all of an oft-forgotten truth. Although we are many nations, we are one people.”
Timingala Disaster One Year Memorial Service
After decades of touch-and-go space program development, missions to Mars become commonplace. Minor colonies in orbit around Luna and Mars – little more than glorified space stations – open up new opportunities for expansion beyond Earth’s rapidly decreasing capacity. The rush to escape Earth’s bonds ends in catastrophe. The ISRO Timingila, a colony ship overloaded with passengers, reaches Low Earth Orbit before experiencing a fatal malfunction. The ship breaks apart before reaching an escape vector – the majority of the debris is destroyed upon reentry. This disaster leads to the rapid reform of global space programs, creating more stringent standards for safety and station utilization.
2083 CE
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“Einstein was almost right, you know. We came this close to his 'sticks and stones' outcome. If not for the fact that we'd colonized the Moon and Mars already, we may very well have wound up there anyways.”
Human History 101 circa 2463
Global conflict erupts on Earth, throwing the entirety of the planet into World War 3. The established colonies on Luna and Mars declare independence with no resistance. The war concludes in 2105, but the political and cultural face of the planet is forever changed. Humanity becomes generally collectivized as the now independent Luna and Mars come to Earth's aid.
2138 CE
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“I heard if you touch them you get warts. That’s why they have to wear the suits.”
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Following up on reports from their monitoring drones, the Vikara Combine approaches Humanity. Official First Contact between Humanity and an alien race is recorded. Although early attempts at communication are strained, the long-anticipated connection with another spacefaring species quickly allows the establishment of mutually beneficial trade agreements.
2157 CE
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“The Galaxy is large, and the Vikara Combine has been extremely forthcoming regarding the disposition of its many civilizations. It would be madness for us to go it completely alone.”
Former Diplomat to the Vikara Combine
After years of successful trade, the Human colonies and Vikara Combine enter into a Non-Aggression Pact. Technological progress explodes as the Federation becomes more open in its sharing of technologies.
2198 CE
The Dawn of the Orion Confederation
“Martians, Ionians, Terrans. These are the names we have sworn ourselves to these past decades. Although the scars of our past conflicts may always remain, we have gathered here today to throw away the old names! We are many people, from many colonies, but we are one race, and one system. No Callisto. No Mars. Orion!”
Ratification of the Orion Confederation Charter
Facing the realities of life on the Galactic stage, Humanity's colonies send representatives back to the Sol system to form a conclave. At this meeting, the assembled representatives agree to assemble a centralized government, to which each individual colony or planet will belong. The conclave dissolves, and Humanity bands together under the flag of the Orion Confederation.
2274 CE
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“And in other news, Sol colonists arrived today in the Malum sector after three full months adrift on a relatively unknown space lane.”
Malum Sector Frontier
Now functioning as one – mostly – unified group, humanity exploits established space lanes to colonize the galactic frontier. Within a century, thousands of colonies across the galaxy stretch the Orion Confederation’s influence to the breaking point. Left with no other option, the Orion Confederation grants those humans living on the frontier unprecedented autonomy.
2275 CE
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“All I know is that the Confederation promised us logistical support and protection from the pirates before we charted our course out here. It’s been two years, and I haven’t seen one Orion ship. If it weren’t for Aether, we’d be dead!”
Neo Roma 249
Without the Confederation’s support, the Frontier suffers in ways the Sol system and its neighbors do not. The resulting power vacuum facilitates the rise of the Megacorporations. Although not inherently malicious, the various disputes between companies fractures the frontier into a wide array of different territories and contested zones. Corporate warfare becomes common.
2303 CE
The Birth of NanoTrasen
“Here at NanoTrasen we know how much difference a few days makes! Why risk a late delivery? Contact your local NanoTrasen Sales Agent today!”
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A smaller corporation named NanoTrasen rapidly gains prominence on the frontier. Known across several systems for their efficient delivery and general range of mid-tier products, NanoTrasen quickly grows from covering a few systems to covering entire Sectors. Although seen as a minor player on the larger galactic field due to their lack of specialization, NanoTrasen’s shrewd manipulations place it in control of numerous vital shipping lanes on the frontier. Partnerships between colonies and stations with NanoTrasen continue to grow exponentially.
2354 CE
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“Citizens, please return to your home. NanoTrasen Security teams have been dispatched to this area for your own protection.”
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Following the two-year Bluespace “Flicker”, during which transit between sectors became untenable due to the sudden and unexpected volatility of FTL transit along established lanes, thousands of NanoTrasen clients, ranging from ships to colonized planets, break down without logistical support. The ensuing riots push NanoTrasen's Security forces – at this point mostly used to repel pirates – to the absolute brink. A prudent partnership with Hephaestus Industries helps to keep NanoTrasen solvent, and eventually allows them to gain the upper hand.
2359 CE
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“I think they recruited most of us after the riots. I used to be a Sales Agent. Now? I’m still a Sales Agent, I guess. Just selling something different.”
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Intent on preventing such a severe logical breakdown in the future, NanoTrasen forms Central Command. Although Central Command is itself a representation of the corporation’s hierarchy, it is also designed to be strategically decentralized. Every NanoTrasen client or property, from the lowest ship to the largest Sector, is assigned a Central Command liason of some design. These Officials represent the utter authority of NanoTrasen, and are afforded the full resources of the company to ensure the facilities and territories placed under their watch function smoothly. The implementation of CentCom is a wild success, with multiple riots and revolts being quickly contained and eradicated before they can spread to disrupt other areas.
2494 CE
The Bluespace Race
“News From the Frontier! Up and coming Megacorp NanoTrasen claims to have discovered a new structure of crystal that offputs tell-tale indicators of Bluespace radiation! Although they’ve vowed to study how this new discovery might be used to improve on Bluespace travel, they’re already facing fierce competition!”
Terran news broadcast capturing the beginning of “The Bluespace Race”.
During routine mining operations, NanoTrasen discovers large pockets of Bluespace crystals in an asteroid belt. Bringing the crystals back to a local research facility, scientists realize that the crystals are emitting Bluespace radiation. Upon further study, NanoTrasen scientists conclude that the novel structure of the crystals functions as a sort of fractal trap for radiation typically emitted by Bluespace drives. Concluding that the crystals are a rare but naturally occurring structure capable of passively collecting the radiation, NanoTrasen accidentally leaks a report regarding the collection method and its theoretical use in new Bluespace drives. This leaked report is quickly noticed by rival corporations, triggering "The Bluespace Race".
2409 CE
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“Although initial analyses indicate Element P is extremely volatile, further tests on its applicability as a fuel source have lead the Research Team to conclude that Element P is a deeply exploitable resource. We have attached request forms for additional funding, as well as [REDACTED].”
Intercepted transmission from NanoTrasen Bluespace Research Station 5
During black site field testing of proprietary Bluespace drives, local mass spectrometer readings detect a previously unknown element in the atmosphere of a gas giant along the jump route. Initially discovered in gaseous form, surveys of celestial bodies surrounding the gas giant quickly yield samples of the element in mineral form. Given the codename ‘Element P’, scientists test the gas’ utility as fuel, and discover that it far outstrips their standard blends in terms of efficiency, even in an unrefined state. Research focus quickly splits between the ongoing Bluespace race and Element P exploitation. Throughout the next decade, scientific breakthroughs and leaps in the field of ‘Element P’ study open up a wider array of possibilities for the element.
2432 CE
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“And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Sector Chief Research Executive Raphael Gutierrez is here to announce the latest in NanoTrasen’s groundbreaking innovations!”
2432 NanoTrasen Bluespace Tech Conference
NanoTrasen research teams working on the Bluespace Race crack the process of manufacturing of Bluespace crystals at last. Installing these crystals in their proprietary engines, NanoTrasen’s ships outstrip those of their fellow corporations in terms of range and efficiency thanks to their ability to passively collect Bluespace radiation to power their drives. Central Command’s covert operations increase in scope and scale as the addition of Element P as a fuel source to these engines gives them even stronger mobility advantages.
2456 CE
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“Although staunchly opposed by NanoTrasen’s legal department, the consensus amongst other frontier corporations is that production of synthetic Bluespace crystals is not legally protected by NT patents. Although the suit was dropped in arbitration, NanoTrasen CFO Courtenay McDaniel had this to say–“
Ares Sector News Broadcast
The manufacturing of synthetic Bluespace crystals becomes widespread due to corporate espionage and concurrent research projects funded by competing corporations. Although NanoTrasen retains its growth from the period during which it held control of Bluespace crystal manufacturing, the freshly competitive market prevents them from eclipsing the competition.
2472 CE
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“…have discovered that, utilizing the proper alloy for the grinders and maintaining strict temperature controls during the processing phase, Element P ore can be successfully refined into a crystalline state. The research applications for this processed material are already staggering…”
Retrieved from a charred research logbook
After years of constant research at numerous covert sites, Scientists manage to successfully refine the notoriously volatile Element P into a stable crystalline configuration. This ease of handling allows for broader research projects to begin. As safe samples of Element P become more readily available to NanoTrasen research departments, a massive boom in NanoTrasen’s R&D efforts quietly unfolds. Jealously guarding their patents and innovations, NanoTrasen sits on numerous new products as it ensures it has a firm grasp on the source of Element P.
2486 CE
Phoron Will Make Us Rich
“Megacorporation NanoTrasen released its own response to allegations that it was unfairly capitalizing on its current Phoron monopoly to cripple corporate competitors, stating: ‘It has always been the goal of NanoTrasen to recognize our limits and offer affordable goods to the market. If other corporations are unable to match our ability to satisfy our valued customers, that just means we’re achieving our goals.’”
Sigmar Sector News Broadcast
Formally branding the crystal phoron, NanoTrasen breaks out of their economic lull virtually overnight. Having utilized their vast resources to buy up the mining rights – and in some cases entire systems – to ensure a stranglehold on naturally occurring phoron deposits, NanoTrasen at last reveals their discovery. Publishing heavily watered down materials for the public to demonstrate how viable phoron is across a variety of fields, NanoTrasen is approached by virtually every other corporation in the hopes it will establish partnerships and research agreements. Instead, NanoTrasen curates a list of favorable corporations, and cuts out any who have previously opposed them. Entire companies evaporate as they are bought out or crushed by the juggernaut that is NanoTrasen and its allies, while those with the clout to remain viable quietly band together to form the Syndicated Corporations - colloquially known as the Syndicate. The frontier enters a new era of corporate espionage and outright warfare.
2559 CE
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“Kynde Group Pharmaceuticals announced today that they have also found sources of Phoron and are beginning production on a new line of phoron-based drugs. As new sources of the material have been located across the galaxy, NanoTrasen’s official monopoly appears to be crumbling at last.”
An article clipping seized by NT Security from an abandoned hideaway
In spite of their most zealous efforts to maintain full control of the supply of phoron, NanoTrasen’s nearly century-long war with the Syndicate and unrelated interests ends at last. More and more pockets of naturally occurring phoron are claimed and bought out from under NanoTrasen. As the need to usurp the Megacorporation wanes, its Syndicate rivals quickly fall back into the old pattern of mutual distrust and squabbling. Once again on equal footing, NanoTrasen’s power – vast as it is – becomes a secondary concern. Relative peace settles across the Frontier.
2564 CE
The Awakening
“All personnel are required to evacuate Deck 3 at once. Cover your ears and follow the flashing yellow lights to the escape chambers. Thank you for your cooperation. All personnel are required...”
During the Red Six
In a relatively banal year for the company, NanoTrasen encountered multiple anomalous contacts among the stars of the Sigmar sector, in the frontier of known space. Said contacts came to a head early in the year, when a sudden influx of strange events lead to a mysterious uprising of ship personnel aboard Deck 3 of the company's premier exploration cruiser, the NDV Marksman. The uprising lasted for all of six months, with attempts to quell the riots being unsuccessful. Rumors abound that the riots were incited by cultist activity, worshipping some ancient god of blood, but NanoTrasen has been quick to scrub feeds of such rumors whenever possible. The NDV Marksman would be declared 'safe' after six months of riots, but it's said that seditious elements may still exist aboard the vessel.
2566 CE
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“Welcome to the NSB Adephagia! We hope you have a productive shift!”
Customary greeting for local NanoTrasen new recruits
It is the current day. Without the constant strife from the Syndicate and other factions, NanoTrasen has turned once again to research and fulfillment. Across the Frontier outposts like the NSB Adephagia continue to function as black sites for covert research. Just because the rest of the corporations have access to phoron, it doesn’t mean the end of secrecy for the galaxy’s largest Megacorp. The galaxy is even larger, and the next big thing is out there, just waiting to be discovered.