Synthworld

Many things about the Chronos System made it an ideal location for the ambitious Project Archangel. The star’s similarity to Sol’s sun made it optimal for human habitation. Its two planets were desolate rocks, meaning that the massive undertaking would not inconvenience any inhabitants, nor would the decades of construction and experiments endanger anyone not associated with the project. The lack of planets outside of Bruder and Schwester allowed the Synthworld to be placed at the ideal orbital distance from the star. It had the added benefit of being a relatively remote system, which minimized the chances of unwanted visitors and prying eyes.

When the project was announced, it symbolized a future where Humanity could create habitable worlds without the risk of harming other species. Haulers made the long trek to take resources into the system even if profits margins were higher elsewhere. Scholars expounded at length what the success of Archangel could mean to the Empire’s future. And civilians in every system excitedly waited for a new world to be born.

Yet as the decades passed, the promise of the Synthworld seemed to wane along with the public’s interest. Despite billions of hours and credits spent, the planet seemed no closer to completion. The project became tainted with corruption scandals and cost overruns, leading some progressive Transitionalists to call it a “financial vampire” that was draining money and resources from more important projects. The Synthworld no longer symbolized the future; it was putting it in jeopardy.

Today, Chronos sees a minimal amount of traffic. Haulers still offload supplies at Archangel Station and some traverse the system along the designated travel lanes to access the Branaugh System. Past that, there are few other reason for people to find themselves in the Chronos System.

The defining feature of the Chronos System, Synthworld, also known as Project Archangel, is Humanity’s attempt to construct a planet from scratch. This ambitious idea originated with the Clarke Committee, a government task force assigned to envision a “more perfect future for Humanity” in light of the massacre of Garron II. If the Empire could build its own worlds, there would no longer be a need for the risk of destroying fledging life that terraforming presented.

In the second half of the 29th century, the UEE was looking to redefine its status in the universe. The Messer regime had been overthrown almost a century earlier, but greed and corruption still festered within the government. Amidst this uncertainty, Corbyn Salehi rode a wave of reform into the Imperator’s office, campaigning on a platform of open, honest and ambitious government. Proving himself to be a man of action, not just words, Salehi latched onto the Clarke Committee’s most fantastic proposal – a man-made planet. He believed if Humanity rallied around an ambitious goal it could progress past the petty differences holding it back.

Salehi’s optimism was infectious, allowing him to garner the necessary public and political support. For decades, even after he no longer held the office of Imperator, Salehi and his vision sustained people’s faith in the project. Unfortunately, Salehi died in 2922 from unexpected complications with his artificial pancreas. Without his guiding force, the Synthworld effort has fallen on hard times.

Today, construction on the Synthworld continues. Updates on the project have become less frequent, but government scientists and engineers claim to be making progress. Many still hold hope that the bold face of Humanity’s future will yet emerge from Chronos. Whether Synthworld becomes one of Humanity’s greatest successes or failures is still to be decided.

Travel Warning: Though the Synthworld is in unrestricted space, all Synthworld business must go through Archangel Station. Anyone attempting to access the Synthworld directly will be met by members of the 18th Battle Group and asked to divert course or face dire consequences.

Archangel Station
An orbital station positioned above the Synthworld that houses the scientists and engineers who are attempting to build a planet. This station is also the port of entry for the vast resources needed to continue the project.