Bluespace

History
Bluespace is a form of pocket dimension that was discovered in 2413 by Doctor Samantha Tigard and an anonymous Skrellian research team, who at the time was conducting a theoretical physics experiment to test the probability of a resonance cascade scenario, in which a portal to an alternate dimension would be opened. Tigard's experiments, when coupled with some theoretical models contributed by the Skrell, discovered Bluespace. She latter went on the pioneer the first Enhanced Warp-Bluespace Drive. Powering the drive proved difficult until the discovery of plasma in 2417, which could easily power a bluespace crystal compared to more traditional power sources.

The first drone sent into Bluespace was constructed by the Einstein Engines corporation, and traveled to the edge of the Alpha Centauri system in less than ten minutes. However, using Doctor Tigard's experimental 'drive' system would not work for tradition travel, as it could not be focused and it was only large enough for objects smaller than the average human. Selling her designs for a record 234,000,000 standard Credits to the Einstein Engines corporation, the first Bluespace Gate began construction in 2420. Finished in 2425, the first Bluespace Gate, orbiting Mars, spanned the size of fifty meters, and had seven fusion reactors built into it. The existing Warp Gates were quickly converted into Bluespace-Warp Gates (but retained their old name), allowing them to be powered much more efficiently.

How it works
Bluespace is a very strange form of pocket dimension, that is largely unpredictable and completely unexplored. While there is speculation about the possibility of celestial bodies existing in Bluespace, it is highly unlikely. Travelling in the Bluespace dimension without a proper gate or simulated Bluespace drive of sufficient size can result in either no control of exist location, or unknown death. Travelling in the Bluespace dimension, depending on the power of the gate entered, varies from 10x the speed of light, to 1000x the speed of light. As of 2457, there are two methods of utilizing bluespace for galactic travel: Bluespace Gates, and Bluespace Drives.

Bluespace Link Gates
Link gates are generally used for intersystem trasportation. Link gates, generally around 150 by 150 meters, are ring-shaped with projectors facing inwards. Generally Equipped with two fusion reactors, eighteen particle accelerator cannons, and five missile racks, Link gates are completely automated, and activated with a transmission to the gate's communication system. In this communication, you must include your ship ID, faction, and intended location. Link gates will refuse to open for wanted personas, and will alert the closest authority if attempted to be accessed. Link gates will do the same for unregistered ships. Link gates link to other Link gates within a given area, as well as feed into a Star gate, if one is in range. Link gates are used by virtually all ships without their own bluespace drives. Link gates are placed near important areas, such as populated planets, large scale orbital installations, mining fields, and occassionally areas of high pirate activity for police to have easy access. Most link gates are constructed by a subsidiary of NanoTrasen corporation, 'GaTech inc.' NanoTrasen charges a small fee for each use of a Link gate, 20 standard credits.

Bluespace Star Gates
Star gates, the updated version of traditional Warp Gates, are the bigger, more expensive cousins of the much more common link gates, and are generally used for interstellar transportation. Star gates are usually the size of Battleships, and are ring shaped, with projections, similar to their close cousins, the Link gates. Equipped with Seven fusion reactors, fifty particle accelerator cannons, and twenty missile racks, also generally with a few frigates stationed around them, Star gates are heavily defended. Star gates are crewed by fifteen members, with most being officials from the System's owner. A star gate is continousley open, and does not close unless forced to. A star gate can take days to turn back on, however, so this action is generally ill advised. Star Gates link to other Star Gates that are pre-programmed into the gate itself. The maximum range of a Star Gate is 200 ly, however there are only 15 total connecting the 15 most developed and populated colonies of the Sol Alliance. Star Gates were constructed by the same 'GaTech inc.', a subsidiary of NanoTrasen. Having a Star Gate increases immigration and revenue rates by, on average, 80%, so they are a venture most governments and corporation strive for, but very few can afford. NanoTrasen charges a medium sized fee for usage of a Star Gate, of 100 credits.

Overview
Bluespace drives are generally reserved for Military ships, or for civilian ships that have the luxury of affording a drive. Bluespace drives are limited by the size of any given vessel, and require Bluespace Crystals to function. Each bluespace Crystal provides a certain amount of 'jumps' per type of drive. It is NOT recommended to use a Bluespace drive to jump to any place not sustained by a Star gate, Link gate, or an established 'jump point' or 'jump port' (such as those seen on the NSS Aurora used by arrival, departure and supply shuttles). Ships that fail to jump to the appropriate points or fail to log a jump flight path with a traffic controller run the risk of colliding with another object at the exit point. On rare occasions, two objects become 'entangled' upon exiting bluespace at the same location, causing the two bodies to meld in bizarre ways.

Bluespace Drives project a field around a certain meter distance around the ship itself, encompassing the ship, and then forwarding it to a designated location or gate. Drives can be used to plot coordinates and jump to any location within range, but as stated, it is extremely dangerous. High Quality drives can generate 'temporary' gates, that can be used for virtually any place to travel with minimal risk. Bluespace crystals are used as fuel for all drives, and cost 500 each.

Bluespace Standard Drives
Standard bluespace drives allow for jumps at a maximum of 10 ly. Standard drives are inexpensive and small, favored by traders, minor military or police ship, and wealthy individuals. Their price can range from 10,000 credits, to 100,000 credits depending on the quality of the drive, the size of the drive, and the size of the ship it is being installed in. Standard drives use 1 crystal for 5 jumps, giving them a range of 50 ly per crystal. For reference, this is about half the radius of the inner colony sphere, centered around the Sol system.

Bluespace Star Drives
Star Drives are similar to their Star Gate siblings, in that they have the ability to jump to any position within 25 ly or connect to any Star Gate from a distance of up to 27 ly. Used for interstellar travel, Star Drives are generally reserved for large military ships, although medium to mega-class freighters have been known to use them. Their price can range from 100,000 credits to 1,000,000 credits, depending on the quality of the drive, the size of the drive, and the size of the ship it is being installed in. A Star Drive can only be outfitted on a Cruiser sized ship or above. A standard Star Drive uses 1 Bluespace Crystal for about 3 jumps.

Bluespace Hyper Drives
Hyper Drives are experimental drives able to travel hundreds of light years in one jump. Hyper Drives are reserved only for Titan sized carriers and warships due to their sheer size. They do not have a market price, as currently only governments have been able to fabricate a working Hyper Drive system. A Hyper Drive typically use 1 crystal for 1 jump, regardless of the distance