attributed to D Cavalieri and W Chang

A

Academy: n. An establishment of learning, education, research and development. Most systems have at least one Academy for post-school education. Many concentrate on the advanced knowledge and skills for their specialist areas. The Farsight Academy is considered the epitome of civilian education, competing with the Imperium Academy for Service Personnel for the highest honours.

accession planet, n. The Imperium Senate classes those worlds that have completed the formal application process to unify themselves with the Imperium as accession planets. The procedure is laid down in Regulation M^6 Section 314. The period of accession is determined by the progress made towards meeting the specific social, political, financial and economic standards defined in the annex to the procedure. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)

Alpha Bonita system: see Bartelski

Alpha Kenworthy: n (KWT A) a steppe and jungle planet, Federation controlled. Holds a prestigious flyer’s race biannually. Imperium visitors welcome, but need to take note of dietary information; some ingredients are incompatible with most human digestive systems. See Amberson Trophy (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)

Amberson Trophy, n. annual flyers race on the planet Pleasant Valley, in the Viridian System. One of six highly prized independent flyers races (including Alpha Kenworthy, Talia Prime, and V’iola), it attracts a rough crowd from Viridian’s asteroid mining community, together with semi-professional flyers from the outer systems of the galaxy. Sponsored by Xolomium and Praxis, both located in the Tesla System. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)

archeo-astronomy; n. syn: paleoxenology. Study of extinct star-faring races and their artefacts. Some data troves indicate interstellar capability millions of years before the R’Ilnians, the largest source of records so far discovered. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)

artificial intelligence; n. historic references to artificial intelligence suggest that current AI technology is level with the sophistication of 220 years ago. The loss of advanced AI in the so-called Robot Wars was a tragedy, but one that has steadily been replaced by today’s range of intelligent machines, ranging from automated cleaners to self-aware navigation aides. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)

Aspoid, n. An ursine species from the planet Asp in the Beehive Cluster, designation BHV 5C62. Fur-covered (typical colours gray, gold or sand), mainly bipedal, although may use a four-legged gait when needing to move fast. Human Grade M22: use Universal language through sonboxes, own language formed in throat without distinctive vowels and consonants. Capable of achieving good grades at Academy. Empathetic and unassuming, they make good companions, but also fierce protectors. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)

asteroid belt; n. most planetary systems have a region of rocky, icy and metallic debris in stages of accretion to form a planet, unless gravitational fields within the system prevent this. Asteroid belts are usually rich in various useful minerals and ores. See asteroid mining. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)

asteroid mining; n. Despite the dirt and danger, this remains one of the major areas for human earning potential. Outfits large and small attract miners to set up mining craft in asteroid belts and also to mine sub-surface on planets, mostly in the outer sectors. Mining is the principle source of many commodities for technology applications. Well-known names include Arcady, DRS, SMC, MNC. Broadscale mining by machine is only undertaken on planets cleared for geoengineering. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)

B

Balkh: n. Second planet of the Tendring system, designation TDR B. Rocky and mountainous, no surface water, sub-surface water accessed through boreholes. Air, gravity and solar radiation indices 1.05. Mean temperature index 1.2. Designed as a planet rich in archaeology and folklore, aiming to recreate as many legends and mythical civilisations as on Old Earth. Tribal governance systems. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)

Beta Quadrant; n. one of four quadrants into which the sphere of the solar system is divided. The Beta Quadrant is sparsely mapped, due to the alarming rate of accidents to science vessels, and rumours of insanity among crew members before their demise. With its dense clouds of dark matter, and strange entities that appear to interfere with mental processes, the Beta Quadrant is best avoided. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2826 edition)

Bartelski: n. fourth planet of the Alpha Bonita system, designation ABT D. Air and gravity indices 1.05. Solar radiation 0.8; intensity 1.4. Mean temperature index 1.1. Primarily an ocean planet with several large land masses and numerous island nations. Most of the large landmasses are considered to be single countries. The planet is unified to run on a system of governance known as sustainability. There is a small trade in second-hand technological goods that the planet is unable to make for itself. The planet aims to run within its own calculated ecological footprint. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)

Bonsai: n. an ancient art, practised on Old Earth millennia before the Exodus, and possibly responsible for invasive species of trees on over 1200 planets. Saplings are trained by trimming and containing roots in pots, and applying pressure to branches, to produce miniature trees. Thought to have been popularised amongst the Founding Fathers by Alys Don Hosan, agrogastronomist aboard the Hope III; network competitions are popular in many star systems. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)

Brahe: n. Second planet of the Scania system, designation SCA B; standard indices 0.9-1.0 in all physical characteristics. Independent, like most worlds in the outermost sectors. One land mass spread over north and south hemispheres with complex circulation of seas and oceans around and within the land. Largely populated by settlers of Scandinavian origin, descendants of the Hope XIV. Main city New Lund; community governance system. No useful mineral wealth. Produce excellent sportspeople, have their own esoteric team games on ice. Also host a prestigious flyer’s race.(Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)

C

Corsair: n. Third planet of the Federico system, designation FDR C; standard indices 1.0-1.2 in all physical characteristics. Imperium member. No useful mineral wealth, extensive agrarian resources. Major exporter of grain products, i.e. a grain planet. Excellent annual productivity, despite the remnant of the original settlers interfering with the harvesting program. The Imperium Council will undoubtedly side with the current owner. Access controlled; limited to bona fide commodity traders. Permits and further information from the Bureau of Free Trade, Telemann, Nusa Dua. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822/4 edition)

cucelery juice, n. Refreshing non-alcoholic, non-addictive drink, much favoured by herbivore species. Original recipe from Old Earth melded a fruit called cucumber with the pressé from a stalk called celery. Modern horticulture developed a cucelery plant with both pure stem and fruits tasting like the original species, but the leaf tasting exactly like cucelery juice. Some bartenders in favoured regions still make supplies from the original plants. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)

D

dragonfly, n. An ancient species of insect, order odonata, on Old Earth (found in the fossil record). Apparently identical creatures occur on several modern planets, despite no indication of contamination through the Diaspora. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)

A-D