attributed to D Cavalieri and W Chang
© J M Pett 2025
E
Excelsior n. a large exo-system rock in sector D6, classed as a small planet, not a dwarf one, with its own asteroid belt. Owned and administered by SMC who supply all one’s equipment, accommodation and food, so one can mine either inside the controlled environment of the planet, or out in the space on the asteroids. Close enough to three suns to get some light, but not in orbit with any of them. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2826 edition)
F
Farsight: n. Only habitable planet in the Plato system (PLT B); standard indices 0.9-1.1 in all physical characteristics. Home to the Farsight Academy (established 2356), which has two campuses, at Galileo and Copernicus. Other major settlements include Port Farsight (major entry point), Spacers City, and Athena. Archaeological sites of galactic importance protected under Regulation M^2X^4/MDXVII of the History & Artifacts Chapter of the Imperium Senate. See also Academy. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
Febelroux; n. third planet of the Caspar X system, estimated population of three billion. Four main conurbations: arts, education and culture at Roux City, sports and games at Pele City, agriculture at Ceres City, and manufacturing at Steel City. Chefs trained at Roux City are valued throughout the galaxy. Rescued from a Federation invasion by the Imperium in the 2790s, now a settled and valuable member of the Imperium network. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
Federation, The (1). n. More formally titled the Grand Federation, the Federation originated in the Lyra system where it remained for millennia as a trading organisation between the three inhabited planets, V’iola, D’Bass and P’csion. In 2614, it started expanding, possibly in response to an encounter with an Imperium cruiser off Trafalgar Eta. Approximately 7000 star systems are now in thrall to the Federation. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition).
Federation, the (2); n. despite evidence of forced takeover of independent worlds, even those nominally protected by the Imperium, the Federation insists it provides a benevolent governance structure and network of opportunities for new members. It avers that after two generations, all so-called ‘taken-over civilizations’ (c9000 in 2824) are willing and free members of the Federation. This is an unverifiable statement. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
Federico n: Minor star (FDR) with several dwarf planets and two rocky ones, one of which is at the perfect orbit in the Goldilocks zone for human habitation, and is a grain planet: see Corsair. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
first contact, n. (1) Concept adopted from pre-Exodus politics. The Principles of First Contact, also known as the Roddenberry Rules, were laid down nearly 200 years after the Declaration of Independence. (2) In astrophysics, the point at which an eclipsing body first apparently ‘touches’ the body to be eclipsed. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
Freemantle n. an independent planet in the outer sector D4, close to the Hell’s Gate group. Desert planet with strongly saline seas. Exports: aggregates for building; recreation, mainly gambling in comfort, especially on horse racing, which takes place in festivals throughout the season. Hydroponic food systems used extensively in under-sea farms where aggregates have been removed. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
G
galactic law enforcement; n. each system has its own law enforcement, and most rely on their federal arrangements, such as protection by the Imperium. The SNNS oversees codes of practice for space travel including standards for public pilots, navigators and engineers. It arbitrates in the case of disputes between spacecraft captains and spacestations. It handles the database of space incidents which is used by researchers into accidents and developers of improved space technology. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2826 edition)
Galactic Exchange: the operational arm of the Intergalactic Galactic Banking Network. Establishes local finance centres to trade goods and export via the IGBN affiliates. Usually build fancy premises. Known universally as ‘the Exchange’.(Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2826 edition)
Geoengineering n. The science and implementation of manipulating various aspects of planetary resources to create a new terrain, atmosphere, climate, etc. Not to be confused with terraforming, which is banned under Galactic Treaty XXVI. See planetary engineering. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
grain planet, n. A member planet of the Imperium dedicated to the supply of grain. The majority of grain planets are managed centrally, demonstrating the Imperium’s superiority over other collectives. For landing permits, apply to the Homeland Security Office. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
Grass, n. A vast family of plants (gramina) commonly showing green straplike leaves, and shallow roots. Food plants for a wide diversity of animals, many independently developed on widely distant planets. Some strains are robust enough to become building materials, and whilst there has been success in using them for atmospheric flying machines, they do not appear robust or airtight enough for space travel.(Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2826 edition)
H
Hell’s Gate: n. A cluster of five Imperium planets surrounding the independent Paradisio, famed for its gambling joints, slave markets, and general ‘anything in the universe’ reputation. The five planets are prosperous and peaceable, and effectively control many lucrative enterprises operating on lawless Paradisio. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
herbs; n. the range of plants used for flavouring food, in all cultural cuisines, is awesome. Most planets can grow traditional herbs brought from Old Earth, but settlers experimented with indigenous plants, testing for flavour and other properties. This produced useful medicinal remedies as well as substances better limited to recreational use. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
Himalaya system n. Planetary system in Sector D6, towards the outer reaches; administered remotely by the Imperium. Four rocky planets, two in the habitable zone, plus an asteroid belt, all rich in mineral wealth. Several mining companies maintain local offices on Pokhara (HIM B), which has one main settlement adjacent to a system-sized ore processing plant. Tibet (HIM C) is owned by MNC. Annapurna (HIM A) is hot, but mining is possible on the dark side. K2 (HIM D) has a useful profile, but has not yet been claimed for mining.
Hushiyama: n. System with a G-type yellow sun with a strong magnetic field, and four planets. The second (planet Hushiyama) is an early settlement of the Jakochi system. Strong local government and active trading centre. Internal transport within the system enables limited commerce between Imperium and Jakochi businesses, due to its situation at the Delta Quadrant side of the AD-TS (York) wormhole. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
I
Imperium, The: n. Benevolent system of world alliances, centred on the Terzan E system. Elected Senate meets at set intervals to provide strategic government to 15,000 member planets. Trade regulated to enable equitable access to essential goods. The Imperium network enables the most suitable planets to efficiently produce primary goods including food, fuels, metals, mining products, and components, and to export at favourable rates. The exchange system in secondary goods gives rise to a tertiary system in management, leisure and service sectors. Imperium citizens enjoy free access throughout the galaxy thanks to their identity chips. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
Imperium indenture system, n. The Imperium indenture system is a fair and equitable framework whereby a person works in an industry for their indentured years, after which they are free to set up on their own. Many prefer to stay in the employ of their former indenture-holders, demonstrating their loyalty to those who have treated them well. Slavery was outlawed in the Imperium’s original constitution, and the Senate works tirelessly to bring unlawful slavers to justice. Rescued slaves are generally provided with secure jobs within the Imperium’s own workforce.(Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822/24 edition)
Imperium Senate; n. governing house of the Imperium, which controls all regulatory and policy matters, based on Nusa Dua (Terzan E). The Inner Council manages policy on a day to day basis, assembling regularly, usually in conjunction with a Senate Assembly. Members of the Inner Council are dedicated to the Imperium, and are appointed for life. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
indigenous lifeforms; n. early years of the human exodus caused much strife due to ignoring the rights of indigenous lifeforms. Research into ancient texts suggests this is a deliberate human ploy. The Galactic Council, as it then was, enforced the use of planetary surveys. All lifeforms found were classified according to the Galactic code, still in use today. Many reptoid and amphiboid representatives suggest this requirement was largely ignored, or records falsified, so that humans could colonize where they chose. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
instantaneous communication: n. the concept of instantaneous communication (aka instacomms) during space travel became reality when the Research and Development Faculty at Farsight Academy found that a small amount of orichalcum applied to communication nodes such as beacons and waymark satellites eliminated the delays due to the speed of light. This meant there were no longer years of delay when communicating between distant planets, or the need to drop out of warp to get a navigation fix. The applications that followed, such as instant updates in banking, real-time quotes for prices, and pre-booking hotels from several light-years distant, revolutionised society. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2824 edition)
Inter-Galactic Banking Finance Network: n. Despite the name, the standardised protocols that enable trouble-free payment for goods and services across every civilisation in the universe is confined to the Alpha, Gamma and Delta quadrants of the galaxy. The IGBFN (finance number) is an account code in three parts, which refer back to the system, the underwriter and a number of check-digits, all of which help the code to be unbreakable. (Cavalieri-Chang Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
inter-stellar travel, n. Inter-stellar travel is a tedious business, since it can only be achieved (for most lifespans) through warpspace. Using the warpshift technology enables ships to travel faster than light, and cruising speeds of warp eight are currently commonplace. This is an increase from an average warp four only twenty years ago. Warp speeds are logarithmic. Even so, travel between star systems takes several weeks, on average. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)
J
Jakochi, n. Alliance of the races who confined themselves to the Delta Quadrant after the Great Exodus. Imperium starfarers near the Delta/Alpha border have confirmed that the Jakochi alliance remains strong and active in its own quadrant, and appears to have no interest in our own. (Cavalieri-Chang, Modern Universal Word Usage, 2822 edition)