With a projected width of six kilometers and a height of twelve kilometers, Archlight station is the largest structure ever developed by mankind, and was drafted with the purpose of securing this status for hundreds of years to come. Designed to act as a center point for further exploration into the Milky Way, Archlight is situated at the far-flung reaches of explored aether. Archlight borders the Great Magnetic River, which prevents passage into the center of the Milky Way galaxy.
Design and General Layout
Archlight was constructed in the appearance of a four-pointed star, befitting its intended purpose as a shining achievement for all mankind. This entails that there are four points from its center, and two points at either end on the upper and lower portions. The center points all being uniform in size and appearance, and the upper point being shorter than the bottom point, but the same size as the four middle points.
Archlight is sectioned into Six Wings, which are named for their intended purpose. These are the: Wing of the Ascendancy; Wing of Easement; Wing of Trade; Wing of Might; Wing of Utilities; Wing of Docks. There are Four Prime Points, which make up the four points that jut out from Archlight’s center, which consist of Trade, Easement, Might, and Docks. Between the Four Prime Points, there are four much smaller points which are all privately owned. The Wing of the Ascendancy and Utilities, are situated at the uppermost point and lowermost point, respectively.
The Merchant Ring spans the open aether in the midst of Archlight, where all points connect. This ring is 10km in diameter, and connected to Archlight by large angled beams, each with multiple lifts, escalators, and stairways for the transportation of vast crowds of Debtors.
Various Decks
There are approximately 2,000 decks, with the average space between deck apartments being 8ft. In the upper end of the station, ceilings can get up to 10ft (Established Decks), 12ft (OEA Executive Decks), 60ft (Ubel’s Demesne), 500ft (Merchant Ring), and 3000ft (Stratum). The lower end of Archlight is utilitarian, with the Corpo-Commons being a large open hangar with a deck height of 100ft, filled with many ramshackle living spaces most having 6-7ft high ceilings. Exceptions to common deck heights do exist.
- Maintenance Sections: Scattered through the body of Archlight like veins, these consists of various hallways, and access holes that give the Laymen routes of passage to the various utilities which keep Archlight functioning.
- Layman’s Quarters: Consists of the living quarters and recreations for those who are on Archlight in the position of a Mid-Lifer career.
- The Corpo-Commons: Low-income shopping. A seedy bazaar at the lower end of Archlight. Dissidents, degenerates, smugglers, agents of the OEA, and all manner of criminals, and those with things to hide frequent this location. One can purchase black-market goods and services. Surprisingly, often items of higher value and quality than what can be found in elite markets (such as the Stratum); as a result, High-Lifers often send agents to procure rare foods, items, and materials for them. The Corpo-Commons are somewhat like a shanty town, with various vendors and stalls but more kempt, as of late, seeing as this is the newly built crowning achievement of mankind. The Corpo-Commons was formerly a large exploration capsule constructed by the United Earth Empire. Eventually converted into a hanger bay, it was then sealed up and continually added onto as a living station for aetherfaring men. Building rights started to be sold privately about the time the UEE began to lose power. The ramshackle station primarily served as a waystation for miners, explorers, and colonists. Eventually, given the success of its immense (by aether standards) population of 27,000 people, the OEA drafted plans to build Archlight off its back, using its pre-existing population to help with construction.
- The Stratum: High class shopping and hangouts. As per the namesake, the Stratum is a huge, lofted place filled with restaurants, stores, and things regarding fine dining and shopping. OEA banners hang from above, and various bridge-ways and balconies look down on the multi-leveled shopping centers, restaurants, clothing outfitters, jewelry stores, and temporary Personal Craft Manufacturer (PCM) showrooms. The Stratum is situated in the upper-middle portion of the Station.
- Collapsar, and Parallax are famous clubs on the Stratum.
- Novalyn’s is a high-end and critically acclaimed restaurant.
- The Merchant Ring: Forming a multi-tiered 10km loop around the inner space of Archlight. The Merchant Ring is a literal ring which encircles the entirety of the center of the Station. It is connected to Archlight by 6 massive 33-degree sloping Arches, each offering multiple ways to travel to and from Archlight. It has 33 decks, each with a height of 13ft, which slope upward in a tiered cascading order, so that, from the balcony of the first and lowest deck, one could see the balcony of the highest deck. The 1st deck consists of lakes, gardens, and various natural recreational activities, which extend around for the entirety of the whole 10km. Every 11th deck is parsed with gardens, and more “romantic” type attractions (see “Red Light Veneer”). The entire loop is currently incomplete.
- Note: The Merchant Ring is controlled solely by the Judgment of Weights and Measures, which has its own laws stemming from the various Corpos which control it. In effect, the Merchant Ring is permitted to have their own laws, rules, and regulations completely outside of Ascendancy jurisdiction.
- Note: Red Light Veneer is the name of the three “11ths.” These are those decks which contain brothels.
- Note: The Merchant Ring is controlled solely by the Judgment of Weights and Measures, which has its own laws stemming from the various Corpos which control it. In effect, the Merchant Ring is permitted to have their own laws, rules, and regulations completely outside of Ascendancy jurisdiction.
- The Established Apartments/Decks: Housing and amenities for lower OEA officials, and other Mid-Lifers whom have proven their worth to the Ascendancy.
- Hall of Histories: Connects from all upper decks. Shows the known history of Mankind.
- OEA Executive Quarters: Housing for ranking Ascendancy members, dignitaries, and other key representatives or members of any powerful organization.
- The Vestiary of Pursuers: A black cube situated at the center of Archlight, it is inaccessible to all but the Pursuers themselves. It is formed of toxic apholtrum overlaid with gold, which only the Pursuers seem able to dwell in without the aid of Environ Suits. Within, the Council of Thirteen awaits to guide the Vestry. This Council contains six seats on either side of a center pedestal, for a total of twelve, with the thirteenth seat being at the center of the room, situated lower than either the Pontifex and Pursuant. The Preliator’s Cantonment is the barracks for the Pursuer Preliators.
- The Administrator’s Demesne: Ubel’s personal den. It is situated at the tip of the Wing of the Ascendancy, which is the uppermost point of Archlight.
- Bubba’s Hanger Queen: A popular diner for pilots, crew, or other flight-craft personnel and enthusiasts. Naturally, it is situated in the Wing of Docks.
- The Courts District: Situated in the Wing of Might, which is one of the Prime Four Points of Archlight.
- The Great Arches: There are 6 arches which connect the Merchant Ring to Archlight. They are slopped at 33 degrees.
- Passenger Gate: The largest arrival and departure gate situated in the Wing of Docks.
- Red Light Veneer: The three “11ths” housing the Red Light Consorts – who are not-so secretively known to gather all manner of information for anyone willing to pay.
- The 13th Rib: A high class, and exclusive club determined to be situated in the Wing of Easement, which is yet to be constructed.
- Mt. Zion Resort: An entire mountain re-located to Archlight, from Saturn, which provides seasonal mountain activities. It is planned to be located in the Wing of Easement. For now, the mountain stands 10,000 kilometers from Archlight. A surrounding shell is being constructed in preparation to be joined with the Wing of Easement.
Archlight Station Patrol
Archlight Station Patrol, or ASP, is the only policing agency on Archlight station. The primary goal of the ASP is to enforce policies established by the Ascendancy. ASPs perform routine armed patrols within and about Archlight, ensuring all Debtors a sense of safety and security. Beside these, ASP also handles investigations, arrests, seizures, and all matters related to the courts, such as the serving of warrants issued by the High Seat.
Sights, Sounds, Feelings, and Smells:
See the stars, clouds, and Great Magnetic River coddled by a blanket of black aether. One hears the raucous rabble of the Corpo Commons; the hustle and bustle of Maintenance corridors; the general normality and freshness of the Layman’s Quarters; the solemnity of the Ascendancy Courts; the spectacle and glamour of the Stratum; the classy air of the Established Apartments; the propaganda and hidden truths of the Hall of Histories, with its odd art purveyor; the absurd extravagance of the OEA Executive’s Quarters, reminiscent of a great age of decadence; the hanging gardens, fountains, and spirit of debauchery and excess in Ubel’s Demesne; the intimidating dread of the Vestiary of Pursuers, filling one’s lungs, with every breath, to be full of death-expected. Smell the waste and foods prepared in overcrowded streets, and ramshackle stalls of the Corpo Commons; the spilled oils and grease, tangy metal, acrid welding smoke, and sweat-stained uniforms of Laymen at work; waft the scent of perfume, cologne, and high society in the Stratum; taste the freshness of recycled air throughout Archlight; smell the canvas, paint, ancient documents, and fine arts of the Hall of Histories; and the Red Light Veneer intrudes with its cheap wines, expensive liquors, and closeness of bodies.