Commstar

Commstar is a science fiction media franchise.
==Synopsis==
The franchise is set within Known Space in the year 2209 AD. Humanity has been exploring the stars for just over a century thanks to the development of the translight drive and in that time more than 500 systems have been surveyed and colonies have been established in 63 of them. These far-flung outposts of civilisation are governed by the United People’s Commonwealth (referred to in the preamble of the Common Charter as “this commonwealth of stars united”, which inspired the "Commstar" nickname), which maintains interstellar law, polices settled space, and provides support to ongoing exploration and colonisation efforts. Protecting the Commonwealth is Commforce (Commonwealth Defence Force), a highly trained, professional service that patrols its territories, safeguards its worlds and settlements, and continues to chart unexplored space.
The story of the franchise centres around the adventures of its characters and the challenges, relationships, and interactions which develop along the way. They are also frequently confronted by the strange and unusual in the depths of space as ongoing exploration efforts bring to light some of the more mysterious facets of the galaxy we call home.
==Commgov==
====Structure====
* President
* Committee of State
** Ministry of Outreach (Miniout)
** Ministry of Defence (Minidef)
** Ministry of Security (Minisec)
** Ministry of Logistics (Minilog)
** Ministry of Services (Miniserv)
* Commonwealth Council
** 126 members, known as deputies, 5-year term (limited to five terms)
* Central Court of Justice
** Seven members (chief assessor and six associate assessors)
==Commforce==
====Ranks and uniform====
Commforce uniform differs depending on if one is an officer, a non-commissioned officer, or enlisted. Officers wear a collarless light brown hip-length jacket over a blue shirt with turn-down collar. The tunic is fastened with Velcro. Non-commissioned officers and enlisted wear a light brown jumpsuit with a blue hem starting from waist level, running up to a blue turn-down collar. All ranks wear a belt of the same brown. All personnel wear a pistol holster, with a leg belt to keep the holster firmly affixed to the wearer's leg. Rank insignia for officers is worn as TBD, while non-commissioned and enlisted personnel wear TBD.
* Flag officers
** Admiral, vice admiral, commodore
* Line officers
** Commander, subcommander, lieutenant, sub lieutenant, ensign
* Enlisted (fleet)
** Chief petty officer, senior petty officer, petty officer, senior rate, able rate, junior rate
* Enlisted (marines)
** Chief sergeant, senior sergeant, sergeant, corporal, lance corporal, trooper
====Ships====
* Vanguard-class destroyer
** production information
*** class: Vanguard; type: warship; subtype: destroyer; manufacturer: Planum Australe Fleet Yards, Mars
** technical specifications
*** length/beam/height: 373m/138m/111m; engine unit(s): SD-414 ion engines (4 units); translight drive: installed (J-81 Astraios, 1LY per 24 hours); power plant: G-1030 matter-antimatter generator
** complement
*** crew: 532; shuttles: 3
** electronics
*** F-33/k CERBERUS fire control, AP-95 MARDUK phased scan array, DH-211 HORUS gravitic detection array, CM-56 HERMES electronic countermeasures suite
** armaments
*** MK-V NIKE guided missiles (50 MT, 100 carried); KS-44 PLH main batteries; KS-09 PLL CIWS
** defences
*** reinforced duratanium hull, YL-98a AEGIS heavy deflector shields
** usage
*** role: destroyer; commissioned: 2206; affiliation: UPC; known operator(s): Commforce
* Diomede-class frigate
** production information
*** class: Diomede; type: warship; subtype: frigate; manufacturer: Norov-Ava Fleet Yards, Callisto, Jupiter
** technical specifications
*** length/beam/height: 261m/89m/69m; engine unit(s): SD-414 ion engines (2 units); translight drive: installed (J-81 Astraios, 1LY per 24 hours); power plant: G-915 matter-antimatter generator
** complement
*** crew: 384; shuttles: 1
** electronics
*** F-33/k CERBERUS fire control, AP-95 MARDUK phased scan array, DH-211 HORUS gravitic detection array, CM-56 HERMES electronic countermeasures suite
** armaments
*** MK-III/d ALASTOR CIMS (50 MT, 65 carried); KS-44 PLH main batteries; KS-09 PLL CIWS
** defences
*** reinforced duratanium hull, YL-98b AEGIS medium deflector shields
** usage
*** role: frigate; commissioned: 2202; affiliation: UPC; known operator(s): Commforce
==Economy==
====Banking====
* Commbank - largest bank in Known Space, backed by Commgov
====Major firms====
* Dinex Corporation (military technology and weapons)
* MXT Corporation (mining, exploration, technology)
* Stromberg Corporation (shipbuilding)
** Owns and operates the Planum Australe Fleet Yards in Mars orbit, the Ajleke and Norov-Ava Fleet Yards in Callisto orbit, and the Forseti Fleet Yards in Titan orbit.
====Minor firms====
* Almid (pharmaceuticals and wellness products)
* Infinibrew (coffee and tea shops)
* Majicvision (entertainment)
* On-Line (software and security systems)
* Polygon (quality of life products and services)
* Poppy (independent terraforming services)
* Progress (medical, surgical, dental, and optical services)
* Wing Federal (passenger and cargo transport services)
==Society==
===Factions===
* Central Council of Independents - loose organisation representing independent colonies to Commgov
* Pirates - various groups operating separately from one another, nicknamed "Sackers" or "Reavers" by colonials
===Education===
* Central Institute of Learning - located in Paris on Earth, the premier higher educational institution in Commstar space, also known as CIoL. Has a 10% acceptance rate.
* General education - UPC children attend general education from age five to age fifteen.
* Specialist education - After completion of general education, UPC youth can attend a two or four-year polytechnical and learn a skilled trade.
* Higher education - If they qualify, UPC youth can attend the CIoL after completion of general education. Depending on their course of study, their term is two, four, or six years.
===Religion===
* Inquirism - A religious and philosophical tradition that has largely supplanted the original mainline faiths of Earth, rising to prominence in the years since space exploration began. It teaches two core tenets: Unity and Verity. Unity starts with compassion for others and the denial of prejudice, hatred, bigotry, jealousy, and anger. Refusing these behaviours and pursuing compassion and forgiveness brings Unity naturally. Verity is achieved when one learns to recognise and oppose falsehood and understands the intrinsic value of life and that it can only be taken in just defence of one's life and home. Verity also fosters in people a desire to be their true selves, avoiding facades. Community and civic mindedness are central facets of the belief system. The faith also teaches that every person has their own path to walk in which Unity and Verity are the guiding lights. People, both individually and collectively, can influence the lives and paths of those around them in ways both subtle and obvious. Additionally, while the faith teaches the importance of structure and personal discipline, it also reminds followers that it is equally important to value life even in its harshest moments. Logic and reason, while invaluable to the greater understanding of the universe, are only means to an end. The universe was built for the enjoyment and wonderment of those who dwell within it. Knowledge opposes ignorance, and order opposes chaos. Together, knowledge and order help to both provide the understanding and structure vital to life and society. One cannot always cling to things as they want them to be but must grow and adapt to things as they develop, while being prepared for the future. Inquirists believe in a creator, an "architect", who is known as "the Source". They are a part of all things. Living an honest life, doing honest work, treating your fellows with respect and compassion, and exploring and studying and learning more about the galaxy draw one closer to the Source.
* TBDism
==Technology==
====Power====
* Matter-antimatter generator
* Fusion generator
* Microfusion generator
====Propulsion====
* Translight drive (T-drive; 1 light year per 24 hours)
* Sublight drive
** Ion drive
====Defensive====
* Electronic countermeasure suite
* Deflector shields
====Communications====
* Subspace communications
** Subspace relay
** Subspace transceiver
* Translight beacon
====Healthcare====
* Hypo-injector (self-explanatory)
* Bio-regulator (monitors and maintains certain bio-functions)
* Dermal regenerator (heals wounds and damage to skin)
* Osteo-loom (repairs damaged and broken bones)
* Neural caliper (placed on forehead, induces anaesthesia effect, used in surgery)
====Weaponry - Capital====
* PLH batteries (pulse laser, heavy - 254.0mm)
* PLL CIWS (pulse laser, light - 76.2mm)
* ALASTOR CIMS (0.5 megatons)
* NIKE guided missile (20 megatons)
* tractor beam
====Weaponry - Handheld====
* Pulson pistol (PL pistol)
* Pulson rifle (PL rifle)
* Pulson repeater (PL repeater)
* Grenade rifle (G-rifle)
** Grenade (frag, HE frag, gas, stun)