Milky-Way - Andromeda Intergalactic Bridge

The Milky-Way - Andromeda Intergalactic Bridge was a series of 13 stations positioned throughout the intergalactic void built as regular rest stops and resupply points for ships making the journey between galaxies. The Stations were postitioned approximately 192000 light years apart, which was approaching the maximum range of the most advanced DPC Jump Drive Technology at the time. The Bridge was made up of 13 stations 6 on the Milky-Way side of the Bridge, 6 on the Andromeda side and one in the center of the Bridge called the "Milky-Way - Andromeda Midway Super-Station" the Midway station operated as both a military and civilian installation. Out of the 6 stations on either side of the bridge there was 2 DPC Checkpoints to monitor traffic between galaxies.

Despite there only being 13 stations planned initially the DPC authorised civilians to expand the civilian stations to become more of a hub for intergalactic travel.

## History

### Plan

On the 16th of March 2551 a team of engineers, scientists and military planners came together to plan the construction of a station chain to allow for a relatively easy crossing from the Milky-Way to Andromeda. this proposal was the second of its type to come about but the first was shot down by a conservative Grand Admiral from the Science Division, but with elections coming up the teams leader, Alexandra Bartlett, believed that they could propose it to the new Grand Admiral and have a much higher chance of it being approved.

The plan made by the team detailed 13 stations placed at equal points between the Milky-Way and Andromeda Galaxies along with 2 Gateway stations inside the bounds of each galaxy although these additional stations were cancelled and instead the first links on either side of the bridge would fill the role of the Gateway Stations. The Midway Super-Station was designed with room for over 80000 personnel and was entirely self-sustaining.

### Construction

#### The First Link

On the 16th of July 2554 recently elected Grand Admiral Lachlan Conqueror authorises the construction of the Intergalactic Bridge, Alexandra Bartlett and the rest of the design team are invited to DPC High Command to discuss resource allocation and investment offers. The first station began construction on the 23rd of July 2554 under the guise of a research station, the true nature of the station is kept highly classified even bening kept from the DPC's closest ally the UNEM,

The "First Link" of the Bridge is completed on the 23rd of March 2555 and is moved into its assigned position in the void by 3 DPC - MkII "Omega Class Warships" a journey which takes 63 days, the warships are designated Taskforce "Andromeda" and are assigned as defenders for the station until the second link is established. Taskforce "Andromeda" is soon reinforced by 4 DPC - "Orion Class Light Cruisers" and 9 DPC - "Townsville Corvettes" although the additional ships take a toll on the stations resources it is seen as a necessary requirement, the Station is designated "Milky-Way Station Alpha-01-A".

### Discovery by The Cobalt Military

On the 2nd of June 2555 a Cobalt Military Operative operating on Icarus discovers mentions to a station located in the Intergalactic Void and several mentions to the Intergalactic Bridge, the operative realising the importance of this discovery quickly relays the information back to the Cobalt Military. The Cobalt Military organises a "privateer" fleet to attack the station, 7 Cobalt Military ships are seen leaving shipyards in their outer colonies, these ships are reported stolen by the Cobalt Military. The "privateers" begin the journey through the void on the 7th of June, Cobalt Military projections estimate them to arrive in 59 days, meanwhile the Cobalt Miltary report the ships missing, which The DPC believes. On the 13th of June a DPC Relay station in the void detects several FTL signatures which it reports to "Milky-Way Station Alpha-01-A", upon receiving this and realising no ships were expected, the station sends an alert to DPC High Command for reinforcements, DPC High Command organises reinforcements but in the event of an attack they would not arrive in time.