Ad Astra: To The Stars

***Ad Astra: To The Stars*** is the upcoming first instalment in the *Project Sagittarius* Universe. Set in the mid 25th century, a time where humanity has colonized a 1800 light-year area of the Orion Arm called the Settled Systems, it will follow the crew of *Disco Volante*, an independent salvage company caught in the middle of a period of renewed tension between the various colonies amidst the discovery of apparent alien technology.

## Plot

*More than 450 years into the future, the independent crew of the* Disco Volante *prowls the stars for salvage and adventure.*

## Setting & Factions

### Setting

*Ad Astra: To The Stars* is set in an alternate future where humanity developed commercial space travel in the 1970s, subsequently leading to the construction of extraterrestrial colonies and space stations. A key piece of this alternate history was the survival of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, who galvanized public interest in space exploration which resulted in Apollo 10 landing on the Moon first instead of Apollo 11; thus, astronaut John Young became the first human to walk on the Moon. Kennedy's near-death experience led to him repairing relations with the Soviet Union, resulting in an international effort to reach Mars, which was accomplished in 1993.

In the late 22nd century, two scientists, Cameron Hammond and Zhōu Mǐn, discovered a form of exotic matter dubbed "Hammond-Zhōu Quintessence", or HZQ, through a series of matter-antimatter experiments; further tests with the HZQ revealed that it created warped areas of spacetime called sagittarius fields that made FTL travel possible by producing starbridges. Using a type of engine called a roemer drive, humanity was able to develop interstellar travel and settle extrasolar worlds.

As humanity expanded, three interstellar superpowers were born: the United Colonies, led by Earth; the Herschel Nations, led by Mars; and the Free Economic Zone, a collective of megacorporations. Those who did not wish to be governed by any of these superpowers united to form the Spacers Legion; the few rejected from the Legion formed the pirate confederation Twin Moon. Other major factions that formed were the Transport Union, the powerful House Izar, and a group of - ironically named - religious zealots called the Iconoclasts.

The design aesthetic of all major factions is rooted in the culture of the late 20th century, as is music: rock and roll, disco, soul, jazz and punk are still immensely popular well into the 25th century. Terraforming is a common practice, although it is infamous for its mixed results; medicine is capable of wiping out most diseases for those that can afford it; artificial intelligence, once widespread, has been heavily restricted ever since an outbreak of rogue AIs; and robotics are incredibly advanced.

Beginning in 2475, the story follows the crew of the *Disco Volante*, a prospecting ship independent of any faction captained by James Goode, a man famous for being the sole survivor of the mysterious *Archduke* Incident. Joining Goode on his adventures are engineer and first mate Cole Miller; combat technician and soldier Nyoka Wingsknight; doctor Harley Burton; and a M.U.S.E named Marvin, who encounter a young girl named Nova and a conspiracy that spans the Settled Systems involving a recently-unearthed alien race.

## Characters

### Crew of the *Disco Volante*

* James Goode, the captain and pilot of the *Disco Volante*, former cartographer for the U.C.S.C; a spacer, born and raised in outer space
* Cole Miller, the chief engineer and first mate of the *Disco Volante*, from Teegarden
* Nyoka Wingsknight, chief combat specialist, from Ultima Thule
* Harley Burton, doctor and medic, from Mars
* Marvin, maintenance and combat M.U.S.E

### United Colonies

* Nadine Koch, current Deputy Secretary-General of the United Colonies
* Jacques Sage, a private investigator on *Fortune*, the U.C.'s ringworld
* Astrid, a synth prostitute on *Fortune*

### Other

* Nova, a young girl encountered by the *Disco Volante* with a connection to the typhon
* Henry Bolton, an astrobiologist studying the biophage