The Court

## Overview

The Court is a Dyson Sphere encompassing a quantum star and serves as a neutral area for the galactic governments. Discovered by Bendonite explorer Freadi Bins, the Court is over 10,000 years old and its original purpose and the identity of its builders remain a mystery. The Frex played a pivotal role in setting up the Court, contributing significant resources to its establishment.

This unique location has become a central hub of diplomacy and cooperation in the galactic scene, fostering relative peace and stability among its diverse inhabitants. Its exact location is known today by only a few Frex engineers, and individuals must use designated hyperspace ports to travel there.

Initially discovered in 247C or 248C, the Court officially opened its doors as a galactic scene hub in the year 255C, after years of preparatory work was completed.

## Size and Star

The Court was built around a quantum star. Quantum stars are an extremely small but powerful star class that's exceedingly rare in space. Before the discovery of the Court, they were considered merely hypothetical in the galactic scene. The quantum star at the center of the Court is the only known example. Unlike typical stars, the Court's star is smaller than many known planets. It is unknown if this star is natural or is if was created by the same species that made the sphere.

So while the Court has a surface area greater than most populated planets, it's not nearly as gigantic as most Dyson spheres would be. It has an inner surface area of roughly equivalent to a large rocky world. About 40% of this area is covered in water. The relatively small nature of the sphere is believed to be one reason it went undiscovered for so long.

## History

### Discovery and Early Years

Freadi Bins, the brave Bendonite explorer who discovered the Court, proposed it as a neutral area for the Mission and the Union. In the aftermath of the Somm War, tensions were high. Bins said she saw this discovery as serendipitous and a way to help the galactic scene heal. She did not include the Red Mission in her initial idea, as Mission propaganda made her (and many Mission citizens) view it as a somewhat unimportant backwater of the galactic scene.

She is said to have discovered the Court in the year 247C or 248C, but the exact date and circumstances remain uncertain to this day. Her loyal crew never divulged the details of its discovery, and Bins never offered much insight into the facts surrounding this important event.

Instead of taking her discovery to Mission leaders as protocol would dictate, she directly contacted Union leadership through organized crime channels and proposed her idea. The Union, intrigued, agreed to proceed, and—not wanting to look unwilling to match the Union on this—the Mission ultimately reached an agreement with them.

Her discovery attracted the attention of the Frex, who were intrigued by the potential of the Court as a stabilizing entity in the galaxy. Despite their traditional non-intervention stance, the Frex were persuaded to become significantly involved in the establishment of the Court, driven by a shared vision with Bins for a peaceful galactic future.

In modern times, Freadi Bins is celebrated as a hero and visionary who helped forge relative peace and stability in the galaxy. She is seen as a symbol of believing in the greater good and the possibility of reaching across the aisle. A large statue of her stands in a central, neutral district of the Court—an area called "the Bins"—surrounded by a museum, a visitor's center, and a famous collection of restaurants collectively called "the Watering Holes." Bendonites in particular champion her, quite pleased that they were able to produce a person of this quality.

### The Red Mission's Inclusion

The Red Mission was not initially included in the Court project. However, they shocked the galactic scene by utilizing Court Rules to legally claim a portion of land, which resulted in the displacement of some Mission and Union individuals in 301C. The AI robots known as "stewards," created by the Frex to ensure fairness within the Court, oversaw the land allotment process fairly, adhering to the rules without fanfare.

## The Frex Role

The Frex, despite their mysterious nature and usual reluctance to involve themselves in galactic political affairs, surprised the galactic scene by playing a significant role in the establishment of the Court. They donated an impressive amount of resources to develop the hyperspace channels leading to the Court, created the AI robots known as "stewards," and updated the ancient infrastructure of the Dyson Sphere.

The Frex's motivations behind their involvement in the Court and their unique relationship with Freadi Bins remain subjects of intrigue in the galactic scene. Bins spent considerable time in Frex space during the establishment of the Court, which led to much speculation. She is the only known non-Frex sentient to have done so. Bins, however, remained tight-lipped about her experiences with the Frex, adhering to their value of secrecy and discretion.

## Stewards

The Frex-designed "stewards" are AI robots programmed to follow a strict neutrality code and uphold basic rules within the Court. They prevent violence, hostile takeovers, and oversee land allotment within the Court. These robots feature advanced Frex technology inaccessible to others and have a charmingly bureaucratic, butler-like appearance and personality. Equipped with powerful anti-personnel weaponry, stewards are the only individuals permitted to carry weapons within the Court. They stand roughly 1.25 meters tall.

## Attractions and Accessibility

The Court boasts an array of attractions governed by Court Rules, including beautiful monuments, nature reserves, and destination cities. The governments vie to outdo each other with impressive trails, mountains, and lakes developed in their respective territories alongside sprawling megacities and beatific countryside towns.

However, reaching the Court can be costly, especially for individuals in the Mission, where their currency is not as strong as that of the Union and Red Mission.

The Sphere encompasses an inner surface area of approximately 600,000,000 square kilometers. Only a few Frex engineers know its location. Known ports exist for individuals to access the Court, with hyperspace technology utilized to transport them to the hidden location. Once inside, ships land normally, and the Court's location remains concealed with ancient signal masking technology.

## Government Centers

The Union, in an attempt to further repair galactic scene tensions, has housed its government on the Court since nearly its inception. It has encouraged the Mission to follow suit, but as of yet the heart of Mission leadership remains on Sorall, which critics claim keeps it from being as transparent as it could be. The Red Mission uses the Court in the same way the Union does.

## The Legacy of Freadi Bins

Although Freadi Bins passed away in the year 316C, her legacy lives on as she is remembered as a hero and visionary. The existence of the Court has encouraged the governments towards civility and keeping up appearances, preventing the cold war from escalating into a full-scale conflict. Bins's vision for a neutral ground where diverse species can come together continues to shape the galaxy's political landscape and inspires hope for a more united future.

## Age and Original Builders

The Court, with its age estimated to be over 10,000 years old, is a marvel of ancient engineering. Despite extensive research and investigation, including reconstruction bombardments, the identity of its original builders remains a mystery. The astounding technology and the sheer scale of the Dyson Sphere suggest that a highly advanced civilization was responsible for its creation, but no concrete evidence has been found to pinpoint a specific species or culture.

## Concealment Technology

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Court is the advanced technology used to keep its location hidden from the rest of the galaxy. The ancient signal masking technology employed by the sphere effectively conceals its presence, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring its role as a neutral ground.

Known ports exist for individuals to access the Court, with hyperspace technology utilized to transport them to the hidden location. Once inside, ships land normally, and the Court's location remains concealed, ensuring that the delicate balance of power and diplomacy within its walls remains undisturbed. The exact details of this advanced technology are known only to a select few Frex engineers, ensuring that the secrets of the Court remain well-guarded.