Hyperspace

**Hyperspace** is an alternate dimension which is used for faster-than-light travel between locations that would otherwise take longer to travel to in normal space. The entire dimension appears as a stormy environment that has a constant red hue.

## Hyperspace Travel

### Jump Points

Transit between normal space and hyperspace occurs through the use of a "Jump point." A Jump point is a large energized vortex that punches a hole between the dimensions and allows objects to pass from one side to the other. To do this requires a huge amount of energy and so most hyperspace travel is achieved via a Jumpgate, though Starships that can meet the energy requirements can generate their own Jump points with use of on-board Jump Engines.

Jump points are strictly one way. An outgoing jump point for a ship that is about to enter hyperspace is light orange in color, and incoming jump points for ships re-entering normal space are blue. If one jump point is opened inside of another, the staggering release of energy would almost instantly cause an enormous explosion.

For safety reasons, jump points are normally opened only in deep space, away from any potential navigational hazards though with sufficiently accurate targeting information it is possible to open a jump point within, and safely transit into, a planetary atmosphere. However, due to the massive release of energy involved, doing so in a highly combustible atmosphere will cause a suitably large explosion and shock wave.

Any ship that passed through a jump point needed to fly through it just after it opened and avoid its closing. As the jump point closed, a "backwash" of energy made the opening unstable and dangerous.

### Side Effects

Hyperspace Travel Syndrome or "HTS" is a common affliction among long range interstellar pilots.

It is caused by long term exposure to the conditions of hyperspace in which the view outside the cockpit windows of a space craft gives the pilot the impression that the apparent motion of the craft is not the actual motion as the craft’s instruments would indicate. This combined with the disorienting effects of the constantly flickering and shifting patterns of light and false shadow over time begin to play tricks on the brain, scrambling perceptions of up and down, forward and backward. Some pilots even say it's like being caught in a dream or nightmare from which one could not awaken. Symptoms include nausea, vertigo, panic attacks, and an overwhelming feeling of motionlessness.

It is because of HTS that many passenger ships do not have windows in the passenger compartments, or close them during travel through hyperspace. A pilot, however, cannot risk flying blind given the dangers inherent in hyperspace travel. So it is necessary for a ship’s flight crew to learn to live with the side effects, train their eyes to see past the optical illusions and trust their instruments.

## Hyperspace Combat

Engagements in hyperspace are rare and most often avoided by all parties as such battles have often turned out to be disasters in the past. Aside from the dangers inherent with hyperspace travel, the unpredictable spatial knots and gravitational inclines can cause missiles and even energy weapons to bend off course, either missing the target entirely or even strike a friendly ship. As such, what little fighting in hyperspace does take place is usually one-on-one over a very short range and often strictly hit-and-run strikes. Sometimes using small groups of fighters and/or smaller warships as large fleet engagements are out of the question.