Starbase
Starbases are semi-fixed space installations that orbit stars. They are critical to the functioning of interstellar societies, and can be found in every system with major habitation in the galaxy. Starbase design differs depending on its specific role and the civilisation that built it, but all of them have a similar critical function: acting as long-range communications repeaters. High-powered communications equipment allows for FTL signals sent via subspace transmission to be forwarded to receivers within the system, or to other starbases connected via a hyperlane or wormhole. In addition, all starbases provide a centralised location from which to monitor traffic in a system, and use long-range sensors to detect fleet movements in other systems in the hyperlane network.
Due to the importance of starbases in maintaing control over a system, they are rarely destroyed in warfare. Instead, their weapons systems are disabled and marines board the station to take control of its systems. Starbase defences are similar to those of warships, though many larger starbases have significant strike craft compliments to patrol entire systems for piracy. Border starbases, or those defending critical locations like military installations or colonies, are supplemented with defense platforms: heavily armed semi-mobile installations that are coordinated by the starbase's defensive systems.
Many starbases are open to civilians, and provide services to ships passing through. These include docking facilities, shipyard facilities on larger stations, accomodation, network uplinks, traffic updates, and shuttle services. While most starbases provide many of these services, some are specialised to perform specific functions. The most common of this type are bastions, which eschew most civilian services for heavy armaments defences. These are most often found on border systems, where they protect the entry to an empire.
Most starbases fall under the class of "outposts". These are small, cheap starbases that exist solely to exert a state's claim on a system. Although they perform the critical duties of all starbases, they are typically too small to be useful beyond that. In many cases, they are built with extremely minimal defences, to the point that even a single corvette could inflict serious damage.
Larger starbases typically feature dedicated repair facilities, even if they don't have full-scale shipyards or anchorages. The increased size and power generation ability of larger starbases allows them to mount FTL inhibitors, capable of preventing unauthorised ships from entering hyperspace. Larger starbases often exhibit some form of specialisation, ranging from defensive bastions, to shipyards, fleet anchorages, civilian trade hubs, or surveillance installations. Starbases constructed around black holes are critical for the harvesting of dark matter, and those in nebulae are capable of extracting exotic gases from the dust that surrounds them.
Due to the importance of starbases in maintaing control over a system, they are rarely destroyed in warfare. Instead, their weapons systems are disabled and marines board the station to take control of its systems. Starbase defences are similar to those of warships, though many larger starbases have significant strike craft compliments to patrol entire systems for piracy. Border starbases, or those defending critical locations like military installations or colonies, are supplemented with defense platforms: heavily armed semi-mobile installations that are coordinated by the starbase's defensive systems.
Many starbases are open to civilians, and provide services to ships passing through. These include docking facilities, shipyard facilities on larger stations, accomodation, network uplinks, traffic updates, and shuttle services. While most starbases provide many of these services, some are specialised to perform specific functions. The most common of this type are bastions, which eschew most civilian services for heavy armaments defences. These are most often found on border systems, where they protect the entry to an empire.
Most starbases fall under the class of "outposts". These are small, cheap starbases that exist solely to exert a state's claim on a system. Although they perform the critical duties of all starbases, they are typically too small to be useful beyond that. In many cases, they are built with extremely minimal defences, to the point that even a single corvette could inflict serious damage.
Larger starbases typically feature dedicated repair facilities, even if they don't have full-scale shipyards or anchorages. The increased size and power generation ability of larger starbases allows them to mount FTL inhibitors, capable of preventing unauthorised ships from entering hyperspace. Larger starbases often exhibit some form of specialisation, ranging from defensive bastions, to shipyards, fleet anchorages, civilian trade hubs, or surveillance installations. Starbases constructed around black holes are critical for the harvesting of dark matter, and those in nebulae are capable of extracting exotic gases from the dust that surrounds them.
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