Transit Network

Function. Jump lanes are the structured corridors of faster-than-light passage. They are mapped by Keth surveyors, Data Guild archives, and Mega-Corporate nav divisions.
Speed and Risk. Lanes are faster than raw space travel, but still slow compared to demand. A single rim-to-core run can take months depending on refuel stops and inspections. Pirate attacks and equipment failures are common.
Maintenance. Core and corporate-funded lanes receive regular beacon updates and navigational calibration. Rim lanes often degrade for years without correction. Collapsed beacons create “drift zones” where ships vanish.
Shifts. Stellar activity alters gravity wells and energy flows. These shifts break old charts. Out-of-date charts cause misjumps, which result in damage, lost cargo, or crew fatalities.
Control. When a single group (Central Authority, Mega-Corporation, or Syndicate) controls both ends of a lane, they set tolls. Price spikes follow, and dependent worlds suffer shortages.
Illegal Lanes. Syndicates sometimes publish unofficial shortcuts. They save weeks but often lack beacon support. Crews use them at their own risk.

Core Ports

Inspection. Multiple layers: customs, registry, tariff, and cargo seals. Cargo is scanned and logged at each layer. Delays can last weeks.
Warehouses. Bonded warehouses store cargo until disputes are settled. Fees accumulate daily.
Arbitration. Courts resolve contract disputes and tariff claims. They follow Central Authority law. Rulings are binding and often favor large corporate interests.

Mid Ports

Berths. Serviceable docking, but often overcrowded. Crews may wait days for a slot.
Customs. Enforcement varies. Some inspectors demand full manifests. Others wave ships through in exchange for bribes.
Corruption. Mid ports are known for double-booked contracts and falsified inspections. Trust depends on local officials.

Rim Ports

Payment. Fuel, water, and berth fees are paid on arrival. No credit is extended.
Priority. First priority is basic survival: fuel, water, air, and repairs. Cargo inspections are rare.
Disputes. Settled by the strongest local authority: Syndicate boss, port master, or military garrison. Courts are rare. Violence is common.

Permits. Passage permits are issued per ship registry and tied to cargo class (bulk ore, grain, medical, restricted tech, etc.). A permit allows one passage through a specific lane during a set timeframe.
Verification. Beacons scan ship codes and cargo seals. Invalid permits trigger fines, seizure, or escort back to port.
Common Fees.
- Bribes: Paid to underfunded officials to overlook missing permits.
- Expedite Fees: Paid to ports to speed up inspection queues.
- Escort Tariffs: Paid for official or unofficial escorts through dangerous lanes.
Blacklists. Ships caught with unpaid tolls, expired permits, or forged seals are blacklisted. Blacklisted ships cannot dock legally at most ports.

Fuel

Types. Standard fusion fuel is sold in compressed cells. Quality varies by refinery. Dirty fuel damages reactors and reduces range.
Price Variation. Core prices are stable but high due to tariffs. Rim prices fluctuate wildly depending on supply. Fuel shortages cause riots.
Theft and Mixing. Crews sometimes dilute clean fuel with dirty stock to stretch supplies. This increases breakdown risk.

Water

Standards. The Vellari Water Council maintains sealed meter standards across the galaxy. Legitimate shipments are tagged with tamper-proof seals.
Value. Water is critical for life support and coolant systems. In drought zones, it is worth more than fuel.
Counterfeiting. Counterfeit meters and seal tampering are a common crime. Stolen water is laundered through rim depots and sold as “certified.”
Protection. Many ports employ armed guards or Syndicate enforcers at water storage tanks. Theft is punished quickly and harshly.

Always carry current charts. Keth updates and Data Guild verifications are the most reliable.
Expect delays in core ports. Plan food and air reserves accordingly.
Rim routes are cheaper but require bribes or firepower.
Never trust cheap fuel or counterfeit water seals unless desperate.
Keep copies of permits across multiple media. Officials lose or erase data when it benefits them.
Crews that cannot pay tolls or port fees often barter labor, equipment, or even long-term contracts.