Contents Delta Bootis Starlink 52 Delta Phoenicis Mercantile Passenger Services 54 Beta Phoenicis Esthymon National Spacelines 58 Wildway Tours 62 Challenge Express 64 Introduction 10 The Inhabited Galaxy 12 The Sol System Trans Galactic Spacelines 14 Terran Trade Authority Lines 16 AC Terminal Beta 18 Independence Lines 20 Sendak Space Lines 22 Delta Travel 24 Tee Gee Charter 26 Centauri Systems AJphatel 28 Alphaf letter 30 Centauri Charter 32 New Proxima Lines 36 Alpha Mensae Monk's Field Spaceways 40 Capella Commeck Carriage 42 Alpha Phoenicis Synakkah Frynysh 46 Alpha Gruis Magnum Charter 50 Introduction spaceport acts as an interstellar meeting point for cultures that may have little else in common with each other. The pads of the larger termini are a kalaidoscope of colours and shapes as craft from every corner of known space settle on the blast- stained aprons to disgorge their cargoes. The story of civil spaceflight encompasses some of the greatest milestones of achievement for the species that have contributed to its development. Although certain races whose origins lie far from the Federation's hub had achieved spaceflight and operated isolated and local commercial routes independently, it is significant that the TTA was one of the single most important factors in the evolution of interstellar travel and is inextricably bound up with its history. The first passenger flight was that made by Avery Astronautic's Martian Queen in early 2015 when its primitive Meteor thrust engines lifted it from the tarmac of Miami Spaceport on Earth and sent it on its way to the mining camps of Mars with the first load of fare-paying passengers. From that epic and somewhat uncomfortable voyage grew a vast web of commercial services that spans the length and breadth of known space and links together all the widely dispersed members of our galactic association. Within a few short years the people of the Sol System had succeeded in bridging the black gulf that lies between the stars and had made contact with the inhabitants of Alpha and Proxima Centauri. Though our first association was less than happy and resulted in the costly setback of the Proxima Wars, time and our mutual interest in the regions beyond our respective stellar systems led to a rewarding degree of co-operation and mutual advancement. Characteristically, it was commercial spaceflight that made the most significant contribution to the process of exploration and consolidation. For the next sixty or seventy years the spacelanes were dominated by the Interstellar Queen also built by Avery under licence to the TTA. This basic design stands as a classic and in its various forms was operational for longer than any other craft in the history of commercial spaceflight. Her contribution to the development of the Federation is incalculable and even today some examples which have been converted to medium capacity freighters are still operated by private traders in the Perimeter Territories. Her successor was the elegant and much larger Starblade built by the nationalized shipbuilders of Alpha Centauri. This sophisticated vessel was in service from 2096 to about 2130 when competition from the growing civil ship-building industries of the outer worlds rendered her obsolete. The For those who have been fortunate enough to have travelled beyond their own planetary atmospheres, there are few experiences more fascinating than the swift transition from familiar surroundings, through the empty, endless vacuum of space, to cultures and environments entirely alien to their own. Any commercial spaceflight, whether a leap to another star system or a short-haul interplanetary run, is a unique experience-from the moment of arrival at one of the highly automated surface terminals to the slow climb through the atmospheric envelope and the unsettling sensations of the Hyper-drive jump that will hurl them through the very fabric of space at several times the speed of light. For the inexperienced voyager, the field of commercial spaceflight is one of bewildering complexity and infinite variety. Although civil traffic flowing within the perimeters of the Federation is strictly controlled and administrated by the Commercial Travel Institute of the Terran Trade Authority, each licenced company reflects the individual cultures from which it is derived. Provided that they conform to the statutory regulations, the ships and services of each national spaceline represent a broad and varied spectrum of tastes and technologies, often providing an intimate glimpse of the various species and civilizations existing within the Federation's boundaries. Every 10 Beta Phoenicis Esthymon National Spacelines Registered Headquarters: Beta Phoenicis Date of Registration: 2231 AD Status: Scheduled Operational Area: Universal-all ranges Fleet: 16 Galactic Queens, 21 TTA Argosys, 1 2 ACP Startrails, 6 TTA Sungliders, 14 Belton PL 90s, 8 TTA Caravans, 6 ACP Doralillows, 15 Avery Astrofleets and numerous short-haul and shuttle craft put to meet the demand and is constantly increasing its fleet. The main spaceport is itself one of the wonders of the Federation and is fully automated throughout. It is estimated that the average time taken from set-down to customs clearance is only 14-5 minutes, nearly half that of any other large complex. The main terminal is fringed by Esthymon's famous hospitality towers; luxurious stop-over places financed by the government from which clients travel to any of the thousands of hotels and resorts. The first night's accommodation and the journey to the final destination is paid for out of the terminal's landing taxes. As part of their service to passengers, Esthymon National will, for a nominal extra charge, fly you to any destination on the continent of arrival in one of their delightful jet taxis, known affectionately as 'Go- Bugs'. This is a useful facility in view of the vast number of holiday sites which lie far off the beaten track and therefore the standard travelanes flown by the government service. The 'Go-Bugs' are manufactured by a number of builders on the industrial worlds under licence, and are also available for private purchase. The skies are always alive with these energetic little craft but after a few hours even the first-time visitor becomes oblivious to their presence. It is the only inescapable sign of the huge temporary population supported by this fascinating planet. Enormous sums of money have been spent by the government to ensure that the world does not become a sprawl of garish constructions and densely packed watering holes. All new developments are carefully monitored and controlled to retain the natural beauty of the planet. Fierce competition between the spacelines fighting for the custom of the uncountable number of beings drawn to Esthymon has kept fares to a minimum whichever line is used, but the visitor should budget carefully for the facilities of the planet do not come cheaply. Nevertheless, there is plenty here to provide almost any species with all the creature comforts that they could wish for, and a holiday here will provide you with an experience you will surely never forget. In 2223 AD an Alpha Centauri and Terran joint settlement group set down on a balmy, lushly vegetated world in the complex system surrounding the G4 star of Beta Phoenicis. At 180 light years from the Founder Worlds it was the furthest point yet explored, but from that small colony sprang the most important commercial and industrial centre in the entire Federation. As the most complex system yet discovered, it contains no less than three huge asteroid belts in addition to the twenty-seven planets, excluding their moons. Only one of these was naturally habitable, Esthymon, but the bewildering wealth of resources represented by the giant system brought the developers and their investment to it in droves. Within a few years it was rivalling the Jupiter complex in economic importance. The early years were notable for their lawlessness and disorder in this booming frontier environment, but gradually the adventurers and fortune hunters gave way to constructive exploitation. More and more of the secondary worlds were made habitable and the system was soon a thriving and prosperous commercial entity. Esthymon itself became the largest recreation centre in known space, catering not only for the workers on neighbouring industrialized planets, but for the millions of pleasure-seekers flocking to this stellar playground. All the spacelines operate services to Esthymon as do scores of charter companies of every description. Yet the planet's own national line is hard Esthymon main terminal is surrounded by these government sponsored hospitality towers where the first night's stay is free of charge. Customers then continue to their hotel or resort by such means as the scarlet shuttles seen here. These spherical craft built on Proxima Centauri, make use of conventional thrust jets and a miniature Clayden Negative Mass Generator. Overleaf: One of the free spaceport shuttles speed a fresh band of holiday makers past some of the distinctive pleasure-complexes built by the late Alknin Flortibor, a celebrated local businessman and notorious high-liver. 58 Beta Phoenicis Wild way Tours Registered Headquarters: Esthymon Date of Registration: 2246 AD Status: Charter Operational Area: Restricted short/mid range Fleet: 1 TTA Argosy, 2 ACP Startrails, 236 PT102 SkimKars (the 'Go-Bug') Although officially classified as a second level...
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