There are billions of stars, millions of planets, but there is only one man, Terrance McDoogal. Welcome to LIU Atlas.
LIU Atlas - Naufragus Point
The Ludgonian Industrial Union's galaxy contains billions of stars and billions of planets. Unfortunately, most residents of the LIU could only name a handful of these worlds. In order to improve astronomy grades across the LIU Galaxy, TV2 has started a new program called LIU Atlas. Follow our host, Terrance McDoogal, as he takes you on a tour across the LIU and some of its more obscure worlds.
Note: This episode is presented in full screen. The corresponding dialogue is underneath each photo.
Note: This episode is presented in full screen. The corresponding dialogue is underneath each photo.
Doog: “Welcome to another episode of LIU Atlas. I’m your host, Terrance “Doog” McDoogal. Today, we’re changing up the format a bit. We won’t be focusing on a star, planet, moon, or space station. Instead, we’ll be taking a look at a region of space along the Viarum Hyperspace Route. The Viarum Hyperspace Route is one of the galaxy’s oldest space lanes. It connects the Mid-Rim to the outer reaches of the galaxy’s Alpha Spiral Arm. Essentially, it links the planet Mercor to the export-shipping world of Mordax. The route is not perfect though. Certain gravitational anomalies make the route dangerous and, sometimes, unpassable. To fix this issue, the LIU plotted an alternative hyperspace route, called the Alpha Correction. The Alpha Correction is longer, and therefore slower, than the Viarum Hyperspace Route. Most travelers prefer the old route, but they don’t always have a choice. The point at which these two routes diverge is known as the Naufragus Point.”
Doog: “The Naufragus Point is somewhat of a misnomer. It’s not an actual point. It’s a region of space several hundred light years across. It’s where the two hyperspace routes begin to fork. A small space station, called Waypoint A, marks the start of this region of space. That’s where we are headed.”
Doog: “Alright. I’m here in the astrometric lab on Waypoint A. This is where the gravitational anomalies effecting the Viarum Hyperspace Route are studied and monitored. Let’s find someone who knows what is going on around here.”
Smith: “Greetings. Welcome to Waypoint A. I’m Weighmaster Joshua Smith.”
Doog: “Weighmaster, huh? I bet I have a few pounds on you. Looks like I’m going to have to take your title.”
Smith: “I’m afraid it doesn’t work like that.”
Doog: “I know. I was only kidding. So, what do you do here weighmaster?”
Smith: “Think of Waypoint A as sort of a weigh station on the side of a highway. Ships entering the Naufragus Point must stop here so we determine if the ship has sufficient mass and thruster strength to use the Viarum Hyperspace Route. If it doesn’t, we reroute it to the Alpha Correction.”
Doog: “So, what about a ship like mine? Which route would we take?”
Smith: “You were in that little cargo vessel, weren’t you? Jaculan-Class, if I’m remembering correctly. Hmm, right now, you’d be clear to use the Viarum Route.”
Doog: “Sweet. I didn’t realize my ship had such good thrusters.”
Smith: “Well…it’s more complicated than that. Follow me.”
Doog: “Weighmaster, huh? I bet I have a few pounds on you. Looks like I’m going to have to take your title.”
Smith: “I’m afraid it doesn’t work like that.”
Doog: “I know. I was only kidding. So, what do you do here weighmaster?”
Smith: “Think of Waypoint A as sort of a weigh station on the side of a highway. Ships entering the Naufragus Point must stop here so we determine if the ship has sufficient mass and thruster strength to use the Viarum Hyperspace Route. If it doesn’t, we reroute it to the Alpha Correction.”
Doog: “So, what about a ship like mine? Which route would we take?”
Smith: “You were in that little cargo vessel, weren’t you? Jaculan-Class, if I’m remembering correctly. Hmm, right now, you’d be clear to use the Viarum Route.”
Doog: “Sweet. I didn’t realize my ship had such good thrusters.”
Smith: “Well…it’s more complicated than that. Follow me.”
Smith: “Thruster strength is just one of the variables we need to determine before granting passage. The other is the condition of hyperspace at even given time. Judging by the field lines on this screen, it looks like hyperspace is stable right now. Even smaller ships like yours can use the Viarum Route at this moment.”
Doog: “Good to know.”
Smith: “Unfortunately, hyperspace conditions can change. They’re highly influenced by gravity. It’s why you can’t fly in hyperspace too close to stars or planets. Gravity rips ships from hyperspace. In order for a route to be viable, it must be a long stretch of space with little to no gravitational interference. The Viarum Route is not always viable in this regard. Occasional gravitational anomalies effect hyperspace in this sector.”
Doog: “I’ve heard about these anomalies. What exactly are we talking about, though?”
Smith: “Good question. Computer, display the Bigna Binary System.”
Doog: “Good to know.”
Smith: “Unfortunately, hyperspace conditions can change. They’re highly influenced by gravity. It’s why you can’t fly in hyperspace too close to stars or planets. Gravity rips ships from hyperspace. In order for a route to be viable, it must be a long stretch of space with little to no gravitational interference. The Viarum Route is not always viable in this regard. Occasional gravitational anomalies effect hyperspace in this sector.”
Doog: “I’ve heard about these anomalies. What exactly are we talking about, though?”
Smith: “Good question. Computer, display the Bigna Binary System.”
Doog: “What am I looking at here?”
Smith: “This is the Bigna Binary Star System. It consists of the Type-O, Hypergiant Bigna I and the Type-M Supergiant Bigna II. This star system has enough gravity where it occasionally disrupts the Viarum Hyperspace Route.”
Doog: “Only occasionally? How so?”
Smith: “The stars are spinning around their gravitational barycenter. When this spin, or orbit, aligns perpendicular to the route, the stars’ combined gravitational strength is enough to disrupt hyperspace.”
Doog: “How often does this occur?”
Smith: “About every six months. Although, residual gravity waves still have some effect for weeks after. That’s our job here. We monitor the Bigna System and a few other anomalies and determine when and where they will affect the route.”
Doog: “Hmm. I didn’t realize galactic travel was so complicated.”
Smith: “If you think the effects of the binary system are troubling, don’t even get me started on the variable blackhole, Susurri. That one gives me a headache.”
Doog: “Thanks for the warning. I won’t get you started on it. Let’s move on.”
Smith: “This is the Bigna Binary Star System. It consists of the Type-O, Hypergiant Bigna I and the Type-M Supergiant Bigna II. This star system has enough gravity where it occasionally disrupts the Viarum Hyperspace Route.”
Doog: “Only occasionally? How so?”
Smith: “The stars are spinning around their gravitational barycenter. When this spin, or orbit, aligns perpendicular to the route, the stars’ combined gravitational strength is enough to disrupt hyperspace.”
Doog: “How often does this occur?”
Smith: “About every six months. Although, residual gravity waves still have some effect for weeks after. That’s our job here. We monitor the Bigna System and a few other anomalies and determine when and where they will affect the route.”
Doog: “Hmm. I didn’t realize galactic travel was so complicated.”
Smith: “If you think the effects of the binary system are troubling, don’t even get me started on the variable blackhole, Susurri. That one gives me a headache.”
Doog: “Thanks for the warning. I won’t get you started on it. Let’s move on.”
Smith: “Astrometrics and traffic regulation are just a few of the duties we’re responsible for on Waypoint A. We handle lots of other things.”
Doog: “Judging by the scenery, I’m guessing you handle cargo too.”
Smith: “Yeah, we dabble in cargo, but it’s far from a primary industry. Our other primary duty is salvage.”
Doog: “Salvage?”
Doog: “Judging by the scenery, I’m guessing you handle cargo too.”
Smith: “Yeah, we dabble in cargo, but it’s far from a primary industry. Our other primary duty is salvage.”
Doog: “Salvage?”
Smith: “Millions of ships, of every size and shape imaginable, pass by Waypoint A. We provide each with a plausibility study showing whether they should take the Viarum Route or the Alpha Correction. That ends our involvement. We can only provide the information.”
Doog: “And some people don’t follow your advice. Right?”
Smith: “Precisely. The lure of the shorter route is too much for some captains to resist. The Viarum Route can shave weeks off a trip. Other captains foolishly believe their engine capabilities are higher than we give them credit for.”
Doog: “And some people don’t follow your advice. Right?”
Smith: “Precisely. The lure of the shorter route is too much for some captains to resist. The Viarum Route can shave weeks off a trip. Other captains foolishly believe their engine capabilities are higher than we give them credit for.”
Smith: “The unfortunate souls that ignore us have a very small success rate. About 99% of them are ripped from hyperspace during their journey. Being ripped from hyperspace can be a violent event. Most ships are destroyed or disabled.”
Doog: “You salvage these wrecks?”
Smith: “Well, not me personally, but we have salvage crews onboard.”
Doog: “You salvage these wrecks?”
Smith: “Well, not me personally, but we have salvage crews onboard.”
Smith: “This about concludes my portion of the tour. From here, you’ll be joining one of our salvage crews.”
Doog: “Oh, how fun. I always wanted to fly around and pick up space trash.”
Doog: “Oh, how fun. I always wanted to fly around and pick up space trash.”
Raibert: “Hold your tongue, Mr. McDoogal. Them fighting words.”
Doog: “Uhh…sorry. I wasn’t talking to you, whoever you are. Wait, how did you know my name?”
Smith: “This is Raibert MacBush, captain of the salvage ship, Finders Keepers. He’ll be showing you the salvage side of Waypoint A.”
Raibert: “It’s not picking up space trash. This is serious work. It pays serious too. The LIU pays us small fees for recovered cargo, but we also get to keep any personal property we find. That’s where the money is.”
Doog: “If these ships are anything like mine, there’s not a lot of personal property worth salvaging.”
Raibert: “Aye. That can be the case on occasion. There’s always a few lemons. But there’s some gold mines floating out there in the Naufragus Point.”
Doog: “I’m intrigued.”
Raibert: “Well, don’t just stand there. We have treasures to discover.”
Doog: “Uhh…sorry. I wasn’t talking to you, whoever you are. Wait, how did you know my name?”
Smith: “This is Raibert MacBush, captain of the salvage ship, Finders Keepers. He’ll be showing you the salvage side of Waypoint A.”
Raibert: “It’s not picking up space trash. This is serious work. It pays serious too. The LIU pays us small fees for recovered cargo, but we also get to keep any personal property we find. That’s where the money is.”
Doog: “If these ships are anything like mine, there’s not a lot of personal property worth salvaging.”
Raibert: “Aye. That can be the case on occasion. There’s always a few lemons. But there’s some gold mines floating out there in the Naufragus Point.”
Doog: “I’m intrigued.”
Raibert: “Well, don’t just stand there. We have treasures to discover.”
Doog: “What’s this?”
Raibert: “This is our dormitory. We stay here on standby until a wreck is picked up on the sensors. I have six crew members under my command – a pilot, a mechanic, and four salvagers.”
Doog: “Impressive. I only have five under my command – a pilot, editor, director, navigator, and camera man.”
Raibert: “Aye. So, you know the struggles of being skipper.”
Doog: “Uh…yeah. Totally.”
Raibert: “This is our dormitory. We stay here on standby until a wreck is picked up on the sensors. I have six crew members under my command – a pilot, a mechanic, and four salvagers.”
Doog: “Impressive. I only have five under my command – a pilot, editor, director, navigator, and camera man.”
Raibert: “Aye. So, you know the struggles of being skipper.”
Doog: “Uh…yeah. Totally.”
Raibert: “What are you lazy bums waiting for? We depart Waypoint A in ten minutes! Get to moving!
Carl: “Ten minutes? What’s the rush? That leaves nine more minutes for coffee.”
Raibert: “Sigh. You see what I work with here, Doog.”
Doog: “It’s hard to get good help.”
Carl: “Ten minutes? What’s the rush? That leaves nine more minutes for coffee.”
Raibert: “Sigh. You see what I work with here, Doog.”
Doog: “It’s hard to get good help.”
Raibert: “Ain’t she beautiful?”
Doog: “I think that’s a guy.”
Raibert: “No, you fool. Not him; I’m talking about the ship!”
Doog: “Uh, yeah nice. It just looks like a room.”
Raibert: “Well, uh, yes. I guess it isn’t too exciting from this view. This is Deck 1. It has our connecting airlock and a storage bay. Nothing too exciting. Finders Keepers looks better from the outside though. Hard to show you that.”
Doog: “Well, you’re in luck. I have a space camera following along with us. At least the viewers get to take a look.”
Doog: “I think that’s a guy.”
Raibert: “No, you fool. Not him; I’m talking about the ship!”
Doog: “Uh, yeah nice. It just looks like a room.”
Raibert: “Well, uh, yes. I guess it isn’t too exciting from this view. This is Deck 1. It has our connecting airlock and a storage bay. Nothing too exciting. Finders Keepers looks better from the outside though. Hard to show you that.”
Doog: “Well, you’re in luck. I have a space camera following along with us. At least the viewers get to take a look.”
Doog: “Tell me about your ship.”
Raibert: “Finders Keepers is a converted cargo picker. It was originally used to take cargo containers off of large cargo ships that couldn’t land on the surface. Finders Keepers has four decks, but no crew quarters. The ship was never intended to be far from port. Hence, our reliance on the Waypoint A Station.”
Raibert: “Finders Keepers is a converted cargo picker. It was originally used to take cargo containers off of large cargo ships that couldn’t land on the surface. Finders Keepers has four decks, but no crew quarters. The ship was never intended to be far from port. Hence, our reliance on the Waypoint A Station.”
Raibert: “The engines have been heavily modified. The original model had no need for FTL engines. In order to cover the vast distances of the Naufragus Point, Finder Keepers now sports two FTL Hyperspace engines. I’m not too sure what else to tell you about.”
Raibert: “This is Deck 2. It’s our engine room. The fusion generator and life support systems are based in this deck.”
Doog: “What’s all this other junk laying around?”
Doog: “What’s all this other junk laying around?”
Raibert: “The engine room has two exterior doors for venting plasma during emergencies. We’ve converted this deck to take advantage of the two doors. This is where we launch our probes. We even use it to let crew members out during space walks.”
Doog: “Got it. You come here to get probed.”
Raibert: “That’s not what I said.”
Doog: “I know. Just summarizing.”
Doog: “Got it. You come here to get probed.”
Raibert: “That’s not what I said.”
Doog: “I know. Just summarizing.”
Raibert: “Deck 3 is the largest deck. It is often referred to as the ‘warehouse.”
Doog: “I know space is limited, but you should really look into adding an elevator. These ladders are killing me.”
Raibert: “Try going up and down them a dozen times during a mission. Then come complain to me.”
Doog: “I know space is limited, but you should really look into adding an elevator. These ladders are killing me.”
Raibert: “Try going up and down them a dozen times during a mission. Then come complain to me.”
Raibert: “The warehouse serves multiple purposes. Its large door serves as our biggest airlock and allows access to the gravity deck. Smaller salvaged cargo can be stored in here. The warehouse also houses the mechanic. He keeps the ship and all our equipment operational.”
Doog: “What are these robot-looking things?”
Raibert: “These are heavy Exo-Suits. They’re worn by salvagers to give them greater strength and safety during missions. They’re stored in the warehouse.”
Doog: “What are these robot-looking things?”
Raibert: “These are heavy Exo-Suits. They’re worn by salvagers to give them greater strength and safety during missions. They’re stored in the warehouse.”
Raibert: “Don’t fret. This is your last ladder of the day. To the final deck we go.”
Doog: “Maybe one of these exo-suits can just lift me up there.”
Raibert: “Where’s the fun in that?”
Doog: “Maybe one of these exo-suits can just lift me up there.”
Raibert: “Where’s the fun in that?”
Raibert: “Deck 4 is the smallest of the bunch, but it’s probably the most important. It’s the cockpit and command center. It’s where I work my magic.”
Carl: “Is bossing everyone around considered magic these days?”
Raibert: “I don’t need any back talk from you. What’s our status?”
Carl: “There’s lots on agenda today. The LIU is reporting several disabled ships within the Naufragus Point. It looks like a gravity wave kicked quite a few ships out of hyperspace.”
Carl: “Is bossing everyone around considered magic these days?”
Raibert: “I don’t need any back talk from you. What’s our status?”
Carl: “There’s lots on agenda today. The LIU is reporting several disabled ships within the Naufragus Point. It looks like a gravity wave kicked quite a few ships out of hyperspace.”
Carl: “Here’s our first target. This one’s being listed as first priority by the LIU.”
Raibert: “Life signs?”
Carl: “Sensors indicate that two unfortunate souls are stranded aboard. They’re transmitting a distress call.”
Raibert: “Boost their signal and notify the Space Guard. Then begin cargo extraction.”
Carl: “Copy that.”
Doog: “Wait, you’re not going to help them?”
Raibert: “We don’t have that capability. The only thing we rescue is cargo. All we can do is amplify their distress call and hope the Space Guard is free to rescue them.”
Doog: “That’s brutal.”
Raibert: “It is, but that’s life in the Naufragus Point.”
Raibert: “Life signs?”
Carl: “Sensors indicate that two unfortunate souls are stranded aboard. They’re transmitting a distress call.”
Raibert: “Boost their signal and notify the Space Guard. Then begin cargo extraction.”
Carl: “Copy that.”
Doog: “Wait, you’re not going to help them?”
Raibert: “We don’t have that capability. The only thing we rescue is cargo. All we can do is amplify their distress call and hope the Space Guard is free to rescue them.”
Doog: “That’s brutal.”
Raibert: “It is, but that’s life in the Naufragus Point.”
Carl: “Captain, our spotter is on the gravity deck. Extending crane and beginning cargo salvage.”
Raibert: “Copy that. Make it quick.”
Raibert: “Copy that. Make it quick.”
Raibert: “Cargo salvages, like this one here, are our least favorite. There’s not a lot of money to be made. The LIU pays us next to nothing for recovering their cargo.”
Doog: “Why do it then?”
Raibert: “Ha, like you can say no to the LIU. Besides, we have an agreement. In return for salvaging their cargo, they give us salvage rights to all other vessels within the Point. Like I said before, that’s where the money is.”
Carl: “Speaking of money, a jackpot just showed up on the sensors. It must have been hit by the same gravity wave.”
Doog: “A jackpot? What’s that?”
Raibert: “It’s what we call passenger vessels. They’re the most lucrative.”
Carl: “I’m detecting other salvage ships in the area. We need to speed up this cargo rescue.”
Raibert: “There’s not time. We need to do both salvages at once. Launch a probe and get me two guys over there. We need to stake a claim.”
Carl: “You’re the boss. Who’s up for a spacewalk?”
Doog: “Why do it then?”
Raibert: “Ha, like you can say no to the LIU. Besides, we have an agreement. In return for salvaging their cargo, they give us salvage rights to all other vessels within the Point. Like I said before, that’s where the money is.”
Carl: “Speaking of money, a jackpot just showed up on the sensors. It must have been hit by the same gravity wave.”
Doog: “A jackpot? What’s that?”
Raibert: “It’s what we call passenger vessels. They’re the most lucrative.”
Carl: “I’m detecting other salvage ships in the area. We need to speed up this cargo rescue.”
Raibert: “There’s not time. We need to do both salvages at once. Launch a probe and get me two guys over there. We need to stake a claim.”
Carl: “You’re the boss. Who’s up for a spacewalk?”
Janna: “This is more like a space marathon. The passenger vessel has to be a full AU from here. I can’t even see it.”
Raibert: “Just follow the probe, you’ll be fine.”
Max: “Can you feed the distance into my HUD? Having a rough idea of where we are going might be helpful.”
Carl: “Trust in the probe. We’re too far to get accurate readings.”
Raibert: “Just follow the probe, you’ll be fine.”
Max: “Can you feed the distance into my HUD? Having a rough idea of where we are going might be helpful.”
Carl: “Trust in the probe. We’re too far to get accurate readings.”
Vlad: “We’re picking up the probes signal in the Exo-Suits.”
Janna: “Care to enlighten us? I need to know when to start slowing down. I don’t want to go splat on the windshield like a bug.”
Vlad: “You’re fine for now. Keep your current course and speed.”
Raibert: “Anything on the sensors? Life signs?”
Vlad: “No life signs. Looks like there was a hull breach. Life support is offline. All passengers are deceased.”
Raibert: “Very well. It won’t be a pretty sight over there, but you guys know what needs to be done.”
Vlad: “Copy that. We’re approaching the ship now. Begin deacceleration.”
Janna: “Care to enlighten us? I need to know when to start slowing down. I don’t want to go splat on the windshield like a bug.”
Vlad: “You’re fine for now. Keep your current course and speed.”
Raibert: “Anything on the sensors? Life signs?”
Vlad: “No life signs. Looks like there was a hull breach. Life support is offline. All passengers are deceased.”
Raibert: “Very well. It won’t be a pretty sight over there, but you guys know what needs to be done.”
Vlad: “Copy that. We’re approaching the ship now. Begin deacceleration.”
Raibert: “You’re not saying much, Doog. Everything alright?”
Doog: “Huh? What? I was totally paying attention.”
Raibert: “Don’t you find this exciting?”
Doog: “Removing cargo from a ship? I guess that’s exciting.”
Raibert: “No, not what we’re doing here. My crew’s out there flying through space working on a passenger ship salvage.”
Doog: “Is that what’s going on? I heard all the radio chatter and sort of spaced out.”
Raibert: “You’re missing out on some thrilling stuff.”
Doog: “Maybe, but since I can’t see what’s going on, I don’t really care.”
Raibert: “It’s like an audio-book. Just listen to the radio.”
Doog: “I don’t do books or listening very well. I’m sure the space cam is out there covering it all. The viewers will get more out of it than I will.”
Doog: “Huh? What? I was totally paying attention.”
Raibert: “Don’t you find this exciting?”
Doog: “Removing cargo from a ship? I guess that’s exciting.”
Raibert: “No, not what we’re doing here. My crew’s out there flying through space working on a passenger ship salvage.”
Doog: “Is that what’s going on? I heard all the radio chatter and sort of spaced out.”
Raibert: “You’re missing out on some thrilling stuff.”
Doog: “Maybe, but since I can’t see what’s going on, I don’t really care.”
Raibert: “It’s like an audio-book. Just listen to the radio.”
Doog: “I don’t do books or listening very well. I’m sure the space cam is out there covering it all. The viewers will get more out of it than I will.”
Janna: “Finders Keepers, do you copy?”
Raibert: “Uh, yeah, sorry. I’m here.”
Janna: “Max is hacking the door release now. We’ll be in shortly.”
Raibert: “Sounds good. Keep me updated. We’re grabbing the last cargo container now. We’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
Max: “No hurry. This thing is heavily encoded. It’s going to take some time to open this door.”
Janna: “The harder it is to get in, the better the score inside.”
Vlad: “I can always smash some space debris through a window. There’s more than one way to skin a cat.”
Raibert: “Let’s not get impatient. We want the ship as intact as possible. We might be able to make repairs and sell it too.”
Rose: “Probe scans are coming back now. The hyperspace exit must have been violent. There’s microfractures everywhere. This ship is headed to the scrap pile.”
Raibert: “That solves that. Vlad, you know what to do.”
Vlad: “It’s smash time!”
Raibert: “Uh, yeah, sorry. I’m here.”
Janna: “Max is hacking the door release now. We’ll be in shortly.”
Raibert: “Sounds good. Keep me updated. We’re grabbing the last cargo container now. We’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
Max: “No hurry. This thing is heavily encoded. It’s going to take some time to open this door.”
Janna: “The harder it is to get in, the better the score inside.”
Vlad: “I can always smash some space debris through a window. There’s more than one way to skin a cat.”
Raibert: “Let’s not get impatient. We want the ship as intact as possible. We might be able to make repairs and sell it too.”
Rose: “Probe scans are coming back now. The hyperspace exit must have been violent. There’s microfractures everywhere. This ship is headed to the scrap pile.”
Raibert: “That solves that. Vlad, you know what to do.”
Vlad: “It’s smash time!”
Doog: “Well folks, I’m just going to wrap this up. Standing here listening to the radio is boring me to death. This is the Naufragus Point. Gravitational anomalies in this area of space make the Viarum Hyperspace Route impassable at times. The space station, Waypoint A, monitors these anomalies and determines whether they are affecting the route. If hyperspace is affected, ships are rerouted to the Alpha Correction. Not everyone listens though, and many ships are damaged trying to take the shorter route. That’s where salvage teams come in handy. Oh well, time for this guy to get some rest. Those ladders murdered me. See ya!”
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Finder Keepers' Specs
