Old Storyline

"NanoTrasen Incorporated is the leading space corporation in the research and practical uses of plasma! Across the galaxy we provide the finest plasma-combustion generators among other quality products, as well as significant advances in other major fields ranging from the hydroponics to fully blown genetic research. As a proud employee of our corporation we encourage you to take active part in the advances of our scientific knowledge for the good of the human race, and your pay check."

NanoTrasen Incorporated, almost always referred to as simply NanoTrasen, is one of the largest supercorporations in human space. It deals in research of the most advanced sciences, such as genetics, blue space, colonisation, interstellar transport and - recently - the uses of plasma. They also have a sizeable military and security branch with which they protect their assets, rivalling that of any government's army, and a powerful administrative branch sitting atop it all, directing their company's actions. NanoTrasen is characterised by its secrecy and questionable ethics, which, combined with the high emphasis they put on new, untested and dangerous technology, means their installations are often unsafe and hazardous.

About

NanoTrasen has three main branches:

• NanoTrasen Administration, NanoTrasen Security, NanoTrasen Research.

• Corporate Motto: Knowledge. Power. Safety.
• Corporate Headquarters: NanosTrasen Lunar Command Nexus (Main base for NanoTrasen Administration and NanoTrasen Security).
• Main Areas of Dominance: NanoTrasen Home Galaxy, Andromeda.

High-Value Assests

• NanoTrasen Earth Control Center - Part of main base for Administration/Security.
• NanoTrasen Mars Research Hub - Main base for NanoTrasen Research.
• NanoTrasen Sol System - Groups all the core assets together, protected by massive satellite array.
• NanoTrasen Alpha Centauri - Emergency backup, has large security detachment.

Other Assets of interests

• NanoTrasen Pluto Observatory - Scans space area for new systems, backup comm. array

Vital Projects

• NanoTrasen Quantum Relay Network - Portal system linking all NanoTrasen possessions
• Project Andromeda Outreach - Attempts to colonize the Andromeda galaxy
• NanoTrasen Star Command - Intersystem command nexus

Main Hierarchy

The official hierarchy of NanoTrasen.

• NanoTrasen Trustee Committee (Directors also called Trustees) - Has most power over running the company
  • NanoTrasen Leaders Council (Administrators) - Receive commands from directors, council members
    • NanoTrasen Command System (various military ranks) - Coordinate military operations
  • NanoTrasen Division Supervisors (Supervisors) - Coordinate non-military operations, council members
    • NanoTrasen Projects System (Project Managers) - Coordinate individual projects
• NanoTrasen Overseer Committee (Overseers) - Oversee investigation/problems
  • NanoTrasen Arbiters Council (Arbiters) - council members, watch for problems, are "attached"
    • NanoTrasen Judiciary System (Judicators) - Makes decisions (although overseers can be judicators, too)
  • NanoTrasen Inquisitor Tribunal (Inquisitors) - Actually does investigating in problems, is "special council"
• NanoTrasen Advisory Committee (Advisors) - Advises the Directors and Overseers
  • NanoTrasen Mentors (Mentors) - Teachers
  • NanoTrasen Aides (Aides) - Second in command

Important Councils

• NanoTrasen Security Council (Commanders) - Oversee use of military
• NanoTrasen Research Council (Scientists) - Oversee approval of research projects
• NanoTrasen Production Council (Managers) - Oversee production
• NanoTrasen Expansion Council (Ambassadors) - Oversee establishing bases/stations
• NanoTrasen Financial Council (Accountants) - Oversee use of resources/NanoTrasen Financial
• NanoTrasen Policy Council (Executors) - Oversee interpretation/obedience of all policies/directions
• NanoTrasen Assets Council (Moderators) - Oversee maintenance of resource, work with Accountants
• NanoTrasen Information Council (Superusers) - Oversee computer networks
• NanoTrasen Reconnaissance Council (?) - Oversee gathering intelligence
• NanoTrasen Educational Council (Superintendents) - Oversee employee training

Also, there isn't much inter-department friction. Although on a low level basis, some Researchers are considered eccentric by some Security.

The groupings are really just for location of offices on the main bases and how the uniform is arranged.

For example, SS13 has a members from Research (Researchers, RD), Medical (Doctor), Security (Security Officers), Directors/Command/Advisors/Overseers (Captain, HoP - actual division depends on round), Transportation (Pilot/some Engineers)

Arrivals

To a degree few of it's competitors could achieve, NanoTrasen owes it's success to diversity and quick reactions to unfolding events aboard it's starships. While most facilities get their personnel already prepared for specific roles, among the stars situation often changes quickly and drastically - far faster than a flight of a shuttle from the nearest NanoTrasen's station takes - and so the choice of assignments is up to the commanding officers (especially - Head of Personnel) depending on the most urgent needs at the moment. NanoTrasen hires almost anyone possessing a skill in areas such as science, medicine or space-engineering and every contracted worker after passing a couple of basic tests can hope for a good pay in space, especially if sent to an important installation. Additionally, a great number of ex-law enforcers, mercenaries or contracted security agencies' members is being hired to uphold the law while often experts skilled in areas such as detective work, cooking or sanitation also find their place on NanoTrasen's payroll and onboard corporation's ships.

Corporation History

NanoTrasen Incorporated started out as a small company, whose research was mostly based around medicine. Over time they gradually rose to prominence and became a powerful supercorporation, amongst the largest in the world.

At the turning point of the 26th Century, Plasma was discovered. NanoTrasen and its competitors were, naturally, the foremost corporations in attempting to exploit this valuable new resource, and they all set up numerous stations and factories around the Plasma Giants in order to exploit the resource. This only jump-started the economy, and the so-called Orange Rush began, with all of the corporations attempting to find as many uses of the valuable Plasma as possible in order to profit the most from the human governments. Research facilities, stations, ships and other installations were being manufactured faster than ever. NanoTrasen was one of the more bloodthirsty corporations, and managed to bankrupt and absorb many other companies, notably fellow research corp DandyTronics Ltd. This only further increased NanoTrasen's power and scope.

Today, it is the year 2556, roughly fifty years since the beginning of the Orange Rush. NanoTrasen Systems, BioTech Solutions, Einstein Engines Incorporated and many other leading research corporations continue their struggle to research as many uses and profit as much from Plasma as possible. Meanwhile, the criminal organisation known only as the Syndicate has been working to bring down NanoTrasen, whilst the other plasma corporations remain mysteriously intact. Stranger factions also exist, like the Space Wizard Federation and the Order of Nar-Sie who use otherworldly powers to try and usurp the supercorps from their throne. And now, where Humanity thought they had been alone, other races are appearing - some friendly like the Tajaran, others dangerous like the Xenomorphs. It is a brave new world.

Originally, being a purely research-based corporation, NanoTrasen did not produce most of its own hardware, in particular the APCs, SMES, and the now outdated thermoelectric generator, flourescent light units, as well as compact power cells, and spare parts for them, were produced by DandyTronics Ltd, (Programmers of The Jim Dandy brand AI gestalt ( No relation to the half insane war veteran janitor)) making repairs a tedious, if not entirely impossible affair for most crew.

Fortunately: the situation changed dramatically after the hostile corporate takeover of DandyTronics Ltd, in the words of Corporate Enforcer Captain Beef Fistjaw, "If the suckers didn't want to have their shit wrecked, they should have hired more redshirts." and we now enjoy a uninterrupted existance on our corporate stations and ships. As the blueprints for the most expendable electronics equipments are now hard coded into our Autolathes.

Spacecraft

Space Ships

NanoTrasen ships vary from research vessels to military-grade patrol ships. Stations vary from industrial complexes to weapons platforms. Ship naming conventions are as follows.

NSV = NanoTrasen Science Vessel. A ship primarily built to study things that a station or other static complex couldn't. NTV = NanoTrasen Transport Vessel. A ship with a large cargo bay or large amount of space for passangers. NMV = NanoTrasen Military Vessel. A ship with large gun batteries and often fighter hangers. NHV = NanoTrasen Hospital Vessel. Entire ships dedicated to healing the sick and infirmed.

At the size NanoTrasen is at it must be self supported and self policed. The laws of a region where an NT vessel or station might be are of little concern and because of this NanoTrasen has managed to get away with things otherwise deemed immoral or illegal.

A list of known ships:

• NSV Luna; NanoTrasen's experimental research space ship.
• NTV Sierra Otago; a repair and rescue vessel.
• NTV Millenium; a hazardous materials transport.
• NTV Duke; a mining barge.
• NHV Savior; a hospital ship.
• NMV Brutus; a military cruiser.
• NMV Steppe; a patrol vessel.
• NSV Preserver; a research ship.
• NSV Kami Hikari; a genetics research and clone breeding vessel. Long since destroyed.

Space Stations

• Central Command; essentially a glorified radio station, serving as a communications hub for all NanoTrasen stations.
• NSS Exodus; one of NanoTrasen's many research stations.
• NSS Antiqua; a space station still in construction.
• NSS Orion; a long range communications array.
• NSS Vector; a clone breeding complex.
• NSS Ontigo; a ship engine fabrication facility.
• NSS Redemption; a research station.

Beyond Nanotrasen

Space Station 13 takes place, approximately, in the year 2150 (though, this is still tentative). There's not much written about Earth, as it doesn't come into play in SS13, but, here's a bit about it: Earth does contain magnetically levitated vehicles, and in the United States the police force is very efficient, but not dominating. It's almost utopian besides a few problem sectors. It should be VERY clean.

United Nations and the United States

In SS13 it is important to note that the United Nations does exist and continues to help to direct a space initiative. However the primary player in such initiative is the United States. They have full control of the space initiatives dealt with in the SS13 universe. The United Nations works as a medium for other countries to use the United States facilities.

IS-ERI, USSP, and UNSP

The command structure for the United States Space Program also known as USSP (UNSP is the United Nations version and contains the appropriate hierarchy to serve as a liaison with USSP). The largest portion of USSP and the portion said most often refers to the inter-system activities. It is called the Inter-Solar - Exploration and Research Initiative (IS-ERI).

They spend an unstated portion of money and due to an alteration in the US government policies works almost as a major corporation with the assistance of Nanotrasen a subsidiary of the Expert Advisors Group (The most widely known company with almost firm control over the technology market). Almost every piece of technology and every station module was most likely designed and built by Nanotrasen. Almost all of the researchers and technicians (fewer with forensic technicians) ONLY are Nanotrasen employees working with IS-ERI.

The Station

SS13 was funded by IS-ERI to be almost like a miracle while their goals of inter-solar exploration and commerce were being fulfilled (they were making a mint on the materials they harvested.). They hadn't 'found' anything interesting. There was no extraterrestrial life, and hardly any new elements.

Then, one day, Control and Command Station #13 in Sector 95-40A had found something around Tetran (a blue star). This something is what was called Centration. Suddenly, everyone was excited. There was a strange new material that was unlike any other materials ever discovered. Now, even though IS-ERI was the most predominant space entity, they still wanted to protect their little secret (especially after they found its deep military and research potential). They created SS13 as a simple materials handling station that basically harvested and examined materials on SS13 (It's real purpose is to coordinate the satellite analyzing matrix as well as to collect and research plasma). There were no metals of course on Centration ... its almost pure plasma (except the core which hasn't been able to be analyzed). Instead, they were sending off a few bio-specimens (which, themselves were VERY special because of how plasma 'mutates' certain atomic configurations). Then somehow the Syndicate found out about the possibility of IS-ERI discovering a new material. It's VERY important to note that SS13 isn't the ONLY place they looked. There are MANY more stations they are trying to infiltrate.

The Syndicate

The Syndicate which is the only known name for the largest criminal organization in the SS13 universe is extremely secretive and has moderate infiltration. Their infiltration into the US government is minimal as their public members on Earth are well-known. They however do not reside on Earth but instead on an unknown planet in some other star system. They are currently being tracked by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) - The name's meaning is minimal as it is an artifact from 2010 (think nationwide anti-terrorism squad that grew to control almost everything... The other agencies roles are much more specialized. the FBI handles most US affairs still, the CIA handles the rest of the world, and the NSA grew to handle almost all information gathering).

The Syndicate does not operate in the United States. It as stated earlier maintains a few 'connections' with the government and a few prominent organizations. Their 'base' on earth is hidden in Africa which due to a war remains very barren, desolate, and unindustrialized. The Syndicates main goals for operation is to take down IATF's intricate defense matrix and to take over the United States. Their interest in SS13 will become evident later.

IATF and IS-ERI - The moon

The headquarters for IS-ERI and IATF are located on the moon. The moon is terraformed, and covered with high-technology buildings and bases. Along the darkside of the moon are large amounts of inter-solar and inter-galactic communication antennae and data centers. On the light side are the 2 headquarters. Located on the side are the deployment bays. The moon is still white as the buildings were painted grey and white. Surrounding the earth extending bit past the moons orbiting laser is an extremely tight nexus of satellites and mini-stations. They are inhabited, but instead serve as a defensive grid. It's almost impenitrable, and is powered not only by orbiting power stations, but by a huge reactor complex on the moon interior. By the moon is a specialized "opening", per se, in this matrix which is known as the PEAC or Primary Earth Access Corridor. For this, there are specialized extensions there that form a sort of space highway to and from Earth. There is a gigantic checkpoint station the scans all incoming and outgoing traffic. It is located a safe distance from the moon. (There is a secondary access corridor on the other side but it is only for IATF use and doesn't extend into space but instead allows rapid Earth deployment)

The Technology

Power: Ship power is generated primarily by nuclear fusion reactors. It's moderately efficient. Most high-power reactors (like on the moon) use anti-matter reactors. They are almost perfect efficiency.

Ship: The main propulsion system is ion drive which basically creates a high concentration of ions that are directly out toward the back. They are primarily used on ships because it uses Helium ions that are extracted from the fusion and then reenergized. There is more at work. It is pretty safe but has slight danger to it. The IATF dropship is like the Alien 2 dropship (if you ever need it) except with better weapons ans security. It's an air tank, per se.

Plasma

This page contains information on the material that's being studied on Space Station 13-- Plasma. Plasma is a revolutionary molecule. It was given its name for its distinctive orange color at room temperature (when in semi-liquid state). Researchers believe that it does NOT contain any neutrons. They believe instead it contains a different particle which they tentatively named Hieng A (which for all inensive purposes has no atomic charge).

This particle which comes in many configurations (more on that later) but on Centration the most prominent form is the A form. This A form is specially attracted to Carbon atoms in that when a molecule of plasma comes in contact with it the energy contained in it vaporizes the carbon. Other configurations produce this effect except with different atoms and molecules. (note that some may not have this exact effect). The current theory is that the electrical forces with carbon and Hieng A particle are too distinct (physicists still aren't certain what this means) that they are strangely attracted.

Now onwards to what Hieng particles really do. They in essence stand for High Energy particle. They depending on the configuration actually within the electron cloud can store certain forms of energy. Mainly the configurations deal with radiant and thermal energy. What happens is the heat is attracted to the Hieng particle and then becomes trapped around the nucleus. This therefore increases the temperature considerably. It also makes the entire molecule more unstable. It is believe that at 0 Kelvin and -100 degrees Celsius there is minimal energization and you have solid plasma that is VERY cold to the touch. At -100 to about -50 its believed to be in a liquid state (this is primarily what the cryo-healer uses). Now from -50 to 150 its in the common semi-liquid state where while its visible it moves like a gas. Now here is where it stops being cold to the touch. At this semi-liquid state it is believed that the particles become somewhat saturated with heat and instead begin to function like sponges. Touching them with cold objects won't cool things but instead makes them warmer by transferring away some of the heat. The next state is liquid because so much of the energy is in there that electrical attractions are being made. Now from 150-10000 its liquid. This liquid is vicious. It can ONLY be transferred by a very special container that is built to not be affected by heat. The material is very hard to make and therefore has only been used to line certain pipes and canisters. (The tanks level off their potential temp at 500. It contains a weaker version of the material).

Now at about 50 degrees+ the plasma is unstable. Certain energetic pulses like electricity would cause a massive introduction of electrons into this mixture. These electrons are BAD. This causes the plasma to break down. Plasma can't handle extra electron that well. This is why plasma 'burns'. The extra electrons cause the Hieng to break down. The heat released causes massive temperature spikes. Now moving onwards to 10000+ we have something VERY unique. (Now since SS13 researchers haven't been able to heat up plasma to this all of this is so far 'theory'.) We have Plasma Solid. This plasma solid has such a high amount of energy that it doesn't cool down. If the plasma liquid is released and hits the ground it releases enough heat to create a fire which with the carbon involved started breaking down the Hieng creating a molten lava effect. A burst pipe of 5000 degree plasma onto the ground will cause an innocent looking white orange spill that in a few seconds dematerializes the floor!

Now at 10000 degrees the energy is so high that the magnetic signatures are altered and it no longer reacts with carbon. It also stops releasing heat! Instead it forms a thin outer layer that has the heat properties of steel. Meaning you could fashion little statues of these things. (At this stage the plasma when in contact with another block of plasma would absorb it. Throwing a block of plasma into a room of semi-liquid plasma would just mop it up.) Unfortunately the electron problem isn't resolved. And at this temperature the heat released is BAD. About one nanogram of this solid plasma heated to 10000 degrees and then bathed with a few renegade electrons would evaporate a 1 meter sphere. Into thin air. The protons, neutron and electrons would evaporate. It's pretty strange but in the effects a new materials might suddenly emerge. At about 1 microgram it may produce black hole type effects.

In order to cool down plasma from solid to liquid to semi-liquid you have to bath it with neutrons to disrupt the Hieng particles and release the heat. From semi-liquid to the lower liquid just having it in a no-heat atmosphere will bring the temperature down. To go from lower-liquid to lower solid you have to bath it in neutrons while maintaining an almost 0k atmosphere. Going up is easier by using just continual heating.

Researchers also produced Hieng - which does not cause any particle vaporization (as far as we know) and to them they have only made it in the solid state. It's main neatness is that its super-conducting and works marvels in electronic conduits and certain larger computers.

Configurations: Hieng A- Most common- vaporizes C, uses heat energy Hieng B- Rare- vaporizes He, uses light energy Hieng C- Rare- vaporizes O, uses radio waves

Special Configurations: Hieng - - So far only synthetic- no vaporizing, when with protons passes all electrons Hieng + - Hypothetical only- attracts and consumes electrons, cannot pair with protons so not a true element, would have to be with neutrons.