Axis

Overview

Axis is a large asteroid in the asteroid belt that is actually two asteroids fused together, and has a shape roughly like a molar. It is owned by the Kingdom of Bryn Shander, which uses it as a major trading center, research facility, military base, and the seat for it's colonies in the belt. Axis is the site of the main hub of the Project Hermes hyperspace gate, and is also the headquarters for the Hermes Alliance

Trade

Because of it's location between the inner planets and the outer Solar system, Axis is one of Bryn Shander's busiest trading ports, acting as a key waypoint in more than one shipping lane. Because of this fact, Axis was chosen as the location for the primary Project Hermes hyperspace gate. As expected, the gate significantly increased the traffic to Axis and it's surrounding principality. As much as 70% of Bryn Shander's mineral resources pass through Axis before making their way to the rest of the nation.

Shipyards

Axis' relative isolation and abundance of available resources also help it's shipyards thrive, drawing in clients that wish to have a bit more privacy than normal, as well as clients with large orders. The most prominent example of this is Bryn Shander's government, which has produced many of its military vessels in the asteroid's yards. Axis' yards are also key in producing prototypes and converting prototypes to full production vessels.

Military

Because of it's importance as a trading hub, shipyard, research facility, and seat of it's colonies, Axis is also Bryn Shander's largest and most heavilly defended military base. As such, more than a quarter of Bryn Shander's space fleet is stationed at Axis, and the fortress boasts the heaviest concentration of anti-ship and anti-aircraft batteries of any of the nation's asteroids. In addition, a colony laser is parked near the fortress for defense against large formations of hostile ships. Recently, the asteroid was fitted with several dozen heavy Mjolnir gun batteries.

Research

The advantages that help Axis' shipyards thrive also helps it's laboratories. The isolation from the Solar system's population centers allows Bryn Shander to conduct much of it's research in relative secrecy, and the base produces most of the nation's prototypes and military technology.

Accidents

During an attempt to send the starship Galileo to the Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy in search of New Havenic refugees, the originalHermes gate exploded in a powerful Hermium wavefront reaction that destroyed several hundred civilian ships, two dozen military frigates, and damaging countless more. The blast also damaged several colonies and glassed half of the asteroid's surface, fusing many blast doors shut and destroying countless defensive batteries. Since the accident, the damage has been repaired and a new, more powerful and safer gate has been installed at Axis.