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 250 colonies in the belt. Axis has been chosen as the site of the main hub of the Project Hermes hyperspace gate, and will be 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 busier trading ports, acting as a key waypoint in more than one shipping lane. Because of this fact, Axis has been chosen as the location for the primary Project Hermes hyperspace gate. It is hoped that the gate will further increase 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 it's third Inverse Class super-dreadnought under construction at the asteroid's largest 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 under construction from a canceled colony.

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.