The Project Gutenberg EBook of Concordance, by Ann Wilson This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org ** This is a COPYRIGHTED Project Gutenberg eBook, Details Below ** ** Please follow the copyright guidelines in this file. ** Title: Concordance A Terran Empire concordance Author: Ann Wilson Release Date: June 9, 2008 [EBook #25737] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CONCORDANCE *** Produced by Al Haines Imperial Empire Concordance by Ann Wilson Copyright (C) 1992 by Ann Wilson A A: (Imperial English): The neutral-animate pronoun. Emperor Chang disliked the fact that there was no good Standard English pronoun that referred to a single individual of unknown sex, or where sex was immaterial, so he made use of the Celtic "a", often written with an accent mark (á) by those who use Standard, to distinguish it from the indefinite article (@ is sometimes used when the printing/writing device cannot show accent marks). In Imperial English orthography, the Cyrillic "ya" (reversed R) is used. [Preparer's note: The @ symbol has been used throughout these stories in the manner described above.] ACADEMY: The Imperial Military Academy or Imperial Administrative Academy. Both are headquartered in and have their most prestigious facilities in the Antarctica Palace Complex; "branch" Academies are located throughout the Empire. AHTO, Subsector 12-C: No. systems: 89 Sector: Eridanus with 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 11 with 1 inhabited planet: 21 AEGIR, Subsector 17-D: No. systems: 72 Sector: Indus with 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 8 with 1 inhabited planet: 24 AGNI, Subsector 11-B: No. systems: 153 Sector: Gemini with 3 inhabited planets: 4 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 12 with 1 inhabited planet: 24 ALANNA, Clan: First of the Sandeman clans. Famous for its outstanding edged weapons. ALANNA, Dana Dru-: Originally Dana Manfredi. A Terran woman who swore personal fealty to Richard Jason. When Jason repudiated her after trying to kill her, Dana asked the Alanna clan-chief's help in making atonement for allowing him to accept an unworthy thakur-na. After seeing the evidence, the Alanna instead asked Clan Miklos to convene a planet-wide conference, and asked Clan Vader to rule on both Dana's and Jason's actions. The decision was that Dana had acted properly and Jason had not; the Alanna then offered her his clan's countenance (essentially adoption), and when she accepted, claimed Chief's Right on her behalf. The conference agreed with that, banning Jason from any business in Subsector Sandeman, declaring his property forfeit, and giving him a day to get off-world or be killed by the first warrior who saw him. It also named Dana to the warrior caste and gave her the right to wear honor-black. ("Thakur-Na") ALDRAS: Sector: 16, Virgo Year: Subsector: C, Ishtar Day: System: Elder Gravity: Settled/established: Axial tilt: By: Oxygen: Satellites: % Water: Ident code prefix: ALS Continents: Ruled by: Fayette family< (Barbara Tennison) ALPH, Subsector 17-A: No. systems: 95 Sector: Indus with 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 9 with 1 inhabited planet: 20 ALTERNATE UNIVERSES: Until the first ship from a provably alternate universe appeared in the Empire, these were thought to be mathematical abstractions. Afterward, however, they were accepted as fact. That first confirmed inter-universe transition, like most, was the result of a drive malfunction, and led to the further discovery that if the drive was repairable, the ship's next hyper-transition would take it away (from what happened to Imperial ships, return it to its own universe). If the drive could not be repaired, the transferees had to remain. That, at least, was and is the official story. In actuality, controlled inter-universe transition exists, but is a strictly-controlled secret. There are several reasons for this, but the primary two are the Ravagers and the fact that, although the time rate is constant, the apparent time ranges from megayears in the "past" to megayears in the "future". AMATERASU, Subsector 1-E: No. systems: 61 Sector: Orion with 3 inhabited planets: 4 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 10 with 1 inhabited planet: 24 AMATOR: (Xanadu) A member of the Guild of Amators, a professional entertainer specializing in sexual activities. Students are unrated; examinations, when their instructors consider them ready, will rate them as Specialist, Generalist, or Extra Class. Ratings can be upgraded by further training and examination. ANGHNAR: Sector: 5, Pegasus Year: Subsector: B, Sleipnir Day: System: Freya Gravity: Settled/established: Axial tilt: By: Oxygen: Satellites: % Water: Ident code prefix: ANG Continents: Ruled by: General: The world where Ranger James Medart picked up a number of Sandeman prisoners, including Dartha DruLewies, who helped him end the Sandeman war. ANTHEM, IMPERIAL: Otherwise known as "Darth Vader's Theme", by John Williams, from the Star Wars trilogy. In Annexation, this choice of anthem has a strong effect on the Sandeman attitude toward the Empire. ANTI-AGATHIC: A drug developed in 2113 which greatly extends the lifespan of humans, both standard and variant. Begun immediately after adolescence, it will approximately double expectable lifespan; begun later, the effect is less dramatic but still appreciable. Biological age remains what it was when treatment was started, until the last 3-5 years, though some minor cosmetic changes (such as graying hair) may appear at around the normal time. ANTI-INTERROGATION CONDITIONING: A total memory erasure triggered by a code phrase spoken by the person needing to use it. At this point, the victim fixates on the first person seen or heard. Memory up to the time of the last conditioning can be restored by replay of a mindscan tape made then, and memory after the conditioning is triggered is retained; the interval between is lost. ANUBIS, Subsector 15-A: No. systems: 48 Sector: Auriga with 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 11 with 1 inhabited planet: 23 APIS, Subsector 9-C: No. systems: 91 Sector: Ursa with 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 11 with 1 inhabited planet: 24 AQUILA, Sector 10: Ruled by: No. systems: 207 Subsectors: 3 Inhabited planets: 147 A. Thunderbird B. Roc C. Garuda ARDEN, Subsector 4-E: No. systems: 149 Sector: Fornax with 3 inhabited planets: 1 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 9 with 1 inhabited planet: 28 ARGUS, Subsector 2-A: No. systems: 141 Sector: Hydra with 3 inhabited planets: 5 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 9 with 1 inhabited planet: 23 ARIES, Sector 18: Ruled by: No. systems: 1,067 Subsectors: 8 Inhabited planets: 416 A. Ebisu E. Prometheus B. Pallas F. Forseti C. Magni G. Tyr D. Vishnu H. Donblas ARMS BALDRIC: A formal or semi-formal way of displaying arms. The baldric is a length of cloth or other material about eight inches wide, hanging down in front to about wrist length, draped over the left shoulder, around the back to waist level on the right, and over the left shoulder again to about knee-height in back, with the arms pinned to it just below the left shoulder. It is colored in accordance with the level of the jurisdiction issuing the arms: green for the Empire, white for a Sector, yellow for a Subsector, orange for a system, red for a planet, and black for any lesser jurisdiction. The baldric may be fringed in silver or green, depending on the baldric's color. ARRIAN: Sector: 19, Leo Year: 425.28 days Subsector: B, Galatine Day: 24 hr 18 min System: Regulus Gravity: 995 cm/sec2 Settled/established: Axial tilt: 21.4 deg. By: Oxygen: 25.3% Satellites: 1 (Whirlaway) % Water: 80 Ident code prefix: ARR Continents: 5 Ruled by: General: The entire population is male. Some are semi-androgynous, known as gynandri (singular gynandra), genetically engineered to be able to carry children. These are not numerous (most children are gestated in artificial wombs; all are products of cloning or laboratory gene-splicing), and they require considerable medical help to carry the baby to term once the embryo is implanted. While the genetic engineering that creates the gynandri is contrary to Imperial law, the reason was because the Arriani wanted to retain the closest approximation they could manage to natural reproduction, so until research can provide a way for women to live on Arrian, the engineering of gynandri is excepted. The Arriani, however, do not realize this; as far as they are concerned, they have managed to keep the gynandri a precious secret of their way of life. Religion is based on the Lady of Love. ASGARD, Subsector 3-A: No. systems: 63 Sector: Sculptor with 3 inhabited planets: 5 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 8 with 1 inhabited planet: 21 ATHENA, Subsector 16-A: No. systems: 67 Sector: Virgo with 3 inhabited planets: 6 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 10 with 1 inhabited planet: 19 AURIGA, Sector 15: Ruled by: No. systems: 510 Subsectors: 4 Inhabited planets: 210 A. Anubis C. Tuonetar B. Nephthys D. Yama AURORA: Sector: 8, Centaurus Year: Subsector: D, Pan Day: System: Aurora Gravity: Settled/established: Axial tilt: By: Oxygen: Satellites: % Water: Ident code prefix: AUR Continents: Ruled by: General: Had an interest in the heavy metals market strong enough for it to engage in industrial espionage; this attracted OSI's attention because of the possibility a former IntelDiv field agent was involved, which proved to be the case. (Barbara Tennison) AVALON, Subsector 4-C: No. systems: 106 Sector: Fornax with 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 11 with 1 inhabited planet: 22 B BADER, Lawrence: Imperial Ranger. Recruited Jess Winters as Sovereign of Alternate Sierra, 2683. BALIK: (Sandeman) A solitary lupoid predator. Females tend to nest and bear their kits in the mountains or high foothills. (Sylvia Stevens) BAST, Subsector 8-C: No. systems: 158 Sector: Centaurus with 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 10 with 1 inhabited planet: 24 BATTLE-COMPANION: (Sandeman) One who has fought beside another for some time, or done a combat-related service for the other deserving such recognition. Battle-companions are usually warriors/w'women, but Others are acknowledged as such occasionally. Under highly unusual circumstances, even an enemy may become a battle-companion, at which point @ is no longer an enemy. Battle-companions will give each other Last Gift without question if asked, and when using High War Speech, employ the familiar mode. BATTLEPREP: (Sandeman) A combat-oriented form of need, induced by mental and physical concentration. Unlike the sexual form of induced need, which will subside on its own with no more effect than a slight shortening of the warrior's cycle, battleprep involves the entire body; unless the warrior goes into demanding combat within an hour or two, he will go into overload and die. As this is well known, a warrior will prep only when combat is imminent. Battleprep is often referred to as a berserker state, but that is only partially correct. The prepped warrior is only marginally, if at all, aware of pain and wounds; blood clots quickly to minimize loss; speed and strength are heightened on the same order as that of someone of average strength who can suddenly lift a car to save an infant. Beyond this, however, the berserker analogy breaks down, because the warrior retains his full intelligence and judgement. This combination makes a battleprepped warrior one of the most dangerous beings in the known universe. BAYARD, Subsector 5-A: No. systems: 92 Sector: Pegasus with 3 inhabited planets: 5 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 8 with 1 inhabited planet: 20 BCE: Before the Common Era. Usually called BC (Before Christ) prior to the Empire. See CE. BLACK LORD, The: Sandeman term for Lord Darth Vader, generally regarded as villain of the classic Star Wars film trilogy. The Sandemans see him as a symbol of their race: held in thrall by another (Palpatine/the Shapers), but maintaining all honor possible during that thralldom and eventually throwing it off to regain (or gain) full honor for himself and his family (or the Sandeman race). Clan Vader, the first clan formed after Overthrow, was named for him and is the arbiter for the most delicate questions of honor. The ceremonial garb called honor-black is derived directly from the Black Lord's armor and robes. BLASTER: The standard Imperial sidearm, a plasma weapon. BLAST RIFLE: A shoulder weapon, powered by a small fusion reactor pack, which emits a plasma beam. Since their power packs are larger than those of a hand-held blaster, they are correspondingly either more powerful or more long-lasting, depending on the operator's preference. BLOODMATE: A strong, possibly latent empath who has been changed by the nosferatu pseudo-virus to an extremely capable blood donor, able to supply all a Kin's needs. The primary adaptation is bone marrow hyperactivity, which permits loss of blood with no harm to the Bloodmate beyond fatigue and increased appetite. Other changes include increased physical strength, though not to the extent of a Kin's, along with heightened empathy and endurance, both of which exceed a Kin's. Although Bloodmates appeared at the same time as Kins, their lack of visible change meant that for more than two years they were thought to be no more than unusually capable Donors. That changed when Marine Captain Jase Thompson, who was extremely susceptible to the virus, was changed and it was discovered that he literally had to donate at daily intervals to remain physically and emotionally healthy. ["Teams"] This allowed testing of the other unusually capable donors, and led to the discovery that the approximate 10% who went through change with no apparent effect had actually become Bloodmates. BOND: A close physical/emotional tie between a Kin and a Bloodmate. It is involuntary, very fast, and takes place when a Kin feeds on a Bloodmate who is @'s complement. The empathic link between them is so strong that each is always aware of the other's physical and emotional state. This is usually quite pleasant, but if one is severely hurt or killed, the other will suffer psychological and physical pain and illness, sometimes fatal. BRIGIT, Subsector 11-C: No. systems: 138 Sector: Gemini with 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 13 with 1 inhabited planet: 23 BROTHERHOOD OF FREEDOM: (Kingdom Systems) A Systems-wide terrorist group that appeared around 2550. It has no declared objective beyond the disruption of society, and its leader, Lawrence Shannon, claims to be the incarnation of Satan. Its primary targets, until the Empire's arrival in 2572, were Royal Enforcement Service troopers; at that point, Imperial personnel took priority. Other than those two groups, the Brotherhood's targets are places which will cause the most distress: schools, hospitals, churches, and such are attacked at random, the people there killed with the maximum amount of violence. It is these terror raids which inspired the formation of the Strike Force section of the RES. C CADET INCOGNITO: The provision made for Imperial nobles who wish to attend the Military or Administrative Academies without receiving special attention (either leniency or strictness). The cadet's true identity is known only to the Commandant of Cadets, and revealed at graduation or if an emergency requires the cadet to drop out earlier. CARLE: One of the Traiti Circle of Lords, female. CARLE, Subsector 21-E: No. systems: 155 Sector: Traiti with 3 inhabited planets: 4 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 10 with 1 inhabited planet: 12 CASSELL, Sandoval (Sandy): (2092-2189) Leader of the genetic engineers later known as the Shapers. CASSELL System: Sector: 5, Pegasus No. planets: 12 Subsector: D, Sandeman Habitable: 1 Ruled by: General: Sandeman's system, named for the leader of the Shapers. The Sandemans elected to keep the name; in spite of their opinion of the Shapers' attempt to control them, they are convinced the Shapers also deserve credit for creating them. CATEGORY F ("Foreign Legion") ENLISTMENT: The provision made for anonymous enlistment in the Imperial military. A person wanting to make use of this provision must meet the normal enlistment criteria, and tell the recruiting officer the reason (which may not be revealed to any third party) for wanting Category F. If the recruiting officer is satisfied that the reason has no bearing on the individual's fitness for service, @ will be enlisted under a new name, with a Category F ident code (prefix FFF); only the Imperial computer net has data on both identities. The Cat F enlistee's career will not be restricted except in one way: @ may not become an officer without resuming @'s original name and ident code. CE: Common Era, the Imperial term for what was called AD before the Empire's formation. BC, in those terms, is BCE--Before the Common Era. This change was made to avoid any implication that the Empire might favor or promote any particular religion. CENTAURUS, Sector 8: Ruled by: No. systems: 356 Subsectors: 4 Inhabited planets: 217 A. Chiron C. Bast B. Pholus D. Pan CERBERUS, Subsector 2-E: No. systems: 54 Sector: Hydra with 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 11 with 1 inhabited planet: 20 CHAMELEON, Sector 20: Ruled by: No. systems: 397 Subsectors: 4 Inhabited planets: 226 A. Oghma C. Dagda B. Thoth D. Ukko CHANG, Cheong: (2050-2149) First Sovereign of the Terran Empire. Retired from the USMC as a Major General in 2097. Became acquainted with Reinhard Nannstein, an acquaintanceship that became a close friendship. At Nannstein's urging, Chang entered Solar Federation politics, rapidly earning a reputation for outstanding statesmanship and unyielding integrity. Elected President of the Federation in 2124, he was aware that his friend's work on gravitics (and the high probability that faster-than-light travel would soon follow) would require some drastic changes, and he began laying the groundwork for them. In 2125, Nannstein invented hyperdrive; as humanity exploded away from Terra, Chang and Nannstein acted. Democratic government, even as loose as the Federation's, had become so obviously impractical--and Chang was so highly regarded--that they were able to persuade the Federation Congress to pass a constitutional amendment dissolving the Federation and establishing the Terran Empire--on the condition that Chang agree to be Emperor. One of his first acts on assuming the Throne was to create the Rangers and nobility; another was to direct the regularization of English. His alphabet and some of his other linguistic changes caught on; some did not. He died seconds after midnight, 1 January 2149. CHIEF'S BENCH: (Sandeman) A judicial-style bench in the clanhome's main hall, used by the clan-chief on formal occasions. CHIEF'S RIGHT: (Sandeman) A clan-chief's right to impose punishment on one who has committed a serious offense against a member of his clan. CHIRON, Subsector 8-A: No. systems: 74 Sector: Centaurus with 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 9 with 1 inhabited planet: 23 CIRCLE OF LORDS: The Traiti deities, three females and nine males--one of whom, Lord Esteban the Peacelord, is a human. All were planned for and then influenced, to a greater or lesser degree, by the psionic computer called Godhome--which had been left behind for that task when the Others departed to continue their development on another plane of existence. Once those who were to become Lords agreed to serve, Godhome forced them into full intellectual and emotional maturity; although they have powers generally thought of as godlike, they think of themselves as parents. Their aim, over millennia, is to bring all intelligence to their level; their philosophy is that self-responsibility is essential to natural maturation, so they intervene only when, and only as much as, absolutely unavoidable for racial survival. CLAN NAMES, TRAITI: Naming convention is one or two letters, an apostrophe, and one or two syllables to form something pronounceable. Clan names probably had meaning when the clans were originally established, but those meanings have become lost over the millennia. (Some clan-names established in the series so far: Ch'geasht, Ch'kara, D'gameh, K'horan, N'chark, St'nar.) CLANS, SANDEMAN: The basic unit of Sandeman society, the extended "family". While the clan-chief is in charge and has the last word, he is not--cannot be--a dictator. Until Overthrow, clans were established by the Shapers and restricted in size to 200-500 members; since then, some have gotten larger, and a new clan is formed by agreement between two or more "parent" clans who contribute members and resources. Some established clans (those with asterisks formed by the Shapers), with their specialties and brief notes if applicable; there may be a more detailed entry as well, under the clan name, if available information justifies it. Alanna*: edged weapons; the First Clan. Cid Datha Elwyn* Faerb Glenn Havek: metal-working, electronics; daughter-clan to Krishnan and Leras. Klein Krishnan*: basic research, farming. Leras*: farming, piloting and pilot training; the entire warrior caste of this clan is accomplished pilots. Levya*: shipfitters Lewies* Lowrie* Miklos*: communications. Neill*: leather battlegear, horses. Raynor*: medicine, genetics. Seldon Shona*: war-dogs, farming. Torrance: boats, other aquatic craft, seamanship. Vader: energy weapons; the first clan formed after Overthrow. CLOUDCATS: Inhabitants of Ondrian, moved there by the Others about 8000 BCE because their original sun was about to go nova. They resemble Terran mountain lions in size and shape, though because of their preference for cold climates, their fur is thick and white. They are highly intelligent, although the first colonists thought them wild animals; they communicate and manipulate objects with a pair of tentacular Y-shaped "tongues" that retract into cheek pouches when not in use. Cloudcats are solitary hunters, living in mountain caves the Others provided with psionically-operated survival aids; although the closest world to their native one, Ondrian is enough harsher that, without the survival aids, cloudcat art and philosophy would have suffered, perhaps died. Most are involved with one or the other, many with both, and the tapestries they weave from their shed fur are in great demand throughout the Empire. Although most cloudcats never leave their home territory, some do take advantage of their right (granted in return for the colonists' free use of the equatorial zone) to travel at will on Imperial ships. CLOUD-SILK: A soft, light, tough luxury fabric made from a plant that thrives only on Herbert's World. CODES, COLOR: (Stories) Generally seen on military uniforms in the form of collar tabs, the color codes indicate the service's level. Imperial forces have no collar tabs; Sector-level have white, Subsector-level have yellow, System-level have orange, and Planetary-level have red. (TE Society) These are the ones on the badges, intended to simplify mutual identification, especially when not in uniform or regalia. No color band means no Imperial rank (except for brown, which indicates a local noble; technically, they have no Imperial standing, but are generally given the courtesy title of "Excellency"). Green indicates the Sovereign (wide) and Rangers (2 narrow); white is for Dukes, yellow for Earls, orange for Counts, and red for Barons (in all of these a wide band is for a Life Noble, two narrow for a Ruling Noble and @'s Consort and Heir, one narrow for a Life Noble's spouse and a Ruling Noble's younger children). Black indicates Marines, blue Navy, with wide band for Imperial regulars, two narrows for Imperial reservists, and one narrow for local forces. CODES, IDENT: (Stories) Only S and R indicate status in this group (Sovereign and Rangers, respectively); with the first and last letters of the individual's name, these form a three-letter prefix. All others have a five-letter prefix, with the first three being a home-planet identifier (preferably the first three letters in the Imperial English alphabet, but modified where necessary to prevent duplication), again with the first and last letters of the individual's name. The prefix is followed by an eight-digit number that precisely identifies the individual. (TE Society) These were set up to allow computer separation, if it ever becomes necessary, by Imperial status; the first letter indicates that with S for Sovereign, R for Ranger, N for Imperial noble, C for citizens derived (or derivable) from the original TE stories, and E for citizens of extra- universal origin. TE is simply for Terran Empire, and the numbering is consecutive, assigned when enough information is available to do so-- usually when the Admin Service has a persona form to work from. COLD PEAK RANGE: A Sandeman mountain range, mostly on Clan Torrance territory. It is supposed to be the most beautiful mountain scenery on the planet, but is visited by few Sandemans other than Torrance hunting parties because of the general Sandeman dislike for low temperatures. COMBAT DIVISION: The largest of the ITMC's major specialty divisions, it is responsible for all directly combat-related activity, including such things as basic training. COMM IMPLANT: A surgically implanted communications system consisting of a transmitter in the throat and a receiver at the mastoid bone. Imperial implants have an always-active receiver and touch-activated transmitter, which can also be computer-activated if the comp initiates the contact and expects an answer. COMP: Computer, of any type and size from a hand-held personal model to an Imperial Battle Cruiser's or other artificial intelligence. CONCLAVE: The gathering of Rangers called by a new Sovereign immediately after @'s accession, to name the new Successor. CONSORT, -CONSORT: Unhyphenated, a Kin of the Dragon who has Bonded to a Bloodmate. Hyphenated, after a title of nobility, the spouse of a ruling Imperial noble. COR'NAYA: (Traiti) Honored One. Generally, a male who has taken and survived the Ordeal of Honor, and displays the Honor scars inflicted as a test of endurance to conclude the Ordeal. Rarely, a female who has borne twins and has been given Honor scars under anesthesia in a hospital. CORONET: The lesser crown used by Rangers (when using their civil title of Prince/Princess) and Imperial nobles, primarily on ceremonial occasions. CORPSWEN: Imperial Navy medical technician. CRATER, Sector 13: Ruled by: No. systems: 395 Subsectors: 4 Inhabited planets: 220 A. Nike C. Ratri B. Inanna D. Idun CROWN, IMPERIAL: The crown worn by the Sovereign during major ceremonies such as Investitures, Grand Audiences, etc. It is made of platinum in a wing-and-star motif, with the arches topped by the globe and sun segments of the Imperial Seal. The only gems used are pearls on the arches. For comfort, the crown is worn over a green velvet Cap of Estate, turned up with ermine. For less formal occasions a lighter version, without arches (and sometimes called the Diadem), is used. CYCLOPS, Subsector 2-C: No. systems: 106 Sector: Hydra with 3 inhabited planets: 1 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 11 with 1 inhabited planet: 20 CYGNUS, Sector 7: Ruled by: No. systems: 803 Subsectors: 6 Inhabited planets: 297 A. Kinnison D. Jirel B. Skywalker E. Lessa C. DuQuesne F. Stildyne D DAGDA, Subsector 20-C: No. systems: 66 Sector: Chameleon with 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 10 with 1 inhabited planet: 19 DARLAS: An aspect of Talent, a form of psionic attack that can vary in effect, depending on the user's strength and intent, from a mild stun to lethal. In whatever degree, it is extremely painful to the victim. DAVIS, Subsector 21-C: No. systems: 66 Sector: Traiti with 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 12 with 1 inhabited planet: 17 DECORATIONS, IMPERIAL (in order of precedence): * Imperial Medal of Honor (wartime); Sovereign's Medal (peacetime) * Marine Cross * Navy Cross Distinguished Service Cross * Silver Star Medal # Legion of Merit # Distinguished Service Medal + Marine Medal + Space Medal Joint Services Commedation Medal Marine Commendation Medal Navy Commendation Medal Achievement Medal Purple Heart Combat Action Ribbon * Sovereign's Unit Citation * Distinguished Unit Emblem # Unit Commendation Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal Navy Good Conduct Medal Marine Corps Reserve Medal Navy Reserve Medal These are awarded for: * Combat heroism # Heroic or meritorious acts + Non-combat heroism DERYBACH: (Traiti) A Homeworld predator Ranger Tarlac characterized as an overgrown bobcat. They bear a strong resemblance to cloudcats, though they have shorter fur and are tawny rather than white. DIADEM, IMPERIAL: A term sometimes used to refer to the Imperial Crown as it is worn during ceremonies other than major ones such as Coronation or Grand Audiences. It is somewhat lighter, since it does not have the arches. DISRUPTOR: A gravitics-based weapon that disrupts its target's molecular structure. Sizes (and power) vary from the relatively weak sidearm favored by the Traiti to the extremely powerful "primaries" mounted in Imperial light, heavy, and battle cruisers, which require a separate T/CT power supply equal to that used for propulsion and ship support. DONBLAS, Subsector 18-H: No. systems: 165 Sector: Aries with 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 10 with 1 inhabited planet: 18 DONOR: As used by Narvonese, a person who acts as an occasional (one to four week interval, depending on the individual) blood-source for the Dragon-Kin, but whose lack of susceptibility to the nosferatu pseudo-virus prevents @ from becoming a Bloodmate. Donating or not is an individual decision, as is the method. While most choose to Donate directly and get the pleasure the Kin feels and projects to @'s Donor while feeding this way, some people prefer to Donate indirectly, through a medical unit; that blood is used for Kins who for some reason or other cannot or choose not to feed normally. This is not usual, though; "bottled" blood is, rather like WWII C-rations, life-sustaining but not very good, and certainly not satisfactory for long periods. The more usual problem is keeping donors from doing so too often, to the point where it adversely affects their health. DOWER NOBLE: A ruling noble who retires and that noble's spouse, or the spouse of a ruling noble who has died. Dower nobles have no legal power, but are entitled to the courtesies of their former ranks. They add a true-lover's knot to their arms to indicate dower status. DRAGON PRINCE: (Sometimes referred to simply as "Dragon" or "Prince") Personification of the nosferatu pseudo-virus, the result of a dream by the first Kin, during her Change, about a platinum-scaled Oriental-style dragon wearing a crown. She was familiar with both the fictional and real Draculas, synthesizing that knowledge with what she somehow sensed (or knew through Talent) she was becoming, and the virus' essential benevolence. Her colony of virus, even though it was centuries from true consciousness or self-awareness, picked up the image, possibly as a rudimentary identification, and passed it along as other colonies reached a level that changed their hosts. DRUGS established so far, alphabetically. See individual entries for details. Energine Felzine Keisha Libidine Rapid-heal Veranol DuQUESNE, Subsector 7-C: No. systems: 144 Sector: Cygnus with 3 inhabited planets: 1 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 9 with 1 inhabited planet: 15 Arms: Black. E EBISU, Subsector 18-A: No. systems: 124 Sector: Aries with 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 11 with 1 inhabited planet: 28 EGERIN: The hormone that defines a Sandeman warrior and controls his need cycle. EMPIRE, TERRAN: Founded by Cheong Chang in 2128, the Empire is an umbrella government with functions limited to defense of the Empire as a whole, peacekeeping (primarily between Sectors, though occasionally if necessary between lesser fiefs as well), and inter-cultural relations that cannot be handled at a lower level. Its normal method of operation is that of minimum intervention, to encourage maximum diversity (within limits; neither anarchy nor Balkanization are seen as desirable). As a safeguard, although going to the appropriate noble is generally preferable, all Imperial citizens have the right of direct appeal to the Throne, and if circumstances warrant (normally determined by an Evaluation Team investigation), the Empire will act. The Empire is based firmly on the principle of enlightened self-interest, making it the most thoroughly pragmatic government humans have ever developed. Ninety-nine-plus percent of the time, this means demonstrating an integrity pre-Empire Terran politicians would believe undesirable to impossible, probably both. However, there is that other fractional percent of a time. Even the greatest idealists realize that from time to time, any government is going to need to use unpleasant, unethical, and possibly even illegal means to achieve something vital. For these times, as well as for more normal undercover operations, the Empire is believed to use its IntelDiv field agents, as well as the rumored Shadow Fleet. ENERGINE: A powerful stimulant, effective for approximately eight hours. While it will allow the user to overcome most weaknesses, too much will demand a high price in recuperation afterward. ENERGY SOURCES: See Fusion, Internal Combustion, T/CT. ENGLISH, IMPERIAL: Emperor Chang's regularized version of a combination of American and British English, with phoneticized spelling and somewhat modified vocabulary. ENVIRO-SUIT: A coverall-type garment that provides protection from extreme temperatures, either heat or cold, between approximately -100 and +150 degrees Celsius. ERIDANUS, Sector 12: Ruled by: No. systems: 621 Subsectors: 7 Inhabited planets: 366 A. Ramman E. Susanowo B. Tefnut F. Zeus C. Ahto G. Thor D. Rudra EVALUATION TEAM: Commonly called an E-Team, this is a group of Marine Intelligence Division operatives sent in to investigate a citizen's report or appeal for help, if a preliminary evaluation shows a potentially serious problem to exist, and determine whether Imperial intervention is both justified and necessary. Only when the report is of imminent warfare or rebellion, when it includes evidence that makes an investigation unnecessary, or when the preliminary evaluation shows it not to be an Imperial matter, is an E-Team not sent in. EXCALIBUR, Subsector 14-D: No. systems: 52 Sector: Phoenix with 3 inhabited planets: 6 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 9 with 1 inhabited planet: 26 Arms: On a red field, a sword point-upward between three silver caltrops. EXOTIC: Xanaden term for genetically engineered human variants, specifically those originally intended as sexual objects. Although major genetic engineering of humans was outlawed in 2310, it has been impossible to completely suppress. It has, however, been driven into secrecy, with the result that most such engineering is done by or for the rich and powerful who have grown bored with legal diversions. This in turn means that most subjects of such engineering have had their sexuality enhanced for their creators' entertainment, often with other changes being made as well. Most of the Empire's more detailed knowledge of Exotics comes from those who disliked and were able to escape from those who engineered them. Of these, most gravitate to Xanadu and the Amators' Guild, where they can make profitable use of the engineering carried out on them (or on their forebears). It is not known how many either do not rebel or are unsuccessful in their escape attempts, but it seems reasonable to assume this number to be far greater than the escapees'. While the details of the various Exotic types vary considerably, the basics of most are quite consistent, which is to be expected given the purpose of such engineering. An Exotic is always responsive, in some degree, to sexual stimuli, is capable of what seems to non-Exotics like incredible sexual endurance, and most begin sexual activity during or immediately after adolescence. (It must be noted, of course, that any or all of the above does on occasion occur to a non-engineered human and cannot be considered proof of engineering; genetic analysis is the only way to be certain.) In some cases, enhancement of the sexual drive is the only change made. In most, however, physical changes have been made as well, though not all are visible (for instance, the Ishtar variants are characterized by sensory nerves lining the vaginal canal, usually leading to the brain's pleasure center). The changes which are visible also vary, from relatively minor (such as the Tingler's tentacles around his penis) to near-total alteration (such as the Elf variant's small, slender build and delicate features emphasized by pointed ears and slanted eyes). F FAMILY (capitalized): The extended family structure recently introduced in the Kingdom Systems, primarily as a socially-acceptable means of dealing with the satyr virus and the physiological changes it produces. As a side effect, it also provides a family structure stable enough that Special Operations personnel may now marry and are no longer required to be sterile. The new Families, the first and best known of which is Family Cortin, consist of several spouses--ideally, but not necessarily, half male and half female--with any children. (As an example Family Cortin, at this point [2572], consists of Colonel Cortin herself, who is Family head but not a spouse, two wives, five husbands, and three children, with a fourth on the way. It may become more balanced in the future, since it began as a mostly-male Strike Force team and has as yet had little opportunity to court more than one civilian wife.) FEALTY, CONDITIONAL: (Sandeman) An oath to someone in return for a consideration, unknown until Gaelan DarShona talked some of the warriors on the guardian fleet around Mjolnir into taking service in Planetary Security in exchange for Imperial credits. Such an oath is considered void if payment in wilfully withheld (inability to pay is negotiable) or if the one to whom such an oath is taken attempts to injure the oath-taker, at which point the one taking the oath may feel free to take appropriate action against the false acceptor. FEALTY, PERSONAL: (Sandeman) An oath of absolute personal loyalty and obedience. Theoretically, anyone may swear such fealty to anyone, but in practice it is almost exclusively warriors swearing to Warleaders or other high-status warriors. It is an honor either to be offered such fealty or to have it accepted. The one giving fealty (thakur-na) becomes, to the best of his ability, an extension of the one accepting it (thakur). The only acceptable reasons for disobeying a thakur's will are to preserve his honor or his life, with the thakur's honor taking precedence. This relationship is most obvious to non-Sandemans in the custom that any children a 'na fathers are considered the thakur's, and their use of the familiar mode of High War Speech. The 'na has his right cheek tattooed with a mark of his thakur's choice. Although in theory, since a 'na does swear absolute obedience and perfect fidelity, there is no need to acknowledge even the greatest of such service, the Sandemans are realists; if a 'na gives greater service or does a deed more heroic than may be reasonably expected, his thakur will have the tattoo circled and allow his 'na to use his name hyphenated with the 'na's own. If the 'na outlives his thakur, his tattoo is barred with black to show honorable completion of service; if it works out the other way, his thakur will see to honorable burial, if possible at one of their clanhomes. Although those are by far the commonest ways of ending the relationship, two others are possible. If the 'na commits a serious offense, the thakur may dismiss him by telling him something like, "Leave me; I no longer need you." The real meaning is "You have dishonored me"; the 'na is expected to atone by a painful death at either his own or his clan-chief's hands. The other, since Dana DruAlanna's case in 2624, is for the thakur to dismiss without offense, in which case the 'na's tattoo is barred with black and service is honorably terminated for both parties. FELZINE: A mild, non-addictive tranquilizer. FENRIS, Subsector 14-A: No. systems: 174 Sector: Phoenix with 3 inhabited planets: 7 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 8 with 1 inhabited planet: 22 Arms: On a counter-ermine field, a gold star of four large and eight small points, charged with a red circle on which is a silver wolf's head. FIEFS: The subdivisions of the Empire. As of 2568, the end of the Traiti War--and including the new Traiti Sector--they are broken down as follows: 21 Sectors, consisting of two to eight Subsectors apiece 106 Subsectors, averaging 53 inhabited planets in 36 systems 1,431 multi-inhabited-planet systems 2,388 single-inhabited-planet systems 5,596 inhabited planets Fiefs cannot be combined. If the heir to a fief marries a ruling noble, @ forfeits all claim to the fief @ was to inherit, and the next oldest child becomes heir. If one heir or ruling noble marries another, the Sovereign decides which forfeits @'s fief (usually the lower-ranking, if they are of different levels) and who is to succeed (usually the next oldest child). FIELD AGENT: An IntelDiv officer with special training in covert intelligence gathering. Although they often work openly, sometimes even in uniform, they are not identified as field agents and are always assigned to cases where their special skills (such as reading the subtleties of body language, some of them with near-telepathic accuracy) are needed. When working under an assumed identity, a field agent will use whatever means are available and most effective for getting the information a needs or otherwise accomplishing @'s mission. While this is recognized as necessary under such circumstances, it is not something the Empire takes pride in or wishes publicized. It is also unfortunate that at times former field agents revert to this end-over-means philosophy, though if they have left the Service, there is seldom any harm done, and very little the Empire can do unless the person has broken a law as well. FORNAX, Sector 4: Ruled by: No. systems: 472 Subsectors: 5 Inhabited planets: 285 A. Oberon D. Xanth B. Titania E. Arden C. Avalon FORSETI, Subsector 18-F: No. systems: 90 Sector: Aries with 3 inhabited planets: 7 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 9 with 1 inhabited planet: 21 FREYA, Subsector 16-D: No. systems: 97 Sector: Virgo with 3 inhabited planets: 4 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 8 with 1 inhabited planet: 31 FUSION: The forced combination of hydrogen atoms at extremely high temperatures to produce energy. It is used in most craft (spaceships and ground vehicles) which are too small to carry T/CT generators. G GALATINE, Subsector 19-B: No. systems: 154 Sector: Leo with 3 inhabited planets: 6 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 8 with 1 inhabited planet: 25 GARUDA, Subsector 10-C: No. systems: 53 Sector: Aquila with 3 inhabited planets: 2 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 11 with 1 inhabited planet: 19 GEMINI, Sector 11: Ruled by: No. systems: 422 Subsectors: 3 Inhabited planets: 169 A. Girru B. Agni C. Brigit GILGAMESH System: Sector: 13, Crater No. planets: 12 Subsector: B, Inanna Habitable: 2 (Atlantis, Nemra) Ruled by: Kaplan family GIRRU, Subsector 11-A: No. systems: 131 Sector: Gemini with 3 inhabited planets: 5 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 7 with 1 inhabited planet: 22 GODHOME: The psionic computer left behind on Homeworld when the Others the Traiti call Those Who Went Before went on to a different plane of existence. A huge underground complex, it was thought for millennia to be a hill that caused madness or worse in those who went near, until it forced Kranath of St'nar to full maturity, thus making him the first of the new Traiti gods, the Circle of Lords. It destroyed its physical structure as no longer necessary when it merged with the last Lord of the Circle, Peacelord Esteban Tarlac. [Fearful Symmetry] GORGON, Subsector 2-B: No. systems: 112 Sector: Hydra with 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 10 with 1 inhabited planet: 23 GRAVITICS: A science developed into practicality by Reinhard Nannstein, it has led to as many things as electronics: artificial gravity, hyperdrive, force fields and beams, ultrawave communications, innumerable others. GRAYWAND, Subsector 19-E: No. systems: 187 Sector: Leo with 3 inhabited planets: 4 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 11 with 1 inhabited planet: 25 GRYPHON, Subsector 14-C: No. systems: 148 Sector: Phoenix with 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 9 with 1 inhabited planet: 25 GUNGNIR, Subsector 19-C: No. systems: 160 Sector: Leo with 3 inhabited planets: 3 Ruled by: with 2 inhabited planets: 11 with 1 inhabited planet: 24 GYNANDRA (plural gynandri): An Arriani male genetically engineered to carry and give birth to children, though not to conceive. Such pregnancy and birth require highly skilled medical aid. Gynandri are also sought-after sex partners, both...