Navigational Markers

Navigational Markers (coloquialy known as Navmarks) are the primary way of space travel in the galaxy. They are small orbital installations around stars, that form interstellar routes navigable by spacecraft with a KDrive. The KDrive, using EXOTICTECH, shrinks space in front of the spacecraft to an infinitely tiny size and expands it behind it so that the spaceship, in essence, jumps from one Navmark to another. These Navmarks are usually positioned in orbit around stars using other FTL methods. Two neighbouring Navmarks continuously scan the direct route between themselves and block any ship from jumping in case an obstruction is unexpectedly present. Passing through folded matter will vaporise a spacecraft. Many Navmarks are positioned in such a way, that they form interstellar pathways known as Kedel Space Lanes. Each Navmark is usually no more than 20ly away from a neighboring one, as the possibility of obstructions increases with distance. In the outermost regions of the galaxy, as the density of stars shrinks, the gap between Navmarks get larger. A Kedel Drive can also be utilised without any Navmarks to guide it, a remarkably dangerous undertaking. After all, the risk of a travelling hazard being in the way to the specific coordinates is quite substantial.

The KDrive can also be used to fold space over vast distances for telecommunication. High energy electromagnetic waves aren’t affected by material obstacles and so pass right through them. Nevertheless, most beings in the galaxy use the Navmarks for data transmission. Folding space between two Navmarks and relaying a signal through them requires little energy compared to folding substantial parts of the galaxy and making sure enough energy is supplied so that the transmission isn’t affected by material obstruction. Therefore Navmarks are used as relays for intergalactic communication. Extreme situations or emergencies might compel those that have the wealth and the access to sizeable amounts of energy to bypass the relays and transmit directly.