| Legacy | Revolutionized space travel and enabled human expansion beyond the Solar System |
| Time period | Alternate timeline |
| Subject type | Historical event and scientific concept |
| Key Discovery | Vexbolts |
| Place of origin | Solar System |
| Impact on space travel | Enabled human expansion and colonization |
| Properties of Vexbolts | Revolutionized space travel |
| Conflicts over Vexbolts | Galactic disputes and establishment of the Alliance of Planets |
The Solar System, in this alternate timeline, is the region of space containing the Sun and the celestial bodies that orbit it. It is home to Earth and several other planets inhabited by humans, as well as numerous colonies established by the Terranic Consortium. The discovery of a rare mineral called Vexbolts revolutionized space travel and enabled humanity to expand beyond the Solar System.
Vexbolts were first discovered in 2058 by a joint United Nations-private sector expedition to the exoplanet Zeta Reticuli I. Found in veins near the planet's core, Vexbolts exhibit unique properties that make them ideal for use in fusion reactors, significantly reducing fuel consumption during long-range space travel.
When subjected to electromagnetic fields, Vexbolts emit a constant stream of highly energetic particles. This energy can be harnessed to create substantially more efficient fusion reactors, which are essential for prolonged space travel. Vexbolts also have refractive qualities that allow for the creation of superluminal communication networks using entangled particles.
After the discovery of Vexbolts, these minerals replaced deuterium as the primary fuel source in newly designed starships. The increased efficiency enabled by Vexbolts greatly reduced the fuel requirements for interstellar missions, making prolonged space travel more feasible.
The Terranic Consortium, a supranational entity focused on galactic exploration, led the way in pushing the boundaries of known space, establishing dozens of colonies on Earth-like planets and utilizing exotic ecosystems for unique economic opportunities. Corporations involved in the Vexbolt industries, such as Helion Energies and Quanta Systems, gained substantial power with this newfound wealth, and Vexbolt mining became a highly competitive sector.
As humanity continued to grow beyond Solar System boundaries, tensions arose over the control and distribution of Vexbolts. Several galactic disputes had erupted over colonies rich in the valuable mineral, leading to military alliances and arms races. In 2326, the situation escalated into the first major interstellar war when the Althar Empire clashed with Terranic forces in the Sagan Battle. The conflict, which lasted six years, solidified the need for a united response against interstellar threats, giving rise to the Alliance of Planets.
Throughout the next several centuries, Vexbolts remained emblematic of the great human endeavor to journey out into the stars. However, discoveries also brought into focus the limitations of even this powerful resource, inspiring new research into more exotic and advanced propulsion technologies. At the dawn of the current millennium, Vexbolts are still utilized for their unparalleled energy output, pushing humanity ever deeper into unexplored regions of space. But as new frontiers loom, humanity searches for whatever may come next, pondering what other unexpected treasures might transform their ventures into the final frontier.
