“Despite millennia of rigorous research, we’ve only charted approximately twelve percent of the EdgeWorlds. That number may seem small, but it is staggeringly high compared to the astounding lack of data we have on subspace and its peculiarities,”

– Academion Drone # B9177G-ER

The origins and purpose of subspace remain a mystery. The only thing agreed upon by experts is it appears to be a chaotic, ever changing, sub level of reality where the conventional laws of physics do not apply. One key property that remains consistent is objects can accelerate to several times the speed of light with astounding ease and without adverse side effects to the object or anything inside of it.

Because of this, starships use subspace to travel the vastness of the EdgeWorlds. With the advent of subspace drives, ships can cover distances that would take hundreds of light years in a matter of hours. People often describe subspace as an abstract dimension of ever-changing colors and shapes. However, its bright colorful, psychedelic appearance is in stark contrast to the danger it poses.

The cosmic energies of this dimension infect those exposed to it, resulting in a perilous condition called Sub Blight. The results of subspace exposure are unpredictable. There have been many cases of people having their bodies turned inside out, fused to the very walls, ceilings, and floors of their ships, mutating into hideous abominations, insanity, and many other horrific experiences.

Thankfully, the subspace drive has a crucial feature to prevent this. The drive creates a protective barrier of energy around the vessel, shielding it from the energies of subspace. However, this consumes fuel, one must take care to have enough fuel to reach their target destination.

Fuel

Solidified subspace energy, which periodically escapes the dimension, forms the fuel for subspace travel. People harvest and convert this material, called flux, into a liquid form and then pump it into the drive whenever it’s engaged.

Both flux and the fuel are hazardous and one should not go near them without protective gear or they will risk suffering from Sub Blight. Many worlds produce the fuel, and Morpheus III is one of the largest producers. The entire planet acts as a giant refinery for the fuel.

Because of processing hundreds of thousands of gallons of fuel daily, and the harmful byproducts, the planet, Morpheus III, is not safe to inhabit and venturing on its surface without a protective suit is dangerous and its surface is in a constant state of change and shifts like a sea of clouds, the sky and the weather are the same. This makes navigating the planet on foot extremely ill advised and dangerous. To combat this, the factory areas rely on large barrier systems that prevent the residual subspace energy from warping the environment around the structures. Most of the workers are androids, since the subspace energy does not affect them. The Morpheus corporation shields the planet with a massive fleet of drone controlled ships and fortifications the corporation invest in making sure their ships are always the top of the line and their fleet is always large enough to dissuade anyone from trying to seize the factories.

Sub Beasts

Sub Blight is not the only threat. Massive hostile organisms, known as Sub Beasts reside here. These Sub Beasts, shrouded in mystery, target spaceships that linger in subspace. Any attempt to establish contact has resulted in either the death or near death of any ships involved. Whenever a Sub Beast is near, the world darkens. It is not a matter of if they find you, it’s when.

Due to this, ships often plan the shortest routes through subspace and will enter and exit subspace multiple times to avoid an encounter.

Expeditions

Many research expeditions have ventured into subspace to chart the dimension. Some expeditions have observed relatively stable zones where the harmful energies of subspace are not present. However, because unstable subspace energies surround them, these regions constantly shift, making maps inexact and only indicating the general locations of stable zones. Floating landmasses discovered by these expeditions spark speculation about former residents. A definitive statement cannot be made without more data.

Because of the unpredictability of subspace, exploring it or trying to understand it is an arduous, nearly impossible task.