Drift Engine

Everybody's favourite FTL

Using Drift technology differs from ordinary astrogation using thruster(link)-type engines in that the distances between worlds are less important than the difficulty of correctly targeting the jump. Within a given solar system, jumps are relatively quick and easy, though this method is only moderately faster than flying between worlds using conventional thrusters(link).

Outside of a given system, Drift tech divides the galaxy into two sectors: Near Space and the Vast. While Near Space worlds tend to be closer to the galactic center (and, incidentally, to the Pact Worlds) and the systems of the Vast tend to be farther out, the true difference between the regions lies in the density of so-called ‘Drift beacons.’
These mysterious objects, sometimes spontaneously generated and sometimes placed by priests of Triune, help navigation systems orient starships(link) in the Drift. While placing a single Drift beacon on a world isn’t enough to convert a Vast world to Near Space status, placing many in that general region of space can cause the shift, and thus it’s possible to find pockets of Near Space worlds all the way out to the galactic rim, as well as uncharted zones considered part of the Vast near the galaxy’s core.

Discovery

Gifted by Triune in 3AG(link).

Related Materials

• Thasteron