Description
Aetheric Fusion Drive or A.F.D, is the most common form of faster than light propulsion implemented by the Illadrians. Commonly referred to as the "Aetherdrive" it functions through the manipulation of aetheric energy and the fusion of exotic materials to puncture holes in space-time allowing for faster than light travel within a level of reality known as the Shardscape.
At the heart of the engine lies the aetheric crystal chamber, a specialised apparatus containing highly prized aether crystals harvested from the depths of celestial phenomena including supernova remnants and interstellar breaches. While it is possible to synthesize them artificially for use in Aetherdrives, Illadrians commonly use these artificial crystals for their energy storage and distribution capabilities, while the naturally occurring crystals are reserved for use almost entirely within engines of A.F.D's since they possess unique properties and heightened durability. When subjected to controlled activation within the chamber the crystals lattice structure resonates strongly, this can be combined with various fuels including but not limited to Exotic Matter, Dark matter or Temporal essence, which results in the generation of aetheric plasma. This plasma can be channelled through specialised conduits to a central focusing array which shatters a hole in space ahead of the vessel. This rupture fractures the fabric of space-time, creating a gateway into a under-space known as the Shardscape - a realm of fractured realities and ephemeral vistas. *
Despite the apparent chaos of the Shardscape, Illadrians have learned to navigate the space with precision, exploiting its fractured nature to traverse vast distances of real-space in moments. The opened gateways close swiftly after a vessels passage, the shattered space healing as swiftly as it is torn asunder leaving little residual energy in its wake. Upon reaching its destination a similar breach is created allowing the vessel to re-emerge into normal space.
Concept of a Shardscape breach emerging into normal space.
* Note the vessel that made the fracture does not need to be the same vessel to enter, though any ship within the Shardscape will need to create its own fracture in order to escape to normal space.
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