Metadimensional Storms

If you needed more evidence that a human can't survive metadimensional space outside a ship, look no further than metadimensional storms. They're the only thing that exists in the metadimension, and can destroy a ship in minutes. Fly often enough, and you may see one up close and personal. Whether you want to or not.

Nature of the Storm

Massive and fast-moving, these storms appear as roiling masses in the endless void of metadimensional space. Within a storm, the trails of iridescence typically seen flowing like aurora instead twist and knot around each other in erratic patterns. They occasionally flare in bright flashes, burning a hole through the mass that closes just as quickly.

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Cause

The leading theory is that friction between metadimensional currents generates the storms. However, this is based on terrestrial weather patterns, which are often the result of shifts in pressure and temperature. The metadimension doesn't abide by the physics we know, and the storms can be due to entirely different mechanisms.
Studies are ongoing to learn more.

Effects

Aside from the mesmerizing light show, these storms can have dramatic effects on ships, people within them, and on the landscape of the metadimension.

Turbulence

Violently shifting currents can cause turbulence from minor bumps to violent heaves. Some report feeling motion sickn well before the shakes hit.

Electrical surges

A ship's electrical systems may flicker or burn out, putting engines and vital life support systems at risk. The closer the storm, the worse the surges.

Shifting pathways

A storm can blow ships far off their course, and a large one change viable pathways entirely. In either case, exiting alive can become a distant hope.

Staying Safe

The best way to stay safe from metadimensional storms is to avoid them. While they can't be predicted, there are ways to gauge risk based on how frequently storms occur along a given path and how many people have recently encountered one. Several compad apps collect this data to provide such danger ratings. The one operated by the Protectorate is considered the best, and even those who despise the policing group end up using it over others.
All ships fitted with spike drives are required to have on-board detection and alerting systems. These systems are able to detect sudden shifts in metadimensional currents that can indicate a coming storm. Usually this gives the pilot enough time to safely divert course, but sometimes the storm moves too quickly. In these cases, it's up to the pilot to navigate the storm and bring everyone to safety.

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Concepts like "inertia" don't apply in the metadimension, and a capital class ship will be tossed aside or obliterated just as easily as a shuttle. Exiting at a different system than intended is better than never exiting at all.
Remember: Your crew and passengers are relying on you to get them home alive.

— Pilot training guide

Did you know?

Not all ships encounter the same storm even when following the same rutter. This is either another sign of a possible quantum nature of the metadimension, or indication that we lack even basic understanding of location within the space.

Storm Chasers

Some intentionally seek out metadimensional storms:

• Researchers will pay pilots to get them close enough to launch drones and sensors into the storm. Though incredibly dangerous, the resulting data may save lives in the future.
• Psionic enthusiasts try to get inside the storm in hopes of developing MES. There's no evidence for or against this theory, but it's generally inadvisable to test it.

Information

Key location

Metadimensional Space

Related information

Space Travel

Author Commentary

Future Art?

I wanted to make a mockup of what the compad app would look like but that would take too long to add to a Summer Camp article. Leaving this note here so maybe I remember to come back and do that some day.