Central Station
From FenWiki
Central Station | |
Spacecraft Characteristics | |
---|---|
Base Hull | Bernal sphere |
Drive Rating | stationkeeping only |
Flag of Record | Fenspace Convention |
Registry Number | L5-I |
Other Crew | approximately 2,500 residents |
Operational Status | Active |
“ | Genaros is a cyberpunk theme park; Island One is ‘70s kitsch. Central is aggressively European. The interior is laid out like a small town from central casting’s idea of Europe, Rural Generic. The streets are moonrock cobblestone, and laid down to suggest that some wandering band of post-Roman barbarians decided to settle there and the town just grew naturally out from around their camp. Getting lost in Central’s winding streets and alleys is a refreshing change from the heavily planned American-style road grid in Kandor and Port Luna; almost like a two-dimensional Port Phobos. Politics is the lifeblood of Central. The locals make no attempt to disguise their ambition to become the capital city (station, habitat, whatever) of the L5 cluster. They’ve got an uphill battle ahead of them: Stellvia is the closest thing to a de facto capital in the cluster, and that’s not likely to change any time in the future. Still, the mood in Central’s many cafes and salons remains optimistic. “Scott will get bored eventually,” they say. “He’ll turn away from politics back to making money, and then we’ll have our chance to federate.” The politically-charged atmosphere and the laid-back European landscape make for an interestingly collegiate air, and indeed several ‘Daneside institutions have established branch offices here. I spent a lazy Thursday afternoon in a pub off the market square arguing post-capitalist structures in Fenspace with an earnest young Maoist just up from the University of Otago. There are a lot of people like my debate partner, fendanes and mundanes both, living and working in Central these days. The station has an energy about it that reminds me of the heady three weeks on the Island back in 2009, when pretty much everybody aloft at the time got together and hammered out the Articles of Convention. They’re trying to build something new out here, and the place is filled with bright-eyed optimism. I wish them the best of luck. |
” |
Trivia
One of the ways that Central has tried to make peace with (and subtly undermine the power of) Stellvia is by joining the L5 All-Stations. They've sent a pilot to be part of the all-L5 astroball team every year since 2013.
|