I have been working over the years (and never seem to get anywhere) on campaign ideas for Freespace 2. While I have a decent story in my head, I've mostly written down a lot of added lore. For me, having some set 'rules' of how my Freespace universe works helps me keep constraints on my story. While these are by no means canon, I thought some of these topics might be interesting for other modders and mission builders instead of rotting away on my hard drive.
Subspace Node Categorization
Subspace nodes are categorized by scientists by two different principles; Stability which is often listed as A-E and Longevity which is number 1-5. Typically written with the Numerical Value followed by the Letter Value, they would be listed as a Type 1A or Type 3D Node. Type A’s are extremely stable, meaning any common subspace-drive can traverse these with ease. B’s are slightly less stable and are typically reserved for more robust military grade subspace drives. Civilian vessels, unless specifically authorized by the GTVA, are prohibited from traversing these lanes. Any point shown on a common node map is a type A or B as the GTVA Subspace Agency does not typically list anything below a type B for safety reasons. Type C’s are extremely unstable nodes, which are not suitable for inter-system travel except in the most dire of circumstances. While not mutually exclusive, as the longevity and stability are separate ratings, most Type C’s are very short lived nodes, collapsing completely in years or even hours of their discovery. Type D nodes are collapsed nodes that still have a slight connection through the subspace fabric. These are nodes such as the Epsilon Pegasi - Capella or Delta Serpentis – Sol nodes, where the node has collapsed; however, a connection could be reestablished through the use of devices like the Knossos. Type E nodes are completely collapsed and have no further connection. Scientists categorize these node corpses because their footprints are found all around space, and date back to the beginning of the universe.
Node longevity is rated 1-5, with 1 being the longest lived and 5 being the shortest. Lifespan 1’s are theorized to last a million years or more, 2’s are rated for one thousand years or more, 3’s for over one years or more but most on this scale are thought to be around one hundred years or more. 4’s can exist for up to a year but can collapse in hours and 5’s collapse in anywhere from minutes to mere nano-seconds. 5's tend to be the hardest part of plotting new nodes, due to their frequency and their 'false-positive' readings for a viable node.
Jump Node surveying is one of the most lucrative fields for GTVA scientific graduates; however, the rarity of finding a new, stable, long lasting node is so rare that few job opportunities exist for this once prestigious field.
Helgsman-Whiteside Boundary
A common question asked by new navigators is, “Why does a ship have to stop before a node when it is already in subspace? Can’t it just keep going through?” A ship must stop before a subspace node for several reasons. The first and foremost is known by scientists as the Helgsman-Whiteside Boundary, a bubble within subspace around an inter-system jump node that prohibits ships from passing from subspace into the subspace node channel due to frequency and fluctuation. A ship resonates on a particular level of subspace for intra-system jumps. Inter-system nodes resonate on a higher frequency which would require a ship to change its frequency, hence another subspace portal opened from within subspace. This is why it is difficult to ‘follow’ a ship through subspace without the use of specific equipment (like witnessed at the destruction of the first Lucifer destroyer at the end of the great war) because ships with often be at different frequencies of subspace, even on the same node. Even if a ship were able to be at the same frequency to enter a node from subspace, the Helgsman-Whiteside Boundary prevents travel from one to the next. A natural phenomena of nodes, the Helgsman-Whiteside Boundary ‘pushes back’ exponentially as a ship gets closer to the node; forcing the vessel back into real space.
Once out of subspace, a ship must recharge its jump capacitors to re-engage back into subspace via a node.
Because of this, jump nodes are of high tactical and civic value for the GTVA, and escort of ships to a node remains a common and needed procedure.
*This last one is a little more dependant on my storyline but i figured i'd post it none the less
Capellan Black Hole
As subspace nodes coalesce around points of mass, connecting two points in space, it appears that the Shivans have mastered this process by creating their own nodes from one point in the galaxy to another. By collapsing Capella, and forming a black hole, while simultaneously collapsing a star deep in Shivan controlled space, they were able to make a natural node connection in between the two. Through this node, they would be capable of moving forces directly into GTVA space if not for the collapse of the Capellan connecting nodes.
