Evidence abounds, all over WC novels and games, that the official maps represent but a fraction of the actual number of sectors and systems explored and settled –let alone that exist. First of all, space is 3-dimensional, rather than flat; and although the thickness of the Milky Way Galaxy is only 2% of its diameter, this 2% represents a whopping 2400 light-years. Even if we strung stars vertically at 20 light year distance, that'd be 120 star distances vertically. Evidently, the official maps are flattened for our benefit.
But besides “flattened”, the official maps are conveniently “skimmed”, at places, and simply fall short at others. Let us collect pieces of evidence in chronological order within the timeline:
Writing months before the start of the war, in a classified document to Banbridge, Fleet Intelligence Rear Adm. Joshua Speedwell says,
Action Stations, page 6:
… and those border worlds where individuals living outside the law might come into contact with Kilrathi personnel are beyond our ability to adequately infiltrate. What resources ConFedFlt does have are, as you know, barely adequate to patrol the rapidly expanding frontiers, of which our sector bordering on the Kilrathi Empire is but one small part.
Baron Vakka, arguing with the Emperor against the war plans, says,
Action Stations, page 14:
“We have learned this, at least,” Vakka finally replied. “If they have an advantage it is in their depth, their web of alliances with half a dozen races, the sheer number of worlds they have colonized.”
Notice that we know the Terran Confederation to have had contacts with Mopoks, Firekkans and exiled Varni. That leaves 3 races we haven't officially heard about; but that's a subject for another mystery…
Later, Vakka's old friend Harga, speaking to Baron Jukaga in Fawcett's World, says,
Action Stations, page 103:
“Rather interesting. Apparently the Confederation is not even aware of [Fawcett's World]. The vastness of space, the multiplicity of worlds, the strange connections of jump points that can, at times, spring you past eight times eight systems before ending. The Confederation does not even fully know just where all its people are.”
…and later…
Action Stations, page 115:
“I believe this war will be a disaster. I know your father told the Emperor and the Crown Prince this but they will not listen.”
“The Varni were but ten worlds and the fight they put up was a dangerous and surprising one, even though we had total surprise. This Confederation is hundreds, thousands of systems. The simple mathematics make it evident that we can not strike all places at once.”
But if the Confederation spans even close to 1000 systems, our maps fall really short…
Landreich's President Blucher has maps of regions the Confed don't even know exist:
Action Stations, page 197:
”… By the way, you went into sector 42-33 Beta if you want to look on the nav charts we got of that region.”
Hans looked at Blucher.
“I didn't know anyone had charts of out there.”
“You never asked,” Blucher replied. “Trade secret, boy, be glad to sell you one for a hundred thousand if you should ever go back out that way. But that's for private venture stuff only, not Confed business. If they want a chart it'll be a flat million or nothing.”
wc_info/mysteries/incomplete_maps.txt · Last modified: 2007/09/24 08:27 (external edit)
