The Cumulus Spacestation sits in space between rocky Aden and the gas giant Magog, in the Byzantium Secundus system. Owned and operated by the Merchant League, Cumulus provides the only space-based starship repair facility available to civilians (the Imperial Fleet's spacestation, Diadem, is reserved for military ships). Byzantium Secundus's three land-based shipyards are each capable of performing repairs on all but void grade ships, which must be repaired in space; Cumulus's tractor beam "docks" are designed to accommodate such ships.

Cumulus is actually a Second Republic-era space city, designed to not only provide repair facilities, but supplies and entertainment for space travelers as well. Comfortable quarters are available for all classes of spacer, from shared bunks in common rooms to spacious, luxury quarters with freshly cooked meals. Fulltime, on-staff performers provide all manner of entertainments (for various costs).

The central hub is shaped like a spinning top; the upper portion hosts the main city, while the lower portion provides logistics. From top to bottom, in descending order:

• One external level with multiple skyscrapers reaching out toward space. An atmosphere dome covers up to three stories, while certain buildings rise above this. Here are the high to medium-priced quarters and entertainment districts, along with the crew quarters (weekly prices range from 100 for a small apartment to 300+ for a multi-room domicile).

  The highest spires are reserved for the high- paying, fulltime residents, which include wealthy merchants and nobles. The space city hosts an Orthodox cathedral and a small chapel run by an independent Hesychast monk.

  Large sections of the space city are untenanted. Wealthy nobles come in, purchase a building and pay for the life support in advance, and then leave, forgetting to inform the crew of their absence. Such forgotten apartments are popular havens for criminals or spies. Some vacant buildings actually host secretive squatters, clever enough to siphon life support from under the Engineer's noses, but few opt for such a risky lifestyle. All buildings under the atmosphere dome have life support which cannot be cut off individually. In addition, there are barren parks throughout the dome. Only those blocks actively maintained have the hydroponics tech to grow plants.

  Even with stellar profits, the station remains largely Lindermanned; there are simply not enough crewmembers to maintain empty quarters. Some of the buildings have remained unexplored since the station's evacuation after the Fall.

• Next are the interior, open-access decks: One level of tow-priced quarters (weekly prices range from 10 for a hammock in a shared bunkroom to 50 for a cramped, private room), a customs/security check level where all entrants into the stations must first go (lift tubes from the docking level lead only here, unless a security override is ordered), and an agora level (the station's central attraction, next to ship repair).
• Below the security level are the cargo bays, with ports for loading/downloading from shuttles or small ships. There are potentially 30 bays, but only 20 of them are currently in use. Most of the unused portions are closed off due to tack of manpower to maintain them, but some suffered hull breaches too expensive to repair. It is rumored that some of these unused bays are actually tenanted by spies, aliens, or even Vau, and that certain members of the engineering crew will set one LIP for a hefty bribe.
  Portable hauling crates, popular on most bulk haulers, can be attached to the bays, providing the space station's external cargo space. Such dedicated bays cannot be used for anything else. Many bays are reserved for storing ship repair components (hull pieces, weapon Mounts, etc.).
• Next is the docking bay level, a large level with 12 bays which can each accommodate starships 200 meters long (half that wide) or smaller. A berth costs 200 firebirds a week (30 firebirds per day), Refueling and resupply costs are normal.
• Beneath the docking bay, separated by ceramsteel bulkheads and state-of-the-art security systems, is the cominand center. Here all communications and logistics for the station as a whole take place, including issuing docking permits to incoming ships anti the coordination of defense efforts in case of attack. Lift tubes from here lead to all areas of the ship, but a special command pass must be used.
• Running throughout the entire core of the station is engineering, including the power plant and life support systems. Most central engineering operations are controlled from the command deck, but secondary controls can be run from the security deck. Inevitably, hull rats have many dens throughout the station's accessways and jeffries tubes. It is said that some of the station's accessways - like some of the space city buildings - have not been explored since the Fall.
• The station has three pylons which each bear powerful tractor beams capable of docking large ships (700 meters or less in length), in addition to a shuttle bay (with Runts) and a fighter bay (each pylon has one Archangel fighter). Central corridors lead to the security deck. (Cramped jeffries tubes run through the lower struts to access panels in the cargo deck. Life support is only available during scheduled maintenance.)

In addition, four floating construction platforms "orbit" the station teach roughly one kilometer away. These platforms are designed for the final construction of void grade ships, usually initiated at one of the Byzantium shipyards and then transported to a platform for final work.

All work is performed in zeroG conditions by engineers in spacesuits. Multiple Runts (shuttles) stand nearby to deliver the crew back to Cumulus when their shifts end, while new Runts arrive ferrying the next shift. The platforms have their own fusion energy to power tools but have no weaponry; defense is provided by Cumulus's guns.

Now, Cumulus is a melting pot of selfish guildsmembers, decadent nobles, disgruntled priests, weary space travelers, secretive aliens, and incognito spies.

Spacestation Cumulus A Nexus Adventure for Fading Suns

Introduction
Description
Residents