Core Worlds
The term Core Worlds refers to any planets or similar bodies located in the Galactic Core of the Milky Way Galaxy. Due to its central location, the region comprises sections of each of the four galactic quadrants.
The name is somewhat misleading in that the closer you get to the actual core, the less habitable worlds there are; as one approaches the centerpoint of the galaxy, the environment becomes increasingly hostile with rogue neutron stars, black holes, anti-matter and extreme radiation levels. This is because the density of matter in the core regions is substantially higher than in the spiral arms. The terms "Core Worlds" and "Galactic Core" are sometimes used interchangeably, although this is somewhat incorrect. Core Worlds in general should only be used to refer to the actual inhabited worlds within the core region, not the uninhabited central bulge.
Because of the hostility of the region, travel through the core is seldom, if ever attempted. All major space lanes pass the centerpoint by a significant margin, either through the spiral arms or "over" or "under" the central bulge, moving away from the plane of the galactic disk. This means core worlds on opposite sides of the Milky Way bulge do not maintain as close contact as one might assume based on distance alone; often there are no direct routes at all.
Territory claims
The Hemmoian Federation (red borders) has colonies in two separate sections of this area, in the Delta as well as the Gamma Quadrants. (The territory primarily in the Delta Quadrant also extends into the Alpha Quadrant.) The Gamma Quadrant worlds are former Bacterian territories annexed around the Third Bacterian War.
The Gigerdi Alliance (blue borders) has sizeable claims to the central region, including the Galactic Centerpoint and the surrounding halo. Some parts of these borders are not actively enforced however as they are extremely hard to navigate even with military grade starships. The GA also owns comparatively small regions of the area in the Gamma and Beta Quadrants; as with the HFed, these are former Bacterian worlds.
Other governments that maintain Core Worlds territories include the United Commonwealth of Planets (white borders, Alpha and Beta Quadrants) and the Interplanetary Alliance (yellow borders, Alpha Quadrant). It should also be mentioned that the Öksy Confederation exists entirely in the HFed owned section of the zone.
Beyond the officially acknowledged territories, there have been rumors of First One activity in the region, as well as speculation regarding secret bases or other sites hidden somewhere in the bulge. These claims are hard to verify and are generally considered pure conjecture, but may very well contain some grain of truth.
Notable locations
- White Planet, Delta Quadrant: the Öksy homeworld.
- Peace Station, Beta Quadrant: famous neutral diplomatic station.
- Heksaneraks, Delta Quadrant: major DHR colony.
See also
- List of Core Worlds - Complete listing of worlds within the Core.
