Ribbondash

Kind: Faster-than-light drive technology. Discovered/invented: First mathematical proof 419 A.L. (Francois Manelov); first physical test 431 A.L. Based on: Topology Casting, originally from Ming Shu’s 248 A.L. paper.

Summary

The Galactic Human Empire is only possible because of Ribbondash. The theoretical groundwork is laid in 248 A.L. by Ming Shu, but sits idle for 171 years until Francois Manelov publishes The First Proof in 419 A.L. The first test in 431 A.L. marks the start of the Ribbondash Era. Ribbondash travel is extraordinarily fast — the Geo Milev reaches IR394 in 7 minutes onboard time.

Effects / capabilities

• FTL transit in minutes where sublight travel would take generations.

Limitations / dangers

• The voiding effect (discovered 433 A.L., two years after the first test): large regions of near-Aerth space are rendered unusable and fatal to pass through. This causes overwhelming pressure to ban the technology — pressure the Democratic Bulgaric Republic defies in 445 A.L. by launching the Geo Milev.

Appearances

• Ch. 02 — Timeline of The 500 Year Climb: Full development arc from 248 A.L. theory to 452 A.L. galactic empire.

Related

• Ming Shu, Francois Manelov, Topology Casting
• Geo Milev, IR394
• Galactic Human Empire, Democratic Bulgaric Republic
• Ribbondash Era

Open questions

• What, physically, does “voiding” do to space? The Timeline only tells us it is fatal.
• Is voiding a reversible effect?
• Do the voided regions remain a hazard into the late empire?