Navigating the Perils of Interstellar Travel
Traveling through the vast expanse of space is a treacherous endeavor, especially within the Imperium. The Imperial Fleet, specifically the Merchant Fleet, oversees a staggering 90% of interstellar traffic. To traverse these vast distances in a reasonable timeframe, vessels must engage their Warp Drive and enter the Immaterium.
The Warp: A Realm of Uncertainty
Within the Warp, genetically modified Humans known as Navigators rely on the Terran-based Astronomican to guide their vessels to their destinations. However, this realm is fraught with threats, including Gellar Field failures, temporal inconsistencies, and massive Warp Storms. The risks are very real, and even the most seasoned Navigators must be ever-vigilant.
Communication Across the Vastness
Conventional methods of communication are woefully inadequate for interstellar distances. Instead, the Imperium relies on Astropaths, Psychic Humans who transmit telepathic messages into the Warp. These messages are then intercepted by other Astropaths and relayed to their intended recipients. However, this method is not without its drawbacks, as messages can become garbled or arrive out of sequence.
Timekeeping in the Imperium
The Imperial dating system is based on the “Anno Domini” model, albeit with some modifications. A full dating code consists of a check number, year fraction number, year number, and millennium suffix. This system has been in place for centuries, but the formation of the Great Rift has necessitated the introduction of a new, more radical dating system. This revised system takes into account the extreme temporal inconsistencies that have arisen across the galaxy.
A New Era of Timekeeping
In response to the Great Rift, the Imperium has implemented a novel dating system. This system is based on the planet’s time relative to the formation of the Rift itself. While this new system is still in its infancy, it promises to provide a more accurate and reliable means of tracking time across the Imperium. As the Imperium continues to evolve, so too will its methods of timekeeping.
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