Astrion Interstellar / ASTRION

Founding & The Mustang Alpha Era (2947-2948)
From Navy Wings to Civilian Dreams

Astrion Interstellar was founded in 2947 by Vice-R, a recently retired UEE Navy pilot who had spent years moving personnel, equipment, and critical supplies across the empire’s vast territories. During their service, Vice-R came to understand a fundamental truth: the movement of people and cargo wasn’t just logistics. It was the lifeblood of civilization itself. Every transport run, every successful delivery, every passenger safely delivered to their destination represented the invisible threads that held the United Earth Empire together.

Upon retirement, Vice-R couldn’t shake that understanding. The calling to serve hadn’t left them; it had simply evolved. They wanted to continue moving life forward, but on their own terms, building something that embodied the principles of reliability, safety, and service they’d learned in the Navy, but applied to the civilian sector where those values were often sacrificed for profit margins.

With limited capital and unlimited determination, Vice-R established Astrion Interstellar in the Stanton system, basing operations out of Orison, Crusader Industries’ magnificent floating city suspended in the clouds of the gas giant. Living in a modest apartment among the city’s soaring platforms, they began operations with the only asset they could afford: a used Consolidated Outland Mustang Alpha, a single-seat light fighter with a mere 4 SCU of cargo capacity.

It wasn’t much. But it was a start.

Those first months were a grind. Vice-R took whatever contracts they could find: basic courier runs, small cargo deliveries, odd jobs that the bigger operators wouldn’t bother with. Every credit earned went back into fuel, repairs, and slowly building a reputation. The Mustang Alpha was nimble and reliable, but its limitations were stark. Four SCU meant choosing contracts carefully. Single-seat meant no backup, no crew, no margin for error.

Operating in Stanton presented unique challenges for a solo pilot trying to build a legitimate business. The system was dominated by four massive megacorporations: Hurston Dynamics, Crusader Industries, ArcCorp, and microTech, each with their own territories, politics, and expectations. Navigating their competing interests required careful diplomacy and a willingness to stay small and unobtrusive.

Then there were the gangs. Organizations like the Nine Tails operated in Stanton’s shadows, preying on independent operators who couldn’t defend themselves. For a single pilot in a lightly-armed Mustang, the strategy was simple: don’t step on anyone’s toes, don’t attract attention, and don’t get caught in conflicts that weren’t your fight. Survival meant being smart, not bold.

But Vice-R had something the competition didn’t: Navy discipline, combat training, and an unshakeable commitment to completing every contract, no matter how small. Word began to spread. The former Navy pilot in the Mustang Alpha might not have the biggest ship or the flashiest operation, but they showed up on time, delivered what they promised, and didn’t ask questions they didn’t need answers to.

One contract at a time, one delivery at a time, Astrion Interstellar began to build something that couldn’t be bought: trust.

The Constellation Breakthrough (2948-2950)
The Ship That Changed Everything

By late 2948, Astrion Interstellar had built a solid reputation for reliability, but Vice-R knew the Mustang Alpha’s limitations were holding them back. Larger contracts, more lucrative routes, and the ability to defend against increasingly bold pirate activity all required a bigger, more capable ship. The breakthrough came when they secured financing for a used RSI Constellation Andromeda.

The Constellation changed everything overnight.

With 96 SCU of cargo capacity (twenty-four times what the Mustang could carry), Vice-R could finally take contracts that actually moved the needle. But the Andromeda wasn’t just about cargo space. It was a gunship disguised as a freighter: four Size 5 guns, multiple turrets, and enough missile capacity to make even Nine Tails crews think twice about an intercept. For the first time since leaving the Navy, Vice-R had the firepower to back up their reputation.

The Constellation era marked Astrion Interstellar’s transition from survival to growth. Profits increased. Operational range expanded. The company could finally operate across Stanton without constantly looking over their shoulder. Vice-R hired their first crew members, turning the solo operation into something that could scale.

But Vice-R hadn’t forgotten the original vision. Moving cargo was profitable, but the real opportunity (the one that had been crystallizing since those early days in Orison) was luxury personal transport. The empire was full of freight haulers. What it needed was a service that treated passengers like they mattered, that understood comfort and safety weren’t luxuries but necessities for discerning travelers.

In 2949, Vice-R made a decision that would define Astrion Interstellar’s future: they purchased their first Origin Jumpworks vessel, a 400i.

The Origin 400i was everything the Constellation wasn’t. Where the Andromeda was utilitarian and combat-focused, the 400i was elegant and refined. It still had 42 SCU of cargo capacity and respectable defensive capabilities, but its real value was in the experience it offered. Luxury accommodations, sophisticated design, and the Origin brand’s reputation for quality opened doors the Constellation never could.

Vice-R began running regular VIP routes between Orison and New Babbage, catering to executives, wealthy tourists, and anyone who valued arriving in style as much as arriving safely. The 400i proved there was a market (a hungry market) for premium transport services in Stanton. Clients who had never heard of Astrion Interstellar suddenly wanted to book passage. The former Navy pilot in the Mustang Alpha was now the operator of choice for Stanton’s elite.

The success of the 400i validated everything Vice-R had been building toward. By 2950, with system knowledge, growing demand for safe and comfortable travel, and profits from both cargo and VIP operations, Astrion Interstellar began expanding the Origin fleet. The 300 series came next: single-seat luxury craft that served as support vessels for general operations, expanding the company’s capabilities across multiple roles. Then the 600i in both Exploration and Touring configurations.

The 600i Explorer became the company’s answer to clients seeking adventure tourism: luxury exploration missions to hard-to-reach destinations with 44 SCU of cargo capacity for VIP equipment and supplies. The 600i Touring, with its four queen-size suites, fully stocked bar, executive kitchen, and private yacht styling, represented the pinnacle of passenger luxury, offering an unmatched experience for discerning travelers.

The vision was becoming reality. Astrion Interstellar wasn’t just another transport company anymore. They were building something that could compete with the established players, something that combined the reliability of military discipline with the sophistication of luxury service.

But the universe had other plans. In 2951, everything Vice-R had built would be tested in ways they never anticipated.

The Overdrive Crucible (2954)
Forged in Fire

By early 2954, Astrion Interstellar had built something worth protecting. The Origin fleet was operational, VIP routes were profitable, and the company’s reputation in Stanton was solid. Then Xenothreat returned.

In March 2954, the Civilian Defense Force launched the Overdrive Initiative, a coordinated effort to counter Xenothreat operations in Stanton before they could escalate into another full-scale assault. For Vice-R, this wasn’t just another contract opportunity. This was an existential threat to everything they’d built. If Stanton became a war zone again, commercial operations would collapse. Clients would flee. The company would die.

The decision wasn’t easy. Pivoting to security contracting meant massive investment in combat ships and upgrades, capital that could have gone toward expanding the luxury fleet. It meant putting the company’s assets and reputation at risk in actual combat operations. But Vice-R had learned something during those early years in the Mustang Alpha: sometimes survival means fighting for what you’ve built.

Astrion Interstellar joined the Overdrive Initiative as a CDF contractor.

The early phase focused on logistics under fire. Xenothreat forces were targeting supply convoys headed to INS Jericho, the Navy’s forward operating base in Stanton. Vice-R and their crews ran supply missions through hostile space, delivering volatile cargo while Xenothreat raiders tried to intercept them. It was dangerous work. One wrong move with unstable supplies could end a ship and its crew. But it was work Vice-R’s people could handle. They’d been navigating Stanton’s dangers since 2947.

As the conflict escalated, so did Astrion Interstellar’s role. The company shifted from pure logistics to combat operations, recovering cargo from destroyed convoys and engaging Xenothreat forces directly. Vice-R’s Navy training came flooding back: combat patterns, threat assessment, tactical coordination. The skills they’d thought they’d left behind became the company’s greatest asset.

Then came the recognition that changed everything.

For exceptional service during the Overdrive Initiative, Vice-R was granted a license to purchase an F7A Hornet Mk II, the UEE Navy’s premier space superiority fighter. Originally military-exclusive, the F7A had only recently become available to civilians through the CDF Overdrive Initiative for those who proved themselves in combat. Getting back in a fighter cockpit after years of commercial operations took adjustment, but once Vice-R was airborne in the F7A, it was like they’d never left the Navy.

With superior firepower and combat-proven skills, Astrion Interstellar took the fight directly to Xenothreat. By May 2954, the threat had been neutralized and pushed back out of Stanton.

When the smoke cleared, Vice-R took stock of what the company had become. Astrion Interstellar now possessed a combat-capable fleet, war-tested crews, and the confidence that comes from surviving the crucible. More importantly, they’d made connections throughout the CDF and Navy, contacts who remembered which contractors showed up when it mattered.

The company emerged from Overdrive with a new capability: integrated security services. Why outsource protection when you could guarantee safety in-house? It lowered costs, maintained quality control, and gave clients something no other luxury transport service in Stanton could offer: proven combat capability backing every journey.

The Xenothreat conflict had tested everything Vice-R built. And Astrion Interstellar had passed that test.

The Rise to Luxury Dominance (2954-2956)
From Combat-Proven to High-End Service

The Overdrive Initiative changed everything. When the dust settled in mid-2954, Astrion Interstellar wasn’t just another transport company anymore. They were combat-proven, connected, and confident. Vice-R had built something that could survive the worst Stanton had to throw at it. Now it was time to build something that could dominate the best the empire had to offer.

The post-Overdrive period saw aggressive expansion into the luxury market. The company completed acquisition of the entire Origin Jumpworks lineup, systematically filling every niche in the high-end transport sector. The 600i Explorer and Touring variants became workhorses for adventure tourism and VIP passenger service. The 300 series provided versatile support across operations. The smaller 100 series craft served as executive shuttles and support vessels. Every Origin ship in the catalog now flew under Astrion Interstellar’s banner.

But one ship stood above all the others.

In 2952, Vice-R took delivery of an Origin 890 Jump and christened it “Grand Romantic.” This was the moment. The 890 Jump wasn’t just another ship. It was the ship. At 210 meters long with accommodations for up to 26 passengers across a master suite and four guest suites, the 890 Jump represented the absolute pinnacle of luxury space travel. The three-tiered grand atrium, the cocktail lounge, the observation deck: every detail screamed prestige.

Flying the Grand Romantic for the first time, Vice-R knew they’d made it. The former Navy pilot who’d started with a 4 SCU Mustang Alpha and a dream now commanded the most luxurious vessel in the Origin fleet. The 890 Jump became Astrion Interstellar’s flagship in every sense, the ultimate statement of what the company had become and where it was going.

The success of the luxury division validated a crucial strategic insight: clients who could afford the best didn’t just want transportation. They wanted guaranteed safety. Astrion Interstellar’s combat-proven capabilities from Overdrive became the company’s unique selling proposition. While other luxury operators outsourced security, Astrion Interstellar controlled every aspect of the journey. In-house protection meant lower costs, higher quality, and complete operational control.

This integrated approach attracted a new class of ultra-high-end clients. Corporate executives, wealthy tourists, and VIPs who needed discretion as much as luxury found exactly what they were looking for: a company that could deliver Origin-level comfort backed by military-grade security. The Grand Romantic’s passenger manifest read like a who’s who of Stanton’s elite.

The capital ship acquisitions came next, and they represented more than just firepower. The Aegis Javelin destroyer, the Idris-P frigate, and the RSI Polaris corvette joined the fleet as strategic assets that served multiple purposes. Yes, they were status symbols, visible proof that Astrion Interstellar had arrived as a major player in the empire. But more importantly, they were insurance.

These capital ships guaranteed that Astrion Interstellar’s operations would remain protected. The company had learned during Overdrive that threats could emerge without warning, and having the capability to respond decisively meant the difference between survival and collapse. The capital fleet wasn’t just for show. It was a deterrent, a promise to clients that their safety was backed by some of the most powerful vessels in civilian hands. Pirates, raiders, and hostile forces would think twice before targeting an Astrion Interstellar convoy when a Polaris corvette could respond within hours.

Beyond protection, the capital ships ensured Astrion Interstellar’s place in the empire’s power structure. When the UEE needed civilian contractors for major operations, they called on organizations with proven capability and serious assets. The capital fleet meant Vice-R had a seat at the table when decisions were made about Stanton’s future, and eventually, the empire’s future. Astrion Interstellar wasn’t just participating in the empire’s economy; they were helping shape it.

The combat fleet (the F7A Hornet, the F8C Lightning fighters, the Aegis heavy hitters) provided day-to-day operational security. These were the ships that escorted luxury transports, responded to distress calls, and maintained the company’s reputation for guaranteed safe passage. The capital ships were the hammer held in reserve, ready for major events like Overdrive and future large-scale engagements, but always present as a reminder of what Astrion Interstellar could bring to bear if necessary.

By 2956, Astrion Interstellar’s transformation was complete. The fleet had grown to over 150 vessels spanning 17 manufacturers. Every commercially available people-moving ship was represented. The company operated from New Babbage with service coverage across all of Stanton: Orison, Lorville, Area18, and beyond. What had started as a solo pilot in a Mustang Alpha was now a comprehensive transportation empire offering everything from economy shuttle service to ultra-luxury yacht charters, all backed by proven combat capability and capital ship deterrence.

Vice-R had built exactly what they’d envisioned back in 2947: a company that understood moving people and cargo wasn’t just logistics. It was the lifeblood of civilization. And Astrion Interstellar had become one of the veins pumping that lifeblood through Stanton’s systems, with the strength to protect what they’d built and the power to ensure their place in the empire for generations to come.

But this was just the beginning. The vision extended far beyond one system.

Current Operations & Future Vision (2956-2957)
Beyond Stanton

By 2956, Astrion Interstellar operates from its headquarters in New Babbage, microTech’s gleaming capital city. The location provides access to cutting-edge infrastructure while maintaining the company’s strong connections to Orison and clients across all of Stanton. Every planet in the system (from Hurston’s industrial sprawl to ArcCorp’s ecumenopolis to microTech’s frozen peaks) is home to Astrion Interstellar’s customers.

The company maintains its soft spot for the Constellation series, now operating two Constellation Phoenix variants including a rare Emerald edition. These luxury-configured Connies bridge the gap between the workhorse origins of the original Andromeda and the ultra-luxury of the 890 Jump, offering clients premium transport with the reliability of RSI’s proven design.

But Vice-R’s vision extends beyond maintaining current operations. The next phase of expansion focuses on two key areas: geographic reach and market accessibility.

Fleet Expansion Plans

Astrion Interstellar is actively shopping for Crusader Genesis Starliners, the premier people-mover throughout the empire. The Starliner represents a major step into commercial passenger transport at scale, capable of moving large groups in comfort and style. This isn’t about abandoning the luxury market; it’s about bringing Astrion Interstellar’s principles of high-quality, safe transportation to a broader customer base.

The company also has a preorder placed for a Crusader Spirit E1, which will fill the gap between executive shuttle service and full luxury yacht charters. The Spirit E1 will offer clients who need speed and privacy without the overhead of chartering the Grand Romantic.

These acquisitions reflect a core principle: Astrion Interstellar refuses to sacrifice quality regardless of market segment. Whether a client books passage on a Starliner or a private suite on the 890 Jump, they’ll receive the same commitment to safety, comfort, and professional service that Vice-R built the company on.

Geographic Expansion

Later in 2956, Astrion Interstellar will expand operations into the Castra system. Once a major UEE military hub, Castra has transformed into a thriving trade center with excellent infrastructure inherited from its military legacy. The system’s multiple jump points and business-friendly environment make it an ideal second market for the company’s services.

Looking further ahead, Astrion Interstellar is investigating the possibility of establishing operations on Terra Prime, the cultural capital of the United Earth Empire. The company is currently researching permits and exploring potential office locations for what would be a landmark expansion. Terra represents everything the company has been building toward: prestige, legitimacy, and access to the empire’s wealthiest and most influential citizens. While the timeline remains uncertain, establishing a presence on Terra Prime would position Astrion Interstellar as a major player in the empire-wide luxury transport market.

The Castra and potential Terra expansions aren’t about abandoning Stanton. New Babbage will remain a critical operational hub, and the company’s roots in Orison will always be part of its identity. But Vice-R understands that to truly fulfill the vision of moving the empire’s lifeblood, Astrion Interstellar needs to operate where that lifeblood flows strongest.

The Road Ahead

From a single Mustang Alpha with 4 SCU of cargo space to a fleet of over 150 vessels spanning luxury yachts, commercial transports, and capital warships, Astrion Interstellar’s journey has been one of relentless growth guided by unwavering principles. Vice-R’s Navy training taught them that moving people and cargo is what holds civilization together. Every ship acquired, every route established, every client served has been in service of that understanding.

The company that started in 2947 with nothing but determination and a dream now stands ready to expand across the empire, bringing the same commitment to quality, safety, and service that built its reputation in Stanton to new systems and new markets.

The future is vast, and Astrion Interstellar is ready to navigate it.