Pisces Station

Pisces Station is a Zodiac-Class Star Fortress currently in the neutral Xylar System, where the former Star Army base now serves as an international hub for commerce and diplomacy.

Before the station's main computer system was installed, a terrorist caused major chaos aboard the station. Taisa Marina Arisa, the commander of the station at the time, was unable to control the situation and was fired by Taisho Kessaku Irim. The situation was further aggravated when large numbers of Taiie and Fifth Expeditionary Fleet refugees were sent to the troubled station. After the station's KAMI computer system was finished, the station was returned to normalcy.

Pisces later hosted the International Relations Conference of YE 30. At that time, the purposes of each docking arm were:

• Concourse A: Star Army of Yamatai ships which are visiting the station.
• Concourse B: Star Army Logistics ships transporting and storing materials from Nataria.
• Concourse C: Garrison of Star Army warships attached to the station.
• Concourse D: Various civilian starships carrying cargo and freight
• Concourse E: Elysian ships and miscellaneous diplomats
• Concourse F: traffic between Nepleslia and the Nepleslian colonies in the Nepleslian Colonial Expanse

In YE 31, Pisces was assigned to the Fifth Fleet to serve as the fleet's home during the Second Mishhuvurthyar War and it continued in this capacity through the Kuvexian War.

In YE 38, Concourse F was designated for civilian shipping services. It was mostly used by Trinary Star Shipping.

After the war ended in YE 43, there was a renewed interest in international cooperation and diplomacy. Called on to revisit its role as a historic center of international relations, Pisces began a demilitarization process to convert it from a Star Army base to an international commerce hub. This included scaling back the Star Army portion of the base to just one of the concourses and opening spaces for the various factions of the Kikyo Sector. The station was relocated to the neutral system Xylar¹⁾.

In YE 44, Pisces hosted the International Relations Conference Of YE 44. It also was involved in the Arrival of the Norians, serving as a hub for registration and resettlement of refugees.

Pisces has six arms, used for various purposes. Each arm contains two concourse levels (upper and lower) with 20 docking stations on each side of each and one dock at the end (usually for the largest ships) for a total of 42 docking stations per arm and 252 per star fortress. Docking stations are evenly spaced at 250m intervals.

Concourse A is the docking arm for visiting or garrisoned military ships including the Star Army of Yamatai. Once exclusive to the Star Army, it has been opened to all allied military forces.

• Flavor Of Victory (since YE 45) is located here

Concourse B is the Yamataian government and civilian docking arm. It used to be used by Star Army Logistics so it contains a lot of large cargo bays.

Concourse C is the NDC docking arm. It was formerly used by the Star Army so one can still find signs of the Yamataian military like posters and Star Army starship furniture arranged into large lobbies for thousands of troops.

Concourse D is the independent docking arm. It contains shipping activity and civilian marketplaces. To promote free trade, the Star Army turns a blind eye to some of the shady dealings going on in Pisces as long as they're non-violent. It has thus become a haven for Nepleslian smugglers, especially the Nepleslian Reds

Ships currently docked on the infamous Concourse D include:

1. SS Superstition
2. SS Ambition - Moving/selling stolen drugs
3. Empty
4. SS Danger Dancer
5. SS Prostitute - Selling Pistols and Submachineguns.
6. SS Strategy
7. SS Thunderbolt
8. ISS Eyesore - Meat Product Transport
9. SS Big Pimpin - picking up some girls to ship to Nepleslia
10. Empty
11. Empty
12. SS Smuggler's Pride
13. Type 124 Light Freighter
14. Empty
15. Osiris Armed Transport
16. Expeditionary Cruiser Os-C-04 Stellar Road Class
17. Egress Residential Ship
18. SS Galean
19. Empty
20. Traveler-class transport
21. Empty
22. No-C1-1b - Mersina General Cruiser
23. A Ge-F7-1B - Jinsoku Cargo Runner
24. No-Y1-1a - Celestial Yacht
25. 'Long Haul' a Mersina class transport.

Concourse E is shared by smaller factions such as Elysia, the Neshaten, and the Hidden Sun Clan.

Ships currently docked on Concourse E include

1. None

Concourse F is the Nepleslian docking arm. Pretty sure there's at least one gun shop here.

In a bid to make the Fifth Fleet self-sufficient, increase survivability, and decrease dependence upon Star Army Logistics for food stuffs, Taisho Fujiki Kaori had an extension attached to the bottom of the core section of Pisces. This extension would house the Agricultural Facilities needed to ensure fresh produce, livestock, and other perishables were readily available. The design follows the same characteristics as the Nougaku-Class Agriculture Vessel, with the exception of also adding in a open area for the raising of livestock much like a farm and includes processing facilities too. This ensures that in the very least that the Fifth get the nutrition needed, and with the aspect of fresh produce so readily available is a definite morale booster.

With the ever growing need of additional troops to refresh the rank and file, Mass Cloning Facility, Type 30 were a late addition to Pisces in a bid to get her up to military speed. The facilities are located deep within the core section. From then on if or when troops are created, they are released into the outside world to fill their roles, and from there, develop into their own beings in addition to serving the Empire that created them.

Pisces Station boasts luxurious meeting spaces and conference areas for nations to meet in.

The main conference room is currently set up with a giant circular table with 24 seats. Each seat is equipped with:

• A comfortable leather armchair
• A holographic projection system with computer interface
• A microphone and keyboard
• A holder for a small national flag (the station keeps a supply)
• A holder for a name plate (the station can make brass name plates at a moment's notice)
• A holder for a data pad
• A Coffee mug

The conference room also has a sophisticated holographic system built into the ceiling and huge display screens on the walls around the room. The circular floor area inside the big table is a screen that shows the Star Map centered on Yamatai and going out 40 LY.

For security reasons, there are sophisticated automated scanners outside the room that make it impossible to enter the room carrying a weapon or other harmful device or substance. Star Army soldiers are also stationed at the conference exit.

These suites have been set up for the visiting diplomats. They are very comfortable and spacious.

A recent addition to Pisces, the Fifth Fleet graciously offered space aboard the station to the Scientific Studies Service. Currently they have a Medium Sized Campus and a Liason Office. The arrangement thus far has proven to be rather beneficial to both parties.

The Burnt Bean was not the only establishment on the recreational area of the station to spend a quiet, unhindered evening. However, the Bean was well known for its refreshing, delicious blends which made a very popular establishment.

If one was looking for a little privacy to drink a delicious, well-prepared Coffee, then one could look no more than Feldstar Coffee. Feldstar had a good reputation for their own, experimental brews that used various spicings of caramel and honey. Their well-known Tortoise Vente was a particularly favorite blend of Coffee drinking sweet-tooths, making use of a strong espresso, a modest application of caramel, sprinklings of dark chocolate, a special whole cream, and several tiny marshmellows to float in the head of the hot drink.

Though, not everyone went to Feldstars for just the Coffee. The establishment had a reputation for being secluded, dark, and relaxing. Incense burners sit on every table, replaced every other hours, side-lined by home-made candles. The chairs were very simply, but well-cushioned. Most of the furniture was plush, and darkly colored to fit with the mood. To order, all one needed to do was to light a candle on their table, or beside their chair, and a barrista would quickly come forth to answer the call. To maintain this dark, sun-down atmosphere, the owners covered up most of their wide entrance and gave it a single, ornate, wooden door, and use just enough light so that patrons can read their menus.

If Coffee wasn't what the brain needed, there was always Hishabushi's Bar and Grill. Hishabushi's was known for their unique style in construction, in respect to the station's history of hosting a wide-range of species. People walked in on the second floor, the Taste of Kyoto, where they'd be introduced to the simply restaurant atmosphere of a traditional Yamataian eatery. Everything is very modest, and casual, no outstanding decorations. People sit, they order, and then they eat good food for a somewhat reasonable price.

Further up and down, is where one would encounter a place of relaxation, or one of Nepleslian relaxation. The first floor, or the basement as some call it, houses the down-and-dirty bar, known as Little Funky City. Some of the strongest, and most outrageous of Nepleslian imports are housed on their solid metal racks along with almost every beer and alcohol one can imagine. Its bartender, a boisterous, busty, and loud woman, boasts the most homey bar in all the galaxy. The place itself is largely a picture of the iconic Nepleslian bar. Wooden tables reinforced by steel line the walls with solid metal chairs, cushioned with plush material. Neon lights line the wall, and where there isn't a light, there's a T.V. showing off a sports event going on somewhere in the galaxy.

The Third floor, on the other hand, otherwise known as just 'the Attic' to some, has a more relaxed atmosphere. One climbing the stairs would quickly find themselves in amazing array of gothic architecture and finely crafted furniture. The Slice of Heaven, as it is named, was well known for its selection of choice wines and sake. The publican of the wine tavern was an Elysian man with little tolerance for those who didn't act with dignity. Thanks to that sort of attitude, the Slice of Heaven kept a reputation for being a sterling establishment where you had quiet conversation, and admired the high-quality art placed upon the walls, which would change every week.

Shopping establishments on the Pisces Station were wide in their variety. Being such a popular place, and that of a central meeting place for many nations, there were too many kinds to count. A person with enough money, and access to the station's public database would be able to find anything their heart desired. Except tobacco.

Otherwise, all someone had to do was find a Public Information terminal and ask it for whatever they wanted. Then, when an option was selected, they would be easily be guided by volumetric designators, and be lead rather promptly to their destination.

Though, if one was looking for an onsen, for a true place to relax, one should look no further than the Easterwood Hot-Springs. The steamy sauna and bath is renowned for some of the best service in the galaxy. Tired and exhausted scientists and military personnel often find themselves dragging their feet there, only to be primly stepping out after finishing their business. The rejuvenating effects are mostly due to the carefully measured and treated water, and the alluring scents put in the air.

Due to being so popular, the Easterwood facilities are large, and encompass a wide area with several small private baths, to the immense, and well-known public bath. Each bath is individually decorated, but all bear a semblance to the bathhouses on Yamatai. The surroundings are relatively green, and surrounded by stones, with the air filled with steam rising to a ceiling simulating a Yamataian sky.

When one walks in, they can expected to be greeted by a lithe Nekovalkyrja hostess, firmly expectant to hear every picky need of her customers. Typically, those who wish to use the public bath can walk right on in, though behavior is particularly restricted. People are asked to keep their towels until they reach the edge of the pool, and are expected to act with grace in the presence of others. Splashing is not allowed, and the Nekos tending to the patrons will ask a person to leave if they're too much trouble.

The private bathes, on the other hand, are for the pure pleasure of any guest in the Easterwood facilities. Each bath is generally widely spaced to give the sensation of walking into a fairly big bath that could suit fourteen people very comfortably. Patrons can expect to be to have at least three attendants per private bath, though privacy can be requested. Other requests can include things like alcohol, and the chance of having certain lustful scents pumped into the air rather than the standard.

What happens in the private baths is the business of the patron, but one is expected not to damage any Easterwood Hot-Spring property.

There are more stores on Pisces than on other Star Fortresses, owing to the station's international tastes.

Find it, love it, live it.

Type: Super-Market

Ad: Shigusa's is known for its ability to provide a wide array of grocery and retail items to the general populace. No matter what you're looking for, should it be for the rigors of every-day life, Shigusa's should have it!

Glue their eyes to where it counts.

Type: Lingerie and Clothing Store

Ad: There's always a nagging disadvantage when we're all so beautiful. Ladies, when you're on that date with that particular guy, or gal, do their eyes drift elsewhere on someone other than you? Well, at Dizzy's Secret, we've got the answer in the forms of brand-name and designer clothing that will make you the distraction.

Cool, comfortable, classy.

Type: Clothing Store

Ad: Out on those distant worlds and space stations, on tour of duty or vacation? Do you miss those distinct, Yamataian fashions that are enriched by years of history and tradition? From old fashioned to modern fashioned, the Bamboo Rack has every clothing need of the distinct Yamataian citizen, and even a few Malifarian and Raltean styles as well!

Cut right through that melon.

Type: Blade Emporium

Ad: One day, I was walking down the street, and all of a sudden a Mishhu came at me! I was unarmed, but luckily the KMP got'em before it got me! We've all been there before, right? In this day and age, the NMX and their tentacles could be anywhere. Guns won't do diddly at against something that writhes, wiggles, and skitters! You need a true weapon! A blade! Come on down to Headsman's Alley and find your tried and true solution to self-defense!

Pisces is part of the PAINT mass transportation system and has a terminal operated by the Star Army of Yamatai. It has a flight to Amatsu-Yamatai, Yamatai (Planet) every two hours.

Pisces Station is an international hub with species from all across the Kikyo Sector. It is one of the most diverse places in the galaxy in terms of species.

These characters have Pisces Station listed as their current location.

• International Diplomacy
• Shopping
• Acquire shady things from shady merchants on Concourse D

• Pisces Station is haunted by the ghosts of the victims of terrorism
• You can buy anything you want on Concourse D for the right price
• There's a secret Star Army Intelligence center somewhere on the station
• The maid robots are SAINT informants

• 1000 Service Android, Type 36A "Emma" - in maid outfits, serving as cleaning staff. Owned by the Star Army.

Wes created this article.