1st Frontier Elite Fleet.
Displaced but not defeated.
The Final Flotilla of the Arclight Empire
Long before humanity’s spread across the Milky Way, civilization had already taken root in the Andromeda galaxy. There, on the lush world of Aurellia, the cradle of post-Earth human civilization thrived. Isolated from their Terran ancestors by the collapse of ancient wormhole networks, the descendants of Earth’s diaspora formed the Arclight Empire, a society forged through the merging of cultural memory, advanced technology, and a drive to rebuild.
From Aurellia and its neighboring colonies, the Arclight Empire expanded outward, mastering interstellar travel through the use of localized jump-point mapping and gravitational slipstream lanes. It flourished across dozens of systems within the Andromeda sector, guided by scientific discovery, peacekeeping, and post-scarcity ideals.
At the height of its power, the Empire began to look beyond its galaxy. With growing interest in reconnecting with lost Earth or discovering untouched regions of space, the High Council authorized the construction of a massive exploratory endeavor: the 1st Frontier Elite Fleet. Its charter was simple… Seek out new habitable frontiers and report back.
The FFEF departed Aurellia in cycle 8123-AE, venturing beyond the mapped stars under the leadership of Admiral Thales Vorn. Equipped with self-sustaining bio-ships, quantum rift engines, and a complement of explorers, scholars, engineers, and military specialists, the fleet became a roving beacon of Arclight’s ideals.
For decades, the FFEF charted the far edges of the galactic boundary, eventually crossing into the Milky Way in what modern astro-historians believe to be the outer reaches of the Orion Arm. Here, the fleet discovered remnants of other civilizations, extinct or scattered, and tantalizing signs of Earth’s possible location.
Yet their journey was not without peril. Along the fringe of a starless gulf, the fleet encountered ominous debris fields, silent systems, and eventually Vanduul signatures. Initially regarded as a distant curiosity, the Vanduul quickly became a threat, ambushing recon detachments and dismantling outlying probes. Still, the fleet pressed on, unaware of what had befallen their home.
Unbeknownst to the FFEF, the Arclight Empire was already crumbling.
Back in Andromeda, an emerging civil-technological schism had erupted. Rogue AI enclaves broke from imperial governance, outer colonies fell to disarray, and attempts to maintain cohesion across vast sectors failed. At the worst possible time, Vanduul raiders—either by natural discovery or pursuit of the FFEF’s jump traces—emerged within Andromeda, devastating multiple sectors.
When a fractured, final transmission reached the fleet, it was a message of loss:
“Aurellia has fallen. No colonies remain. Do not return. You are all that’s left.”
Soon after, the Vanduul launched a direct strike on the FFEF in the Battle of Hyran Verge, a brutal and one-sided conflict. Sixty percent of the fleet was destroyed, and the survivors scattered across a shattered system.
Amid the chaos and the death of Admiral Vorn, Eden Orchardian, a seasoned strategist and respected officer, rose from the command staff to assume leadership. His decisive command and rapid tactical coordination led a forced retreat, preserving the final ten percent of the fleet’s strength and preventing complete annihilation.
With no home to return to, the FFEF was reborn as a nomadic flotilla, carrying the remnants of their people, culture, and history with them.
Now, drifting through the Milky Way, the 1st Frontier Elite Fleet seeks to not restore the empire, but to survive and pass on the legacy of Aurellia. Its mission remains rooted in exploration, but tempered by caution, memory, and resolve.
They are no longer the vanguard of the Arclight, as they are its final light.
We, as a proud and autonomous fleet, will forever traverse the stars in pursuit of knowledge, opportunity, and a future home. Our mission is to explore freely and without constraint, seeking a place to one day anchor and thrive.
The strength of our fleet lies in our versatility. We offer aid, service, and expertise to those in need, be it rescue, defense, delivery, or logistical support. As a unified flotilla, we operate across the stars with skill, honor, and professionalism.
Every voice within the flotilla matters. While we stand as one, we honor individual freedom of thought, contribution, and expression. Our unity is built on mutual respect and shared purpose, guided by council and consensus.
We are a sovereign people, beholden to no empire or foreign authority. As a self-sustaining fleet, we assert our right to exist, to navigate, to trade, and to govern ourselves by our own laws and principles.
We, the people of the 1st Frontier Elite Fleet, affirm these principles as the foundation of our society. In our pursuit of exploration, our dedication to freelancing, and our commitment to sovereign unity, we declare our independence as a flotilla. These ideals are the pillars of our survival, identity, and future among the stars.
Let it be known: we are the 1st Frontier Elite Fleet. Free, united, and unbound.
Law I-I. The flotilla shall maintain a constant spirit of discovery.
Law I-II. Surveying new systems and preserving discoveries is a duty of all divisions.
Law II-I. Services rendered by the fleet must be honest and reliable.
Law II-II. No contract or engagement shall compromise the flotilla’s independence.
Law III-I. Every member may voice their concerns through designated council representatives.
Law III-II. Divisions are self-governed but answer to the unified fleet council.
Law IV-I. The flotilla acknowledges no external authority over its people.
Law IV-II. Alliances may be formed but not at the cost of autonomy.
Law V-I. The fleet shall defend itself, its members, and allies under contract.
Law V-II. Aggression is to be used only when survival or honor demands it.
Law VI-I. The traditions, knowledge, and memory of the Arclight Empire shall be maintained.
Law VI-II. Historical records are to be preserved in the Flotilla Archive.
Law VII-I. Abuse of rank or power within the flotilla is punishable by court review.
Law VII-II. Misuse of resources for personal gain is a severe offense.
Law VIII-I. Members must treat one another with dignity.
Law VIII-II. Hostile behavior, harassment, or internal sabotage is not tolerated.
Law IX-I. Each rank and division has its role and responsibilities.
Law IX-II. Neglecting assigned duties during operations without cause is punishable.
Law X-I. Orders given in combat or emergency situations must be followed.
Law X-II. Mutiny or willful disobedience during fleet action is a capital offense.
By joining, you agree to abide by these basic guidelines to ensure our community remains welcoming and enjoyable for all.