(A)

Asteroid Belt. (Sol System.)

The asteroid belt is positioned between Mars and Jupiter in the Sol system. It is generally thought of it as a disc or hoop, but is more like a hollowed-out sphere. There are millions, perhaps billions of shards of iron and rock left over from the early days of the solar system. Not only does the belt present a formidable practical barrier to space travel, it’s also the perfect hiding place for pirates. If they power down and sit still, it’s very hard to tell the difference between a pirate cruiser and a floating lump of iron. The pirates hide between the asteroids and launch surprise attacks on passing cargo ships. Every ship that travels from the inner to the outer solar system must drop out of Watters’ drive for a short while to pass through the belt. That’s when they’re vulnerable. As the area straddles the trade routes between the inner and outer solar system, their activities have gradually become a very real threat to the inner planets, especially the Earth. Larger naval vessels like the Breath of Vengeance can’t navigate safely between the asteroids in many sectors and so it’s the responsibility of the smaller, sub-light speed, Hunter and Wolverine class vessels to track them down using stealth tactics. In the Koronis sector, the belt is particularly dense and is also right next to a major clear path through the belt, so it’s a natural haven for pirate ships.