The Great Hyperlanes
•Jyperspace travel is the driving force behind galactic
[•civilization. Without it, interstellar travel would take
far too long to support a galactic-scale government
or trade system. Though its origins are buried in the
ancient past, hyperdrives have been the firmly estab-
lished technology behind exploration, transportation,
and warfare for centuries.
Hyperspace itself is an alternate dimension that al-
lows starships to achieve speeds beyond the speed of
light. However, such travel is inherently risky, and one
cannot typically make a hyperspace jump in a straight
line between two distant destinations. Objects of suffi-
cient mass, such as a planet or star, project correspond-
ingly sized hyperspace shadows that interfere with and
endanger navigation. Eddies and other gravitational
oddities also occur, especially in areas with a lot of gravi-
tational activity, such as the core of the galaxy. Ships
straying too close to a mass shadow may be damaged,
destroyed, or violently forced out of hyperspace. Com-
plicating matters is the fact that every star, planet, and
object in the galaxy is constantly moving, making even a
viable path dangerous the next time around.
Safe hyperspace travel is best achieved through
established hyperlanes or hyperroutes. These well-
mapped routes are the backbone of galactic transpor-
tation and commerce. They are constantly monitored
and mapped by agencies of the galactic government
(currently the Imperial Space Ministry), and updated
star maps are available at virtually any starport. Lesser
known, illegal, secret, and smuggling routes also exist,
and may be obtained through illicit, or at least private-
ly available, sources. Hyperspace travel without using a
known route is possible, but slow and very dangerous.
As safe routes change somewhat from trip to trip, hy-
perspace travel times correspondingly vary. Travel times
are affected by the ship's hyperdrive speed (called a
multiplier), the capability of the astrogator to plot an
efficient path, the accuracy of the available star chart,
and the natural ebbs and flows within hyperspace that
affect each passage. Ships making parallel hyperspace
jumps together are normally, but not always, affected
by similar hyperspace conditions, making their arrival
times and relative positions comparable to each other.
MAJOR GALACTIC
HYPERLANES
The major hyperlanes have been in use for centuries.
They are well traveled, well mapped, and connect to
some of the most important sectors and systems in
the galaxy. They are also the best patrolled, raising
the stakes somewhat for smugglers, criminals, and
others seeking to avoid government interference. The
greatest routes are described below, along with a list
of notable locations on or near the route. They are
listed more or less from Coreward to Rimward (with
the exception of the Hydian Way, which starts at its
northernmost point, in relation to Galactic North).
PERLEMIAN TRADE ROUTE
At around 25,000 years old, the Perlemian Trade Route
is one of the oldest and most well-traveled hyperlanes
in the galaxy. It extended the early Republic deep into
the northeastern quadrant of the galaxy, from Corus-
cant out to Ossus and the Tion Cluster. It intersected
with early connections to Hutt Space. It runs from Cor-
uscant through the Tion Hegemony in the Outer Rim
out to Wild Space. The Perlemian is one border of the
Slice (see page 355), and its existence combined with
regional political pressures led to a rapid colonization
of the eastern side of the galaxy. It crosses the Hydian
Way at Brentaal, and the Corellian Run at Coruscant
(currently known as Imperial Center).
Notable Locations: Coruscant (Imperial Center),
Brentaal, Taanab, Roche, The Wheel, Ossus, Rhen Var,
Felucia, Raxus, and the Tion Cluster.
CORELLIAN RUN
The Corellian Run was founded at about the same time
as the Perlemian Trade Route, and constitutes the op-
posite border of the Slice. The Corellian Run helped
establish Corellian influence in the early Republic, and
maintains it in modern times. It remains one of the
most important military and trade routes in the galaxy.
The Corellian Run starts at Coruscant, bends around
GRINNER'S GALAXY OF 0PP0RTUNITI
So, another 'independent merchant,' huh? I've seen
your type before. You've acquired a rickety ship and
you're ecstatic to escape whatever dismal rock
you came from. Maybe you owe someone money,
maybe not...yet. Listen to me, you better learn how
to get around the galaxy, and quick. Get to know
one or more of the major hyperlanes, plus whatever
regional and local trade routes serve your planets
of choice. A good smuggler knows how to get the
most out of his hyperdrive, and squeeze the best
travel times out of the route in question. Your liveli-
hood, not to mention your lives, depend on it.
Still interested? All right, sit down and let's deal. The
name is Grinner, one-time smuggler, full-time infochant.
I've got leads for jobs in every part of Known Space, and
to worlds beyond. We'll find something you like.
