Acropolis



The Acropolis is a massive construct, similar in shape to a daylilly. It consists of a central ring 3.2 kilometers in diameter, from which six arms protrude, each 10.6 km long and 430m wide.

The station is capable of closing in on itself, via the convergence of its five arms, transforming it into a long, impenetrable cylinder. However, the Acropolis is only closed in times of emergency, and normally the station retains its 'open' appearance.

The central ring and six arms are home to the Presidium and Wards respectively; the spaceports are also located on the central ring, as it is the center of rotation, facilitating easier access for ships attempting to dock with the station.

The Acropolis has a labyrinthine interior superstructure, accessible through special tunnels.

Presidium
The Presidium is a massive, park-like complex containing the offices of the various branches of the galactic government, as well as the embassies of all the races represented in the Acropolis. There are also shops, restaurants and recreational facilities, serving the wealthy residents who live and work throughout the sector. The Presidium is monitored by a Virtual Intelligence, and, unlike the Wards, incorporates an artificial 20-hour day schedule: lights are dimmed, and the holographic "sky" darkened, for 6 of the 20 hours, imitating a familiar day-night cycle.

Parliament
The tower at the center of the Presidium houses the Council Chambers and the main traffic control for the station—any ship within a few thousand kilometers comes under the jurisdiction of Acropolis Control. The Chambers themselves are not open to the public and access is only granted to officials and those with special clearance. They are beautifully furnished, with cherry trees and fountains, as well as numerous staircases leading up to the central platform where the Council convenes.

Wards
The "arms" of the Acropolis, known as the Wards, constitute the residential and commercial sectors of the station. Densely populated, housing millions of residents from many galactic species, the Wards are akin to Earth cities such as Hong Kong and Singapore.

Numerous skyscrapers rise from the superstructure, sealed against vacuum, as breathable atmosphere is only maintained within the station. Unlike the Presidium, there is no artificial day-night cycle; as a consequence of this, commercial activity rarely ceases, and residents work and rest according to personal need.

The Wards are policed by the Federation Military, whose offices and custody suites are located in the Lower Wards. Flux is a popular night club, also located in the Wards. The Wards are also home to the Silversun Strip, a bustling commercial area featuring Silver Coast Casino, Castle Arcade, Armax Arsenal Arena, and the apartment complex Tiberius Towers. Below the Wards, the Acropolis Archives function as a repository for artifacts and records deemed important.

Defenses
As befits such an important galactic location, the Acropolis boasts multiple layers of defense. The first is the Serpent Nebula itself: the nebula's composition is such that it is difficult for attacking fleets to navigate, thus preventing them from launching a concerted attack.

Another link in the Acropolis' defensive chain is the Federation Fleet. The fleet is a massive task force consisting mostly of Human vessels but also including ships from the other Council races. The Acropolis Fleet, led by the imposing Angaran dreadnought Justarius, constantly patrols the space around the station. However, should any aggressor manage to break through the Acropolis Fleet, reinforcements from all over the Federation are a short wait away, due to the network of Jump Gates located nearby.

If any enemy gets close enough, the station is capable of closing in on itself to form a long, armored cylinder, 12 kilometers in length. The station's hull is sufficiently strong that, even when subjected to the most advanced weaponry available, it would take several days of sustained bombardment to inflict any serious damage to the superstructure.

The station also boasts its own internal security force. The 300,000 officers patrolling the station handle everything from customs to hostage negotiations.

The Acropolis also has turrets to ward off small craft, such as dropships, and a further 'secret defense system' which thus far has not been activated.