Type: Orbital City
Location: Orbit of Ramcat, a Class-E world on the edge of the Laputan Guardianship
Primary Function: Trade hub, diplomatic neutral zone, gateway to Laputan space
Jurisdiction: Under authority of the Guardian
Security Force: Peacekeepers (enforcers of the Guardian’s Peace)
Overview
Armaneya is a massive orbital city and one of the most strategically significant locations in the Laputan Guardianship. Suspended in orbit over the habitable world Ramcat, Armaneya consists of five massive cylinders, each designed to rotate and generate gravity via centrifugal force—an unusual architectural decision in an age dominated by grav-plating technology.
The cylinders are gapped, allowing for direct docking access to the central hub, which serves as a transport, customs, and command nexus. The outermost cylinder is reserved for high-end functions: luxury hotels, restaurants, residences, and public parks, catering to wealthy travelers, diplomats, and traders from across the galaxy.
Political and Diplomatic Significance
Armaneya plays a dual role in galactic affairs:
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Commercial Nexus: Its semi-autonomous nature makes it a preferred location for business and trade beyond the jurisdictional entanglements of the Compact, the Realm, or even core Laputan law.
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Back Channel Diplomacy: The station is an informal neutral ground, often hosting covert or unofficial meetings between rival powers.
Notable political and clandestine activity includes:
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Marcus Leitman frequently met a Gelt lover here before murdering her with a suicide toxin in 429 IE.
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Nolan Rosc, in the early stages of his exile, recruited settlers here with Lattus Brac for the rebuilding of Hanar.
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Suicide often used Armaneya as a docking point to mask her movements when entering or exiting foreign jurisdictions.
Security and Law Enforcement
Law and order on Armaneya is enforced by a force known as the Peacekeepers, a uniquely Laputan law enforcement unit whose duty is to uphold the Guardian’s Peace. While technically under the Guardianship’s authority, the local Peacekeepers are known for a degree of independence in daily operations and are often seen as impartial arbiters in disputes between offworld factions.
Appearances: Tishla's Journey, Storming Amargosa, Suicide Run, Suicide Gambit, Jump