The Risks of Travel in Outer Space (part 3)

Pirates, smugglers, and even worse threats are very present in the Solar Echoes universe. The expanse of space is huge, and while law-enforcement exists (for example, the characters are part of an elite special forces unit, the Union Guard), the law cannot be everywhere—there is just too much area to cover. As a result, battle will happen in space when foes descend upon travelers. Starship battles are very intense experiences, because the fate of the entire crew rests upon the team working together to defeat their enemy. However, even if a starship battle is survived, the aftermath may be what ultimately defeats the characters. Injuries sustained in space combat can be severe, and limited medical facilities exist aboard a starship, sometimes being no more than a med-kit and the medical experience of one of the characters. Even a minor injury could become a huge threat if insufficient treatment is available, because in space, time is not on your side—it may take days or weeks before a bleeding or poisoned character can be taken to a civilization with a hospital.