What began as a small orbital facility circling Earth’s moon has expanded into a sprawling space station consisting of 13 unique sections. The station experienced its first major expansion in 1964, during Project Axiom, an ambitious research program initiated by United States President John F. Kennedy. Expansions and improvements persisted throughout the following decades, growing into what has become one of humanity’s greatest achievements.
Shuttle Bay
Key Facilities:
- Flight Control
- Sky Lounge
- Pilot Lounge
- Mechanic Facilities
- Airlock
For all visitors, the Shuttle Bay offers the first glimpse of the wonders waiting inside Talos I. Here guests have the opportunity to relax in the Sky Lounge, a great way to unwind after the long flight from Earth. While most cargo shipments are handled through the Cargo Bay, the Shuttle Bay is capable of accepting cargo offloaded from shuttles. Cargo can be sent through the Gravity Utility Tunnel System (G.U.T.S.) to the Cargo Bay or Arboretum.
Talos I Lobby
Key Facilities:
- TranStar Exhibit
- Executive Offices
- Sales Division
- Human Resources
- IT Security
- Trauma Center
- Staff Lounge
When TranStar acquired the space station in 2030, they spared no expense in refurbishing the lobby, with the goal of projecting a warm and inviting atmosphere to guests and employees. Connected to the Shuttle Bay, the lobby serves as a central hub, providing easy access to the Neuromod Division, Psychotronics, and Hardware Labs. The main lift, located in the center of the lobby, is connected to the Arboretum and Life Support.
Neuromod Division
Key Facilities:
- Skill Recorder
- Research & Design
- Volunteer Quarters
- Volunteer Testing
- Fabrication
- Simulation Lab
Located off the main lobby, the Neuromod Division is frequently visited by VIP guests undergoing Neuromod enhancement. In addition to installing Neuromods, technicians also map neural connectomes of expert guests in the Skill Recorder facility—famed concert pianist Gustav Leitner was a recent visitor. Once connectomes are mapped, custom Neuromods are fabricated, instantly imbuing recipients with special skills and abilities. Neuromods are TranStar’s biggest breakthrough product, with profits more than offsetting the enormous R&D costs associated with operating a private space station.
Hardware Labs
Key Facilities:
- Demonstration Theater
- Combustion Lab
- Chemical Lab
- Ballistics Lab
- Beams and Waves Lab
- Machine Shop
- Airlock
Hardware Labs is a secure research and development facility. Guests and unauthorized personnel are limited to visiting the foyer and Demonstration Theater. A number of labs and the Machine Shop are located beyond the security checkpoint. Here researchers and engineers experiment with a variety of emerging technologies to develop hardware prototypes. Currently, the labs are pursuing multiple projects with a broad range of applications.
Psychotronics
Key Facilities:
- Classified
In an effort to protect intellectual property from corporate espionage, the Psychotronics Division is off limits to guests and all but the most senior Talos I personnel. Official inquiries about this facility should be directed to the TranStar board of directors.
Gravity Utility Tunnel System (G.U.T.S.)
Key Facilities:
- Maintenance Tunnel
- Cargo Tunnel
- Magnetosphere
- Cargo Processing
This microgravity tunnel system runs through the center of Talos I, serving as a vital conduit carrying air, water, and cargo. The Cargo Bay, Shuttle Bay, and Arboretum are connected via the Cargo Tunnel. This tunnel helps facilitate the transfer of supplies and gear throughout the station. The Magnetosphere, located in the Maintenance Tunnel, mitigates the harmful effects of solar radiation.
Arboretum
Key Facilities:
- G.U.T.S. Loading Bay
- Experimental Plants
- Green House
- Alex Yu’s Office
- Airlock
Adorned by a massive glass dome, the Arboretum provides guests and crew with a spectacular view of Earth and the nearby moon. As a result, this tranquil, lush setting is a popular spot for crew members seeking to relax after their shifts. Beyond its aesthetics, the Arboretum serves a vital role in supplying the station with oxygen and fresh produce, grown in the Green House. Alex Yu’s office overlooks the Arboretum, accessible via a secure Grav Shaft. Like the lobby, the Arboretum serves as a hub, providing access to Crew Quarters, Deep Storage, and the Talos I Bridge.
Crew Quarters
Key Facilities:
- Concierge
- Recreation Center
- Fitness Center
- Cafeteria
- Theater
- Yellow Tulip Bar and Lounge
- Crew Cabins A & B
- Habitation Pods
- Executive Suites
Offering the amenities of a five-star hotel, Crew Quarters goes beyond keeping crew members well-rested and fed. As a result, this is where many Talos I personnel spend the bulk of their off-time, gaming in the Recreation Center, working out in the Fitness Center, or watching a movie in the Theater. The Yellow Tulip is another popular venue, providing drinks and live entertainment. The Executive Suites houses quarters for Alex Yu and Morgan Yu, as well as visiting TranStar board members and dignitaries.
Deep Storage
Key Facilities:
- Corporate Information Technology
- Central Data Repository
- Command Center
- Confidential Records
- Data Vaults
This facility is dedicated to securing and storing massive volumes of research data generated by all divisions on Talos I. At the heart of Deep Storage is the Central Data Repository, a large microgravity chamber filled with hard drives and other physical data backups. All vital data is also stored in the Data Vaults. Vaults A and B are essentially escape pods, designed to be jettisoned during a catastrophic event, preserving all of TranStar’s research data.
Cargo Bay
Key Facilities:
- Cargo Bay A
- Cargo Bay B
- Fuel Storage Bay
- Cargo Staging Area
- Shipping and Receiving
- G.U.T.S. Loading Bay
Despite efforts to create a self-sustaining environment aboard Talos I, the station and its crew still rely on frequent cargo shipments from Earth. Products and other items are also shipped off-station via the Cargo Bay. As a result, the Cargo Bay is constantly humming with activity, requiring a heightened sense of alert among crew members managing shipping containers and heavy equipment. Cargo is transferred throughout the station via the G.U.T.S. Loading Bay, connected to the Cargo Tunnel.
Life Support
Key Facilities:
- Atmosphere Control
- Water Treatment Facility
Sustaining life in the harsh conditions of space requires Herculean engineering and logistical feats. Fortunately for TranStar, most of Talos I’s life support infrastructure was implemented during Project Axiom. Upgrades and improvements have been made over the decades since, supplying the station with clean air and water. Life Support is easily accessed from the lobby via the main lift. The facility is also connected to the Cargo Bay and Power Plant.
Power Plant
Key Facilities:
- Engineering Offices
- Power Plant Monitoring
- Coolant Chamber
- Coolant Monitoring Station
- Reactor
- Airlock
While the station’s exterior solar panels supply Talos I with some electricity, the nature of TranStar’s research requires more energy. This power is delivered from a large nuclear reactor situated in the station’s lowest section. The reactor is constantly monitored and maintained by a dedicated staff of engineers and technicians. Internally, the Power Plant can only be accessed through Life Support. But there’s also an airlock in the Reactor chamber providing access to the station’s exterior.
Talos I Bridge
Key Facilities:
- Command Deck
- Briefing Room
- Captain’s Loft
Accessible via the Arboretum, the Bridge is Talos I’s centralized command center. Bridge personnel are responsible for overseeing all station operations, internally and externally. This includes maintaining communication with Earth-based facilities and all incoming and outgoing shuttles.
