- A previously undiscovered bacterial lifeform unique to the Sirius Sector, these microorganisms are remarkably efficient at metabolizing certain elements into oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. When seeded in an immature planetary environment they can accelerate the terraforming process tenfold, or provide a rich, abundant source of food for other organisms in more mature planetary ecosystems.
Artifacts
- Remnants of an alien civilization that existed long before humanity crawled from the ocean. The particulars of each individual Artifact vary, but archeologists and scientists have been unable to determine their function; for all intents and purposes they appear to be inert chunks of crystal and metal inscribed with decorative patterns. A thriving market for Artifacts has sprung up over the years among art collectors and the social elite looking for a new status symbol.
Bio-Neural Processors
- Synthetic computing even on the quantum level is restricted by the static-state nature of the algorithms encoded into the processing core. Certain organic molecules have been developed that are capable of fuzzy logic, or best guess algorithms, when processing data making them very similar to how living organisms operate. Calculations that traditional optronic chips are incapable of solving are easily guessed by bio-neural processors. The primary function of the bio-neural processors on board space-ships is to perform optimal fuel, navigational, and tactical calculations across an exponentially increasing field of inputed data. Bio-neural processors have also been developed by Gallic commercial firms to create a wide range of consumer products, such as holo-entertainment bands.
Cardamine
- Cardamine is a drug that produces an intense sense of euphoria and energy in the user. It is both physically and psychologically addictive, but because users do not gain a tolerance, many simply dose themselves with cardamine continuously to avoid the inevitable crash. Due to the genetic alterations caused by long-term cardamine use, all of the major colonies have declared it contraband.
Counterfeit Software
- Most of the software used in Sirius is transferred long distances through wireless channels built into trade lanes and jump gates. However, the channels are extensively firewalled against intrusions, and no unlawful factions except for the Lane Hackers can gain access to them. In the recent 200 years, a wide market of counterfeit software arose in the Sirius sector. Different kinds of software, like operating systems, security programs, or video games, are cracked and illegally copied onto high-density optical disks or flash drives. The drives are later delivered to customers. Carrying counterfeit software is profitable, but no less dangerous business: it is considered illegal in all four lawful Sirius Houses.