Chain routes are fixed logistical pathways connecting periphery stations, hubworlds, and the Core.
Chain Route To-do / Questions
Chain routes are the lifelines of the CTA. They are fixed logistical pathways connecting periphery, hubworlds, and the Core.
There are dozens of routes, but seven “main chains” form the backbone of the CTA. These link each of the seven systems to the Core. Secondary chains branch off them, but the main chains carry the vast majority of goods.
They are the arteries through which all goods, permits, and communications flow. Without chain routes, the centralized economy would collapse into fragmentation.
Unlike older, more flexible routes, chain routes are rigidly standardized and highly monitored. Chain route predictability ensures efficiency but limits spontaneity. They also serve as migration paths, cultural conduits, and secure lines of Authority presence.
For example, imagine a shipment of grain leaving an agricultural hub. The cargo is logged at its point of origin, loaded into a freighter, and then moves along a chain route: first to a periphery station, then handed off at a hubworld, before finally reaching the Core. At each node, terminals confirm the cargo’s status and verify permits. The “chain” is literal because each link ensures the flow continues without break.
Efficiency is calculated through standardized CTA algorithms that weigh distance, energy cost, and stability of the relay network. Adjustments are rare, as routes are meant to be permanent and predictable. A disruption to one route often leads to rerouting along pre-approved alternatives.