OK, so with every universe, there are a number of peculiarities that make it unique. There has actually been an insane amount of Lore and IP already written, however with such a mountain of content, finding specific questions is understandably difficult. Added on top is the fact that new stuff and good ideas will continually fresh and change aspects of this universe... So for now I've made up this brief FAQ featuring many questions have had about technology in CoS.




What are starfighters?
Starfighters in CoS are the smallest, FTL capable vessels in the game. The term also refers to the tactical unit that consists of a human mind in synergy with a small FTL capable combat vessel. On the surface, they borrow many concepts from typical space opera's such as Star Wars and Galactica however in the Children of Sol universe, Starfighters are much larger (30-70 meters) in relation to the pilot in recognition of the realities of space travel. They are also far more powerful, with weapon and defence systems allowing them to operate within the photosphere of stars.





Why are ships piloted by humans?
It has as much to do with cultural/philosophical reasons as it does with practical reasons. Within the in Children of Sol universe it was long established that True AI's where independent agents incapable of, over the long run, accepting human or any other beings will over their own. Although AI's have and can be used in war as "independent agents" with basic and predictable instincts (see drones), complex/true AI's often act under their own accord, usually failing to recognise affiliation to one side or the other. For starfighters, human subconscious is directly connected to the vessels processors, in a state that improves and accelerates decision making. (.see entry plug) Because of this, humans are not only comparable in proficiency to AI's, but are much preferred.





Where does all the energy come from?
Good question. In the period before the events begin, vast structures known as Cores (Dyson Rings) where constructed primarily to harvest the energy output of stars. However, newer technologies evolved meaning that the energy output of these civilisations now vastly exceeds that of the star (I did the math!). Although energy is still derived from a central location within each empire, the actual method has yet to be explained, although I am toying with concepts similar to a signally available "grid energy" generator (.see Ian M Banks' Culture series) that as the story progresses, shrinks; directly powering a new epoch of ships.





What type of FTL do you use?
Warp drives (ie, the folding of space, bubbles etc etc)... For a few reasons:
1) They don't cause causality paradoxes (instantaneous travel and wormholes always do)
2) All travel takes time, which is a concept that's vital for tactical reasons.
3) Because all travel takes time, including FTL travel, you have an additional variable to differentiate classes. (ie, starfighters travel short distances faster, carriers travel long distances more efficiently)
4) Hyperspace travel methods mildly conflict with some of the more technical aspects of CoS Lore (.see structure of the universe(s))




I've noticed on your designs that your ships have some pretty large guns...
This is done for a number of reasons. Lore wise, ships in CoS have evolved to have exceptionally powerful defences as a reaction to the daily rigours of superluminal space travel. Because of this, ships designed to destroy other ships are built around its weapons systems. Visually, CoS follows the same pattern for all ships regarding their design. If there designed to be fast, they will contain large engines, designed to protect, they would have large visible shield systems, or look like physical walls.





What are 'Temporal Observatories?'
Within Children of Sol many technologies derive their abilities from temporal science. From FTL communication and sensors, anti-subsystem weaponry and Temporal Observatories, Temporal science is uses the knowledge that this universe is one of an infinite number of timelines or branches. Some of these branches are very similar to our own, others may have had different events occur earlier in history alternating the state of the time line significantly. FTL communication, sensors and observatories all attempt to use data from alternate timelines that are similar to our own but are forward shifted in time.
By taking basic radiological, matter or gravimetric readings from these alternative timelines, these technologies can essentially attempt to predict the future based on the echoes of alternative present realities.

Unlike communication and sensors, Temporal Observatories have immense range, sensitivity and are calibrated locally by entire universities of engineers. Their ability to both predict events sometimes decades in the future, as well as quantising all FTL sensors and communication within empire mark them out as invaluable and during military operations, serving as significant strategic objectives.





Do the humans who modify themselves beyond being human, and any artificial intelligences that might exist, replace aliens in a sense?
I think the initial impression I would like to give is that, these are the descendants of man. On the surface at least they are as different to us, as we are different to chimps. That withstanding, as the story progresses what it means to be human on a deeper sense will be resolved, from our social/class behaviour (which also incidentally, has its roots stretching back to when we were primates) and our ability to work together over the long term (beyond classic game theory/pack nature) despite each having individual, free will. I feel it's also necessary to have the human element in there, because science fiction at its best is always about people, and good stories have people readers can connect to. So to answer the second question, these are the descendants of mankind, on the surface alien but with many human traits.





Are there Aliens in this Universe?
There are as yet 3 specific, sentient aliens pencilled in for Children of Sol with plenty of xeno flora and forna throughout the universe.

Hive Aliens - self confined to a single world within Arkaedian territory, The Hive Aliens share many similarities with Ant colonies, consisting a plethora of worker casts managed by hive minds. Although they lack technology they exist whilst lived in harmony on there world for billions of years, surviving multiple disasters and exobiological incursions. Arkaedian researchers suspect that the Hive minds greatly excel all but the greatest human minds in intellect however apparently only lack desire in communication with humans. 'Hive World' is a protected inclusion zone with no planetary landings permitted by law.

Narhal - are the long transcended, extra-dimensional, post-physical super beings no one really know much about. Never observed directly, there actions within the higher dimensions of the universe cast temporally nebulaic scares over vast portions of space (anywhere between 1000 AU to several light years in length). Although few artefacts of their post transcendent existence have been found, it has been generally accepted that these scares or 'footprints' are not just natural space phenomena. A tribe/clan (or cult) of researchers within the House of Kacylis has dedicated themselves to studying the Narhal in the belief that humanity could one day choose a similar path.

The third type of alien appears much later, and unfortunately has massive spoiler alerts associated with it's description...

In essence, the humans are initially alien but ultimately human, whilst the aliens are truly alien and provide context for how different types of life in the galaxy can evolve and behave.





At what stage are synthetic organisms at within Children of Sol
There are few details on what type of AI's exist and the technology behind them (I'm open to excursions..) however for a general guide to how humans treat not only synthetic, sentient organisms, but all sentience within the universe, whether they be aliens or human clones, follow this... "They are not your slaves." (I am open to elaboration this ideal harking back to present day in necessary).

Technology wise, here are a few concepts for you to digest:
Processors - Processor cores, like present day computers are solid state devices with an electromagnetic current passing through them. They have frequencies, and similar exponential power usage for linear increases in computing power. However that’s where the similarities end. Using the ever collapsing granularity of space-time to transfer information between local points superluminally, Processors can actually compute vast amounts of data before queries have even been processed. It doesn't stop with the quantum or temporal science either, due to the nature of the energies involved, micro-universes can envelop parts of the core, allowing parts of the processor to operate within an environment where natural laws no longer apply... Corporate AI's use a network of these processors for minds, starfighter pilots also use several of these for calculation and operation of gravimetric technology (ie warp core).

Learning Intelligences - Although these have free will, they have been brought up within evolutionary environments tailored specifically to their task and thus have simple motivations and predictable behaviours that can be managed and quantified.

Dummy Plugs - Containing fragments of human or AI personalities mapped onto complex decision trees. These units have character, with programmed irrational behaviour built in. However Dummy plugs lack the creativity free will ultimately provide and over a long enough period of combat, they become predictable and drop in efficiency. These are often used to manage single sub-systems on battlecruiser or capital class ships.




Is this universe based on string theory and extra dimensions?
Explicitly, no, not to the letter of the most popular version of string theory. Mainly because to normal people, strings as the foundation of the universe, with multiple dimensions coiled around them just doesn’t make much sense, it’s not tangible enough. However, I'll be using a many of the surface concepts of M-Theory, with the theme of multiple universes influencing more and more technology as the story processes.
For a brief structure: our universe consists of 6 spacial dimensions + 1 temporal (of which 4 of them appear to us, as temporal) within a 3 dimensional multiverse. (.see Rob Bryanton's Imagining the Tenth Dimension)




Are Arc emitters on Lyaeda ships the hi-tech equivalent of the Tesla coil in the red alert universe?
Arc emitters create a charge differential between itself and the target so great that matter condenses out of natural background radiation, allowing a current of ions/anti-ions to connect between it and the target ships hull. High Alpha, short change and practically omni directional. And yes, it'll look kinda like tesla coils :D.