✴ The neighbourhood: several stars

The fifty commanders of a region do not all share one sun. The region is a small cluster: your home star and a few neighbours, each with its own system of ten to fifteen worlds. The Star-system view shows one star at a time; the bar at the top names it, and ◀ ▶ (or [ ]) move to the next star you know of. The Map needs a Neutrino Observatory: without one you see your own ground and orbit and nothing beyond — the radar in the corner shows only what is already coming at you.

• You know a neighbouring star once you know anyone there — a faction-mate, someone who raided you, someone your sensors or an expedition found. To see every world round it, send a probe to the star itself (the Probe button on the bar, ⚡30): a probe reveals everything within reach of where it lands.
• Distance is the balance. Sensors reach across your own system; the next star is a long trip. A raid from another star takes several times longer to arrive and you see it coming for all of that time; AI commanders only raid worlds within reach, so most of the pressure on you comes from your own system.
• Factions and governments are radio: they span stars freely. Trade, votes and the Accord do not care which sun you orbit.
• The orbit view (and the Dyson swarm) are always your own star. The Colony Ark Drive is for leaving this cluster for a younger star altogether.