Summary:

At 5,319 ly above the galactic plane, this is the highest visited and highest inhabited system in the galaxy.

Description:

Situated 5,319 ly above the galactic plane, HIP 58832 is not just the highest visited system in the galaxy, but also the highest inhabited. Before the advent of fleet carriers, the records for the highest visited all used to be in the galactic core: however, once the more extreme jump ranges could be achieved, a string of catalogue stars led to this system. The jump ranges required to get here are well in excess of what ships can accomplish, so Commanders can only travel here aboard a fleet carrier.

The contents of the system are nothing special; people come here for the unique view of the galaxy, which is spectacular. Viewing the Milky Way from so far above the plane, and from the arms instead of the core, is a sight to behold.

At the end of 3306, Rackham Capital Investments built an orbital outpost in the system, and called it Rackham's Peak. It is a tourist outpost that orbits the main star, at a close distance of 7.7 ls, as opposed to being around the other planets of the system.

The station has some other buildings around it, making it somewhat extravagant compared to other outposts, but it still lacks large landing pads. Most services are offered here, with the notable exception of a shipyard.

The opening was celebrated with an extremely lavish party, with the outpost buying copious quantities of "beer, liquor, wine, Bast Snake Gin, Centauri Mega Gin, Chateau De Aegaeon, Eranin Pearl Whisky, Gerasian Gueuze Beer, Harma Silver Sea Rum, Indi Bourbon, Kongga Ale, Lavian Brandy, Leestian Evil Juice, Saxon Wine, Thrutis Cream and Wuthielo Ku Froth". (A quote from the relevant GalNet article.)

Since then, during times of prosperity, the company has often offered exorbitant prices for various alcoholic drinks, providing large profits for traders who made the voyage.

Owing to this, and the unique sights to the system, plus the fact that it can't be reached by regular spaceships, HIP 58832 is often packed with fleet carriers. Due to limits imposed by the Pilot's Federation, there have often been times when recent arrivals couldn't enter here, and had to wait in the nearby systems until another carrier left. Commanders should also note that there is only one route leading here, which means other systems will have plenty of traffic as well.

Still, those who make the journey will see a special view of the galaxy that they won't see from anywhere else.

Image credits: main image by Athum, see the descriptions of the other images for their authors