1. Notes

Slang

Information

A billion stars: The odds are long, but there’s a chance. As in, “There are a billion stars out there, so the odds are one contains what we’re looking for.”

Dirtside: Planetside. On the surface of the planet.

Drift: To let one’s spaceship continue moving in space without yet knowing its destination.

Drop a rock on it: Destroy something utterly. The term originates from warfare where asteroids are diverted to crash into a planet, or large rocks are used as ammunition for similar effect.

Go AB: To “go afterburner,” or move as fast as possible.

Go atmo: To “go atmospheric,” or enter the atmosphere of a planet.

Phreak: A derogatory term for a person with psychic abilities.

Sape: A sapient or sentient being; as opposed to a non-sapient being such as an animal. The exact definition of either is often used incorrectly, but “sape” has come to mean a being that is self-aware. Among most, this means it is not an “animal.”

Space: To force someone off a spaceship in vacuum (usually resulting in death).

To the stars: A toast to one’s ancestors, gods, or fortune.

To the last parsec...and beyond: “To the end.” Often used to express loyalty, such as “I’m with you to the last parsec, and beyond.”

Xeno: Technically, any uncatalogued species of creature or being. In more common usage, it’s a slightly derogatory term for anyone the speaker doesn’t “get” or understand.