Asteroid Belt

"We've thought about seizing the shipyard, but it was judged to not be worth it. ATI's baffling production schedule has made it pointless, anyway; we'll never buy enough Starships to equal the cost of taking that place."  

— Speaker for Mankind Gabriel Tremblay.

 

AetherTech Territory

AstraTech Industries' (ATI) dominance in the asteroid belt begins with its strategically located headquarters on Ceres, the largest object in the region. The company has transformed the ancient mining tunnels into a fortified bunker, installing Gravplating, vacuum seals, and advanced life support systems. This subterranean complex serves as a secure sanctuary for ATI's board of directors, their families, and key personnel. The repurposed tunnels now resemble a self-sustaining city, with amenities and facilities catering to the needs of its elite residents. Ceres' natural resources and centralized position facilitate ATI's control over the surrounding space, allowing the gigacorp to monitor and respond to potential threats.  

Starship Glut

The acquisition of the Piazzi Shipyard, formerly the Commonwealth Clandestine Shipyard, revolutionized ATI's starship production capabilities. Leveraging the facility's nanite-based technology, ATI flooded the market with vessels, undercutting competitors and establishing itself as the premier shipbuilder in Human Space. This glut of Starships has crippled smaller manufacturers, forcing many to abandon their shipbuilding divisions or seek mergers with larger corporations. As ATI continues to saturate the market, concerns arise about the long-term sustainability of its business model. However, with its virtually unbeatable production capacity and unparalleled access to raw materials, ATI remains confident in its ability to maintain market dominance.  

Defending the Claim

Protecting the Piazzi Shipyard and its proprietary technology has become ATI's top priority. The facility's advanced cloaking and gravity lenses, inherited from its Commonwealth-era designers, provide a formidable initial defense. Supplementing these systems, ATI has deployed an extensive network of traps, mines, manned patrols, and drone squadrons to deter would-be intruders. The surrounding asteroid field has been seeded with 'smart rocks' – inertial-guided projectiles disguised as space debris – capable of intercepting and destroying unauthorized vessels. ATI's security forces, bolstered by cutting-edge surveillance and intelligence gathering, have successfully thwarted numerous attempts to infiltrate or sabotage the shipyard. This formidable defense has earned ATI a reputation as a force to be reckoned with, deterring all but the most determined foes from challenging its dominance.