Fiction:Terra Incognita

Accel Space(also called the Gulf) is what appears to be another dimension(this is questionable though) that the access as a means of faster than light travel. This means that they are unaffected by anti-hyperspace measures, but can make no use of such measures themselves.

Properties
Accel Space is an alternate dimension overlapping Real Space composed of "special data". Gateways between this dimension and real space are created when the element has intense levels of ionizing radiation streamed through it altering the waves into ones that cause the ship to slip through the gate. Accel space makes FTL possible because, simply put, it is a dimension of nonsense, "nothing is what it is because everything is what it isn't, and contrary wise what it is it isn't and what it isn't it is." This paradox means that laws of physics both apply and don't allowing a ship to travel well beyond light speed and yet still be limited in the speed it can travel.

When an object enters Accel Space it generates what is called the Closed Circle Effect. What this means is that the ship ends up existing in it's own separate, isolated reality. In this reality the reprogramming cause by unstable stellarite wavelengths is applied to allow FTL. Due to being isolated objects in a closed circle cannot be tracked or affected by other objects from real space or accel space. However communication can still be sent due to something called a Super Stream, which is a stream of alter Special Data that allows energy waves to be transferred between Closed Circles.

Accel Space itself naturally resembles a flat, gloomy plan with a rippling, reflective surface filled with random objects amd balls of multicolored flame. Ships of different races and factions generate their own unique color of flame when entering Accel Space. For example Persan are crimson, Scelus are black, Zangreal were white, and Persacron were silver. A ship also generates massive bursts of these flames when entering a leaving Accel Space often making a ship that's made the jump from Real to Accel Space appear to have exploded.

When the Special Data of Accel Space interacts with matter from Real Space an interesting effect is observed. The Data attempts to impose its own nonsensical and paradoxical existence on the real space matter it interacts with warping and destroying both the data and matter in question. This results in mutual annihilation of both, producing vast amounts of energy. The reason ships and torpedoes with an Accel Drive can travel through Accel Space and not be destroyed is because the wave length give off by unstable Stellarite tricks the Data into observing the ships mass as Accel Space Special Data as well.

For some unknown reason being exposed to sensory input from Accel Space can cause neural damage to those who who do not posses they same connection with it UPD species natural develop. This can be anywhere from a painful headache to full on brain damage and possibly death depending on the amount of exposure and how much Accel Space exposure they have previously had (repeated, diluted exposure builds a resistance). No one knows exactly why this is, but in may have something to do with the paradoxical nature of Accel Space. Simply not looking at Accel Space will protect most species just fine from these effects. For this reason the Persan create lounges in their craft that give their allies an environment filled with visual and audio sensory input from their culture to keep them comfortable and safe.

Accel Drives
The UPD make use of a unique type of FTL called Accel Drive. This Accel works by using a form of the element Stellarite called Accel Stellarite to enter Accel Space allowing it to travel well past the speed of light, matching most Hyper Space based drive systems with relative ease.

Accel Stabilizers
Accel Stabilizers are stable passages through Accel Space from one point in Real Space to another. Vanara Worldships each have their own personal Accel Stabilizer as well as their temporary colonies have one allowing easy access in case of a crisis.

Accel Space Transmitters
Accel Space Transmitters are devices that allow messages to be sent via Accel Space, by way of the Super Stream affect, to another closed Transmitter. Personal ones are implanted into the users ear and grow into the brain, while much larger ones are put in ships and vehicles for communication with them.

Sensors
UPD sensors work by sending radar waves through a piece of Accel Stellarite. The result is a radar that moves through Accel Space and Real Space simultaneously giving it much greater range than it would normally have. Also it allows the UPD ships to detect a maneuver around celestial bodies with significant enough gravity to slow them while in or drop them from Accel Space while traveling through it.

Quotes
"We as of yet, do not fully understand this place, if it is such a thing at all, all we know is that is beyond bizarre and that we have a unique connection to it. One of the many mysterious of my kind I intend to solve."
 * Add your own

- Vanara Empress Zuki

"Eh. I may have to stay clear of it. Or maybe not."

- Xza'ran

Trivia

 * Theme For Accel Space - Another Dimension
 * Accel Space's appearance is based off the Abyss from Pandora Hearts.