Orb 1

Orb 1 is one of the forward‑most orbs in the Orbstack of the starship Daban Urnud. It sits at the head of the Urnudan four‑orb stack and, by convention, houses high‑ranking Urnudans. From the Core, it is reached at the forward Nexus via a giant ball valve; a ring‑shaped catwalk circles the oculus at the top of the sphere. Inside are open water, vegetation, and built terraces with dwellings.

Notable features observed include: - A laddered bore through the ball valve leading to the oculus and catwalk - Interior pseudogravity from the Orbstack’s rotation, with water and house‑boat‑style habitation below - Armed security responding to entries at the oculus - A free‑floating central structure near the geometric center that hosts ceremonial rooms; a principal chamber is spherical with a flat circular floor, a central chair, and a surrounding ring‑shaped bench, softly lit by piped‑in sunlight - The ball valve is designed to function even against large pressure differences between its two sides; visitors have discussed this as a standing deterrent whereby Command could evacuate the Core and then open the valve to devastating effect inside the orb

Role and relationships

• Head of the Urnudan stack (Orbs 1–4) within the Orbstack
• Connected at the forward Nexus near areas used for VIP coordination among the four peoples
• Linked operationally to the surrounding Command facilities that ring the Core
• Used by the ship’s strategic leadership for formal receptions and dialog associated with the Fulcrum; the chamber at the center is where the Gan receives visitors
• Regarded aboard as the repository of the oldest and most important Urnudan command functions; its inhabitants are described as insular and rarely leave
• Access is tightly controlled; outside delegations are not typically received here, and even sympathetic guides described visits to Orb 1 as unlikely

Recent events

During a shipwide emergency precipitated by activity at the World Burner, confusion and heavy traffic were reported around the forward bearing chamber. Amid this, an entry was made through the Orb 1 ball valve. Shortly thereafter, the Everything Killers were turned on within Orb 1, described as a burst that killed living beings while sparing most structures; radiance was seen sweeping over dwellings and cultivated terraces. At the same time, a contingent from the Ringing Vale boarded the World Burner, and explosions in its propellant tanks lit that complex.

Later, in the central chamber, Gan Odru received Fraa Jad and Fraa Erasmas to open a dialog requested by Prag Eshwar; tea was offered as a symbolic courtesy. Earlier, the Warden of Heaven had been brought into this chamber in a spacesuit and removed it against advice, suffered a catastrophic internal injury, and died despite physicians’ efforts (including preparation for cold hyperbaric treatment). Researchers took samples and conducted an autopsy before the remains were returned to the surface, which further strained relations between the Fulcrum and the Pedestal.

Current status

Immediate effects inside Orb 1 were described as lethal to exposed inhabitants. The central ceremonial space has since been used for controlled, high‑level meetings, but the broader condition of the orb and its community remains unclear in available accounts.