Strewn across human space are a thousand million artifacts of man's first starfaring civilization. These objects range from amorphous lumps of plastic that defy conventional analysis to the drifting hulks of colossal starships whose mere construction seems beyond human artiface, to say nothing of the power needed to flip them between the stars.

The Interstellar Trade Commisssion established a university system to oversee the study of these relics and develop new technology. At many starports, universities can be found which conduct research on samples of first civilization technology. These institutions also perform basic research and instruction.

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Education

Universities offer basic and advanced instruction in all the skills used in PlutoCrat. A basic course of instruction costs 100,000 PlutoCrats and gives the student Novice level in the skill. An advanced course of instruction also costs 100,000 PlutoCrats, is available to anyone already at the Novice level in a skill, and advances the student toward the Journeyman level in the skill.

A course of instruction lasts six (game) months; during that time the student may not leave the system where the uiversity is located. If the student leaves the system, all progress is lost, along with the fee paid for the class.

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Research

Most universities have samples of first civilization materials entrusted to them for analysis. These analyses may be contracted out to individuals with the necessary minimum skill in the appropriate scientific discipline. These universities also perform basic scientific analyses which may be contracted out to anyone.