The 73 Garden Worlds closest to Earth are often referred to as the Union Core. It is in this region of space, some 300 light-years in diameter, that the highest Union tech levels are found. The Union Core is also the safest region of the Galaxy.

Member Worlds: 73

Volume: 70682 cubic light-years

Population: 1.3 trillion

Earth and Niryss are the dual capitals of the Union. They are in constant communication via the Union's largest synchronized Kassenburg Radio arrays. Both worlds are considered equally important, but the natives of each seem to regard their homeworld as greater, or more significant than the other. The Niryss, with their constantly shifting memetic fashions, tend to fluctuate in this matter, as in all else.

The Core surrounds several smaller independent worlds and lesser intersteller states, the Ondai Stars and Greelspace among them. Care is taken to constantly picket these lesser nations, lest their internal conflicts spill over into Union space, or fugitives from the Union seek asylum within their borders. While it is generally true that the Union Core is at a higher level of development than the so-called Core States, one of them, Nishai actually has highly advanced technological might; they are capable of constructing Stargates.