Oh, it's the same one. Basically a loose trading federation of the Japanese colonies settled in the First Diaspora (ca. 2005-2025). The Crown Colony Commonwealth in the Vega sector is a similar sort of thing, but with British colonies. I just sometimes forget what ought to be in between "Greater" and "Co-Prosperity Sphere". Or, if you'd prefer a more elegant in-universe explanation, the bureaucrats change it occasionally after some local politician irritably points out that at least one of the colonies isn't in the Rigel sector, then change it back when the fuss blows over. :)

>>Though the instant international stardom she
>>was promised by Ziggurat failed to appear, she kept her job at the
>>department store as a fallback while she worked on building her
>>entertainment career by degrees.
>
>But knowing who owns Ziggurat, not on their dime, I would imagine.

No, indeed, they dropped the whole project when the expected results didn't appear instantly. Somebody over there is going to be mightily annoyed that they didn't make a bit more of an effort, or at least put some cheapass future-success hooks in the contract, if and when she makes that triumphant rock 'n roll comeback...

--G.
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Benjamin D. Hutchins, Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & Forum Admin
Eyrie Productions, Unlimited http://www.eyrie-productions.com/
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.