"Nothing is ever enough for us. And nothing ever will be. There's always something that'll make us go faster."

Founding  |  BEGIN

It was in 2751 that the University of Oxford-Luton changed the aerospace world forever with the development of Microfusion Propulsion Train (MPT) technology. The effect that the MPT had on the industry was noticeably disruptive, becoming an enticing option for manufacturers not due to brute power, but because of its incredible efficiency. MPT provided power levels that were closely comparable to then-current compact propulsion systems, with the bonus of being significantly more fuel efficient when doing so. Ultra-compact spacecraft were no longer theoretical for the first time. Instead, they were practical.

Major aerospace companies rushed to incorporate MPT into their current designs, though in the rush, a new niche quietly formed. Conventional racing ships, though speedy, were big, emissions-intensive, and designed purely for interplanetary flight. MPT technology created an opening for a new generation of spacecraft that had high-performance and was capable of atmospheric flight. In essence, they were stripped-down "snub craft" were built for one thing: speed.

Sensing an opportunity, Friedrich Neumann and Crisanto Alvarez began developing a company focused on building compact MPT-powered racers. Both men came from legendary racing lineages in the solar-sailing world, making them uniquely qualified for the venture.

They originally settled in a recently vacated facility, located on the outskirts of Stuttgart. Just prior to their venture, Neumann CYN. (stylized NEUMANN), which had been run by Friedrich's grandfather, had just relocated to a new plant in Acwai, leaving the Stuttgart plant available. Equipped with a small group of engineers and a wealth of technical knowledge, they quickly made moves in their new facility, and ended up with the RS-A, their first MPT-powered racing vessel. With something to show for themselves, the team headed for the Annual Space Expo on Erios, under the name 'Vytal Incorporated'. 

The RS-A garnered widespread critical acclaim. It shattered existing atmospheric racing records, establishing Vytal as a prominent force in the scene. Eventually, their efforts would move into the wider racing stage, where they would claim race win after race win in the Argentum Championship.

Vytal continued this trend and went on to be very successful in the world of racing-sport, creating various spacecraft that took them to the top. From the era-defining RS1 platform in 2762, to the infamous RS4 platform in 2766, all the way to the unusual RS5 platform in 2768, they became a fan-favourite in the racing leagues they participated in.
However, this success would be cut short. 

Fire of Stuttgart |  FIRE

In the middle of the night, Stuttgart borne witness to the worst fire the city had ever seen. Residents could see the smoke from miles away, causing concern for many. News outlets and media would report on it immediately, soon revealing to the public that the Vytal facility in Stuttgart had burst into flames - which had unusually engulfed the whole building within minutes. An investigation declared that the cause of fire was arson.

The fire lasted four days. Firefighters, for unknown reasons, were unable to extinguish the flames properly, and could only chip away at it periodically. What was left would be bare, with factory framing left to creak in the wind and topple slowly. Offices were leveled and burnt to a crisp. The entire building was unrecognizable.

The attack had severely crippled the company. While many of their crucial documents were left unharmed in vaults, a substantial number of employees perished. Vytal directors Crisanto Álvarez and Friedrich Neumann were left to piece together the remnants.

Just weeks later, the company shuttered its doors to the public.

New Beginning |  SPACE

Crisanto and Friedrich took this as an opportunity to change their operations. The remaining team would migrate and isolate the project's operations in the Arctara region of Erios: a small, restricted and empty mountain area meant for planetary research - far from Adept. There, they would restart production quietly.

The days of proudly displaying their performance craft to the masses burned with the old factory. They remained silent, building spacecraft alone in the last place one would expect. Vytal's new approach was simple, stay quiet and keep away from trouble. They didn't want to risk another costly reset; something that would bankrupt both families. They would continue with this approach for a couple of years, secretly developing a new performance spacecraft. They eventually returned to the public eye three years later with a new model, the RS6.

Their slow comeback would spread through word of mouth, and gossip would run through the racing community. Slowly, they would reclaim their spot in the industry as a performance-craft staple.