I see. It sounds like a word someone invented to explain all the things that are not easily defined in simple, logical ways.

[ which certainly would explain why it wasn't something that had survived on into his time. all they have in the galactic alliance are simple, logical terms because anything less is terribly inefficient, and that just doesn't fly. it's not something that he would hold against her, though, as she's clearly done her best to explain a nebulous concept to a stranger. ]

Outside this structure, there is still breathable air and gravity. I imagine things operate in the same way on Avalon, although I have never seen it for myself. Avalon is humanity's homeland in deep space, but for that reason, everything must always be constructed with precautions taken for the event of sudden vacuum or radiation exposure. I have not observed anything like that here, and more than that, I cannot imagine the resources required to maintain a ship or a station of this size.