On the Verge

Thalaassa, which is the system primary, is unremarkable, an F2. Overtly the two inner planets are equally unremarkable. Ino, as you can see from the schematic, is the innermost of the two. It holds a much more favorable position climactically, with median temperatures in the subtropical spread. Phorcys, in the next orbit out, is colder, but not too much so. Its distance is balanced by a very benign axial tilt of 1.3 degrees, which evens out the seasonal differences considerably and generally improves the climactic picture. The other planets in the system are worthless for colonization – either “light” bodies that couldn’t hold their atmosphere, or in the case of the heavier worlds, too cold. These two worlds were settled by a single colonization effort by the Taurean Star Republic in 2280. There was a problem when they got there, in that not everyone was going to be able to settle on the choicer of the two planets. The colonization contract stated that the colonists must divide equally between the two “target” planets, and should divide other system resources equally between them. The decision of who would colonize which world was finally decided by lottery, but the great majority of the people who wound up settling Phorcys felt that they had been cheated. Opinion divided widely on exactly by whom. The people who wound up on Ino, the Company with whom they contracted, some other unknown force – all were blamed at one point or another. You’ll understand that this sort of thing gives conspiracy theories fertile soil in which to flourish. And they did. Tensions built, and either no one in a position to intervene noticed the way things were going, or the problem was deprioritized in error. But the resultwas that within twenty years of colonization, the two planets were at war. It started small – raids and skirmishes were all either side could afford while they were building up their respective industrial bases. But soon enough they could afford to do better, as they started manufacturing their own system craft. Both of them had their eye on an additional prize.

This is Eraklion. It doesn’t look like much: small , light gravity, unsuitable for colonization at this distance from the primary because of the temperature and lack of atmosphere. But what it does have in plenty are fissionables and metal ores, both heavy and light. This planet is a prize for the planet that controls it, and Phorcys and Ino have been fighting over it for well over one hundred years. They have not yet damaged each others planets too severely, but the conflict has been escalating in that direction.

Concord Star Force briefing on the Thalaassa situation

Now that the long silence is over, and their former patron nation having been destroyed, the warring planets of Phorcys and Ino have no one to look to for support.

Nonetheless, the Concord has sent a mission to Thalaassa to attempt to bring peace to the system. Lead by the venerable stateswoman and Concord Ambassador, Lauren Delvecchio, the lull in the fighting has caused an influx of investment and industry building on both worlds. There are many on both sides who may not be interested in peace, but they cannot deny the economic benefits it seems to already be offering their worlds.

Thalaassa is an F2 star, and is orbited by:

1. Glaucus – unpopulated hot rock
2. Meliae – unpopulated hot rock
3. Ino – populated, mostly subtropical
4. Phorcys – populated, subartic, with smal (1.3 degrees) axial tilt
   • Capital city – Duma
     • Phorcyn Shipwrights, Ltd.
   • Major northern hemisphere city – Endwith
5. Eraklion – airless rock with many ores and fissionables, with mining stations from both Phorcys and Ino
6. Rhynchus – unpopulated cold rock