captainjack23
Cosmic Mongoose
Jame Rowe said:
Mind if I take a shot at it ?
Worst places to live in the OTU
- Thread starter captainjack23
- Start date
Mind if I take a shot at it ?
captainjack23
Cosmic Mongoose
Jame Rowe said:
I got it....just have been alternating between minorly sick and majorly busy...lets see if the next few days brings a post from me on this.....
captainjack23
Cosmic Mongoose
If I've got time to argue about scale issues, I've got time to do somthing creative, by god !
......
Castaway E101789-7 G, A No bases
Perhaps one of the most isolated colonies ever founded by mankind, Castaway is aptly named, and was founded entirely by accident.
Castaway seems to be the result of a disastrously failed generation-style colonization effort. The colony, only recently located by the scout service, is on, or rather within, the sole iceball moon of a rogue gas giant/brown dwarf at least x parsecs from the nearest actual star system.
The moon is esentially a mico-Europa, with a large internal liquid water layer sustained by internal heat generated by the massive tidal forces generated by its companion. The main habitations are anchored to the bottom of the external ice layer, which is several kilometers thick. The actual surface is hard vaccume at near absolute zero. The water/ice zone covers a roughly circular area approximately 10% of the surface of the planet, and is likely the result of an early impact/meld with an ice body, possibly during planetary formation.
Little is known of the circumstances surrounding the no doubt desperate situation that necessitated the colonization of Castaway. It is clear that access to the liquid zone was obtained by impacting the asteroid based colony ship into the ice surface, hopefully after it was stripped and evacuated. Several beacons and at least one decomissioned shuttle have been found in orbits around both the primary, and Castaway, apparently in an attempt to mark their presence, as once the ice layer reformed no contact with the moon's surface was possible.
The surviving technology has been maintained at approximately TL 7, barely sufficient to support and maintain life in a subaquatic, low temperature microgravity environment.
Most technological equipment is adapted and recycled colony equiptment; almost no new production is possible due to both the environment and the resource-poor nature of the moon; nonetheless, the original colonists, who seem to have been a fraction of the original colonists and crew, did have access to a large store of prefabricated and varied high tech colonizing equipment.
Almost all other resources available are scavenged from the wreckage of the original colony ship, and it's asteroid hull. A few fusion plants are still active, along with a makeshift geothermal technology to provide heat and power to the habitations. Food is entirely based on either thermal based plant forms apparently introduced by the colonists, or vat grown protein and plants.
The habitations tend to be as self sufficient and dispersed as much as possible, but an extensive communication system and submersible transport has maintained a mostly cohesive society, likely a testament to the constant struggle to survive.
The colonists have not lost memory of their origins, nor of the outside universe; however, it appears that the impetus for the initial colonization effort was to create a hidden haven for the human race, an ethos which is still strongly in existence. Accordingly, the society is extremely exophobic and opposed to any external contact. They essentially believe that they are the last true humans in the universe, and that an unspecified "evil empire" (physically resembling humans) has eliminated earth and all other colonies.
The colony as a whole is a loosely federated Polis, with full citizen participation in important decisions; otherwise, most of the habitations are governed by a changing board of expert technologists and biologists, who are quite ruthlessly and unforgivingly tested for competence and fired for failure.
The central goal in the society is survival and efficiency, and as a result individuals are very strictly tracked and monitored by the central committees, and each other, and observation is almost ubiquitous. This has become so ingrained in the population that the concept of privacy is almost non-existent; rather, the concept of "oversight" is taken as a basic human need. This observation is seldom if ever used for political or social manipulation goals; indeed such use of "oversight" is strictly taboo. Rather it is used to safeguard individuals in a very dangerous and unforgiving environment, and to allow constant refinement of working techniques. Indeed, given the strong social restrictions on oversight as a method of supervision or control, most inhabitants are acutely uncomfortable in its absence, and are highly agoraphobic when alone.
Population levels are strictly limited and limited to replacement. Life expectency is low, and the population is as a whole fairly young. Education and training are universal, and begun at a very early age. Most individuals will be working for most of their waking hours, for most of their life.
Resources and property, as well as all production is entirely held in common, and strictly rationed and distributed on a strictly per capita basis; material goods or access to same is not used as a reward or benefit. Private ownership is limited to clothes, and, oddly, musical instruments and religous items.
Waste of resources or failure to recycle is considered a major criminal and moral offense. Interestingly, human life is also considered a scarce and perhaps the most vital resource (after power ) needed to preserve the colony (and thus the human race). Even the worst of crimes have no death sentence; however, the societies concept and implementation of "forensic resource recovery" would give even hardened criminals pause before offending.
Finally, it must be noted that the population has diverged significantly from the orinal human population, primarily due to adaptation to a constant microgravity environment. It is unclear if the colonists are aware of this divergence, and if so, what part it plays in their hermit/survivalst ethos.
The initial effect is that it is impossible for a baseline human to infiltrate their society.
Interestingly, all information suggests that the colonists are unaware of the orbital beacons which attracted the initial survey expedition; it is possible that this is the remnant of early, perhaps initial, schism in the colonist society.
The classification as an E starport is due to the scout presence on the surface. A semi permanent post has been created, as they anticipate a long, long period of study before contact, if it is ever deemed to be necessary.
The actual story behind the colonization will be posted in a while, along with some oddities, some quirks, and at least one Shameful or Terrible Secret. (and, no, it isn't cannibalism...this time)
......
Castaway E101789-7 G, A No bases
Perhaps one of the most isolated colonies ever founded by mankind, Castaway is aptly named, and was founded entirely by accident.
Castaway seems to be the result of a disastrously failed generation-style colonization effort. The colony, only recently located by the scout service, is on, or rather within, the sole iceball moon of a rogue gas giant/brown dwarf at least x parsecs from the nearest actual star system.
The moon is esentially a mico-Europa, with a large internal liquid water layer sustained by internal heat generated by the massive tidal forces generated by its companion. The main habitations are anchored to the bottom of the external ice layer, which is several kilometers thick. The actual surface is hard vaccume at near absolute zero. The water/ice zone covers a roughly circular area approximately 10% of the surface of the planet, and is likely the result of an early impact/meld with an ice body, possibly during planetary formation.
Little is known of the circumstances surrounding the no doubt desperate situation that necessitated the colonization of Castaway. It is clear that access to the liquid zone was obtained by impacting the asteroid based colony ship into the ice surface, hopefully after it was stripped and evacuated. Several beacons and at least one decomissioned shuttle have been found in orbits around both the primary, and Castaway, apparently in an attempt to mark their presence, as once the ice layer reformed no contact with the moon's surface was possible.
The surviving technology has been maintained at approximately TL 7, barely sufficient to support and maintain life in a subaquatic, low temperature microgravity environment.
Most technological equipment is adapted and recycled colony equiptment; almost no new production is possible due to both the environment and the resource-poor nature of the moon; nonetheless, the original colonists, who seem to have been a fraction of the original colonists and crew, did have access to a large store of prefabricated and varied high tech colonizing equipment.
Almost all other resources available are scavenged from the wreckage of the original colony ship, and it's asteroid hull. A few fusion plants are still active, along with a makeshift geothermal technology to provide heat and power to the habitations. Food is entirely based on either thermal based plant forms apparently introduced by the colonists, or vat grown protein and plants.
The habitations tend to be as self sufficient and dispersed as much as possible, but an extensive communication system and submersible transport has maintained a mostly cohesive society, likely a testament to the constant struggle to survive.
The colonists have not lost memory of their origins, nor of the outside universe; however, it appears that the impetus for the initial colonization effort was to create a hidden haven for the human race, an ethos which is still strongly in existence. Accordingly, the society is extremely exophobic and opposed to any external contact. They essentially believe that they are the last true humans in the universe, and that an unspecified "evil empire" (physically resembling humans) has eliminated earth and all other colonies.
The colony as a whole is a loosely federated Polis, with full citizen participation in important decisions; otherwise, most of the habitations are governed by a changing board of expert technologists and biologists, who are quite ruthlessly and unforgivingly tested for competence and fired for failure.
The central goal in the society is survival and efficiency, and as a result individuals are very strictly tracked and monitored by the central committees, and each other, and observation is almost ubiquitous. This has become so ingrained in the population that the concept of privacy is almost non-existent; rather, the concept of "oversight" is taken as a basic human need. This observation is seldom if ever used for political or social manipulation goals; indeed such use of "oversight" is strictly taboo. Rather it is used to safeguard individuals in a very dangerous and unforgiving environment, and to allow constant refinement of working techniques. Indeed, given the strong social restrictions on oversight as a method of supervision or control, most inhabitants are acutely uncomfortable in its absence, and are highly agoraphobic when alone.
Population levels are strictly limited and limited to replacement. Life expectency is low, and the population is as a whole fairly young. Education and training are universal, and begun at a very early age. Most individuals will be working for most of their waking hours, for most of their life.
Resources and property, as well as all production is entirely held in common, and strictly rationed and distributed on a strictly per capita basis; material goods or access to same is not used as a reward or benefit. Private ownership is limited to clothes, and, oddly, musical instruments and religous items.
Waste of resources or failure to recycle is considered a major criminal and moral offense. Interestingly, human life is also considered a scarce and perhaps the most vital resource (after power ) needed to preserve the colony (and thus the human race). Even the worst of crimes have no death sentence; however, the societies concept and implementation of "forensic resource recovery" would give even hardened criminals pause before offending.
Finally, it must be noted that the population has diverged significantly from the orinal human population, primarily due to adaptation to a constant microgravity environment. It is unclear if the colonists are aware of this divergence, and if so, what part it plays in their hermit/survivalst ethos.
The initial effect is that it is impossible for a baseline human to infiltrate their society.
Interestingly, all information suggests that the colonists are unaware of the orbital beacons which attracted the initial survey expedition; it is possible that this is the remnant of early, perhaps initial, schism in the colonist society.
The classification as an E starport is due to the scout presence on the surface. A semi permanent post has been created, as they anticipate a long, long period of study before contact, if it is ever deemed to be necessary.
The actual story behind the colonization will be posted in a while, along with some oddities, some quirks, and at least one Shameful or Terrible Secret. (and, no, it isn't cannibalism...this time)
captainjack23
Cosmic Mongoose
Golan2072 said:
Good call. yes. The quick version is that it was an almost finished but decomissioned old pre-jump colony ship (similar to those used colonizing the islands cluster) pressed into service toward the end of the third war -the one where earth was bombarded. Given that it was apparent that earth was only saved by events over which they had no control (ie sheer luck), the prevailing view was very pessimistic about the wars final resolution.
At some point during either the trip or the colonization, the pessimism hardened into certainty - they may not have forgotten their origins, but they have distorted them somewhat.
The disaster that caused the colony to be founded was a direct result of the speed at which the expedition was organized, equipped, and sent out in a recently and rapidly de-mothballed ship.
jonboywalton
Mongoose
Jame Rowe said:
Funny - the first thing I thought of when I saw the good Captain's nom de plume was Marcus and Stephen's contact on their trip to Mars colony.
The second thing was the Billy Joel song. But now I'm dating myself...
captainjack23
Cosmic Mongoose
jonboywalton said:
Wow.....I'll be double dog dashed....that is obscure !....not the actual source, but the best reference yet....unfortunately, I'm not in a position to "take you to your special island..."
captainjack23
Cosmic Mongoose
Jame Rowe said:You date yourself?!? Ewwww!:twisted: :roll:
We are all gamers here, after all...... :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Jame Rowe said:jonboywalton said:
You date yourself?!? Ewwww!
Anyways, you are, 'cause I don't remember hearing about what you mentioned. (Even though it may well be faulty memory.)
Some kids in a local HS distributed shirts reminding that "Self-sex is safe sex!"
As to the song, which is it?
captainjack23
Cosmic Mongoose
AKAramis said:
"Captain Jack" by Billy Joel - I think it was on "cold spring harbor".....I know it was on a "obscure songs reissue" type collection LP.
"and captain Jack will get you high tonight
and take you to your special island
just a little push and you'll be smiling"
IIRC......
captainjack23 said:
Billy Joel's greatest hits 1 and 2 I believe. Two record/tape/cd set.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greatest_Hits_(Billy_Joel_albums)
And I have it on Tape and CD, also on my MP3 player
James / Nezeray
jonboywalton
Mongoose
AKAramis said:
I should order a few of those for the next local church fête.
AKAramis said:
Why "Captain Jack", of course. It's the last track on the Piano Man album (Billy Joel's second album). It's famous for the line, "Your sister's gone out, she's on a date / You just sit at home and masturbate." It also includes references to drug-use, patricide and nose-picking.
Ah, the seventies...
captainjack23
Cosmic Mongoose
While my huge and bloated ego is quite tickled by my nom'de net being discussed again, is anyone going to add more writeups on horrible UWPs they have known ???????
M. Lydius Of Phoga
Mongoose
Your free-flowing imagination is truly inspiring, Captain. We Hivers know a gifted storyteller.
OK, this isn't from the OTU, but is one of the worst places to live in MTU (an alternate Reaver's Deep sector generated using MGT rules.)
Miigu CAB3230-9 Fl Lo A 711 Im G0 V M7 V M9 V
With Miigu's crushing gravity, corrosive atmosphere, and roasting climate, inhospitable doesn't even begin to describe the surface of the planet. The ocean of sulfuric acid is just icing on the cake. The pressure cooker surface conditions do produce a variety of exotic chemical compounds rarely found elsewhere.
The original colony was founded to extract and process these compounds, but the highport was destroyed in one of the many conflicts that swept the area and the remaining colonists were completely isolated. By the time the Third Imperium expanded it's borders to include Miigu, only one habitation dome remained in working order on the surface, adding overcrowding to the woes of the inhabitants.
About a century ago, the highport was rebuilt by a private corporation owned by the Kurmukii family. Miigu became an important fuelling stop on one of the major freight lines feeding the imperial frontier and the Kurmukii family has profitted immensely. This family now lives in a huge private station in orbit over Miigu. They essentially own and operate every commercial enterprise in the system, although they don't bother enforcing any kind of legal system. Meanwhile, the only residents remaining on the surface are either too poor to leave or have some reason to disappear pressing enough that they will brave the hellish conditions.
Miigu CAB3230-9 Fl Lo A 711 Im G0 V M7 V M9 V
With Miigu's crushing gravity, corrosive atmosphere, and roasting climate, inhospitable doesn't even begin to describe the surface of the planet. The ocean of sulfuric acid is just icing on the cake. The pressure cooker surface conditions do produce a variety of exotic chemical compounds rarely found elsewhere.
The original colony was founded to extract and process these compounds, but the highport was destroyed in one of the many conflicts that swept the area and the remaining colonists were completely isolated. By the time the Third Imperium expanded it's borders to include Miigu, only one habitation dome remained in working order on the surface, adding overcrowding to the woes of the inhabitants.
About a century ago, the highport was rebuilt by a private corporation owned by the Kurmukii family. Miigu became an important fuelling stop on one of the major freight lines feeding the imperial frontier and the Kurmukii family has profitted immensely. This family now lives in a huge private station in orbit over Miigu. They essentially own and operate every commercial enterprise in the system, although they don't bother enforcing any kind of legal system. Meanwhile, the only residents remaining on the surface are either too poor to leave or have some reason to disappear pressing enough that they will brave the hellish conditions.
Rikki Tikki Traveller
Cosmic Mongoose
Nice write-up.
Most of the time, when I see a low population, I think "Research" or "Small Mine". Having it be a "failing colony" with a LONG history is a nice touch.
Most of the time, when I see a low population, I think "Research" or "Small Mine". Having it be a "failing colony" with a LONG history is a nice touch.
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