The Arcturus System:Planets: Twelve
Description: The Arcturus System represents the fringe of colonized space. This territory marks the edge of the Outer Rim of the Federation and serves as the border between known space and unknown space dubbed the Copernican Verge. The Arcturus System is multi-star system, specifically, a binary star system meaning that there are two stars instead of one. Each of the twelve planets thus revolve around these two stars. The primary star, is the orange star, while the secondary star is the blue star. Of the twelve planets in the system, three are inhabited by humans, but only two can be regarded as colonized. These three planets lie in the first six planets group, with the second six still being surveyed by Federation explorer crews.
Arcturus has had various etymological meanings including the "Star of Joy," in Polynesian tongues, and "the uplifted one of the lancer," and "keeper of heaven" in Arabic. Prehistoric Earth Polynesian navigators knew Arcturus as HÅkÅĢleĘģa, the "Star of Joy". Arcturus was the zenith star of the Hawaiian Islands. Using HÅkÅĢleĘģa and other stars, the Polynesians launched their double-hulled canoes from Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands. Traveling east and north they eventually crossed the equator and reached the latitude at which Arcturus would appear directly overhead in the summer night sky.
New Sidney: Description: The third planet orbiting the binary stars of the Arcturus System. New Sidney was named after the great Earth metropolitan city of Sidney, Australia, which coincidentally was a coastal city on a mainly desert continent. It is an arid desert planet with a large connected ocean covering 34% of the planet. Sprawling deserts, mountains, canyons, and natural rock formations are characteristic of New Sidney. This planet is sparsely populated due to the planet's harsh climate and weather, but the Federation maintains an array of orbital defensive systems to protect the planet from hostile naval forces.
The sandstorms characteristic of New Sidney are a deadly natural force that have caused much destruction from time to time, and have set back efforts at fully colonizing and urbanizing the planet. However, criminal groups find the planet appealing because they can seek refuge in the planet's natural hideouts. Federation intelligence has marked New Sidney as a possible base of operations for Lord Liberty, who remains at the top of their most wanted list. However, aside from the Insurgency, other criminal activities such as weapon and drug smuggling, and money laundering have been reported. The planet is also known for its rich mineral resources, and thus has a large economy that revolves around the mining and refining of such natural resources. Due to its lax corporate income tax laws, the planet has become a corporate haven with many major corporations such as Tritel Incorporated, and Liong Kang Group, establishing corporate headquarters on the planet. Either way, with the presence of the F.S.S. Salient, and to an extent the Federation, New Sidney may find itself at the pivotal point of the conflict.
Atmosphere: Composed of a variety of gases similar to Earth thus allowing humans to breathe
Climate/Weather: Hot. Frequently subject to large sandstorms due to being a desert planet.
Population: Eight million people dispersed throughout six large metropolitan centers located near the interconnected ocean.
Capital: Areca - 1.8 million
Atmos - 1.2 million (credit to Mr. Baneling Squishy)
{The following cities remain to be named. In the event that the plot takes us to these locations, feel free to add a suggestion. It's a toss up for anyone.}
City 3 - 1 million
City 4 - 1.7 million
City 5 - 1.3 million
City 6 - 1 million
Trangelis: Description: The fourth planet orbiting the binary stars of the Arcturus System. Temperate planet with characteristics similar to Earth. Ocean covers approximately 69% of the planet. Not fully colonized by fringe world standards, this planet maintains the largest Federation influence in the system. Trangelis is by far the more industrialized and urbanized than the other Federation colony in the system, New Sidney. One of the seedier places in the system, perhaps the only seedier place in the system by far compared to New Sidney, Trangelis is a hive of activity. It is a monument to progress, with its sprawling metropolitan civilization centers that are marked by spiraling skyscrapers, and a sky filled with endless personal craft buzzing from point to point in the city. The night life is bright and dazzling, filled with clubs and hangouts that are directed to by glowing street signs. Holographic advertisements float throughout the city, projecting the latest product, or sensation. Each city on Trangelis is a star port hub and serves as a center for ship building industries, as well as commerce, with merchants arriving daily from the Inner and Middle Rims, bringing the latest material good. From high above in the skyscrapers, city governors and CEOs peer through the stainless plexi glass windows while shaking hands in the name of advancement.
Of course, the pace of progress advances rapidly and often leaves behind some stones un-turned. Despite the outward appearance of the majestic megalopolises of Trangelis, the city undergrounds and lower streets of the old days remain an ever-existent story of man's origins in the primordial slime. The cities' lower streets, also known as the "Old Cities" are the sections of the metropolises that have been left to decay instead of repair. Though Trangelis maintains security presence with the Peacekeeper Corps, these sectors are dominated by the dregs of society. The lower sort, living in a lower rung, is poetically fitting. Fugitives, bandits, mercenaries, rogues, cyborgs, pirates, and other criminals hang in these parts. They make the law in these lower echelons.
Atmosphere: Composed of a variety of gases similar to Earth thus allowing humans to breathe
Climate: Varies from region to region. Polar zones receive the least heat, unlike the equatorial regions which receive the most. Characteristics similar to earth.
Population: 1.57 billion people
Capital: Syntere
Cities: {If we ever reach other cities, feel free to pitch ideas.}
GX-871A: Description: The sixth planet orbiting the binary stars of the Arcturus System. It is named according to the Federation archived, and legally serves as the farthest point of colonized space, thus technically representing the farthest point of Federation space. GX-871A is orbited by two moons which reflect the suns' light, thus bathing the planet in various lights during the day. GX-871A is a voluptuous jungle planet with ocean covering 58% of the planet as well as various old monoliths. The plant is currently undergoing exploration to prepare for colonization and settlement. The planet is still being discovered, as are the other two colonized planets in the system. Multiple scientific research stations and reserves have been established on the planet by both the Federation and independent groups seeking to explore the planet. These research stations are equipped with most necessities for human habitation, therefore allowing the scientists to be in a comfortable environment while continuing their work. Daily shipments from Trangelis supply these outposts with supplies such as food, water, and equipment to keep them functioning. Outposts are self-powered, mainly through the use of fusion plants at each laboratory. Outside of these forward points of human settlement, is a sprawling jungle of vines and towering trees that obscure the land. Biologists remark at the intense biological diversity found on the planet in its mainly jungle ecosystems.
Atmosphere: Composed of a variety of gases that are breathable by humans.
Climate/Weather: Humid, subject to torrential rains and monsoons.
Capital: None.
Iridosis Station: Description: Iridosis station is the largest station in the Arcturus. It holds its orbit around New Sidney, serving as a checkpoint for merchant freighters from Trangelis and other worlds heading to New Sidney. The station originally began as an outpost established as a forward point of human settlement in the Arcturus System, and since then has remained a fount for continued colonization. Had it not been for the station, New Sidney perhaps might not have been colonized at all. The station slowly evolved over time from an exploration marker to a metropolitan city in space. The station has many hangars and entry points for smaller vessels, as well as outstretched repair stations for larger vessels. Inside the station, is a sprawling city of sorts, with a level for commerce and trade, a level for administration and security, a level for entertainment, and a level for habitation. The latter two levels were created to accommodate the growing population of Iridosis Station, as Federation officials and authorized traders became a minority group of the population.
Despite this, the Station is protected by point defense turrets mounted throughout its exterior towers. It also holds three militia fighter squadrons, manpower, material, and money contributed to by both New Sidney and Trangelis. Inside the station, Federation Security and Peacekeeper Corps units maintain the peace by policing the massive corridor network that is vertically and horizontally spreading. The station takes some credit for aiding the large economic boom of New Sidney in recent years, with the discovery of large mineral reserves on the planet, traders and refiners have come to the planet through Iridosis Station seeking the wealth.
Population: 4 million people