[TML] AWAD: Interzone

[Brad Murray]

Interzone

0506 E254888-4
Gas Giants present

Interzone is, unexpectedly, one of the oldest Solomani colonies in the
Maelstrom subsector. Its bright and perfect G3 star must have looked
very attractive from dozens of light years away and all of the
astronomical technology would certainly have pointed to the presence
of a living world in the bio zone. The story is that Interzone's
original colony wasn't even established by a jump-capable technology
but rather that s sub light generation ship made the voyage so very
long ago. Whether or not any of that is true is certainly debatable
and there's not much academic interest in resolving it. It is old,
however, and regardless of whether or not it was once established with
starfaring technology, there's none of that on Interzone now.

Interzone is well placed — it's right in the middle of the subsector
and it's close to the two major trade routes in the region. It
neigbours the Concord worlds and Imperial outposts. It could be more
than it is, but sadly Interzone really has nothing to offer that can't
be had cheaper or in greater volume elsewhere. If they already sported
at least a spacefaring technology there might be a way to establish
trade in exotics or other minerals. If they had a decent starport
there might be some trade in tourism. If someone were to find that
mythical sublight colony ship there might be a swarm of academic
interest. But there is none of that on Interzone.

Interzone is small — at only about 3000km in diameter its gravity is
barely 10% of a standard G. Nonetheless there is a thin and breathable
atmosphere her — something the populace has had to grow used to as
there is not sufficient technology to do anything but breathe it as it
is. There's not a lot of free standing water — perhaps 40% of the
planet's tiny surface — but it supports some life and the weather is
moderate in all regards. Interzone is, physically, and adequate place
to live. One wouldn't necessarily choose to stay but no would one
necessarily choose to leave.

The population, unable to emigrate with local technology and unexposed
to external traffic of any density, has grown to several hundred
million souls. They are organized in a kind of massive bureaucracy —
everything that happens on Interzone happens with a filled out form, a
wax seal, a signature in real ink, and a handshake from a real person
to boot. The law is similarly constraining — even bladed weapons are
frowned upon and open display of any weapon is unacceptable. Only the
police forces travel with visible armament and even in that case the
weapons are simply truncheons.

Not that there's much to ban — Interzone's industry has atrophied to
the point where manufacturing basic chemical firearms is the pinnacle
of the craft. You might be able to buy a good revolver, but odds are
it's a one of a kind, hand crafted by a master metalsmith and suited
to a single type of ammunition made only by his brother. What power
exists is predominantly steam driven — the technology exists for more
efficient internal combustion systems but there is no local source of
petrochemicals so these experiments are based largely on alcohol and
other bio fuels.

The populace is not stupid or ignorant, mind you. There isn't a
religious association with starfarers, for example — the people are
well aware that there is a burgeoning culture of technology and travel
out there somewhere — and they are quick enough to take advantage of
anyone that happens by.

Aspects
Just good enough to fail
Ancient roots

-- 
Brad Murray (halfjack)