[TML] AWAD: Pander

[Brad Murray]

Pander

0603 C57A204-B
Gas Giants present
Imperial Scout base present

Pander is a rare independent success story. Like Sprechenhaltestelle,
it is close to the Concord worlds and has a sophisticated local
culture and industry. It trades heavily with all the worlds in the
region and has held its position as an Imperial X-boat node despite
never having had an Imperial Duke present in the system and never
swearing fealty in any other fashion. In fact it's not entirely clear
how Pander has stayed viable without allying itself, but there is no
denying that it has. It's almost certain that the ancient and
brillliant negotiation that secured its position as a critical and
reliable node between the two Imperial Overwatch worlds is the source
of its leverage. Some believe, however, that the current efforts of
the Imperium at Falter are a threat to that position, but if there is
a danger there it's many years away.

Pander orbits a gas giant in the bio zone of a powerful blue K class
star, and this multicoloured giant fills its sky day and night
providing a dull orange glow even when the sun has completely set.
Well, for half the planet, anyway — Pander is tidally locked to its
giant, so the other half of the planet never sees it. The difference
in energy — the hemisphere facing the giant receives a great deal of
energy in heat and other radiation — drives a vigorous weather system
that can make life extremely interesting everywhere but the East and
West Poles — the point directly under the giant and the point directly
opposite.

Pander is big for a moon but small for a planet. At 8000km in diameter
it sustains about 60% of a standard gravity and a standard pressure
atmosphere. The atmosphere is not perfect mind you — it's certainly
rich in oxygen but it's also rich in local organics and it is wise to
filter them. While they are not toxic, a substantial percentage of
humans experience an unpleasant allergic reaction and some die
immediately of anaphylactic shock. Travellers are advised to wear
filters until they can have themselves tested by local medical
officials.

The oceans of Pander cover its surface completely and shallowly which
both eases and complicates life for the locals. On the Giantside most
building are maintained underwater with some protruding facilities in
order to avoid the excess of radiation from the giant. On the Skyside
(so called because even when the sun is in the sky Giantside, it's
frequently occluded by the giant anyway) structures have their
foundations underwater but almost all of the occupied space is above
water. Pander orbits the giant once every 74 hours, so Skyside days
and nights are 37 hours long. The oceans teem with local and imported
wildlife and are a rich source of food and industrial materials.

The population of Pander has never been more than a thousand or so
people and there is no official organization or leadership — in fact
the highest level of organization is the extended family and most
units are smaller than that. Families ply their trade in established
and heavily automated factories or in huge grav schooners for reaping
the benefits of an aquaculture that vastly dwarfs the needs of the
tiny population. The world is consequently one of hard work yet vast
excess — everyone on Pander is rich by any measure, and they maintain
a starfaring industry if not a starfaring culture.

The starport is an adequate facility but it is not manned by locals
who prefer their castles in the sea. Rather it is staffed by TAS
personnel and other off worlders who are considering establishing
their own stake on Pander. Nonetheless it is supplied by two Pander
families and is fully capable of repairing, maintaining, refuelling,
and even constructing large spacecraft.

While there is no government per se, all of the families have a fairly
similar outlook on reasonable behaviour and will individually or
automatically ensure that the peace is kept. Waving around assault
weapons would be unwise, but most lesser weaponry would be ignored.

An ISS base has existed in the Pander system for ages though no real
efforts have been put forth to recruit Pander into the Pax Imperium.
The base is largely there for scientific purposes — monitoring the
local wildlife and the unusual astronomy of the region. It's fair to
say that the ISS base also occasionally loses staff to the Pander
culture but this is not considered a problem by the Imperium — a
steady influx of Vilani into the Pander culture may one day sway it
towards Imperial rule.

Aspects
Each man a king
One sea under two skies

-- 
Brad Murray (halfjack)