Mercurius
| Mercurius | |
|---|---|
| Astrographical | |
| Region | Outer Rim |
| Sector | Cadrel Expanse |
| System | Vectain system |
| Suns | 2: Vectain Prime, Nicephorian |
| Moons | None |
| Orbital Distance | 0.94 AUs |
| Physical | |
| Diameter | 37,744 km |
| Planetary class | Terrestrial |
| Atmosphere | Type I |
| Gravity | Light Standard (0.88 of Standard) |
| Climate | Temperate |
| Primary terrain | Jungles, Prairies, Mountains |
| Length of Day | 25 Standard Hours |
| Length of Year | 324 Standard Days |
| Societal | |
| Population | 209,020 |
| Native species | None |
| Immigrated species | Humans, others |
| Official language | Basic |
| Government | New Republic |
| Affiliation | New Republic |
| Exports | None |
| Import | Construction materials, equipment, supplies |
A gigantic terrestrial world, Mercurius is the cradle of civilization in the Vectain system, indeed, in the entire Expanse. A temperate climate prevails over much of the world. Waters cover only 40% of the surface, the rest of the land-giving rise to lush jungles, open prairies, and gently sloping hillsides. Untouched by man, it is somewhat amazing that even the atmosphere proves breathable to the majority of humanoid life forms. Gravity slightly lower than standard prevails, giving quick movement. It is thus not surprising that the world has given birth to many forms of life. Birdlike creatures roam the air, mammalians and reptilians cover the ground, and creatures prowl the depths of the oceans. Reptilian species seem to be dominating on Mercurius, and one sociologist claims to have evidence of audible communication between members of one of the species. His claims that sentient life may exist on Mercurius have been largely ignored, due to the fact that the Vectain system has previously been so remote as to be unheard of to even the most dedicated cartographer. As more scientists come to study the planet's ecology, further discoveries are expected.
Mercurius was captured by the Rebel Squadrons in the first Outer Rim War and was immediately colonized and declared the "second world" of the fleet and the capital world of the whole Cadrel Expanse. The RS quickly built a Command Fortress on a plateau on the southern continent that was dubbed the "Green Prairie." Civilians were encouraged to settle on the planet as well, and surprisingly many took the offer. Although the civilian colony near the Command Fortress began with only around 5,000 settlers, in subsequent years it has since grown exponentially. There is now a bustling city in the plains around the Command Fortress, driven by a combination of agriculture and trade with the military facility. Mercurius is protected by two orbiting defense platforms and is the center of RS operations in the Cadrel Expanse.
Primary Military Facilities
- Command Fortress (located on a plateau of the Green Prairie, southern continent)
- Planetside Starport (located 10 kilometers north of the Command Fortress)
- Golan III Space Defense NovaGun New World
- Golan III Space Defense NovaGun Justification
Primary Civilian Facilities
- Civilian Colony (growing up at the base of the Command Fortress plateau, southern continent)
- Scientific Observation Posts (scattered deep within the jungles of all the continents)
