Primary:
Hopewell, spectral class G3V. ICN S4K0507G3V. Mass 0.98 standard. Stellar
diameter 0.958 standard. Luminosity 0.886 standard.
Planetary
System:
Nine major bodies. One Inhabited world (Grendal, II). Three gas giants, one
planetoid belt, one empty orbit (#0) in system.
II
Grendal: Mean orbital radius, 94.25 million kilometers (0.63 AU).
Period, 184.5 days... Two satellites ... Diameter, 13,715 kilometers. Density,
1.01. Mass, 1 .101 standard. Mean surface gravity, 1.0 G Rotation period: 22
hours, 58 minutes, 47 seconds. Axial Inclination, 3°17'2.6" Albedo, .45
... Surface atmospheric pressure, 1.9atm; composition, standard oxygen-nitrogen
mix, breathable without artificial assistance. Hydrographic percentage, 96%;
composition, liquid water. Mean surface temperature, 15°C.
Remarks:
Grendal was first explored, named, and settled by Dr. Charles Abercrombie, a
scientist from the Principality of
Caledon, who surveyed this region of space 750 years ago. The world was
almost ideal, Earth-like in gravity, climate and most other factors - though
with a much greater atmospheric pressure at sea level, and with far more
extensive oceans. The scientist assembled colonists from the Principality and
emigrated within two years of his original survey.
The planet is named after the world's most fearsome life form, a bipedal,
sea-dwelling amphibian christened the grendal by Abercrombie, a long time fan of
the old Earth classic, Beowulf (the capital-starport complex is named Beowulf,
in keeping with this tradition). The grendal lives in coastal waters (down to a
pressure of 6-7 atmospheres), but can also visit the surface and walk (rather
awkwardly) on land. It is a fierce and dangerous creature, massing up to 300kg
and has been known to raid colonial settlements for food (stealing livestock,
game, garbage, and unwary colonists indiscriminately). Primarily nocturnal in
its habits, the grendal has rarely been seen for more than a few minutes at a
time. Little is known about their habits or natural environment for they shun
noisy undersea craft and make short work of individual divers.
Grendals and colonists live in an uneasy balance, the grendals occasionally
raiding a settlement, the colonists shooting back as necessary, but not going
out of their way to make trouble for the creatures. This has necessarily tended
to make pelagic exploitation difficult and a few vocal groups have been arguing
for a more aggressive campaign against the grendals so that undersea farming and
mining colonies can be established. Because the land on Grendal is broken into
numerous island archipelagos, a step in this direction will be needed soon, as
population continues to expand.
Against this are set various groups opposed to violence against the grendals,
including environmentalists, conservationists, and a small minority who are
convinced that the grendals are not dumb animals at all, but actually
representatives of an intelligent amphibian species with a sophisticated
undersea civilization. Reports come in from time to time of grendals spotted
using tools, wearing small artifacts, and so forth, but these are usually not
credible - most are easily explained as the results of too much alcohol,
mistaken sightings, poor visibility or coincidence. Still, suspicions that the
grendals may be more than a savage nuisance are the source of considerable local
speculation and interest.
The Scout base on Grendal is on an island near Beowulf Down starport leased to
the IISS under a client planet agreement. The base is small, with a staff of
less than 50, but the staff xenologist is fascinated by the grendal question and
has been agitating for funds and personnel to mount a proper study of the
beasts.