Primary:
Luguun, spectral class G1V. ICN S4K0603G1V. Mass 1.02 standard. Stellar diameter
1.01 standard. Luminosity 1.10 standard.
Planetary
System:
Six major bodies. One Inhabited world (Kaaniir, II). Three gas giants, two
planetoid belts In system.
II
Kaaniir: Mean orbital radius, 130.86 million kilometers (0.87 AU).
Period, 293.47 days ... One satellite ... Diameter, 9,789 kilometers. Density,
0.97. Mass, 0.409 standard. Mean surface gravity, 0.73 G, Rotation period: 19
hours, 41 minutes, 58 seconds. Axial Inclination, 12°18'1.3" Albedo, .44
... Surface atmospheric pressure, 2.0atm; composition, standard oxygen-nitrogen
mix, breathable without artificial assistance. Hydrographic percentage, 81%,
composition, liquid water and water-ice. Mean surface temperature, 10°C.
Remarks:
Kaaniir is a very pleasant world circling a yellow sun just beyond the
boundaries of the Imperium. Somewhat cooler than Terra
(Solomani Rim 1827) or Vland (Vland 1717), the world's main habitation is
concentrated in the warm temperate band around the equator. This region is ideal
for agricultural production, and agriculture is the primary basis of the Kaaniir
colony.
The world, though outside the Imperium, is owned
and operated by the Imperial megacorporation Makhidkarun;
the corporate giant's gourmet foods division has developed the colony into a
series of large plantations where various types of agricultural delicacies are
grown for export into the Imperium. Major products of the colony include some
very fine wines (any Kaaniir vintage is highly prized by connoisseurs, and most
average 1-1/2 to 2 times the basic price of less exalted vintings), plus a
mutated form of an ancient and very famous Terrestrial coffee, Jamaica Blue
Mountain. The Blue Mountain Label coffee grown on Kaaniir fetches prices of up
to Cr50 per kilogram, and is a popular trade item. These are only two of the
more famous products grown on Kaaniir - many different fruits, vegetables, meat
animals and other rare gourmet foods are raised and processed on the planet as
well.
Makhidkarun enjoys a complete monopoly over Kaaniir foodstuffs; the Planetary
Manager of the world is also the head of the planet's government (what there is
of it). Little actual control is exercised over the populace; there are company
regulations (welI-enforced), but few laws. This makes for some interesting
cultural variations; for example, murder is not a crime, but the man who kilIs a
worker is required to see to it that the dead worker's production quotas are met
for the remainder of the man's expected working life. This can be done by
working double shifts, by paying a fixed sum to offset the quota, by indenturing
a family member or by sponsoring an offworld immigrant. justice is completely
subordinated to corporate efficiency.
Though wages are good and regulations not unnecessarily harsh, many workers are
dissatisfied with their lot. Kaaniir is run along the time-honored principles of
a 'company town' - with the corporation providing all services, and charging
those against the pay credited to the workers; it is rare for an employee to
save enough to buy himself free and leave the planet. Organized protest has not
been a factor on Kaaniir yet, but attempts to stow away, hijack visiting
freighters, or otherwise escape the planet covertly, do take place on an
individual or small group level.
Makhidkarun does not own ships to service the colony directly; charters to
independents and shipping companies are granted, instead. The charter contracts
places ship crews under company regulations while on Kaaniir, making them
subject to penalties for interference in production, whether through injury to
or murder off, a worker, or through assisting - knowingly or not - in an escape
attempt.
The Imperium maintains a Scout base in planetary orbit, which serves primarily
as a connecting link to the Cassandra
Belt (Reavers' Deep 1924) and the naval base at Outpost
(Reavers' Deep 1926).