Primary:
Thalen,
spectral class A8V. ICN S4G0705A8V. Mass, 1.94 standard. Stellar diameter, 1.76
standard. Luminosity, 12.84 standard.
Planetary System:
Eleven
major bodies. One inhabited world (Kurat, VIII). Three gas giants in system. One
planetoid belt in system.
VIII Kurat:
Mean
orbital radius, 1615.68 million kilometers (10.8 AU). Period, 9307.3 days (25.48
years). Two satellites. Diameter 16728 kilometers. Density, 1.02. Mass, 1.99
standard. Mean surface gravity, 1.27 G. Rotation period: 20 hours, 44 minutes,
31 seconds. Axial inclination 18°44'8.8". Albedo, 0.64. Surface
atmospheric pressure, 3.0 atm. Composition, methane-ammonia mix, an irritant
atmosphere requiring both an oxygen supply and full-body protective clothing.
Hydrographic percentage, 75%; composition, liquid ammonia and frozen ammonia
ice. Mean surface temperature, -141°C.
Remarks:
Kurat
is one of the two remaining territories subject to the Kolan
Hegemony. The world is far from pleasant for humans, having been settled
originally by Reavers who saw the planet as an
excellent hiding place for ships in need of repairs between raids. It was
reasoned that such a hostile environment would be unlikely to be considered by
searching naval forces.
When the Reaver warlords of Kolath (Reavers'
Deep 2313) moved from raiding to empire-building, Kurat was incorporated early
on, and remained part of the Hegemony when Kolath became an autonomous member of
the Third Imperium. The original purpose of the
world was long abandoned; the populace now turned their attentions to mining,
light industry, and the like, rather than supporting raiders. Unlike Mer
(Reavers' Deep 2414) and Gerim (Reavers'
Deep 2416), both of which were eventually separated from the Hegemony and
directly incorporated into the Imperium, Kurat had nothing much to offer the
empire, and so was left alone.
The colonial government installed by Kolath on Kurat has absolute control over
the populace. The environment is extremely hostile; with a very high atmospheric
pressure, an irritant methane-ammonia "exotic" atmosphere, and an
average surface temperature of -141°C, life on Kurat goes on strictly at the
whim of the powers that be. A particularly ruthless governor, confronted with
rioting and unrest, once made an example of an entire colony dome by shutting
down the life support systems. Over 1,000 people were killed, and the riots
ended promptly. The current administration, luckily, is less harsh, and
restrictions have been greatly eased.
There is still discontent however; local "patriots" have engaged in
periodic acts of sabotage and defiance, taking advantage of the relatively
benign colonial government. To succeed in their schemes for liberation, however,
they must first find a way to take out the threat of a life support shutdown.
It is rumored that the Imperium is giving covert support to these activities, so
that the Hegemony may be dismembered and absorbed without direct confrontation.