Hathor

Image of Mars gratuitously stolen to represent Hathor. Thanks NASA.

Its been almost two weeks since my last post. Things are steadily moving here, but all of it is behind the scenes. Sometime this week I should receive the first 2 prototype models. Tim Barry has also been commissioned to do 3 more sculpts. Also, a lot of writing is being done for the rule book and Deep Underground scenario book. Here is a snippet from that. -Nick

     Originally called P234123, Hathor was claimed and surveyed in 2251AD by the Interstellar Science and Exploration Corporation (ISEC). Early analysis of the planet determined that the world was teaming with metal and mineral resources, had a similar gravity to Earth, and held an oxygen rich atmosphere that would be suitable for affordable terraforming. In 2260AD ISEC put P234123 up for bidding and FerrumSky acquired ownership.

     Newly named as Hathor, FeSky hired TerraArtistans to make it more suitable for colonization. In 2285AD, FerrumSky built its first micro-dome settlement, Hathor Landing and hired on numerous corporations to provide necessary services they were not set up to provide themselves. Within months Hathor Landing was bustling with activity as first wave colonists were brought in by FerrumSky, AgriCorp, SilicaShield, ArmedSecurity, and others. The first iron ore was mined, and refining and manufacturing were set up. The first harvests under the dome were made and by 2289AD the colony and atmosphere were both determined to be stable by the IC.

     The 3^rd wave of colonists was open to Steaders, and those who could afford to buy steading rights from FerrumSky were permitted to stake claims as long as they agree to a quarterly excise. The Steading program was implemented in 2294AD. Most of the earliest Steaders had a difficult time getting provisions and either perished in the desert or came crawling to one of the corporations for contract work, bringing their dreams to an early end.

     By 2297AD, additional domes were added radiating out from Hathor Landing to ramp up the iron mining operations and to provide services for the influx of new miners. Hathor was proving to be a great investment for FerrumSky and the executives of all the corporations were pleased with their profits. All was going extremely well.

     Life on Hathor was always difficult. Provisions were often rationed, some equipment took months or years to acquire or replace, and safety was not the number one priority of the corporations – profits were. The sudden burst of rapid expansion meant higher quotas, shorter deadlines, and corners being cut. After several catastrophic collapses in the mines in 2305 and 2306, one of the newer settlements, Orin, had its first settlement wide labor uprising. The miners had wanted to stop work to rescue their trapped friends and relatives, but FerrumSky executives decreed that all mines must remain active. Their compromise was that a few security officers could volunteer to oversee the mine rescue operation, but only after everyone’s work shifts were completed. With the collapses affecting quotas and deadlines, all miners were forced to commit to mandatory overtime leaving only a few hours per night to continue rescue efforts. Dozens were left entombed in rock and the grief and frustration quickly morphed into burning rage. There were no clear leaders or organized demands to the riots, just a great release of backlash violence. Massive economic damage was done to FerrumSky’s holdings and someone had to be held accountable. ArmedSecurity’s contract with FerrumSky was dissolved and BlackSquadronSecurity were brought in. Known for their ruthless execution of their duties during the Food Riots on Earth in 2198, BSS were brought in by FeSky to maintain order with an iron fist

Feel free to comment or ask about blanks you want filled in!