System
Description: Tarikkas/HubSystem
Description: Tarikkas/HubVoxbri/Hub
Voxbri, a normal F2 class star located in the trailing-coreward corner of the Hub Subsector, is an impressive specimen. Voxbri is one of the youngest recorded at an age just over 1 billion years. The Voxbri system contains two distinct belt-systems as well as 62 planets and moons.
Diameter: 1.78e6 Km
Mass: 4.179e30 Kg
The Voxbri system contains 11 planets of which none are habitable. The largest and most remarkable of the planets is the 7th, the brilliant gas giant Anstab (albedo .87 - .89). Approaching the maximum theoretical size for a planet of its type, Anstab and its 34 satellites account for more than half of the orbiting bodies in the Voxbri system. Ten of its' moons follow low, fast orbits and are extremely energetic, being constantly bombarded by micro meteors drawn in by the planets' large gravitational field. The resulting collisions provide the material that continually replenishes the famous "Dark Ring of Anstab" (albedo .01 - .02).
Orbit: 5.13e8 Km
Diameter: 1.51e5
Mass: 2.63e27 Kg
The only notable satellite of the 34 surrounding the gas giant Anstab, Tarikkas follows the most eccentric orbit. A synchronous rotation gives more than 90 percent of the population of Tarikkas a continual view of the planet disc. Normally an object at this distance from its' star would be non-viable due to low temperatures, but Tarikkas is also warmed by radiant heat from Anstab. This heating is due to the Kelvin-Helmholtz mechanism, the slow gravitational compression of the planet, and provides enough energy to sustain life on the large moon. (This interior heat causes convection deep within Anstab's liquid layers and is responsible for the complex motions we see in the cloud tops.)
Orbit: 1.07e6 Km (Nominal, .22% Eccentricity)
Diameter: 1.822e4 Km
Mass: 2.04e25 Kg
Tarikkas - UPP A-A57686 Non Industrial, Non AgriculturalStarport A Excellent Quality, Overhaul yards, Refined Fuel
Size A 10,000 Miles Diameter
Atmosphere 5 Thin
Hydrographics 70% of Surface is Water
Population 6 Millions of Inhabitants
Law Level 8 Open Possession Prohibited
Government 6 Captive Government
Physical Description
A large, cold moon ravaged by the massive gravitational pull of its' world, Tarikkas has a topography like no other body in known space. More than twenty extensive mountain ranges, with an average elevation over 50,000 meters, scar its' skin. Strong volcanic activity constantly changes the face of the moon. The oceans, covering 68% of the surface, are continually tossed by gale force winds. These winds generate over 500 hurricanes per local year and more than half reach Category 4 status. Of the 32% of the surface not covered by water, less than a tenth is actually habitable (just over 9 million square miles). Due to the thin atmosphere and enormous atmospheric pressures present in the deep rift valleys, unprotected habitation is only possible at elevations between 30 and 40 kilometers.
Flora and Fauna
Much of the native flora and fauna have never been cataloged, due simply to the difficulty of observing them in the extreme conditions of the planet surface. Notable exceptions are the Nezip, an oceangoing mammal similar to the Leviathans of Deepblue which can reach lengths of 150 meters, and the KriKri bird, famous for it's brilliant red plumage and ferociously aggressive mating rituals. Most plant life is small in size due to year-round surface wind speeds averaging almost 60 KPH. The lone standout is the Needlespore tree, which grows only on the highest peaks and may take over a century to grow above 30 cm in height. The oldest Needlespore known is over 1200 years old and is 4 meters tall and 2 meters in diameter. Its' rugged countenance and solitary existence is commonly considered symbolic of Tarikkan culture.
Economy
The Tarikkan economy is shaped by the moon's geography as much as Anstab shapes that geography. Its' main industries are Mining and Ecotourism. Tarikkas is home to 8 of the top 10 gem producing mines in the sector and is the producer of such stones as the "Mask of Kozik" and the "Star of Orissa". These mines employ almost half of the able-bodied male population. But it is the growing ecotourism business that has brought Tarikkas into the mainstream of Justicia society. The growth of the travel and hospitality sector has brought a new Class A starport (Over Paratha) and several new dirtside ports, as well as improved transportation, communication, and medical facilities. A burgeoning hydroponics industry has sprung up to reduce dependency on imports and to provide more fresh foodstuffs. Most food production has moved to indoor hydroponics farms established in abandoned mines. Tarikkas has even begun to export both hydroponics equipment and some of the more exotic native delicacies. One of the smallest segments of the Tarikkan economy, though possibly the most well known, is that of the personnel they provide to the Justicia military. Although not technically an "industry", the military is a sizeable employer of Tarikkans with an average of one in every twenty men joining the Peaceforce.
Society
In spite of some critics' observations, Tarikkan society maintains heavy traditional ties, even in the face of mounting outside pressure. The 'Ten Bands' of Tarikkan history - the Ekai, Seru, Tola, Irook, Knikom, Lintu, Da'eel, Jorma, Orto, and Tukai - still influence the planets' modern culture and government. Each of the ten largest settlements is located in the ancestral territory of one of the Ten Bands and the rest of the planet surface has been divided equally among them. Mining rights must be negotiated on a band-by-band basis, with each band exclusively providing workers for any mine within its' boundaries. Although a history of fierce clashes exists, the Bands coexist peacefully today.
Government
An appointed Director General who is advised by the Colony Council governs Tarikkas. The Council consists of two halves: the Parliament and the Merchants House. The Parliament is made up of elected representatives from each of the Ten Bands. Merchants House is comprised of the assigned representatives of the seven major mining concerns. The Director's appointment usually lasts for a term of 3 years and few remain longer than one term. Mining company employees are assigned according to corporate policies, but most are present for at least a year and several have gone on to appointment as Director General before continuing their careers elsewhere. Members of the Parliament are elected for 4-year terms and face no term-limits. As this position is considered one of great honor amongst the Bands, many representatives remain for life.
Law
Possession of any weapon outside ones' home is considered a serious offense. Each male above the traditional "Age of Passage" is allowed ownership of a single, ceremonial 'Kaga', the traditional Tarrikan blade-weapon. Laws are strictly enforced by corporate police forces in all of the port facilities, mining towns, and tourist centers. Band police are responsible for enforcing the laws in all other areas.