Galactic Guide: Pallas System (Hui sen Th.us’ūng)
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This Galactic Guide originally appeared in Jump Point 5.7.
The Pallas System (Hui sen Th.us’ūng) is best known as the location of first contact between Humans and the Xi’an. This unusual first encounter, which resulted in 276 Humans being taken captive by the Xi’an, is well known, but its aftermath much less understood. The crisis also set the stage for the cold war and sowed the seeds of distrust between the species for centuries to come.
Unhinged Expansion
In the early 26th century, Humanity was consumed with the prospect of discovery and expansion. Advances in scanning technology made its components much more accessible while innovators worked to refine terraforming processes, both of which led to an explosion of would-be explorers looking for the next undiscovered territory.
Humanity’s rapid expansion into numerous new systems created a problem of governance. The United Nations of Earth (UNE) realized that it wasn’t built to govern a multi-system expanse. This realization ultimately led to the formation of a new government to reflect the new landscape of Humanity’s territory: the United Planets of Earth (UPE).
A myriad reforms accompanied this name change. A governing tribunal consisting of a High-Secretary, High-General, and High-Advocate was created, plus new rules and regulations were implemented to manage Humanity’s further expansion out to the stars. While many companies recognized and respected these new laws, others ignored them, particularly when lucrative terraforming rights hung in the balance. One such company, Gaia Planet Services, became the most infamous example of the latter.
In 2530, a navjumper named Kathryn Segovia discovered the Pallas System through Baker and decided to auction off the nav point. She cared nothing for the fame, but craved the fortune. Her preliminary scans indicated the system had mineral-rich locations and one potentially habitable planet, so she lined up bids from those who would pay the most for access — mining and terraforming conglomerates.
Corporate Malfeasance
Gaia Planet Services won the bid and raced a terraforming team into Pallas. Comms would later reveal that company executives were eager to cut any corner to offset the exorbitant price paid.
This included not officially registering the system with the UPE, or seeking the appropriate terraforming permits. Instead, they decided to get their operation up and running and then tackle the bureaucratic hurdles later. As company CEO Joseph Jules Jr. wrote in one comm, “We’d rather pay the fine than waste the time.”
Foreman Charles Baxter lead a team into the system and straight to Pallas III, where they began surveying the best locations for terraforming equipment. It wasn’t long before strange ships swooped over the horizon and surrounded the survey teams. All 276 Humans were quickly captured and placed under guard.
This was Humanity’s first encounter with the Xi’an.
Though a language barrier separated the two species, the Xi’an quickly determined that Baxter oversaw the operation. The Xi’an surprised their prisoners by releasing Baxter as a sign of good faith. He fled to the Baker System and immediately contacted his superiors at Gaia Planet Services rather than the authorities.
Supposedly, CEO Joseph Jules Jr. argued that they should try and cut a deal with the Xi’an themselves. He was desperate to find a way to spin this debacle into a positive for the company. A handful of sycophantic executives agreed with him, but Baxter and others pushed back. The plan was a pipe dream unless the company had xeno-linguists on staff who could decipher this unknown language. Reluctantly, company executives contacted the UPE and revealed the terrible situation in which they had placed Humanity.
Strategic Advantage
The UPE’s best xeno-linguist took 15 days to devise a rudimentary form of communication with the Xi’an, after which official discussions over the release of the remaining workers began. Many within the government grumbled at the terrible negotiating position Gaia Planet Services had left them in, while others fumed at the horrible first impression Humanity had given the Xi’an.
The ensuing few weeks were a high-wire act of diplomacy for the UPE. The Xi’an had two primary points of contention that they required to be met before releasing the hostages. The first point was quickly agreed upon; the UPE would vacate the Pallas System immediately. It was the Xi’an’s second stipulation that caused great controversy. They insisted that the UPE reveal the extent of their Empire and the location of all currently known systems. UPE negotiators pushed hard not to have that last detail included, but the Xi’an were adamant about it.
As political pressure built at home to return the captives to their families, the UPE learned more about these strange new aliens. When it was revealed that they lived for hundreds of standard Earth years, negotiators grew concerned with how long the Xi’an were willing to carry on the negotiation. Many concluded that they had no other choice but to acquiesce to the Xi’an terms.
After 57 days, a deal was reached, the ordeal ended, and all hostages were eventually released unharmed, but what Humanity gave up in exchange came to define the relationship between the two species. The disparity between what the Xi’an knew about our systems versus what we knew about theirs was a major source of paranoia for Humanity following the Pallas incident. The actions taken had sown the seeds of distrust on both sides and the two species slowly backed away from the negotiating table, unsure when and where their next encounter would occur.
Despite Humanity learning the Xi’an name for the system, Hui sen Th.us’ūng, during negotiations, it was not commonly used due to the difficulty many had pronouncing it. The escalating cold war pushed the UEE to give it a different name. Eventually, the UEE military assigned it the name Pallas to correlate with other Perry Line systems named after gods of war. The name has stuck ever since.
Although the Xi’an ultimately abandoned the Pallas system during the height of tension with the Messer regime, the Perry Line Pact ensured that the Pallas System would remain in Xi’an hands after the Messers were toppled. As is their custom to assign each system a specific purpose, the Xi’an now use Pallas (which they re-named Th.us’ūng) as a scientific system to conduct research, much of which remains a mystery to the UEE as Human access to the system is highly regulated.
Th.us’ūng I
Closest to Pallas’ yellow-white G1 main-sequence star sits an iron planet. The Xi’an have mined parts of Pallas I, but vast swathes of deposits remain. Since the rest of the system has been assigned to some scientific endeavor, it’s believed that the same goes for Pallas I. As far as we know, no commercial mining occurs on the planet.
K.yuy’a’than (Th.us’ūng II)
This smog planet appears to be untouched by the Xi’an. However, the UEE can’t be certain that research projects aren’t going on beneath the planet’s thick atmosphere.
Se’kith (Th.us’ūng III)
The infamous moment of first contact between Humanity and the Xi’an took place on this terrestrial world. At the time, the Xi’an were already using it as a testbed for various geohacking and terraforming technologies. Such scientific endeavors were abandoned when the Xi’an fled the system during the cold war, only to be resumed after tensions eased.
The specifics of these experiments are unclear. What’s apparent is that several parts of the planet are filled with smoke, supposedly due to a massive underground fire. Whether this raging fire is part of a Xi’an experiment or merely a side effect is unknown.
Huichuaihyao y.ath’o se Th.us’ūng (Huichuai’yath)
When Kathryn Segovia discovered this system, she believed mining companies would kill for access to this mineral rich asteroid belt. Surprisingly, the Xi’an have deemed it illegal to mine, so it remains relatively untouched. Some are still tempted by its vast resources, and mine it at great personal risk.
Hua’nam (Th.us’ūng IV)
Th.us’ūng IV is a notable gas giant not for any particular astronomical properties but because the Xi’an have constructed a pressurized research station within its atmosphere. Human scientists know very little about the station, but it obviously features technology beyond what the UEE currently has.
K.au’u (Th.us’ūng V)
Lacking an atmosphere or any resources of note, this small dwarf planet orbits the system’s outer reaches all by its lonesome.
TRAVEL WARNING
With Th.us’ūng designated by the Xi’an as a scientific research system, visitors must take care to avoid areas deemed off-limits. Xi’an authorities will not hesitate to interdict or even destroy your ship if it ventures into a prohibited part of the system.
HEARD IN THE WIND
“Honestly, it was the most incredible and embarrassing moment in my life. Seeing those strange ships swoop down nearby just froze me, I was so in awe. I’d never seen anything quite like it. Then I remembered what we were doing there and realized we were in big trouble.”
– Charles Baxter, transcript of testimony before the UPE tribunal, 2530
“To me, Pallas is the perfect example for how the Xi’an handle Humanity. We’re allowed to visit the system, but they really don’t want us poking around too much. Sort of like that neighbor who’ll answer the door when you knock but never invite you in.”
– Harry Tenny, A Complainer’s Guide to the ‘Verse, 2939
The Pallas System (Hui sen Th.us’ūng) is best known as the location of first contact between Humans and the Xi’an. This unusual first encounter, which resulted in 276 Humans being taken captive by the Xi’an, is well known, but its aftermath much less understood. The crisis also set the stage for the cold war and sowed the seeds of distrust between the species for centuries to come.
Unhinged Expansion
In the early 26th century, Humanity was consumed with the prospect of discovery and expansion. Advances in scanning technology made its components much more accessible while innovators worked to refine terraforming processes, both of which led to an explosion of would-be explorers looking for the next undiscovered territory.
Humanity’s rapid expansion into numerous new systems created a problem of governance. The United Nations of Earth (UNE) realized that it wasn’t built to govern a multi-system expanse. This realization ultimately led to the formation of a new government to reflect the new landscape of Humanity’s territory: the United Planets of Earth (UPE).
A myriad reforms accompanied this name change. A governing tribunal consisting of a High-Secretary, High-General, and High-Advocate was created, plus new rules and regulations were implemented to manage Humanity’s further expansion out to the stars. While many companies recognized and respected these new laws, others ignored them, particularly when lucrative terraforming rights hung in the balance. One such company, Gaia Planet Services, became the most infamous example of the latter.
In 2530, a navjumper named Kathryn Segovia discovered the Pallas System through Baker and decided to auction off the nav point. She cared nothing for the fame, but craved the fortune. Her preliminary scans indicated the system had mineral-rich locations and one potentially habitable planet, so she lined up bids from those who would pay the most for access — mining and terraforming conglomerates.
Corporate Malfeasance
Gaia Planet Services won the bid and raced a terraforming team into Pallas. Comms would later reveal that company executives were eager to cut any corner to offset the exorbitant price paid.
This included not officially registering the system with the UPE, or seeking the appropriate terraforming permits. Instead, they decided to get their operation up and running and then tackle the bureaucratic hurdles later. As company CEO Joseph Jules Jr. wrote in one comm, “We’d rather pay the fine than waste the time.”
Foreman Charles Baxter lead a team into the system and straight to Pallas III, where they began surveying the best locations for terraforming equipment. It wasn’t long before strange ships swooped over the horizon and surrounded the survey teams. All 276 Humans were quickly captured and placed under guard.
This was Humanity’s first encounter with the Xi’an.
Though a language barrier separated the two species, the Xi’an quickly determined that Baxter oversaw the operation. The Xi’an surprised their prisoners by releasing Baxter as a sign of good faith. He fled to the Baker System and immediately contacted his superiors at Gaia Planet Services rather than the authorities.
Supposedly, CEO Joseph Jules Jr. argued that they should try and cut a deal with the Xi’an themselves. He was desperate to find a way to spin this debacle into a positive for the company. A handful of sycophantic executives agreed with him, but Baxter and others pushed back. The plan was a pipe dream unless the company had xeno-linguists on staff who could decipher this unknown language. Reluctantly, company executives contacted the UPE and revealed the terrible situation in which they had placed Humanity.
Strategic Advantage
The UPE’s best xeno-linguist took 15 days to devise a rudimentary form of communication with the Xi’an, after which official discussions over the release of the remaining workers began. Many within the government grumbled at the terrible negotiating position Gaia Planet Services had left them in, while others fumed at the horrible first impression Humanity had given the Xi’an.
The ensuing few weeks were a high-wire act of diplomacy for the UPE. The Xi’an had two primary points of contention that they required to be met before releasing the hostages. The first point was quickly agreed upon; the UPE would vacate the Pallas System immediately. It was the Xi’an’s second stipulation that caused great controversy. They insisted that the UPE reveal the extent of their Empire and the location of all currently known systems. UPE negotiators pushed hard not to have that last detail included, but the Xi’an were adamant about it.
As political pressure built at home to return the captives to their families, the UPE learned more about these strange new aliens. When it was revealed that they lived for hundreds of standard Earth years, negotiators grew concerned with how long the Xi’an were willing to carry on the negotiation. Many concluded that they had no other choice but to acquiesce to the Xi’an terms.
After 57 days, a deal was reached, the ordeal ended, and all hostages were eventually released unharmed, but what Humanity gave up in exchange came to define the relationship between the two species. The disparity between what the Xi’an knew about our systems versus what we knew about theirs was a major source of paranoia for Humanity following the Pallas incident. The actions taken had sown the seeds of distrust on both sides and the two species slowly backed away from the negotiating table, unsure when and where their next encounter would occur.
Despite Humanity learning the Xi’an name for the system, Hui sen Th.us’ūng, during negotiations, it was not commonly used due to the difficulty many had pronouncing it. The escalating cold war pushed the UEE to give it a different name. Eventually, the UEE military assigned it the name Pallas to correlate with other Perry Line systems named after gods of war. The name has stuck ever since.
Although the Xi’an ultimately abandoned the Pallas system during the height of tension with the Messer regime, the Perry Line Pact ensured that the Pallas System would remain in Xi’an hands after the Messers were toppled. As is their custom to assign each system a specific purpose, the Xi’an now use Pallas (which they re-named Th.us’ūng) as a scientific system to conduct research, much of which remains a mystery to the UEE as Human access to the system is highly regulated.
Th.us’ūng I
Closest to Pallas’ yellow-white G1 main-sequence star sits an iron planet. The Xi’an have mined parts of Pallas I, but vast swathes of deposits remain. Since the rest of the system has been assigned to some scientific endeavor, it’s believed that the same goes for Pallas I. As far as we know, no commercial mining occurs on the planet.
K.yuy’a’than (Th.us’ūng II)
This smog planet appears to be untouched by the Xi’an. However, the UEE can’t be certain that research projects aren’t going on beneath the planet’s thick atmosphere.
Se’kith (Th.us’ūng III)
The infamous moment of first contact between Humanity and the Xi’an took place on this terrestrial world. At the time, the Xi’an were already using it as a testbed for various geohacking and terraforming technologies. Such scientific endeavors were abandoned when the Xi’an fled the system during the cold war, only to be resumed after tensions eased.
The specifics of these experiments are unclear. What’s apparent is that several parts of the planet are filled with smoke, supposedly due to a massive underground fire. Whether this raging fire is part of a Xi’an experiment or merely a side effect is unknown.
Huichuaihyao y.ath’o se Th.us’ūng (Huichuai’yath)
When Kathryn Segovia discovered this system, she believed mining companies would kill for access to this mineral rich asteroid belt. Surprisingly, the Xi’an have deemed it illegal to mine, so it remains relatively untouched. Some are still tempted by its vast resources, and mine it at great personal risk.
Hua’nam (Th.us’ūng IV)
Th.us’ūng IV is a notable gas giant not for any particular astronomical properties but because the Xi’an have constructed a pressurized research station within its atmosphere. Human scientists know very little about the station, but it obviously features technology beyond what the UEE currently has.
K.au’u (Th.us’ūng V)
Lacking an atmosphere or any resources of note, this small dwarf planet orbits the system’s outer reaches all by its lonesome.
TRAVEL WARNING
With Th.us’ūng designated by the Xi’an as a scientific research system, visitors must take care to avoid areas deemed off-limits. Xi’an authorities will not hesitate to interdict or even destroy your ship if it ventures into a prohibited part of the system.
HEARD IN THE WIND
“Honestly, it was the most incredible and embarrassing moment in my life. Seeing those strange ships swoop down nearby just froze me, I was so in awe. I’d never seen anything quite like it. Then I remembered what we were doing there and realized we were in big trouble.”
– Charles Baxter, transcript of testimony before the UPE tribunal, 2530
“To me, Pallas is the perfect example for how the Xi’an handle Humanity. We’re allowed to visit the system, but they really don’t want us poking around too much. Sort of like that neighbor who’ll answer the door when you knock but never invite you in.”
– Harry Tenny, A Complainer’s Guide to the ‘Verse, 2939
Dieser Galaktische Führer erschien ursprünglich in Jump Point 5.7.
Das Pallas-System (Hui sen Th.us'ūng) ist am bekanntesten als Ort des ersten Kontakts zwischen Mensch und Xi'an. Diese ungewöhnliche erste Begegnung, die dazu führte, dass 276 Menschen von den Xi'an gefangen genommen wurden, ist bekannt, aber ihre Folgen viel weniger verstanden. Die Krise bereitete auch den Weg für den Kalten Krieg und säte den Samen des Misstrauens zwischen den Arten für die kommenden Jahrhunderte.
Ungehinderte Expansion
Im frühen 26. Jahrhundert wurde die Menschheit mit der Aussicht auf Entdeckung und Expansion konsumiert. Fortschritte in der Scantechnologie machten ihre Komponenten viel zugänglicher, während Innovatoren daran arbeiteten, Terraforming-Prozesse zu verfeinern, was zu einer Explosion von Möchtegern-Forschern führte, die nach dem nächsten unbekannten Gebiet suchten.
Die rasante Expansion der Menschheit in zahlreiche neue Systeme stellte ein Problem der Governance dar. Die Vereinten Nationen der Erde (UNE) erkannten, dass sie nicht gebaut wurde, um eine multisystematische Fläche zu verwalten. Diese Erkenntnis führte schließlich zur Bildung einer neuen Regierung, die die neue Landschaft des Territoriums der Menschheit widerspiegelt: die Vereinigten Planeten der Erde (UPE).
Eine Vielzahl von Reformen begleiteten diese Namensänderung. Ein Regierungsgericht, bestehend aus einem Generalsekretär, einem Generalsekretär und einem Hohen Vertreter, wurde geschaffen, und es wurden neue Regeln und Vorschriften eingeführt, um die weitere Expansion der Menschheit bis zu den Sternen zu steuern. Während viele Unternehmen diese neuen Gesetze anerkannten und respektierten, ignorierten andere sie, insbesondere wenn lukrative Terraformrechte in der Schwebe waren. Ein solches Unternehmen, Gaia Planet Services, wurde zum berüchtigsten Beispiel für letzteres.
Im Jahr 2530 entdeckte eine Springerin namens Kathryn Segovia das Pallas-System durch Baker und beschloss, den Navigationspunkt zu versteigern. Sie kümmerte sich nicht um den Ruhm, sondern sehnte sich nach dem Vermögen. Ihre vorläufigen Scans zeigten, dass das System mineralreiche Standorte und einen potenziell bewohnbaren Planeten hatte, also reihte sie sich in die Gebote derjenigen ein, die für den Zugang am meisten bezahlen würden - Bergbau und terraforming Konglomerate.
Firmenübertretungen
Gaia Planet Services gewann die Ausschreibung und fuhr mit einem Terraforming-Team nach Pallas. Comms würde später enthüllen, dass die Führungskräfte des Unternehmens begierig darauf waren, jede Ecke zu durchbrechen, um den exorbitanten Preis auszugleichen.
Dazu gehörte auch, dass das System nicht offiziell bei der UPE registriert oder die entsprechenden Terraforming-Genehmigungen eingeholt wurden. Stattdessen beschlossen sie, ihren Betrieb aufzunehmen und später die bürokratischen Hürden zu nehmen. Wie Firmenchef Joseph Jules Jr. in einem Bericht schrieb: "Wir zahlen lieber die Strafe, als die Zeit zu verschwenden."
Polier Charles Baxter führte ein Team in das System und direkt zu Pallas III, wo sie begannen, die besten Standorte für Terraforming-Geräte zu vermessen. Es dauerte nicht lange, bis seltsame Schiffe über den Horizont schossen und die Vermessungsteams umgaben. Alle 276 Menschen wurden schnell gefangen genommen und unter Bewachung gestellt.
Dies war die erste Begegnung der Menschheit mit dem Xi'an.
Obwohl eine Sprachbarriere die beiden Arten trennte, stellten die Xi'an schnell fest, dass Baxter die Operation leitete. Die Xi'an überraschten ihre Gefangenen, indem sie Baxter als Zeichen des guten Willens freilassen. Er floh zum Baker System und kontaktierte sofort seine Vorgesetzten bei Gaia Planet Services und nicht die Behörden.
Angeblich argumentierte CEO Joseph Jules Jr., dass sie versuchen sollten, selbst einen Deal mit den Xi'an abzuschließen. Er war verzweifelt darauf bedacht, einen Weg zu finden, dieses Debakel in ein Positiv für das Unternehmen zu verwandeln. Eine Handvoll kriecherischer Führungskräfte stimmte ihm zu, aber Baxter und andere schoben sich zurück. Der Plan war ein Hirngespinst, es sei denn, das Unternehmen hatte Xenolinguisten im Einsatz, die diese unbekannte Sprache entschlüsseln konnten. Widerwillig kontaktierten die Führungskräfte des Unternehmens die UPE und enthüllten die schreckliche Situation, in die sie die Menschheit gebracht hatten.
Strategischer Vorteil
Der beste Xenolinguist der UPE brauchte 15 Tage, um eine rudimentäre Form der Kommunikation mit den Xi'an zu entwickeln, woraufhin offizielle Diskussionen über die Freilassung der verbleibenden Arbeiter begannen. Viele innerhalb der Regierung meckerten über die schreckliche Verhandlungsposition, die Gaia Planet Services ihnen hinterlassen hatte, während andere über den schrecklichen ersten Eindruck nachgingen, den die Menschheit dem Xi'an gegeben hatte.
Die darauffolgenden Wochen waren ein diplomatischer Akt für die UPE. Die Xi'an hatten zwei primäre Streitpunkte, die sie vor der Freilassung der Geiseln erfüllen mussten. Der erste Punkt war schnell geklärt; die UPE würde das Pallas-System sofort verlassen. Es war die zweite Bestimmung des Xi'an, die für große Kontroversen sorgte. Sie bestanden darauf, dass die UPE die Ausdehnung ihres Reiches und die Lage aller derzeit bekannten Systeme offenbart. Die UPE-Unterhändler drängten darauf, dieses letzte Detail nicht aufzunehmen, aber die Xi'an waren unnachgiebig.
Als der politische Druck zu Hause zunahm, um die Gefangenen in ihre Familien zurückzubringen, erfuhr die UPE mehr über diese seltsamen neuen Außerirdischen. Als sich herausstellte, dass sie Hunderte von Standardjahren auf der Erde lebten, wurden die Unterhändler besorgt darüber, wie lange die Xi'an bereit waren, die Verhandlungen fortzusetzen. Viele kamen zu dem Schluss, dass sie keine andere Wahl hatten, als sich den Xi'an-Bedingungen zu unterwerfen.
Nach 57 Tagen wurde ein Abkommen geschlossen, die Tortur endete, und alle Geiseln wurden schließlich unversehrt freigelassen, aber was die Menschheit im Gegenzug aufgab, kam, um die Beziehung zwischen den beiden Arten zu definieren. Die Diskrepanz zwischen dem, was die Xi'an über unsere Systeme wussten, und dem, was wir über ihre Systeme wussten, war eine wichtige Quelle der Paranoia für die Menschheit nach dem Vorfall von Pallas. Die ergriffenen Maßnahmen hatten auf beiden Seiten den Samen des Misstrauens gesät, und die beiden Arten wichen langsam vom Verhandlungstisch zurück, unsicher, wann und wo ihre nächste Begegnung stattfinden würde.
Obwohl die Menschheit den Xi'an-Namen für das System, Hui sen Th.us'ūng, lernte, wurde es während der Verhandlungen nicht häufig verwendet, da es für viele schwierig war, es auszusprechen. Der eskalierende Kalte Krieg drängte die UEE, ihr einen anderen Namen zu geben. Schließlich wies das UEE-Militär ihm den Namen Pallas zu, um mit anderen Perry-Line-Systemen zu korrelieren, die nach Kriegsgöttern benannt waren. Der Name ist seither nicht mehr wegzudenken.
Obwohl die Xi'an das Pallas-System während des Spannungsherdes mit dem Messer-Regime schließlich aufgegeben haben, sorgte der Perry-Line-Pakt dafür, dass das Pallas-System nach dem Sturz der Messers in Xi'an Händen bleiben würde. Wie es ihr Brauch ist, jedem System einen bestimmten Zweck zuzuweisen, verwenden die Xi'an nun Pallas (die sie in Th.us'ūng umbenannten) als wissenschaftliches System, um Forschung zu betreiben, von denen vieles für die UEE ein Geheimnis bleibt, da der menschliche Zugang zum System stark reguliert ist.
Th.us'ūng I I
Am nächsten an Pallas' gelb-weißem G1-Hauptreihenstern liegt ein eiserner Planet. Die Xi'an haben Teile von Pallas I abgebaut, aber es gibt noch große Teile von Ablagerungen. Da der Rest des Systems irgendeinem wissenschaftlichen Unterfangen zugeordnet wurde, wird angenommen, dass dasselbe für Pallas I. gilt. Soweit wir wissen, findet auf dem Planeten kein kommerzieller Abbau statt.
K.yuy'a'than (Th.us'ūng II)
Dieser Smogplanet scheint von den Xi'an unberührt zu sein. Die UEE kann jedoch nicht sicher sein, dass Forschungsprojekte nicht unter der dicken Atmosphäre des Planeten stattfinden.
Se'kith (Th.us'ūng III)
Der berüchtigte Moment des ersten Kontakts zwischen der Menschheit und dem Xi'an fand auf dieser irdischen Welt statt. Damals benutzten die Xi'an es bereits als Testbett für verschiedene Geohacking- und Terraforming-Technologien. Solche wissenschaftlichen Bemühungen wurden aufgegeben, als die Xi'an während des Kalten Krieges aus dem System flohen, nur um nach einer Entspannung der Spannungen wieder aufgenommen zu werden.
Die Besonderheiten dieser Experimente sind unklar. Es ist offensichtlich, dass mehrere Teile des Planeten mit Rauch gefüllt sind, angeblich aufgrund eines massiven Untergrundbruchs. Ob dieses wütende Feuer Teil eines Xi'an-Experiments oder nur eine Nebenwirkung ist, ist unbekannt.
Huichuaihyao y.ath'o se Th.us'ūng (Huichuai'yath)
Als Kathryn Segovia dieses System entdeckte, glaubte sie, dass Bergbauunternehmen für den Zugang zu diesem mineralreichen Asteroidengürtel töten würden. Überraschenderweise haben die Xi'an es für illegal gehalten, Minen zu bauen, so dass sie relativ unberührt bleiben. Einige sind immer noch versucht, sich von den enormen Ressourcen zu verführen zu lassen, und bergen sie unter großem persönlichen Risiko.
Hua'nam (Th.us'ūng IV)
Th.us'ūng IV ist ein bemerkenswerter Gasriese, nicht wegen seiner besonderen astronomischen Eigenschaften, sondern weil die Xi'an eine Druckforschungsstation in seiner Atmosphäre gebaut haben. Humanwissenschaftler wissen sehr wenig über die Station, aber sie verfügt offensichtlich über Technologien, die über das hinausgehen, was die UEE derzeit hat.
K.au'u (Th.us'ūng V)
Ohne Atmosphäre und ohne nennenswerte Ressourcen umkreist dieser kleine Zwergplanet die äußeren Reichweiten des Systems durch seine Einsamkeit.
REISEWARNUNG
Da Th.us'ūng vom Xi'an als wissenschaftliches Forschungssystem ausgewiesen wurde, müssen die Besucher darauf achten, Bereiche zu vermeiden, die als tabu gelten. Die Behörden von Xi'an werden nicht zögern, Ihr Schiff zu verbieten oder sogar zu zerstören, wenn es sich in einen verbotenen Teil des Systems begibt.
IM WIND GEHÖRT
"Ehrlich gesagt, es war der unglaublichste und peinlichste Moment in meinem Leben. Als ich sah, wie diese seltsamen Schiffe in der Nähe herabstürzten, erstarrte ich einfach, ich war so in Ehrfurcht. Ich hatte noch nie so etwas wie das gesehen. Dann erinnerte ich mich daran, was wir dort taten, und erkannte, dass wir in großen Schwierigkeiten waren."
- Charles Baxter, Abschrift der Aussage vor dem UPE-Tribunal, 2530
"Für mich ist Pallas das perfekte Beispiel dafür, wie die Xi'an mit der Menschheit umgehen. Wir dürfen das System besuchen, aber sie wollen wirklich nicht, dass wir zu viel herumstochern. So ähnlich wie der Nachbar, der die Tür öffnet, wenn du klopfst, aber dich nie hereinbittest."
- Harry Tenny, ein Beschwerdeführer für den Vers, 2939
Das Pallas-System (Hui sen Th.us'ūng) ist am bekanntesten als Ort des ersten Kontakts zwischen Mensch und Xi'an. Diese ungewöhnliche erste Begegnung, die dazu führte, dass 276 Menschen von den Xi'an gefangen genommen wurden, ist bekannt, aber ihre Folgen viel weniger verstanden. Die Krise bereitete auch den Weg für den Kalten Krieg und säte den Samen des Misstrauens zwischen den Arten für die kommenden Jahrhunderte.
Ungehinderte Expansion
Im frühen 26. Jahrhundert wurde die Menschheit mit der Aussicht auf Entdeckung und Expansion konsumiert. Fortschritte in der Scantechnologie machten ihre Komponenten viel zugänglicher, während Innovatoren daran arbeiteten, Terraforming-Prozesse zu verfeinern, was zu einer Explosion von Möchtegern-Forschern führte, die nach dem nächsten unbekannten Gebiet suchten.
Die rasante Expansion der Menschheit in zahlreiche neue Systeme stellte ein Problem der Governance dar. Die Vereinten Nationen der Erde (UNE) erkannten, dass sie nicht gebaut wurde, um eine multisystematische Fläche zu verwalten. Diese Erkenntnis führte schließlich zur Bildung einer neuen Regierung, die die neue Landschaft des Territoriums der Menschheit widerspiegelt: die Vereinigten Planeten der Erde (UPE).
Eine Vielzahl von Reformen begleiteten diese Namensänderung. Ein Regierungsgericht, bestehend aus einem Generalsekretär, einem Generalsekretär und einem Hohen Vertreter, wurde geschaffen, und es wurden neue Regeln und Vorschriften eingeführt, um die weitere Expansion der Menschheit bis zu den Sternen zu steuern. Während viele Unternehmen diese neuen Gesetze anerkannten und respektierten, ignorierten andere sie, insbesondere wenn lukrative Terraformrechte in der Schwebe waren. Ein solches Unternehmen, Gaia Planet Services, wurde zum berüchtigsten Beispiel für letzteres.
Im Jahr 2530 entdeckte eine Springerin namens Kathryn Segovia das Pallas-System durch Baker und beschloss, den Navigationspunkt zu versteigern. Sie kümmerte sich nicht um den Ruhm, sondern sehnte sich nach dem Vermögen. Ihre vorläufigen Scans zeigten, dass das System mineralreiche Standorte und einen potenziell bewohnbaren Planeten hatte, also reihte sie sich in die Gebote derjenigen ein, die für den Zugang am meisten bezahlen würden - Bergbau und terraforming Konglomerate.
Firmenübertretungen
Gaia Planet Services gewann die Ausschreibung und fuhr mit einem Terraforming-Team nach Pallas. Comms würde später enthüllen, dass die Führungskräfte des Unternehmens begierig darauf waren, jede Ecke zu durchbrechen, um den exorbitanten Preis auszugleichen.
Dazu gehörte auch, dass das System nicht offiziell bei der UPE registriert oder die entsprechenden Terraforming-Genehmigungen eingeholt wurden. Stattdessen beschlossen sie, ihren Betrieb aufzunehmen und später die bürokratischen Hürden zu nehmen. Wie Firmenchef Joseph Jules Jr. in einem Bericht schrieb: "Wir zahlen lieber die Strafe, als die Zeit zu verschwenden."
Polier Charles Baxter führte ein Team in das System und direkt zu Pallas III, wo sie begannen, die besten Standorte für Terraforming-Geräte zu vermessen. Es dauerte nicht lange, bis seltsame Schiffe über den Horizont schossen und die Vermessungsteams umgaben. Alle 276 Menschen wurden schnell gefangen genommen und unter Bewachung gestellt.
Dies war die erste Begegnung der Menschheit mit dem Xi'an.
Obwohl eine Sprachbarriere die beiden Arten trennte, stellten die Xi'an schnell fest, dass Baxter die Operation leitete. Die Xi'an überraschten ihre Gefangenen, indem sie Baxter als Zeichen des guten Willens freilassen. Er floh zum Baker System und kontaktierte sofort seine Vorgesetzten bei Gaia Planet Services und nicht die Behörden.
Angeblich argumentierte CEO Joseph Jules Jr., dass sie versuchen sollten, selbst einen Deal mit den Xi'an abzuschließen. Er war verzweifelt darauf bedacht, einen Weg zu finden, dieses Debakel in ein Positiv für das Unternehmen zu verwandeln. Eine Handvoll kriecherischer Führungskräfte stimmte ihm zu, aber Baxter und andere schoben sich zurück. Der Plan war ein Hirngespinst, es sei denn, das Unternehmen hatte Xenolinguisten im Einsatz, die diese unbekannte Sprache entschlüsseln konnten. Widerwillig kontaktierten die Führungskräfte des Unternehmens die UPE und enthüllten die schreckliche Situation, in die sie die Menschheit gebracht hatten.
Strategischer Vorteil
Der beste Xenolinguist der UPE brauchte 15 Tage, um eine rudimentäre Form der Kommunikation mit den Xi'an zu entwickeln, woraufhin offizielle Diskussionen über die Freilassung der verbleibenden Arbeiter begannen. Viele innerhalb der Regierung meckerten über die schreckliche Verhandlungsposition, die Gaia Planet Services ihnen hinterlassen hatte, während andere über den schrecklichen ersten Eindruck nachgingen, den die Menschheit dem Xi'an gegeben hatte.
Die darauffolgenden Wochen waren ein diplomatischer Akt für die UPE. Die Xi'an hatten zwei primäre Streitpunkte, die sie vor der Freilassung der Geiseln erfüllen mussten. Der erste Punkt war schnell geklärt; die UPE würde das Pallas-System sofort verlassen. Es war die zweite Bestimmung des Xi'an, die für große Kontroversen sorgte. Sie bestanden darauf, dass die UPE die Ausdehnung ihres Reiches und die Lage aller derzeit bekannten Systeme offenbart. Die UPE-Unterhändler drängten darauf, dieses letzte Detail nicht aufzunehmen, aber die Xi'an waren unnachgiebig.
Als der politische Druck zu Hause zunahm, um die Gefangenen in ihre Familien zurückzubringen, erfuhr die UPE mehr über diese seltsamen neuen Außerirdischen. Als sich herausstellte, dass sie Hunderte von Standardjahren auf der Erde lebten, wurden die Unterhändler besorgt darüber, wie lange die Xi'an bereit waren, die Verhandlungen fortzusetzen. Viele kamen zu dem Schluss, dass sie keine andere Wahl hatten, als sich den Xi'an-Bedingungen zu unterwerfen.
Nach 57 Tagen wurde ein Abkommen geschlossen, die Tortur endete, und alle Geiseln wurden schließlich unversehrt freigelassen, aber was die Menschheit im Gegenzug aufgab, kam, um die Beziehung zwischen den beiden Arten zu definieren. Die Diskrepanz zwischen dem, was die Xi'an über unsere Systeme wussten, und dem, was wir über ihre Systeme wussten, war eine wichtige Quelle der Paranoia für die Menschheit nach dem Vorfall von Pallas. Die ergriffenen Maßnahmen hatten auf beiden Seiten den Samen des Misstrauens gesät, und die beiden Arten wichen langsam vom Verhandlungstisch zurück, unsicher, wann und wo ihre nächste Begegnung stattfinden würde.
Obwohl die Menschheit den Xi'an-Namen für das System, Hui sen Th.us'ūng, lernte, wurde es während der Verhandlungen nicht häufig verwendet, da es für viele schwierig war, es auszusprechen. Der eskalierende Kalte Krieg drängte die UEE, ihr einen anderen Namen zu geben. Schließlich wies das UEE-Militär ihm den Namen Pallas zu, um mit anderen Perry-Line-Systemen zu korrelieren, die nach Kriegsgöttern benannt waren. Der Name ist seither nicht mehr wegzudenken.
Obwohl die Xi'an das Pallas-System während des Spannungsherdes mit dem Messer-Regime schließlich aufgegeben haben, sorgte der Perry-Line-Pakt dafür, dass das Pallas-System nach dem Sturz der Messers in Xi'an Händen bleiben würde. Wie es ihr Brauch ist, jedem System einen bestimmten Zweck zuzuweisen, verwenden die Xi'an nun Pallas (die sie in Th.us'ūng umbenannten) als wissenschaftliches System, um Forschung zu betreiben, von denen vieles für die UEE ein Geheimnis bleibt, da der menschliche Zugang zum System stark reguliert ist.
Th.us'ūng I I
Am nächsten an Pallas' gelb-weißem G1-Hauptreihenstern liegt ein eiserner Planet. Die Xi'an haben Teile von Pallas I abgebaut, aber es gibt noch große Teile von Ablagerungen. Da der Rest des Systems irgendeinem wissenschaftlichen Unterfangen zugeordnet wurde, wird angenommen, dass dasselbe für Pallas I. gilt. Soweit wir wissen, findet auf dem Planeten kein kommerzieller Abbau statt.
K.yuy'a'than (Th.us'ūng II)
Dieser Smogplanet scheint von den Xi'an unberührt zu sein. Die UEE kann jedoch nicht sicher sein, dass Forschungsprojekte nicht unter der dicken Atmosphäre des Planeten stattfinden.
Se'kith (Th.us'ūng III)
Der berüchtigte Moment des ersten Kontakts zwischen der Menschheit und dem Xi'an fand auf dieser irdischen Welt statt. Damals benutzten die Xi'an es bereits als Testbett für verschiedene Geohacking- und Terraforming-Technologien. Solche wissenschaftlichen Bemühungen wurden aufgegeben, als die Xi'an während des Kalten Krieges aus dem System flohen, nur um nach einer Entspannung der Spannungen wieder aufgenommen zu werden.
Die Besonderheiten dieser Experimente sind unklar. Es ist offensichtlich, dass mehrere Teile des Planeten mit Rauch gefüllt sind, angeblich aufgrund eines massiven Untergrundbruchs. Ob dieses wütende Feuer Teil eines Xi'an-Experiments oder nur eine Nebenwirkung ist, ist unbekannt.
Huichuaihyao y.ath'o se Th.us'ūng (Huichuai'yath)
Als Kathryn Segovia dieses System entdeckte, glaubte sie, dass Bergbauunternehmen für den Zugang zu diesem mineralreichen Asteroidengürtel töten würden. Überraschenderweise haben die Xi'an es für illegal gehalten, Minen zu bauen, so dass sie relativ unberührt bleiben. Einige sind immer noch versucht, sich von den enormen Ressourcen zu verführen zu lassen, und bergen sie unter großem persönlichen Risiko.
Hua'nam (Th.us'ūng IV)
Th.us'ūng IV ist ein bemerkenswerter Gasriese, nicht wegen seiner besonderen astronomischen Eigenschaften, sondern weil die Xi'an eine Druckforschungsstation in seiner Atmosphäre gebaut haben. Humanwissenschaftler wissen sehr wenig über die Station, aber sie verfügt offensichtlich über Technologien, die über das hinausgehen, was die UEE derzeit hat.
K.au'u (Th.us'ūng V)
Ohne Atmosphäre und ohne nennenswerte Ressourcen umkreist dieser kleine Zwergplanet die äußeren Reichweiten des Systems durch seine Einsamkeit.
REISEWARNUNG
Da Th.us'ūng vom Xi'an als wissenschaftliches Forschungssystem ausgewiesen wurde, müssen die Besucher darauf achten, Bereiche zu vermeiden, die als tabu gelten. Die Behörden von Xi'an werden nicht zögern, Ihr Schiff zu verbieten oder sogar zu zerstören, wenn es sich in einen verbotenen Teil des Systems begibt.
IM WIND GEHÖRT
"Ehrlich gesagt, es war der unglaublichste und peinlichste Moment in meinem Leben. Als ich sah, wie diese seltsamen Schiffe in der Nähe herabstürzten, erstarrte ich einfach, ich war so in Ehrfurcht. Ich hatte noch nie so etwas wie das gesehen. Dann erinnerte ich mich daran, was wir dort taten, und erkannte, dass wir in großen Schwierigkeiten waren."
- Charles Baxter, Abschrift der Aussage vor dem UPE-Tribunal, 2530
"Für mich ist Pallas das perfekte Beispiel dafür, wie die Xi'an mit der Menschheit umgehen. Wir dürfen das System besuchen, aber sie wollen wirklich nicht, dass wir zu viel herumstochern. So ähnlich wie der Nachbar, der die Tür öffnet, wenn du klopfst, aber dich nie hereinbittest."
- Harry Tenny, ein Beschwerdeführer für den Vers, 2939
This Galactic Guide originally appeared in Jump Point 5.7.
The Pallas System (Hui sen Th.us’ūng) is best known as the location of first contact between Humans and the Xi’an. This unusual first encounter, which resulted in 276 Humans being taken captive by the Xi’an, is well known, but its aftermath much less understood. The crisis also set the stage for the cold war and sowed the seeds of distrust between the species for centuries to come.
Unhinged Expansion
In the early 26th century, Humanity was consumed with the prospect of discovery and expansion. Advances in scanning technology made its components much more accessible while innovators worked to refine terraforming processes, both of which led to an explosion of would-be explorers looking for the next undiscovered territory.
Humanity’s rapid expansion into numerous new systems created a problem of governance. The United Nations of Earth (UNE) realized that it wasn’t built to govern a multi-system expanse. This realization ultimately led to the formation of a new government to reflect the new landscape of Humanity’s territory: the United Planets of Earth (UPE).
A myriad reforms accompanied this name change. A governing tribunal consisting of a High-Secretary, High-General, and High-Advocate was created, plus new rules and regulations were implemented to manage Humanity’s further expansion out to the stars. While many companies recognized and respected these new laws, others ignored them, particularly when lucrative terraforming rights hung in the balance. One such company, Gaia Planet Services, became the most infamous example of the latter.
In 2530, a navjumper named Kathryn Segovia discovered the Pallas System through Baker and decided to auction off the nav point. She cared nothing for the fame, but craved the fortune. Her preliminary scans indicated the system had mineral-rich locations and one potentially habitable planet, so she lined up bids from those who would pay the most for access — mining and terraforming conglomerates.
Corporate Malfeasance
Gaia Planet Services won the bid and raced a terraforming team into Pallas. Comms would later reveal that company executives were eager to cut any corner to offset the exorbitant price paid.
This included not officially registering the system with the UPE, or seeking the appropriate terraforming permits. Instead, they decided to get their operation up and running and then tackle the bureaucratic hurdles later. As company CEO Joseph Jules Jr. wrote in one comm, “We’d rather pay the fine than waste the time.”
Foreman Charles Baxter lead a team into the system and straight to Pallas III, where they began surveying the best locations for terraforming equipment. It wasn’t long before strange ships swooped over the horizon and surrounded the survey teams. All 276 Humans were quickly captured and placed under guard.
This was Humanity’s first encounter with the Xi’an.
Though a language barrier separated the two species, the Xi’an quickly determined that Baxter oversaw the operation. The Xi’an surprised their prisoners by releasing Baxter as a sign of good faith. He fled to the Baker System and immediately contacted his superiors at Gaia Planet Services rather than the authorities.
Supposedly, CEO Joseph Jules Jr. argued that they should try and cut a deal with the Xi’an themselves. He was desperate to find a way to spin this debacle into a positive for the company. A handful of sycophantic executives agreed with him, but Baxter and others pushed back. The plan was a pipe dream unless the company had xeno-linguists on staff who could decipher this unknown language. Reluctantly, company executives contacted the UPE and revealed the terrible situation in which they had placed Humanity.
Strategic Advantage
The UPE’s best xeno-linguist took 15 days to devise a rudimentary form of communication with the Xi’an, after which official discussions over the release of the remaining workers began. Many within the government grumbled at the terrible negotiating position Gaia Planet Services had left them in, while others fumed at the horrible first impression Humanity had given the Xi’an.
The ensuing few weeks were a high-wire act of diplomacy for the UPE. The Xi’an had two primary points of contention that they required to be met before releasing the hostages. The first point was quickly agreed upon; the UPE would vacate the Pallas System immediately. It was the Xi’an’s second stipulation that caused great controversy. They insisted that the UPE reveal the extent of their Empire and the location of all currently known systems. UPE negotiators pushed hard not to have that last detail included, but the Xi’an were adamant about it.
As political pressure built at home to return the captives to their families, the UPE learned more about these strange new aliens. When it was revealed that they lived for hundreds of standard Earth years, negotiators grew concerned with how long the Xi’an were willing to carry on the negotiation. Many concluded that they had no other choice but to acquiesce to the Xi’an terms.
After 57 days, a deal was reached, the ordeal ended, and all hostages were eventually released unharmed, but what Humanity gave up in exchange came to define the relationship between the two species. The disparity between what the Xi’an knew about our systems versus what we knew about theirs was a major source of paranoia for Humanity following the Pallas incident. The actions taken had sown the seeds of distrust on both sides and the two species slowly backed away from the negotiating table, unsure when and where their next encounter would occur.
Despite Humanity learning the Xi’an name for the system, Hui sen Th.us’ūng, during negotiations, it was not commonly used due to the difficulty many had pronouncing it. The escalating cold war pushed the UEE to give it a different name. Eventually, the UEE military assigned it the name Pallas to correlate with other Perry Line systems named after gods of war. The name has stuck ever since.
Although the Xi’an ultimately abandoned the Pallas system during the height of tension with the Messer regime, the Perry Line Pact ensured that the Pallas System would remain in Xi’an hands after the Messers were toppled. As is their custom to assign each system a specific purpose, the Xi’an now use Pallas (which they re-named Th.us’ūng) as a scientific system to conduct research, much of which remains a mystery to the UEE as Human access to the system is highly regulated.
Th.us’ūng I
Closest to Pallas’ yellow-white G1 main-sequence star sits an iron planet. The Xi’an have mined parts of Pallas I, but vast swathes of deposits remain. Since the rest of the system has been assigned to some scientific endeavor, it’s believed that the same goes for Pallas I. As far as we know, no commercial mining occurs on the planet.
K.yuy’a’than (Th.us’ūng II)
This smog planet appears to be untouched by the Xi’an. However, the UEE can’t be certain that research projects aren’t going on beneath the planet’s thick atmosphere.
Se’kith (Th.us’ūng III)
The infamous moment of first contact between Humanity and the Xi’an took place on this terrestrial world. At the time, the Xi’an were already using it as a testbed for various geohacking and terraforming technologies. Such scientific endeavors were abandoned when the Xi’an fled the system during the cold war, only to be resumed after tensions eased.
The specifics of these experiments are unclear. What’s apparent is that several parts of the planet are filled with smoke, supposedly due to a massive underground fire. Whether this raging fire is part of a Xi’an experiment or merely a side effect is unknown.
Huichuaihyao y.ath’o se Th.us’ūng (Huichuai’yath)
When Kathryn Segovia discovered this system, she believed mining companies would kill for access to this mineral rich asteroid belt. Surprisingly, the Xi’an have deemed it illegal to mine, so it remains relatively untouched. Some are still tempted by its vast resources, and mine it at great personal risk.
Hua’nam (Th.us’ūng IV)
Th.us’ūng IV is a notable gas giant not for any particular astronomical properties but because the Xi’an have constructed a pressurized research station within its atmosphere. Human scientists know very little about the station, but it obviously features technology beyond what the UEE currently has.
K.au’u (Th.us’ūng V)
Lacking an atmosphere or any resources of note, this small dwarf planet orbits the system’s outer reaches all by its lonesome.
TRAVEL WARNING
With Th.us’ūng designated by the Xi’an as a scientific research system, visitors must take care to avoid areas deemed off-limits. Xi’an authorities will not hesitate to interdict or even destroy your ship if it ventures into a prohibited part of the system.
HEARD IN THE WIND
“Honestly, it was the most incredible and embarrassing moment in my life. Seeing those strange ships swoop down nearby just froze me, I was so in awe. I’d never seen anything quite like it. Then I remembered what we were doing there and realized we were in big trouble.”
– Charles Baxter, transcript of testimony before the UPE tribunal, 2530
“To me, Pallas is the perfect example for how the Xi’an handle Humanity. We’re allowed to visit the system, but they really don’t want us poking around too much. Sort of like that neighbor who’ll answer the door when you knock but never invite you in.”
– Harry Tenny, A Complainer’s Guide to the ‘Verse, 2939
The Pallas System (Hui sen Th.us’ūng) is best known as the location of first contact between Humans and the Xi’an. This unusual first encounter, which resulted in 276 Humans being taken captive by the Xi’an, is well known, but its aftermath much less understood. The crisis also set the stage for the cold war and sowed the seeds of distrust between the species for centuries to come.
Unhinged Expansion
In the early 26th century, Humanity was consumed with the prospect of discovery and expansion. Advances in scanning technology made its components much more accessible while innovators worked to refine terraforming processes, both of which led to an explosion of would-be explorers looking for the next undiscovered territory.
Humanity’s rapid expansion into numerous new systems created a problem of governance. The United Nations of Earth (UNE) realized that it wasn’t built to govern a multi-system expanse. This realization ultimately led to the formation of a new government to reflect the new landscape of Humanity’s territory: the United Planets of Earth (UPE).
A myriad reforms accompanied this name change. A governing tribunal consisting of a High-Secretary, High-General, and High-Advocate was created, plus new rules and regulations were implemented to manage Humanity’s further expansion out to the stars. While many companies recognized and respected these new laws, others ignored them, particularly when lucrative terraforming rights hung in the balance. One such company, Gaia Planet Services, became the most infamous example of the latter.
In 2530, a navjumper named Kathryn Segovia discovered the Pallas System through Baker and decided to auction off the nav point. She cared nothing for the fame, but craved the fortune. Her preliminary scans indicated the system had mineral-rich locations and one potentially habitable planet, so she lined up bids from those who would pay the most for access — mining and terraforming conglomerates.
Corporate Malfeasance
Gaia Planet Services won the bid and raced a terraforming team into Pallas. Comms would later reveal that company executives were eager to cut any corner to offset the exorbitant price paid.
This included not officially registering the system with the UPE, or seeking the appropriate terraforming permits. Instead, they decided to get their operation up and running and then tackle the bureaucratic hurdles later. As company CEO Joseph Jules Jr. wrote in one comm, “We’d rather pay the fine than waste the time.”
Foreman Charles Baxter lead a team into the system and straight to Pallas III, where they began surveying the best locations for terraforming equipment. It wasn’t long before strange ships swooped over the horizon and surrounded the survey teams. All 276 Humans were quickly captured and placed under guard.
This was Humanity’s first encounter with the Xi’an.
Though a language barrier separated the two species, the Xi’an quickly determined that Baxter oversaw the operation. The Xi’an surprised their prisoners by releasing Baxter as a sign of good faith. He fled to the Baker System and immediately contacted his superiors at Gaia Planet Services rather than the authorities.
Supposedly, CEO Joseph Jules Jr. argued that they should try and cut a deal with the Xi’an themselves. He was desperate to find a way to spin this debacle into a positive for the company. A handful of sycophantic executives agreed with him, but Baxter and others pushed back. The plan was a pipe dream unless the company had xeno-linguists on staff who could decipher this unknown language. Reluctantly, company executives contacted the UPE and revealed the terrible situation in which they had placed Humanity.
Strategic Advantage
The UPE’s best xeno-linguist took 15 days to devise a rudimentary form of communication with the Xi’an, after which official discussions over the release of the remaining workers began. Many within the government grumbled at the terrible negotiating position Gaia Planet Services had left them in, while others fumed at the horrible first impression Humanity had given the Xi’an.
The ensuing few weeks were a high-wire act of diplomacy for the UPE. The Xi’an had two primary points of contention that they required to be met before releasing the hostages. The first point was quickly agreed upon; the UPE would vacate the Pallas System immediately. It was the Xi’an’s second stipulation that caused great controversy. They insisted that the UPE reveal the extent of their Empire and the location of all currently known systems. UPE negotiators pushed hard not to have that last detail included, but the Xi’an were adamant about it.
As political pressure built at home to return the captives to their families, the UPE learned more about these strange new aliens. When it was revealed that they lived for hundreds of standard Earth years, negotiators grew concerned with how long the Xi’an were willing to carry on the negotiation. Many concluded that they had no other choice but to acquiesce to the Xi’an terms.
After 57 days, a deal was reached, the ordeal ended, and all hostages were eventually released unharmed, but what Humanity gave up in exchange came to define the relationship between the two species. The disparity between what the Xi’an knew about our systems versus what we knew about theirs was a major source of paranoia for Humanity following the Pallas incident. The actions taken had sown the seeds of distrust on both sides and the two species slowly backed away from the negotiating table, unsure when and where their next encounter would occur.
Despite Humanity learning the Xi’an name for the system, Hui sen Th.us’ūng, during negotiations, it was not commonly used due to the difficulty many had pronouncing it. The escalating cold war pushed the UEE to give it a different name. Eventually, the UEE military assigned it the name Pallas to correlate with other Perry Line systems named after gods of war. The name has stuck ever since.
Although the Xi’an ultimately abandoned the Pallas system during the height of tension with the Messer regime, the Perry Line Pact ensured that the Pallas System would remain in Xi’an hands after the Messers were toppled. As is their custom to assign each system a specific purpose, the Xi’an now use Pallas (which they re-named Th.us’ūng) as a scientific system to conduct research, much of which remains a mystery to the UEE as Human access to the system is highly regulated.
Th.us’ūng I
Closest to Pallas’ yellow-white G1 main-sequence star sits an iron planet. The Xi’an have mined parts of Pallas I, but vast swathes of deposits remain. Since the rest of the system has been assigned to some scientific endeavor, it’s believed that the same goes for Pallas I. As far as we know, no commercial mining occurs on the planet.
K.yuy’a’than (Th.us’ūng II)
This smog planet appears to be untouched by the Xi’an. However, the UEE can’t be certain that research projects aren’t going on beneath the planet’s thick atmosphere.
Se’kith (Th.us’ūng III)
The infamous moment of first contact between Humanity and the Xi’an took place on this terrestrial world. At the time, the Xi’an were already using it as a testbed for various geohacking and terraforming technologies. Such scientific endeavors were abandoned when the Xi’an fled the system during the cold war, only to be resumed after tensions eased.
The specifics of these experiments are unclear. What’s apparent is that several parts of the planet are filled with smoke, supposedly due to a massive underground fire. Whether this raging fire is part of a Xi’an experiment or merely a side effect is unknown.
Huichuaihyao y.ath’o se Th.us’ūng (Huichuai’yath)
When Kathryn Segovia discovered this system, she believed mining companies would kill for access to this mineral rich asteroid belt. Surprisingly, the Xi’an have deemed it illegal to mine, so it remains relatively untouched. Some are still tempted by its vast resources, and mine it at great personal risk.
Hua’nam (Th.us’ūng IV)
Th.us’ūng IV is a notable gas giant not for any particular astronomical properties but because the Xi’an have constructed a pressurized research station within its atmosphere. Human scientists know very little about the station, but it obviously features technology beyond what the UEE currently has.
K.au’u (Th.us’ūng V)
Lacking an atmosphere or any resources of note, this small dwarf planet orbits the system’s outer reaches all by its lonesome.
TRAVEL WARNING
With Th.us’ūng designated by the Xi’an as a scientific research system, visitors must take care to avoid areas deemed off-limits. Xi’an authorities will not hesitate to interdict or even destroy your ship if it ventures into a prohibited part of the system.
HEARD IN THE WIND
“Honestly, it was the most incredible and embarrassing moment in my life. Seeing those strange ships swoop down nearby just froze me, I was so in awe. I’d never seen anything quite like it. Then I remembered what we were doing there and realized we were in big trouble.”
– Charles Baxter, transcript of testimony before the UPE tribunal, 2530
“To me, Pallas is the perfect example for how the Xi’an handle Humanity. We’re allowed to visit the system, but they really don’t want us poking around too much. Sort of like that neighbor who’ll answer the door when you knock but never invite you in.”
– Harry Tenny, A Complainer’s Guide to the ‘Verse, 2939
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- 6 years ago (2019-09-04T23:00:00+00:00)