La aporía de la memoria: entre la historia y el olvido

Distance from UCF Centre: 8.6 light years Number of Colonies: 1

Retention Index Average: 4

Upon arrival in the Sirius system, the SICON survey group discovered something they had not found in more than a decade – a world that was already habitable to humans and covered with a rich ecosystem refl ecting a tremendous diversity of plant and animal life. They also found one of the most important discoveries thus far in human history.

The planet in question was similar to Earth in nearly every respect save that it was smaller, with a circumference some 5,000 miles smaller. Regardless, this new world was immediately identifi ed as a prime candidate for a colony, quickly named Karrus in honour of the Sky Marshall Lucien Karrus.

While one of the survey mission’s three warships, the William Powers, was dispatched back to Earth to inform SICON of the discovery of Karrus, the other two warships, the Stokely Hutchins and the James Clark continued mapping the system along with the survey ship, the David Hall. Once the survey had begun in earnest, however, a shocking discovery was made. There was evidence of intelligent life on the planet.

The evidence was extremely compelling. Orbital scans of the planet revealed what were almost certainly buildings, roads and what may have been agricultural fi elds located near the mouths of the various surface rivers. However, there was no sign of any inhabitants. Considering there had been no indication of any hostile spacefaring presence in the system, Julia Thorne, captain of the Stokely Hutchins and commander of the mission, made the diffi cult decision to send the James Clark back to the Federation as well, to inform SICON of this new information while her ship stayed on to protect the David Hall.

SICON responded quickly to this news, fi rst ensuring the information would not leak out via FedNet then dispatching a task force of ten warships loaded with Mobile Infantry troopers, as well as a delegation of diplomats, to the Sirius system to investigate. This was the fi rst time that the handiwork of intelligent alien life had been seen since the

exploration of the Beta Cygni system, when the Ozymandias had reported sightings of alien cities on the surface, only to see them seemingly vanish without explanation beneath the shroud of a dust storm. SICON was determined to succeed in contacting the alien race on Karrus.

However, during the intervening three weeks between the arrival of the survey mission and the arrival of the task force, the David Hall had been continuing extensive surveying of the planet and had yet to see any signs of habitation in the structures below. Further, the buildings, the roads, everything that could be observed from orbit seemed incredibly primitive, like something that might have been built or made by a Bronze Age society. Regardless, the survey ship had continued to gather information about the planet itself, information that left no doubt as to the value of the world.

Upon the arrival of the SICON task force, several companies of Mobile Infantry troopers escorted the Federation diplomats and scientists to the planet’s surface. There, they discovered the primitive cities were indeed uninhabited, as well as the reason for this. The natives were all dead.

SICON launched a number of scientifi c missions to Karrus over the next six months, trying to determine the fate of the planet’s former inhabitants. In each case the scientists were escorted by Mobile Infantry troopers on the chance that some hostile force had been responsible for the genocide of an entire race. However, each scientifi c mission confi rmed the same thing, that the planet’s natives, a race of humanoids surprisingly similar in outer appearance to humans (except for a prehensile tail, extra digits and knees that could bend in either direction), had died out between 150 and 175 years before the fi rst Federation survey mission arrived, victims of a planet-wide plague. For several months more, the planet Karrus was under quarantine as the Federation and its scientists attempted to determine whether or not the plague was still active and, if it was, whether it was hazardous to humans. Eventually, genetic research was able to isolate the bacteria responsible for the plague but subsequent testing showed it was harmless to human beings. During this entire time, the details of Karrus were kept shrouded in a blanket of secrecy from the populace of the Federation.

As a result of this ghoulish serendipity, the Federation realised that Karrus, now uninhabited, was still an excellent candidate for colonisation. The ruins of the old civilisation, whose people had been named the Karnans, were cordoned off and the Federation began construction on its newest

colony. Only then was the true story of this fascinating planet made public.

The current governor of the Sirius system is Emil Dubois, a native of Karrus who was decorated for bravery four times during his service with the Mobile Infantry.

Karrus

Role: Supplier of multiple resources to the Federation Circumference: 16,560 miles

Population: 3,125,000 Orbital Path: Third

Rotational Period (days): 0.84 Orbital Period (days): 251

Primary Function: Multiple resources Retention Index: 4

History

Despite its relative proximity to the Sol system, at least as compared to systems like Cincinnati and Shoreridge, the Sirius system was not extensively surveyed, nor its one habitable planet colonised, until about 35 years ago, long after most other Federation colonies were established and thriving. Shoreridge III, by way of example, was colonised more than 50 years ago and orbits a star nearly three times as far from Sol as Sirius is.

Initially, the Federation Colonisation Commission had a diffi cult time recruiting colonists for Karrus. The plague that had wiped out its former population had become public knowledge by now and, despite assurances from the government and a large number of scientists that it could not affect human beings, there was still unsurprisingly some of nervousness in the population.

However, once the Karrus colony had been up and running for a decade, such fears began to ebb, and the many possibilities and opportunities of Karrus soon began to lure colonists in droves.

What makes Karrus so remarkable as a colony is not that it does one thing perfectly well but that the world does many things extremely well. In the course of the colony’s history, it has developed agriculture, mining, heavy industry, enormous corporations and even a thriving tourism industry. All these qualities are a source of tremendous pride to the people of Karrus.

That pride almost became dangerous to the colony some 20 years ago, when the colonists began referring to Karrus

as ‘New Earth’. This unfortunate choice of words set off a number of red fl ags at SICON, as it smacked of separatism.

Consequently, the planet came under close scrutiny by Military Intelligence, a scrutiny SICON did not bother to hide.

However, the fi rst Military Intelligence investigation (as well as those that followed whenever someone at SICON felt there was need) did not reveal any true separatist or dissident activity on Karrus.

One industry that should thrive on the planet but does not is archaeology. Though several of the ruined cities and towns of the Karnans are available to tourists, the Federation will only rarely issue permission for an archaeological team to investigate any of the other sites.

Early in the life of the Karrus colony, there were occasional

‘Karnan sightings’ – people who claimed to have seen one of the original race of the planet. Of course, the Federation said this was impossible, as it had ensured there were no survivors before beginning construction on the colony and

FedNet Breaking News

Karrus Colonist Makes Surprising Discovery Karrus civilian Kathy Matson was taking her children on a hiking tour through caves at the Karnan ruins near Grace Peak when she noticed something strange in a cramped and dusty side passage.

Upon stepping off the main tunnel to investigate, Matson discovered what seemed to be some kind of strange form of an axe, with a stone head and wooden handle. The axe conforms to some of the designs discovered in the ruins of the old civilisation of the Karnans but it shows few signs of decomposition.

Federation scientists who have examined Matson’s fi nd believe it is either a skilled forgery or that some unknown property of the caves has managed to preserve the axe against the ravages of time. Further investigation is promised.

Would you like to know more?

FedNet will not broadcast such sensationalism. Eventually, these so-called sightings became more infrequent but they still occur from time to time.

Culture

Karrus is home to the largest population of humans anywhere outside the Sol system. The people of Karrus tend to be proud, optimistic and confi dent, cultural traits that are easily understandable given all the colony has accomplished in its relatively young life.

Despite the ruins all over the planet from the ancient civilisation that once lived there, the people of Karrus tend to look toward the future, not the past. Karrus has been the site of one success after another since it was fi rst settled by humanity and the potential of the planet seems unlimited.

Ambition is also a defi ning trait of the Karrus culture. It has what has fueled the rise of what is commonly referred to in economic circles as the ‘Sirius Lion’ – the meteoric rise of Karrus’ fi nancial and political power in the last three centuries.

The people of Karrus are extraordinarily loyal to the Federation, despite any concerns that may have arisen over their christening of the planet as ‘New Earth’. This loyalty, along with the ambition and optimism endemic in Karrus society, spur many of its young people to enlist in Federal Service to earn their franchise as citizens and the colony itself has one of the largest citizen populations of any stellar colony in the Federation.

Laws and Government

The capital of Karrus is a city called New Madrid, the only city of any appreciable size on the planet and home to more than two million people. The mammoth Federal Building in the centre of New Madrid is the seat of all government for the Sirius system, an enormous bureaucracy administering the laws, education, health care and employment needs of this vibrant world.

The laws of Karrus are practically indistinguishable from those of Earth. However, visitors should be aware that the majority of the Karnan ruins are off-limits to anyone not there with express governmental consent. Trespassing may result in a fi ne to be determined by the judge and a fl ogging of up to 20 lashes.

Economy

The ‘Sirius Lion’ has roared – and the whole Federation has heard it. Though the colony was slow to get started, due to lingering concerns in the population about the plague that destroyed the Karnans, within a decade the colony hit the ground running and has never looked back.

The people of Karrus call their planet ‘New Earth’ for a very good reason. It is capable of producing almost anything Earth can and it has the local business acumen and fi nancial power to act on its natural resources. This ensures the colony a steady stream of income from a wide variety of sources, from raw mining materials to manufacturing to tourism.

Thus, the colony sends a steady stream of revenue (not to mention concrete goods) back to Earth, thereby earning its high retention rating.

Among the powerful corporations created and headquartered on Karrus are:

9 Allied Metallics – a consortium of mining corporations and foundries

9 Belor Systems – a computer manufacturer 9 Neurofi ber – makers of the high-speed data lines

used in everything from FedNet consoles to the armoured suits of the Mobile Infantry

9 Sirius Label – an agricultural consortium, specialising in growing, harvesting and distributing the edible native fruits and vegetables of Karrus

Points of Interest

Though of course Karrus falls far short of Zegama Beach as a holiday destination, there are a vast number of things to see and do on the planet. New Madrid has some of the fi nest museums, symphony halls, sports teams and theatres of any stellar colony. Indeed, they are fi ner that those of many cities on Earth.

Outside of New Madrid itself, the planet has towering mountains, wide seas and raging rivers for those with a taste for a little adrenaline with their entertainment. Given the planet’s low gravity as compared to Earth, activities ranging from mountain climbing to hang gliding take on an added level of excitement.

Lastly, of course, there are the Karnan ruins to visit. Several of the larger sites are open to the public year-round, offering tours, hiking excursions and even accommodations for a reasonable price.