Nyx was discovered in SEY 2582 during the height of the newly-formed United Empire of Earth’s territorial expansion. The system consists of three planets circling an F-type main sequence star and two asteroid belts. Astronomically, the most distinct aspect of Nyx is that it is located directly on the border of a dark nebula, which gave the system its name.
Nyx was first charted through a jump point in the Bremen System by solo navjumper Carla Larry, who described what she found in her official claim as “Lacking logical reason to apply the expense of terraformation.” Despite her less than encouraging initial assessment, Larry did make an attempt to formally name the star’s three worlds Lou, Morgan and Ashley, apparently after three separate romantic conquests she was pursuing. While the UEE government has never recognized these names, and they have never been widely used, Larry did say before her death that all three of the namesakes were touched by the gesture.
Recently, Nyx has gained some additional utility as a transit system for supplies headed for the Synthworld project, which means there can be a significant credit value of cargo moving through the system at any one time. Small scale piracy is not uncommon, and travelers are advised to tread carefully when traveling through the system. Of more concern is the increasing number of Vanduul ships that have been spotted near the Virgil-Nyx jump point. Residents worry that this may be the prelude to a large-scale raid, and some have begun stocking up on weapons in response. The UEE has issued a warning that all pilots should steer clear of this part of the Nyx system unless it is absolutely necessary.
Nyx I When it was first discovered, Nyx I was a coreless, heat-swept world that was a poor colonization candidate. While Nyx I was not technically a smog planet, it had an atmosphere laced with the very same gasses that had continually blocked corporations from successfully terraforming such worlds. However, when a routine survey revealed the presence of high-grade metals beneath the planet’s surface, multiple companies threw caution to the wind and tried their hands at transforming Nyx I into a friendlier place. But no matter what anyone tried, the technology at the time failed, and the atmosphere remained stubbornly poisonous.
In spite of the dangerous conditions, numerous mining operations set up shop on Nyx I when they got word of what had been found there, and within 50 years, much of the planet’s material wealth had been shipped off to Kilian to help supply the Empire’s ongoing war efforts. Profits eventually slowed thanks to constant wear and tear on the mining equipment from the searing heat, and one by one, the mining companies left for greener pastures. By 2630, Nyx I had been mostly abandoned.
Centuries later, there may now be new hope for Nyx I. In 2954, Genesis Terraforming began using their newly-developed suite of terraformation platforms to scrub the previously irremovable toxins from the planet’s atmosphere and replace them with the right balance of oxygen and nitrogen. This groundbreaking technology is the first of its kind and has the potential to solve the mystery that has been plaguing science since the advent of planetary colonization: how to terraform smog planets. If successful, worlds long-thought uninhabitable such as Baker II, Cano III, or even Sol II could be placed on the path to habitability.
Nyx II Cloaked in thick clouds of acid, Nyx II was once considered for terraforming due to its position within the system’s green band. MIST conducted a serious study in 2585 to determine whether it could be made habitable. The end result was that it was next to impossible, and, if attempted, would take considerable effort and expense. Traveling to the surface of the planet remains dangerous; even if explorers are protected from the deadly atmosphere, the stifling temperatures, the twisted terrain, and the air pressure present risks of their own.
Glaciem Ring Asteroid Belt & Delamar A dense asteroid belt circles Nyx’s star between Nyx II and Nyx III. While the asteroid field is home to numerous mining outposts, it is mostly known as a very good place to avoid unwanted attention. An unknown number of small settlements have been established on asteroids in the area and are home to a variety of fringe colonists seeking anything from life outside the UEE to a platform from which to operate outside the law.
The highlight of these settlements is Delamar, the largest of the asteroids. Hidden deep in the Glaciem Ring, it is the home of the People’s Alliance, who transformed an old, abandoned mining facility into a colony and dubbed it Levski after an old Earth revolutionary. Dissenters of the UEE’s Messer Era, the People’s Alliance made Delamar a haven for political radicals and anti-UEE sentiment in their pursuit of creating a fair government. While the People’s Alliance has taken on a more passive role in recent history, Levski still attracts politically-minded groups that are similar enough to live together, but different enough in their goals so they seldom get anything accomplished.
Over the years, a criminal element has exploited the welcoming nature of the People’s Alliance and taken up residence in Levski. The People’s Alliance has tried to suppress it, since it makes their community a target for government raids and undermines their message about taking a stand against the corruption and criminality in the UEE, but it continues to linger.
Nyx III The final planet in the Nyx System, located far from the sun’s light, is an ice giant. A massive ball of frozen water and ammonia vapor, Nyx III has only seen minimal resource extraction owing to the hazardous work conditions in the planet’s dangerous atmosphere.
Keeger Belt This outermost asteroid belt has long been a favorite hiding place for those who would prefer to do their business in the shadows. Some of its abandoned mining platforms are rumored to have been used as drop points for smugglers.
Travel Warning While Levski’s airlocks are open to visitors, they do ask that guests abide by the code of rules and morals that they’ve established or risk the resident’s ire. As the signs that greet all those that land on Delemar say, “Even if you disagree with us, you will respect our right to life.”
Heard in the Wind
Concerning news from the Nyx system as Vanduul ambushed a Castra-bound cargo ship last night and disappeared into the Virgil jump point before it could be apprehended. This is the third incident this month alone, and the people of Nyx are growing increasingly worried. Is a new invasion on the horizon? We’ll hear from experts on Vanduul behavior after the break.
- Empire Report, 2955.09.19
“We, the People’s Alliance of Levski, are dedicated to the creation and continual development of a truly egalitarian community, where all sentients may feel safe and free to express ideas while supporting each other towards the communal goal of enlightened self-sufficiency.”
- People’s Alliance, Declaration of Intent, 2655
“To fully understand Levski, you must visit the hand-carved statue of ANTHONY TANAKA, the boy whose death became a rallying cry for the anti-Messer movement. While there are other sculptures of Tanaka in the UEE, none are as beautifully dark and defiant.”
- Observist Dark, 2945.09.16