Star Log, Sec. 7, Sub 23-1
The galaxy is full of surprises.
This planet is very nearly lifeless – scant vegetation, only a few lifeforms, most of the water heavily salinated, burning sun. Humans COULD live there, but only as a last resort.
Yet our first probe found life and civilization.
Not a lot – and it turns out not CONSTANT civilization. No, this place boasts an impressive natural cave system, and in there it turns out there’s a vast smugglers’ hideout.
We left a sneak-probe and took some notes.
Star Log, Sec. 7, Sub 23-2
I’m starting to think some other civilization is using Subsector 23 as a dump.
Ok, that’s not the weirdest part of 7-23-2. The weirdest part is that the dump – decommissioned ships, from the looks of it, gunners and cargo ships – is set up like we’d set up something with no breathable atmosphere. Double airlock on a dome near the landing bay, a deep underground facility staffed by five life-signs.
Yet the air here is perfect for human life and on the other side of the plant, away from the desert and the dump, is lush, green terrain.
What DO these aliens breathe?
Star Log, Sec. 7, Sub 23-3
The lightning storms! The wild lightning arcing across the northern hemisphere of this planet! It’s beautiful, albeit deadly.
But the southern hemisphere is just as rich in metal as the northern, and there are wide grasslands and hilly regions between the mountains. The soil might be shallow; there’s metal close to the surface everywhere. But very large herbivores and rather large carnivores roam the surface, even in the north. This planet can sustain life.
We sent a team to see just how MUCH life.
Star Log, Sec. 7, Sub 23
This last star system on the edge of the sector might explain much about the entire sector.
We found a dead planet covered in ruins first, and then a planet almost suitable for humanoid life – covered in far newer ruins. Its satellites – three – were covered in the detritus of what looked liked several wars.
On the far side of the last satellite, we found a small grouping of aliens still alive. We sent down a greeting probe and, with it, a query: Did they need aid or rescue?
They shot a rocket at our ship and nearly managed to hit us.
7.23.3