Kapustin

## System Info

NSC-353 TWM is a Blue-White Subgiant with 6 planets orbiting it. What makes this system unique is that all of the planets have an atmosphere and are relatively stable geologically. This made it a perfect candidate for operations when surveyed by Trans-World Mining in 2375.

NSC-353 II is a desert world that is covered in gravel strewn mountains of easily obtained fossil fuels, indicating that the system once had life at least at a microscopic level. This is consistent with the evidence found on the methane sand dune-fields on NSC-353 III.

NSC-353 IV possesses a toxic atmosphere that when combined with the hurricane level winds makes it hard to fully explore the surface. It is known that the surface of NSC-353 IV is covered in ice that has been carved into various formations that might possibly be from some other source than wind erosion.

NSC-353 V and VI both have been found to have breathable atmospheres despite being extremely cold ( -50°C or less). These planets were passed up initially by Trans-World due to a lack of resources. However with further exploration by the Science Academy, it has been found that there are several deep fissures on both planets that lead to subsurface oceans on each. Expeditions are currently being organized to chart both for possible colonization.

### Locations

Antoninov Station is the only recharging's station in the system. Built during the Star League era by SLDF forces, it is a simple facility found in orbit around NSC-353 VI. Named after one of the leaders of the Kapustin forces during the Siege of Kapustin against the Trans-World Mining mercenaries. It is currently being upgraded to handle more traffic from the Inner Sphere by the Ministry of Travel.

## History

(see *Kapustin Siege)*

Kapustin was settled by, Trans-World Mining, one of the few mining corporations to venture into the New Suns territory in 2375. Trans-Worlds surveyed all the worlds in the system and found them rich in rare minerals. However, out of all of the planets in the system only Kapustin was habitable, and that was considered a matter of debate.

Bringing in cheap labor from the Inner Sphere, Kapustin became home to many workers from the Lyran Commonwealth, many being from Slavic or Russian descent. These workers often fell victim to company store practices and within a few years, most of the labor found themselves little more than indentured servants.

During the widespread unrest that eventually plunged the New Suns into armed rebellion, Kapustin was one of the last systems to overthrow its corporate overlords in 2527. The system's conflict was centered on the only habitable planet, and was one of the bloodier conflicts. The Kapustin rebellion was aided by Kuritan "ronin" who had been hired by various merchant families from the Combine.

After the formation of the New Suns Republic, Kapustin was involved in factional fighting that only stopped when the SLDF came to assist the new state. At the center of the conflict was determining how to govern the system with several failed attempts by various factions to take control. Star League peacekeepers helped the planet have a free election in which there was overwhelming support to form a planetary government that was based off Tsarist Russia.

When the Reunification Wars began, Kapustin was a source of resistance for the SLDF forces guarding it. Work stoppages and general strikes were commonplace with the Tsar turning a blind eye to it. Police were often seen assisting protestors when SLDF forces would come to disperse the crowds. Under the guise of helping the SLDF, police forces would often sabotage efforts by feigning incompetence and impeding SLDF movements.

## Planetary Info

### Geography

The most of the landscape of Kapustin resembles the Great Steppes of Central Asia on Terra. Most of the terrain is a compact gravel that is covered in a grass-like growth that is hard to compete with. This makes growing any sort of crops in what is otherwise amazingly fertile soil extremely difficult. These steppes are in the regions near the poles of the planet.

However the few farming arcologies that have managed to take hold have been able to produce large amounts of crops. These are located near the equatorial plains. Here the landscape is much easier for agricultural efforts. The Tsarina has in one of the few Imperial decrees issued during her reign, designated the entire region to be an industrial-free zone, for agricultural and housing only.

Most of the water is trapped under the surface in large aquifers, frozen near the poles, or found in the occasional lake that dot the equator. However, like on NSC-V and VI, there is a large fissure in the southern hemisphere that leads to an subsurface sea. This region was not extensively explored during the early days of the colony, due to a lack of interest from Trans-World Mining.

### Locations

Begut Koshki, was the only major city on the planet with aerospace facilities, something that Trans-World Mining used to keep the populace in control since it was the only means for supplies to flow to the planet. As a result, it is built like a fortress with walls and gates meant to impede any would be aggressors from outside the city. Since the Uprising, it has blossomed into a metropolitan hub 22 million people. It is from here, the Imperial Tsar rules the various other city-states and directs the future of the system.

On the northern pole, is the planet's only other spaceport, the Yokohama Arcology. Here is the headquarters of Farside Mining, the largest corporation in the system. When Trans-World Mining was overthrown, a small family of expatriates from the Draconis Combine bought the assets and with the workers already there, kept the operations going. Yokohama Arcology is a city with over 12.6 million people living there working in the mining industry along with the other businesses that support it.

### Politics

Kapustin's government can be confusing to the average citizen of the New Suns Republic. The planet is divided up into semi-independent city states with territories that each claim. They have autonomy to operate in whatever way is most beneficial to their circumstance as long as it does not violate the basic rights of their citizens. This is enforced by the rule of the Imperial Tsarist government, a monarchy that rules the entire system but with a philosophy of doing so with a light touch until a heavy hand is needed.

Currently, the system rulers are a pair of sisters from Canopian descent. Tsarina Anastasia Pershenko the First rules from the capital in Bergut Koshki, handling economic and diplomatic matters while her sister Lord General Miércoles Mao is in charge of military and defense issues.

While being part of the New Suns Republic, the citizens of Kapustin have always seen themselves as being different. Because of their position along "the trail" they had a much more difficult time throwing off corporate rule during the Uprising, and saw from the refugees fleeing during the Trail Massacres what future might be in store for them should invaders from the Inner Sphere come. As a result, they know they have a responsibility that most of the Republic will not have to bare, which can lead them to seeing the rest as being 'soft'.