Star League Science Colony 6654 - "Jotunheim"

## System Description

J-6654 was discovered during exploration efforts funded by Star League after the Reunification Wars. Star League Intelligence proposed the idea of aggressive exploration of the deep periphery as a means of making sure there weren't outlying colonies sheltering rebel hold-outs, and as a means of finding locations for listening posts and other clandestine bases.

J-6654 is found near the Aquila Rift past what was the Rim Worlds Republic and well beyond Lyran Commonwealth borders. It has 13 planets in system all, with two massive gas giants. The 1st gas giant, Thrymheim, has a total of 35 moons and was selected for establishing science colony/outpost. Various colonies and stations were set up, but it is on one of the largest moons, Jotunheim, that SLDF-6654 was established. It's planetary ring being made up of icy-rock formations that were easily used for the construction orbital habitats.

The 2nd gas giant, Gastropnir, has its own planetary ring along with 18 small moons and 9 large earth sized ones. These were never fully explored and initially seen as mostly lifeless. Gastropnir has various orbital habitats around it that serve as living quarters and for the study of the gas giant itself.

The other worlds in the system fall into three categories, either being lifeless rock devoid of activity, ice planets with active volcanic cores, or tectonically violent giants with molten surfaces that have yet to cool. Two of these lifeless rocky planets separate Thrymheim and Gastropnir.

## System History

### Planetary History

Founded after the Reunification War, Star League Outpost 6654 was just supposed to be a temporary assignment. It's mission to simply establish a supply depot and a small science station. However, with the outbreak Amaris Civil War, Outpost 6654 became cut off from the inner sphere. It's location near the Rim Worlds Republic made it a target and it was forced to adapt to a wartime mission from a science based one.

When Rim Worlds Republic forces began hunting down and destroying SL colonies and outposts where ever they could find them. SL science and exploration operations in the area quickly retreated to Outpost 6654 to attempt to sit the war out and stay out of the fighting. With all the additional resources, the outpost expanded and became more of a permanent settlement over the 10 years of the war. With the influx of refugees, Outpost 6654 grew further. Defenses were added and facilities expanded to be able to repair damaged equipment.

When the fighting became more intense and RWR forces started closing in on Outpost 6654, they cut all communications and went into hiding. For the rest of the war, all they could do was wait and pray.

Comstar took over the facility as soon as it became apparent that Star League was over. They began to stockpile SLDF supplies and arms and moving them to this location. As Kerensky's Exodus began, Comstar had managed to hide the existence of Outpost 6654 now code named Jotunheim.

For years, Jotunheim only visited once a year for the occasional resupply. It had become a self sustaining colony. Communication was only via jumpships, the planet's HPG being turned off to keep it secret. Because of it's remote location and these strict security protocols, the Word of Blake was unable to gain a foothold when the Schism occurred. Those agents that had belonged with the Word that rose up were quickly and quietly dealt with by ROM.

When Grey Monday happened and the various powers of the Inner Sphere and Clans became clear, all records of Jotunheim was scrubbed from Comstar records. The colony once again went into isolation. ROM agents belonging to the ultra secret Eye of Providence cabal ruthlessly hunted down any that knew about Jotunheim's existence. Sacrificing themselves if it meant keeping the secret safe.

### Planetary Rulers

Precentor Astrid Cleve is a loyal member of Comstar and believes in it's mission. Currently, she is doing her best to take in as many Comstar refugees from the Inner Sphere as she can while making sure to keep her facility safe. She is trying to rebuild the defenses and rearm in case, what she feels might be an inevitable conflict comes. Precentor Cleve has surrounded herself with like minded people that understand the position she's in and will do everything they can to support her, making sure her orders are unquestioned by those outside Jotunheim.

### Military Deployment

Jotunheim has facilities in order service and maintain the industrial mechs needed for everyday life there as well as the full regiment of SLDF mechs kept in storage. Since the collapse of Star League, those facilities have been expanded by Comstar over the last 400+ years and it is now capable of holding an entire division if needed. However, it only has a most a Level III permanently stationed there.

The *SLS Ao-Ping* and the *SLS Osiris Traveler* (a ***Nightwing*-**class and ***Tracker*-**class warship respectively) both had been damaged in a previous exchange with Rim World Republic forces and were being repaired. When Kerensky's decision to leave was made, both captains opted to stay when the facility came under Comstar control. Jotunheim is now patrolled by both ships after being refitted and renamed the *CV Arethusa Navis and CV Ismene Navis.*

### Geography

Jotunheim's landscape is a frozen on, with many craters from its early formation. The horizon is dominated by the gas giant that it orbits and the other moons are often visible to the naked eye as well. There are two massive canyons that cross the surface, several kilometers wide and at least 1 to 2 kilometers deep in places. It is at the deepest points that liquid water can be found during the daylight, but it is unknown how far deep this goes below the surface.

### Planetary Locations

   The Armory is an underground storage and maintenance facility. It has recently expanded to hold an entire division and in the past held mechs belonging to the 282nd Division. It was emptied out during for the Battle of Tukayyid and never restocked. Now, it houses Comstar refugees from the inner sphere.

The Eye - A small city-sized communication hub and listening outpost. Capable of monitoring traffic of the HPG Network. Partially disabled by the Grey Monday virus. This complex holds a vast amount of records and is only accessible to acolytes that have been cleared by the Precentor.

### Industrial Centers

The Forge - Having been left on it's own for the 10 years of the Amaris Civil War, the SLDF personnel and scientists began working on ways to create and manufacturer the replacement parts they would need. This involved the creation of a series of factories that could be very quickly retooled and changed to make similar but slightly different parts. This allowed them to custom make the parts needed to repair actuators, gyros, and other such equipment. This series of factories is located underground and is kept secret with only a few able to access it.

The Gardens - Large domed habitats that with the aid of advanced farming techniques and Star League era robotics, is able to produce more than enough food to feed the entire system. The Gardens are often able to restock any vessels easily, including giving them excess cargo pods to take with for either emergencies or trade. The Gardens also include a massive water treatment plant that takes frozen ice from the planet's surface, purifies it, and makes it available for the entire planetary facility as drinking water.