Nidavellir - SLDF Depot 505

## System Description

The system lies past what was the Rim Worlds Republic frontier near the Aquila Rift. Its exact location having been carefully removed from navigational records and charts by a Comstar shortly after the collapse of Star League.

Two planets, Chryson (a barren but volcanically active earth-sized planet) and Ægir, orbit Imhotep (a M2V class red dwarf) as it's only companions.

Ægir is a massive gas giant with over 44 small moons and 15 large earth-sized ones. Most of the smaller moons vary in size from small asteroids like Ceres to being comparable to Earth's Luna. The larger moons all occupy the outer most orbits around Ægir and are good candidates for terraforming.

## System History

### Planetary History

When the HAF's Research and Development needed a place far from prying eyes to test new naval designs away from the bureaucrats within their own government and from House Units, the Hegemony's Central Intelligence Bureau was more than happy to assist with those efforts. With Lord Deborah Cameron pursuing their Aggressive Diplomacy strategy, CIB began siphoning funds off to fund the creation of a hidden shipyard. If the Director-General would not see to the upkeep of Hegemony's navy, they would.

The naval base would appear on records and accounting ledgers as HAF Depot 505 (later to SLDF Depot 505). To officials and management it would be just a simply a supply depot. The truth was that it would serve as a test bed for new tech and designs. These designs would bypass oversight committees. The HAF would slowly move tech and scientists to the Depot. At first, all the work was mostly theoretical, over time the Depot facilities would expand to become a full shipyard.

With the founding of Star League, Star League Intelligence increased it's activity in it's "off books" projects. Projects at SLDF Depot 505 shifted from theoretical to practical applications. Being able to take a ship from concept to physical prototype became the focus of the shipyards. Many of these prototype designs would be tested, with failures being recycled for future projects or successful vessels being used in system before being put into service. Ships like the SLS Cousteau, and prototype deep exploration vessel meant to operate alone for extended periods.

The Depot would stay busy during the Reunification War, working to fine tuning weapon and engine efficiencies. Small incremental improvements in sensors and communication systems. This would help give the SLDF the edge it needed over the various navies of the Periphery States and show the House lords their superiority.

The Amaris Civil War put the entire depot on lockdown during the beginning years. Once it established that Rim World Republican intel were ignorant of the Depot's existence, they began to focus on making small, fast warships. At it's height, the Depot managed to produce ***Pakhet***-class Pocket warships with various new systems for hunting and harassing RWR ships.

After the Civil War, with the dissolution of the Star League, the future of Depot was uncertain. Most of the personnel were unsure of Kerensky's intentions, if he was going to attempt to seize control or not. When his fleet arrived to strip the facility, General Kerensky found that agents from the newly formed Comstar had already contacted those in control and convinced them to join their cause.

The Depot (now code named: Nidavellir), helped Comstar maintain it's position during the Succession Wars, repairing and upgrading the ships that Comstar was able to obtain from Star League caches. This facility also helped Comstar rebuild it's losses after the Jihad and with the warships stationed in the system, has given refugees from the Inner Sphere a place to flee to after Grey Monday.

### Planetary Rulers

Precentor William Belmont - Formerly of Federated Suns belonging to a minor noble family. Became disillusioned with the politics of the Inner Sphere at a young age and joined Comstar only a few years before Grey Monday. Showing a natural aptitude for starship design and project management, he was quickly recruited by the Eye of Providence after careful vetting. His loyalty is unquestionable as he sees his mission to protect the facility as paramount to helping humanity continue to advance into the stars.

### Military Deployment

Having over 59 moons, there are a mix of military and civilian facilities around Ægir, as well as on the surface of the sister planet, Chryson. Being as far from the Inner Sphere as it is, the system is reliant on it's own defenses for protection. It is unknown how many ground forces are hidden amongst the moons of Ægir, records show that one facility was able to serve as a repair platform capable of handling at least a regiment. It is unknown if those facilities have been expanded.

The system is defended by several wings of aerospace fighters and assorted small craft. In addition to these, the *CV Apheliotes Navis, CV Argestes Navis* (***Dante*-**class frigates) and the *CV Aeolus Navis* (a ***Suffren***-class destroyer) patrol the area along with several Pakhet warships. These ships do not appear on any of the Comstar registries and their construction kept secret by the Eye of Providence.