Oso system

Oso system

The **Oso system** is designated by the United Empire of Earth as a developing system, hence off-limits to interaction and trade. This is enforced by a small military garrison, though their attention can be diverted elsewhere for the right price, so this system is regularly visited by traders of all kinds between here and the Xi'An Empire.

Osoians are the most developed of the primitive species the UEE has discovered. They are a furry, multi-limbed people who communicate through color patterns generated by chameleon-like cells across their foreheads. Human scientists find the species to be fascinating, but unfortunately for the Ossians, the Xi'An consider Ossians to be delicious.

## Discovery

The Oso system was first discovered in 2861 by amateur explorer Errol Navis, who named it after his daughter. Survey teams and corporate groups flocked to the system hoping to find planets that could be terraformed, but the discovery of sentient natives prompted the UEE government to offer protection under the Fair Chance Act.

The system was locked down to help give its inhabitants the chance to develop without outside interference, but findings on its suitability for human life were intentionally leaked to try force the hand of government. In the end, the Fair Chance Act was upheld thanks to a slim majority vote in the Senate, and UEE forces were dispatched to garrison the nearest jump point. However, the system has nevertheless become a target for black market traders eager to buy and sell unusual wares.

## Oso I

This tidally locked world is best known for its stunning dichotomy between day and night; the sun-facing side is covered by seas of lava, whereas the reverse is an iron-rich but deathly cold surface incapable of supporting human life. However, it is possible to land on the planet, and that's what researchers did to inspect its mineral content. Their findings demonstrated that there is little worth extracting.

## Oso II

Oso II is a lush world of varied biospheres that's home to the Osoians, the most developed primitive species ever contacted by humans. Human scientists campaigned for the right to communicate with an emerging species upon the discovery of the Osoians, and as a result those studies continue to this day, albeit under the strict restrictions of the Fair Chance Act.

Many other species of life inhabit Oso II, many of which are unlike any creature observed elsewhere in the universe. To this end, certain research groups have been granted exemptions of the Fair Chance Act in order to establish off-world research platforms from which to study this life.

## Middle Planets

Oso III is a gas giant, which began life as a rogue Jupiter and fell into the orbit of the system's star. The planet is mostly without interest, save for the scientific relevance of its proximity to Oso II. It's thought that it might act as a 'comet shield', which is the reason that Oso II has been able to produce sentient life.

Oso IV was once rich in gems and mineral resources that were made very easy to mine thanks to some unknown event. However, it was picked clean shortly after discovery. Today, there's no atmosphere on the planet — and an argument as to whether there ever was one. Either way, there's little cause to visit.

## Station Chimera

The rotating military assignment charged with protecting the Oso system lives and works on Station Chimera. However, there have been some major accusations levied as to the quality of the staff stationed there. Bribery and related corruption reportedly run rife, a problem that's only exacerbated by the fact that the UEE military seems to think of the base as a place to send problematic or below-average troops.

It has been reported that it's rather easy to visit Oso II — so long as you have the means of paying off military personnel to ensure your safe passage. However, these reports are unconfirmed.

## Outer Planets

The fifth and sixth planets in the Oso system have largely been ignored since their initial scientific exploration. Oso V is an ice giant, incapable of sustaining human life. Oso VI is a dwarf planet, once thought to be a site containing high-density iron ore. However, these reading were later found to be erroneous.

## External links

Unlock: Oso System

Galactic Guide: Oso System