Stellar Reaches Issue #27 Spring 2018 Page 22

OnsomeOvaghounworlds,thefactthatshe’sofmixeddescentwouldhaveleadtoherdeath,preorpost-birth.ButtheOvaghounofBashkarilacktheracialhostilityoftheirkinintheRukadukazRepublic,soherlifecontinuedfairlysmoothly.Shegotonwellwiththelargehumanpopulation,andhercuriosityaboutlife–whilenotencouragedbyherVilani-styleculture–wasnotquenchedeither,asitwouldbewithastrictVilaniupbringing.Whileabonefidescientist,Mguthoislesseducatedthanthereaderwouldhaveguessed:effectivelyraisedonlytomasterstatistics,withoutmuchofaneducationinliterature,history,orother‘unnecessaryfrills’.Noteventheothersciencesweremorethansuperficiallytouched.Still,whatMguthodoesknow,sheknowslikethebackofherhand:sheevenhastheabilitytodosomeseriouscomputingjustwithherunaided–buthighlydisciplined–mind.Mguthoplacesahighvalueonaccuracyandobeyingtherulesandprocedures(astheVilani-influencedOvaghoundo),andissomewhatmoreconciliatoryandwillingtocompromisethanmostVargr(asherIrilitokforbearerswouldapproveof).

Certainculturessimplylovetheirheadgear!Thestoriesastarportworkercouldtell…

Thisgraphicistitled“Disembark”©AdrianoPortugal.Seehisworkathttps://danarogon-ap.deviantart.com/art/Disembark-727713164

…andAwayInthenormalcourseofevents,Mguthowouldhavelivedoutamildlycloisteredbutratherhappyandsatisfyinglifeonherhomeworld.Butitwasnottobe:agasexplosiononherstreetwipedoutherneighbourhoodduringherapprenticeship.Butbyanincrediblyunlikelyseriesofflukecoincidences,thelivesofherentirefamilywasspared!MguthowasintenselythankfultotheAncestorsandtheSpiritoftheTraditions:butstrangely,evenafterconductingtheproperceremoniesandritualsofthanksgiving,shefelt…restless,illatease.Asifmorewassomehowdemandedforsuchaboon,forthesalvationofherfamily.Nowrestlessandsearchingfor…something…Mguthotransferredtoaninterstellartalentagency,andsoonstartedcrossingthestars,puttinghertrainingtoworkinodd,difficult,andisolatedsituations.Sheearnedareputationasarock-solid,reliableworker,whichledtomanyoffersforwell-payingpermanentpositions:buttheholeinherheartremained,andMguthowasonthemoveonceagain.NowaseniorcontractorforherVargrcaste-corporation,K.T.Khothuk,sheisworkingon-boardthePlataoPlomoasveryexpensivetalent,gatheringandprocessingdemographicdata(andalsoworkingwithImperialdatasets)tobettermeasure,quantify,andgraph/chartoutthepositionoftheweakerVargrpacksandpopulationswithintheImperialEmptyQuarter.Afewlocalresearchinstitutesaretryingtoforgetieswithher:insomeways,shehas

Stellar Reaches Issue #27 Spring 2018 Page 23

alreadygatheredmorehighqualitydataonlocalVargrpopulationsthaneventheImperialgovernment.28Ifheremployersapprove,shemayevenagreetoshareherresearch…Mguthoisinthemostintenselyanti-VargrregionoftheImperium…butthatmeanslittletoher.Evenifthelocalsslaughterherinthestreets–alwaysapossibilityontheSolomaniworlds,especiallywhennewsofanuglyVargratrocitybecomespublic–well,shehasalreadygottenfarmoreoutoflifethanshedeserves.Sheknowstherisks,andiswillingtopaythepricetogetheranswers.

“Theanswerstowhatquestions?”“AfterIseetheanswers,Iwillknowthequestions.”

Willshegettheanswersshewants?Onlythefuturewilltell.Closingtheme:“WaitingBetweenWorlds”,ZackHemsey,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H529fng2SfwRukonrifguag: Crunch Overview “Tag” UPP Age Sex Race Languages Human 10 2 10 10 11 10; 35 male M.Vilani, Rrakfugk J.Anglic I.Hindi Explorer 8 14 8 12 11 12; 38 male Irilitok, Rrakfugk J.Anglic Ship Hand 3 14 5 10 9 1; 29 female Irilitok, Ukazuk Navy Capt 7 12 4 9 14 8; 42 male Ovaghoun, I.Vilani J.Anglic Scientist 8 10 4 7 5 7; 30 female Ovag/Iri, M.Vilani J.Anglic CrewSkills:Human-Explorer-ShipHand-NavyCaptain-ScientistBasicconcepts=0;Null=.Sidenotes:Experienced(2)=~Expert+(3+)=* Notes:

• TheNavyCaptainhasnozero-Gskill,andnoleadershipskills.• OnlytheNavyCaptainhasscrounge,medical,andbriberyskills.• Theonlycrewmanwithengineering,communication,andpilotingskillsistheShiphand.• OnlytheExplorerhasthenavigationskill.• OnlytheHumanhastheleadershipskill…andthebestcombatriflemanskills.• Everyonecanhandleeitherahandgunorarifle.• EveryoneexcepttheScientistcanhandleavacsuit.• Threeofthefivecrewmenhavestealthskills,andarestreetwise.• Everyonecangetbywithagravvehicle.• FourofthefivecanspeakJulianAnglic,thelanguageoftheJulianProtectorate.• NobodycanspeakImperialAnglic(Transformdialect)yet:overallgrammarandbasicvocabularyis

compatiblewithJulianAnglic,butexpectdifficultieswhengoingin-depth.JulianAnglichasmoreloanwordsfromGashikan(Yilean),Irilitok,andOvaghoun(Vargr)languagesthanImperialAnglic.

28“Itisn’taboutthrowingmoremoneyattheproblem.It’saboutknowingtherightquestions,askingtherightVargrwiththerightcharismaticinterplay,andearningthetrusttogetastatisticallyusefulnumberofhigh-qualityresponses.”

Stellar Reaches Issue #27 Spring 2018 Page 24

Grav Vehicle: 0-2-0-1-0 ~ Grav Belt: 1-1-.-.-. Pilot: .-.-1-.-. Ships Boat: .-.-1-.-. Equestrian: 1-.-.-.-. Wheeled Veh: 0-.-.-.-. ATV: .-.-.-1-. Infighting: .-.-.-2-. ~ Brawling: 1-.-.-.-. Rifleman: 3-.-1—1-. * C. Rifleman: 3-.-.-1-. * Handgun: 1-0-.-.-0 Laser Weapon: .-.-.-2-. ~ Heavy Weapon: 2-.-.-.-. ~ Turret: .-.-1-1-. G. Tactics: .-2-.-.-. ~ Ships Tactics:.-.-1-.-. Stealth: 1-2-1-.-. ~ Recon: 1-2-.-.-. ~ Intrusion: .-1-.-.-. Vac Suit: 1-1-0-0-. High-G: 1-.-.-.-.

Zero-G: .-0-.-.-. Survival: .-3-.-1-0 * Mechanical: .-4-.-.-0 * Computer: 0-0-0-0-1 Electronics: .-1—1-.-1 Commo: .-.-1-.-. Sensor Ops: .-.-2-.-1 ~ Engineering: .-.-1-.-. Navigation: .-1-.-.-. Liaison: .-1-.-.-1 Leadership: 1-.-.-.-. Streetwise: 1-.-1-1-. Admin: 1-.—1–.-1 Persuasion: 1-.-1-.-. Medical: .-.-.-1-. Scrounge: .-.-.-1-. Bribery: .-.-.-1-. Instruction: .-.-.—.-1 Math(Stats): .-.-.-.-3 * Biology: .-0-.-.-. Linguistics: 3-1-.-.-1 * J-o-Trades: .-1-.-.-2 ~

AsthehighestgoalofStellarDivinitydoctrineistobecomeaStarGod,manywishtocreateagenuinestar.The

Imperiumlackstheresourcestodoit,notatanaverageTLof12andaneconomicbaseof10trillionImperial

citizens,butwithfusiontechnologyitiscertainlypossibletocreate‘fakestars’,inorbitovercoldworldsfarfrom

thewarmthoftheprimarystar.But,it’sfarcheapertobuildmirrorinstillationsthanpseudostarsgenerating

theirownlight,asdepictedabove.Thisgraphicistitled“IcarusGate”©AdrianoPortugal.Seehisworkathttps://danarogon-ap.deviantart.com/art/Icarus-Gate-674338035

Uchūnoko Kinoshita For the Stars UPP4D87AB,Age40,PureSolomani(Japanese)Skills:Research-3,Theology(Shinto)-2,Robotics-2,Theology(StellarDivinity)-1,Computer-1,RobotOps-1,Electronics-1,Instruction-1,PropAircraft-1,Artisan(ImmersionVR)-1,Mechanical-1,Linguistics-1,Liaison-1,Astronomy(StellarEvolution)-1,Demolitions-0,WheeledVehicle-0,Sub-Machinegun-0,Handgun-0,VaccSuit-0Languages:Anglic(Core),Japanese(Ancient)

Stellar Reaches Issue #27 Spring 2018 Page 25

Tools:Twosetsoftools,forhistwojobs.• Asetoftoolstodiagnoseandrepairrobots,gearedtoTL14(someofhistoolsareTL15prototypes,

issuedtohimforfieldtesting.)• Asetofmissionarymaterials,rangingfromTL7glossycolormagazinestoTL15datastoragecrystals,

explainingthegreatnessoftheStellarDivinities…especiallyAmaterasuŌmikami,theJapanesesun-goddess.

o AdecentpercentageofthesematerialsarearangeofVirtualRealityenvironmentsandscenarios:Kinoshitahasnurturedhistalenthereratherwell,andcan(wheninspired)makeattractive,inspiritng,andbeautifulVRenvironmentsatarangeoftechlevels,frombarelythereTL9to(at993Imperial)TL15experimentaltoolsandtechniques.

Visual:Ashortman,abitonthestockyside…butfarmoreagilethanhelooks.Hetypicallydressesintheorange/yellowrobesofaStellarDivinityadept:inhiscase,theSacredOrderofSol.Oneday,heexpectstosetupaShintoshrineforthepurposeofworshippingboththestargod(“Hoshinokami”)ofagivensystem,andthestargodofSolSystem,Amaterasu.andalwayskeepsinhiscabinanunusedsetofrobesforthatoccasion.29Openingtheme:“Because”,YokoKanno&AoiTeshima,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV0D38nFUhU

AmanifestationofthesharedimmersiveVRuniverse,“BlazingGlory”,thatKinoshitasharedwithc.eightmillion

StarDivinersophontsonTheron.Thisvirtualenvironmentisusedprimarilyforreligiouscontemplationamong

thestarworshippersonandnearthehigh-techworld.Kinoshitawasalow-levelArchitectfortheTL15

simulateduniversewhileonTheron:butnow,intheEmptyQuarter,heistoofarawaytodomorethankeepup

withmonths-oldchatter,news,andupdates.However,hestillkeepsasliceofthereligiousartonhisownTL15

personalcomputer,forpersonalmeditationandworship.Thisgraphicistitled“MoiraiGates”©AdrianoPortugal.Seehisworkathttps://danarogon-ap.deviantart.com/art/Moirai-Gates-562963502

29KinoshitastillregretsthathewillneverlivetostepfootontheGrandShrineofIse:dedicatedtotheworshipofAmaterasu,itisthemosthighlyrespectedStellarDivinityshrineintheSolomaniSphere…

Stellar Reaches Issue #27 Spring 2018 Page 26

Origins Named“ChildofSpace”byhismother,UchūnokowasgroomedfrombeforebirthtojointhereligiousordersoftheChurchoftheStellarDivinity.MixingtheconceptsofStateShintoandStellarDivinity(andsprinklinginafewbeliefsandritualsfromtheImperialCults30),theEmperoroftheThirdImperiumispubliclyworshipedasagodonhishomeworld,Khurda(Gaakish/Antares1036;in993,D9D469B-6),andtheImperialSunbursttreatedasthesacredsymbolofHispower.31ItwasbroadlyaTL5upbringing(a.k.a.AD1930s/-2600Imperial),inafairimitationofImperialJapanbeforetheGreatPacificWar…withcertainTL14/15extras,sprinkledhereandthere.AfterpassinghisRitesofManhoodinhishometownofAshiodigi,KinoshitawasinductedintotheSchoolofRobotics,wherehelearnedhistrade.AllstudentswereexpectedtomasteranancientJapaneseweapon:KinoshitarequestedtheMitsubishiA6M"Zero",butwasturneddownuntilhehadearnedtherighttodoso.Thistookthreeyearsofstudy(gainingseriousresearchskills),winningoneofthesubsector-wideDucalAwardsforOriginalScholarshipforhismonographsonrobotics.Thissufficientlyimpressedtheschoolmastertorequest–andget–adetailedreplicaoftheZerofromtheDuke,which(alongwithafreeten-yearserviceagreementforfuelandrepairs)wasawardedtotheyoungman.32AsKhurdabearsa“Dense,Highatmosphere”rating,thesophontpopulation–variousancientandlosthumancultures33,allsun-worshipping34,allgeneticallyandculturallyrecreatedbyStellarDivinity-worshippingNobles,corporateexecutives,andotherpowerfulfigures–resideonvariousmountainrangesandplateausoftheworld.Manyofthesemountainrangeshavebeenheavilyreshapedtoshelterpleasantmicro-climates:inotherinstances,themountainshavebeenpartiallyhollowed-out,withwaterandventilationpipedinmechanicallyorbythecunninguseofgravityandheat.

Kinoshita’shometownof20,000isactuallysetdeeperintheatmospherethanmost,withaseriesofmassiveTL10-12domesprotectingtheTL5inhabitantsfromthecrushingatmosphere.Incasethedomesfail,eachhome,business,andcommunitycentreinAshiodigihaspressurespheresforemergencyshelter,andthetownitselfhastunnelsreachingtoabandoned(butstillviable)habitatsatsafeelevations.Onebenefitofthelowerelevationismorelevelland,allowingeasier,moreefficient,andmorevariedorchardfarmingratherthantheusualterrace-basedmountainagricultureoftheworld.

30TheImperialCulthasnoofficialsupport:ifanything,NobilityandseniorImperialofficersarequietlybutforcefullydiscouragedfromjoiningsuchreligions.“Let’savoidacivilwarwithboththeAbrahamicmonotheistsandtheVilaniRitualists,shallwe?”Thatdoesn’tstopbillionsandbillionsofsophonts(mainly,butnotexclusively,fromlow-techcultures:seehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSXNv1ksmQQfordetails)fromexaltingthemostpowerfulsinglemaninChartedSpace.31TheheiroftheChrysanthemumThroneisalsoworshipedasthedirectdescendantofAmaterasuŌmikami…butdiscreetly.Afterall,heandhisfamilyhassidedwith(andresidein)theSolomaniConfederation…andtheImperiumis,asof993,hip-deepinamassivewaragainsttheConfederation.“Ifyouwanttofindthoseshrines,lookfortheotherkindofImperialSunburst:redonwhiteinsteadofyellowonblack,andnorays.”32Thecontract’slongexpired,butthe(disassembled)planeremainsinKinoshita’spossession.He’salwayskeepinganeyeoutforasuitablelandingfieldandhanger,sohecanhaulouttheplanefromstorage,putherbacktogether(completewithammo),andsoaragainintheair…33TheChurchofStellarDivinitywelcomesallsophonts…but,despiteitsoriginsintheFirstImperium(SeeStellarReaches#11,page16andIssue#17,page64),themajorityofworshippersin993areSolomanihumans,ratherthantheVilaniorminorrace(s).34AlladultswhopermanentlyresideonKhurdamustbeeithermembersofStellarDivinity(“StarDiviners”),ormembersofanothersun-worshipping/solardeityreligion.ResidentswhoabandonthesebeliefsareusuallyexiledtonearbyTheron:butthosewhorefusetogoquietly,orwhoteachotherstodisbelieveintheStarGods,areexecuted.“There’sareasonfortheAmberZone,youknow…”

Stellar Reaches Issue #27 Spring 2018 Page 27

Withhisownpropellerplane(tunedtoworkintheuniqueatmosphere),Kinoshitawasabletovisitmoreofthesettlementthanmostnativeseverdo,becomingaminorcelebrity.EveryHoliday,KinoshitawouldrepainttheJapaneseSunonthewingswiththeImperialSunburst,visitingeverysettlementontheplanetwithalandingstripbeforelandingatthestarport,givingeachsettlement’sgifttotheseniorStellarDivinityprelate,andstandingproudlyashimself,hisplane,andtheJapaneseSunandImperialSunburstflagsallreceivedHisIlluminatedGrace’sblessing,‘straightfromthesun’.HighTideAftergraduatingfromthelocalSchoolofRoboticswiththetraditionalcriesof“PraisetheSun!”“Banzai!”and“HailtheEmperor!HAILHIM!”Kinoshitatookhisfirsttripoff-world,goingtothewealthy,heavilypopulated,bututterlysterilelunarlandscapesofTheron,oneparsecspinward.(Theron/Gaakish/Antares0937:in993,A100999-F).Onthishigh-techworld,Kinoshitaquicklydiscoveredthathiseducationbackhomeonlyintroducedhimtorobotics.WorkingontheabsolutebleedingedgeofImperialtechnologywassomethingcompletelydifferent!Asof973,onlysixteenImperialworldswereatTLF,andTheronwasoneofthefourthatwashigh-popaswell,abletomass-producetheequipment,arms,starships,andcomputerstheImperiumneededtomeetthefuturewithconfidence.

Inalong-forgottenStellarDivinityshrine,somewhereintheImperialEmptyQuarter,apriestpraystothesun.

StellarDivinityisalmostanextinctreligionwithintheEmptyQuarter,wipedoutbytheextremelyaggressive

Solomani-originreligions.Still:therearemanyImperialvisitorsfromoutsidethesectorwhoaresun

worshippers,andtinyremnantpopulationsaretoleratedinthemajorHindusystems:butnotintheVilani35,

Kikhushegi,Islamic,Christian,orJewishsystems.Thisgraphicistitled“TheOfferingII”©AndreasRocha.Seehisworkathttps://andreasrocha.deviantart.com/art/The-Offering-II-717207027

AsoneofthecoreepicentersoftheplannedImperialshifttoaTLFfoundation,Kinoshitawaskeptverybusy.Heavyworkloadsweremerely‘payingyourdues’.Hisco-workerswereshippedoffallacrosstheImperiumtoleadtechnologytransfersandprovideon-the-spotguidancetolocaltechnologists,comingbackaftertwoyearsorfiveyearsoradecade…ornevercominghomeatall.Inthemeantime,academics,techpriests,feudaltechnarchs,drivenentrepreneurs,andmegacorpresearchgroupsflowedtoTheronfromacrosstheImperium,tomasterthe

35AsStarDivinersdon’tconformtotheTraditions,theWilloftheAncestors,andtheProperRituals,theirfutureinthedevoutlocalVilanisystemsisgrimandshort.Formoreonwhichsystemfollowswhichreligion,seeStellarReaches#19,page18-19.

Stellar Reaches Issue #27 Spring 2018 Page 28

technologyandthebestpracticesneededtobringthegoodshome.ImperialDataPacksweredrawnup,pryingSolomaniandVargreyesblinded,designflawsfixedonthefly,andKinoshitahadthetimeofhislife.RecessionalAftertwodecadesofkeepinguparelentlesspace,Kinoshitawascalledintoanofficeandgivenachoice:eitherjoinoneofthenow-numerousTechnologicalUpliftWorkingGroups–officialandunofficial,governmental,corporate,andincreasinglyevennon-profit–ontheEmperor’sdime,orcashoutofthebusiness.Kinoshitaknewthatthisdaywascoming,andhadalreadycontactedsomefriendstofindaplacewherehe’dfitin.Butbeforethemeeting,hehadvisitedhishomesystem…andwasinvitedbyhislocalPriestoftheSunfordinner.KnowingthatKinoshitaremainedastrongbelieverintheStarGods–evenbeingalaypreacherattimes–thePriestaskedhimtotakeonaverydifficulttask:tospreadtheFaithoftheSunintotheEmptyQuarter.AfraidthatKinoshitawouldimmediatelysayno,thePriestquicklyaddedthathewouldbeworkingamongtheHindupeoples,whoalreadyworshipedthesunasoneoftheirmajorgods.TheStellarDivinitygoalistohavethisdeity,Surya,beelevatedtotheonlyHindideityworthyofworship.Kinoshitaistogoforthand,withtheassistanceofothermissionariesandresearchers,determinethebestwaytomakethishappen.Whileanynon-humanswhoareinterestedarewelcometoknowmore,thefocusisontheSolomaniEastIndians.TheVilanihavelongseenStellarDivinityastwistedandcruelinnovationsontheRightWayofDoingThings:–“Traditionsandritualsamere5,000yearsold?Whodoyouthinkweare,gulliblechildren?”TheAbrahamicmonotheistsseeStellarDivinityasout-and-outidolaters:–“ChoosingtoelevateandworshipaballofhotgasesasyourLord,inplaceofyourCreator,Commander,andJudge?SuchcontemptforGodwillnotgounanswered!”AndtheBwapareSimplyNotInterested.Aftermanyprayers,carefullyconductedrituals,andthoughtfulmeditation,KinoshitadecidedtobeamissionaryofStellarDivinityintheEmptyQuarter,pleasinghisfamilyandfriendsonthehomeworld…DiscoveryAsof001-993,KinoshitahasfinishedworshippingattwomakeshiftAltarstotheSuns.36HeisontheoutskirtsoftheabandonedcityofAvesnes,thelastmajorcentreofstarworshipintheEmptyQuarter,ontheworldofRiamlir.37Askilledresearcherandcapabletechnologist,KinoshitausedsomeofthelatestTLFtoystogingerlyextractinformationfromcenturies-deaddatastoragedevices.Theworkwouldhavebeenfutileifthedevicesweren’tVilani-builttolastatleastafewcenturiesinhumidandhotclimates:asitis,whathegotwasfragmentary,takingtimetoputtogetherandfillinthegaps.SomewhereintheVargrExtents,inDfotsethSector,ontheveryedgeofChartedSpace,thereisanisolatedcivilizationofminorhumans.Theyhavenevergainedjumpspacetechnology–despiteotherwisebeinganAverageorHighStellarTechlevelculture–andhavenointerestinleavingtheirhomesystem.WhattheyAREinterestediniscolonizingandexploitingagasgiantthatduetoitschemicalpropertiesandcloseorbittoit’sprimaryhasa

36Riamlirhastwosuns,classK3V(whichthehomeworldorbits)andM3V.Naturally,Kinoshitaraisedupaltarstobothofthem,worshippingthemaspowerfuldeities(“kami”),andpreformingtheappropriateritualfortheirstartype,theplanetsandmoonsthatescortthem,andthestar’sdistancefromhislocation.37SeeStellarReaches#11,page16,formoreinformation.

Stellar Reaches Issue #27 Spring 2018 Page 29

remarkabledegreeofilluminationwithinitsupperatmosphere,withoutbeingatruestar.Theoverallvisualeffectisofresidingwithinastar…withouttheannoyingradiation,literalphysicalmeltdown,orinstantdisintegration.38TheVargrExtentsisknownforitsinstability:andeventhoughthecarnivorouspopulationdoesn’teatpeopleasarule39,theydefinitelyliketheideaofhuntingandkillingprey.It’sbetterforalonetargetscientificresearchvesseltobeelinedirectlytotheinvestigationsite,ratherthanjustwanderingaimlesslyaround,excitingappetites.“Trynottobeapieceofprimesteakbeingwavedaboutbeforehundredsofthousandsofhungrywolfpacks,‘kay?”

Animmensepowercorewithinagasgiant,somewhereinDfotsethSector.Exactlywhatrequiresthislevelof

powerisunknown,butit’ssufficientlystar-liketocatchtheinterestofStellarDivinityresearchers.

Theabilitytocreateatruestarwouldrevolutionizethereligion…Thisgraphicistitled“IcarusGate”©AdrianoPortugal

Seehisworkathttps://danarogon-ap.deviantart.com/art/Icarus-Gate-674338035Kinoshitaneedstopindownthedatethesephotosweretaken,verifytheirauthenticity,andthenconsultwithprofessionalastronomerstopindownthegasgiant’slocation.(Ittakesstarlightroughly500yearstoreachfromthehypotheticalgasgianttotheImperialbordersandthehigh-power,high-techobservatoriesthere.)Oncethesitehasbeenpinneddown,Kinoshitaplanstoleadanexpeditiontotheglowing-yet-habitablegasgiant.

38Thisgasgianthasbeentuned–artificiallyornaturally–toonlyemitradiationincertainlimitedvisualfrequencies.Comparedtothemightyfull-spectrumemissionsofaproperstar,it’sascoolasacucumber.39OutsideofBloodVargrspace.Butinside?“Imperialexpeditionsintotheirregionhasalwaysbeenstaffedbyall-Vargrcrews,sincetheyhavebyfarthehighestchanceofreturningalive.Theirreportsdoincludetherareinstanceofkillingandconsuminghumans:rarebecause–forobviousreasons–largehumanpopulationsdon’texistinviolentlyparanoidsocietiesoftechnologicallysophisticatedhunter-killerpacks.Butabetterruleofthumbistoassumethattheykillnotforconsumption…butsimplybecauseitfeelsgood.”

Stellar Reaches Issue #27 Spring 2018 Page 30

ItwillhavetobeleftforotherstospreadthenewstotheothertrillionorsoStarDiviners,andestablishthetransportnetworksthroughVargrSpaceandbringthemostdevoted(…andseriouslywealthy…)ofpilgrimstothatworld.40Tosparkcuriosityandinterest:Fromhttp://exoplanets.psu.edu/astronomers-discover-sunscreen-snow-falling-on-hot-exoplanet/

Astronomersdiscoversunscreensnowfallingonhotexoplanet

AstronomersatPennStatehaveusedtheHubbleSpaceTelescopetofindablistering-hotgiantplanetoutsideoursolarsystemwheretheatmosphere“snows”titaniumdioxide—theactiveingredientinsunscreen.TheseHubbleobservationsarethefirstdetectionsofthis“snow-out”process,calleda“coldtrap,”onanexoplanet.Thisdiscovery,andotherobservationsmadebythePennStateteam,provideinsightintothecomplexityofweatherandatmosphericcompositiononexoplanets,andmaysomedaybeusefulforgaugingthehabitabilityofEarth-sizeplanets.

“Inmanyways,theatmosphericstudieswe’redoingnowonthesegaseous‘hotJupiter’kindsofplanetsaretestbedsforhowwe’regoingtodoatmosphericstudiesofterrestrial,Earth-likeplanets,”saidThomasBeatty,assistantresearchprofessorofastronomyatPennStateandtheleadauthorofthestudy.“Understandingmoreabouttheatmospheresoftheseplanetsandhowtheyworkwillhelpuswhenwestudysmallerplanetsthatarehardertoseeandhavemorecomplicatedfeaturesintheiratmospheres.”Theteam’sresultsarepublishedintheOctober,2017issueofTheAstronomicalJournal.

Beatty’steamtargetedplanetKepler-13Abbecauseitisoneofthehottestoftheknownexoplanets.Itsdaysidetemperatureisnearly5,000degreesFahrenheit.Kepler-13Abissoclosetoitsparentstarthatitistidallylocked,soonesidealwaysfacesthestarwhiletheothersideisinpermanentdarkness.Theteamdiscoveredthatthesunscreensnowfallhappensonlyontheplanet’spermanentnighttimeside.Anyvisitorstothisexoplanetwouldneedtobottleupsomeofthatsunscreen,becausetheywon’tfinditonthesizzling-hotdaytimeside.

ThegasgiantinKinoshita’sstoryismoreilluminatedthanhot,asthestory’svisualgoalisawell-litbutcomparativelycooldeepatmosphere,nottheactualcreationofatruestar.(AprojectthatthewealthyChurchofStellarDivinityisveryinterestedin,bytheway.)Butit’sstillgoodforTravellersandeagerterraformerstoknow.Afterall,suchhotgasgiantscanextendthehabitabilityzoneofastarsystemnicely…Closingtheme:“RiseoftheEspers”,EvanCall,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEtZ1z4RfV4

40IfyouarereallyinterestedintheChurchofStellarDivinity,themostcomprehensivecanonmaterialcanbefoundinTraveller20’sGatewaytoDestiny,whichyoucanbuyhere:http://www.rpgnow.com/product/160096/D2002-Traveller20-Gateway-To-DestinyNotethatthereligion1)hasgreatvariationand2)isdescribedasgenerallyaforceforpeace.Iamwillingtoacceptthatclaim:butnotethatpacifistreligionsdon’tdowellintheEmptyQuarter.AmoreviolentandaggressiveversionofStellarDivinitywasinventedforthepost-RebellionSacredStarstheocracyofFornast,inthealternatetimelinedescribedinStellarReaches#17.Certainly,therehavebeenseveralmilitantsun-worshippingempiresinhistory,astheEgyptians,Aztecs,Hindus,andJapanesewouldcheerfullyexplain…

Stellar Reaches Issue #27 Spring 2018 Page 31

SomewhereinDfotsethSector,thisshotwastaken.Aframeofadigitalvideo,depictingalargestation,set

withinagasgiant,wherelightinteractswiththeatmospheretodisplayasetofremarkableproperties.

Assumingcryptographicverificationanddating,Kinoshitaintendstoorganizeandperhapsleadanexpeditionto

thisworld,aworldhebelievestobesacred…Thisgraphicistitled“Walls”©AdrianoPortugalSeehisworkathttps://danarogon-ap.deviantart.com/art/Walls-563908463