C-120: Maldemar 732 (Hyperspace to Zarg’s World), Oliver’s Cabin

Mundo Zargo

Mundo Zargo is a Class A colony at the edge of the Dominion Sphere in Octant 7, near the border with Octants 3, 5 and 1.

Mundo Zargo is relatively amenable to human habitation, with temperatures mostly in the human habitable range, surface water oceans covering about 60% of the world’s surface, an oxygenated atmosphere and an evolved biosphere.  Surface gravity is about 0.6G.  

The main thing that prevents Mundo Zargo being a paradise is the low partial oxygen pressure.  At sea level, there is about enough oxygen in the atmosphere to support the limits of acclimatised human tolerance, but most people will need some form of respiratory support even at low altitudes. 

However, the conditions make Mundo Zargo an important agricultural world and large tracts of the planet have been given over to cultivation.  The low atmospheric pressure is more of a problem for livestock, but some ranching of human companion animals takes place under relatively inexpensive lightweight pressure domes.  There is also some successful farming of native wildlife.  Mundo Zargo is a major food exporter to the rest of the Dominion, despite its being somewhat isolated (see jump map).

The population is about 19 million, who enjoy a relatively high standard of living – similar to Oliver’s birth planet.

Presumably because of its status as an agricultural power, Mundo Zargo is notably influential in Dominion politics.

  

Mundo Zargo jump map

There is only a single Jump 2 connection to Mundo Zargo – through Way Station Roseman – and two Jump 3 connections, one of which is to Oliver’s current destination of Zarg’s World, the other to way station Adal, which Oliver passed through on the way from Pristine.  (NB: It’s rare for ships to have more than Jump 3 capability, because to achieve that, the ship is mostly FTL engines and power plant with not a lot of room left over for anything useful.)

  

  

  

  

Vid Time

This vid is similar to City, in that it is in the same raw video format and has no credits.

  

Gezepremge

Set in the fictional, and somewhat mythical, independent spaceport of Gezepremge (the second ‘g’ is hard as in vegan not soft as in verge), the vid tells the story of Hump, a hardened former member of the Dominion who runs a club at Gezepremge spaceport and that has become a popular meeting place.  With the club’s popularity, Hump has wealth and influence, but must also negotiate the politics of local port authorities, spies and envoys from the Dominion and the Separatists, the various ship operators of dubious legality and morals that come and go through the port, and proprietors of other local businesses.  At the end of the first act, Hump acquires a small, stealthy starship from a dubious character who cannot pay their gambling debts to the house.   

All is well, if ‘interesting’ until the charismatic starship Captain Reid arrives at Hump’s place.  Captain Reid is well liked and well known by almost everybody, but the Dominion see Reid as a threat – not without some justification – and have sent Legion Commander Veidt to deal with the colourful Captain.  All of which would be of only casual interest to Hump, except that Captain Reid’s lover and pilot is Grid, who is also a former lover of Hump’s and it is clear Hump and Grid still have feelings for each other.  Meanwhile, Hump is approached by Proctor Rain, the corrupt head of Gezepremge’s security and the closest thing Hump seems to have to a friend.  Proctor Rain is worried that Commander Veidt is serious, and the Dominion might just decide to annex the port if they don’t hand Reid over.  Rain says Reid’s ship has been locked down and cannot leave Gezepremge.  

Much of the story occurs inside Hump’s establishment where the various parties to the intrigue are all forced to maintain some level of respectability, and interact with each other and a host of minor character actors. 

At the end of the second act, Hump and Grid engage in a romantic dinner where they explore whether they still have feelings for each other,  Simultaneously, Captain Reid is chased through the port by a faceless gang who seem suspiciously like the crew of Commander Veidt’s ship.  Reid escapes and makes it to Hump’s place, where it is left ambiguous whether Hump and Grid have just re-consummated their relationship.  Hump contacts Proctor Rain and tricks the Proctor into distracting Commander Veidt, then Hump takes Reid and Grid to the stealth ship acquired earlier from the gambler, gifting it to them so they can escape.  After an emotional (and mildly awkward farewell with Reid present), Grid takes the controls and flies the stealth ship away.

Proctor Rain tracks Hump down shortly after, slightly annoyed at being used by Hump and somewhat concerned over the potential reaction from higher powers at Gezepremge.  Then Commander Veidt appears, having tracked Proctor Rain, and threatens them with the vengeance of the Dominion. Hump abruptly shoots the Legionnaire and Hump and Rain dispose of the body.  They agree a holiday from Gezepremge might be a good idea for a while, so Proctor Rain removes the lock from Reid’s ship and they head off for adventures unknown.