RICE Paper #AWP-00032: Deneb
Deneb (Usani:Deneb/1925)
B537ADD-C A Hi In Cx 610Re A2Ia
BAC-3 A00-ANA0-5F Re9
g=0.9179 day=13:12:0.8; year=13,832,232d 23:02.24.52/25,149,091d 02:09:39.20
atmo=0.35, controlled weather
temp=-60 (5/lat -45 to -95)(season +24 to -80, 6 deg lat)
daily temp range 61
Ores, Radioactives, Crystal, Compounds; Metals; Recording, Software, Documents
Reactionary/Regressive; Unagressive/Militant; Discordant/Xenophilic
Legal D-CEFCF Tech CB-CCCC-CCCC-CC-C
Deneb has been at the centre of the sector transportation routes since the
ISS LookSee arrived, six centuries ago. Long renowned for the purity and
quantity of it's metals, it's wealth and it's people's naturally outgoing
character made it the natural choice as sector capital in 421. Until the
Rebellion, Deneb also was the major node of seven of the Megacorporations
sector, with it's importance unrivalled by any Imperial world spinward of
Vland. Today, the Denebii now boasts the second largest naval base in the
Regency, and bears the headquarters of the Regency Quarrentine Service.
Most of the traffic to Deneb use the system as a shipping nexus, rather
than attempt to trade with Deneb itself. Deneb Highport, 12 million
strong, is the sole site for many financial services in Deneb sector,
ranging from debt servicing in the trillions of credits to a site for economic
summits concerning the entire sector. Many, many travellers only see the
starport, and never set foot on Deneb itself.
The starport is part of the Regency Extraterritorality Zone, and is
outside of Deneb law. Seeing it, with three-quarters of it's commercial
berths empty, is a silent testimony to the awsome consequences of the
Collapse. Within the port, it's opulent, space-wasting architecture
seems to diminish the small knots of traders and merchants that still
circulate in the great throughways and vaulting, gilded halls. In the
less urbane neighbourhoods, large gaps in the walls and patch-up
jobs to the hull silently convey the message of the Vargr occupation.
The locals are all feverent expansionists, and - even after 70 years -
have a profound hatred of the Vargr. Vargr with business on Deneb are
advised to stay in well-lit areas, away from the underclass alleys and
hole-ups. Even in polite company, it is wise to avoid provoking the
locals: stay away from conversation regarding the Rebellion, or the Vargr
minorities on Deneb itself.
Obtaining permission to land on the world of Deneb is a major trial. Duke
Angelo de la Deneb has given a monopoly on off-world transportation to
Souijomini Enterprises, a company owned jointly by the Duke and Tukera
Lines. Souijomini first screens any traders and their goods, demanding
exorberant fees to 'process' any goods to be sold - or even just
transported - to Deneb. The paperwork takes at least a month, and has
been known to take five years in certain instances. Any goods higher than
TL C is forbidden on Deneb soil, as part of Deneb's irrational 'safety
standards'. Also completely forbidden is any form of artwork or gem,
non-Deneb foods, clothing made in the Trojan Rift before the Rebellion, and
currency made on dates ending with odd numbers (VERY bad joss!). Other
articles may or may not be allowed in, depending on the Deneb Registry of
Interstellar Trade Regulations, recent local prophecies, and The Deneb Way
of Doing Things, as well as the Imperial Trade Code of 1110 (the Regency
Code, while acceptable on the Highport, is considered "a pathetic
substitute to the Imperial code" by the current Duke.)
After Souijomini is finished, the Deneb Health Service arrives. Their
main focus is on the visitors themselves, and their duty is to
determine the visitor's 'state of karma, health & joss'. While their
karmanic requirements are not unusual - rather more humerous and obscure than
anything else - their medical and joss (apparently, a kind of luck)
testing veers between the perposterous and the barbaric. No one has
actually 'died' because of the drug use demanded as part of these test,
but many have lost their sight, been blinded or suffered other lasting ill
effects due to these potions and lotions. Perhaps 20% actually pass these
tests, and another 40% quit before the 5-day regime is completed.
Assuming the intrepid visitor has endured this testing with success, he
now must wait for a Scheduled Shuttle to arrive, usually one to four
months, depending on karmanic and psychic conditions. He will find the
crew of this shuttle - like all Denebii - very kind and attendent to his
welfare, as hospitality it is both "good joss" and commanded (make that
COMMANDED) by the Government.
At arrival at the underground port, the visitor will have a stripe of red
paint slapped across his forehead, and ten to fifteen ancient man &
women will throw balloons of multi-hued liquids at the visitor. These
liquids are supposed to help protect the visitor from bad karmanic
influences, and provide good health. That 'red stripe' across the
forehead leaves a permament, angry mark, and can only be removed from TL E+
equipment. Also, several "Holy Amulets" are slapped onto the visitor's
neck, wrists and ankles. Bulky and with annoying bells, these ill-fitting
articles are worn by all Denebii, without exception. Many traders suspect
that tracking devises and bugs are embedded into these item's, also.
Finally, each and every visitor will be provided with a 'host', who
provides both excellent advice on local mores and suave, subtle attempts
to convert the visitor into a Wondfellow, a believer in the local
superstitions which masquerade as religion.
All visitors are restricted to the capital of Somewi F'id. Even here, in
this small city of 38 million, several points can be made regarding Deneii
culture useful for the casual visitor. First, expect large crowds to
follow you wherever you go. This would apply with any visitor, especially
a visitor that varies greatly from the Denebii small, lithe physique, with
golden red skin tones and bright red eyes. While most refrain from
actual physical contact, mass hysterial "touch-feel" attacks
occassionally have been known to break out, where entire neighbourhoods
trample on each other in a mad craze to touch the visitor. Since the
visitor has been stripped of even stun sticks and Mace at the groundport, the
mood of the crowd should always be carefully watched.
Second, remember that while you the visitor have near total freedom within
Somewi F'id, the locals have no freedoms whatsoever. This is not only
because of the Orwellian nature of everyday life, but the dictatorial,
erratic religion of Deneb. Everyday, the Government downloads information
to every Denebii on what they may or may not do, not only for the Public
Safety, but to avoid The Collapse. The Collapse, in Denebii theology, is
related to the Imperial Collapse but much more entwined with supernatural
elements. To keep the Collapse from arriving - referred to as The First
Denebii Mission - a chaotic, everchanging set of superstitious actions
must, MUST be done, exactly at the right time, exactly in the right
manner. The most common relate to speaking gibberish, inappropriate
laughter, always walking X paces at certain sites, etc.
While sometimes Denebii society seems to be on the edge of a total psychotic
meltdown, the only time of danger to the traveller is on a "Holy Day",
where manias can sweep the entire planet in minutes... at these times, the
visitor is advised to hole up in their 'guest rooms', and open the door
for No One, for ANY reason. These manias will come in waves across the
planet, but would reach their apex at midnight. But, by morning, hardly a
trace of the previous madness can be found, although debris and bodies
(some alive, some dead) are everywhere.... A Denebii day lasts about 23
hours, for your information.
Enjoy your stay.