Aurora Colony: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 05:59, 1 May 2010

Introduction

Peace – Ecology – Prosperity

The population center of the Aurora Colony is a small town, also named Aurora, of 4,381 individuals. This comprises the majority of the colony population. A small village named Libuse, located a few miles from the town, was recently established by several colonists. The village is officially part of Aurora colony and is governed by the same laws.

While there are several Federation-supplied structures in the town, the majority of Aurora Colony is constructed of materials native to the planet. These building give the colony a very rustic look, almost as if a 19th century American frontier town has been transplanted to a 23rd century planet. Colonists enjoy all the technological advances available to Federation colonists, but their emphasis on self-subsistence and their ecological philosophies lend Aurora Colonists a very rugged appearance.

History

In late 2221, two Federation colony ships set a course for the galactic nucleus. Their destination was a distant region of space, identified only as Sector 2901. This area lay on the distant and extreme edge of Federation space, but represented an important starting-point for a long-planned exploration and colonization of the coreward regions. The colony ship Aurora Australis launched in November, followed one month later by her sister ship, the Aurora Borealis. The colonists and crew had a long journey into unknown regions ahead of them.

Before the Borealis could launch in December, the ship developed a problem with its reactor. It was eight weeks before the ship could get underway. This was considered a minor setback in the planning. The ship was launched in February 2222, barely ninety days behind its companion. Everyone looked forward to being reunited with their friends and fellow colonists on their new homeworld.

Tragic news would be received eight months later. In early November 2222, the Australis made radio contact with the Borealis, reporting they had entered Sector 2901. The following day another message was received: the ship had experienced difficulties with its navigation and communication systems, but had made repairs and had charted a course for the designated star system. This was the final radio contact with the Australis. When the Borealis arrived in March 2223, there was no trace of the ship. Scans of the system revealed no trace of the ship. It had never arrived in the system.

The colonists were saddened at the loss but determined to continue. They named the star of their system in honor of the lost ship, and dedicated their labors to the honor and memory of their lost friends. Aurora Colony was founded in March 2223 with an original population of 1163 individuals. Several families were included among the original colonists. Several of these families originated from central Europe on Earth, some with histories that go back to the Middle Ages. Many of them still respect and practice the traditional customs of their cultures, giving Aurora Colony a distinct “European” feel.

The Attack of ‘27

The morning of December 22, 2227 marks a tragic day in the history of the colony. At sunrise most of the colonists were sleeping. Suddenly the colony was rocked by massive explosions. The planet was being bombarded from space. There ware no defense for the colonists but to flee into the surrounding forest. When the dust cleared and the bombardment stopped, it was clear the colony was the target. Thirty-two colonists were killed in the attack. The fields were destroyed and the livestock nearly decimated. It would be months before the next Federation shipment would arrive.

Those months would prove to be the most trying in the early history of the colony. Food rationing began immediately, as did the repair and reconstruction of homes and buildings. Much of the equipment and machinery had fortunately been housed in the engineered storage buildings delivered by the Federation just a year earlier. Heavy machinery and farming equipment had been protected from the bombardment. The surviving colonists worked night and day to rebuild their home.

Using the telescopes and rudimentary radio equipment, several also began watching the skies. The colony did not possess sensors or other scanning equipment, so had little clue as to the identity of the attacker. In April of 2228, the Federation convoy arrived and delivered much-needed supplies and materials. The ship also sent word to the Federation about the attack. Star Fleet immediately dispatched a vessel to defend the colony and patrol the area.

The USS LaGrange arrived in June 2228, six months after the attack. By that time the Aurora colonists had nearly completed the reconstruction. They had even begun construction on a rudimentary spaceport, allowing the LaGrange to make landings when necessary.

With a new shipment of an additional 1500 colonists in 2230, the population of Aurora Colony was nearly 3,000. An expansion in the production of individual and family housing had been undertaken in 2229, so there was enough housing available for the new arrivals. These arrivals also brought with them several engineers and technicians, along with equipment to establish a sensor array which would warn of approaching vessels.

A third shipment of colonists in 2233 expanded Aurora Colony to over 3,000 individuals. A policy of long-range planning and controlled growth was enacted in 2234, limiting the number of new arrivals to less than 1,000 per year until 2244. (A shipment of Federation colonists, most of who would be involved in the construction of a planetary starbase, scheduled to arrive in 2237 was exempted from this restriction.) The leadership of Aurora Colony has consistently backed such a philosophy, believing that limited human population will result in limited impact on the planet and its resources.

Population of Aurora Colony

Year	Population
2223	1,163 (original population)
2227	1,187
2230	2,741
2233	3,021

Government

The governing council of Aurora Colony is a democratically-elected organization of 15 individuals. Since the founding of the colony, the council has contained a significant number of original colonists. These colonists, known as “Merits,” are highly respected and well-regarded by most of the community. They are seen to represent the original ideals upon which the colony is founded: Peace – Ecology – Prosperity.

While the Merits do not officially enjoy any more power than other members of the council, the amount of respect they are accorded gives them significant voice and influence. It is rare the Merits are in disagreement, and rare the council does not follow their lead. Because the adoration of the Merits is widespread, few colonists are bothered by this aspect of political tradition.

Mining restrictions imposed by the governing council have caused a great deal of controversy among Aurorans. The only mining of significance is the Kauska Family fire salt mining operation, located in the hills northwest of town. The Hajek family has twice petitioned to begin mining in the Black Hills. The governing council rejected the application both times, citing concerns about the impact of mining on the Black Lake. Recent discoveries of magnesite deposits have generated renewed interest in relaxing the mining restrictions.

Laws

Aurora Colony is a liberal democratic society, governed by laws which are established by the governing council. As reflected in the colony motto, the goal of the justice system is also peace, ecology and prosperity. Laws exist to provide parameters within which citizens may work to achieve those worthy goals.

There is a single Federation Marshall who acts at the sole law enforcement of the colony. The Marshall has deputized colonists who assist in enforcing laws. When need of a judicial proceeding arises, the Marshall convenes a jury and sits as judge of the trial. There has been occasional need of the Federation Magistrate, but the amount of time needed for the Magistrate to arrive has often precluded this route. With the growth of the colony, the Federation has assigned a magistrate to Aurora Station beginning in 2236.

For the most part, the laws of the Federation govern Aurora Colony. The exceptions to this are those laws, most of which pertain to the local ecology and natural resources, established by the First Council. These laws further restrict the activities of citizens with regard to natural resources, including placing a number of restrictions on mining and mineral extraction, as well as logging, hunting, fishing, and farming. Permission to practice any of these activities, or any activity which would tend to have an impact on the environment and ecology, must be obtained through government license.

Conservation. The founders of Aurora Colony were ecologically-minded Earth citizens who sought the experience of building a new life on a new world. Many of them had worked in biology, botany, agriculture, and other life sciences. Others were gardeners, mechanics, and teachers. All shared an interest in becoming caretakers and stewards of a new world. They considered their work with an almost religious reverence. When establishing the laws and government of Aurora Colony, a great emphasis was placed on caring for the natural resources of the planet. Laws governing the conservation of natural resources such as water and minerals, as well as produced resources such as fuel and food, were established by the First Council. These laws remain in effect to this day, with little complaint from the population.

Hunting. Hunting is a major source of food for the colonists. Small livestock such as sheep and goats are kept primarily for the resources they provide (wool and milk). The keeping of livestock as a food source is far too expensive a practice for an early colony. Those colonists who eat meat (by no means a majority) most often hunt for their food. There is a small trade of meat, sold by hunters to those who do not themselves hunt, but most of the hunting is for personal survival. This has led to a particular ethos of hunting which, while not reflected in laws, is certainly practiced and even enforced to some degree among hunters. Hunting without a license is forbidden by colony law. Licenses are available from the Federation Marshall.

Economy

Aurora Colony is a free-market economy, with the governing exerting very little influence or control over commerce. Formal businesses, such as corporations or guilds, are required to register with the government. This is for taxation purposes only and does not represent any governmental attempt to regulate or restrict commerce. Registration as a formal business may also alleviate the licensing burden on activities such as farming or mining. Taxes on formal businesses are meant to offset the tendency of formal businesses to use more resources. Trade between individuals, whether bartering or monetary, is not taxed by the government.

The local trade on Aurora is quite robust. Most homes have individual gardens, allowing people to subsist on their own vegetable produce. A thriving market in fresh meat has led to a strong commercial hunting culture, which is closely monitored and regulated by the government of Aurora. Fish and other aquatic creatures also enjoy a brisk trade in Aurora. Recently trade ships have begun to arrive at Aurora Station, a development which promises to create more revenue for the colony. The only current export of any significance is fire salt, which is mined from the local hills and near lake areas.

The local economy is quite robust and at times reminiscent of a medieval village. There is an open-air market most days, where one can purchase fresh vegetables and fish, as well as wild game and other food products. Most Aurorans use the market as their primary source of food that is not grown in their home garden.

Nearly every home on Aurora has a large garden beside it. Families and individuals grow food for their own consumption, and sometimes tried any excess product. Some tradesmen and technicians operate gardens to create assets for trading in the open market. These home gardeners usually specialize in exotic produce, which they trade for supplies and resources.

Resources

Aurora-III is a large planet, abundant with resources. A thorough survey of planetary resources has yet to be undertaken. However the planet is known to contain large deposits of iron and other metals. The most well-known resources are located near the town of Aurora and are controlled by various family clans.

There are strict mining regulations under the laws of the Aurora Colony. Licensing and other requirements are such that there are no large mining operations. The Kauska family operates the only mining interest of any significance.

Fire Salt is known to be located in some hill areas, as well as some areas near lakes. This mineral is traded throughout Federation space. The mining of fire salt is a relatively simple operation, and a few individuals have formed independent mining operations among the nearby hills.

Gold. Abundant deposits of gold were recently discovered in the hills near Black Lake. The Hajek Family currently has claim to the mining rights in these hills. However the governing council has yet to approve any operations.

Iron. The fire salt hills sit atop a large and rich vein of iron ore. Other hills have also been found to contain large deposits of iron.

Magnesite (MgCO3) is a mineral which can interfere with sensor and transporter functions. Some of the larger hills in the area are known to contain deposits of magnesite. No one has sought to mine this resource.

Culture

Aurora Colony has many families, many of whom originate from Central Europe. Some of these families trace their lineage to the 16th-century. They have brought with them many of the traditions, customs and practices of their homeland. This has, for the most part, contributed to giving Aurora Colony a unique and exotic atmosphere, much like a medieval bazaar.

For the most part, the culture of Aurora Colony is open and tolerant. Many of the citizens live by the colony motto (Peace – Ecology – Prosperity). A large portion of the population practices a vegetarian lifestyle, though a significant population of colonists hunt live game and eat meat. A small number of colonists are also practicing Catholics, a tradition these families brought with them along with other practices.

Most of the traditions continued by the European colonists are as relatively harmless as religious practice. However, the families also brought with them a much more insular and tribal attitude than is found on many colonies. As the years passed on the planet, these families grouped together, building communal housing which housed only members of the family. They later established housing enclaves, one to each family. Not even the attacks of attack of 2227 overcame this strong identity with blood-relations.

In later years, some of the families expanded to become clans, allowing trusted friends and associates to become members as if family. These larger clans became associated with a political movement to relax many of the laws governing mining and mineral extraction. They have also begun campaigning for the establishment of a new colony on the planet.

Major Family Clans

Family Origin & Name	Est. Members
Czech
Hajek	120
Kauska	150
Masarek	100
Romany
Ghezzo	250
Roman	50
Zeklos	200
German
Kraft	100
Zeiss	50

Ghezzo. The largest and most powerful of the family clans. The Ghezzo family was the first to begin recruiting non-relations into their “family.” It is estimated that less than 60% of their membership is actually related by blood or marriage. The Ghezzo clan is also the most economically diverse of the clans, having several hunters, fishers, technicians, and other professions among their membership.

Hajek. Fishers and hunters, the Hajek family has controlled the area near Black Lake since the early days of colony history. They also control the Black River, which runs south to Lake Aurora. The Hajek clan (about 10% of whom are non-family) established the Village of Libuse, which the Ghezzo family joined.

Kauska. Miners and engineers historically, the Kauska family is perhaps the most wealthy of the family clans. They currently control the only large mining operation on Aurora, a fire salt extraction operation located primarily in the hills northwest of town. Fire salt has become the first export of Aurora colony, giving the Kauska family a great deal of influence in colony affairs. About 30% of the Kauska membership is non-familial.

Kraft. True to their name, the Kraft family controls the majority of construction and woodcraft on Aurora colony. Over 80% of the homes on Aurora are constructed by Kraft operations. They also own and operate a boat-construction business on Aurora Lake.

Masarek. Own and operate the large fishery outside of town. A very traditional family who do not much socialize outside their family circle. The Masareks are the most religious of the families, honoring ancient Judaic traditions. A large temple is under construction near the Masarek Fishery, outside of Aurora town limits.

Roman. Small but very influential family. The least “old country” of the eight families, the Romans descend from a large tribe of gypsies. They are primarily hunters, though there are several fishers and at least one butcher among them. Several Roman family members have served with Star Fleet in recent years. As a result, the family has a good deal of technical skill and knowledge in its ranks. They also own and operate the largest home construction operation; 80% of the housing in the colony was built by Roman Homes.

Zeiss. Very insular German family, consisting of several engineers who by virtue of their skills and knowledge control the public utilities and other services. The Zeklos family operates the defense shield as well as the spaceport.

Zeklos. A family of farmers and philosophers, the Zeklos family controls the most land in the colony. They farm a variety of crops, all of which are consumed locally. The Zeklos family includes some of the most educated people in the colony. There have traditionally been at least two members of the governing council who were members of the Zeklos clan. Armin Zeklos, the clan patriarch, was the first governor of the colony and still retains an important place of honor in local government.

While the role of family and clan is not to be under-estimated, there is a strong spirit of individualism and autonomy found among the average colonist. Most of them possess the ‘can-do’ attitude and perseverance common to colonists. While the friction among the family clans has caused some difficulties, for the most part the families contribute to the cohesion and stability of the society. This feature has eliminated the negative aspects of a philosophy of self-reliance, ensuring that there are no members of the colony who are not cared for, either by friends or family.

The Village of Libuse

The small village of Libuse is located a few miles from the town of Aurora. Libuse, named for the mythical founder of Prague, was recently established by the Hajek and Ghezzo families. The village is officially part of Aurora colony and is governed by the same laws. However, family influence and tradition go a long way in the village. Historically there are few if any tensions between the Hajek and Ghezzo clans, so the village itself is peaceful and orderly. A large number of children and young people populate the village areas during the afternoons (school hours are mornings only). Only at the age of 16 is a boy or girl expected to take up work with their family. Even then, it is not required.

Commune

Two years ago three men were lost while hunting west of Aurora. Their wives set out to find the men and also were lost. Search parties scoured the forests but no trace of the three couples was found. One month after their disappearance, the three couples returned. They claimed to have been in contact with an advanced alien race, which taught them a philosophy of non-violence. Along with several friends, they left and formed a small commune a few miles west of the village of Libuse. There they meditate and strive to live a life of self-reliance and non-violence. They have very little contact with other Aurorans, though a small group does arrive in town to trade at market and obtain supplies.

Buddhist Monastery

Located about 10 miles north of the Village of Libuse is a small monastery. A group of a dozen Buddhists monks and nuns arrived with the last shipment of colonists. The Aurora government agreed to deed them a section of land in the forest where they could construct a small community to live and practice according to Buddhist tradition. It is a small but typical monastery, with a few fields and a vineyard. The grapes are two years from being mature enough to harvest, but their other fields yield enough produce that the monks are able to trade regularly with townspeople.

Roshi Adam Bentu. A middle-aged man of peaceful demeanor, Soothing voice and trusting temperament. Honest face. Easy to read. Simply wants a peaceful place to be with his brothers and sisters and practice their tradition.

Roman Family Compound

A private residential and work area, the Roman compound is almost a village unto itself. It is however located well within Aurora legal jurisdiction. The Roman’s are not as established in business as many of the families. They claim to be descended from gypsies, and the variety of trades (skilled and unskilled) represented in their family ranks supports this idea. Several trades and crafts are represented by the Roman clan, with the majority of the colony’s leatherwork and woodwork being done by a Roman. The Roman family also includes a few architects and engineers; as a result, some of the best construction is found in their compound. A number of Romans serve as enlisted personnel in Star Fleet, though none has yet made a career of it. Instead they serve and return to add their training and knowledge to the family ranks.