Excerpt from "The Galaxy On Ten Megacredits A Day", by Futter and Lange.

Khassandhra

Waddall's Star IV, Phi Ophiuchi 6480

Khassandhra is the sole habitable world of Waddall's Star (Phi Ophiuchi 6480). The planet has an axial tilt of only 2.2 degrees; seasonal variation is thus, though noticeable, insignificant. Tectonic activity on Khassandhra is vigorous, the crust consisting of more than thirty major plates. Vulcanism is common, and tremors can be felt most days almost anywhere on the planetary surface.

The planet boasts seven moons: Valika, Irpika, Zapika, Gaika, Yaronika, Pulika, and Polika. Mineralogical exploration of the moons has, to date, been non-existant.

There is relatively little free water on the surface of the planet, most of it being tied up in the two large frozen ice caps. The seas are small, heavily mineralized and slightly acidic due to submarine geothermal activity. Rain, when it occurs, also tends towards acidity; a result of high levels of caustic particulate matter in the atmosphere. This matter is not particularly dangerous to humans in the short term, but has been shown to be carcinogenic in long-term visitors and very hard on equipment. The lifespan of the indigenous human inhabitants of Khassandhra is almost certainly heavily compromised by these conditions; they seldom live beyond forty or fifty standard years.

The dominant native fauna are reptilian and insectoid. They have adopted a variety of strategies to survive the rigours of their environment, and carry on much as life anywhere does - attempting to eat, and avoid being eaten. Several species have responded to domestication. Native flora tends toward the waxy and the thorny, the better to ward off the effects of acid rain and the depredations of herbivores.

Microscopic dust suspended in the dense atmosphere gives the sky a rather dingy, reddish appearance, and the haze caused by it reduces visibility substantially even in the best conditions. The horizon is seldom visible except as a vague blur. The high concentration of sulphur dioxide, though not inimicable to human respiration, causes a characteristic "rotten egg" smell which many newcomers find offensive. The nose quickly adapts, however.

The recent rediscovery of Khassandhra (forty-seven standard years ago, as of this writing) by locators of the Aegis Corporation resulted in the establishment of several mining settlements to take advantage of easy access to certain heavy elements; a result of the planet's perpetual volcanic activity. In the absence of any other centralized government, the Aegis Corporation's representatives on Khassandhra have de-facto assumed that authority. The case is currently under investigation in the Galactic Court, and it is likely that an Oikumene Protectorate will be established, but meanwhile Aegis continues with its activities on the planet unimpeded except for routine inspections by officials from the Colonial Office.

The main point of entry is Glastonbury. It boasts a well-appointed spaceport with full repair facilities, varied entertainment opportunities, and an efficient (if unsympathetic) bureaucracy. There are two secondary stations, Heyerdahl and Aurelia, neither of which have fully-fledged starports, though they do service a certain amount of orbital traffic. The population of the three Aegis mining stations is transient, averaging about 1,500,000, with a male to female ratio of approximately three to one. Female visitors of all ages are advised that they will inevitably attract for a good deal of attention, and a certain degree of caution would be advisable while enjoying the facilities of the stations.

Aegis Corporation Security enforce their laws only within the station perimeters. Those laws are not particularly oppressive, and are designed primarily to maintain order and keep up production in a heavily male-dominated, transient population. They are generally enforced fairly, but visitors from the more liberal worlds of the Oikumene should be aware that the concept of offenders' "rights" does not find widespread support among the Aegis bureacracy.

The unlicensed carriage of weapons, open or concealed, is prohibited within the perimeters. Theft, especially of Aegis Corporation property, is punished sternly. Murder is a capital offense, as is any deliberate act which causes death (such as sabotage). Assaults are dealt with on a case-by-case basis, but are generally winked at unless an intent to injure is shown. Employees are most likely to be punished by loss of wages, privileges and rank, but there are also incarceration facilities available. Visitors will be punished by incarceration, indenture, and/or confiscation of property.

Natives (the Khassandhrassi) are not permitted within the boundaries of the Aegis facilities without proper licensing, but a permit is not usually difficult to get and there are many employed in various menial capacities. Immediately outside the boundaries, shanty-towns have grown up consisting of the accommodations of the native servants, trading booths, taverns and "pleasure houses". Though there is no official Aegis police presence there, from time to time they will go through and clear out "undesirable elements". Since an "undesirable element" is virtually imossible to identify, this action generally consists of burning all of the shacks and tents and clearing the entire area. Clearance actions tend to occur coincidentally with the discovery of the body of an Aegis worker or tourist, and it has become understood by the local indigenes that violence directed against the newcomers has speedy and inconvenient consequences. Nevertheless, sometimes provocation becomes too much to bear, and another worker is cut to pieces in an alley. Caution, and an appropriate degree of respectful politeness are (as always) recommended when dealing with any of the indigenous population.

The Khassandhrassi

Physically, the Khassandhrassi tend to be short and stocky, averaging about 1.5m in height and and 75kg in weight. Their skin is a dark reddish-brown, and hair, when allowed to grow, is thick, straight and black. It is normally shaved close to the scalp. Facial hair is non-existant. The sexes can be difficult for an outsider to distinguish, since there are few visual clues to be had from clothing or accoutrements, and facial structures in both males and females are very similar. The voice can provide a useful hint, however; at adulthood, the voices of the males deepen substantially while those of the females remain at a somewhat higher register.

The original colonization of Khassandhra predates the formation of the Oikumene. The settlements fragmented as their technology succumbed to the effects of entropy, and stabilised at a pre-nuclear level. The difficulties involved in large-scale agriculture over most of the planetary surface encouraged the development of a clan-based, semi-nomadic culture for many of the groups, though permanent settlements developed at sites of natural resources, and on trade routes between them. In other words, the economic re-development of human society on Khassandhra followed completely normal patterns, given their environment. The total indigenous human population is impossible to determine accurately, but is estimated at the region of fifteen million.

Although the natives living around the stations have become somewhat modernized through contact with the Aegis facilities, it should be remembered that these are still very much in the minority. The back-country clans are superstitious and proud, generally polite and hospitable but quick to take offense and very dangerous when roused. Specific custom varies from clan to clan, but they generally espouse an animist ancestor worship, and are fiercely jealous of their sacred places. A traveller wishing to visit these areas is recommended to employ the services of a trustworthy guide and interpreter, but even if all reasonable precautions are taken, the safety of a tourist cannot be guaranteed and it is probably best to avoid spiritually sensitive spots. In the past, certain unscrupulous collectors have despoiled some of the grave sites of a group of clans (the Katchelli Egg Men, among others) and as a result any incursion is likely to be met with extreme suspicion.

The nomads make some limited use of powered vehicles, but the difficulties of maintenance in the corrosive atmosphere coupled with the rugged nature of much of the terrain means that they rely far more on animals for transport. The most common draught animal is a large and stolid herbivorous quadruped called a "darboush". This creature commonly stands over two metres at the shoulder, and can mass six or seven tonnes. Darboush provide milk, meat and thick, coarse leather as well as muscular power. Their short, thick legs do not encourage any great speed, but they are extremely strong and can haul very heavy loads. They are sometimes ridden, in which case a small howdah is generally employed. Domesticated darboush are usually very gentle and loyal in nature, and their keepers often treat them with considerable affection.

Also widely used is a beast known as a "stamel"; this is a bipedal omnivore with thickly muscled legs and a long, sinuous neck, the overall visual effect being that of a heavy-bodied reptilian ostrich. The head is small, though the eyes are large and widely-spaced, providing efficient binocular vision. The fore-limbs are small and almost useless, being used only for clinging to a partner during mating. Stamels are fast, being able to attain speeds of 60 - 70 kmh, and have considerable stamina. They are highly valued as riding beasts, and a great deal of care and consideration goes into their breeding. They are nervous beasts, and a certain degree of knowledge and skill is required for their effective handling.

Comparitively little is known about Khassandhrassi society; the focus of the Aegis Corporation has been industrial rather than sociological, and academic investigation of the people has been, at best, desultory.