The Elysium Mons
Observatory
In 5,009 AD, a group of nobles
and guildsmen of the Elysium colony petitioned the municipal
government to allow construction of an observatory on Elysium Mons.
Their overt aim was to determine whether human colonies survived
elsewhere in the solar system; covertly, they hoped to reenergize
interest in retaking Earth. The group was led by MuniPrin Lee
Ludei, a private scholar and nephew of the ruling Autarch of Elysium.
Other senior members included Pol Vigili, a senior Academician of
the Sensologists' Guild; Val Milesei, a former Third Commander of the
Elysium military, discharged for medical reasons; and Vil Noli, a
trimind bonded to the Communicators' Guild. Many noteworthy figures
from subsequent Republic history were involved in the project, such
as Ermon-N0001, then Ermon Vigili, a Journeyman of the Sensologists'
Guild; Dee-N0012, then Dee Vigili, a menial of the Orphans' Guild
contracted to the project and later Apprentice Sensologist; and
Mara-N0011, then simply Mara, a menial of the Orphans' Guild and
later Aide to MuniPrin Lee Ludei.
Thanks to Lee Ludei's influence,
the cabal was able to secure permission, though subject to censorship
and other restrictions. Construction of the Observatory began in
5,012 AD, and the first observations were taken in 5,016 AD.
Observations
of the Solar System
Mercury: The Second Golden
Age Mercury settlements were all located underground, with surface
facilities limited to space launch ports, communications relays, and
similar facilities. All known surface facilities appeared to have
been dismantled, and the sites returned to their original form.
Although no definite signs of continuing human presence were
detected, there were certain ambiguous infrared readings that might
indicate subsurface industrial activity.
Venus: No indication of
activity. The Venusian orbital research base appeared to be intact,
but the thermal signature indicated it had been abandoned.
Earth and Earth's Moon:
Under the edict authorizing construction of the Observatory, no
observations were to be made of any objects within 500,000 km of
Earth. According to the unanimous memories of the surviving staff,
such observations were made clandestinely, but the survivors were too
junior to learn the results. However, it is known that Vil Noli
suffered a psychotic breakdown following what was rumored to be an
attempted observation of TYRANT, and had to be Martyred to prevent
memetic contagion. (Paragraph is MaxConInfo: HIEROPHANT)
Aside:
Further information on the Elysium Mons Observatory observations of
the Earth-Moon system is MaxConInfo with the security phrase COURT
JESTER. Access to COURT JESTER is available only with authorization
from the HIEROPHANT InfoCon Committee.
Reminder: Visual imagery of areas under active TYRANT control is highly
dangerous and is a level two memetic hazard. If you have seen
imagery of areas under TYRANT control, do not discuss it and do not
think about it. Lock all non-essential memories and set your
mind(s) to autistic mode. Report immediately to your infocon
officer for neural sanitation using the security phrase PANIC BLUE.
If you believe someone else has seen imagery of areas under TYRANT
control, do not listen to anything they say. Lock all non-essential
memories and set your mind(s) to autistic mode. Report immediately
to your infocon officer using the security phrase FRENZY BLUE. Visual imagery of TYRANT is a
level one memetic hazard, causing catatonia, uncontrolled psychosis,
or traitorous dissociation. If you believe visual imagery of TYRANT
is present on Melanicus station, activate the emergency alert system
with the security phrase FRENZY BLACK. Then, if you believe you may
be exposed to visual imagery of TYRANT, shut down your nervous system
immediately to prevent contamination. If you believe someone else
has seen visual imagery of TYRANT, kill them immediately, then
isolate their remains to prevent contamination and contact your
infocon officer and/or station security for instructions. Remember, it is a Citizen Honor
to risk your life and/or sanity to suppress level one memetic
hazards, leading to listing on the Wall of Honor as a Defender of
Mankind if you survive, and as a Martyr for Mankind (Second Class) if
you do not. Death in defense of your species is the highest honor
of all humankind. Maintain proper information hygiene at all times.
Martian Orbit: The
majority of the platforms and satellites in Martian orbit had
reentered since the loss of Martian orbital access. Those remaining
in orbit no longer appeared to be functional.
Asteroid Belt: No
indication of activity.
Jupiter: No indication of
activity.
Saturn: Some moons
orbiting Saturn showed signs of mining. However, due to the
incompleteness of the available records, they could not determine if
this mining dated to the Second Golden Age, or if it was more recent.
The ruins of the Saturn habitat appeared to be intact, but the
thermal signature indicated it had been abandoned. There were no
signs of on-going human or other activity.
Uranus: No indication of
activity.
Neptune: No indication of
activity.
Distant Objects: No
indication of activity.
Lee Ludei and Pol Vigili
published a bookfile, Preliminary Observations of the Solar System
in 5,018 AD in an effort to arouse public interest in the project.
Although Preliminary Observations initially passed the
censorship board, the Elysium government turned against it due to its
implied criticism of the government as insufficiently zealous in
attempting to return to Earth.
No comments:
Post a Comment