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NAME OF LOCATION -
Delta Ferris System

DESCRIPTION -
Delta Ferris is a planetary system with a typical G-type star at its center. The system is composed of 4 planets ranging from M-class to inhospitable. Although asteroid chunks can be found throughout the entire system, they are most densely located between the second and third planets in the system. This belt can be very useful when evading enemy fire.

LOCATION -
The Delta Ferris System is located in Sector M-9.

PEOPLE -
For the most part, the Delta Ferris system is not inhabited, except for Delta Ferris II. The Eimear were an ancient humanoid race originating from there, that ruled an empire that covered nearly a quarter of the quadrant. Roughly 1,500 years ago they mysteriously vanished from from the quadrant leaving no trace of their existence save for what they left behind on their homeworld. Approximately 500 years after they vanished, one of their creations, intended to function as both an army and a labor force, rose from the depths of their ruins and came to rule the surface of Delta Ferris II. This race of sentient machines came to call themselves the Eimear in honor of their creators. Although capable of bipedal locomotion the new Eimear spend most of their time on all fours. They resemble large, mechanical tigers. standing roughly 8' tall when standing (somewhere between this and this). A satellite above the planet harvests solar energy, converting it into a unique radiation that the Eimear are powered by. Because the technology of the ancient Eimear has proven impossible to reverse-engineer the new Eimear have been able to duplicate their power source or even themselves. They have a population of 500 and live in the refurbished ruins of their creators.

CLIMATE -
*See Astronomical Data*

RESOURCES -
The most abundant resource in the Delta Ferris system is Gallicite, found on Delta Ferris IV and most of the asteroids in the system. If you were to pin up a map of the system and throw darts at it while blind-folded, it's very likely that you'd be able to mine gallicite from what you hit.

The planet of Delta Ferris I, by its sandy nature, is rich in Polysilicate Verterium. The only challenge to retrieving this resource is the large and unruly wildlife on the planet (See below).

ASTRONOMICAL DATA -
Delta Ferris I
Delta Ferris I is the first planet in the Delta Ferris star system and is the closest planet to the sun. It is an arid H-class world with an unending sea of sand stretching to all corners of the planet. The average daily surface temperature on the planet ranges from 40°C in the daytime and can drop to almost 10°C at night. Although it is possible to have a successful colony on Delta Ferris I, the scarcity of water and extremes in temperature make it a tough place to live. The planet is rich in Polysilicate Verterium. The main danger to living on the surface of Delta Ferris I, aside from the heat, is the indigenous wildlife. The Ferrisian worm is a very large sand worm that hunts by sensing vibrations in the ground. It can go for extremely long periods of time without feeding which is why they have survived for so long despite the lack of large prey animals.

Delta Ferris II
This lush M-class world is very similar to Arian IV or Beta Cestus III, other M-class planets in the Beta Quadrant. The diversity of the flora and fauna rival that of the Amazon rain forests of Earth. Stretching from pole to pole the planet has a very wide variety of climates ranging from the frigid poles to the humid forests around the equator and from scorching deserts to temperate plains. About 75% of the surface is covered with liquid water in an expansive, calm-watered ocean. Despite having five moons, none of them have sufficient gravity to cause any significantly noticeable tides. The other 25% of the surface consists of the three major continents and innumerable island chains dotting the ocean. A solar satellite located at the L1 Lagrange point generates a strange radiation that envelops the entire planet and even extends out into space as far a standard orbit. This radiation is the power source of the Eimear. Without it their internal capacitors begin to discharge and they start dying. This world is open to colonization through peaceful coexistence with the Eimear.

Delta Ferris III
The third planet in the Delta Ferris system, this massive gas giant consists mostly of hydrogen, fluorine, helium with traces of other gases. The planet has a series of rings in two distinct region. The first of which, the inner rings, consists of the usual dust and small debris expected in such a formation, however the second set of rings consists entirely of gas in a cloud stretched into the ring shape. The outer ring shares the same composition as the planet itself and instead of being in line with inner rings it sits at a 42° angle with respect to the inner rings. The outer rings are in parallel with the orbit of Delta Ferris IV. Because of the unusual orbit of Delta Ferris IV, interplanetary collisions between two in the very early history of the system are the cause of the unusual rings.

Delta Ferris IV
Delta Ferris IV is, by far, the weirdest planet in the entire system with the most eccentric orbit of any in the system. Although this planet comes closer to the system's sun than Delta Ferris III does, it moves out farther than any other planet in the system which is why it is designated as the last planet. Delta Ferris IV is a rocky N-class planet. Such planets are usually found relatively close to their suns, but it is believed that some time in its past, Delta Ferris encountered a catastrophic collision that shifted its orbit into its current shape. This event may also be the source of all the asteroids scattered throughout the system and around the planet itself. The planet's orbit is at an angle with the plane of the system, and grazes the orbital paths of Delta Ferris II & III. Fortunately, the differences between the orbital periods of the three planets means that collisions between them are very few and far between (roughly once every few million years). However, these collisions explain the abundance of asteroids scattered about the system as well as the gaseous ring of Delta Ferris III.

The surface of Delta Ferris IV is barren, and rocky; it is not suitable for surface colonization. Although orbital stations are possible, the large amount of debris in orbit makes them more difficult to maintain, though careful monitoring of this debris can eliminate the chances of collisions. Delta Ferris IV has a thick carbon dioxide-sulfur atmosphere and surface temperature that range from -200°C at its farthest from the sun to almost 400°C at its closest. The only point of interest about this inhospitable wasteland is the abundance of mineral deposits, like gallicite strewn across the planet.

Asteroid Belt
The collisions early in the system's history has yielded an asteroid belt in orbit between Delta Ferris II and III. Most these asteroids share the composition of Delta Ferris IV and as such, they are rich with Gallicite. The asteroids are not limited to the belt but can be found throughout the system. They provide excellent cover for fleeing ships.

After several hours of scanning Delta Ferris III, the Hyrule was ready to move on to the other planets in the system. Conveniently for them Delta Ferris IV was coming around on its pass of Delta Ferris III, so the ship could just sit and wait then hop over when it got close enough.
"Delta Ferris IV is coming into range, captain."
"Fire the maneuvering thrusters, set us up on an intercept course."
"Aye aye, sir"

"Intercept course complete. Entering standard orbit," the helmsman informed the bridge crew, but before he could finish alarm klaxons blared out, the lighting throughout the ship changed to indicate an emergency, all eyes turned to the tactical officer who hurriedly looked to see what was the matter.
"In coming orbital debris, a collision is imminent." The large chunks of rock, blasted into orbit by impacts to the surface Delta Ferris IV, had been sitting in the shadow of the planet, hidden from the Hyrule's sensors.
"Shields up! full power! Bank hard to starboard!"
"BRACE FOR IMPACT!"
Two of the smaller chunks hit the hull of the ship before the shields could be raised, the rest of the debris hit the shields sending ripples across their surface. The Hyrule shook violently from the hits, some crew member were tossed about like rag dolls, consoles erupted in sparks. With the worst of the hits behind them the Hyrule drifted one way while the chunks, dislodged from their orbit, drifted the other.
"Report."
"Port shields are down, aft shields at 15%. Hull breaches on decks 7-9, sections A and C, emergency force fields are holding."
"All stations are reporting in: some minor injuries here and there, but no casualties, sir."
Captain Anderson climbed off the floor and into the command chair as the reports came in. Once seated he hit a button on the console, "Bridge to engineering, Paul, get damage control teams into the affected areas."
"I'm way ahead of you captain, I've already got guys to the hardest hit sections. We'll have the ship patched up in no time."
"We might as well continue the mission. Are the sensors still working?"
"Affirmative Captain, I'll start the scans now."


Delta Ferris Survey Log
Star Date: 63221.1
Delta Ferris IV

Delta Ferris IV is, by far, the weirdest planet in the entire system with the most eccentric orbit of any in the system. Although this planet comes closer to the system's sun than Delta Ferris III does, it moves out farther than any other planet in the system which is why it is designated as the last planet. Delta Ferris IV is a rocky N-class planet. Such planets are usually found relatively close to their suns, but it is believed that some time in its past, Delta Ferris encountered a catastrophic collision that shifted its orbit into its current shape. This event may also be the source of all the asteroids scattered throughout the system and around the planet itself. The planet's orbit is at an angle with the plane of the system, and grazes the orbital paths of Delta Ferris II & III. Fortunately, the differences between the orbital periods of the three planets means that collisions between them are few and far between (roughly once every few million years). However, these collisions explain the abundance of asteroids scattered about the system as well as the gaseous ring of Delta Ferris III.

The surface of Delta Ferris IV is barren, and rocky; it is not suitable for surface colonization. Although orbital stations are possible, the large amount of debris in orbit makes them more difficult to maintain, though careful monitoring of this debris can eliminate the chances of collisions. Delta Ferris IV has a thick carbon dioxide-sulfur atmosphere and surface temperature that range from -200°C at its farthest from the sun to almost 400°C at its closest. The only point of interest about this inhospitable wasteland is the abundance of mineral deposits, like gallicite strewn across the planet.

Getting up form his seat on the bridge Captain Anderson made his way to the tubolift. "Continue scanning, and signal me if you find something interesting." He stepped into the lift and as the doors closed in front of him he spoke, "Deck 6." The machine began humming as it started to move, the lights outside zipped past the small windows in the side. When it finally stopped a few moments later, he stepped off and walked towards the transporter room. When he got there Jacob, Selek, and K'Rohs were already waiting for him. "What's with the disruptor?" he asked when he noticed what the Klingon had slung over his shoulder.
"As the head of security, I must be prepared."
"The scans show no large life-signs, the worst things down there are probably rodents and small reptiles."
"Regardless, I will be prepared."
Once all four of them had stepped on the pad the captain turned to the man at the control console, "Energize." The four of them were engulfed in green fire as the transporter system kicked in and dematerialized them. On the surface, the four man away team materialized on the surface next to a large rock formation. Almost immediately they all began sweating. "Spread out and start exploring, but stay in comm range. Check in every hour." With that they split up into pairs and got to work on their mission.

On the surface of Delta Ferris I:

"Captain, the seismic disturbance is increasing in magnitude, and its moving."
"What?!?" At that moment a signal from the Hyrule would ring out on the captain's comm badge, the message was interupted by static:


Then the line went dead, static was all that came through now. The ground began to rumble and shake. a couple hundred feet out of where they were something began to emerge from beneath the sand. From the looks of it, it was a massive sand worm. It rose a hundred feet out of the desert and ten feet across. Huge, sharp, blades filled its triangular maw. Its gargantuan form slammed down onto the sand and it began moving at a frighting pace toward the away team, kicking up a huge cloud of sand behind it.

The four members of the away party all looked at the creature then back at each other and started running as fast as they could in the other direction. When they reached the outcropping they started to climb in hopes that high ground would protect them. "Hyrule, come in Hyrule! emergency beam out! energize!" nothing but static greeted him on the channel.

Meanwhile, aboard the Hyrule:

"Sir, the anomaly is closing, 70 meters."
"Bridge to transporter room, get them out of there!"
"I'm trying, but there's too much interference. I can't get a proper lock."
"40 meters!"
"We're running out of time!"
Down in the transporter room, chief engineer Rowan was frantically pushing buttons on the control console trying to get his captain and the rest of the away team to safety. Employing the time honored trick of hitting machines that aren't working he yells, "Blasted machine!" the console hummed and buzzed and finally it gave in.
"10 meters!"
"Its not enough, but it'll have to do. Here goes nothing..."

Back on the surface:

The monstrous beast reared up, towering over the rock formation upon which the four men had climbed, hoping to escape. It came down upon them crashing into the side of the rocks, knocking away large chunks and swallowing the rest. But right before the away team was devoured, they were engulfed in emerald fire and were gone.

"You were cutting it a bit close, Rowan!"
"Sorry sir," he replied sheepishly.


((For the curious, the Ferrisian Worm would look something THIS this.))

A bright green light appeared in the middle of a clearing in the woods of the southwest region of the largest landmass. Disturbed by the sudden light, numerous small animals scurried away from the source, and the skies were filled as the birds in nearby trees took flight. When the light finally faded, an away team from the Hyrule stood in its place. In fact, this was the same away team that beamed down to Delta Ferris I. The team was about 150 meters from their intended destination. The planet's strange radiation field, which was more concentrated at the mysterious source of the neutronium signature, had prevented them from beaming down any closer; they would have to walk the rest of the way, although this would give them an opportunity to experience the native wildlife. A few minutes of walking around with their tricorders out led them closer to what they were searching for, but before they got there they made an interesting discovery.
"Captain, I'm detecting a large artificial structure approximately 85 meters to the east."
"Is it made of neutronium?"
"I can't tell, but it is unlikely."
"Then what was it that I detected from the ship?"
"Perhaps this radiation produced sensor ghost which the computer mistook for neutronium."
"I know a sensor ghost when I see one, and that was no --" before he could finish the group heard a twig snap behind them. Almost immediately they all spun around to see what had made the sound, and having learned from their encounter on Delta Ferris I, drew their weapons and pointed them in the direction of the sound. Out of a nearby bush an animal crawled tentatively forward into the light. To the surprise of everyone present the creature wasn't an animal at all, but a machine. The four of them exchanged confused glances between themselves. The machine resembled a skeletal quadruped. It crept forward and like an animal smelling something new it approached and examined the away team with a beam of blue light that emanated from the glowing orbs that were its eyes.
"I thought you said this place was uninhabited," he whispered, trying not to startle the thing.
"It is. Who or what ever made this thing is long gone."
"Fascinating," holding up his tricorder Selek spoke up, "It appears that the device's outer shell is composed of a metal alloy consisting of 35% neutronium."
"That's nowhere near enough to be the blip I detected."
"Maybe not alone, but if a lot of them came together in a relatively small space that could do it."
At that the machine reared up onto its hind legs and the away team stepped back, raising their weapons in response. It came to balance on its hind legs, its left arm came down to its side while its right arm came across its chest putting its clenched fist over the spot a heart should be in a salute. The jaws on its oblong head slid smoothly as it began to speak, much to the surprise of the four men.
"Judging by your presence here, it's clear that you're a space faring species. Why have you come?"
"We were sent here to survey this system. "
"We haven't seen any visitors here since the awakening. Come with me, I must bring this news to the council." With that it dropped back down on all fours and began moving in the direction of the large structure that Selek had detected earlier.

The council remained silent for what seemed like an eternity, but in reality only a few moments passed. When the council was done they addressed the assembled. "We will allow your colonies to settle on our soil and partake of this world's bounty."
"Thank you. I think its time we get on our way, but first I'd like to ask: when we beamed down here a thick layer of radiation blocked our transporters, what is it?"
"That radiation is our power source, Captain. It was left behind by our creators and is what allows us to exist here."
"I have a question, if I may?"
"Proceed."
"How did you come to be on this planet?"
The one in the middle spoke, clearly he was the head of the council, "Nearly a thousand years ago, I awoke to find myself in an abandoned laboratory beneath this city. As I explored the ruins I found dozens of pods like the one I found myself in. In the centuries since we have uncovered 500 pods, as well as numerous ruins left behind by our creators. We have found no remains of them other than fragments in old data storage units, but from those we have learned little."
"We thank you for your hospitality, but we must be going now, its a bit of a walk back to where we can transport."
"I think we can help with that, Captain." At that his eyes glowed bright and the away team was engulfed in a bright flash of light. When their senses returned to them they saw that they were back on the bridge of the Hyrule.

Still a bit confused, Captain Anderson and the rest of the away team took their places on the bridge. "We're receiving a transmission from the surface, audio only."
"Patch it through"
"I apologize, captain, I should have given you more warning. We hope to see you again soon, Safe travels." After that the channel cut out.
"Set a course for DS12, warp 7. Compile our sensor logs from this mission into a report for the Federation and transmit."
"Transmitting now, sir."
"Course and speed set, sir"
"Engage!"
With that the Hyrule turned about to face DS12 far off in the distance and disappeared in a flash as she went to warp.