New Helvetica

[Vogel]

The System

The New Helvetica system is the sole area of influence as far as the Helvetians are concerned. Granted to them by King Charles III well over four hundred years ago, the small Helvetian population has managed to grow and leave its mark on what was once nothing but a desolate star system. The only planet in the system, Bern, was chosen as the capital world. Other than a moon in Berns orbit, the system is essentially devoid of anything but ice and dust. Most of the Helvetic economy, therefore, is essentially built on water and its component parts.

Locations:
Stars -
Red Dwarf (Center of map)


Stellar Bodies -
Bern (B/C3) A cold world with a breathable atmosphere, Bern would be virtually uninhabitable but for the underground cities the Helvetians have built from scratch. It is the home of most of the Helvetic population, and as such is heavily guarded.

Dom (B3) A small, rocky moon in Bern orbit, Dom has few appreciable resources, but nonetheless the Helvetians have endeavored to squeeze what they can out of it. Mining facilities on the surface have their goods shipped to Zurich Station for use and export.


Stations -
Zurich Station (C4) A large facility in Bern orbit, Zurich is the pride of New Helvetica. The home of commerce and the local space industry, Zurich is the hub through which visitors come and go. The lower portions of the station have been reserved for military use and are highly restricted.

Constance Processing Station (F3) The work of Helvetic Federal Industries in their ongoing attempts at competing with the Gallic corporations, this station is the primary processing plant for the vast amounts of water present in the Lucerne ice fields. Built long ago, it has been continually upgraded and moved from place to place as the ice has been expended. HFIs latest endeavor, the Molecular Phase Separator, is aboard this station.

Roches Border Post (F3) A small military station flanking Constance, Roches serves as the customs checkmark for New Helvetica, and as its first line of defense.

Givrine Outpost (D7) A small checkpoint operated by the Helvetic Guard, this station monitors and guards the jump hole leading to Languedoc.


Exits
New Helvetica ->Berry Jumpgate (G1) This jumpgate from New Helvetica to Berry is operated by the Gallic Royal Navy; the Helvetians do not own the gate themselves, which is naturally a matter of great concern. The gate itself marks the point where New Helvetica ends and Gallia begins, meaning that once one hits the first tradelane ring they have crossed the border.

Languedoc Jump Hole (D7) The ace in the sleeve, this jump hole from New Helvetica to Languedoc is the one alternative to the Royalist-controlled gate. Discovered deep inside the Lucerne Ice Field during one of the initial Helvetic surveys of the system, the jump hole has remained a highly-guarded secret ever since. It opens up to a point deep in the unexplored regions of the Languedoc system. So far, only the Helvetic government is aware of its presence, and has placed Givrine Outpost nearby in order to monitor it. It is likely that this exit shall prove integral to Helvetic policy in the future.


Fields
Lucerne Ice Field The New Helvetica system can essentially be described with two words: Bern and Ice. The Lucerne Ice Field is a massive chain of ice and dust nearly spanning the entire system. Composed of 96% water and only 4% dust and other particles, Lucerne stands as one of the purest sources of water in known space; Helvetic water is a highly competitive brand in neighboring Gallia, but whether or not its crisp taste is the result of natural phenomena is a point of conjecture. However, due to the Helvetians' desire to expand and compete as a nation, Lucerne has suffered the effects of rapid industrialization: 35% of the field has been almost completely stripped of water, leaving a massive gap comprised of a few stray dust particles. This portion, dubbed North Lucerne, shows the obvious progression of events as the water was taken further and further away from the planet. The remainder, South Lucerne, is still composed of the same elements in the same proportions, and there has been recent talk of preserving what remains of the field as a natural wonder. However, given the political climate and the fact that currently there is no major industrial alternative, the extraction of water from Lucerne will probably continue as it always has.