Sigma 63 Exploration Logs

[Shimamori]

Shimamori Masahito

LOG MESSAGE 1/26.07.829

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Interior of the dome

It has been almost a year since the discovery of the Chubu system. By the grace of the Emperor, our clan has organised the planetfall on planet Nagoya (formerly Sigma-63-β) and the construction of the initial colony of Atsuka. In line with the results of the exploratory missions, the colony was constructed on the slopes of a mountain where the concentration of algae in the air is the lowest and where the access to water is the easiest. The colony of Atsuka now hosts 324 colonists, a significant increase from the original team of 48 people. With great pleasure, I must admit that the colony is already self-sustaining when it comes to water and simple food but is still dependent on medicine, hardware, biodomes, and more diverse food. As such, the colony of Atsuka cannot yet benefit the economy and is still highly dependent on the Empire but if the current trend continues, Kusari will benefit from another system to exploit for the benefit of the House.

As of now, the colony can sustain its water resources. The filters that have been delivered successfully clear the glacier water from the admixture of heavy elements, dirt, and algae. Additionally, water is delivered from the deposits of ice in the asteroid belt. A significant amount of water is used for hydroponics as well as for refining the green soylent. The ever-increasing energy needs of the colony so far can be covered by the geothermal power plant. Due to the volcanic activity of the mountainous region, in which Atsuka is located, the energy from the vents is easily accessible and can be harnessed with minimal energy losses. Solar panels have also been installed for additional energy generation but due to the cloudy weather most time of the day in the area, the future of the solar energy initiative remains in limbo.

The colony of Atsuka on planet Nagoya in 828 A.S.

Additional modules built throughout the year

As for the local activities, the increase in population and energy output has resulted in establishment of the first mine. Originally, mining equipment was used to dig the central hall for the subterranean part of the colony. After the completion of the works, the mining equipment was adapted to the extraction of the local deposits. The miners have not yet reached the deeper part of the mountain range and thus so far the ore extracted has a relatively low percentage of valuable metals. Yet the information obtained during the initial surveying has been confirmed: there are deposits of titanium, zinc, iron, as well as osmium, and tantalum. To a lesser degree, there are traces of other metals, including radioactive isotopes. With further development, this mine and other mines that can be potentially constructed can supply the Empire with valuable resources.

Subterranean layout

Nagoya has also been of exceptional interest to scientists of all sorts. Two dedicated teams from the Haneda Imperial university of Honshu and from Tenmei university are working planetside and operating a few outposts not far from Atsuka. Of particular interest is the capacity of the local algae to exist in conditions of high contents of copper dust in the atmosphere. Copper dust remains an issue yet unresolved: while filters counter its adverse effects perfectly fine, further expansion of the colony will remain problematic as long as no sustainable solution is found. Until then, the colony is to be expanded under the cover of the dome, the latter being quite expensive and complicated to maintain. Nevertheless, the researchers from the Haneda xenobiology department are experimenting with modifying the genome of the local algae to make them capable of consuming copper and thus triggering the terraforming reaction. As of now, gene editing has not yielded a viable culture. At the same time, the scientists need to examine carefully the impact of such a change on the local ecology and whether such an impact can have a detrimental effect on the colony.

The security of the colony has not yet raised any concerns. A small garrison of the clan forces upholds security and carries out the role of the KSP in the area, although so far there have been no crimes or conflicts due to the homogenous origin and interdependence of the colonists. Regular patrols by "Zuikaku" under the command of Akechi Kinoshita have provided sufficient protection in space. My sincere hope is that this safety will last. Luckily, the unlawful elements either have not yet been found or showed no interest in the system of Chubu.

The crucial issue right now is ensuring a stable connection with the colony. Recent observations have indicated that the jumphole has been more unstable than before. "Zuiryu" has been carrying out triangulation in Honshu to trace the possible shifts while the team of researchers aboard as well as on Honshu has been investigating how to artificially stabilise the jumphole. One of the suggested solutions provides the construction of a device using the Kasimir effect to exert additional force on the rift borders in the hope to stabilise the gravitational pool. Whether it is practically feasible remains to be seen.

In service to the Empire of Kusari,
Emperor's loyal servant
Koushaku Shimamori Masahito of Nakashibetsu

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