Located in the heart of the Mirach Reach along the border between the Federated Suns and the Capellan Confederation, the Surt system is unusual in being one of the very few Class III Giants known to support a family of planets. Two of these fall into the wide habitable zone, but only Surt IV, the world designated Mira, supports life as we know it. It is a curious world, full of contradictions both physical and social, and has been a focal point of strife between Davion and Liao forces for a very long time indeed.
Astrography
There is a tendency to confuse the planet Mira, located in the F6111 star system of the blue- white giant Surt, with the much more famous star Mira. The latter, a giant red M-class variable, lies nearly twice as far from Earth as Sun does, but in the same general direction. Probably Captain Raoul de Vega, commander of the first survey mission to chart the system in 2122, was not even aware of the potential for confusion in his naming of theworld. Legend has it that the fourth planet in the Surt system was the first to be picked up on sensors, and the Captain promptly named it "Mira" (a double meaning-"wonderfuI" in the Arabic typically used in astronomical naming, and "he looks" in his native Spanish).
Whether this was a commentary on the double-takes on the sensor crewman, a colorful way of describing the distinctly eye-like appearance of the Mesa Grande rising out of the planetary cloud layer, or an exclamation at the wonder of finding planets in the Surt system in the first place is not clear; it generally depends on the person relating the anecdote and the number of beers consumed prior to the story-telling. On the whole, though, it is just as well that de Vega chose the name Mira instead of following old Survey traditions and bestowing his own name on the planet.
In any event, Surt's family of worlds is intriguing to astrophysicists and planetologists alike. Evidence indicates that only one world, the huge brown dwarf designated Muspelheim (Surt VIII) was originally part of the system. The others were apparently captured by the interplay of gravitation between the star and the superjovian gas giant. Debates rage to this day in scientific circles as to whether the captures occurred simultaneously or over the space of several hundred thousand years. The inhabitants of Mira, however, don't care in the least.
Planetology:
Mira's conditions can be described as "habitable" only with a large dose of charity. Mass and density combine to produce a gravity of nearly 1.8 times Earth-normal. The atmospheric pressure at sea level is 2.20 atm. Coupled with a partial pressure of oxygen of nearly 9.5, this makes the air of Mira subtly lethal. The density of the atmosphere is uncomfortable and requires long periods of depressurization before entry into conditioned environments is possible; the high oxygen content is doubly dangerous in feeding fires at incredible rates and causing hypoxia-induced hallucinations in some people, particularly after unusual exertion.
The planetary atmosphere is only thin enough to support life at all because of the effects of the energetic star, which has stripped away much of the atmosphere over the past few million years.
The heat also combines with the extensive hydrosphere to produce a massive layer of clouds. The greenhouse effect on Mira effectively doubles temperatures that might be found on less humid worlds. Misty, swampy conditions prevail over much of the planet. However, Mira is much more geologically active than Terra, supporting large mountain chains which in many places rise up above the cloud layers. These peaks often extend high enough to boast quite Earthlike conditions of temperature, atmospheric pressure, and humidity that serve as interesting contrasts to the marshy jungles at sea level.
The largest of these high plateaus is the continent- sized formation known as Mesa Grande near the equator, perhaps the only equatorial land mass on Mira where Terrestrial colonies can flourish without discomfort.
Heat is a major problem in the lowlands, and BattleMechs must be carefully maintained and monitored to avoid adverse effects of the constant, steamy heat. Terrain on Mira is ill-suited to large- scale 'Mech operations due to the rugged mountains, dense forests, and wide expanses of marsh or open sea which are all difficult obstacles to modern methods of warfare.
Ecology:
High radiation output from Surt and the harsh environmental conditions of the planetary surface have contributed to a surprising diversity and spread of life forms native to Mira. The jungles and swamps of the lower reaches of the Miran continents support lush vegetation and a variety of interesting animal forms, including pseudo-reptilian types which show a number of points of similarity to Terrestrial dinosaurs-aside from being six-limbed, homeothermic, viviparous, and much more cunning than any dinosaur that ever walked the Earth.
The biochemistry of Mira is only partly compatible with that of Earth. Humans can obtain nourishment from Miran sources, but without hideously expensive vitamin supplements they must consume better than three times the bulk to obtain the same nutritional value as Terran foodstuffs give. Miran food is cheap and plentiful, and for the very poor provides the staple diet, which leads to a curious combination of malnutrition and weight problems among those who cannot afford vitamins or Terran foods. Mira is considered contraindicated for persons suffering from metabolic or dietary disorders of any kind.
History:
Mira was settled during the early period of Terrestrial colonization in the mid-221d Century. The earliest colonists were of Hispanic descent; these settlers pioneered the extensive oceanic industries that were to make Mira famous. Their first ventures were in the area of pelagiculture; it wasn't until 2237 that the famous Molotosky Process for extracting large quantities of minerals from sea water was introduced. This was during the heyday of the Tikonov Union, which absorbed Mira in the first quarter of the 23rd Century.
The mountain peaks, pleasant and isolated, were parceled out as estates to Tikonov nobles, who supervised the introduction of new industries. The original colonists soon found themselves ground beneath the iron heel of offworld masters, who lorded it over them from their lofty estates far above the oppressive heat and humidity of the lowlands.
The Marlette Association found it easy to promote a revolution among the oppressed colonists around the turn of the 2411 Century. In 2308, however, the brilliant campaigns of Diana Chin reconquered Mira for the Tikonov Union and reimposed the aristocratic regime. However, the taste of freedom left Mira a festering sore on the Tikonov, a situation exploited by the expanding Federated Suns in 2344. Agents provocateurs stirred up a massive rising in that year which the Federation quickly supported with military aid, and within a short time Mira was formally ceded to the Federated Suns and accorded Associate status.
From that time on, the planet remained under Federation control, though its position on the frontier of House Davion's sphere of influence made it a frequent battleground in the many wars to follow. Most recently Mira was the scene for a dramatic raid by MacCarron's Armored Cavalry, the final blow in a long series of brilliant strikes along the Capellan border.
Mira: Misty Outpost of the Federated Suns
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