Penrhyn Pyramid: Terrakia
Chronicles of Xanctu
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Terrakia is the fifth planet in the Archalem system. It is located at the end of a minor arm of the Spiral Galaxy - MENGEL-3, far from the main trade centres of the Merkan Empire, and equally distant from the Uxot Confederation’s 'Dead Star' cluster.
Terrakia was represented at the Battle of Twinne Yashtoor, and has been a member of the Supreme Council of Nine since the peace treaty was signed and the Galactic Clock reset, twelve thousand solars ago.
It is the only liveable planet within a radius of ten parsecs, and an inconvenient place to visit. The gravity flux from its trinary star system makes translation from warp extremely hazardous. Thus, a long real-time haul is necessary to make a safe planetfall. Most commercial ships take at least thirty cycles to reach Terrakia, while a slow ship could double that time. Travellers are advised to take the necessary precautions before departure.
The Trinary’s three stars are named Darra; a Blue Dwarf, Rahda; a Red Giant, and Ola; a regular M-Class white star. The Trinary radiates an amazing combination of colours at sunset, but unfortunately Rahda lashes out with tongues of heat radiation approximately every thousand solars, creating a life threatening situation. On Terrakia, many legends are told of these Solarstorms, but if you’re fortunate to have the time for a visit, you’ll find that mystical Terrakia is a harmonious planet that boasts low crime and astounding views, and a dedication to common Galactic ethics and morality.
Nectar is the capital of Terrakia. It is an estuary city comprising nearly two million inhabitants. Two thousand metres above the city, waterfalls flow over the edge of a lushly carpeted escarpment. Beyond, the ocean and sky are ablaze with mixed hues. Air traffic comes and goes from a nearby spaceport. Brightly coloured barges hug the coast. The city is overshadowed by Penrhyn Pyramid which crouches magnificently on a crag overlooking the city below, reflections from the trinary sparkle on its faceted construction. Built using crysto-ceramic engineering, Penrhyn Pyramid has survived more than twelve millennia and nine Solar storms. It is the archetypal symbol of Terrakia.
The pyramid can be accessed by a short air ride from the city, or via a steep two hour climb using a series of stone stairways cut into the rock of Penrhyn Crag. Those who make the effort of climbing the stairway will be rewarded by elaborately adorned shrines carved into the rock of the stairway that depict the continuing growth and destruction of the city. On reaching the top of the stairs, the pilgrim is at the base of the Pyramid and will probably take a drink of cool, natural water from one of the strangely carved water spouts. Higher up on the terraced surface of the pyramid, crysto-ceramic bricks mirror the Trinary's light in a myriad of colours. These special bricks protect Penrhyn from heat strike during Solar storms, while Penrhyn in turn protects the continuity of the city below.
Bio-organic engineering techniques using genetically engineered bacteria to bind particles of earth, sand and dust together, lend to the bizarre feeling a visitor may have that the city has somehow emerged from the ground. A street view of Nectar will reveal many different types of habitations and xenotypes.
A visit to Terrakia will certainly be the highpoint in any dedicated traveller’s career.
Abridged Galactic Travelogue: - Fran Siko
➡️ Next Chapter: Starbuoy
📘 Start from Chapter One: Galactic Politics
📘 New to the story? Index here 👉 Chronicles of Xanctu – Chapter Index
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