SPECIAL STATUS SYSTEMS

Below are systems which fall under Kashmere jurisdiction but are unusual and/or restricted. Some have been designated Omega worlds: planets which have been essentially destroyed by some method and are kept under watch for research purposes.

Caph F8v

WARNING:  Kashmerian Directive Delta241~Omega22: Planet­ fall restricted to authorized vehicles and personnel only. Violation punishable by mindpurge or termination. Transmit clearance passage code immediately.

MOON: Caph Ville [Sigma Helix]

CIRCUMFERENCE: 37,800 km

NATURAL SATELLITES: none

MEAN OR81T 50 LS [1.5 X 107 km]

DAY: 18 std hours

YEAR: 180 std days

PROVINCE: Kashmere

Population: -

STATUS: Provincial Acquisition RATING: Omega World

ENVIRONMENT: The largest moon orbiting a gas giant, Sigma Helix is ostensibly a habitable geosphere, oxygen/nitrogen atmosphere (26/72%), with gravity.9 Terran and minimal solar radiation. Planet eight has a total of eleven moons, and is girdled by a particularly colorful, elaborate ring system. Sigma Helix orbits 23° off of the equatorial plane, so any inhabitants are provided with a beautiful celestial display.

However, this moon was apparently the target of a sophisticated weapon: an artificial ferrovirus which consumes iron in all of its forms. This means not only the disintegration of any machine made of an alloy using iron, but the demise of humanoids, who have traces of iron in their bloodstream,. The planet seems to support a variety of complex plant forms, as well as a few lower animal types (obviously not iron-based).

HISTORY: The moon was first discovered in PreImp. 945 by a survey team who unwittingly made planetfall on the supposedly welcoming

geosphere. It took the ferrovirus only one day before the team began to notice their equipment breaking down; before they realized what was happening the fusion drive was damaged beyond repair. Three days after landing members of the crew began to complain of weakness and lack of stamina. The final transmission came 16 days after planetfall: the last member of the survey team beamed a warning, with his analysis of the virus. No other known expedition attempted planetfall until Kashmere annexed the system in Imp. 452.

Ironically, Sigma Helix has proven to be a homeworld of one of the pre-eminent Sianetic Harbinger races. The Kashmerians have done extensive orbital studies, as well as analysis of the first Survey data transmissions, and information gleaned from expendable lander pro­bes. Most of the original Sianetic Harbinger (this race was apparent­ly known as the "Luar") structures on the planet have long since decayed into ruin, victims of the ferrovirus. Others, mysteriously, seem to have survived intact. The exact nature of the ferrovlrus, as well as the instigators, remains unknown. Duke Caitlin Kashmere has recently assigned a team of KIN Telepaths to study the moon.

NOTES: Sigma Helix is potentially one of the most important ar­cheological finds of modern times. Unfortunately, the planet's destructlve atmosphere precludes careful study of the relics cached there: it is currently limited to unmanned probes and brief visits by ar­ cheologists in nonferrous environmental suits. The Kashmerians have placed three orbital stations around the moon, each backed up by a dozen SMAC fighters. Task forces from one of the Six Fleets often pay a visit as well. Despite all this, pirates and agents from competing Families are constantly trying to infiltrate the moon, apparently oblivious to the possibility of releasing the ferrovirus, which, un­leashed on the Empire, could mean the end of civilized man.