Varese, Chiamora System
| Planet Name | Varese, Chiamora System |
|---|---|
| Stellar Classification | Red Dwarf |
| Habitability Grade | C2 |
| Satellites | 0 |
| Orbital Period | 158 Days |
| Rotational Period | 6 Hours |
| Capital | Focami |
| Population | 420 thousand (circa 31134), 0 (circa 31154) |
A relatively recent find, Varese was only first surveyed in 31134. A quiet world orbiting a red-dwarf star, Varese was remarkable only for the large quantities of heavy metals believed to lie in subsurface veins just under its crust.
A class C2 world, Varese’s atmosphere contained a number of toxic gases, which tended to pool in large crevices and cave networks, where vast colonies of algae and lichens could be found. These organisms feed on some of these harmful substances and release oxygen into the air. This, coupled with an active molten core, has equipped the world with a thin atmosphere that’s breathable with the aid of a simple respirator.
Varese sits a little further back from the inner edges of its star’s habitat able zone, which leads to generally cooler conditions overall. It has significant axial tilt, creating abrupt seasonal changes, and it spins rapidly on its pole, with a day night cycle of only a few hours.
Originally settled by Axios Frontier Solutions, a small mining operation was established to confirm the original results of the planetary survey. What they found exceeded even their high initial expectations. The planet’s crust contained quantities of chromium, nickel, and tungsten, all vital metals which could fuel the Republic’s heavy industries for decades.
In a brazen act of industrial espionage, the Tasovo Mining Conglomerate was able to steal this closely-guarded information from Axios without their knowledge, gaining access to their survey data and the locations of their facilities.
In a shocking show of economic might, TMC personnel and equipment descended onto the planet en-masse, quickly claiming the most valuable lodes. A lengthy legal battle ensued, but in the end, the TMC’s political clout won them a favorable settlement. This would mark a significant defeat for Axios, and many analysts would draw a direct link between the firm’s eventual collapse and their stark reversal on this barren world.
Following the attack on Battipaglia, Varese would grow more important, as its metals would prove increasingly valuable to the URN’s shipbuilding efforts. In 31153, a garrison of five legions would be deployed to the planet’s surface, while a small contingent of warships would guard it from above.
This force would prove to be insufficient to defend the world however, as an Ascomanni force quickly overwhelmed the URN presence and laid waste to its mining operations.
Only a few thousand survivors of the planet’s garrison would hold out, waging a guerilla campaign against the alien invaders until finally being rescued months after all were presumed dead. Following the successful evacuation of the remaining legionnaires, Varese would be abandoned to the enemy, and recent probes suggest that the Ascomanni have moved on as well.