Page 82 - The Chronicles Ser2 (6-10)

“I know that look; what’re you thinking Steve?” Krank asked

“I’m going to see that retired Nephel Guardian in Folor sector. He’s the oldest of them, he
might know more of the history of Kelgar, and it was his charge after all. You three keep
things on track and keep the Chief up to speed; he’s got two funeral arrangements to sort
out, a full Force service I think. I’ll try to be as quick as possible… Mark, Marcie, could you
make travel arrangements for me to Folor.” He replied and made preparations for his trip.

The Protectorate of Asgard

Josiah and Morgana were on the outer rim colony world of Asgard; named after
some mythical place of the Norse Gods, ironically perhaps as the planet’s surface was
mostly desert with huge outcroppings of long dead volcanoes. Seismic activity had ceased
near the surface long ago, only a spinning core and magma shell were all that remained of
the planet’s fiery past. The order’s facility here was chosen because the indigenous life
forms were exceptionally tolerant of extremes. Temperatures rose to a peak in the high 80’s
during midday, only to swing to minus that during the night. It had seasons because of its
erratic elliptical orbit around its Blue star. Two summers where the sun would be directly
over the equator and blast the planet with vast amounts of ultraviolet radiation, and two
winters, where the sun was distant enough that the daytime temperatures were not that far
above a tropical winter. The planets water supplies were from vast underground water
tables, covering almost four fifths of the planet. The atmosphere did have some water
content, but this never really precipitated more than an early mist and a nigh time frost.
Most life was underground and sightless. There were no life forms higher than basic
vertebrates, but all were poisonous. The facility had used the shores of one vast
underground lake to create an enclosed Hydroponics Farm to provide their food. The waters
of these rivers and lakes were rich in minerals, so a filtration and distillation facility purified
it and gave up the minerals for production and export. The planet’s Spaceport was about

five miles from the facility and covered roads lead to and from it.
The shifting dunes would sometimes cover these enclosures up to
twelve feet deep; so they were designed to resist weights of 1000
tonnes or more. The Spaceport was a vast transporter hub
feeding a huge orbital space platform for distribution. The
“residents” of the facility tested some of the more dangerous and
devious weapons in the desert. Power was from two sources; as
the day was around 40hrs and the planet’s year around ten Terran year’s solar power and
solar furnaces were used during the day. Hydro-Electric systems; obtaining power from
flowing rivers, supplemented this for night time and winter use. Underground the
temperature was a stable 25-30 degrees Celsius all the time. Artificial sunlight and solar light
tunnels regulated to a 24hr cycle provided the light necessary for the Hydroponic Farm and
to help keep circadian biorhythms in sync.

The couple were given quarters that would not be amiss in any luxury housing
complex. They had set about their work orders quickly and efficiently. Josiah had brought
with him some concealed plans for Nano weapons that would have been developed by the
Military of several worlds in the Sonoran Trust, had he not intercepted them from going to
patent and “eliminating” the inventors. He claimed them as “new” innovations, profits from
which to be shared with the Order. They had; hopefully, “disappeared” from everyone’s