There are billions of stars, millions of planets, but there is only one man, Terrance McDoogal. Welcome to LIU Atlas.
LIU Atlas - Fenestrula
The Ludgonian Industrial Union's galaxy contains billions of stars and billions of planets. Unfortunately, most residents of the LIU could only name a handful of these worlds. In order to improve astronomy grades across the LIU Galaxy, TV2 has started a new program called LIU Atlas. Follow our host, Terrance McDoogal, as he takes you on a tour across the LIU and some of its more obscure worlds.
Note: This episode is presented in full screen. The corresponding dialogue is underneath each photo.
Note: This episode is presented in full screen. The corresponding dialogue is underneath each photo.
Doog: “Welcome to another episode of LIU Atlas. I’m your host, Terrance “Doog” McDoogal. Today, we’re visiting the trade capital of the Hyperplexity, Fenestrula. Fenestrula, the fourth planet in the Jendela System, is the most accessible habitable planet within the Hyperplexity, requiring just four highly-calculated hyperspace jumps. All cargo and products produced on the various worlds of the Hyperplexity come to Fenestrula to be exported to the rest of the galaxy. I’m told, however, that Fenestrula is more important than I know. We’re here to get to the bottom of that.”
Doog: “In case you missed the last episode, the Hyperplexity is a region of space in the Deep Core. Due to the abundance of stars, planets, dust, and debris in this region, hyperspace travel is exceptionally difficult. There are lots of complex gravitational fields that require visitors to make several highly-calculated hyperspace jumps. There are no direct routes to any planet. The name speaks for itself, Hyperplexity is a portmanteau of Hyperspace and Perplexity. Luckily, our fine pilot, Hugo, and our new navigator, Seitse, got us to Fenestrula in one piece. Now, let’s head down and check it out.”
Doog: “Alright folks, I’ve been dropped off in the port city of Latebra. You can tell it’s a port city, because there’s cargo being transported everywhere you look. Also, the signage. The signs give it away every time.”
Doog: “Latebra is a newer city – built specifically to handle cargo from all the worlds in the Hyperplexity. Large Hover-Tunnels were built below the city to allow cargo to move uninterrupted. You can see some Cargo-Skiffs flying through the tunnel as we speak.”
Doog: “There are several industrial worlds within the Hyperplexity. The older stars here, and the dense amounts of material, make the region rich in metals and chemicals. Most of these materials are brought to Fenestrula to be processed into usable materials. So, Fenestrula is more than a trade planet. It’s also a factory world. But, that’s not the secret that Fenestrula is hiding. We’ll need to continue on to discover that.”
Doog: “You might have noticed that I’m operating solo for right now. There’s no guide in sight. The producers thought my guide would give away too much, too early. I won’t meet them until later. Instead, I’m navigating this ultra-complex mega-port by myself. As long as I don’t accidentally wander into one of these cargo highways, I’ll be ok. Maybe. Hopefully.”
Doog: “Excuse me. Pardon me. Famous TV Host coming through. Wow, someone smells like cheese. Is that me? Hmm. I hope not.”
Doog: “What’s the hold-up! Why are three thousand people trying to cross a narrow path over the cargo tunnels the same time as me!? Are there people just standing on the path watching the Cargo-Skiffs!? Quit holding up the lines! Get a life!”
Doog: “Of course I pick this line! The slow, cheese-smelling line. I could have been over there. It looks like that path goes past some restaurants. I bet it smells better over there. Hey! Someone over there throw me some samples! I’m stuck in this line!”
Doog: “Wait. Wait. One foot further. That’s progress. At this rate, I’ll make it to my guide in four days. Where are the samples?! Are you guys holding out on us?! You think you’re better than us because we picked the slow line?!”
Doog: “We’re finally out of the cargo-district. Things have opened up. There’s bad news though. That cheese smell was definitely me. Oh well. Time to look for my guide.”
Doog: “I think this is the place. ‘Military Entry Only. Bunker 25’. Why is the military on Fenestrula? Is this the big twist?”
Saragarhi: “You must be the reporter. What’s your name again, civilian?”
Doog: “I’m Doog.”
Saragarhi: “Ah, that’s right. I’m Commander Saragarhi. Welcome to Bunker-25.”
Doog: “Thanks, Commander Sarcophagus. It’s good to be here…I guess.”
Saragarhi: “It’s Saragarhi, civilian.”
Doog: “Oh, I’ll never get that right. Maybe I can just call you Commander?”
Saragarhi: “That is acceptable.”
Doog: “Well, Commander, I’m just going to say it – why is the military on a trade world, like Fenestrula?”
Saragarhi: “The military can be wherever it likes, civilian.”
Doog: “Oh, sorry. I guess it can.”
Saragarhi: “I’m just messing with you, civilian. The military is here for good reason. Follow me.”
Doog: “I’m Doog.”
Saragarhi: “Ah, that’s right. I’m Commander Saragarhi. Welcome to Bunker-25.”
Doog: “Thanks, Commander Sarcophagus. It’s good to be here…I guess.”
Saragarhi: “It’s Saragarhi, civilian.”
Doog: “Oh, I’ll never get that right. Maybe I can just call you Commander?”
Saragarhi: “That is acceptable.”
Doog: “Well, Commander, I’m just going to say it – why is the military on a trade world, like Fenestrula?”
Saragarhi: “The military can be wherever it likes, civilian.”
Doog: “Oh, sorry. I guess it can.”
Saragarhi: “I’m just messing with you, civilian. The military is here for good reason. Follow me.”
Saragarhi: “The Hyperplexity is one of the most remote portions of the galaxy. Most of the Hyperplexity can only be accessed from Fenestrula.”
Doog: “Yeah, I’ve heard. So, the military uses it as a chokepoint or something?”
Saragarhi: “Something like that. It’s more of a contingency plan.”
Doog: “Contingency plan?”
Saragarhi: “If the galaxy were ever invaded and military losses were high, Fenestula is one of our fallback contingency bases. The LIU could mass forces here for a counter-attack.”
Doog: “Why Fenestrula? The remoteness?”
Saragarhi: “Yes. There’s only one route in and one route out. It is easily defendable. The LIU could retreat to Fenestrula and survive, even against a superior force.”
Doog: “Yeah, I’ve heard. So, the military uses it as a chokepoint or something?”
Saragarhi: “Something like that. It’s more of a contingency plan.”
Doog: “Contingency plan?”
Saragarhi: “If the galaxy were ever invaded and military losses were high, Fenestula is one of our fallback contingency bases. The LIU could mass forces here for a counter-attack.”
Doog: “Why Fenestrula? The remoteness?”
Saragarhi: “Yes. There’s only one route in and one route out. It is easily defendable. The LIU could retreat to Fenestrula and survive, even against a superior force.”
Saragarhi: “There are hundreds of bunkers under Latebra, each holding supplies, like food, medicine, or ammo. The bunkers have enough rations to support millions of military personnel during an extended siege.”
Doog: “Just the military? What about the millions of civilians here?”
Saragarhi: “Just the military. However, in a Last Stand Scenario, most civilians will be conscripted anyway.”
Doog: “So, that’s what Fenestrula is – the LIU’s Last Stand location.”
Saragarhi: “While the Emperor has full faith in the military, having a contingency plan is never a bad idea. In the rare event that a superior force invades the galaxy and overwhelms our galactic fortifications, the remainder of the Emperor’s forces will retreat to Fenestrula to make a last stand. This galactic chokepoint will swing the odds in our favor.”
Doog: “Let’s hope that never happens.”
Saragarhi: “I agree, civilian.”
Doog: “Just the military? What about the millions of civilians here?”
Saragarhi: “Just the military. However, in a Last Stand Scenario, most civilians will be conscripted anyway.”
Doog: “So, that’s what Fenestrula is – the LIU’s Last Stand location.”
Saragarhi: “While the Emperor has full faith in the military, having a contingency plan is never a bad idea. In the rare event that a superior force invades the galaxy and overwhelms our galactic fortifications, the remainder of the Emperor’s forces will retreat to Fenestrula to make a last stand. This galactic chokepoint will swing the odds in our favor.”
Doog: “Let’s hope that never happens.”
Saragarhi: “I agree, civilian.”
Doog: “We’re not under siege right now, are we?”
Saragarhi: “No, of course not.”
Doog: “Why are there so many troops here then?”
Saragarhi: “A three-hundred-thousand-man defense force occupies Fenestrula at all times. There’s no point in making a Last Stand Base if you let the enemy take it at the beginning of the conflict.”
Doog: “I guess that makes sense. Must be a pretty boring assignment, though. There’s no action here, unless the galaxy is being attacked.”
Saragarhi: “Exactly, civilian. That’s why most of the troops positioned here are new recruits. Follow me.”
Saragarhi: “No, of course not.”
Doog: “Why are there so many troops here then?”
Saragarhi: “A three-hundred-thousand-man defense force occupies Fenestrula at all times. There’s no point in making a Last Stand Base if you let the enemy take it at the beginning of the conflict.”
Doog: “I guess that makes sense. Must be a pretty boring assignment, though. There’s no action here, unless the galaxy is being attacked.”
Saragarhi: “Exactly, civilian. That’s why most of the troops positioned here are new recruits. Follow me.”
Saragarhi: “New recruits, fresh out of boot camp, are assigned to Fenestrula to continue their training. After a few months, they are reassigned to more meaningful posts.”
Doog: “Pretty smart. The LIU’s Last Stand Base gets defended while the troops train.”
Saragarhi: “Precisely. The bunkers have numerous training grounds, like this. The new recruits are able to sharpen up their skills while maintaining a presence on Fenestrula.”
Doog: “Pretty smart. The LIU’s Last Stand Base gets defended while the troops train.”
Saragarhi: “Precisely. The bunkers have numerous training grounds, like this. The new recruits are able to sharpen up their skills while maintaining a presence on Fenestrula.”
Saragarhi: “I can arrange for you to run the course, if you need some shots for your show.”
Doog: “I got winded walking up the incline to this point, so I’m going to pass. Besides, the last time I was assigned to a military group, they told me I couldn’t have a gun anymore.”
Saragarhi: “Trust me, I wasn’t going to give you a gun.”
Doog: “Fair enough. Well, anything else to add?”
Saragarhi: “No, civilian. I think we covered it all.”
Doog: “I got winded walking up the incline to this point, so I’m going to pass. Besides, the last time I was assigned to a military group, they told me I couldn’t have a gun anymore.”
Saragarhi: “Trust me, I wasn’t going to give you a gun.”
Doog: “Fair enough. Well, anything else to add?”
Saragarhi: “No, civilian. I think we covered it all.”
Doog: “Well folks, that’s Fenestrula. The planet’s unique, strategic location makes it an important world. It’s the trade capital of the Hyperplexity. It’s the region’s largest factory world. And, it’s home to the LIU’s Last Stand Base. If you’re fresh out of boot camp, you might find yourself being assigned here for a few months. Oh well, time to move on to the next planet in the Hyperplexity. See ya!”
Note: The Fortress Worlds, Vectum Bellicus (Vec-B) and Vectum Duellicus (Vec-D), house the LIU’s military recruit training facilities or boot camps. Soldiers that score too low on the physical portions of the training are shipped to Fenestrula to continue training. In military slang, Fenestrula is sometimes called, Vectum Wimpicus or Vec-W, implying the recruits here failed traditional boot camp for being too weak.
Note: The Fortress Worlds, Vectum Bellicus (Vec-B) and Vectum Duellicus (Vec-D), house the LIU’s military recruit training facilities or boot camps. Soldiers that score too low on the physical portions of the training are shipped to Fenestrula to continue training. In military slang, Fenestrula is sometimes called, Vectum Wimpicus or Vec-W, implying the recruits here failed traditional boot camp for being too weak.