There are billions of stars, millions of planets, but there is only one man, Terrance McDoogal. Welcome to LIU Atlas.
LIU Atlas - Viafontis
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, 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 LIU Atlas. I’m your host, Terrance “Doog” McDoogal. Today, we’re visiting the planet, Viafontis. Viafontis is a dry, sandy world known for its electrically charged deserts. You heard that right. Something about static charges building up in sand’s unique material structure. Sounds terrifying. Luckily, Viafontis is also known for its many oases, and I’m told those are safe. Let’s head down and learn more.”
Doog: “Alright folks, I’ve been dropped off in one of the planet’s oases. Oases is apparently the plural of oasis, but it feels weird to say. Speaking of weird things to say, this oasis is called Mthunzi. Mthunzi sounds like a hiccup interrupted by a sneeze. As you can see by this railing, I’m limited in where I’m allowed to wander. This platform, which is separated from the oasis itself, is the only area visitors of my stature are permitted to access. That’s because the native race here follows a caste system. Only certain members of their society have direct access to the oasis’s waters.”
Doog: “The oasis itself isn't particularly impressive. It's basically a rectangular pond. On most worlds, this would barely qualify as a public swimming pool.”
Thabo: “Here, in the desert, every drop of water is sacred. Large collections of water, like Mthunzi’s pool, are more than impressive – they’re revered.”
Doog: “I didn’t take the whole planet-wide-desert scenario into account. I stand corrected.”
Thabo: “The desert corrects all of us eventually. I’m Thabo.”
Doog: “I’m Doog. So, what’s next? How do we get into the actual oasis?”
Doog: “I didn’t take the whole planet-wide-desert scenario into account. I stand corrected.”
Thabo: “The desert corrects all of us eventually. I’m Thabo.”
Doog: “I’m Doog. So, what’s next? How do we get into the actual oasis?”
Thabo: “We don’t.”
Doog: “What? Why?”
Thabo: “Neither of us are Umthombo.”
Doog: “What’s that? Is that a local word for cool or popular? I’m cool!”
Thabo: “No, it is a birthright designation. Only people born into the Umthombo caste are permitted into Mthunzi proper.”
Doog: “I forgot your race follows a caste system.”
Thabo: “We do.”
Doog: “I hate caste systems. It always ends up being so unfair.”
Thabo: “Every grain of sand has its place in the dune. There is no dune without a base and a crest.”
Doog: “But I bet it’s better at the crest.”
Thabo: “Is it? You may stand corrected once again, fellow traveler.”
Doog: “What? Why?”
Thabo: “Neither of us are Umthombo.”
Doog: “What’s that? Is that a local word for cool or popular? I’m cool!”
Thabo: “No, it is a birthright designation. Only people born into the Umthombo caste are permitted into Mthunzi proper.”
Doog: “I forgot your race follows a caste system.”
Thabo: “We do.”
Doog: “I hate caste systems. It always ends up being so unfair.”
Thabo: “Every grain of sand has its place in the dune. There is no dune without a base and a crest.”
Doog: “But I bet it’s better at the crest.”
Thabo: “Is it? You may stand corrected once again, fellow traveler.”
Doog: “What can you tell me about these Umthombo elitists?”
Thabo: “I never said they were elitists. The Umthombo are the oasis-dwellers. Umthombo actually means ‘oasis’ in my peoples’ language.”
Doog: “Yeah, I pretty much figured that bit out on my own.”
Thabo: “Their access to Viafontis’ most vital resource has given them great power.”
Doog: “Water?”
Thabo: “Yes. But also some of the things water allows.”
Doog: “Swimming? Water gun fights? Car washes?”
Thabo: “Food.”
Doog: “Food?”
Thabo: “I never said they were elitists. The Umthombo are the oasis-dwellers. Umthombo actually means ‘oasis’ in my peoples’ language.”
Doog: “Yeah, I pretty much figured that bit out on my own.”
Thabo: “Their access to Viafontis’ most vital resource has given them great power.”
Doog: “Water?”
Thabo: “Yes. But also some of the things water allows.”
Doog: “Swimming? Water gun fights? Car washes?”
Thabo: “Food.”
Doog: “Food?”
Thabo: “The Umthombo are the sole producers of food on Viafontis. Not only do they have plentiful water to sustain crops, but they also have the planet’s only arable land. Nothing survives in the electric sands outside of the oasis.”
Doog: “Which caste do they force to farm the food? Is that what you do?”
Thabo: “No, no. The Umthombo handle all the agriculture themselves. It is their duty.”
Doog: “The rich, powerful caste does the farming?”
Thabo: “Every grain of sand…”
Doog: “But…why? Couldn’t they pay someone else to do it? Aren’t they filthy rich from having all the water and food?”
Thabo: “Duty is a core tenet of our society. Do what you were born to do. The Umthombo were born to feed us all.”
Doog: “Which caste do they force to farm the food? Is that what you do?”
Thabo: “No, no. The Umthombo handle all the agriculture themselves. It is their duty.”
Doog: “The rich, powerful caste does the farming?”
Thabo: “Every grain of sand…”
Doog: “But…why? Couldn’t they pay someone else to do it? Aren’t they filthy rich from having all the water and food?”
Thabo: “Duty is a core tenet of our society. Do what you were born to do. The Umthombo were born to feed us all.”
Thabo: “The Umthombo’s duty did increase slightly with the LIU’s arrival. The oases were the only safe places to land spacecraft. As a result, all off-word trade flowed through them. The Umthombo received LIU communications equipment and other technology to support this new responsibility.”
Doog: “Getting greater access to the LIU isn’t exactly a perk.”
Thabo: “Maybe not for the Umthombo, but it greatly benefitted my caste, the Indlela.”
Doog: “Getting greater access to the LIU isn’t exactly a perk.”
Thabo: “Maybe not for the Umthombo, but it greatly benefitted my caste, the Indlela.”
Doog: “Indlela?”
Thabo: “Yes.”
Doog: “What is your caste’s duty?”
Thabo: “We are the planet’s traders and cargo haulers. We travel between Umthombo carrying various goods.”
Doog: “Like what?”
Thabo: “All sorts of stuff – food, saplings, medicine, whatever the oasis has in surplus. Mthunzi, being a LIU spaceport, tends to have plenty of excess, especially in off-world items. We find ourselves here more often than the surrounding oases.”
Doog: “I see. Is that what you meant when you said your caste benefitted from the LIU’s arrival?”
Thabo: “No, we’ve been planet’s primary traders for centuries. Nothing has changed in that regard.”
Doog: “Then what?”
Thabo: “The LIU wants the planet’s electric sands. We’re the only caste with enough desert knowledge to move the Uthuli – Electrostatic Aggregate – from the dangerous mines to the safe oasis spaceports.”
Thabo: “Yes.”
Doog: “What is your caste’s duty?”
Thabo: “We are the planet’s traders and cargo haulers. We travel between Umthombo carrying various goods.”
Doog: “Like what?”
Thabo: “All sorts of stuff – food, saplings, medicine, whatever the oasis has in surplus. Mthunzi, being a LIU spaceport, tends to have plenty of excess, especially in off-world items. We find ourselves here more often than the surrounding oases.”
Doog: “I see. Is that what you meant when you said your caste benefitted from the LIU’s arrival?”
Thabo: “No, we’ve been planet’s primary traders for centuries. Nothing has changed in that regard.”
Doog: “Then what?”
Thabo: “The LIU wants the planet’s electric sands. We’re the only caste with enough desert knowledge to move the Uthuli – Electrostatic Aggregate – from the dangerous mines to the safe oasis spaceports.”
Doog: “It looks like you’re loading up for one of those dangerous runs right now. Where will I be staying until you get back?”
Thabo: “I think you’re coming with us.”
Doog: “I don’t think I’m built for electrified sand excursions.”
Thabo: “Neither are we. My people and our Imboko mounts have some resistance to electrical shocks, but, trust me when I say, we avoid strong Uthuli concentrations at all costs. You will be safe with us.”
Thabo: “I think you’re coming with us.”
Doog: “I don’t think I’m built for electrified sand excursions.”
Thabo: “Neither are we. My people and our Imboko mounts have some resistance to electrical shocks, but, trust me when I say, we avoid strong Uthuli concentrations at all costs. You will be safe with us.”
Thabo: “That being said, off-worlders are required to utilize some protective gear.”
Doog: “What am I wearing? And why is it so heavy?”
Thabo: “The air filter stops you from breathing in rogue ESA particles that might be blowing about. The heavy thing on your back is a discharge pack. It releases the static charge that inevitably builds up as you traverse the desert. While we avoid strong concentrations, ESA is everywhere out there.”
Doog: “I might elect for getting shocked and get rid of this anvil on my back.”
Thabo: “The desert corrects us all…but it will correct you permanently without the pack.”
Doog: “How come you guys don’t have one?”
Thabo: “Thick skin, insulating fats, less sensitive nerves, to name a few.”
Doog: “I don’t guess you can spare any of those?”
Doog: “What am I wearing? And why is it so heavy?”
Thabo: “The air filter stops you from breathing in rogue ESA particles that might be blowing about. The heavy thing on your back is a discharge pack. It releases the static charge that inevitably builds up as you traverse the desert. While we avoid strong concentrations, ESA is everywhere out there.”
Doog: “I might elect for getting shocked and get rid of this anvil on my back.”
Thabo: “The desert corrects us all…but it will correct you permanently without the pack.”
Doog: “How come you guys don’t have one?”
Thabo: “Thick skin, insulating fats, less sensitive nerves, to name a few.”
Doog: “I don’t guess you can spare any of those?”
Doog: “Walking on sand is hard enough, but the dune’s angle and this stupid backpack are making it nearly impossible.”
Thabo: “Take small, but purposeful steps. Feel the dune’s pull and counter it.”
Doog: “Yeah, sure. So, how far away is the next oasis?”
Thabo: “Hmm, three days, perhaps.”
Doog: “What?! Days?!”
Thabo: “Well, that includes a few rests.”
Doog: “I can’t walk three hours, let alone three days!”
Thabo: “You’re lucky then. We’re not headed to another oasis.”
Doog: “Wait, what? Why did you scare me like that?!”
Thabo: “It wasn’t my intention. I thought you were just curious about our typical treks.”
Doog: “No, I just wanted to know how much further I have to lug this thing around!”
Thabo: “Not much further. The ESA mines are close to Mthunzi. It’s why the LIU chose it as one of their export sites.”
Thabo: “Take small, but purposeful steps. Feel the dune’s pull and counter it.”
Doog: “Yeah, sure. So, how far away is the next oasis?”
Thabo: “Hmm, three days, perhaps.”
Doog: “What?! Days?!”
Thabo: “Well, that includes a few rests.”
Doog: “I can’t walk three hours, let alone three days!”
Thabo: “You’re lucky then. We’re not headed to another oasis.”
Doog: “Wait, what? Why did you scare me like that?!”
Thabo: “It wasn’t my intention. I thought you were just curious about our typical treks.”
Doog: “No, I just wanted to know how much further I have to lug this thing around!”
Thabo: “Not much further. The ESA mines are close to Mthunzi. It’s why the LIU chose it as one of their export sites.”
THWACK! POP!
Doog: “What was that?! Are we under attack?!”
Thabo: “That was your backpack saving your life.”
Doog: “That was an electrical discharge?!”
Thabo: “A small one at that.”
Doog: “Holy Emperor! That was louder than I was expecting!”
Thabo: “Makes you appreciate the burdensome pack, no?”
Doog: “If I could, I’d wear three! How often does this happen?”
Thabo: “Depends, could be every couple minutes.”
Doog: “Every few…”
POP! THWACK! POP!
Doog: “I don’t like this!”
Doog: “What was that?! Are we under attack?!”
Thabo: “That was your backpack saving your life.”
Doog: “That was an electrical discharge?!”
Thabo: “A small one at that.”
Doog: “Holy Emperor! That was louder than I was expecting!”
Thabo: “Makes you appreciate the burdensome pack, no?”
Doog: “If I could, I’d wear three! How often does this happen?”
Thabo: “Depends, could be every couple minutes.”
Doog: “Every few…”
POP! THWACK! POP!
Doog: “I don’t like this!”
Doog: “Please tell me this structure means the exploding-backpack nightmare is ending!”
THWACK! THWACK!
Thabo: “It will begin to diminish soon. The local grounding rods draw away much of the charge.”
Doog: “What is this thing doing out here? I thought the LIU couldn’t have structures out here?”
Thabo: “They can’t have ships or vehicles out here, but simple concrete structures are relatively safe, especially with sufficient grounding.”
Doog: “What is it? Looks like a wall.”
Thabo: “That’s because it is a wall. ESA, like any other sand, tends to drift over time. The LIU didn’t want their closest, most dependable source wandering away from Mthunzi.”
THWACK! THWACK!
Thabo: “It will begin to diminish soon. The local grounding rods draw away much of the charge.”
Doog: “What is this thing doing out here? I thought the LIU couldn’t have structures out here?”
Thabo: “They can’t have ships or vehicles out here, but simple concrete structures are relatively safe, especially with sufficient grounding.”
Doog: “What is it? Looks like a wall.”
Thabo: “That’s because it is a wall. ESA, like any other sand, tends to drift over time. The LIU didn’t want their closest, most dependable source wandering away from Mthunzi.”
Thabo: “The wall serves another purpose. It’s where our caravan can safely exchange empty ESA cannisters for full ones.”
Doog: “I can only imagine the explosive discharge if one of those falls!”
Thabo: “Actually, the ESA in the containers has been rendered safe, fully discharged of its voltage. It’s mandatory for safe transport for both my people and the cargo ships they end up on.”
Doog: “Knowing the LIU, the focus is probably on the latter.”
Doog: “I can only imagine the explosive discharge if one of those falls!”
Thabo: “Actually, the ESA in the containers has been rendered safe, fully discharged of its voltage. It’s mandatory for safe transport for both my people and the cargo ships they end up on.”
Doog: “Knowing the LIU, the focus is probably on the latter.”
Doog: “Does the LIU pay you for your transport service?”
Thabo: “I know credits are important to you off-worlders, but they don’t mean much on Viafontis. Here, we value two things: water and duty. The LIU understands this. Obviously, their deliveries increase our duties. But they also provide liters of water per empty cannister returned, incentivizing us to make deliveries.”
Doog: “Couldn’t you already get water from the oases?”
Thabo: “We could, but never in abundant amounts. Before, we struggled to live between oasis deliveries. Now, we have options. When we return to the Umthombo, we can take less water and get more food. We can even boycott or avoid more expensive oases entirely. Drive down their prices. In this era, the Umthombo and Indlela are equals.”
Doog: “You have benefited from the LIU, haven’t you?”
Thabo: “Increased water, increased negotiating power, and certainly, increased duty, which my people value spiritually. However, we are not the caste that benefitted the most.”
Doog: “The Umthombo benefitted more?”
Thabo: “No.”
Doog: “No?”
Thabo: “Our other caste, the Umceli, benefitted the most.”
Thabo: “I know credits are important to you off-worlders, but they don’t mean much on Viafontis. Here, we value two things: water and duty. The LIU understands this. Obviously, their deliveries increase our duties. But they also provide liters of water per empty cannister returned, incentivizing us to make deliveries.”
Doog: “Couldn’t you already get water from the oases?”
Thabo: “We could, but never in abundant amounts. Before, we struggled to live between oasis deliveries. Now, we have options. When we return to the Umthombo, we can take less water and get more food. We can even boycott or avoid more expensive oases entirely. Drive down their prices. In this era, the Umthombo and Indlela are equals.”
Doog: “You have benefited from the LIU, haven’t you?”
Thabo: “Increased water, increased negotiating power, and certainly, increased duty, which my people value spiritually. However, we are not the caste that benefitted the most.”
Doog: “The Umthombo benefitted more?”
Thabo: “No.”
Doog: “No?”
Thabo: “Our other caste, the Umceli, benefitted the most.”
Doog: “It definitely feels safer on the wall.”
Thabo: “Electrically speaking, it is safer. It’s closer to the ESA mine, though, so keep that backpack on. The desert corrects much more powerfully on the other side.”
Doog: “What about those workers over there? Are they in danger?”
Thabo: “The Umceli share our biological resistance, but they also have advanced LIU gear.”
Doog: “These guys are the Umceli? The lowest ones?”
Thabo: “Our caste system does not have ranked tiers. No caste is higher or lower. We are all parts of the dune.”
Doog: “Fair enough. So, what do the Umceli do?”
Thabo: “They’re our planet’s laborers and craftsmen. Their caste actually built the Oasis Fortresses.”
Doog: “Impressive, I guess. Weird that they don’t get to live in something they built, though.”
Thabo: “I wasn’t much of a problem back then. After completing an Umthombo, the Umceli simply left to build the next.”
Doog: “But it became a problem?”
Thabo: “One day, there was nothing left to build. The Umceli were left without purpose…without duty. They began roaming Viafontis, searching for work. They found some repair work from time to time, but nothing lasting. They became the planet’s wanderers and beggars. A truly dark era for their caste.”
Doog: “Beggars? Like begging for money…err water?”
Thabo: “Yes. My caste had little to spare, but we shared whatever we could. The Umthombo shared a bit more, especially food. The Umceli barely survived that era, even with our generosity.”
Doog: “The LIU saved them, didn’t they.”
Thabo: “The LIU’s arrival was a rebirth for the Umceli. They found duty and purpose again, raising their spirits and restoring their pride. Once again, every grain of sand had its place in the dune.”
Thabo: “Electrically speaking, it is safer. It’s closer to the ESA mine, though, so keep that backpack on. The desert corrects much more powerfully on the other side.”
Doog: “What about those workers over there? Are they in danger?”
Thabo: “The Umceli share our biological resistance, but they also have advanced LIU gear.”
Doog: “These guys are the Umceli? The lowest ones?”
Thabo: “Our caste system does not have ranked tiers. No caste is higher or lower. We are all parts of the dune.”
Doog: “Fair enough. So, what do the Umceli do?”
Thabo: “They’re our planet’s laborers and craftsmen. Their caste actually built the Oasis Fortresses.”
Doog: “Impressive, I guess. Weird that they don’t get to live in something they built, though.”
Thabo: “I wasn’t much of a problem back then. After completing an Umthombo, the Umceli simply left to build the next.”
Doog: “But it became a problem?”
Thabo: “One day, there was nothing left to build. The Umceli were left without purpose…without duty. They began roaming Viafontis, searching for work. They found some repair work from time to time, but nothing lasting. They became the planet’s wanderers and beggars. A truly dark era for their caste.”
Doog: “Beggars? Like begging for money…err water?”
Thabo: “Yes. My caste had little to spare, but we shared whatever we could. The Umthombo shared a bit more, especially food. The Umceli barely survived that era, even with our generosity.”
Doog: “The LIU saved them, didn’t they.”
Thabo: “The LIU’s arrival was a rebirth for the Umceli. They found duty and purpose again, raising their spirits and restoring their pride. Once again, every grain of sand had its place in the dune.”
Thabo: “As I’m sure you noticed, the Umceli mine the ESA for the LIU. They’re the ones that fill up the containers, transport them to storage areas along the wall, and safely discharge the material.”
Doog: “It doesn’t look any more dangerous on their side of the wall.”
Thabo: “Because that’s not pure ESA over there. The actual mine is a few hundred meters farther into the desert.”
Doog: “Let me guess…we’re going to the actual mine.”
Thabo: “I’m no more excited about it than you are. I spent my life avoiding concentrated Uthuli, and I don’t have all the fancy gear the LIU gave the Umceli.”
Doog: “It doesn’t look any more dangerous on their side of the wall.”
Thabo: “Because that’s not pure ESA over there. The actual mine is a few hundred meters farther into the desert.”
Doog: “Let me guess…we’re going to the actual mine.”
Thabo: “I’m no more excited about it than you are. I spent my life avoiding concentrated Uthuli, and I don’t have all the fancy gear the LIU gave the Umceli.”
Constant THWACKING
Doog: “Whatever that is, it’s pretty loud and terrifying!”
Thabo: “It’s a Discharge Pylon. It’s the only thing keeping these workers alive. It’s pulling a lot of the charge out of the Uthuli.”
Doog: “I have like six jokes I could make about discharge coming from my pylon, but honestly, I’m too scared. Let’s get this over quickly!”
Thabo: “I agree.”
Doog: “What gives the ESA its charge?”
Thabo: “A LIU scientists could explain it better, but essentially, Uthuli is made-up of piezoelectric crystals. As the wind shifts the sand, those crystals rub and press against one another, generating electricity.”
Doog: “The LIU wants the ESA to make electricity?”
Thabo: “To store it, actually. Once discharged and refined, the Uthuli becomes an exceptional electrical storage material. It can hold enormous amounts of energy without degrading.”
Doog: “That’s good enough for me! Thanks, Thabo!”
Doog: “Whatever that is, it’s pretty loud and terrifying!”
Thabo: “It’s a Discharge Pylon. It’s the only thing keeping these workers alive. It’s pulling a lot of the charge out of the Uthuli.”
Doog: “I have like six jokes I could make about discharge coming from my pylon, but honestly, I’m too scared. Let’s get this over quickly!”
Thabo: “I agree.”
Doog: “What gives the ESA its charge?”
Thabo: “A LIU scientists could explain it better, but essentially, Uthuli is made-up of piezoelectric crystals. As the wind shifts the sand, those crystals rub and press against one another, generating electricity.”
Doog: “The LIU wants the ESA to make electricity?”
Thabo: “To store it, actually. Once discharged and refined, the Uthuli becomes an exceptional electrical storage material. It can hold enormous amounts of energy without degrading.”
Doog: “That’s good enough for me! Thanks, Thabo!”
Doog: “Well folks, that’s Viafontis. This desert planet had a lot of surprises. For starters, I was totally wrong about their caste system. It’s not like the others I have experienced. Every caste seems equally respected, even if some castes live in much better conditions…ahem…. the Umthombo. The sand is crazy too. Some of it is made up of Electrostatic Aggregate or ESA. Even in low concentrations, this stuff can deliver huge electrical shocks. Without Thabo’s guidance, I probably would have died a hundred times getting out here. Speaking of Thabo, I need him to get me back to Mthunzi, so I better catch up with him! Oh well, see ya!”
Note: Once refined, ESA is used to manufacture ultra-high-density energy storage cells capable of holding enormous amounts of power with virtually no loss over time. Many long-duration spacecraft rely on ESA-based storage systems for emergency power reserves. Under laboratory conditions, experimental ESA cells have retained over 95% of their stored energy after several decades.
Note: Once refined, ESA is used to manufacture ultra-high-density energy storage cells capable of holding enormous amounts of power with virtually no loss over time. Many long-duration spacecraft rely on ESA-based storage systems for emergency power reserves. Under laboratory conditions, experimental ESA cells have retained over 95% of their stored energy after several decades.
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