DISTANCE: 4.3 light years from Sol
NEIGHBORING SYSTEMS: Sirius 9.5 lys Epsilon Eridani 12.6 lys Procyon 13 lys
ALPHA CENTAURI is a trinary star system made up of a yellow primary, an orange secondary star, and a very cool and dim red dwarf. Metallicity levels are nearly twice that of Sol and the entire region is rich in Neronium ore.
Alpha Centauri A has a total of six planets with a thick dust disc located in the outer regions.
Alpha Centauri B has a total of five planets with a dense asteroid field located at the distant edge which is believed to be the remnants of worlds that were ripped apart by gravitational forces early in their development.
Proxima Centauri has a total of seven planets and is located roughly a fifth of a light year from the AB binary pair.
KENTAURUS PRIME is the fourth planet in orbit around the yellow primary star, Alpha Centauri A. This world has an abundance of water which covers approximately 75 percent of the planet’s surface, including vast oceans and seas, numerous lakes and rivers, and large frozen ice caps at the poles. The three major continents consist primarily of dense perennial forests, snow-covered mountain ranges, and fertile grasslands. Seasonal changes are relatively moderate, yet the overall surface temperature is slightly cooler than Earth. This planet also has two small moons named Dionysus and Ariadne.
A wide variety of life has evolved on this world which includes a large assortment of mammals, birds, and aquatic species as well.
Colonized in 2153 by Bourne Industries, Kentaurus Prime became the first planet outside of the Sol system to be permanently settled by Humans. The colonists who were chosen for this mission were considered to be among the very best that humanity had to offer. Selected for their intelligence, physical health, and psychological stability, these individuals were at the top of their fields and included scientists, doctors, teachers, engineers, contractors, and agriculturalists.
The pristine natural beauty of this world and the promise of new opportunities brought tens of thousands of new immigrants to this colony each year; increasing exponentially as interstellar travel became more accessible. By the early 23rd century, the population of Kentaurus Prime had reached over 9 million people with most individuals currently living in the three large metropolitan areas. The city of Knossos, located south of the Delphinus mountain range, was the first settlement of the original colonists and has grown to become a thriving epicenter for government, culture, and the arts.
The inhabitants of Kentaurus Prime are often described as aristocratic, arrogant, and extremely self-confident. This confidence is not entirely undeserved due to the fact that the original colonists were selected from an elite list of candidates and were the first to colonize another star system. Their cities are highly recognized for their bountiful open markets and classically designed architecture. Their innovative scientists have developed advanced genetic engineering which has made many physical ailments and disorders a thing of the past. However, much of their success and achievements has led to an almost obsessive desire for perfection.
TOLIMAN GAMMA is the third planet in orbit around the orange secondary star, Alpha Centauri B. Approximately 50 percent of its surface is covered by water with large oceans, lakes, and interconnecting rivers as well. The major continents exhibit a variety of habitats that range from subtropical jungles along the coastlines to semi-arid grasslands in the central regions, with extensive rocky mountain ranges scattered in between. Due to the planet having only a minor axial tilt, seasonal changes are relatively moderate with overall temperatures averaging slightly warmer than Earth. This world also has one large moon named Selene.
As the second planet in this trinary system to support life, a wide-range of flora and fauna has evolved here including reptiles, birds, and a variety of mammals and insects.
Colonized in 2159 as Bourne Industries’ second interstellar settlement, Toliman Gamma was initially founded as the base of operations for their private security forces. As the number of colony transports, cargo ships, and merchant vessels traveling through this region increased, so did the incidents of illegal smuggling and piracy. Soon, this world became the mandatory checkpoint for all vessels entering or leaving the trinary system. The Centauri Research Institute was also established here, along with the Citadel, the official command and training center for the Sentinels. This planet’s large moon is host to both their mining headquarters and several refinement facilities as well. In addition, the Ithaca Shipyard has become one of the leading manufacturers of interstellar transports; second only to Earth.
Although originally established as a military base, most of the individuals that have colonized this world are civilians who have been vital in the creation of a prosperous community. By the early 23rd century, the total population of Toliman Gamma had reached nearly 12 million people with the majority of the colonists residing within the borders of three urbanized city-states. New Sparta, located on the subtropical coastline of the Leonidas Sea, is the largest of these settlements with local businesses run by civilians in an otherwise militarized environment. This city is well-known for its bustling atmosphere, intimate taverns, and hearty local cuisine and has become the central hub for visiting merchants, immigration, and interstellar trade.
The inhabitants of Toliman Gamma are generally taken at face value for being congenial and friendly towards those who visit this world. However, due to the fact that most of the visitors are merchants and freighter crews who only remain long enough to finish their business transactions; the colonists are often hesitant to develop close bonds with off-worlders. Added to the already heightened level of security, they are typically somewhat suspicious of strangers and are often described by those more familiar with them to be quite cynical and emotionally guarded.
The ALPHA CENTAURI colonies have continued to be the wealthiest and most influential of all the Human settlements outside of Sol. Originally established at a time when FTL technology was still in its infancy, Kentaurus Prime and Toliman Gamma were still several weeks away from any immediate assistance. The first group of colonists learned very quickly to be self-reliant and this resilience has become a part of their nature over the years since. Well-accustomed to functioning under the administrative corporatocracy of the United Earth Conglomerate, Bourne Industries remained in charge of the Neronium mining operations throughout this trinary system. However, the colonists themselves began to develop their own provincial government, local bylaws, and private security; accountable only to the UEC.
The Centaurans, as they eventually came to call themselves, were determined to stay true to their vision of creating a society comprised of only the best that humanity had to offer. From the very beginning, strict requirements were implemented for individuals to gain full citizenship. Only registered “citizens” were allowed to vote in public forums, serve on the Colonial Council, and were even given first priority on obtaining high-level jobs. Initially, this status was only granted to the original colonists and their descendants, as well as to the ranking officers of their security forces. However, these restrictions eventually became nearly detrimental to their overall society as the non-citizen immigrants quickly began to outnumber the citizens themselves.
When the civil war with Earth began in 2198, the Council amended its previous conditions by offering guaranteed citizenship to any individual who served in the Centauran Military for a minimum of four years. This decision proved to be advantageous as most of the colonists were eager to be free from the UEC’s blatant abuse of authority. In less than a year, their naval and armed forces grew to nearly rival Earth’s and were instrumental in their fight for colonial independence. To further protect themselves and their right to sovereignty, the Alpha Centauri colonies united together with the Sirius, Procyon, and Groombridge 1618 systems to officially form the Centauri Union. This new federation, not only combined each of their executive functions into a single government, but also implemented widespread policy changes to even further reduce the restrictions for gaining full citizenship.
The Centaurans have had a long-standing amicable relationship with the colonists of 61 Cygni. Admiring them for their sense of honor and sincere benevolence, they promptly initiated an open trade agreement with them and were eager to offer their advice and experience on colonizing a new world. They also have a great fondness for the colonists in the Tau Ceti system, often referring to them in an amused manner as the “cowboys of the galaxy”. Yet, they have a great deal of respect for the strength and determination of these people who they genuinely view as their “unrefined” younger siblings. To this day, most Centaurans continue to display a slight air of superiority when dealing with other colonies, but this is normally tempered by their compassion and their profound desire for justice.