Alpha Cerenkov I

Alpha Cerenkov I
Admiral ZEX's planet
Orbit: 2.12 a.u. Mass: 0.88 e.s. Atmo: 0.22 atm Radius: 0.96 e.s. Temp: 39° c Gravity: 0.86 g. Weather: Class 3 Day: 1.20 days Tectonics: Class 1 Tilt: 20°
Redux World No satellites

Alpha Cerenkov I, one of the two Redux Worlds in VUX space — the other being their homeworld, was awarded to former VUX war hero Admiral ZEX by the VUX High Council as his personal planet in recognition of his achievements in battle and in an attempt to give him a space to pursue his unusual hobbies without disturbing the VUX populace at large. ZEX resided here in the Alpha Cerenkov star system with his personal servants and subordinates, building his menagerie of what anyone but him would have considered to be grotesque creatures, acquired from all known space — as far away as Procyon and Vega, by his own words — including sixteen Shofixti Maidens in cryogenic suspension.

Unfortunately, ZEX's confinement technology was not adequate to his last acquisition, a legendary beast that broke free of its restraints and went on a rampage, killing all personnel before vanishing into the wilderness. Since the death of ZEX and the destruction of his compound, the planet has remained deserted.

Speculation

The exact nature of Alpha Cerenkov I is the topic of some debate. The limited dialog concerning the planet makes most analyses pure guesswork. In spite of this, some players have attempted to elaborate on the true purpose of Alpha Cerenkov I. Much of this discussion can be found here.

“Deviant Haven” Theory

Proponents of this conjecture believe that Alpha Cerenkov I is not simply ZEX’s pleasure palace, as it also acts to isolate other VUX eccentrics. Adherents claim that ZEX’s servants, even his personal navy, share (or at the very least sympathize with) ZEX’s ideals. Some find the planet to be comparable to Australia, in that the planet was a convenient place for the VUX government to send abnormal, criminal, or otherwise rebellious individuals. Most people who take on this idea deem the presence of Alpha Cerenkov’s defenders and inhabitants as more or less voluntary.

“Divide and Conquer” Theory

This theory states that Alpha Cerenkov I is analogous to the frontiers of the Roman Empire. That is, the VUX High Council gave ZEX Alpha Cerenkov I in an attempt to ensure their greatest military commander has continued use as a defender of VUX space. In this case, the planet is out of the High Council’s jurisdiction. It is a separate nation of sorts, but little more than a military installation that also puts ZEX in luxury. The theory emphasizes the fact that ZEX’s fleet is completely loyal to him.

“Versailles” Theory

Others believe that Alpha Cerenkov I is nothing but a lavish prison facility designed to contain only ZEX. Followers of the Versailles Theory doubt the theorized settlement proposed by the Deviant Haven Theory and question Alpha Cerenkov’s importance as a military outpost. The theory suggests that ZEX’s exile was a power play on the part of the VUX High Council, which was perturbed by ZEX’s behavior but unwilling to kill or depose him because they feared political dissonance. As a result, the High Council used Alpha Cerenkov I to keep ZEX happy while keeping him culturally, politically, and militarily impotent. A few partisans of this theory go on to question the loyalty of ZEX’s assistants and protectors, asserting that they were simply assigned to ZEX and did not volunteer for the duty.