Affiliation: CommonwealthVLCA in system
Novuta is a dying world. As sand and wind slowly consume what is left of it, the planet has become vital to the Commonwealth effort to keep the Caralis-Messana corridor open for supplies and reinforcements.
Topology[]
Though Novuta once had plenty of rich topsoil and a strong irrigation system to keep it alive, war and erosion have left Novuta a desolate and hostile world. Today, the dune lands covering 80 percent of the planet are blisteringly hot, with few natural water sources. Only an occasional mountain disturbs the constant winds, permitting storms to race across the land at speeds greater than 170 kilometers per hour. Survival on Novuta is possible only with careful and precise training.
The world's little water is concentrated in two seas. The largest is the Red Octopus Sea, on Novuta's equator. It is named for its quantities of red octopi, a native species. Though a freshwater sea, there are few irrigation systems to move the water where it could do some good.
The Bankle Sea is a small saltwater sea to the east of the Red Octopus. This body of water has such a high salt content that very little can grow in or around it. It is an omen of what awaits the rest of Novuta.
Novuta's forests are filled with tall sage brush and wind-torn trees that stand only three meters at full height. The largest grow between the two seas, providing most of the planet's oxygen.
Seasons on Novuta are long, each lasting 250 standard days. Though winter does provide some relief from the star Bawer, the relief is minimal. In areas of lower temperatures, they are only less warm rather than cool.
Early History[]
When the Baufrin traders discovered Novuta, it was a planet of tropical rain forests, with more than 70 percent natural cover. It had a thick atmosphere and a wide variety of life.
Joint Baufrin-Human colonies settled along the northeastern shore of the Red Octopus Sea in the early 31st century. A variety of native diseases took a heavy toll on the settlers, but the colonists held firm.
After the discovery of rich iron ore deposits in 3645, heavy mining equipment was moved into the richest lodes and deep excavation begun. The mines operated for centuries, providing the world with a strong economic and employment base.
By 4300, however, most of the mines had played out. Within ten years, the economy totally collapsed, leading to massive riots. The Commonwealth stepped in to help, but the situation was deteriorating rapidly. Civil war erupted in 4322 and most of Kuten was burned to the ground.
With most members of Parliament either dead or in hiding, Alfredo Timback appointed himself regent of Novuta. When the Commonwealth government pressed Timback to reestablish democratic elections, Timback flatly refused. In a series of midnight raids, he gained control of several CAF garrisons, declaring Novuta a world "free from the iron-fisted rule of the Commonwealth."
The Commonwealth responded two years later with a planet-wide invasion to "liberate the oppressed people of Novuta." Timback and his rebels did not resist because Timback was dead (cause unknown) and the society had collapsed. Cities had become wall-to-wall slums, filled with starving, homeless civilians.
The people of Novuta had began to regain some economic stability when the Snow Plague struck. Cut off from the raw materials and agricultural goods they required for survival, the Novutans suffered another collapse of their society. By the time the invading KessRith arrived in 5027, the people of Novuta had no will to resist. Instead, the KessRith found willing slaves whose spirits had already been shattered.
In 5831, the KessRith suddenly evacuated their people from Novuta, leaving the remaining Humans, Naram, and Baufrin on their own.
The reason for the sudden withdrawal was the comet Amberstreak. It was on a flyby so close to Novuta that most of the planet's atmosphere was swept away. The comet's passage caused the entire city of Bellgrade to slip into the Red Octopus Sea. Amberstreak's passage also stripped away the ozone layer, unleashing UV radiation on everything living below. In less than two weeks, all Novuta's tropical jungles had perished. Overnight, the planet turned into a desert world.
The few survivors struggled simply to survive, and might have totally died out if not for the arrival of several ships from the resurgent Terran Republic. Laden with arms for the rebellion of Humankind, the Terrans were able to help the 3,000 survivors on Novuta. For the third time, Novuta began the slow and painful road to recovery.
With the re-formation of the Commonwealth, more aid poured into Novuta. By 6800 the population had surpassed 300,000. Nevertheless, the Amberstreak disaster sent the planet down the path to a slow death that will finally come in 900 years, when Amberstreak's path once again intersects with Novuta.
Recent Events[]
TOG's invasion has turned this small, insignificant world into a major staging point, standing at the mouth of the Caralis-Messana pocket. Adding to its importance is its omni-directional VLCA, deployed in 6802, which is now a key to information transfer in the region.
Novuta is only lightly defended on the ground, with the elite 221st B'ekkal Legion (The Sandbaggers) standing as the primary defense unit. Because the planet has so few people, the CAF High Command believes that TOG is not as interested in Novuta as in the Bawer system.
For the most part, the people of Novuta seem to ignore the events unfolding around them. In 6812 several "peace protests" challenged Parliament's support of the Commonwealth's actions against TOG. For more than two decades, these movements have not grown much in size, but they seem to be well-financed. Their leaders are concentrating on a propaganda campaign for a declaration of neutrality in the TOG-Commonwealth conflict. Commonwealth Intelligence believes that these movements are financed by the TOG Lictors.
A significant minority of Novutans are beginning to accept the Lictor propaganda, creating the beginnings of civil unrest.
TOG naval forces have stepped up raids on the system, usually concentrating their attacks on the VLCA array. In response to these raids, the Royal Navy redeployed the 39098th Battleship Group in the system, led by the Iron Duke Class Repulse, in November 6830. At the same time, the 208th Renegade Navy Carrier Squadron was stationed on the outskirts of the system, and the Royal Navy decided to form the new 29092nd Battleship Group around the rebuilt battleship Amherst.
This increased activity has pressed TOG into committing larger navy squadrons in joint operations against the Bawer system. The most recent strike by the TOG 892nd Carrier Patrol Squadron, operating out of Ronlunitru, inflicted minor damage on the Amherst.
Several garrison camps located south of the Bankle Sea near Ambidu are used by legions being transferred to Caralis or Messana. Also, the OF2 facility orbiting the world is actually an orbiting warehouse of arms and relief supplies for the Messana-Caralis corridor.
Most military experts believe that if Rolunitru does fall to TOG, Novuta will be the next target along the edge of Shannedam County. If TOG secured Novuta, they could cut off Commonwealth communications and vital supplies to two contested worlds. Knowing Novuta's importance, the CAF has several legions and naval squadrons on Tontrinas and Delop designated as contingency forces, ready to redeploy to Novuta at the first sign of a TOG invasion. In addition, the Commonwealth's 449051st Interceptor Wing has been re-equipped with heavy fighters and is training extensively in counter-invasion tactics.
Planetary Timeline[]
3645
Discovery of rich iron ore deposits.
4300
Most mines are depleted; economy collapses and rioting begins.
4322
Civil war erupts.
5027
KessRith take world already devastated by Snow Plague.
5831
KessRith flee; comet devastates world.
6800
Population surpasses 300,000.
6802
Omni-directional VLCA deployed.
6812
"Peace protests" begin. Suspected Lictor financing.
6830.11
39098th (Repulse) Battleship Squadron redeployed to defend Novuta's VLCA.
208th Renegade Navy Carrier Strike Squadron assigned to defend system outskirts.
29092nd Battleship Squadron being formed around the battleship Amherst.