Argelius II
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| [Source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The second of ten planets in orbit around a yellow star in a binary system, Argelius II is a textbook example of a Class M world. The balance of gases in its atmosphere is virtually identical to that of Earth, with strikingly similar seasonal weather patterns. Forty-seven percent of Argelius II is land mass, and the remainder of the planet's surface is divided into five oceans. Like Earth, the planet has one moon, but it is somewhat larger than Luna and has a limited atmosphere.
Argelius II is well known throughout the Federation for its hospitality and for the peaceful nature of its inhabitants. As a result, it is a favorite site for shore leave. Its hedonistic culture has spurred the creation of many vacation and entertainment centers planetwide. The Argelians are humanoid, and they are so peaceful and pleasure-loving that it has become necessary for the different planetary governments to import administrators and other ruling officials from other worlds.
Unlike its peaceful present, however, Argelius II's past was one of intense worldwide military conflict that nearly resulted in the annihilation of all life fourteen hundred years ago. Much like Vulcans, Argelians struggled to adopt a new planetary philosophy, but rather than choosing logic, they developed a philosophical system devoted to pleasure.
Since their Great Awakening, the Argelians have absolutely abhorred violence in any form and have opened their doors to any and all who may wish to visit. Outworlders are embraced with open arms and are invited to take up permanent residence if they so desire.
One rather unwelcome visitor was an entity that traveled the galaxy for thousands of years, preying upon those worlds where fear could be generated in abundance. This being, known as Redjac, possessed the bodies of others in order to commit murder and other terror-inducing crimes. The non-corporeal entity has previously appeared on Earth as Jack the Ripper, a late nineteenth-century murderer whose acts of brutality terrorized the city of London, England for months. Redjac then moved on to the planet Alpha Proxima II and performed in much the same way. Eventually, the being made its way to Rigel IV, where the natives gave it the name of Beratis. Following its attack upon Argelius II, the entity was destroyed by a Federation vessel that beamed it into space in a disassembled state.
Argelius II is governed by the Prefect, an elected official who oversees certain adminstrative and political aspects of the planet.
Reference(s)
- Johnson, Shane. Star Trek: The Worlds of the Federation, New York: Pocket Books, 1989. ISBN: 0-671-66989-3.