Ba'ku
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The Ba'ku planet is a veritable fountain of youth buried within a sensor-resistant region of Federation space known as the "Briar Patch." Metaphasic radiation caused by the planet's rings has a remarkable biological effect on all living entities in the system, conferring virtual immortality.
Relatively unknown until the latter part of the 24th century, the Ba'ku planet became the epicenter of an unusual plot by an outside race - the Son'a - to steal this life-giving radiation in exchange for advanced technological information. This plot, which had the blessing of several members of the Federation Council, was eventually foiled by the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise-E.
Briar Patch
The Ba'ku system consists of a single Type A4 II star and is located in sector 441. The entire region has been bombarded by stellar activity over eons, including multiple supernovae. Known as the "Briar Patch," this seemingly inhospitable region is filled with supernova remnants and vacuum fluctuations. These hostile conditions prevent any substance communication from exiting or entering the region and make starship navigation extremely difficult. A ship moving within the Patch can navigate safely at no faster than one-third impulse.
Throughout the Briar Patch, low levels of metaphasic radiation emanate from interstellar dust. The Patch is also peppered with nebula clusters. These clusters range from five to fifty lightyears across and are filled with cometary debris and pockets of metreon gas. Despite these conditions, there is a single Class M planet orbiting the central star. The Ba'ku planet has no moons, but it is encircled by a set of rings which are dense with metaphasic particles. The rings cause a much greater concentration of metaphasic radiation on and near the planet than anywhere else in the region.
Chromodynamic shielding can repel the effects of the radiation, but visitors to the Briar Patch may not want such "protection." The radiation has powerful biological effects, regenerating cells and increasing levels of endorphin production in all animals. This regeneration results in increased metabolism, improved muscle tone, and, most significantly, a constant age regressing process.
The amount of time it takes for the metaphasic radiation to begin taking on an average humanoid is about twelve hours, at which point the individual's cells start regenerating. Wrinkles fade away, gray hair returns to its natural color. Even severed nerves and limbs can regenerate given enough exposure. However, the radiation only affects an individual - human or otherwise = who has reached full physical maturity.
From a visual standpoint, the abundance of stellar phenomena in the Briar Patch appears as a dangerous threat when viewed from the vantage of a spacefaring vessel, but it creates a stunning effect when viewed from the planet's surface. The sunsets are filled with a dazzling array of colors, and the end of each day brings a distinct visual experience.
Environment
There are three large landmasses on the Ba'ku planet. The main continent rests entirely within the northern hemisphere and is split by several mountain ranges. Between these ranges lie a wide variety of geological regions, from sloping valleys to extended expanses of foothills. Multiple forests occupy the valleys, although none covers a great expanse. The largest forest is only thirty miles wide.
Beneath the hills and within the mountains are large concentrations of kelbonite, a refractory metal which is often used as shielding in the construction of secure military installations throughout the quadrant. Kelbonite interferes with transporter technology, preventing long-range transporters from securing an accurate lock on their target. In areas where concentrations are particularly dense, such as subterranean caves and rich mountain deposits, transport is virtually impossible, even with the aid of pattern enhancers.
While there are no major forests, several large rivers run down and through the mountain ranges, filling the valleys with lakes and an abundance of fertile farmland. The hills are lush and green all the way to the base of the mountains, and even there thick patches of grass adorn the mountainside. In the rockier terrain there are quite a few caves, naturally eroded by steam which rises through cracks in the mineral deposits. As a result, many of these caves have higher average temperatures than in the valleys below, despite being at a higher elevation.
In some areas the river basins have eroded to the surface of the kelbonite deposits. The concentration of minerals mixed into the flowing water results in a wonderful visual effect which causes the river to appear silvery and metallic, almost like a gushing flow of liquid steel.
The climate on most of the mainland is temperate, leaning toward the warm side. The Ba'ku planet's orbit is only a slight ellipse, resulting in little seasonal change.
Locations
The primary location of interest is the Ba'ku village, located on the northern mainland about halfway between the equator and the pole. The Ba'ku village is nestled against the mountains, guarded from the elements by a natural rock-face barrier. This rural community is surrounded by farms and rests just off a vast lake that supplies the villagers with clean water.
The architecture in the village is surprisingly advanced for such a small settlement. The streets are of smoothly cut brick and marble pillars from the bases of intricately carved arches. There about two hundred buildings in the village, including one- to three-story dwellings and numerous shops. At the east end of the village is a large, open farmers' market where the Ba'ku trade a splendid variety of exotic fruits and vegetables. Over the centuries, the Ba'ku have perfected their agriculture to an art form and can create several variations from a single type of seed.
Also of note on the mainland is the active volcano Mount Do'kra. This wonder, located near the southeastern tip of the continent, is constantly active, feeding itself its own lava through massive fissures that extend for miles. In a remarkable and unexplainable pattern of nature, Mount Do'kra erupts every 112 days. This is a wondrous event to behold and every few years the Ba'ku make the long trip south to witness the phenomenon.
History
The only sapient species on the Ba'ku planet is not indigenous to the world. The planet was settled by a small group of colonists known as the Brek'a, who discovered the planet a little over three hundred years ago.
In 2066, amid an escalating arms race which threatened to destroy all life in their solar system, a group of about five hundred Brek'a abandoned their homeworld in search of a quiet planet where they could live a life devoid of technology. Light years from their solar system they came upon the Briar Patch and discovered an innocuous planet nestled within the cloud of nebulae and interstellar dust.
Not long after their arrival on the planet they discovered the effects of the metaphasic radiation, a pleasant "fringe benefit" of their new home. The Brek'a renamed themselves the Ba'ku, which means "new beginnning" in an ancient Brek'a tongue. The Ba'ku have lived simply and peacefully for over two hundred years as a pre-industrial society, content to exist with a minimal amount of technological devices.
However, after a time the younger generation, long since grown to the same physical maturity as their parents, longed for a return to a civilization of advanced technology. After great debate, the splinter faction was exiled from the planet. They left in the starship their parents had come in and began their own civilization, calling themselves the Son'a, meaning "the renouncers."
In 2375, almost eighty years after they had left, the Son'a, now a nomadic species active in interstellar trade, returned to the Ba'ku planet. They intended to extract metaphasic particles from the planet's rings for scientific use, although the Son'a leader Ru'afo also had his sights set on revenge; the process would render the planet uninhabitable for generations, forcing the Ba'ku from paradise. Because of the planet's location in Federation space, the Son'a established an agreement with the UFP. The Federation would help the Son'a relocate the Ba'ku inhabitants; in exchange, they would receive the medical technological benefits of the metaphasic particles.
The relocation of the Ba'ku was prevented by Capt. Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise-E, who believed the relocation was a violation of the Prime Directive. Afterward, many of the Son'a rejoined their kin on the planet and the Ba'ku planet was ultimately named a Federation protectorate.
Population
There is only one settlement on the Ba'ku planet, a village of about seven hundred citizens. All are of Brek'a origin, and about eighty of these people were Son'a who chose to remain on the planet and reintegrate with their former society after the conflict in 2375. The Ba'ku live a simple life, devoid of any industrial-age technology, and are completely self-sufficient.
As members of a nearly immortal species, the Ba'ku live life at a much slower pace than humans. They have no sense of urgency, no need to complete a project the next day or even the next month. According to the logs submitted by Capt. Picard of the Enterprise-E, the Ba'ku may experience life in a sort of extended "now." Through his own experiences, he describes the effect as an altered reality in which time appears to slow down. If this is true for the Ba'ku, then they may actually be living life more slowly than everyone else - minutes become hours, hours become days, and years stretch into centuries. The Ba'ku take their time in all their actions and can be content simply to meditate for hours on end. However, this has by no means led to an existence of sloth of laziness. The Ba'ku have far greater hand-eye coordination than humans and a tremendous mental discipline. They revel in manual labor and working with their hands instead of machines.
The Ba'ku appear as simple folk. Their clothes are homespun, and by appearance alone advances such as electricity seem to be a foreign concept. Appearances are deceiving, though - the Ba'ku are still a highly advanced people, with full knowledge of warp technology and quite a bit of science. However, the Ba'ku have chosen to ignore this side of their existence. They employ simple machines, like windmills and water pumps, but are not willing to take advantage of any industrial age advances.
While travelers to the Briar Patch are rare, the Ba'ku have always welcomed visitors, whom they refer to as "offworlders." Despite a warm hospitality, most visitors quickly become uncomfortable with the sedentary life of the Ba'ku, which seems to move in slow motion. One of the most difficult concepts to grasp is the Ba'ku life cycle, or lack thereof. Once a Ba'ku individual reaches the age of physical maturity, he does not live with any long-term goals in mind, now a need to reach milestones such as marriages and parenthood in any set timev frame.
Government
There is no official government within the Ba'ku society, but there is a "community council" comprised of twenty individuals who were among those who pioneered the Ba'ku settlement. Sojef, the leader of the exodus which led the Brek'a to the planet, has remained the community leader for over three centuries. When matters of controversy arise, the members of the community council meet to discuss and enact a resolution.
The council engages in an open discussion to find a solution which is accepted by a large majority of the members. There is no exact number defining what a "large majority" consists of; Sojef measures the opinions of the other council members and makes the ultimate decision.
Strategic Importance
Much as enemy species took interest in the planet created by the Genesis device in 2285, there is sure to be interest in the Ba'ku planet as word of its remarkable regenerative effects spreads through the galaxy. Its location within Federation space - not to mention its status as a Federation protectorate - will dissuade most invaders, but it is a planet other species will keep an eye on, especially those with no alliance to the Federation.
Since they have only one settlement, warlike conflicts are unknown to the Ba'ku. They refuse to use weapons of any kind for fear of regressing to the Brek'a society which self-destructed centuries ago. The older generations of Ba'ku recall those days vividly, as many were alive to witness the Brek'a's warlike past. Conversely, many of the younger generation - those born on the Ba'ku planet - have begun to express an interest in their technological heritage. They desire to see the "off-world" and are not content to live as simply as their parents have for so many years. This had led to periodic debates among the Ba'ku over their level of technology. The return of the Son'a could only exacerbate the issue.
The community council remains at odds on how to deal with the issue. There are some who continue to maintain that the Ba'ku must abandon technology, lest they repeat the mistakes of their ancestors. They feel that placating the youths' desires would cause a snowball effect which would ultimately result in a conflict similar to the one which caused the exile of the Son'a. Others believe the only way to avoid this path is to let the children explore their heritage. Regardless of their individual points of view, all of the council members agree that the issue remains volatile. Unfortunately, no clear solution has presented itself and, while there is no immediate danger, the situation could begin to boil over within the next decade if it is not dealt with.
Economy
As part of the terms of the Ba'ku's acceptance of status as a Federation protectorate, there is a full embargo on trade with offworlders. The Ba'ku council requested this restriction so that they could continue as a simple, self-sufficient society. Thus, while visitors are welcome on the planet, they are prohibited from opening any type of trade negotiations with the Ba'ku.
Creatures
The Ba'ku planet is home to a wide variety of animal life. Its many species include birds, mammals, and marine reptiles, but no insects. Creatures unable to withstand the constant bombardment of metaphasic radiation have become extinct, leaving the planet void of insects and almost all land-based reptiles. This has had a particularly interesting effect on the avian population. Instead of dying out along without their natural food supply, many of the bird species adapted, becoming either vegetarian or carnivorous. Birds have also taken over many of the natural roles of their former prey, such as pollinating flora. The result is an amazing collection of avian species. Many of these bear similarities to insect life on Earth, such as the jenkaw, which possesses a bee-like stinger. There are also species which feed on other birds; the largest of these can grow to as much as 20 feet long.
Another species of note is the e'kar, a llama-like animal which the Ba'ku have domesticated. E'kar are strong and possess high endurance (qualities not uncommon among the planet's wildlife), making them perfect pack animals. Additionally, they produce a sweet milk which, thanks to the metaphasic radiation, is available in abundance. This dual funtionality has provided the Ba'ku with an invaluable resource.
The rhyl, a small, palm-sized mammal, makes a popular pet among the Ba'ku. This charming little creature resembles a tiny, fur-covered version of the Terran seal, and moves with a wriggling motion similar to a centipede.
Reference(s)
- Cambias, James, et al. Planets of the UFP: A Guide to Federation Worlds, Last Unicorn Games, 1999. ISBN: 0671040065.