Bersallis III
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Bersallis III is a Class H world mostly noted for its rich crystalline and mineral deposits, and for its infamous seven-year firestorms. Cyclical particle bombardment from Bersallis, a red dwarf star, causes a planetwide series of firestorms that makes both exploration and exploitation hazardous in the extreme. The U.S.S. Republic first surveyed the system in the 23rd century, but failed to note the rather unique nature of Bersallis III’s climatology during the cursory job.
Bersallis III is in open space, about twenty-seven light years from the Demilitarized Zone and not far from the borders to Bajoran space. While significantly removed from the Badlands, it is thought that similar phenomena formed the Bersallis star system, which might explain the star’s cyclical particle discharges.
Climate
Despite the moderately thin atmosphere on Bersallis III, it is typically hot across the planet, with temperatures in Bersallis’s equatorial regions exceeding even a Vulcan’s ability to survive. Survey teams tend to stay several thousand kilometers to the north or south of the equator, where it is possible to live and work on Bersallis III with sufficient water. Prolonged outdoor exposure without appropriate hydration is dangerous, however — consider Bersallis III a hot planet to just about any normal visiting humanoid.
When the firestorms sweep over Bersallis III, survival becomes a far riskier affair. The “firestorm” is actually a wave of plasma preceded by a violent, fiery combustion of the atmosphere. A character caught without protection in a firestorm might survive for two seconds or less in the outer fire — perhaps just enough time to be beamed aboard a starship — and be vaporized instantly inside of the plasma storm beyond it. Even sealed structures are unlikely to survive the waves of plasma, and the high-energy particles make it impossible for a transporter to operate without pattern enhancers. The outer combustion waves frequently exceed 300° Centigrade, and the speed of the storm exceeds 200 KPH.
A highly specialized force field called a thermal deflector can protect structures and personnel from the combustion fringe of a firestorm. The thermal deflectors not only shunt heat and high energy particles away, but prevent the combustion of atmosphere inside their field, which in turn precludes the conditions necessary for the plasma storm to sweep through. These thermal deflectors must be adjusted constantly to keep the integrity of their field intact. A failure or gap in any part of the field allows the combustion fringe to sweep inside, combusting all atmosphere and destroying the thermal deflectors from within.
Geography
Bersallis III is a planet whose aging process is almost accelerated. The chaotic forces of the cyclical firestorms act similarly to normal atmospheric erosion, only much more quickly. Rough edges and mountains tend to be smoothed within a few decades.
The tremendous heat of the firestorms, along with the high energy particle bombardment, keeps the tectonic forces on Bersallis III running very high. Volcanic and earthquake activity are significant, with new volcanic mountains bursting forth and earthquake fissures opening up each year. This also means that the rich mineral deposits on Bersallis III are unusually close to the surface—mining operations would be extremely simple, if the firestorms were not a factor. Certainly, more than one project has been launched in the seven year lulls between firestorms, hoping to recover enough minerals to make the trip worth it before the firestorms wipe out all evidence of the dig.
History
Even to the first long-range probes that surveyed it, Bersallis III looked like a jewel. Possessed of a wealth of minerals and crystals that seemed readily accessible — including deuterium, tritanium, and even dilithium crystals — the planet was an irresistible find. The Cardassian Union, always on the lookout for precious resources, was the first to mount a survey mission in preparation for large-scale mining operations. This survey mission was also the first consumed by the Bersallis firestorms. Not having any way to predict these devastating storms, the Cardassians abandoned all plans to exploit Bersallis III.
After several science missions to study the red dwarf star Bersallis, Starfleet was able to map out both the cycle of the firestorms and several stellar precursor events prior to the particle flares. This led to the first of several Starfleet and Federation survey teams sent to Bersallis III during the gaps in the firestorm cycle, to study the effects of the storm and the unusual geophysical phenomena that accompanied it. Of course, they also sought a safe method to begin extracting the various mineral resources on Bersallis III.
These missions gained additional significance after the onset of hostilities between the Cardassian Union and the Federation. Bersallis III’s proximity to the contested areas, plus the Cardassians’ lack of interest in the system, merited Federation involvement in the system. A regular outpost was established, designed (so they hoped) to be abandoned when the cycle came due and mostly survive the firestorms intact.
Unfortunately, the storm cycle had some previously unsuspected variability. The outpost detected the precursor Bersallis stellar events several months ahead of schedule in the year 2369. The U.S.S. Enterprise-D responded to the outpost’s distress call, but the early stages of the firestorms were beginning by the time they arrived. Implementing a series of thermal deflectors for the first time, the crew of the Enterprise-D erected a defense shield while the evacuation took place. The thermal deflectors were given to failure because of the extreme circumstances and needed to be adjusted, often by hand, and even the slightest mistake led to combustion flooding into one of the defensive positions. In the end, all 643 of the outpost colonists were successfully evacuated, but eight officers and crew of the Enterprise-D lost their lives. (TNG: "Lessons")
Sadly, the outpost’s structure did not survive the firestorms. However, the onset both of nearby Maquis activity and the Dominion War — and the drive for resources demanded by both — ensured the Federation would try again.
Places of Interest
During the gaps between firestorm cycles, there are few places of specific interest on the planet’s surface. The storms wipe away both natural and artificial formations, only to have geophysical activity create new ones in the interim. During the actual firestorm, the entire surface of the planet is “interesting,” to say the least.
Reference(s)
- Burns, Eric, Kenneth A. Hite & Doug Sun. Star Trek Roleplaying Game Book 7: Worlds, Decipher, 2005. ISBN: 1582369097.