Ashburton

Star Type (Recharge Time): F8V (179 hours)

Position in system: 3 of 7

Time to jump point: 12 days

Number of Satellites: 6 (Banyule, Boondarra, Manningham, Monash, Stonnington, Whitehorse)

Surface Gravity: 1.08 g

Atmospheric Pressure: Thin (Breathable)

Equatorial Temperature: 32 degrees (Tropical)

Surface Water: 50%

Highest Native Life: Birds

Recharge Station: Zenith

HPG Class: B (Inoperative)

Population (3145): 850,000,000

Socio-Industrial Levels: B-C-B-C-C

Landmasses (Capitol City): Glen Iris, Chadstone and Malvern (Batman)

Ashburton was first identified during the late 23rd century, with initial exploration suggesting that the world possessed a high degree of potential for colonisation. While thin, the atmosphere was still breathable at sea level without the need for life support or sophisticated terraforming. Divided into three continents by relatively small and shallow seas, much of the planet was dominated by open savannahs and dry deserts, tending towards tundra at the poles.

Another factor that drew the attention of colonists were the mountainous regions along the world's equator. Thrown up in the (geologically) relatively recent collision between two subcontinents, the atmosphere around the upper mountains was nominally too thin to support human life. On the other hand, surveys found that they were rich in valuable minerals including precious metals and radioactive. Additional exploration of the world's two largest moons also showed that they were rich in mineral resources, prompting development of lunar mining colonies.

Rather than the thin atmosphere, the greatest challenge that the initial colonisations faced came in the form of the world's native life forms. Several large species of aggressive bird like-predators, both airborne and flightless, existed, which quickly found that both the colonists and their transplanted livestock were easy prey. Creatures like the Direbeak (Superficially resembling a terran Allosaurus), the ominously named Death Razor or the bizarre four-winged Sky Shadow quickly became the bane of colonists, leading to organised hunts and culls. Today many of these species still survive, but their populations and movements are carefully watched.

Despite these setbacks, the colony continued to grow throughout the Age of War, where it was incorporated into the fledgling Free Worlds League. During the Star League, Ashburton's industry and economy grew, allowing it to export consumer goods and electronics to other nearby worlds. Some of it's native wildlife also became prized exports, with the so-called 'dino-birds' becoming star attractions at Zoos across the Inner Sphere. Despite this growth, the planet managed to remain agriculturally self-sufficient, a trait that would help it in the years to come.

The Succession Wars and their accompanying collapse of interstellar trade shattered Ashburton's economy, leading to mass unemployment across the planet. Efforts to retool much of its heavy manufacturing towards military production instead attracted deep raids form the Lyran Commonwealth.

The most disastrous of these came in 2815 when the Savage Horde Regiment, a Lyran employed mercenary command attacked the world. Facing only local militia troops, the Savage Horde ran wild, sacking several cities and destroying two with nuclear weapons while also levelling several weapons plants. Seemingly powerless to stop them, the Ashburton Militia received unexpected assistance when the Savage Horde encampment was over-run by a migratory Death Razor flock; the camp security had paid the creatures no heed, apparently unaware of just how dangerous the local life forms could be. Taking advantage of the chaos, the Ashburton Defence Force were able to move in and force the Savage Horde off-world.

The recovery of the Helm Memory core and the decoding of its secrets helped revitalise the world, especially following Captain-General Thomas Marik's agreement to supply weapons to the Federated Commonwealth. Ashburton found its industry revitalised as the Free Worlds economy surged, both with local manufacture and the export of raw materials. Under the second Star League, trade flourished which further spurred growth in both the military and civilian sectors.

Ashburton was not directly attacked during the Jihad, but did feel its effects. The Wainwright family, who had ruled the planet since the Second Succession War, openly supported the Word of Blake. As interstellar trade again collapsed, the planet's economy suffered as many of its booming industries suddenly collapsed. At the end of the Jihad with the collapse of the Free Worlds League, Ashburton was left as an independent world. The Wainwright family were deposed, with a democratic government installed in their place.

Unfortunately, efforts to revitalise the planet's flagging economy often met with defeat at the hands of that same democracy. With coalition governments being the norm, any attempt to pass a bill had to meet approval from the government’s parties before it could even go to a vote. For example, a bill to support the lucrative safari tourism market was killed by the Ecological Party following claims that Death Razors were actually sensitive creatures that were easily upset by sudden changes. The result was decades of economic stagnation crumbling infrastructure and struggling industries.

During the 3090s, rumours began to circulate that the world was home to fugitive Word of Blake forces. While no solid evidence was ever unearthed, this lead to several exploratory raids by RSMC forces. The Regulans achieved little but to turn over the rubble of ancient cities and damage already weakened industries. In a rare moment of unity, the Ashburton government called for support from the Marik Protectors, which served to discourage further Regulan adventurism.

In 3138, the Progress Party under Prime Minister Bruce McNally won a rare majority government and immediately set to work on a number of key reforms. Possibly the most important was their voting to join Jessica Marik's new Free Worlds League in 3139. This lead to an upturn in the previously moribund economy, and the first signs of real progress in decades. McNally was re-elected in 3142, and is expected to win a third term in 3146. While popular with the electorate, he has a lot of critics among the minor parties (Such as the Ecological Party and the ReMonarchists) who have seen their powerbase eroded.

At present, Ashburton is in an odd situation. It has a large population, a strong resource base and is located in the middle of a Successor State. It is also relatively undeveloped, due to decades of economic mismanagement However, given the precarious situation the Free Worlds League presently finds itself in, the planet's future as potentially bright as it is uncertain.