Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

EAT_MY_USERNAME t1_izvrl16 wrote

The binary star system 3-X12GK was a rarity.

And I know what you're thinking;

All binary star systems are a rarity.

That is true. Their eccentric orbits and gravities make binary star systems unlikely to sustain themselves long term, and makes them unsuitable for practically all settlement purposes.

3-X12GK is rare for another reason; far from just being a binary star system, 3-X12GK is an inhabited binary star system.

The two suns of the system orbit each other in a furious dance, and between the two stars there are a variety of planetoids, most devoid of life.

By cosmic coincidence however, two planets of the binary system maintain a human civilization. These planets, designated 3-X12G-Alpha and 3-X12G-Beta are home to two groups of humans who have called the planets home since before the fall.

The two planets each follow a wide orbit, Alpha following the sun Primaris, and Beta following the sun Secundus. Once a century these orbits cross however, and the two worlds experience what is known as the Conjunction.

For a period of a sidereal day, Alpha and Beta orbit within a astronomically miniscule range of each other. As this happens half of each world is plunged into complete eclipse. On this side of the world the effects of gravity is reduced by overlapping gravitational fields, and as the intense magnetospheres of the planets merge, atmospheres, albeit it thin, conjoin.

This event is traditionally the single major point of cultural, economic and diplomatic exchange between the two worlds, both of whom were technologically crippled by the events of the fall, which destroyed their space-faring capability.

The next conjunction is projected to occur in exactly 30 days.

This time, intelligence suggests Alpha is preparing more than just trade. The New Federation Reconnaissance Fleet has detected an upsurge in production of military equipment in Alpharian factories. Atmospheric craft have been prepared and loaded, and armies raised from the civilian populace.

In the coming days, 3-X12GK may once again be home to a unique event.

The first interplanetary war without space flight.

The New Federation has debated warning one or both planets against conflict, but has decided to watch and see, preferring as always to not interfere with the affairs of lesser civilizations.

20

HardcoreMandolinist OP t1_izvuomr wrote

This is super cool.

I've had this idea for years but I'm not really a sci-fi writer so I knew I couldn't do it justice. I'd love to see this go further.

2

goathill t1_izvztxi wrote

Glorious! I would love to see this fleshed out some more, I think you're really onto something

1

AutoModerator t1_izv43ok wrote

Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.

Reminders:

>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include "[Poem]" >* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail >* See Reality Fiction and Simple Prompts for stricter titles >* Be civil in any feedback and follow the rules

🆕 New Here? ✏ Writing Help? 📢 News 💬 Discord

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

Bevroren t1_izvo5nv wrote

Reminds me of that Pinky and the Brain episode where Brain takes over the earth by building a paper mache earth and tricking everybody into moving there in order to get free t-shirts, leaving him and Pinky the sole people living on the original earth.

3

HardcoreMandolinist OP t1_izvpf05 wrote

I don't think I ever saw that episode. That's fantastic. What's the point in taking over the world if there's no one on it to rule?

1

Bevroren t1_izw2wi9 wrote

That's what they eventually realized. Then Pinky and the Brain moved to the new earth, and the original earth was destroyed by an asteroid.

2

Niliks t1_izw4f7q wrote

Almost entirely certain that the friction of colliding atmospheres would garuntee that this kind of orbit couldn't be stable...

But now I don't care because I wanna go literal planet-hopping.

2

stillnotelf t1_izw20mg wrote

I've read this as a moderately hard sci fi novel. One was a desert, one an ocean. The desert had all these weird slightly soft rocks that didn't fit geologically, think glacial boulders. Turned out they were eggs from when the water switched sides every so often

1

PyroDelSyro t1_izzpurm wrote

This is actually kinda possible, and two moons of saturn do this. Check out "Horseshoe orbit" on wikipedia.

1