Pre-Deployment Handbook: Penumbra
Authors Note: This article is still a work in progress! Due to illness, I don't think I'll be able to finish it in time for the deadline, but I am proud of what I have written and hope to develop it a bit more.
A series of extracts from Mars Homefleet's Pre-Deployment Handbook, preparing soldiers and personel for deployment to Mercury.
Work in Progress
Geography
The dayside, the diurnal zone, of Mercury is the active theatre for this conflict. Our main base Penumbra is a migratory convoy that stays in the terminator between night and day. We are supported by orbital station and command center Caduceus.The Homefleet Geographic Survey (HFGS) has divided the planet into 15 quadrangles (quads). Each quad is numbered from 1 to 15, going north to south, east to west from the meridian (Hun Kal).
- illustration of the 15 quadrangles -
M1 Borealis
The primary source of water ice on Mercury. Outposts are maintained in key M1 locations to secure this vital transport line. The supply is managed by Borealis Ice Mining.The subsurface temperatures at the northern pole remain below freezing, even at the peak of the diurnal season. Although the polar temperature is stable, the permafrost in the southern regions of Borealis is rapidly deteriorating. As subsurface ice thaws and evaporates, hills collapse, and the ground is torn open. M1 operations must be prepared for disaster: rock falls and landslides are to be expected.
Complete
Climate
The rotation of Mercury is in resonance with its orbit. A full solar cycle lasts approximately 176 days. The diurnal and nocturnal seasons last 76 days, while the transitional dawn and dusk seasons last 12 days. The atmosphere has been weakened, heightening the peak temperatures to extremes.Travelling with the terminator lets us avoid the hazards of the diurnal and nocturnal climates. The atmosphere is still thin, and will sometimes not be sufficient for breathing. We recommend that you stay indoors for sufficient oxygen. Despite the smaller size, Mercury has a gravity equivalent to that on Mars.
Diurnal Climate
The diurnal climate is especially dangerous. Not only does it reach peaks of hundreds of degrees, there is no nighttime relief. The sun remains overhead for the entire season. Due to this, we call the side of the planet that is currently facing the sun the Diurnal Zone (DZ).
The Solar Pulses always strike the DZ, so too must our counter offensives. Heat is the cause of more casualties than the scourge. Wear the cooling suit, and apply generous amounts of sunscreen. Stay in the shade when possible.
Acclimatization to the DZ will begin shortly after your arrival. To acclimitize, you will be preforming progressive amount of physical exercise at the edge of the DZ. Use the chart in the appendix to determine what amount of water you and your companions will need depending on the temperature and time.
The Solar Pulses always strike the DZ, so too must our counter offensives. Heat is the cause of more casualties than the scourge. Wear the cooling suit, and apply generous amounts of sunscreen. Stay in the shade when possible.
Acclimatization to the DZ will begin shortly after your arrival. To acclimitize, you will be preforming progressive amount of physical exercise at the edge of the DZ. Use the chart in the appendix to determine what amount of water you and your companions will need depending on the temperature and time.
COOL FIRST PRINCIPLE
Make liberal use of cooling sprays, packs, and compresses. You will slow your squad down more by entering heat exhaustion than you will taking a moment to apply a cooling solution.
Make sure you, and your squadmates, are drinking according to the hydration chart.
In the event of a heat injury, remember the COOL FIRST principle. Make sure to cool the injured person down before you transport them.
Cooling Suit
To protect you during DZ operation, you will undergo cannulization. This is a simple medical procedure, soft and flexible nanite-supported cannulas will be inserted into your veins with an easy-remove cap to secure fast intravenous access. This lets you fully utilize the cooling suits, as well as quickly set up an IV or blood supply for yourself or a fellow soldier. This procedure will be preformed shortly after your arrival.
The cooling suit must be plugged into your venous system for full effect. Simply match the colour of the tube to the colour of the port: blue for cool, white for intravenous.
The cooling suit must be plugged into your venous system for full effect. Simply match the colour of the tube to the colour of the port: blue for cool, white for intravenous.
Radiation
Operations in the diurnal zone come with a high radiation risk. Solar Pulses are the source of most of the radioactivity, but the loss of atmosphere also leaves Mercury more vulnerable to solar winds and space weather.
Before operations, make sure to cover any cuts or scratches on your skin. Assume any dust or debris in the DZ is radioactive.
Before operations, make sure to cover any cuts or scratches on your skin. Assume any dust or debris in the DZ is radioactive.
After operating in the DZ, you will need to decontaminate. Carefully follow the procedure described below.
1 Make sure to detach and close your IV ports, then carefully remove all clothing. Cut any clothing that would otherwise require lifting over your head. Do not shake or rush: avoid radioactive dust on the clothing being released into the air.
2 Place the clothing into a contamination bag or other sealable receptacle. Seal it, and place it in a contamination safety disposal. If you do not have access to a safety disposal, place the bag far away from people.
2 Place the clothing into a contamination bag or other sealable receptacle. Seal it, and place it in a contamination safety disposal. If you do not have access to a safety disposal, place the bag far away from people.
3 Wash with soap and water. If you do not have access to a shower, use a sink. If you do not have access to a sink, use a wipe or a wet towel,
4 Wash exposed skin first, such as hands and head. Keep eyes & mouth closed. Wash by lathering & rinsing. Do not scrub.
5 Once your hands and face are clean, make sure any cuts or scratches are covered. If you have an exposed cut or scratch, you must report to a medic.
4 Wash exposed skin first, such as hands and head. Keep eyes & mouth closed. Wash by lathering & rinsing. Do not scrub.
5 Once your hands and face are clean, make sure any cuts or scratches are covered. If you have an exposed cut or scratch, you must report to a medic.
6 Rinse your nose. Carefully wipe down your eyelashes and ears. Then proceed to wash the rest of your body. Keep eyes & mouth closed. Wash by lathering & rinsing. Do not scrub.
7 Dry off with a towel, then place any towels used into a contamination bag or other sealable receptacle. Seal it, and place it in a contamination safety disposal. If you do not have access to a safety disposal, place the bag far away from people.
8 Get dressed in new, clean clothes.
7 Dry off with a towel, then place any towels used into a contamination bag or other sealable receptacle. Seal it, and place it in a contamination safety disposal. If you do not have access to a safety disposal, place the bag far away from people.
8 Get dressed in new, clean clothes.
Nocturnal Climate
The nocturnal climate reaches extremely low temperatures. The heat of the diurnal season quickly evaporates. The nocturnal zone (NZ), the side that is currently facing space, brings its own challenges. We try to do any operations that do not have to be in the DZ while the region is at the terminator, transitioning between the DZ and NZ.The greatest danger in the NZ is not the temperatures. When the magnetic energy of the sun collides with Mercury's magnetic field, snap twisters can form and tear away the atmosphere, water, and loose objects. Personel operating in the NZ must remain tethered at all times. Make sure that you, and anything you wish to keep, remains well anchored to the surface.
Hazardous Weather
Hazardous weather occurs in all regions of Mercury, whether in the DZ, NZ or the terminator.Magnetic Storms
Magnetic storms are common, and pose a danger to fine instruments. These magnetic storms are fuelled by solar pulses, and are so powerful that the energy from the storm can overload the instruments. Turn off sensitive instruments, and keep in mind that the power of the storm may power up the instruments anyway. Verify any readings, and do not give any sensitive information over radio during a storm.If navigating a vehicle or craft in a magnetic storm, use the protocol described in chapter # to orient and navigate.
Auroral Storms
After a magnetic storms, auroral storms may follow. These storms appear as colourful bands of dancing light across the surface. When close, they first appear as a glow, which flare up as more of the atmosphere is ionized. The electric energy of these storms can light up electric circuits in abandoned cities.Auroral storms are a sign of dangerously low atmosphere. Should one be observed, put on masks and breathing devices. Be aware of a higher risk of radiation, and decontaminate when you return to base.
Work in Progress
Migration
Our base Penumbra travels with the terminator of Mercury, staying between the extremes. We travel to the edge of the diurnal zone, and stay until night catches up to us. Then we decamp and travel to the edge once more.Protocol for Migration Our goal is to deploy our shelters in 45 minutes, and decamp for migration in 45.
Work in Progress
About the organization at penumbra and how to interact with non-martian soldiers.
Work in Progress
About the Nomads of Mercury and how to effectively work with them.
Work in Progress
List of Acronyms
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This is so cool! I am not really sure what this base is supposed to look light so I am sort of imagining it as a giant hermit crab looking thing that wakes up every once in a while to move to a better location.
That's a fun idea! It's more like a convoy of vehicles, some of them are like really square camper vans with barracks in them, others are really huge hexagons with spacecraft on them (they function almost like mobile helipads), plus a lot of temporary tents that get taken down before they move.
Solaris -— a sapphic space opera
Creator of World of Worlds | Camp Chill | Comment Carolers
Thank makes a lot more sense lol