The Core of the Rim

Beautiful Cellea, the Core of the Rim

Miguel Antrio Vaccia

8.2.2583

"Do you ever just feel like taking a swim in the lake of Salgiata? I know it's mostly used for cooling the launch loops around there, but it's so pretty, clear. Might be the effluent, but still..."

The Cellean Autocratic Space keeps expanding, bringing the might of Cellea to our lost brethren. Great fleets advance through the stars, integrating more and more people, elevating them to a higher standard of life. But that is there, and we are here. Since you are reading this, you are not on campaign, of course, and are here on Cellea. So why not turn your attention inward for a spot, to home? The conquests of the stars will go on for centuries, but Cellea is here, now, available to see!

So let us do so. I will lead you through some certain places and regions of our homeworld, some popular, and others ones I found on my travels. Come with me, and see why Cellea is a true successor to the Cradle.

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The Core of the Core

The Capital is the Capital. You know it, as do I, and as does everyone in Janor-Mosi. The greatest city on the Rim, and likely closer to the Core. I'd wager Earth's megapoli pale in comparison. The habitat it sits in is no worse to see, either. Chagriaono is extensively developed, full of the industry of bureocracy. That said, it is still the capital habitat, and so is also a wonderful place to visit. From the Gates to the Mausoleum of Heroes, and the Tapice Boulevard or Unifier's Monument to the Palace of the Highest Lord himself, there is no lack of stuff to see. And the sparring halls, they are world-class.

Me personally, I always enjoyed the nighttime. Now, that's not a rare answer, the night-life is certainly great, but I enjoy the mood of the night on Chagriano. The entire cylinder lights up, and the views from the balconies of the urban section are truly exceptional. I still remember how I visited it on my 14th anniversary. I don't think I can ever forget that sight. Maybe I'm weird, perhaps, but I like my cityscapes.

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Champion's home

Now for something completely different; Tican. Tican is a fairly mundane city in Orello de Fenon of some 3.7 million people. However, what makes it worthy a place on my list here is its forests. Being as far north as it is, the climate of Tican is very cold, especially compared to most of our home's cities. And so, the forests are mostly pines and such; coniferous, I believe is the term. If you like nature, you'll fit right in. The forests are extensive, reaching far west and all the way south to the coast, filled with convenient natural paths and height variation. The cliff views, while low compared to mountains, are still wonderful.

And the winters, oh! My home barely sees snow, so the thick coat of snow for several months of the year is a sight I don't often experience. Do pack some warm clothes, though. An hour-long walk through the forest in -25 degree weather takes its toll, even with proper clothes. The summers are perfectly pleasant as well. For being so north, it gets pretty warm in the summer; the highest is like 25 degrees or so. Wonderful place.

Oh, and if you care for history or culture, the sixth Champion of Cellea, Admiral-Captain Ventan (of the 27th Fleet), is from Tican, born, raised, and currently living. Well, he's on campaign (best of success to him and the Fleet), but still.

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Grand parades, day and night

The Parade Ground is another one of those we all know. If you haven't gone to one of the grand parades, be those the Highest Lords' or Champions' coronations or the returns of a conquering fleet, you haven't lived, sorry. But they're still there, and just as wonderful as a century ago. What are you waiting for, huh? Go check them out if you haven't! You're really missing out. The scale is mind-boggling. Is it really a parade if there isn't at least ten ground assault ships hanging above the grounds?

To describe the scale here would be a huge understatement. I simply can't overstate how huge and grand everything is. From the architecture to the mosaics looking over the entrances and even the tiling of the ground, it's all so masterfully made, with so much attention to detail. Again, one have to visit it at least once in one's life. Preferably several times.

They launched a spaceship from there one time. I don't mean some orbital ship, I mean a goddamn cruiser. From the ground!

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Frosted wonderland in the sky

Talking about winter again, Kiertolainen is another cold place. A habitat, this time. For some reason, the seasons are shifted toward winter, heavily. Summer is not warm, and lasts for a short time. Why they chose this is beyond me, but it was an amazing choice. It's beautiful. Simply gorgeous. Tican is pretty in winter, but the climate control and designed weather systems of Kiertolainen are truly perfect. The morning frosts of September and May are something to die for.

The people, too. The people are... politely reserved, let's say. Wonderful people, once you get to know them, for sure. They've got a reputation for being terse, but once you get them going on something good, they don't stop. Fair enough. The cuisine is also fascinating, very unique. Or so I hear, being synthetic and all. Sure looks good. Distinct. As is the culture as a whole; while still recognizeably Cellean, it is pretty divergent, varied. Spice of life, and all that.

I love Kiertolainen. One of the best parts is, personally, the mundanity (endearing) of it. It's real. Not that the other places on the list aren't, but Kiertolainen is something special.

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A step beside

This one's personal. Macaperollo is my home! In case you don't know, it's a habitat in orbit of Encina, the fourth planet from Janor and Mosi. Fairly standard as far as habitats go, but it's my home. Of course, that is not enough for a cultured traveller such as yourself, is it? Well, I have a convincing point; The views. I like my pretty views, for sure, but these are different, being that it's not Cellea this time. See, Macaperollo has a special segment to it, a huge observation ring around the habitat. It servers other purposes, but the view of the fiery oceans of Encina below are something you just don't get with Cellea.

As for the culture, it is still distinctly Cellean. Different, but familiar. It's a certain grounding point, millions of kilometers away from home proper, orbiting a wildly different world. It's a very unique experience, and just a pleasant place in general. Well worth a visit if you're going for a longer vacation, or even a fine place for a decade's retirement. It also has a thriving natural park, full of Mediterranean-Earth life, much like certain regions on Cellea. Nice and warm for most of year, too.

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A tinge of titanium

Okay, it's mostly aluminium and graphene they use, but the alliteration wasn't quite as neat. Valli Neroni is one of the primary industrial hubs of our armed forces on Cellea, and commerce in general. Smack dab on the equator, the space elevator alone makes it worth visiting, but the military industry has spawned a number of technical museums and military-equipment-related events. If you're anything like me, this is fascinating, and for any proper military nerd, it's very worth a visit. And even if you just like technology, there's plenty of general shows around.

Historically, it's one of the oldest cities on the planet, and one of the first integrated into the old Unifiers, and what really propelled them to form the Autocratic Space we know and love. There's a fair few museums for that, too. Being so industrially focused, there are naturally zones for it. And these are quite a sight. They're huge, full of wide railways and reactor systems, and gigantic warehouses interspersed with ports and launch pads. It's very awe-inspiring, and makes me, personally, feel that our fleets are well-equipped and properly suited for warfare.

And if you feel like a beach vacation, the city is on the coast, too. Go some few kilometers northward, and you get some gorgeous beaches, with properly established resorts, and some without, for the more natural experience. Especially the small island of La Icabera; It's almost completely untouched.