Note that 15 Earth years elapse between the end of one growing season and the start of another. However, other areas of the planet experience entirely different seasons and can fill the gaps with imports, allowing Cyraria to be self-sufficient provided the territories cooperate with one another. Territories which are under Integrator control could refuse to export to territories that aren't, making food production a political tool.
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CALMANAC
The Calmanac, as the name implies, is a combination between a calendar and an almanac which contains information relative to the season, how many days have elapsed and how many remain. Weather predictions are included as well which include temperature, dust levels, ultraviolet levels and the risk of a pressure vortex or ground quake occurring. As with all planets, conditions vary depending on latitude, i.e., the distance above or below the planet’s center point or equator.
Since the length of the seasons is long, many are divided into sub-seasons the provide further information, such as Peak Opps, which is the most severe portion of the heat season.
The Ephemeris section provides information relative to the position of the two suns, Zeta and Zinni, such as whether it is in a cycle where it will rise and set, remain above the horizon the entire day (circumpolar) or never rise and remain below the horizon (sub-horizonal).
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POLITICAL STRUCTURE
TERRITORIES
Newly settled planets within the Hostii Galaxy are first facilitated by the Hostii Interplanetary Organization, commonly known as the HIO. Typically the planet is divided into 6 territories of equal size with three in each hemisphere. The Territorial Government must answer to the HIO and be in harmony with their charter in order to receive assistance, mostly in the form of imports such as food and other commodities.
Initially the government is primarily a facilitator charged to encourage and mediate communication between regions with regard to commerce and trade. Border disputes are also arbitrated at the territorial level. The territories capital is located in the center in what is considered a neutral region. The polar regions are also neutral as are any moons.
The territory provides various services each region may utilize while financing it accordingly. These include institutions such as hospitals, prisons, law enforcement, immigration, space facilities in the form of space stations to serve incoming and outgoing spacecraft and a shuttle system to the capital.
The territory is led by a Territorial General elected by the Regional Governors. The Territorial General has a deputy who becomes the Territorial General in the event the existing one is no longer able to serve.
If two-thirds of the territories (4) adopt the same structure then the entire planet will be subject to that type of rule with the leadership from each territory having equal say and power via an organization known as a Quadrumvirate. If only three territories combine they are known as a Triumvirate but do not have global power.
REGIONS
Each territory is divided into twenty-four regions of equal size, each initially twenty degrees latitude and twenty degrees longitude though these boundaries may be adjusted as settlement proceeds. They are given names in the order in which they are settled.
The true government under which Cyrarian residents live is determined at the regional level. The HIO allows for the citizens of each region to determine for themselves by popular vote which type of government the wish to be ruled.
If two-thirds of the regions (16) all decide upon the same type of government, then the entire territory can be declared subject to that particular government.
Regional Governors are elected by popular vote and like Territorial Generals have a deputy who will also replace them if unable to complete their term. They assemble their own staff comprising various ministers in accordance with the type of governmental structure decided upon by popular vote of their citizens.
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INDIGENOUS POPULATION
THE BNOLAR
At one time Cyraria had surface water which evaporated when the orbit changed from a stable ellipse around Xi's two major components to the current lemniscate, an unstable figure-8 pattern. The change was triggered by the star system's third component, a dG7 orange dwarf which orbits the other two in a period of approximately 1000 years. The additional gravitational effects of its most recent pass were enough to nudge the planet into the current configuration a few hundred years before the arrival of humans. During the first transit between the two suns, Zeta and Zinni, the surface water was lost but fortunately the underground system of aquifers survived, some replenishing a few surface lakes and rivers during certain seasons in middle latitude regions. The near-collision was also responsible for changing Cyraria's axial orientation from one that was nearly vertical to its current one which is only 13 degrees from the orbital plane, which is the largest factor in the extreme differences in weather during its circuit around the two stars.
The bnolar are the only intelligent creatures native to Cyraria which have been there for millions of years. Their exact population is unknown but estimated to be in the billions. They have survived planetary disasters, weather and tectonic disturbances as well as environmental challenges by living underground in the planet's rich network of caverns. A unique race not found elsewhere in the galaxy, they stand as tall as approximately two and a half meters though the average is closer to slightly over two meters. They have two massive hind legs and six arms with scoop-like hands ideal for expanding or extending existing tunnels. Their multilayered skin surrounds them like a cloak and serves to reflect different wavelengths of light, protecting them from the harsh environment. Several layers of eyelids do the same for their eyes, which are capable of navigating using infrared wavelengths underground, precluding the need for a subterranean light source other than that provided by luma, a native plant with phosphorescent qualities.
Their society is homogenous and entirely without social strata, largely due to their telepathic and empathic abilities. Each individual bnolar operates within their collective consciousness, making them peaceful and non-aggressive. It is believed that these capabilities originally evolved from their constant exposure to cristobalite which expanded their original communication abilities to include telepathic, empathic and telekinetic skills. These abilities ultimately became reciprocal with the crystals, creating a strong bond between the race's presence and psi conductive properties of local cristobalite sources.
The Think Tank is one of many similar chambers where the energy reflects synergistically within the chamber itself then further energized by the local populace. Being peaceful, the bnolar avoid contact with humans, for whom they wisely hold a high degree of distrust. However, being telepathic as well as empathic they can read a person's mind, emotions and heart and thus determine intent, allowing them to selectively interact with individuals with whom they feel compassion and trust. Their typical family unit is monogamous with pairs mating for life, which is usually over two hundred galactic standard years. Mated pairs tend to have a single child approximately every ten years.
The caverns in which they live form a network beneath 89% of the planet's surface area. Colonies range in size from a few dozen to several hundred thousand, depending on location and available resources. Food supplies comprise that obtained by foraging native plants and herbs when seasonally available some of which are stored for use during extreme weather. Underground sources fill the gap during severe seasons and include fungal species similar to mushrooms, roots, and other vegetation with low light requirements, i.e. those that don't require photosynthesis. If food shortages occur, hibernation is also an option.
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Star Trails Tetralogy Book Descriptions
BEYOND THE HIDDEN SKY (Volume I)
Moving to another planet is never easy. It's even harder when you never arrive...
Laren Brightstar knew refusing to work for A
ugustus Troy would make him a target. Being reassigned to the chief terralogist position for Cyraria, a planet on the other side of the galaxy, seemed the perfect solution. Getting there, however, isn’t. Not with a teenage daughter like Creena.
She’s intelligent.
She’s a rebel.
And now she’s missing.
In deep space.
Was it an accident? Or abduction?
Either way, he has to find her. Before Troy does. And somehow he knows life will never be simple again as increasingly suspicious circumstances scatter his family across the galaxy, each wondering if they'll survive long enough to be reunited ever again.
A DARK OF ENDLESS DAYS (Volume II)
Things are never so bad they can't get worse. For the Brightstars, they just did...
Cyraria's lethal weather extremes challenge Laren's engineering skills to the max, but his family will perish unless he can build a heat exchanger (air conditioner) to keep their meager ballome at livable temperatures during Opposition. Before its completion, however, old debts come due, leaving his son, Dirck, to complete the task. But how can he possibly do so with no money and limited engineering know-how?
Meanwhile, Creena's situation isn't much better. Her attempt to return to Mira III for help as directed by her father is foiled when the planet on which they expect to find starship passage not only can't help but confiscates their ship. Will she remain trapped forever on a backward and alien world called Earth where she's being pursued by mysterious and hostile forces?
A PSILENT PLACE BELOW (Volume III)
What if you had to kill someone you love before you could save him?
Taking refuge in Cyraria's network of caverns to survive Opposition, Dirck and his mother share a cryptic dream that promises death or worse for his imprisoned father unless immediate action is taken. Will the daring and potentially lethal rescue Dirck and his friend, Win, fabricate succeed or will Laren be lost forever?
The planet's political turmoil increases as the Integrator pursues planetary domination through devious and aggressive means. The formation of an opposition group to fight these hostile actions delivers heavy consequences while additional threats to the Brightstar family at a more personal level arise in the form of cultural clashes between Mira III and Esheron. Creena's return partially reunites the family at last, but ongoing disagreements with her brother distract them from issues that have even more dire consequences.
REFRACTIONS OF FROZEN TIME (Volume IV)
When time is against you, you have one option...
Creena and her little brother, Deven, believe the cavern's crystals can reunite their family at last, including bringing back their father who's on a prison ship heading for permanent exile. Before she can unlock their secrets, however, Integrator forces find their underground hideout, forcing a harrowing escape loaded with unexpected consequences. The lonely days that follow change Dirck forever while also revealing what drives the crystals' ability to manipulate time.
Meanwhile, Laren has discovered the ship's dirty little secret which he hopes to exploit while back on Cyraria, his long-time nemesis, Augustus Troy, not only gains more power than ever before but acquires a weapon capable of wiping out anyone opposed to his despotic goals.
Do the Brightstars have what it takes to survive their final confrontation with the Integrator and his evil proponents? Or will the family’s longed-for reunion take place in another dimension of time and space? Find out in this suspense-laden conclusion to the Star Trails Tetralogy.
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About the Author
MARCHA FOX IS A SCIENCE FICTION fan and writer who has always been fascinated by space and time. She’s an oldtime Star Wars nut whose favorite movies include Back to the Future and Deja-vu. Her life-long love of astronomy eventually drove her to obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree in physics from Utah State University followed by a career of over 21 years at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, where she held a variety of positions including technical writer, engineer and eventually manager. Needless to say during that time she got to see all sorts of very cool NASA stuff in locations that included Florida, California, Alabama, and Maryland as well as the European Space Agency in The Netherlands.
Her physics training allowed her to "do the math" regarding various elements in her books, especially Cyraria's starsystem, orbital dynamics and resulting seasons in A Dark of Endless Days, to assure reasonable accuracy along with hoping to instill an interest in science and engineering to her fans by showing its relevance in an entertaining way. More detailed information as well as a discussion guide for parents and educators are included on her website at https://www.StarTrailsSaga.com.
She’s the mother of six grown children, seventeen grandchildren and so far three great-grandchildren though she denies being old enough to have such a huge progeny.
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Discussion and Lesson Plan Suggestions
Star Trails contains various lessons which are likely to be missed by casual readers. If used as part of a learning module those lessons can be pointed out and used as discussion points. Everyone makes mistakes, even adults, and it is much more effective to learn vicariously from those made by others, particularly fictitious characters, than make the same mistake yourself. This is also an opportunity to explore the science aspects in greater detail as part of science class curriculum or even explore the world of metaphysics. What follows is a summary of lessons contained in various chapters with suggested discussion topics that can prompt assignment ideas.
Volume I: Beyond the Hidden Sky
Family dynamics: How sibling quarrels can produce dire consequences, i.e. be careful what you wish for.
Right-brain or left-brain, logic versus intuition and its affect on learning style and communications.
Consequences of impulsive behavior.
Assumptions can bring considerable risks when not backed by facts.
Being responsible for one's choices as well as their affect on others.
Basics of Kepler's Laws of orbital dynamics and Newton's Laws of motion.
Einstein's Special and General Relativity theories and their application to space travel including time dilation and theory behind warp drive technology.
Effects of zero gravity, need for countermeasures to maintain physical strength.
Metaphysical speculations, e.g. thoughts become things, consciousness' effects on reality, telepathy.
Chapters 1 - 2
1. Creena and Dirck clearly don't get along. What are their basic differences?
Creena is driven by feelings, emotion and intuition while Dirck prides himself on being logical. Is one approach better than the other? Why?
2. Creena is upset and frustrated by the conditions onboard the Aquarius. There is no privacy which is part of the problem but in addition the technology on Mira III helped mitigate feelings through "holographix" which offered soothing colors and sounds as well as other environmental effects to keep people calm. Do you think that such technologies would help control emotions? What is the difference between controlling and suppressing?
3. Creena wants to get away from everyone. Some individuals need solitude to "recharge" and others seek out friends or activities. Which one are you?
4. What was the first mistake that Creena made? Did she know it was wrong? H
ow did she rationalize her decision? When you have to talk yourself into doing something is it usually right or wrong? How much was driven by logic and how much by emotion?
5. Once inside the escape pod did she immediately know what it was? Why not? It looked like a mini-learning module. What additional mistakes did she make? What had her father told her that would have kept her from activating the pod if she had followed his advice?
6. The INTEGRATOR notes that "Mirans were so very easy to deceive." Why?
They are predictable in their actions.
Chapter 3
1. Why didn't a word for "panic" exist on Mira III? Would it be possible to create such a world? Why or why not?
2. What was one thing Dirck liked about Mira III?
All choices were made for him; everything was predictable; they had luxurious living conditions.
3. Dirck's view of life was binary in nature, i.e. "black and white." When does this strategy work and when does it fail to yield accurate information? Why?
4. Why does Dirck have trouble speculating where Creena might be?
In a black and white world there are fewer options. He's not used to thinking in terms of numerous choices and outcomes.
5. Dirck starts to feel guilty for provoking Creena. Why? Whose fault is it, his or hers?
6. What does his father mean when he says "To start your off-world education?"
7. Creena experiences stronger emotions than she's ever had when she realizes what has happened. What was the cause?
Adrenaline triggering a "fight or flight" reaction.
Can such a reaction be controlled? Why or why not?
8. It doesn't feel as if the pod is moving. Why?
When something is moving in a straight line at constant speed you can't tell it's moving. This relates to Newton's 1st Law of motion or the principle of inertia which states that an object will remain in a state of rest or constant velocity unless acted upon by unbalanced forces. Newton's 2nd Law is best described by the equation Force = mass x acceleration or F = ma. In other words, the force exerted on an object depends on its mass and how fast it is changing speed or accelerating. Newton's 3rd Law relates to opposing forces, that whenever a force is applied to something, an equal and opposite force is generated, such as the kickback on a rifle or pushing off the side of a swimming pool.