Planet Kramp, named after its first ruler, the famous adventurer Captain Bjorn Kramp, is located in Sector 18:(172):AE, in the NGC1300 constellation. Discovered in 2783 (PU), Kramp is unlike any other planet. It rotates and revolves around its sun, Gregan13, in such a way that the sun's position remains constant. This results in one side of the planet experiencing eternal day, while the other side is shrouded in perpetual night. Both extremes are uninhabitable.
Situated on the outer edges of the constellation in the Eridanus Cluster, Kramp was one of the first planets to be inhabited in this system. Initially, it served as the gateway to Eridanus and grew from a market base to an outpost everyone desired control over. However, it has since devolved into a world everyone avoids.
Despite being rich in resources due to its extreme weather conditions, miners steer clear of Kramp. Even the most skilled bounty hunters allow their prey to escape if they venture there. The planet has become a haven for the universe's scum, with the entire Gregan13 Solar System ruled by pirates and outlaws. Continuous skirmishes occur between factions vying for control of the Twilight Zones—the only habitable areas on the planet. Only the fittest survive here.
Some say it was always like this, governed solely by the law of the strongest. They claim it is exactly how Bjorn Kramp wanted it, intending to establish the planet as an outlaw fortress. Others disagree, believing his vision has been distorted. Only Bjorn Kramp knows the truth.
The Discovery of Eradβ6829
In 2783 (PU), the planet Eradβ6829, later known as Kramp, was discovered. Recognizing its potential to harness endless solar energy, the United Nations Interstellar Expedition Force (UNISEF) decided to deploy a scouting party to establish a base camp on the planet.
Captain Bjorn Kramp, a seasoned explorer who had fallen on hard times due to internal politics, saw an opportunity. Accused of embezzling UNISEF resources and restricted to desk duty, he volunteered to lead the mission to escape his political ordeals. The choice was his: to be part of the first team or the second team on the expedition.
“I will kill that son-of-a-bitch. He has been fucking up all our plans.”
“Do we really need all these permits? No one is going to check out here.”
Ruth and Simon were really frustrated with all the setbacks to the expansion plans. Ruth, as his usual self, was shouting expletives and threatening to kill someone or the other. But Bjorn needed to be calm at this moment. He really needed the ambassador to recommend his plans to the admiral.
They had been in this base camp for almost half a year now. Though the year meant nothing on this blasted, bloody, mother-fu…he needed to be calm…goddamn planet. Even after all this time, Bjorn had kept his furnishings to the minimum. He and Simon occupied the only seating in his quarters, the standard-issue chairs. Ruth, too frustrated to sit, was stomping around the room. All their carefully crafted plans could only be carried out after the bastard’s approval. If Ruth didn’t kill him, he surely would. He needed a walk. Present company would only get him more agitated.
The planet had a strange beauty to it. One could keep staring at the everlasting sunset, or was it the sunrise? You had all the time to stare, to observe, things wouldn’t possibly change. He walked out of his quarters towards the general quarters. He wanted to talk to his personnel, he had been a soldier after all. All his life he had been a soldier. He still was a soldier, at least he thought that. Oh! such doubts, of course he was a soldier. He had been burrowed behind his plans for too long. He needed some action; the men needed some action. The camp, though intended to be temporary, had become a solid fortification. As he started to walk towards the mess, he was joined by Gabel. The bodyguard was still not comfortable walking beside Bjorn. It had been half a year since Buck’s death, it didn’t pain him anymore but that was a big loss. Maybe he himself wasn’t comfortable enough with Gabel. He needed to work on that, he had to trust him with his life after all. Well, he would worry about that when his plans started working.
The battle for the base camp seemed a distant memory. The troops had followed through the setup and mining operations eagerly, enthused by the winning momentum, but it was all fading now. It was tough to keep them in line after such a long time. They were not engineers, this was supposed to be the vanguard. Where was Roland? He should have arrived with the engineering corps 1000 hours back. If he had been backed by his technical expertise, the dumb-wit wouldn’t have been making such delays. He had to discuss with Ruth and Simon about his demands, and how to go about them. None of the demands were too big but, if he succumbed to such extortion in the beginning itself, who knows how it will end up. It was just the beginning, of course. He needed to fortify the entire planet. He needed more troops, he needed more ships. He needed proper supply trains for proper food. This planet would not be just another outpost. This planet was his, his men had died for it. Once he had transformed this base into a stronghold he could get his family, they would soon be in danger after all.