The Twins
Star (Recharge Time): Southern Cross 117 (190 hours)
Star Type: G9V
Number of Planets: 12 (including five gas giants)
Time to Jump Point: 5.8 days
Recharging Station: Zenith, Nadir
Planet: Apollo
Position: 3 (tidally-locked with Artemis)
Planet Type: Rocky
Gravity: 0.88
Atmospheric Pressure: Standard
Atmospheric Composition: Nitrogren, Oxygen
Percent Surface Water: 58%
Percent, Level of Native Life: 50%, Birds
Satellites: 1 (Artemis)
Population (2766): 310,000
Population (3025): 152,000,000
HPG Station: Class B
Planetary Capital: Laurel
Planet: Artemis
Position: 3 (tidally-locked with Apollo)
Planet Type: Rocky
Gravity: 0.88
Atmospheric Pressure: Standard
Atmospheric Composition: Nitrogren, Oxygen
Percent Surface Water: 70%
Percent, Level of Native Life: 85%, Birds
Satellites: 1 (Apollo)
Population (2766): 429,000
Population (3025): 234,000,000
HPG Station: Class B
Planetary Capital: Aegis
Description: Artemis and Apollo are the eleventh and twelfth (respectively) planets colonized by the Congress of the Southern Cross. Apollo is an arid world, with shallow seas and broad deserts, while its sister planet Artemis is wet and fertile. The two planets share the same orbit, revolving around a common center point (making the tides on both worlds rather spectactular). Each is roughly 80% the diameter of Terra, but sightly more dense, resulting in a gravity of 0.88-g's. The low gravity has made these two planets (but especially the heavily forested and fog-shrouded Artemis) very popular for colonization. Both worlds possess rich mineral deposits, but only Apollo has been mined and supports heavy industry. Artemis instead has concentrated on feeding both worlds. Each is a seperate member of the Southern Cross Congress, but the two delegations normally vote together on most proposals. This has angered some older and more populous worlds whose leaders believe that The Twins should have just ONE voting delegation in Congress.
Politically, however, the two are beginning to differ. Apollo is home to the political wing of the CDL (the Churchill Provisional Authority), granting it some voice in the Congress. Artemis is a staunch (almost fanatical) supporter of the Southern Cross government and stands vehemently opposed to the CDL. This split has caused tension between the two, leading to an increase of violence over the past decade.