Londinium

GEOGRAPHY

Of all the planets, Londinium (the Roman name for London) is the most like Earth-That-Was and was therefore one of the first two planets to be settled (alongside Sihnon), since it needed little work to make it ready for human habitation. It was the first viable candidate for terraforming, representing a great hope for human civilization. As the seat of Parliament, Londinium continues to be an anchor for human civilization today.

Most of the settlers came from Europe and the Americas and the predominant western culture took hold there quickly. Old western traditions were combined with modern technology. The best example being the buildings themselves as they were built with the most advanced materials but constructed in archaic designs and made to look like stone. The Imperial Gothic style of the buildings (e.g. the contemporary Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, etc.) became the norm for almost all buildings on Londinium. The symbol of the planet is an Imperial Gothic clocktower (a la Big Ben). It may not look shiny to those from the Rim, but it still makes the place popular for looky-loos and picture-snappers.

Seems like almost everyone on Londinium works for the government or for businesses who deal with the government and naturally, politics is the main activity on the planet nowadays. The Alliance Parliament Building is situated on the planet, the building itself (which contains "The House", where members of Parliament meet to debate current issues) is the size of a small city and the surrounding government complex that contains the offices of ministers and their civil servants (and is also where the aforementioned clocktower is) makes up the entire untary decision-making body of the Allied Planets. There is a policy of shoot-on-sight for any craft that comes too close to the Parliament No Fly Zone. Any ship venturing near these areas is shot down, no warning given.

Not all of the planet is dedicated to political dealings though. Art is also a major attraction, and Londinium contains the finest museums of Earth-That-Was and colonial artifacts as well as the largest collections of Western-style art in the system. The Londinium Museum, which contains the Museum of History and the Museum of Art, is a splendid building that holds all manners of treasures. Most come from the early days of colonization, but the most valuable pieces are the ancient artifacts from Earth-That-Was.

Londinium is also the single largest consumer of manufactured goods and foodstuffs in Allied space. It is also one of the largest producers of certain goods, including Cortex hardware and advanced electronics.

Naturally, such a large military target is protected by a large military presence. The Ministry of Intelligence and the elite SAS (Special Alliance Support) forces have their headquarters on the planet, while, in orbit the Alliance flagship Victoria protects the skies.

Traffic to and from the planet is heavily regulated. Most trade and civilian vessels cannot approach large population center without proper clearance from Orbital Security, Global Airspace Control and local administrators. Military vessels operate under a separate mandate and, although also regulated, move with relative freedom throughout Londinium's air space. Special dispensation is also granted for governmental, diplomatic and some Blue Sun vessels. Tourists arrive on Londinium via authorized shuttles that travel to and from the other Core worlds. Tourists may visit only those areas that are approved. Anyone caught venturing outside the approved areas without proper ID is immediately arrested.

As with other major worlds, Londinium occasionally cordons off small blackout zones where illegal activity has suddenly escalated or it's suspected there may be a large criminal element.