Emerald (Cooper's Star)
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This article takes place in the 24 & 26 centuries of Distant Worlds.
OVERVIEW
The Planet Emerald, initially classified as DSO 1455-66645 Artifact, is a temperate marine moon orbiting the Class II Neptune-like gas giant, Marie. Both Emerald and its parent gas giant were named in honor of Mark Cooper's loved ones, according to his personal logs. The neighboring oceanic moon, entirely covered in water, was named Atlantis.
Emerald was visited during the Distant Worlds expedition, which aimed to investigate the mysterious disappearance of Mark Cooper. For over a century, the star system DSO 1455 had been recognized as a promising candidate for finding Earth-like planets. However, the great distance made detailed studies challenging, until the advent of SuperSymmetric Reactor-enhanced AdS drives allowed exploration.
The crew of the CRS Graviton stopped at Emerald en route to the Amaterasu Star System and their ultimate destination, the Forgotten Planet (HyperBorea). By the time of the Distant Worlds: Forgotten Planet novella, Emerald remained the most Earth-like planet known to humanity, with an Earth Similarity Index (ESI) of 0.89 and a stable photosynthesis process.
Emerald's average surface temperature is 17°C (290.15 K), making it one of the most hospitable worlds discovered. Its atmosphere, composed of 52% nitrogen, 24% oxygen, and 24% water vapor, results in an environment that is highly humid and uncomfortable for humans without equipment. However, using standardized interstellar respiratory masks allows humans to breathe and function in Emerald’s rich air.
Emerald's natural beauty is striking, with oceans high in salt concentration, rivers teeming with diverse fish species, and grass greener than anywhere on Terra. Its lush landscapes earned it the nickname “Emerald.” The planet's abundant biological diversity is fueled by the high availability of water and oxygen, allowing flora and fauna to thrive energetically. Observations from Mark Cooper describe Emerald's life forms as having spongy, tentacle-like appendages, a unique adaptation to the planet's environment.
The jungle trees on the surface of Emerald are adorned with an intricate system of veins that wrap around their trunks, their size and length varying depending on the biome and location where they grow. Within the hyper-oxygenated forests thrives the Vasculiradicus palmarborealis, a species of towering palm trees with leaves spreading like the wings of an aircraft. These colossal trees possess thick trunks from which Vasculiradicus veins emerge, spiraling downward from the canopy to the roots in a distinctive south-to-north pattern—hence the name borealis.
The extreme environment of the hyper-oxygenated forests, teeming with predatory wildlife, has driven these veins to evolve a natural defense mechanism. The veins are laced with poisonous stingers that protrude along their length. When these stingers penetrate the skin, they release potent toxins that cause severe allergic reactions and painful nerve spasms. The jungle's predatory flora complements its fauna, with other hazards like the notorious Killer Queen fruits further underscoring the biome's dangers.
In contrast, the less oxygen-rich but highly humid regions near sea and lake shores host oak-like trees intertwined with the Florivincta littoroquercus veins. Unlike their toxic counterparts, these veins are harmless and hang gracefully from the treetops rather than twining around the trunks. At the ends of these hanging veins bloom rose-like blue flowers that produce an exceptionally sweet nectar. The veins' sponge-like bases absorb water from the humid air, fueling the blossoms' growth. This nectar attracts hyper-bees and fireflies, creating an enchanting ecosystem.
During solar eclipses, the fireflies gather around the Florivincta, their bioluminescent displays weaving a magnificent light show amid the trees. Mark Cooper, during his time on Emerald, remarked on the serene beauty of these spectacles, which stood in stark contrast to the perilous wilds of the hyper-oxygenated forests.
The forests of Emerald are perpetually soaked in humidity, with near-constant rainfall and frequent thunderstorms, due to the high concentration of water vapor in the atmosphere. This environment has forced the planet's wildlife to evolve specialized traits to cope with the moisture, including hyper-oxygenated metabolisms. With an oxygen concentration of 24%, slightly higher than Earth's 21%, life forms on Emerald have developed highly efficient aerobic respiration systems, allowing them to thrive in this resource-rich world.
The heightened oxygen levels have given rise to large, energy-intensive creatures, as well as smaller, agile organisms that exploit the planet’s abundant resources. However, not all of Emerald’s flora is as hospitable as its lush greenery may suggest.
KILLER QUEEN
Among its most notorious plant species is the Killer Queen, a predatory fruit that stands out with its striking crimson-cyan gradient skin, reminiscent of a dragonfruit with sharp spines. Its sweet, almond-like scent lures unsuspecting animals, but beneath its vibrant appearance, the Killer Queen is lethally toxic. A single bite from its pulp releases a deadly dose of liquid cyanide, killing the victim almost instantly.
The fruit grows in clusters, hanging low from the towering, palm-like jungle trees, and its purpose in the ecosystem remains a mystery. Some exobiologists speculate that the Killer Queen serves as a natural defense mechanism for the trees, or perhaps as a method of gaining nutrients from the decomposing bodies of its victims.
Vatec Citreon, an exobiologist from the Cetus Federal Republic, offers a chilling insight into the plant: "It seems that the trees where the Killer Queen grows are thermosensitive—they can 'feel' the presence of life forms around them. It's unsettling to think that a tree could sense its surroundings like that. The genus seems related to the Spikus family, which it shares with the harmless Milky Apple. But at least the Milky Apple isn't out to kill everything that comes near it."
Eternal Plateo
Eternal Plateo, named in honor of Mark Cooper, is a remarkable forested region on Emerald. Unlike the planet's typical hyper-oxygenated jungles or overly humid biomes, Eternal Plateo is a natural oasis—a temperate and hospitable sanctuary amidst the planet's otherwise extreme environments. Surprisingly, no flora or fauna in this region pose any threat to humans. Instead, the ecosystem is renowned for its healing properties, offering unique plant life that has become essential to settlers and researchers alike.
One of the most prized discoveries in Eternal Plateo is the Ruby Chicory, a plant named after Terra's chicory flower due to its vibrant ruby-red petals and its use in creating a coffee-like beverage. The brewed drink, derived from the plant’s roots, is not only rich in flavor but also carries significant health benefits. It has been found to reduce blood pressure, regulate adrenaline levels, and improve the absorption of vitamin D, making it an invaluable resource for both settlers and off-world visitors.
The most striking landmark of Eternal Plateo is undoubtedly the Azure Waterfall, located near the Twilight Tea Fields. This cascading wonder is a serene spectacle, its clear blue waters tumbling gracefully into a crystalline lake below.
What makes Azure Waterfall truly unique is the lush expanse of Ruby Chicory fields surrounding the lake. These vibrant red flowers, glowing under Emerald's Gas Giant and the Sun, form a vivid contrast to the cool blue waters, creating a mesmerizing visual harmony. The fields not only enhance the area's beauty but also serve as a critical habitat for the region’s diverse ecosystem.
Within the lake itself thrives a remarkable array of marine lifeforms, many of which remain unclassified. The serene waters teem with bioluminescent species that light up during the twilight hours of solar eclipse, adding an ethereal glow to the landscape. Visitors to Azure Waterfall often describe it as a sanctuary of peace, a place where nature’s elegance and vitality coexist in perfect balance.
26th Century
The landing site, and subsequenctly Mark Cooper's place of living has been protectorated by Scientific Assembly, Named "Eternity Plateo" xxx continue