Pretoria (world)

Pretoria (Deneb 0406) Subsector Capitol

Pretoria was originally settled during the first century of the Third Imperium's expansion. As with so many other worlds in the coreward and spinward corner of the sector, the first colonists were predominantly Vilani. Later colonization waves of Solomani and mixed blood humans eventually assimilated into these communities, and the racial distinction faded away on most worlds. But on Pretoria the Vilani were able to preserve their cultural heritage almost intact, as their urban communities were tightly organized around small neighborhood sized collectives known as Meshdigarli. This led to some tension with immigrating Solomani, but in many cases these latecomers were less well organized than the Vilani, and were easily assimilated into the tightknit communities. This same communal loyalty created problems when a noble family of pureblooded Solomani descent, known as the Carles-Davies took over the world after the Alkhalikoi ascension. It was to have disastrous consequences, culminating in the infamous Rachelean Revolts.

Because of this conflict, traditional education and authority had to go underground. Educators formed secret shadow academies where students were taught the Vilani language and culture, in small dormitories and cloistered classrooms. Attempts to ferret out these "school-rings" with random searches and expedient mass arrests further radicalised the population, and many school-rings became training grounds for terrorists and resistance cells. These rings carefully preserved the world's Vilani culture and language, and eventually took the lead for planetary recovery and communal reconciliation after the Carles-Davies were exiled and martial law imposed.

Grief and shame over the actions of Zidi Rachele and his terrorists led to self-imposed isolation, and the world became known as the "Tomb of Deneb" to its occupying troops for the reticence and silent suffering of the population. The world, already badly damaged by the Carles-Davies repression, stagnated economically to the point that other Vilani began to shun it and its inhabitants. It was only with the beginning of the Imperial Civil War, and subsequent Hard Times that Pretoria finally shook off its tragic past. It was the main base for naval units protecting the coreward frontier against Vargr raiders and invaders, and local defense cadres distinguished themselves in pitched battles. This patriotic renaissance was severely tried by the Collapse, but the sacrifices of its populace in accomodating billions of Human and Vargr refugees placed the world back into the mainstream, and the Meshdigarli began assuming more and more official power and authority. Pretoria was one of the first worlds granted Home Rule after the onset of the Representational Reforms.

The massive population boom that followed the Collapse, and the aftermath of centuries of occupation severely altered the world's traditional geography. It has no single dominating urban center, and the major cities sprawl over thousands of square kilometers. Wilderness and urban development create a checkerboard pattern discernible from the air or orbit, and the lights of civilization can be found in nearly every corner of the globe. Most of the world suffers from long, snowy winters, and most of the population resides indoors in apartment-like structures of linked residences, schools and shops. Depending upon the size and organization of its population, many of these structures are either autonomous governments, or link themselves together into virtual states. This semi-anarchic structure is a direct result of police terror, and tax revenues and governmental authority is split between recognised Collective member-states.

Economically the world is closely tied to supporting the Quarantine and its forces. Most of the new economic development since the Collapse has been funded indirectly by heavy military investment in local infrastructure and defense facilities. The local naval base is just shy of being a Depot in its own right, and has extensive orbital and lunar facilities scattered around the system. The 194th Fleet itself is based at a huge orbital arcology that dwarfs every other orbital facility in the system. Pretoria's local industry is not dominated by the large military "Plant#s" that are found in other high tech systems, as the world's proximity to the Frontier deemed it too vulnerable.

Pretoria's local culture is rather odd too. Academics are very heavily stressed in local society, though free compulsory education is unobtainable locally, and a student's progress is based upon their ability to obtain scholarships and community sponsorship based upon their academic accomplishments. Top academics and scientists live in quarters and conditions that separate and insulate them from local politics and the common man. In contrast to this basically powerless elite, secret societies are actually in control of most local politics. While the Meshdigarli keep things running smoothly, these societies duke it out for dominance and political favors in backroom manuevering and often violent intrigue. While the existence of these groups are directly traceable to terrorist rings during the Carles-Davies' reign, the locals justify their existence as a democratic application of the ancient Vilani Shadow Emperor. The fear of these politics, and residue of the past, (and the cold climate) compels the citizenry to cover themselves in heavy, concealing clothing to prevent easy individual recognition.

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

• Peter Gray - Gray Matter