HOME | DD

Description
Planet cracking is the process by which a planet is forcibly disassembled in a controlled manner, in order to render the planet down to its constituent minerals for later resale. This process is similar to, but distinct from, planetary destruction as an act of war, because that involves the violent destruction of a planet without regard for its economic value. Intent is the distinguishing factor, and methods for planet cracking and planetary destruction are sometimes interchangeable.

Planet cracking is utilized throughout the galaxy by every major interstellar society. While asteroids and comets remain the primary source of raw materials in the galaxy, planets are a rich source of heavy and radioactive minerals. Planetary cores are particularly valuable, as they are where most heavy metals are found.

The methods for planet cracking vary widely. The most commonly used method is via mass driver. A large slug, moving at near-light speed velocities, can easily cleave off a continent-sized chunk of a planet and allow mining craft access to the core. Another popular method is the use of large tractor beams. A group of spacecraft are positioned around a region, and use their tractor beams to tear the planet apart bit by bit. Nova bombs are yet another method, frequently used by the Citizens' Alliance. Superlasers can be used, but are unpopular; most modern superlasers are military-grade, intended to pierce through planetary shielding and violently destroy the planet below. While effective in sending a message of strength, it is inconvenient for miners, as they would have to track down every small piece of the planet flung throughout the star system.

The vast majority of planets cracked are uninhabited, as it is more convenient to mine a planet which does not have a local population which will likely object to their homeworld being destroyed. The major exception is during repossession actions. Sometimes, planetary governments and institutions will take out loans with an interstellar banks, often based in the Consortium of Sovereign Systems. This is done for a variety of reasons, often due to corruption and a subsequent decline in tax revenue that the central government will find unacceptable. These banks lend at exorbitant interest to persons with poor credit, but for these leaders, they are the only choice.

If a debtor is delinquent on his payments, these banks will issue a repossession action. Petitioning the central government, and possibly the Protectorate courts, the banks present a case that the debtor has not paid, and that the bank therefore has the right to repossess. Oftentimes, the local government has also been delinquent on taxes or tithes, and the bank will offer the central government (and any relevant sub-central authorities) a cut of the repossession profits. Repossession is almost always approved, as it is more advantageous for a central government to lose one planet out of millions, than it is to get into a conflict with a Consortium-secured bank. Once approved, the bank hires a repossession fleet, often made up of shortmen and a dedicated planet cracker rig, to conduct the repossession.

Repossession begins first with a financial assessment by the creditor. Sale of leadership over the planet, or of the planet in total private ownership, is offered on the galactic market. If there are no buyers, then the planet will be disassembled until the debt is paid. The first step is the evacuation of the entire planetary population onto thousands of carrier craft. First to be seized are all "technological assets." This includes all assets in orbit and in urban areas, particularly those owned by local leadership. Entire cities can be contained and carried away into orbit by tractor beam, to be placed in a large orbital warehouse until it is purchased by a buyer. "Ecological assets" are next, which includes any biological matter, oceans, and the atmosphere, but excluding sapients. Atmospheres are particularly lucrative, as many city worlds have polluted atmospheres and pay tremendous fees to have fresh air pumped into habitats. These operations are often conducted by shortmen, which have some of the most reliable and advanced tractor beams in the galaxy.

Next, the planet's sapients are seized. Imperial serfs and lower Federation castes are sold into slavery or reduced to their constituent organic materials, as they are legally considered the personal property of the debtor-planetary leader. Free sapients are released to their home government, but are required to pay a portion of their planet's debt. If they do not do so, they will become a target for repossession. Lastly, the planet is cracked, and the planet's constituent minerals are sold on the open market. It is not likely that a debtor owes so much that it is necessary for a planet to be cracked, but it has happened several thousand times. If the debt is still not yet paid, then the bank eats the loss.

Description
Planet cracking is the process by which a planet is forcibly disassembled in a controlled manner, in order to render the planet down to its constituent minerals for later resale. This process is similar to, but distinct from, planetary destruction as an act of war, because that involves the violent destruction of a planet without regard for its economic value. Intent is the distinguishing factor, and methods for planet cracking and planetary destruction are sometimes interchangeable.

Planet cracking is utilized throughout the galaxy by every major interstellar society. While asteroids and comets remain the primary source of raw materials in the galaxy, planets are a rich source of heavy and radioactive minerals. Planetary cores are particularly valuable, as they are where most heavy metals are found.

The methods for planet cracking vary widely. The most commonly used method is via mass driver. A large slug, moving at near-light speed velocities, can easily cleave off a continent-sized chunk of a planet and allow mining craft access to the core. Another popular method is the use of large tractor beams. A group of spacecraft are positioned around a region, and use their tractor beams to tear the planet apart bit by bit. Nova bombs are yet another method, frequently used by the Citizens' Alliance. Superlasers can be used, but are unpopular; most modern superlasers are military-grade, intended to pierce through planetary shielding and violently destroy the planet below. While effective in sending a message of strength, it is inconvenient for miners, as they would have to track down every small piece of the planet flung throughout the star system.

The vast majority of planets cracked are uninhabited, as it is more convenient to mine a planet which does not have a local population which will likely object to their homeworld being destroyed. The major exception is during repossession actions. Sometimes, planetary governments and institutions will take out loans with an interstellar banks, often based in the Consortium of Sovereign Systems. This is done for a variety of reasons, often due to corruption and a subsequent decline in tax revenue that the central government will find unacceptable. These banks lend at exorbitant interest to persons with poor credit, but for these leaders, they are the only choice.

If a debtor is delinquent on his payments, these banks will issue a repossession action. Petitioning the central government, and possibly the Protectorate courts, the banks present a case that the debtor has not paid, and that the bank therefore has the right to repossess. Oftentimes, the local government has also been delinquent on taxes or tithes, and the bank will offer the central government (and any relevant sub-central authorities) a cut of the repossession profits. Repossession is almost always approved, as it is more advantageous for a central government to lose one planet out of millions, than it is to get into a conflict with a Consortium-secured bank. Once approved, the bank hires a repossession fleet, often made up of shortmen and a dedicated planet cracker rig, to conduct the repossession.

Repossession begins first with a financial assessment by the creditor. Sale of leadership over the planet, or of the planet in total private ownership, is offered on the galactic market. If there are no buyers, then the planet will be disassembled until the debt is paid. The first step is the evacuation of the entire planetary population onto thousands of carrier craft. First to be seized are all "technological assets." This includes all assets in orbit and in urban areas, particularly those owned by local leadership. Entire cities can be contained and carried away into orbit by tractor beam, to be placed in a large orbital warehouse until it is purchased by a buyer. "Ecological assets" are next, which includes any biological matter, oceans, and the atmosphere, but excluding sapients. Atmospheres are particularly lucrative, as many city worlds have polluted atmospheres and pay tremendous fees to have fresh air pumped into habitats. These operations are often conducted by shortmen, which have some of the most reliable and advanced tractor beams in the galaxy.

Next, the planet's sapients are seized. Imperial serfs and lower Federation castes are sold into slavery or reduced to their constituent organic materials, as they are legally considered the personal property of the debtor-planetary leader. Free sapients are released to their home government, but are required to pay a portion of their planet's debt. If they do not do so, they will become a target for repossession. Lastly, the planet is cracked, and the planet's constituent minerals are sold on the open market. It is not likely that a debtor owes so much that it is necessary for a planet to be cracked, but it has happened several thousand times. If the debt is still not yet paid, then the bank eats the loss.