Embrall
Embrall Worldlet 14-C Timeline
This page summarizes the currently accepted historical chronology of the Mouse-Rider habitat on Worldlet 14-C in the Embrall system.
~1200 Years Before the Imperial Calendar (c. -1200)
Ancient Human explorers discover an isolated population of Mouse-Riders inhabiting the naturally occurring thermally-cycled caverns beneath Worldlet 14-C.
Recognizing the scientific importance of the discovery, they establish a permanent research outpost within the asteroid. Rather than occupying the Mouse-Rider habitat itself, the Humans construct laboratories and observation facilities around its perimeter. Numerous observation ports, environmental sensors, and sampling stations are installed to study the native civilization with minimal disturbance.
The Mouse-Rider settlement remains intact during this period.
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c. -1100 to -900
Knowledge of the Mouse-Riders gradually spreads beyond the scientific community.
Commercial interests recognize the species as an unusual and valuable curiosity. Scientific study increasingly gives way to exploitation.
Large numbers of Mouse-Riders are removed from Embrall and transported throughout Human space. They become widely known as gladiators, performers, gambling attractions, and exotic curiosities.
This period later becomes known as the **Mouse-Rider Gladiatorial Era**.
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c. -900
The native Mouse-Rider population of Worldlet 14-C becomes extinct.
The exact cause is unknown.
Possible contributing factors include:
- Removal of breeding populations.
- Disruption of the carefully balanced thermal environment.
- Disease introduced through Human contact.
- Long-term ecological collapse.
The Ancient Human research station is abandoned.
For approximately two millennia the asteroid remains undisturbed.
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Imperial Year 814
Mining interests from Embrall begin exploratory drilling on Worldlet 14-C in search of commercially valuable ore.
Mining tunnels accidentally breach portions of the long-abandoned Ancient Human research station.
Mining operations are halted pending investigation.
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Imperial Year 837
The survey vessel **Prospector's Luck** investigates the newly exposed ruins.
Its surviving records describe:
- little economically valuable ore,
- an extensive archaeological complex,
- unusual worked passages,
- recommendations for further study.
The survey attracts little attention outside local mining circles.
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Imperial Year 839
Archaeologists from the Gerontocracy of Ormine conduct a formal investigation.
They determine the site to be an exceptionally well-preserved Ancient Human archaeological complex associated with an unknown extinct sophont culture.
Recognizing its historical importance, Ormine declares the area a protected archaeological reserve.
The following are installed:
- autonomous TL-11 security robots,
- environmental monitoring stations,
- long-duration fission trickle power systems,
- periodic maintenance schedules.
The existence of the deeper habitat is deliberately kept out of the public scientific literature in order to discourage looting and unauthorized exploration.
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Imperial Year 1059
A commercial mining consortium receives permission to conduct **Survey 47**, hoping modern technology may permit renewed mineral extraction.
Three survey craft participate.
Only one returns.
The surviving crew report repeated tunnel collapses, equipment failures, and hazardous conditions.
Following the incident, all mining rights are permanently revoked and Worldlet 14-C is closed to further commercial activity.
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Imperial Year 1101
The most recent scheduled Ormine maintenance expedition services the archaeological monitoring equipment.
Maintenance includes:
- replacement of consumable components,
- reactor inspection,
- recalibration of environmental sensors,
- servicing of the security robots.
The installation is expected to remain operational for approximately two additional decades without further intervention.
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Imperial Year 1114
The Meamone expedition arrives in the Embrall system while investigating genetic material recovered from a preserved Mouse-Rider specimen housed in the Museum of Colonial Heritage on Carter.
Following historical leads uncovered on Carter and information obtained at Port Embrall, Commander Lysi leads an expedition aboard the pinnace **Desme** to Worldlet 14-C.
The expedition becomes the first known unauthorized exploration of the archaeological preserve in over fifty years.