ND0/K4
| Map | Basic Data | Planetary Image | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Name: | ND0/K4 | 
|
| Segmentum: | Segmentum Obscurus[1] | ||
| Sector: | Calixis Sector[1] | ||
| Subsector: | Golgenna Reach[1] | ||
| System: | |||
| Population: | ~4500 (?)[1] | ||
| Affiliation: | Imperium[1] | ||
| Class: | Mining World[1], Gas Giant[1] | ||
| Tithe Grade: | |||
ND0/K4 is a gas giant of the Imperium located in the Golgenna Reach within the Calixis Sector. Its atmosphere is rich in chemicals used in various industrial and manufacturing processes, including hydrogen, helium, and ethane.[1]
Contents
Overview
The gasses in ND0/K4's atmosphere are harvested by workers operating out of large refinery platforms, which are balanced in delicate, very low orbits. Each platform is a crumbling relic consisting of claustrophobic mazes of access tunnels, processing centres, and power plants, along with vast magnetic particle nets. The potential sabotage of a single platform could cripple industry across Calixis.[1]
The planet is ruled by a class of techpriests, with the refinery workers forming a social class beneath them. The imbalance between the two groups (both economically and socially) has led to unrest, not helped by the dangerous nature of the work on the platforms, the low population and ND0/K4's relative isolation from the wider sector. Tensions between the Cult Mechanicus and Ecclesiarchy run high as well, and several times the Cult has accused the Ministorum of actually fomenting rebellion against them in an effort to seize power for themselves, leading to further instability. While the two organisations have never come to direct conflict, there is mutual distrust and suspicion that threatens to spill over into something much worse. Throughout the planet's history there have been several violent uprisings, usually by the working class against the Cult.[1]
The largest moon of ND0/K4, known as "The Staff" is the subject of many rumours. Agents of the Mechanicus have explored a number of tunnel systems beneath the moon's surface, although not all of them made it back alive. Few can say for certain what, if anything, the Tech Priests have found on these expeditions; although some say that the tunnels are haunted and/or filled with ancient relics, the Tech Priests have kept their findings a secret.[1]
History
There have been several violent uprisings on ND0/K4 over the years; usually this consists of the work class railing against their masters in the Cult Mechanicus, but on occasion the Cult has accused the Ministorum of actively fomenting rebellion.[1]
Geography
There are three primary platform networks within ND0/K4's atmosphere. In keeping with the Tech-Adepts' typical lack of imagination, these are called Platum Primus, Platum Secundus, and Platum Trifectus. In addition to these, there are several smaller networks.[1]
ND0/K4's atmosphere is unbreathable by humans. This, coupled with the extreme cold due to the distance between ND0/K4 and its sun, means exposure is fatal within seconds.[1]
Two large cyclonic storms rage on the planet, roughly centred over the two magnetic poles. Each is several thousand kilometres across[1]
Flora and Fauna
Although no organisms are known to inhabit the world directly, some of the larger mining platforms have hydroponic farms which grow crops and raise livestock to help feed the small population.[1]
Society
The planet's population is small, approximately 4,500. About a third of this number are the Tech Priests who operate and maintain the refinery networks, while the rest are dock and refinery workers who perform the less technical, more labour intensive chores associated with the collection and refining of the various chemicals.[1]
The compact, highly dangerous environment coupled with meagre means for self-sustenance, means most aspects of everyday life here are highly regimented and rationed. In practice, this boils down to state control of production, resources, and the distribution of wealth. Several times during ND0/K4's history there have been riots and rebellions, usually by the dock workers demanding more food rations, but sometimes for a greater portion of the wealth coming in. Due to the industrial nature and presence of the Cult Mechanicus, the world is relatively technically advanced.[1]
Politics
Each network has a small council of Tech Priests, and the three councils of the primary networks in turn form the Triumvirate, which governs the planetary system.[1]
The Planetary Governor is elected by his peers from within the Triumvirate. The current Governor is Machinist Prefect Luxica Archelm.[1]
Economy
Most are in the employ of the Tech Priests running the platforms and the standard imperial currency is employed. The planet is obligated to provide its quotas of refined hydrogen and ethane, as well as other industrial chemicals produced there. The method in which resources are siphoned from the atmosphere is by using long spires dropping from the bottom of the platforms. These spires, miles long, are charged electrically and the clusters of them form magnetic particle nets in the swirling currents of the atmosphere. Particles are collected, concentrated, and pumped up to the refineries constantly.[1]
Water is the key import. Food is often brought in as well, though the small population means that the hydroponic farms are adequate to meet their needs. As mentioned, food riots do sometimes occur, though these are usually crushed in quick order.[1]
- Principle Exports: Liquidized ethane, hydrogen, helium, methane, and other industrial chemicals.[1]
- Principle Imports: Foodstuffs, industrial tools and machinery, raw materials to repair and maintain the refineries.[1]
Religion
As Tech Priests make up a large percentage of the population, the Cult of the Machine God is the most prevalent faith. The Ecclesiarchy maintains small chapels on every major platform, however.[1]
Military
The Tech Priests have a very small force of Skitarii to guard secure areas from non-initiates and act as general security. Occasionally the local Cardinals have requested small detachments of military units, typically answered by two or three squads of Adepta Sororitas, in the rare times of crises.[1]
Satellites
A total of fifteen satellites of various types orbit ND0/K4. These moons and satellites are referred as S.01 through S.15 from the inner most going outwards. However, only two of these are considered significant, having been giving (albeit informal) proper names by the populace; the other thirteen are very small, non-spherical bodies.[1]
The largest moon, S.01, is known as "The Staff". It is covered in long-dry ocean beds and canals, along with a labyrinthine system of refineries, pumps and arcane devices of as-yet undetermined purpose.[1]
The other moon of interest is S.02, known as "Weyland's Gate". It acts as a staging area and way station for cargo going to or coming from the planet.[1]
Other Planetary Data
- Equatorial Circumference: 16,684 Miles.[1]
- Gravity: 1.23G[1]
- Years and Days: ND0/K4 takes 43,010 Terran standard days to orbit its star and spins on its axis every 68 Terran hours.[1]
- Mean Surface Temperature: -193 °C[1]
- Tropospheric Composition: Hydrogen - 73%, Helium - 13%, Ethane - 9%, Methane - 4%, Other - <1% [1]
Contact with Other Worlds
From the point of the view of the sector command ND0/K4 is a backwater mining colony that makes a significant contribution to the industrial efforts throughout the region. Nevertheless, the average person probably is not aware it even exists, except perhaps to some as just another mark on the sector charts, one of hundreds. Iocanthus is the nearest major world.[1]
Trivia
 |
- The Black Industries website for the Calixis Sector credits Dave McKenzie for coming up with ideas for ND0/K4.[1]
See also
Sources
- 1: Black Industries' Calixis Sector: ND0/K4 (saved archive page, dated 3 February 2008, last accessed 25 March 2026)
