User:Williams/Sandbox/Cestus III

Cestus III
Class:	Class-M
Type:	Federation Member World
Satellites:	Starbase 48 Orbital Office Complexes
Location:	Cestus system Beta Quadrant
Affiliation:	United Federation of Planets
Pike City, capital of Cestus III
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Cestus III is an M-class planet of the Cestus system, located in a region bordering the territory of the United Federation of Planets and the Gorn Hegemony and near space claimed by the Metrons. It is considered to be on the far side of the Federation in regards to much of the concentrated and highly populated areas surrounding the core worlds, but has grown into its own hub of activity since the colony was first established, being designated as the location for the headquarters of the Eleventh Fleet in 2386.

History

In the late 23rd century, Cestus III was on the frontier of Federation space, beyond which little was known. A small Earth Observation Outpost and colony were established, commanded by Commodore Travers. The establishment of this foothold alarmed the Gorn Hegemony; they regarded Cestus as part of their space and the colonists as invaders.

In 2267, a Gorn captain led his starship and ground forces in a counter-invasion strike, destroying the colony and slaughtering most of the colonists. Using faked communication and impersonating Travers, the Gorn lured the USS Enterprise to Cestus III, where the landing party, led by Captain James T. Kirk, beamed down to the planet's surface. The surface forces were repelled, and the Enterprise pursued the Gorn vessel to a point near 2466 PM, where both ships were seized by the Metrons and their captains forced to do battle.

Kirk's confrontation with the Gorn on the planet would later become one of the most famous incidents in his career. Benjamin Sisko once admitted he'd like to shake Kirk's hand and "ask him about fighting the Gorn on Cestus III".

Following intervention by the Metrons, the Gorn ceded Cestus III to the Federation. The planet became a thriving colony world over the course of the next century, with several cities springing up across the planet, including Pike City (the capital), Johnson City, Lakeside, New Chicago, Palombo, Port Shangri-La, and Prairieview, and eventually was elevated above its colony status to become a member in its own right in 2271.

The old Earth sport baseball saw a renaissance on Cestus III in 2371, with the establishment of the Cestus Baseball League. The sport of marathon running also played an important role on the planet.

Geography

Much of the planet's southern hemisphere is dominated by a large bowl-shaped continent which has a single mountain range, the Coronado Mountains, running along its middle. In the northern hemisphere, there are several island continents of varying sizes. Most settlements can be found on the coast of the large southern continent.

Pike City

Pike City is the capital of the Federation world Cestus III. It is also home to the Pike City Pioneers baseball team, and location of Ruth Field, the team's home sports stadium.

Named after the famous Starfleet officer Christopher Pike, the capital of Cestus III is also home to the Starfleet Command Complex, which houses the various offices and facilities required to support the Eleventh Fleet Headquarters.

Settlements Pike City Port Shangri-la New Chicago New Jericho New Fargo Lakeside Johnson City Palombo Prairieview Two Rivers

Rupertville Wagnerston Bowerston Ranges Coronado Mountains Ssoref Mountains Points of Interest Shackleford Observatory Moran Mining Institute for Human-Gorn Relations