The Floating Cities of Venus

Although there were efforts to establish a presence on Venus during The Solar Expansion Age, there was significant political tension created by this. If an earth superpower tried colonize Venus would be a political backlash since it would seen as a strategic move against the other powers. This combined with the unique challenges associated with colonizing Venus made it generally an unsuitable target. However, this did make Venus great home for those who wished to avoid the expansion race of the political heavy hitters in the solar system. Small independent space agencies and less than legitimate organizations started to thrive, building stations that would float in the high pressure atmosphere. These stations would become hubs for business without the constraints of complicated bureaucracies and legal systems. As the stations grew, they competed. Without any restraints it was those that were the most ruthless that survived and became the iconic floating cities of Venus. This rough, independent, and most importantly adaptable nature gave them the grit needed to face The Great Pulse and win. Even so, only a few the hardiest cities made it through. The prominent of the cities being Haskashar, Greyhom, and Quolourhom who would form The Venutian Free Cities Pact.