Tokled outpost

The most isolated human habitation in all the ocean is the outpost on Tokled.  It has a tiny footprint and a minuscule population, but a potentially critical role for the future of the Cluster Islands.  Of all the sapient non-human species known to exist in the world, only Tokled's tkevsas are on a similar technological level.  Aside from the usual goals of cataloguing a new island's resources, the Tokled outpost is also charged with developing a relationship with the tkevsas for the purpose of trading goods and ideas.

Demographics

A typical outpost crew comprises a captain, subcaptain, supply officer, medic, radio operator, and mission team; Tokled's includes two linguists to maintain communications with the tkevsas.  To stay within the population limit, the mission team has several rotating shifts of specialists to study Tokled's geology, weather patterns, ecosystems, technology, and cultures.  Because of concern over harrassment by the Dregs, a high percentage of the outpost personnel are former members of military organizations.

Assets

The Rising Sun, while technically owned by the Exploratory Corps, was permanently assigned to the Tokled outpost.  It was the only flagship suited for the long-haul journey from the Cluster Islands to Tokled.

History

In 2052 Vol high-peaked islands were proposed to exist in the Vast Eastern Gap, based on disturbances in expected cloud patterns moving in from that direction.  Three years later an expedition into the Gap discovered not only the island chain of Tokled, but also a tool-using species living on it.  A tiderider tradition, upheld by the Exploratory Corps, forbids establishing a colony on an already-inhabited island. An outpost is allowed on the conditions that it does not expand beyond a maximum area, has no permanent residents, and has the inhabitants' continued permission to exist. In the case of Tokled, the permission was the most difficult condition, since it required learning enough of the tkevsa's writing to ask for it.  With the permission finally obtained, the outpost was set up the following year.

Before the end of the outpost's first mission cycle, acts of sabotage threatened the cordial interspecies relationship.  The Rising Sun was destroyed, as was one of the tkevsa flying engines, with loss of life on both sides.  The conflict was ultimately resolved by a pair of Water Seekers who crossed the Gap after sensing a desperate situation brewing.

Geography

The outpost is situated on a small barren peninsula near where the east rift system meets the ocean.  The spot was chosen so that the outpost could be convenient to anchorage and also easily tap the volcano for geothermal power.

Type

Outpost / Base

Population

usually 10-15; an outpost may not house more than 20 at any time

Location under

Tokled

Owning Organization

Exploratory Corps