ORION COLONIES

The Orion colonies situated in the Rigel system, contain some of the most unique geological and cultural formations in the quadrant.

The Orion people are humanoid and almost identical in appearance to humans, although physically stronger and faster than their human dopplegangers, their physiology is almost identical. Some Orion females are born with a sort of genetic quirk that endows them with special abilities and turns their skin green.

Orion Prime is the eighth planet in order from the Rigel systems quadruple suns. Thirteen other planets grace the system, Orion II - IV are scattered in order and were colonized through either terra-forming or conquest.

The main source of wealth to the colonies comes from trading and the mining of ore from the myriad of the colonies' moons. Although semi-sanctioned piracy in the form of freebooters or privateers contribute greatly to the Orion government's wealth, the colonies have refocused the majority of their efforts into legal trade.
Maintaining a colonies wide population of nearly 35 billion people, the Orions have built a powerful nation based on trade and support from powerful investors in the Orion colonies' future. The Orion Colonies' close trade associations with the Tholians, Sheliak and Breen, has led to non aggression pacts and exchanges of technology as well as official ambassadorial privelages for the Orion Intergalactic Trade Administration.
Striving for growth to accomodate the colonies ever growing population has led the Orion people farther out into the stars than even the League of Independant Scouts have recorded. This has augmented the Orion peoples desire to grow as the technology and knowledge that their exploreres brought home, filled the colonies with a sense of national pride and solidarity.

The technological acquisitions of the Colonies explorers/privateers and the Orion peoples genuine desire to avoid outright warfare, has made the Orion government and Military a pivotal power in the sectors collective bodies. The Tholian Assembly, The Sheliak Corporate and the Breen Empire, all look to the Orion government for assistance in trade agreements and the occassional deliberation of treaties. In return for the Colonies assistance and more than fair treatment of the collective governments in the sector, the Orion people have the most unique privelage of being allies with some of the most powerful species in the quadrant.

Orion Physiology

Orion physiology (with few exceptions) is remarkabley similar to Humans. The gravitational forces in the Rigel system have made the Orioni physically stronger and faster than Humans but their general physiology both internally and externally is for the most part the same.

The intense radiation and gravity in the Rigel system has creates some long standing and accepted genetic variance in some Orion females. This variance deemed "Mutation X", causes the affected Orion to be born with Sky green skin as well as activates the subjects more primal latent introns. These mutations are physically stronger and somewhat mentally weaker than a "normal" Orion female. Another side effect of the mutation is an increased production of powerful pheromones associated with ovulation. These pheromones are extremely potent, especially when encountered by Human males who for some unknown reason are exceptionally suceptible them. Thus the interspecies legend of Human males being unable to resist Orion females.

The Genetic drive for Orions to expand and search for knowledge has manifested itself in todays society as a kinship with technology. The majority Orion citizens have gone through genetic enhancements of their physical and mental abilities. Genetic enhancement is mandatory in the Orion Military and it is common to encounter Orions with above average physical and mental abilities.

The varying genetic enhancements in the Orion species failed to destroy or repress the mutated X chromosme. Many unforseen side affects in a small percentage of the species wide genetic alterations surfaced througout the years, all were considered beneficial mutations.

Orion Military

The Orion Military is composed of three forces, each is well funded either privately or publicly. The main military force in the colonies is the OCRF (Orion Colonies Reaction Force). Composed of soldiers and equipment given, taken or volunteered, the OCRF is a the Orion standard military. They have many outposts and Planetary Fortifications throughout the colonies, under the command of the Orion Council they enforce the will of the colonies.

The second part of the Orion Military is composed of personal fleets (The House Armada) of Starships contributed by members of the Assembly. The House Armada is one of the largest personal fleets in the sector, their main duty is to protect their employers investments. It is common for warring families or factions to bond together closely in instances of war or threat from an outside force.

The third part of the Orion military is the CMF (Colony Militia Force). Considered to be a rag tag organization of ships and soldiers from the collective colonies, they sometimes have outdated equipment and poor supply lines, but their commitment to fight to the death for the colonies more than makes up for their lack of up to date materials.