Referred to as a “Canary Colony”, Sharedspace 911 is set to test the overall viability of Planet 11’s ability to support Human, Heydra and Negaleg life. A “Canary Colony” typically houses a small community of various species for 10 years, whilst in-depth research on the rest of the planet is carried out by the highly trained on-site staff. Should the colony prove to be a success more, less specialized, migrants will follow.

Sharedspace 911 currently runs almost entirely on TemPower. The TemPower plant is run by three of the five resident Heydra, synthesizing the raw Hydranium found on the costal regions into energy. Some solar collection is used for isolated scientific research, when power cabling proves unviable.

Imports and Exports arrive and depart through the single SpacePort, positioned on an island so full decontamination processes can be undertaken to ensure that no external contamination leaks on to the main continent. For similar regions, more dangerous scientific experiments are carried out on another island close to the main continent.

The proximity of two isolated islands were a large factor in choosing the site for Sharedspace 911, as the planet’s remarkably uniform environment offered many viable landing sites. Another factor was the mobility of the forests, which wander across the centre of the landmasses in seemingly random patterns. The forests avoid costal regions, thus the headland proved an ideal place to set up permanent buildings. A low intensity force field has been erected a precaution, barring any wandering plants from entering the colony boundaries.

The majority of Sharedspace 911’s government lies off world, in the Sharedspace Tritrent Council. Local government, for minor decisions, is a completely democratic process that takes place in the Governmental Hall. Votes are cast, and there is no option to contradict the resultant verdict. As the colony is so relatively small there is very little crime. Should one occur, the accused is to be immediately deported and sent back to their home world and, depending on the size of their crime, may be tried by their own government. It is a right of each citizen of Sharedspace 911 to place another citizen under arrest and alert others of the reported crime.
The hospital is a small but well equipped medical facility with two Negaleg and three Human doctors. One of the Human doctors specializes in general medicine for all fourteen of the galaxy’s sentient life forms. There are five nurses, all Human. Should a medical emergency prove too much for the facility to cope with, or should specialist surgery be required, the patient is placed in a stasis field and is sent off-world to larger hospitals for attention.

There is very little mechanized transport on Sharedspace 911. Owing to the relatively small size of the colony, many people live within walking distance of their workplaces. Pedal vehicles not dissimilar to old Earth bicycles are used for more long distance transport and exercise. There are five large vehicles within the colony, for the transportation of supplies and heavy equipment.

There are no schools owing to the fact that the majority of the population are single or childless scientists and laborers. Some families have brought their children, though. There are fifteen children, seven Human and eight Negalegs, who are home-schooled by their parents. During the day the children play either in or near the Recreation Hall, supervised by the staff there. It is important to note that this is the first group of young Humans and Negalegs being brought up side-by side.

The Recreation Hall is a two-story complex, the largest building in Sharedspace 911. The lower story holds a general gymnasium, with equipment suited to both Negaleg and Human physiology. The upper story has many entertainment games, such as virtual pilot and Air Hockey (one of the most popular and enduring Human arcade games). There are also fifteen Net terminals, connected to the OuterNet (Multi species Internet).

Technology is an amalgamation of Negaleg and Human, but this is almost a galactic constant now as both species have ‘borrowed’ much of the other’s advances. Perhaps of more interest is the amalgamation of traditional architecture, creating strange and often beautiful buildings that are unique to Sharedspace 911.

(The Recreation Hall)

Of the two hundred and fifteen residents, eighty are dispersed in small observation platforms for most of the planetary year. These observation platforms are simple hovering tent-like structures, with a small observation platform and two rooms within, and are designed to house up to four people (or two people and a Negaleg). Observation Platforms are the primary source of scientific information re the planet’s environment. As they hover over the land being studied, slowly roving across areas to survey, they cause no harm or change to the environment being observed. All findings are radioed in to a central research facility in the main colony, which categorizes and further studies the data. Observation platforms are usually sent on two or four month long missions, with rotating personnel to avoid internal friction developing between individuals living so closely together. Most of the scientifically trained residents of 911 have gone on at least one observation mission.

For the unlikely eventuality of an attack from an unknown force, each colonist is given basic emergency training, primarily the usage stealth equipment to conceal themselves. Five people with in depth combat training (three Negalegs, two Humans), who are also in charge of spaceport security, are sufficiently armed to protect the colonists until aid arrives from the Sharedspace peacekeeping forces. Two of the soldiers currently assigned to Sharedspace colony 911 (A Human and a Negaleg) also have some scientific knowledge and are sent on any potentially hazardous observation missions.

Twenty of the colony inhabitants are partners, siblings or close friends of the assigned residents. These non-scientific personnel are usually occupied by the maintenance of the colony and running of the Recreation Hall, supervision of the children and other menial tasks. A large portion of this group have skills in structural repair of buildings and roads. Any damaged equipment is sent off world for replacement or repair. The remaining one hundred and five residents are trained scientists in various relevant fields of study.

There is no need for shops on Sharedspace 911, all supplies and commodities are delivered from the SpacePort with the intended recipient’s name stamped on their containment crate. Every resident is paid a flat wage, depending on their training contributions to the colony, not in physical notes but into digital accounts. Food supplies are rationed out to each residence, each receiving the same staple food ingredients. All extra supplies, from new coats to favorite biscuits to model spaceships, are ordered from online stores via OuterNet and are delivered amongst all supplies.

The basic wage breakdown in HeuteMarks (¥) is thus:
Scientist (Professor) : ¥10000 p/a ($120 000 p/a*)
Scientist (Doctorate) : ¥7500 p/a ($90 000 p/a*)
Scientist : ¥6600 p/a ($80 000 p/a*)
Soldier: ¥5300 p/a ($70 000 p/a*)
Resident (Structural repair): ¥5300 p/a ($70 000 p/a*)
Resident (Other work): ¥2500 p/a ($30 000 p/a*)
Children’s Allowance: ¥ 46 p/a ($560 p/a [$15 per week] *) to be paid to children as pocket money.

Observation Mission Bonus: ? 108 ($500 fortnightly*)
Long Stay Bonus: ? 108 ($500 fortnightly*) payments commence after colonist has been a resident of 911 for over five years.

(*translated into old 2000 era currency and economic context for easier understanding)

Each family lives in a simple, medium sized and single story dwelling with full kitchen facilities, plumbing, communal room and separate bedrooms. Single colonists live in small, co-joined flats with a single bedroom, living area and bathroom. The houses themselves are only occupied during the night, very few residents spend more than sleeping and mealtimes in their homes.

Should Sharedspace 911 be completely isolated from supplies, it can produce enough food and repair materials to last for approximately one year.