The history of the Outpost is intrinsically linked to the hidden civilization of the Hollow, born from an ancient cataclysm. In 3200 CE, the universe witnessed the Sundering, a devastating event that obliterated the Aegis Prime orbital drydock. Hyper-velocity debris rained upon the planetoid of Palloma, effectively "scalping" its surface and rendering it uninhabitable for most life.
The surviving support staff and engineers of Palloma's surface facilities sought refuge. They retreated deep into the natural lava tubes and honeycombed caverns beneath the scorched surface, seeking shelter from the bombardment and the deadly orbital radiation. Isolated in the perpetual shadow cast by the gas giant Luar, these survivors established a desperate colony, which would eventually become known as the Hollow.
Over the ensuing millennium, the inhabitants of the Hollow underwent a radical adaptation to their subterranean existence. The severe climatic shifts and complete lack of sunlight necessitated innovative solutions for survival. They cultivated bioluminescent fungi to illuminate their world and developed advanced subterranean hydroponics to sustain themselves, transforming their caves into glowing, self-sufficient ecosystems.
This crucible of survival forged a unique culture defined by "The Quiet," a philosophy that equated silence with safety and discretion. To maintain social harmony and resource balance within their confined environment, they implemented rigid rituals and a strict population cap of 85 citizens. The Pallomans developed an absolute isolationism, viewing the open sky as a source of death and a dangerous realm.
While the Pallomans presented themselves as simple survivalists, their society was built upon a terrifying necessity. The "Sleeper Artifact," a pre-Sundering logic-engine they worshipped as a divine provider, was far more than just a generator. It was, in truth, a powerful Psionic Dampening Field, designed to shield the nascent colony from the madness and psychic chaos unleashed by the Sundering.
However, the Sleeper Artifact was damaged during the initial collapse of civilization. To function effectively and bridge its broken neural pathways, the machine required a "Wetware" interface. This dark secret was meticulously guarded by the ruling Gerontocratic Council.
The strict population limit of 85 was not due to food shortages, as commonly believed. The 86th citizen, rather than being exiled to the surface as claimed, was taken to the "Inner Sanctum." There, they were physically hardwired into the Sleeper Artifact, their living brain providing the vital cognitive processing power needed to keep the atmospheric shields active. The elaborate "Vigil of the Sleeper" rituals were meticulously designed to mask the agonizing psychic screams of the victims trapped within the machine's interface.
As of recent times, the Sleeper Artifact has grown increasingly hungry, its demands for cognitive input becoming more insistent. The vital atmospheric shielding it provides is failing, creating a crisis for the Hollow. The Gerontocratic Council now fears they may need to sacrifice more than just the excess population to maintain the shields and prevent the massive energy signature of the artifact from being detected by the scanners of the aggressive Red Sun Dominion.
It was against this backdrop of deep-seated secrets and existential threats that a brief, external event occurred. On 16 January 3289, an "Outpost" was founded in the general vicinity of the Hollow, though its specific purpose and architects remain shrouded. Its existence was incredibly short-lived, as it was subsequently abandoned, leaving behind only a whisper of its founding.
Today, the Hollow remains a clandestine society, hidden from the outside universe. It continues to exist in a state of "Resource Critical" vulnerability, perpetually on the brink of discovery, its dark secret simmering beneath the surface of its tranquil, glowing caves.
