PLANET: Kepler-42d (Aurking)

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KEPLER-42D (AURKING)
Planetary System
Kepler-42 System, Doza Sector, Alpha Quadrant
Homeworld of the Korlackress


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Top Left: Characteristics of the planet Kepler-42d compared with those of Sol III and Sol V (Earth and Jupiter).

Top Right: Characteristics of the star Kepler-42 compared with those of Sol.

Middle Left: A satellite map of Kepler-42d with labeled points of interest.

Middle Right: Graphical representation of Kepler-42d's transit with Earth. Size comparison of Kepler-42 and the Sun along with a size comparison of Earth, Jupiter, and Kepler-42d.

Bottom Left: The planets of the Kepler-42 system compared to the planets of the Sol system.

Upper Bottom Right: A diagram showing Kepler-42b, Kepler-42c, and Kepler-42d in relation to the habitable zone of the system.

Lower Bottom Right: An image of the planet Kepler-42d as shown by long range sensors at the edge of the system.

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POINTS OF INTEREST


Silva Implexa Borealis (Northern Forest Thickets) - A mesh of thick forests covers the entire northern pole of the planet, disrupted only by small patches of open land where large 'flowers' grow. Notable creatures here include the Kepler Butterfly and the Scoop Flyer, which in the native tongue is called an Aljack. This place is most notable as being the ancestral home of the Korlackress, the planet's native inhabitants.

Silva Implexa Australis (Southern Forest Thickets) - A mesh of thick forests very similar to those on the northern pole cover the south pole of this planet. They are uninterrupted and are treacherous to pass through. Notable species here include a southern species of Aljacks, the Rattleypus, and the Vortex. This area is home to many Korlackress as it is close in environment to the Silva Implexa Borealis.

Campetstris Flavus (Yellow Plain) - An extremely flat plain of tall yellow grass, this area is classified as scrub land. Creatures here seem to either be sessile or evolved to travel long distances without effort.

Silva Montis (Mountain Forests) - Probe data suggests a large ridge running from the northern pole to the southern pole along the planet's prime meridian. The mountain range is covered in green plant life, similar to the Silva Implexas. More exploration is required.

Mare Unicus (The Only Sea) - This isolated patch of blue is suspected to be Kepler-42d's only sea. The area is dotted by small islands. More exploration is required.

Adriae Latus (Littoral Side) - On the eastern side of Mare Unicus a large littoral zone is present. Brown coloration is likely a result of sediment from the sea. More exploration is required.

Eremus Tortilis (Twisted Desert) - Probe data indicates an twisted, s-shaped area of dry land between Mare Unicus and Silva Montis. The lack of water vapor and location on the side of a mountain indicate that this area is a rain shadow desert. More exploration is required.

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Campestris Flavus Report of Alien Life




The first creature to be found on the mission, this large animal was found to measure 200 feet. It appears that its long body allowed it to effectively swim in the fast, turbulent wind of Kepler-42d's atmosphere. Surrounding the creature was a red haze which was found to be composed of microbial life. The creature's mouth fringes were being used to filter in the red haze. It's proposed name is Vermis volantis or Flying Worm.




This creature first appeared to be a rock, as most of its body was under the ground. It did not move until a small creature (see below) walked on to it, at which point the tail came up and hit the animal. Either paralyzing or killing it. The 'rock' then used its eyeless head to eat the prey. After done consuming it's prey it buried itself yet again. It's proposed name is Bob.



This small animal is the aforementioned prey of the ambush hunting 'rock'. What's unique about this creature is that it has very small legs, essentially stumps, which it walks on, but its primary means of transportation is extend a row of sails on its back and curling into a ball. The wind pushes the sails and rolls the creature. At one point it started to dig into the ground with its stumps. The purpose for this is unclear. It's proposed name is Roddus.



The 'rock' creature and this tall animal are indeed the same species according to scans. This one being the younger form. Not much is known about this towering beast. The name is still Bob.



The last creature to be found in Campestris Flavus, this animal was found to absorb liquid from the ground with the use of its tongue. This liquid was then used to fill the sack on its back. Once the sack was filled the animal preceded to sit down and rest. Captain Lazard approached the animal and offered his hand to it as a sign of friendliness. The creature stabbed his hand with its tongue. When fired upon with a stun beam from a rifle, it ran off. It's proposed name is Saggy.

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Silva Implexa Borealis Report of Alien Life


Night Chaser


This creature earned its name due to its apparent nature of hiding from the sun. The animal was first observed in the sky above the Silva Implexa Borealis, in the light of one of Kepler's moons. It was measure to be 429 feet long. It propels itself through the sky by undulating the three flaps extending out from its body. The Night Chaser is believed to be predatory as it charged the runabout with its mouth agape.

Kepler Butterfly


The Kepler Butterfly appears to be a peaceful animal, which flies much like Earth's Manta Rays. It is so named due to it extending its mouth to sip nectar from the flowers of a fairly large plant. The antennae and the large glowing orb on its head are both not known to have a purpose. The Kepler Butterfly seems to use a form of countershading, except with the upper part of the body not being dark, but rather green and brown to camouflage with the jungle below.

Scoop Flyer


A very friendly and social animal, the Scoop Flyer appears to have no fear of humanoids, and approached away team to interact with them. Before doing this they circled the area around the away team, maneuvering through the vines very well, and scooping up dirt with the bill, which they shoved into their mouth. This appears to be how they feed. After socializing with the group they scattered at the sign of a Spine Snake, described below. The Spine Snake charged after them, and appears to be their predator.

Spine Snake


The Spine Snake is an assumed predator on Kepler-42d. It is aggressive when provoked, with them attacking those they view as a threat. One of the ones met got very close to the away team and examined them. It was found to be looking at them using radar. A member of the away team shot and killed it out of defense when it rose up to presumably strike. While the away team ran off, a second one came from the location of the dead Spine Snake. After reviewing the evidence it is believe the second one saw the killing an perceive the away team as a threat, so it tried to kill them. After slicing one member of the away team's leg with its spine it was revealed that those spines deliver venom like a Terran Lionfish.

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Silva Implexa Australis Report of Alien Life


Rattleypus


The Rattleypus is a species very similar to the Scoop Flyer, likely due to environmental pressures being similar. A very friendly and social animal, the Rattelypus appears to have no fear of humanoids, and approached away team to interact with them. Before doing this they circled the area around the away team, maneuvering through the vines very well, and scooping up dirt with the bill, which they shoved into their mouth. This appears to be how they feed. They're tail is spiked and is proposed to be a form of defense against the predators of the area, the Vortex and the Spine Snakes.

Vortex


The Vortex is a slow flying predator that relies on ambush tactics to bring down prey. It is notable for carrying a sack of combustible gas in its body which it uses to ignite a fire that jettisons out air in a fast vortex, knocking down flying Rattleypus then leaving the area to wait for their eventual death.