Lampsacus Palomar Cluster, Patmos' Star

Colony Founded: 2163 CE

Population: 14,091

Capital: Cybarrhaeot

Established in the Attican Traverse at the height of tensions between the Alliance and Hegemony, Lampsacus languished under the threat of raids for the first seven years following its establishment. The world was sacked in 2170 by batarian-backed raiders from the Terminus Systems: the attack resulted in over 300 casualties, with an estimated 120 colonists captured and forced into slavery. Emboldened by the lack of serious resistance and negligible Alliance presence, the raiders would subsequently move on to prey on nearby Mindoir, perpetrating the infamous massacre.

The sack generated significant anti-Alliance sentiment among the colony's populace, which culminated in a political crisis when the colonial governor - with overwhelming public support - declared his intention of seceding from the Systems Alliance. Civil disorder broke out in the colony's capital following the announcement, with an Alliance government office being looted and occupied by pro-separatist protestors, while the one Alliance base on-world was blockaded by armed colonists who proceeded to prohibit the personnel inside from exiting or from procuring supplies. After repeated requests from Arcturus calling for the resignation of the governor went ignored, the Fifth Fleet's 63rd Scout Flotilla was deployed to restore public order. However, the presence of the flotilla only served to rile up the populace, leading to widespread rioting and looting. It would take two days for the Alliance contingent to restore order. Although there were no fatalities, property damages were estimated to be as high as 3 million credits, while the resulting bureaucratic re-organization and 'purging' greatly impeded reconstruction efforts.

The events had a strong impact on the Alliance administration: as summarized by analysts, they demonstrated to the Alliance establishment just how unpopular various federal policies (particularly in areas of defense) were, while serving as a sobering reminder that the colonies were willing to stand up in the name of their security and prosperity.


Luna Local Cluster, Solar System

Colony Founded: 2069 CE

Population: 4.2 million

The site of humanity's first manned space landing in 1969 CE, Luna also served as the host of humanity's first permanent extra-terrestrial settlements exactly one century later, beginning with the establishment of Armstrong Outpost by the United States in the Mare Tranquillitatis. In spite of a slow start, the population of these settlements exploded in the late 2070s, when refugees fleeing from the outbreak of the Third World War on Earth flocked en masse for the perceived safety of the lunar outposts.

Following the end of World War III and the increasingly visible depletion of Earth's resources, economic development on Luna began in earnest: the satellite became a valuable source of metals and minerals necessary for the reconstruction of Earth's industry. The establishment of manned research outposts on Mars in the 2080s and the resultant scramble for the colonization of the Solar System in the 2090s further propelled growth, with the Moon finding itself a prime supplier of materials required for the manufacture of starships and space habitats. Although its status as an economic powerhouse diminished considerably following the successful establishment of the extra-solar colonies, Luna's strategic proximity to Earth has assured it a high level of importance.

As is the case with Earth, Luna is not Alliance colony: the various settlements on the Moon are instead under the jurisdiction of the various Earth-based states that established them. Currently, the largest city is the UNAS hub of Armstrong Outpost (with a population of 1.97 million), aptly named after the first human to walk on the Moon. Aside from the various population centers, a number of Earth's states maintain a heavy military presence on the satellite.


Lykandos Tlalocan Cluster, Pilares System

Colony Founded: 2178 CE (formally)

Population: 6,492 (permanent)

Capital: Dyrrachium

Lykandos is a terrestrial world of basaltic rock, with a methane-argon atmosphere wholly unsuitable for life.

Discovered by human surveyors in the 2150s and only cursorily charted, the world remained neglected until a freighter sent to the system for appraisal purposes in 2174 spotted a number of visible patterns on the planet's southern latitudes. Closer inspection revealed these to be the ruins of ancient settlements and mining stations, of comparatively large size. Initially believed to be of Prothean origin, subsequent excavations pointed to construction by the enigmatic Densorin. The archaeological findings have been noteworthy: for example, a series of well-preserved murals discovered in 2184 shattered the notion that the Densorin had been a peaceful culture of mystics and priests (a position long-held and championed for by the well-respected archaeologist and historian from Thessia, Matriarch Sederis), as the murals clearly depicted and appeared to glorify war, ritual sacrifice, and torture.

The Alliance maintains various research stations on the planet, and permanent settlements have followed suit, with local settlers eking out an existence by providing supplies and services to the stations' staff. The growth of colonies on the otherwise featureless world has been accompanied by development of other planetary bodies in the system, spurred by the discovery of generous mineral deposits on uranium-rich Mayahuel and the easily accessible gold veins on Chaac.