The Pallas system is renowned for the first contact between humans and the Xi’An, where 276 humans were taken captive, leading to a Cold War and centuries of distrust between the species. Despite negotiations and the eventual release of hostages, the incident laid the foundation for a relationship defined by paranoia and limited cooperation, with the Pallas system now a symbol of the complex interspecies dynamics between Humanity and the Xi’An.
The Pallas system, specifically known for the first contact between humans and the Xi’An, resulted in 276 humans being taken captive by the Xi’An. This encounter set the stage for a Cold War and sowed seeds of distrust between the two species for centuries. Humanity’s rapid expansion into new systems led to governance challenges, prompting the formation of the United Planets of Earth (UPE) to manage the expanding territory. Guia Planet Services, a company notorious for ignoring laws, won the bid for the Pallas system and began terraforming without proper permits, resulting in the capture of the humans by the Xi’An.
The Xi’An captured the humans in Pallas, marking Humanity’s first encounter with them. A language barrier separated the two species, but the Xi’An released a human, Baxter, as a sign of goodwill. Negotiations ensued to secure the release of the remaining hostages, with the UPE facing pressure to meet the Xi’An’s demands. After 57 days, a deal was reached, and all hostages were released unharmed. However, the Xi’An’s demand for information about the UPE’s empire and systems caused controversy and laid the foundation for distrust between the two species.
Following the Pallas incident, the relationship between Humanity and the Xi’An was defined by paranoia and distrust. The Xi’An abandoned the Pallas system during tensions with the Messer regime, leaving it in Xi’An hands as a scientific research system. Human access to the system is highly regulated, with mining activities restricted in certain areas. The Pallas system comprises various celestial bodies, including a gas giant with a Xi’An research station and a mineral-rich asteroid belt protected by the Xi’An.
The terrestrial world of Pallas 3, where the first contact occurred, was used by the Xi’An for geohack and terraforming experiments. Smoke-filled areas on the planet hint at underground fires, possibly part of Xi’An experiments. Despite the Xi’An deeming some areas off-limits, there are still temptations to mine the mineral-rich asteroid belt. The Xi’An have constructed a research station on the gas giant, Palace 4, showcasing advanced technology beyond the UPE’s capabilities.
The Pallas system remains a symbol of the complex relationship between Humanity and the Xi’An, characterized by mutual suspicion and limited cooperation. With the system designated as a scientific research area by the Xi’An, visitors must adhere to strict regulations to avoid interdiction or destruction of their ships. The legacy of the Pallas incident continues to influence interactions between the two species, highlighting the importance of diplomacy and mutual understanding in interspecies relations.