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Labyrinth

Mars-like world toward the outer Perseus Arm, known for its alien tunnel complex.

Labyrinth
Image from Steve Bowers
SystemStar Minos, JD 1330778
Type G8IV
Mass 1.65 x Sol
Distance from Sol 3041 ly
Constellation Perseus
Planet Labyrinth
Mass 0.312 x Earth
Radius 4492 km
Gravity 0.63 gees
Type Arean AquaArean + AquaCryptian: geologically inactive world with subterranean life
When first discovered, the planet seemed to be a fairly standard Arean type world. Seismic surveys discovered otherwise. First discovered at the North pole of the world and found to extend under its entire surface was a huge, apparently artificial, complex of tunnels and chambers, some of them nearly a kilometer across. As quickly as possible, an expedition was outfitted and a passage was drilled into the tunnel complex.

What the researchers found was astonishing. The entire tunnel complex is home to an underground ecology of great complexity. Totally adapted to the lightless existence of the caves, life forms rely on hearing, smell, touch, thermal perception and natural sonar to navigate a world without a sun.

Numerous artificial geothermal vents provide both heat and atmospheric gases which are processed by a complex of fungus and moss-like plant-forms into a breathable atmosphere. Deep wells and underground rivers, lakes and even small seas provide water. Life forms ranging in size from bacteria to larger than an elephant live in the cave complexes although no sapient life forms have ever been found. Particularly common is the Aurora Crab, a bioluminescent detritus feeder.

Labyrinth cave
Image from Steve Bowers
A view inside the caves of Labyrinth, showing a colony of stalactite-like dangleworms
The Labyrinth complex is believed to have been constructed some 10.7 million years ago by the Unnamed Alien Civilisation HIE106CZE. While archaeological studies have found the remains of machines which are believed to have been used to construct the tunnel complex, no other artifacts have been found. The purpose of the tunnel network whether habitat, experiment or artwork is unknown.
 
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Appears in Topics
-13.7Gy to -7000 AT: Preterragen Era Systems & Worlds K - LXenosophonts
 
Development Notes
Text by Todd Drashner
Initially published on 12 December 2001.

 
Additional Information
Fiction featuring Labyrinth

Traveler's Notes- Walking the Underground
 
 
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