Anchorage

Formally lying in a neutral zone nominally controlled by the Imperials, Anchorage is now firmly in the grasp of the Orks. The Anchorage system contains only one world, M-M-12-12, orbitting a bright white star named Anchorage Prime. A cross-section of M-M-12-12 is shown in the accompanying pict-capture, demonstrating the various layers of atmosphere. The moon of Old Sleet is visible as a dark spot to the lower left.

Devoid of any useful materials or minerals, M-M-12-12 is officially classified as a Dead World. It does support temporary inhabitants, but the lack of a breathable atmosphere and any resources means that the new settlements rarely last long.

However, the large planet does support a number of viable satellites: three natural moons (Merryweather, Monstrous and Old Sleet) .

Merryweather is so called owing to its lush grasslands and temperate climate. Once a true paradise world, Merryweather and its many settlements belonging to numerous species have been looted, burnt and generally messed-up by the victorious forces of Waa-Snazgutz.

Monstrous is the largest moon, and possesses a similar climate. However, plasma and ion storms frequently wrack the moon, and have reduced many areas to ash wastes. There are many settlements here, including ork, human (Imperial and non-Imperial) and tau. Rumours even abound of eldar artefacts on the surface. A dense population means that there are numerous cities dotted across the surface, and at least two sub-hive category conurbations – Swathe Ling and Wood's Port.

The capital, Mannassas, was reduced to ruins in early 3XX0109 M41 by ork forces led by Snazzgutz da Corpulent. An air war later ground down to trench warfare across the surface, and a large force was gathered on the Plains of Tranquility, a previously peaceful crystalline saltflat, to combat the orks' ambitions. Alas Task Force Warhound could not hope to stand before the might of Waa-Snazzgutz and his allies, and the whole of Monsterous is now firmly under Ork control. Imperial and Tau control over the other satellites of M-M-12-12 is now practically non-existent as mass evacuations proceed with haste.

Old Sleet is a dismal, seleostationary satellite that always lurks in M-M-12-12's shadow, receiving no light from the nearby sun. Naturally a desert world of pallid sand, refractory mirrors placed in orbit by earth caste engineers are being combined with the moon's natural heavy rainfall to promote biodome plant growth.

Recently colonised by the tau, there are numerous reports of sub-atmospheric conflicts with orks and other piractical raiders. These escalated sharply since the colonisation began, and with the fall of the system to the Orks, are only expected to get worse. The Brightsword Protectorate, sponsors of the colony, are believed to be on the verge of ordering a widthdrawal of the colonists back to Tau'lor.