Since the Inverse Gravitation
Act was passed thirty-five years ago by the Crooked Space Senate, the planet
Jujubo has formed an outer shell several miles above the original surface.
Loose soil, rocks, anything not attached to the solid rock of the planet's
crust have fallen 'up' from the surface.
The Inverse Gravitation
Act, pushed through the Senate by someone who had experienced a bad vacation
on the planet, states that "the normal effects of gravity shall be reversed
up to a point of two miles above the current surface." When this came into
effect, everything on the surface fell up and stopped at where two miles
above the former surface had been, at a sort of 'sphere of equilibrium.'
So that the planet would not completely dissipate, the act also included
a stipulation that "the original molten and rocky core of the planet must
remain intact."
The shell is comprised
of the topsoil of the planet and the oceans and other surface water. The
water and soil have separated themselves enough so that there are areas
of 'ocean' and 'continent' on each side of the shell. For the most part,
they correspond with each other, making for a
shell of solid soil or water. Minimum amounts of sunlight can penetrate
these 'oceans' and reach the surface, giving a feel of eternal twilight
on both the inside of the shell and the planets surface.
In the years preceding
the passing of the act, The peoples of Jujubo prepared for the worst. Most
Governments moved to installations underground, so that they would not
fall up with the rest of the planet when the time came. Special buildings
were constructed, made to withstand the reversed gravity, firmly anchored
into the planet's crust. Special shelters were made that could tolerate
the stress of the fall up to the 'sphere of equilibrium.' When the time
came, the Government officials in the underground facilities and the people
in the special buildings fell to the ceilings, which now served as floors.
People in the 'drop shelters fell up. When the worst was over, these people
came out and surveyed their new land. They tunneled down to the inner shell
and set up building there.
Now, the planet's population
consists of four main groups: The people who live on the outer shell, the
most numerous since conditions on the outer shell are much
like the original surface; those on the inner
shell, mostly miners, explorers, scientists and varied other sorts; those
that live in the inverted buildings on the former surface; and those important
people who are inside the planet core. Now therein lies a problem: most
government agencies were underground at the time. It is extremely difficult
to govern those on the shell, since they are far away, and it is very difficult
for them to go to the surface. Also, the surface dwellers have to be careful;
one false step and they will plummet to the inner side of the shell. The
planet Jujubo is a unique phenomena. If the Inverse Gravity Act is ever
repealed, then there will be (more) mass detestation. Little else is known
about the people of this planet. It's origins are one of the great mysteries
of Crooked Space.
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