Jujubo




     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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