Hector serves as the capital planet of Clan Ice Hellion.
Though orbitting a giant-sized star, much of Hector is perpeptually frozen, with an average surface temperature rising above zero only only within 20 degrees of the equator, and then, only in the long summer months.
This is due to a number of factors, including the orbitting distance of 16.3 AU, a dense asteroid belt orbitting at 12.8 AU, a rotation period of 8 Terran days, the lack of geological activity, and the presence of fierce jet streams which blow cool, arctic air across the barren tundra.
The wind chill factor results in an apparent temperature of under 10º C across most of the planet's surface, making it inhospitable for human life.
It is also beleived that Hector is experiencing an ice age, but given the normal climate, such a determination is only a relative matter.
However, Hector is rich in soft, easily-mined caves, enabling entire cities to be constructed underground in vast subterrean vacuoles left by mining.
Almost all of Hector's civilization lives in these caves, of whom many in the lower castes never come to the surface.
It is just as well, as one can not see the sun rise or set through Hector's thick cloud cover.
Only those who have lost their honor roam the surface now, relying on respirators to breathe and heavy fur coats to withstand the brutal winter climate.
The capital city of Buran, Russian for snowstorm, on the western coast is the only enclave with substantial above-ground structures, most of which are reinforced pressure domes built to withstand the high wind speeds and frequent blizzards.
Few animals have evolved on Hector; and fewer have survived the apparent ice age.
The ice hellion, a swift and tenacious cave-dwelling pack hunter is widely considered the most dangerous specie native to the Kerensky cluster.
The ice hellion, feeding on large creatures resembling the ancient woolly mammoths of Terra, dominates the native species along with the ice seal, a long-necked aquatic mammal that frequently pokes its head through cracks in the ice of Hector's lone body of liquid water, Katyusha's Tear.
Two attempts by Clan Ghost Bear scientists early in Clan history to introduce the six-legged ghost bear to Hector met with failure as packs of hellions brought down the great beasts with ease.
The Ghost Bears have since wisely decided not to repeat their mistake.
Hector's rough climate, subterranean enclaves and asteroid listening stations has made it one of the most strongly protected worlds in the Kerensky Cluster.
Under Ice Hellion control since its discovery, Hector has rarely been attacked, and every time repulsed by our superior tactics and familiarity with the surface conditions.
Five Battlemech manufacturing centers are spread across the planet's underground enclaves, now numbering 211, all but the newest of which are connected by subway systems.
Hector Cosmoplex, a large, domed dropship maintenance yard and primary planet landing pad, protrudes from Katyusha's Tear near Buran, opening its geodesic roof to the snow to launch and recieve system craft.
Hector Orbital Yards hovers some 800 kilometers above the surface, producing and maintaining the Hellion Jumpship fleet, though too small to perform the same duty for Warships.
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