NATURAL HISTORY
Dakka's oceans are teeming with life, but because much of the planet's ozone and CO2 is dissolved in the oceans, certain protective layers of the upper atmosphere are relatively thin. Penetration by radioactive particles from Dakka's sun, Neptune (associated in name only with the Solar gas giant planet, Neptune) make the planet's few exposed land masses virtually devoid of indigenous life. Human habitation of these islands began soon after the planet was discovered, however.
One of Dakka's most aggressive predators, the Bamoda, is also one of its biggest specialty food exports.
By the end of the first century of the New Era, it was clear Earth's compromised environment would no longer sustain vertebrate animal life in its oceans. In an act of desperation and hope, scientists transferred 38 large pelagic Earth species to Dakka's massive oceans. Most scientists involved in the relocation project had scant hope that any of the animals would be sufficient to start new populations - even with the plan of aggressive gene therapy proposed. All of these species died out within a few decades except for charcarodon charcarias, which defying expectation, not only survived but flourished. The animal found a suitable niche in Dakka's ecosystem and is now classified as a new species, the Dakka shark.
Dakka shark
CIVILIZATION & CULTURE
The first landing on Dakka was by the venture ship USSA Aventura 5 years before the start of the New Era (5 O.E.). The Aventura had been commissioned by an Earth-based political league of the Southern Hemisphere, but when its crew got word of the power-sharing pact signed by the Three Agencies, it claimed the planet for Your Agency.
Dakka is agriculturally rich, with enough food resources to enable a lucrative specialty food export trade. Most mineral material must be imported from other worlds. The cost of living in its two developed populations centers - Kermis and Semis - is quite high.
Immigration to Dakka has been very tightly controlled - even throughout the War Period. Nearby Core World Aphrophine has been forced to absorb many of those denied entry to Dakka - often to that planet's economic and political detriment.
Dakka is home to Davis University at Dakka, and its renowned Oceanic Lifeforms program.
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