Vondem

The Beta Orionis system is home to two Orion ‘homeworlds’, Orion and Vondem, the latter of which is a Federation member world. Vondem, aka Beta Orionis II, has a rich and storied history, much like many of the worlds that claim to be homeworlds of the Orion people. Having been initially colonised by the Orion people to act as a trade hub and cultural barrier between the world of Orion and the outside galaxy, Vondem was one of the first worlds to declare itself independent from the birthworld of the Orion species, forming the Vondem Trade Confederacy in times past.

Overview

Vondem is an ancient world, historically speaking, having been settled by the Orion people for centuries. Closer to the star Beta Orionis than Orion itself, the world is marginally warmer, with a larger and more active hydrosphere. Large cosmopolitan cities dot the equatorial regions of Vondem, with numerous cities merging to form large metroplexes with populations of tens of millions of people.

Continental interiors on Vondem are dominated by large mountain ranges that give way to extensive plains and grasslands towards the coastlines, typically overrun with extensive, high-density and well-managed farmlands. Throughout all of recorded history on Vondem, the mountains of the world have featured very little, if any, in the way of snow and glaciers. Geological evidence shows little signs of glacial wearing.

Vondem’s orbital infrastructure is very extensive, having been the heart of trade empires for centuries, first that of Orion, then of its own. Considerable civilian shipyards and stations facilitate the transhipment of goods, civilian passenger liners, local mining operations and the defence of Vondem itself when required.

The Vondem Guard has been the shield defending Vondem for centuries. Waxing and waning between vigilant defenders and ceremonial guards throughout their history, the Guard finds itself in a reduced state since Vondem joined the Federation. It is however a reduced state with some prominence as the old families of Vondem continue to support it, even if just as a traditional force. As such, while the Guard might be reduced in size presently, its ships are highly capable vessels of innovative designs whose grandeur is only beaten by the Hysperians.

History

Settled early in Orion history, Vondem became the barrier world to Orion itself, preventing the uncultured barbaric peoples of the galaxy from staining the glory that was Orion. It became the trade world of the early Orion sphere, the centre of commerce and as close to Orion as outsiders were normally allowed to get to. Even diplomatic negotiations between Orion and their neighbours were conducted on Vondem, further isolating the homeworld and elevating Vondem in the eyes of its own inhabitants. This ‘end of the line’ nature became a defining point culturally for the people of Vondem. They soon saw themselves as the centre of the Orion world, and with this cultural shift, independence from Orion became inevitable.

Vondem’s own play for galactic standing came in the form of the Vondem Trade Confederacy. The world continued doing what it had been doing all along, immediately finding itself at the heart of a complex trade network. Trade of all sorts, with no considerations or constraints, took place on Vondem for centuries, promoting certain families on Vondem to extremes of wealth. Those families then traded wealth for power, buying development, luxuries and entertainment aplenty for the people of Vondem. The world became a hotbed of illicit trade throughout the surrounding region, fueling further growth.

With the rise of the United Federation of Planets and the expansion of its borders, the leaders of Vondem were more far-sighted than some on other Orion worlds. Reforms to make the Trade Confederacy more palatable to the rising galactic powers as the old ones waned were enacted and with them trade continued, even growing as the likes of the Federation encouraged such changes with increased trade. Diplomatic outreach became the norm and as the Federation’s expansion via diplomacy continued and neighbouring worlds joined the Federation, equally for the benefits membership brought and to defence against the Klingon Empire in the early years for Federation-Klingon relations.

Eventually, Vondem took steps to permanently and irrevocably ban the slave trade and human trafficking, going so far as to assist the Federation in such endeavours. The Trade Confederacy began the process of applying for Federation membership, seeing the writing on the wall and finding themselves surrounded by the Federation in the mid-24th century. Governance changes were enacted, further reforms were made throughout Vondem society and the world’s membership in the Federation was accepted in 2374 shortly before the outbreak of the Dominion War.

In Play

Vondem’s membership in the Federation was only ratified shortly before the Dominion War, though reforms had been underway for quite some time, accelerated in the last century with Federation expansion through former Orion holdings. The leaders of the world had aspired to join the Federation for some time and worked to make their world palatable to the Federation.
While the Trade Confederacy is formally now a democratic state with equal representation for all, there are still those that are more equal than others. The old trade and senatorial families still hold extensive sway over Vondem, if not unspoken fiefdoms within government apparatuses.
Vondem had been the heart of a trade entity for centuries. As such the world is highly developed and extensively well-connected. Orbital yards still see extensive transhipping and construction of civil shipping to this day. The world caters to almost any desire, one just needs to be brave enough to ask. And willing to take risks.

External Information

Orions at Memory Alpha