Memnon: Smythe's Folly

History

When explorer's first surveyed Phobos, they spent little time inspecting the great planet's moons.  So little, in fact, that for many years these small rocks didn't even have names.  It wasn't until the creation of the Phaetonian Calender that these celestial bodies were given any thought.  They were named after the Titan Eos's two mortal children; Memnon and Emathion.  They were named, their cycles were recorded, and little was thought of them again.

That is, until a prospector named Edgar Smythe took a trip to the moon of Memnon in 120 A.E.  When the rest of man was still shaping the plentiful Phaeton, Smythe had the foresight to see that an end to the bounty was near, and that people would soon be seeking new sources of ore and lumber.

He quickly found that Memnon was treacherous.  "There is not an insect, nor plant, nor beast upon this rock that does not wish to bite, claw, sting, poison, eat, or otherwise maim and destroy man."  He claimed in his journal.  He lost thirteen men the first year.  twenty the second.  But, eventually, he and his crew had cleared enough space to build a suitable spaceport.  It was then that he began to explore the jungle.
What he found in Memnon's many slag pits was nothing short of amazing.  The earth below the crust of Memnon was molten, and rich in a remarkable new ore that, when properly tempered, was both lighter and more durable than any metal known previous.  Being a studious, yet fairly simple, man he called this ore Duratite.  He called the metal he created Durasteel, and began marketing it to all manner of manufacturers.
Soon questions arose as to the source of this remarkable metal.  Wanting to keep this trade secret to himself, Edgar offered to buy the moon of Memnon from the Empire.  He told them to name the price.  The number? 7.2 million credits- less than two tenths of a credit per acre.

Over the years, ownership of Memnon has been passed down through the Smythe family line.  They have maintained sole ownership of the richest duratite mines in the system (though more sources have been discovered) Many pilgrims traveled to Memnon as Phaeton became over crowded, but life in this jungle is harsh and unforgiving.  Yet, a steady and substantial population has risen on the emerald moon.  These people have been treated as serfs by the Smythe family for centuries.

Recently, these 'serfs' have began to rebel, attempting to overthrow the Smythe family and turn Memnon into a free state.  These Freedom Fighters excel at sniping and gaurella combat, but are no match for the armory of the Smythe Company, or the dreaded Imperial Fleet that waits at a moments notice to protect this valuable asset.

Government

The Smythe Family rules over Memnon, under the blessing of the Emperor, in the same way a Baron would rule over their Barony in ancient times.  The current ruler is Lord Albrich Von Smythe The Third.

Corperations

The Smythe Company holds sole Imperial Rights to of all of Memnon, and they hold this land with military expertise.  The is even more frightening when you consider the fact that the Smythe Company is the primary producer of TCVs, or Terrestrial Combat Vehicles, in the system.  They are also one of the foremost manufacturer of conventional and mounted weaponry in the system.