Interplanetary Relations

In most interactions between Kesslerans and other planets, they are seen to be boorish and excitable – happy to involve themselves in the affairs of other people, and heedless of social subtleties. The working environment aboard Kessler encourages loudness and directness, and Kesslerans are used to shouting to make themselves heard among their peers. They value iconoclasm, preferring leaders who stick to their guns (whatever the response) over those that vacillate to please the crowd.

With that being said, Kessler is useful – and glad to do a job that is beneath, or beyond, many planetary powers. Amongst these, opinions differ:

• Kessler is in good standing with Earth due to their commitment to documenting and preserving the vessel that they have inherited, and to their work purifying and studying the environments of other planets. Earth’s atmosphere is at present still too fragile to risk disruption by Kessler, but a formal accord has been drafted that might yet see Kessler seated like a second moon in Earth’s sky.
• Viront Z85 and Kessler boast an excellent working relationship. The former is the longest running and most consistent client for cleaning services and the export of research materials from the latter, and their cultural attitudes – both being keen on brash self-assurance and mutually beneficial trade – mesh well together.
• Marzion IX expresses no need for Kessler’s services, but relations are generally cordial – aside from the cultural friction resulting from the Kessleran distaste for playing it safe, and the fact that the Marz Union put in an unsuccessful bid to take command of the ship upon its return to Alliance space. Older heads on Marzion resent being denied a valuable sister-investment, while Kessler’s generations of scientists bristle at the idea they could be bought (or, rather that the offer was so low).
• Sultonia has proven to be protective of its airspace, and it has been clear that it intends to avoid atmospheric pollution from the ground up rather than rely on cleaners and gleaners from Kessler. This stalemate has not been eased by the fact that Kessler continues to offer its services – even uncharacteristically offering a “free sweep”, for the idea of an atmosphere that is off-limits is irresistible to the Kessleran mindset.