As stated before, Astrogeology is not amongst my credentials. An amateur survey of the local stars in proximity to Mishi does however present some compelling reasons to rule these systems out as potential regions of colonization, at least for a burgeoning civilization.
We enter Mayonhen through the system of Haimeh. Its gateway position has afforded it by far the greatest amount of development capital and infrastructure in the constellation. The two temperate planets, currently colonized, would seem to immediately present alternatives to Mishi. In reality both are subpar. Located unfortunately far from the sun, the eighth planet is both cold and possessed of a highly erratic orbit. The sixth planet is closer and warmer but due perhaps to whatever stellar incident led to its cousin’s eccentric orbit it is off kilter, though to a lesser degree. In addition, it has virtually no land, being barely classifiable as a temperate planet at all. If one desired to settle on an oceanic planet the fourth planet would be far preferable, as it surely is to many colonists in the present day. Like many systems in this constellation, it is to the star itself we must turn our attention. A small pink star, Haimeh is old, guttering its last flames into the cosmos before it inevitably bursts. Although the scale of those events may seem to exist beyond our timeframe a star in such a state can be fickle with its light and warmth.
From Haimeh the systems of Chibi and Bazadod dead end in the abyss separating Mayonhen from Fountain and the rest of Aridia respectively. Chibi, though rich in mineral wealth, is a swirling hell of stellar winds and ruined planets rapidly orbiting its beautiful and deadly blue star. The CBD corporation retains valuable contracts in the system from heavily shielded stations located no closer than the sixth planet. Even the Triglavians seemed unwilling to invest much effort in taking the system during their invasions if the accounts of Edencom defenders are to be believed. After visiting Chibi, Bazadod may at first glance appear a more inviting prospect with the warm glow of its orange-yellow star. There are even a further two temperate planets, the seventh and tenth. A closer inspection reveals the unfortunate truth. Like some far worse version of Haimeh, a cataclysmic occurrence in the past has critically destabilized almost all of the planets orbiting Bazadod. The tenth is a laughable distance from its star, only with difficulty retaining its temperate status. The seventh finds its orbit pinched between the erratic paths of its brethren sixth and eighth planets. As the sole station in the system, a MIO testing facility, attests to. Bazadod is likely one of the last choices for colonization.
The next two systems making up the triangle of which Mishi is the point are easy to dispose of. Avada, though the second most developed system in Mayonhen after Haimeh, is a white dwarf. The cold light of its star warms only the closest planets. It is perhaps ironic then that the system is known for its vast and lucrative reserves of ice. Pahineh is another blue star. Though smaller than Chibi, it is still deadly due to stellar ejecta flung by its swift rotation. The one temperate planet it possesses lies perilously close and would require heavy shielding for any long-term habitation. Though providing much in the way of material resources through their calamitous inner planets and asteroid belts there is little to recommend them in terms of non space-based colonization.
We come finally to Mishi, the tip of the spear thrusting into the dark above Aridia. Mishi’s star is small and yellow. Warm, stable, and with low amounts of radiation it will remain comfortable for billions of years. The nine planets of its system all orbit in a stately and ordered fashion. Two gas giants, worlds seven and nine, guard their siblings in the inner system from unwanted visitors. Blessed with temperate planets four, six and eight, with the subject of this treatise Mishi IV being the closest to the sun. Given how hot my home world is, the three innermost planets will likely remain barren. However, the fifth planet could very well be terraformed in the future and perhaps even become the most habitable planet in the system. The sixth planet is on the colder side yet eminently habitable as well, raising questions in fact as to why it was not where my ancestors chose to live. Planet eight on the other hand is less of a mystery, its temperate status due to the geothermal effects of being caught between the gravities of its larger neighbors.
Judging by the local stars and their planetary makeup it is in fact likely that far from being the worst available option, Mishi was the best system to attempt colonization of in the local area. There are other possibilities of course, Haimeh VI is the logical choice best followed by an underground colony on Pahineh III. Neither though truly compare when considering all the factors that make a system desirable to a new colony. Especially when lacking in the resources necessary to divorce itself from the planet and star chosen. It is perhaps worth noting that it is also the farthest system out on its jump gate chain, which may not be coincidence.
There are greater questions raised from all this. Why, out of the several available planets was the fourth chosen? Why go so far out to find this system when closer to what would become the mainland Empire there are others with habitable planets that show no record of colonization?
Why Mishi?