Circinius IV

Circinius IV was a terrestrial world in the Circinius system and a colony in the Human Sphere. Its largest settlement was the Corbulo Academy of Military Science.

Etymology
Circinius IV is the designation and official name of the world. Colloquially and in CMA and CAA documents, it has been referred to as just Circinius. Later UNSC, UEG and Phoenix Initiative documents have given the planet the provisional name of Corbulo after the school.

History
Circinius IV was originally discovered in the middle of the 2400s. It's somewhat Earth-like characteristics made it noteworthy initially, but the lack of rare earth minerals, relatively harsh terrain, and no discernibly unique geological/geographic features quickly caused it to fade into the background as other colonies like Arcadia took precedence over it.

It began a rise to some prominence decades later as tensions in the Outer Colonies heated up. It's physical position made it quite valuable geo-politically, leading to various plans on how best to utilize it's position. This was a minor part of the larger schism occurring between the CMA and UNSC. The CMA wanted to set-up supply stations and resource extraction sites to help boost the local economy and make the sector more self-sufficient. The UNSC argued for more militaristic and esoteric uses for the planet to help assert further control over the sector. A compromise was reached soon after; a military school connected to a few smaller civilian settlements with a space elevator connecting to a larger civilian run orbital facility.

Only a few scant discussions took place about partially increasing the civilian presence on the planet, however an expansion of military assets beyond the perimeter of the school was quickly approved and set in motion. Unofficially, a cabal of planners had started to develop a master plan to hopefully develop a new loyalist colony around the school and a network of mountainside bunkers of varying use. This cabal believed that this loyalist colony could help bring stability to the astrographical region as well as being an excellent hideaway and military installation.

Any and all plans were rendered unusable when the school and surrounding human habitations were wiped out during the Great War. Beyond vigils and memorials for those who died during the battle, the planet faded again into obscurity. The Phoenix Initiative considers the planet of little strategic value and only modest if any symbolic value for the time being.

Since settlements began on the world, the original trees of the world have been used in various forms both locally and abroad. Furniture crafted from these trees have been made, mostly ending up in the hands of dignitaries, collectors and military personnel. Even long after the destruction of a good portion of the world, some have claimed to have Circinian wood furniture and other affects. The authenticity of some these claims are dubious.

Topography and climate
The planet was largely landlocked, with rivers, smaller lakes and two inland seas cutting through the landscape. It was a more temperate world being similar in many regards to portions of old Russia and the United Republic of North America. It features vast coniferous forests, mountain ranges, exposed igneous rock, taiga, and tundra. It's mineral composition is mostly common earth minerals, such as nickel and gold.