by M. D. Cooper
Huygens – The Huygens system is a star system located in the space between the Orion and Sagittarius arms of the Milky Way galaxy.
It is a binary star system undergoing heavy terraforming, and the current seat of the Transcend Interstellar Alliance.
Airtha, the capital world/star of the TIA orbits both stars of the Huygens system at a distance of 500AU from the stars’ barycenter.
Ikoden – A star system on the spinward edge of the Scipio Federation.
Inner Stars – The Inner Stars is the name given to the mass of stars within the Orion Arm of the galaxy to which human colonization has expanded.
The Inner Stars is a bubble of stars—roughly centered around Sol—that is roughly three-thousand light years in diameter, and a thousand light years thick.
The inhabitants of the Inner Stars are unaware that these stars are encircled by the Transcend Interstellar Alliance, and the Orion Freedom Alliance.
M25 Cluster – See “Cradle, The”.
New Canaan – A star system on the rimward side of The Cradle (M25) star cluster. Terraforming of the New Canaan star system began in 8034 and still continues, though the system was ceded to the Intrepid colony mission in 8935. Terraforming began in 8064.
The system’s star is named Canaan Prime, and while it lies within the region of space dominated by The Cradle, it is not a native member of the star cluster.
Canaan Prime is a main-sequence G spectrum star, with a 1.2 solar masses, and a luminosity 5% greater than that of Sol’s. The star is 2.1 billion years old.
The natural state of the system has been altered and the descriptions below are of the system and its planetary bodies after major work by the FGT was completed.
System Bodies
Terrestrial planets: 4
Tyre (FGT name: Tir)
Troy (FGT name: Justice)
3 moons – 1 of lunar mass
Carthage
2 moons
Athens (FGT name: Gemma)
Gas giants: 3
Alexandria
Roma
Normandy is the largest moon
Sidon
Ice giants: 4
Giza
Sparta
Marathon
Crete
Moons with hydrostatic equilibrium (round): 289
Dwarf planets: 375
Orion Freedom Alliance – The Orion Freedom alliance, often referred to simply as “Orion”, or by the name of it’s military, the Orion Guard, is a group that splintered from the Transcend in the seventh millennia. They are opposed to the slow uplift policies of the Transcend and wish to bring more technology to the Inner Stars, and at a faster pace, than does the Transcend.
The OFA has a stronger policy of settlement and has invited more Inner Stars colonists into its far reaches.
Despite its stated policy, the OFA also hides its presence from the Inner Stars in general claiming that they need more time to prepare for the inevitable war their revelation will bring with the Transcend.
The OFA is also deeply concerned about the Transcend’s expansion toward the galactic core and one of its stated goals is to ensure that humanity does not pass beyond the Sagittarius Arm of the galaxy.
Pleiades – This star cluster is one of the closest to Sol, at a distance of only 420 light years, it is one of the closest star-clusters to humanity’s home world. The diameter of the star cluster is 87 light years across, and it contains over a thousand member stars, as well as other stars that are in the area, though not members of the cluster.
The star cluster is currently passing through an area of dust and gas which contributes to nebulosity in the area.
The cluster is home to many interstellar nations and governments, one of the most notable being the Trisilieds.
Sol – This is the name of the star which in antiquity was simply referred to as ‘The Sun’. Because humans call the star that lights up their daytime sky ‘the sun’ in every system it became common practice to refer to Sol by its proper name.
Transcend Interstellar Alliance – The Transcend Interstellar Alliance, often referred to simply as “The Transcend” was formed when Jeffrey Tomlinson, captain of the first FGT Worldship brought all the worldships together in the wake of the FTL wars and proposed they establish themselves beyond the influence of the Inner Stars to ensure their stability and safety from the humanity’s wars.
Originally the Transcend completely encircled the Inner Stars and did not have a strong central government. However, after the rimward half of the Transcend separated and became the Orion Guard.
When that occurred, President Tomlinson increased his level of control over the Transcend and the government became much more dictatorial, though it still calls itself a republic.
The capital of the TIA is Airtha, and is situated (at the time of this writing) in the Huygens system.
Trisal – A system in the Orion Arm of the galaxy, three thousand light years anti-spinward of Sol. Trisal lies within the OFA, but is very close to its border with the Transcend.
Trisilieds – A interstellar monarchy in the coreward side of the Pleiades star cluster. The monarchy only spans thirty-five light-years, contains 374 stars, and is rich in resources, though it has few terraformed worlds.
Virginis – Classically known as “61 Virginis”, this star is located 27.5 light years from Sol. It was terraformed by the FGT, and boasts a strong economy with multiple habitable worlds and thousands of stations and habitats.
Virginis is an independent system, and, while not officially a member state of the Hegemony of Worlds, the Hegemony space force maintains several bases in Virginis, and exerts strong political influence in the system.
PEOPLE
Abby Redding – Engineer responsible for building the Intrepid.
Amanda – One of the two human AI interfaces for the Intrepid.
Andrea – Daughter of Transcend President, Jeffrey Tomlinson, Andrea is the heir apparent to the Transcend Interstellar Alliance.
Adrienne – Secretary of the Interior of the TIA. Close confidant of President Tomlinson.
Angela – A military intelligence sentient AI embedded within Tanis.
Airtha – Massive, multi-nodal AI who runs the Airtha stellar structure
Bob – Bob is the name Amanda gave to the Intrepid’s primary AI after she was installed as its human avatar. She chose the name because she claims it suits him, though only she and Priscilla understand why. Bob is perhaps the most advanced AI ever created. He is the child of seventeen unique and well regarded AIs. He also has portions of his neural network reflecting the minds of the Reddings. He is the first AI to be multi-nodal, to have each of those nodes be as powerful as the largest NSAI, and to remain sane and cogent.
Brandt – Initially the commander of the first Marine Battalion aboard the Intrepid, Brandt eventually became the commandant of the Marine forces in the ISF.
Cargo – The first mate of Sabrina bears a strange name as it was the first he was ever given after being found as a stowaway on a freighter as a child. He has lived on freighters in space ever since.
Cary – Daughter of Tanis Richards and Joseph Evans.
Cheeky – Biologically modified human who is capable of releasing heavy doses of pheromones and would be described as a nymphomaniac in some circles. She is also the pilot of the starship, Sabrina.
Corsia – The AI operating the ISS Andromeda.
Earnest Redding – Engineer responsible for much of the Intrepid’s design. Earnest is one of the leading scientific minds in the Sol system and was responsible for much of Terrance Enfield’s success.
Elena – A Hand agent and long-time friend of Sera’s.
Flaherty – Long-time friend of Sera and muscle on Sabrina.
Garza – General in the Orion Guard and head of the Guard’s military intelligence division within the Inner Stars.
Greer – General in command of the Ascella watchpoint.
Helen – The AI embedded in Sera’s mind. Helen is
an ancient AI, well over six-thousand years in age. She was a ship AI on one of the first FGT worldships to leave Sol in the 4th millennia. Helen was Sera’s caretaker as a child, and late her mentor. Before the events that led Sera to be exiled from the FGT, Helen had herself embedded in Sera’s mind.
Helen harbors a deep secret and mysterious background. Her origins date back to Sol’s AI wars.
Herin – Ambassador from the Trisilieds to the Hegemony of Worlds.
Huron – FGT Director of stage four terraforming at New Canaan.
Isyra – Admiral in the Transcend Space Force tasked with maintaining the blockade of the New Canaan System.
Jason Andrews – An old spacer who has completed several interstellar journeys. Captain of the Intrepid.
Jeffrey Tomlinson – Captain of the first FGT Worldship, President of the Transcend Interstellar Alliance, and father of Sera.
Jessica Keller – A TBI (Terran Bureau of Investigations) officer who was chasing after Myrrdan, Jessica was found by Tanis in a stasis pod with no record of how she got there.
Jessica’s experience with police procedure was useful in setting up the Victorian police force and academy. She also became an accomplished pilot in the ISF.
Jim – Chief engineer aboard the Andromeda and husband of its XO (and later, captain, Corsia).
Joseph Evans – ISF Colonel, Joseph Evans is one of the ISF’s top pilots and goes on to found the Victorian Space Academy.
Justin – Director of the Inner Stars Clandestine Uplift Operations (The Hand).
Karen – First mate aboard the Vimana.
Kent – Orion Guard officer originally from Herschel.
Nance – The ship’s bio on Sabrina who also handles many of the ship’s engineering duties. Nance is a germaphobe who never goes out in public without a hazsuit.
Pradesh – Captain of the Vimana, and father of Saanvi.
Priscilla – One of the two human AI interfaces for the Intrepid.
Saanvi – Lone survivor of the attack on the Vimana, and adopted daughter of Tanis and Joe.
Sabrina – The AI of the starship Sabrina. Sabrina has chosen the same name as her ship and identifies very deeply with it. She has neurotic tendencies due to an extended period spent alone in a salvage yard.
Sam – Sergeant in the Orion Guard, and Kent’s lover.
Sanderson – Admiral in the ISF. Sanderson was an admiral in the Terran Space Force and was instrumental in building the New Canaan military.
Seraphina – Commonly known as just Sera, though Helen refers to her as “Fina”, Sera is the captain of the starship Sabrina and a former member of the FGT organization known as The Hand.
Serge – One of Sera’s brothers.
Smith – Lieutenant in the ISF. Smith was one of the platoon commanders in the attack on Landfall on Victoria.
Tanis Richards – Former TSF counterinsurgency officer, Tanis has held the ranks of major, lieutenant colonel, and general on the Intrepid. She was born on February 29th, 4052 on Mars.
Terrance Enfield – Financial backer for the Intrepid.
Thompson – Sabrina’s supercargo and muscle. Thompson is a surly man who doesn’t like much of anything and takes pleasure in being angry.
Uriel – President of the Hegemony of Worlds, Uriel has ruled the Hegemony for fifty years at the time of the attack on New Canaan. She was also instrumental in the rebuilding of Earth and High Terra.
Usef – Lieutenant, and eventually Lieutenant Colonel in the ISF. Usef was one of the platoon commanders in the attack on Landfall in Victoria.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Cooper likes to think of himself as a jack of all trades (and hopes to become master of a few). When not writing, he can be found writing software, working in his shop at his latest carpentry project, or likely reading a book.
He shares his home with a precocious young girl, his wonderful wife (who also writes), two cats, a never-ending list of things he would like to build, and ideas…
Find out what’s coming next at www.aeon14.com
Table of Contents
ASCENSION
DEPARTURE
ASCELLA
MACHINATIONS
ERRANT AGENT
THE DEAL
THE REAL DEAL
WATCHPOINT
AGENT ELENA
A SIMPLE CHAT
AWAKE
ESCALATION
REUNION
DETERMINATION
SURRENDER
PARTING
TRANSCEND TRADERS
LOST IN SPACE
AIRTHA
THE HAND
PRESIDENT TOMLINSON
AN INTIMATE OFFER
COURT
RELATIONS
DIRECTOR
HERSCHEL
THE HEGEMONY OF WORLDS
SABRINA
CHITTERING HAWK
TRADING IN DANGER
A NIGHT OUT
CAGE FIGHT
OUT OF DODGE
MOVING ON
GRADUATION
NEW CANAAN
MACHINATIONS
LANDFALL
ASSAULT ON TRISAL
RECOVERY
AN UNEXPECTED VISIT
SAANVI
DETERMINATION
THE PORCH
CLOSING IN
IKODEN
LAST STAND
THE ROAD HOME
DWARF STAR MINING
INVASION
ADMIRALTY
ORDERS
OBSERVATION
FEINT
A MIDNIGHT RENDEZVOUS
HELEN
THE NEXT GENERATION
THE I2
A FAMILY COOKOUT
HELLESPONT
A WARNING
TRUTH
NEGOTIATIONS
DISSEMINATION
LAID BARE
STRIKE
ORION GUARD
INSERTION
KENT
THE BRIDGE
APPENDICES
TERMS & TECHNOLOGY
GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS
PLACES
PEOPLE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR