Another Generation of Serenity

I have been a fan of Joss Whedon's space Western Firefly for a long time.  I frequently mentally curse the executives at the Fox network that fouled up the shows episode order and then cancelled it entirely too quickly.

Many fans of the beloved crew of the Firefly-class transport ship have asked, begged, and pleaded for more episodes.  Unfortunately, the actors have all moved on to other series.  Bringing them back together would be extremely difficult, almost impossible.  There is also the fact that the performers have all aged in the decade since the movie Serenity was released.  Some of them may not be up to the kind of role another season of chases, shootouts, sword fights, and dances may demand of them.

There is a simple way around this problem.  A second generation of crew.  A new group on board the Serenity taking what jobs they can get paid for and avoiding the long reach of the Alliance government.  Children of the original crew and some new passengers travelling the 'Verse.

Chloe Washburne-- The daughter of Zoe and Wash.  After discussing her desire to start a family, Zoe unknowingly becomes pregnant a matter of days before Wash is killed by the Reapers.  Zoe's pregnancy becomes evident and continues during a rare extended period of legitimate business endeavors by the crew of the Serenity.  Chloe is born and raised on board the ship, tools becoming her toys and removable panels her hiding places.  By the time she reaches the age of fourteen, she knows the ship intimately enough to become the best pilot ever to fill Wash's vacated seat.

Jeremiah Reynolds-- One day a teenager is waiting outside the ship with a note in a sealed envelope.  The message simply reads "Mal, I have had my time with our child, now it is your turn.  Signed, your loving wife."  The young man is the son of Malcolm Reynolds and Yolanda/Saffron/Bridgette.  In the underground life they lead, the crew of the Serenity encounter this manipulative woman a number of times.  Not all of them end as successfully as the episodes we have seen.  During one particularly dark event, Yosafbridge knocks Mal out and manages to impregnate herself with his child.  Her exact reasoning and goals are unknown.  All that is certain is that he inherited his father's drive and sense of right along with his mother's flexible morals and sense of self-worth.  Some day he may fill his father's boots as captain, but only once he realizes the kind of man he is and wants to be.  For the time being, he struts his stuff as the intimidating muscle of the ship.

"Ambassador" Richardson-- Thomas Richardson is a political attache with a small planet.  The planet's position is just outside the Central Planets that make up the core of the Alliance government, but it provides an essential service the Alliance military requires.  This allows members of the planet's ruling family nearly as many privileges as high ranking members of the military.  Having seen the extremes the Alliance would go to and their lack of concern for their own people, Thomas is more than willing to undermine them whenever he can.  Like Inara, his presence on board gives the Serenity a degree of legitimacy and allows it to dock many places they would otherwise be denied.

Kaylee and Simon Tam-- The married couple retains their roles as engineer and ship's doctor.  Her wedding dress was a familiar poofy pink gown and their cake prominently featured strawberries on each layer.  Much of Kaylee's unique decorating style now adorns the couple's shared bunk and the infirmary as well as the engine room.  The two of them take care of the ship and crew like loving parents watching over an active and potentially dangerous family.

River Tam-- The youngest person on the original crew now leads the current personnel as Captain.  Her unique abilities earned her much respect from friends and foes alike.  As time passed, new abilities surfaced and her control of them has waxed and waned.  She has become comfortable with what was done to her, but still fears the pairs of individuals with "hands of blue."

The addition of a new crew does not mean the old crew is forgotten.  Malcolm could make occasional appearances as the operator of an out of the way station or settlement.  He would have legitimate and illegal missions for the crew to complete as well as fatherly advice for his son that may or may not be heeded, or even correct.  Jayne easily has a future as an arms dealer.  His beloved Vera mounted on the wall behind his desk as he gives the current crew access to specialized equipment, at a price.  While I can't think of a reason for Inara to appear, I do feel confident that Joss Whedon could if the situation demanded it.

What next generation character would you like to see in an extended Firefly series?  Is there a villain that you would like to reappear?  Am I completely wrong on all of my characters?  Let me know what you think in the comments.

The Ultimate Control

News headlines over the last few months have been filled with incidents involving guns.  Many politicians, including President Obama, have put forth suggestions for further regulations regarding gun purchases and ownership.  While I agree that there are some people that should not be allowed to own or wield a firearm, this does not mean the public at large should be prevented from having guns for their own personal use.

Executive orders and knee-jerk legislation are not a way to debate how to properly prevent these tragedies.  These regulations simply force the opinion of one side of the debate on the general public without allowing a differing view to express itself.  While the slope may not be very slippery, but it is a path that politicians like to walk down without considering what may lie at the other end.  As long as they have their power, lawmakers don't bother with the consequences of their words.

Once politicians have the power to dictate who can have what, where will civilization eventually lead?  When laws and privileges are based on political contributions, how will the lines between the elite and the common citizens be defined?

Life is good.  Sure, I have to perform the occasional patrol, but there are worse duties than strolling through some of the nicer residential neighborhoods.  I could have been assigned border patrol or forced to work shifts at one of the Allotment Centers.  Imagine spending eight hours a day having to deal with all of those lower classes.  I guess I balanced partying and studying during my six years at college.  With the government paying all my expenses, I could have stayed longer.  Unfortunately, my parents wanted me to graduate and start making appearances at the social events they frequented.

I pat the firearm on my hip.  I was off duty, but it was my right to carry one so I wore it everywhere.  I even had a fashionably decorated holster for it to rest in.  Maybe one day I will visit the firing range and become an accurate shooter, or maybe not.  It's not like I have to worry about ever using it.  None of the lower classes were allowed guns so it's not like I was going to be shot by any of them.  Of course they spent their entire lives slaving away at their menial jobs and living in their simple homes.  Having to pay for their own education meant they never learned anything important anyway.

 It's a good thing my family became Elites generations ago.  Their contributions to the Politicals back then really worked out for me.  I didn't even have to work hard to avoid serving in the military.  I just had to check a box on a form when I graduated high school.  Let the Commoners keep the country free.  That's what they are for anyway.

In this world I see Politicals as a ruling class, sitting in their mansions on high making decisions that impact the lives of the population at large.  The Elites are the families that have given to the campaigns of the Politicals.  These company owners and their descendants enjoy certain extra perks and a higher social status.  Their contributions allow then to influence the policies the Politicals create through their votes and their dollars.  The last group is the Commoners.  These people make up the bulk of the population.  They work the hardest of the three social classes.  Their power and influence is exerted the least despite their vastly more numerous population.

With this in mind, I have two questions.  Are there any other privileges the Elites or Politicals may have that the Commoners are denied?  If things continue they way they currently are, how long before our society begins to resemble this model?

Is Anybody Listening?

I know you are out there.  I can hear you breathing.  More precisely, I can see the hits to this blog every day.  I know when specific posts are viewed.  Sometimes I can tell which other sites you use to link to my blog.  It is obvious that fifty hits in a single day from computers in Germany are most likely bots trawling the internet, but you aren't one of those.  Are you?

The reason I say all of this is because you are very important to what I do.  A writer creates a world and shapes it with words.  Words that readers either enjoy or despise.  Your feedback is what helps a writer refine their craft.

An artist knows people appreciate their work when studios put on shows and people come to appreciate the display.  Carpenters get validation when the furnishings they construct stay together and are treated well by their owners.  Fashion designers know their works are enjoyed when their models receive rounds of applause at fashion shows.  A writer's best source of feedback is comments and reviews.

If you read a blog post you enjoy, take a few seconds to leave a comment.  If you didn't enjoy it, take a few seconds to say why.  After you read a book, leave a review with the retailer you purchased the book from, even if it's only a star rating.  This gets back to the author and gives them more information than just a sales report.  

Did readers fall in love with the characters?  Was the story exciting or just drawn out?  Was the universe in which the story takes place believable?  With so much of the story in the author's mind, they don't always have the same impression as a reader would.  Only a reader can say what they did and didn't like about a book or story.  Since authors don't tend to be telepathic, you, as a reader, must let them know.

Just as an artist can alter their color palette to evoke different feelings, a writer can use different words or develop their characters more to get the same result.  The only way they know if the story is a beloved one is through your feedback.

I am asking you, the wonderful reader, to start the new year with a mission.  When you read a blog post, leave a comment.  After you finish a book, rate it.  Let the author and the rest of the world what you thought about the author's efforts.  Feel free to start with a comment on this post right here.

News Update

The theatrical release of the newest Star Wars movie is upon us all, whether we like it or not.  With the movie being featured in many news broadcasts and being mentioned on many networks, why not mention other science fiction franchises as well.  For today's post, I bring you an average news broadcast complete with anchors, sports, and traffic.  Just like you would see on any day from your local station, almost.

Thank you for tuning into IGIN, your Intergalactic Information Network. This is Colickner Smith with your headlines for this cycle. Tonight I am assisted by the lovely and tentacled Chrissy Frageelei. We have Then'teknor Beckham with sports and Major Captain Major reporting on the traffic throughout the interstellar routes.

Our first headline comes from the United Federation of Planets. It appears a temporary alliance between the Federation and two of their neighboring empires has become an extended cease fire and a longing peace. The final details of the treaty will be negotiated at an assembly on the Babylon 5 station in orbit around Epsilon III in the Epsilon Eridani system. All of us here at IGIN wish these three interstellar organizations the best of luck with their future endeavors.

Now we go to Then'teknor for a story from the world of sports. What do you have for us Then'teknor?

Thank you Colickner. This planetary cycle I have a story of controversy from the directors of the Kessel Run Racing League. The pilot of a light freighter is claiming to have made the Kessel Run in only twelve parsecs. The KRRL is looking into these claims and the possibility of the folding of space while traveling in hyperspace. Investigators are trying to determine whether or not the pilot managed to manipulate conditions and complete a run shorter than is allowed by League rules and regulations.

A final report of the investigation is expected later this cycle. We will have that report and the scores from the finals of the latest Blitzball tournament in a later broadcast. Back to you Colickner and Chrissy.

Thank you Then'teknor. I'm sure many of our viewers are looking forward to those Blitzball scores, especially all the Aurochs fans out there. In a little bit we will hear from our interstellar traffic and navigation expert Major Captain Major. Following that will be a special report from Chrissy Frageelei. First, a quick report on the loss of one of our fellow broadcasters.

It appears much of the signals from the broadcaster known only as Mr. Universe have all but ceased. His systems are still relaying signals, but there are no more of his original shows being broadcast. Many fans have stated their disappointment at the loss of any more future demonstrations of his skills in realistic humanoid robot construction and programming. The signal was interrupted briefly after a large battle between a number of Alliance battleships and a fleet of Reaver craft. The exact involvement of a single Firefly-class cargo ship is unknown at this point.

Now we come to our traffic and navigation update from Major Captain Major.

The completion of a hyperspatial expressway through sector ZZ-ZZZ-Alpha. The construction contractor states that a planet in the path of the expressway has been more difficult to remove than initially estimated. Further bureaucratic red tape has been blamed for delays in the new expressway.

On another note, an update to standard navigation systems is being made. A large debris field now orbits where the planet Alderaan was once located. Navigators are discouraged from using a large moon-like object that has been spotted in the system as a reference point for their flight plans. A full release of updated star charts is expected momentarily.

Thank you Major. Finally we look to Chrissy Frageelei for a public interest story.

Thank you Colickner, and thank you to all you viewers tuning in this planetary cycle. My story touches on something that many peoples consider just an urban legend and myth to be dismissed.

Almost every intelligent species, race, and civilization discovered has one item in common. An encounter with something described as only a rectangular blue box. Encounters range from ancient references to modern sightings and recordings. Descriptions of the occupants of the blue box always include bipedal humanoids, but the details vary widely. The supposed leader of the crew of the box has been described as both young and old. Different witnesses have given widely different estimates of his age throughout history. His lack of a consistent appearance is one of the reasons many consider him a figment of the imagination despite the reliability of those making claims of encounters.

Adding to the story is the recent addition of another mysterious structure. While sightings are still limited, some speculate that this new building with the word “DINER” above the entrance may become nearly as popular a legend as the blue box. Anyone seeing either object is encouraged to contact your local law enforcement department. The producers of this show and IGIN executives also request witnesses also contact them on a frequency of 867/5309 with their story.

Thank you Chrissy. We will all be a look out for these legendary figures. That concludes our broadcast at this time. On behalf of Chrissy Frageelei, sportsman Then'teknor Beckham, and navigation expert Major Captain Major, this is Colickner Smith wishing all of you peace and long life.

Did you recognize all of the franchises mentioned?  Are there more you would like to see included in a future news broadcast?

All Done

November 30th has come and gone.  My verified word count for the National Novel Writing Month challenge is 50,079 words written in 30 days.  On my fourth try, I am a WINNER!  I am excited, exhausted, relieved, and satisfied.  Now the more serious work begins.  I have to finish the story and seal up some plot holes.  There is tons of editing that needs to be done.  A title needs to be settled on.  A cover image needs to be chosen or made.  Writing the story is only the beginning and the easiest part of getting a novel out to the public.

My brain cells continue to recover as I take a slower, more careful look at the words I have written.  Today's post is one of the epilogues from the end of the book.  If you wish to read the book once it is completed, this shouldn't be too much of a spoiler.  In the meantime, enjoy.

News is being broadcast all over the station. A hidden corinthum processing plant had been located on the planet below. The discovery was due to an issue arising with some odd residue being discovered in a secondary power system for the station. An operation by Sector Security's elite enforcement officers led them to the storage room full of slag. From there it was easy to track down the processing center on the planet and its supply of raw corinthum and other minerals.

Timothy “Timmy” Van Hausen sits in his office when the news comes across his terminal. Without even thinking about it, he compiles a few files together. The files are attached to a message that also includes the names of a number of the people on the orbital station. Names of people that Timmy has worked with in unofficial ways for some time. Timmy's contacts on other stations in other systems also go into the message. The captains he had recruited to collect and transport slaves and their ships were also mentioned. Finally Timmy signs the message with his personal identification code to show the contents are from him and not part of any official procedure or communique. The message is sent to the station's commander, the Sector Security Deputy Director in charge of this region, Timmy's own direct supervisor, and a number of other administrators and officials.

Once the message is sent, Timmy shuts his terminal down and stands up. Despite the fact it's less than halfway through his work day, he walks out of his office with the feeling he won't be back. A short lift ride brings him to the commons. There he sits down at an empty table and waits for someone. He isn't sure who and how long before they arrive, but he will sit here and wait as long as it takes.

This novel is a sequel to my first NaNoWriMo attempt and published novel, Dangerous Stars.  Pick up a copy and get to know the characters while I finish up their second adventure.  Go.  Read.  Enjoy.

Grinding

Since November 1st I have been with hundreds of thousands of writers around the world grinding away at our stories.  50,000 words in 30 days is obtainable for some and a target to be chased after by others.  This is the challenge of National Novel Writing Month.  While I work on filling out my own story, here is a sample of what I'm working on now.  It is the sequel to my first novel, Dangerous Stars.

The ship's AI quickly consulted records for the answers to Lss'Tor's questions. “Brenneth 5 is a basic class M planet. It was settled by a large contingent of religious zealots from Earth with no terraforming required. Previous persecution and religious tenants caused the planet to become isolated. They have no interstellar exports or imports. Sector Security has no presence in the system at all. The nearest sizable forces are in the Maitland system. The remoteness of the star system means that it isn't on any civilian cargo routes or flight paths. We are one of three ships within range of the broadcast. One is an unarmed interstellar scout heading out to explore further outlying systems. The other is a Sector Security battle cruiser returning to the Maitland system from a round of system upgrades.”

Christian speaks up while everyone else is still considering the tactics of their current situation. “There is nothing to decide here people. Interstellar code requires that any ship within range of a distress signal respond if they are able. We are still heavily armed, our cargo isn't critical, and we can leave this pursuit for someone else to pick up.”

Traylor chimes in with her opinion. “Christian, you are simply spoiling for a fight. The battle cruiser can handle things themselves. They don't need us. Besides, we've been warned against converting the KRENNET into combat mode where Sector Security ships could detect us.”

Christian's determination came through his voice. “That battle cruiser can't defend an entire planet by itself. There may be evacuating shuttles that need to be protected. Even an isolated planet will have industrial facilities that would be vulnerable. One simple shot from me and the tracking device will be on this damn Raider. Then we can do what needs to be done.

As for the battle cruiser detecting us while we convert, that's simple. We just enter the system in combat mode. Crystal can alter our transponder to broadcast a false signal. The cargo ship KRENNET won't be anywhere near the Brenneth system as far as anyone knows.”

Granek's rumbling voice cuts through any further discussion. “We are a crew of equals. We will decide which course to take by majority decision. Each of you state 'Pursue' if you feel we should stay on mission or 'Rescue' if you believe we should go to the aid of Brenneth 5. Crystal, could you please record the votes into your protected core for future review?”

“Protected memory ready for recording.”

Granek once again speaks in his rough tone. “Understood. I will call each of you by name for your vote. My position is 'Rescue.' Traylor?”

“I say 'Pursue.'”

“So noted. Christian?”

“It should be obvious, 'Rescue.'”

“So noted. Lss'Tor?”

“Purssue”

“So noted. Fezror, the vote comes to you.”

The engineer's rarely heard voice is soft yet clear enough for everyone to hear. “I can't simply let an entire planet remain in harm's way again. I say 'Rescue.'”

Granek stated what everyone now knew. “By majority decision we will be breaking off our pursuit of the Raider attack craft after planting a tracking beacon on its hull. We will convert out of combat mode to allow for more speed to the Brenneth system.

Now, where did I leave off at.....?   

Shameless Plug

Another page of the calendar has been turned.  It is now November.  Fall is in full swing.  The baseball season has ended and football is roaring forward.  Piles of empty Halloween candy wrappers are growing by the day.  Lawnmowers are mulching more leaves than trimming blades of grass.  All of this can mean only one thing.  NaNoWriMo is in full swing.  Thousands and thousands of writers are attempting to write 50,000 word novels in 30 days.

People all over the world are sitting down to notepads, typewriters, and laptops to express themselves through words.  They are receiving support from other writers through pep talks and write-ins.  Most importantly they are all creating in a way that they want to.

This is my fourth year attempting the NaNoWriMo challenge.  I have yet to reach the 50,000 mark in any one attempt, but my first two tries are now published novels.  My first book, Dangerous Stars, taught me much about how a book is written and made.  Post Exodus was picked up by an independent publisher, Amazing Things Press.

Now, I am a little behind in my word count and there are some characters waiting to see what will happen to them next.