I suppose that there might be some confusion as to what that last post was all about, so I'll explain. ECLIPSE is a D-type long range minor transport vessel, a "waterfly" class, that has been vastly modified by her crew to serve as a mercenary ship. The ship itself serves as the focal location for a new story concept I'm working on called "bend". At least... that's what I'm calling it right now. It's subject to change. And half the characters don't have names or personalities. But the ship herself is complete.
Originally designed with nothing but transport in mind, the ship uses two different methods of travel. The first is her space-norm engines, which are comparable to rocket boosters as we think of them today. She has three, which for a ship of such a small mass makes her quick and maneuverable. But of course she has to be interstellar as well, which means she has to move faster than light. That's where bending comes in. The concept is that the ship, at the hands of a genetically engineered "bender", is sent through a rift in the space-time continuum that folds one point in space to be immediately adjacent to their destination. Instantaneous travel, though limited in distance by the bender's ability and stamina.
The story is based around the mercenaries that are the crew of ECLIPSE, focusing mainly on their leader, who they call "Boss", the new guy, who they refer to only as "the Kid", and their bender, a mute woman with highly unusual hair. The jobs they take range from mundane courier and escort to war-making and assassination. Sometimes they're working for the galactic government, known as the Council, sometimes for massive interstellar corporations, and sometimes for small planetary governments. The reputation for efficiency they've gained follows them, and work is ever forthcoming.
It's a work in progress, as I suppose every creative endeavor always is. I'll probably continue posting ideas as good one's come to me. So what do you think? To cliche, or have I hit something here that people might actually enjoy?
Originally designed with nothing but transport in mind, the ship uses two different methods of travel. The first is her space-norm engines, which are comparable to rocket boosters as we think of them today. She has three, which for a ship of such a small mass makes her quick and maneuverable. But of course she has to be interstellar as well, which means she has to move faster than light. That's where bending comes in. The concept is that the ship, at the hands of a genetically engineered "bender", is sent through a rift in the space-time continuum that folds one point in space to be immediately adjacent to their destination. Instantaneous travel, though limited in distance by the bender's ability and stamina.
The story is based around the mercenaries that are the crew of ECLIPSE, focusing mainly on their leader, who they call "Boss", the new guy, who they refer to only as "the Kid", and their bender, a mute woman with highly unusual hair. The jobs they take range from mundane courier and escort to war-making and assassination. Sometimes they're working for the galactic government, known as the Council, sometimes for massive interstellar corporations, and sometimes for small planetary governments. The reputation for efficiency they've gained follows them, and work is ever forthcoming.
It's a work in progress, as I suppose every creative endeavor always is. I'll probably continue posting ideas as good one's come to me. So what do you think? To cliche, or have I hit something here that people might actually enjoy?
The bender sounds like A Wrinkle in Time meets Dune meets Warbreaker. As for whether people will enjoy it, that depends largely on how well it's written, not its premise. Not much help, but it's true.
ReplyDeleteYou have a real affinity for mercenaries, don't you? ;)
I was thinking Dune meets the Vorkosigan series. I guess that means it's a plausible method of interstellar travel. Amen to what Ben said. I've read way too much bad sci-fi lately.
ReplyDeleteHey, who doesn't love mercenaries?
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the web-comic Schlock Mercenary? schlockmercenary.com
ReplyDeleteOkay, that's classic goodness. I like it!
ReplyDeleteI think it's hilarious that the word eclipse in this post links to the twilight book on ebay. HAHAHAHAHA
ReplyDelete