The Trillian Empire

[Erax]

Way to go Clark ! You've made me curious, so don't stop now !!

[Atrocities]

Originally posted by Ed Kolis:

quote:

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Originally posted by minipol:
Oh, just had a thought ( i know, doesn't happen very often and when it does they usually aren't any good ): maybe Aaron will bundle these novells on the cd of SEV when it comes out. Provides more interesting reading than the manual

Gaah! No, not MOO3 again!

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LOL great minds think alike, I have been suggesting this for a while now.

[clark]

Thank you for the compliments!

"Please, please, stop. I don't deserve such praise!" [one hand to my forhead, another waving more compliments on]

Let me know what you think of number 2

[clark]

Trillian Star Date 2400.1

Captain Bruce Maddox didn’t like surprises. He was the kind of man built by routine, who knows when any little thing is amiss because the ‘unexpected’ was what happened to other people when they didn’t plan well enough. He always planned well enough; after all, that’s why he had been given the command of Far Star. Yet he had no idea what to expect, what to prepare for when he received the Imperial summons. “What does the Emperor want with me?!”, he asked himself, bewildered.

A black land hovercraft picked Captain Maddox up the following day. He had just left the Debian research institution, having reviewed the specs for the ion engines of the Far Star. It would be the Trillian’s first generation of ships capable of operating at a substantial sub-light speed. His maiden run next month was to be the proving trials for the engines. People were now openly considering colonizing some of the other planets within the solar system, provided that Captain Maddox succeeded. He wanted to make sure that happened.

The sleek craft flew along long winding roads, always a perfect meter from the ground. Maddox, sitting alone in the back of the vehicle while the mute driver dove, used the time to review the latest research discoveries that had been presented to him at the Debian institute. Apparently some physicist had come up with some new mathematics that opened up new opportunities in high-energy physics, apparently the status quo had caused most of the research to be over-looked. He kept seeing a name, Dr. Hunter or something. But the name sounded oddly familiar, like Maddox had heard it before.

The hovercraft came to a silent halt before the grand palatial estate of the Emperor Augustine Trillian. It was surrounded by a vast forest of old growth Trill trees, a massive oak with deep roots. Chlorine flares flashed across the sky, and the leaves shimmered in a kaleidoscope of colors. Maddox could see why the Emperor chose this as his home. Not only was the view spectacular, there must have been prime examples of every native flora within the gardens that lined the house.

A pair of men in dark suits received Maddox with perfunctory grace. They spent little time on pleasantries, and escorted Maddox through a series of halls and chambers, all in silence. When they arrived in what appeared to be a solarium he was instructed to sit down and wait patiently. He counted the nine planets of the Trillian system, reaching up to touch the model of his home planet, the first from the sun.

“And now, perhaps, two more!” he said to himself, looking to the two medium planets of Gazelle and Lion. The two planets were the sixth and seventh planets in orbit of sol, and also hosted enough biota to provide an oxygen atmosphere. The conditions were almost pristine, a virtual paradise on both. It was a bright future indeed for the Trillian people.
“Assuming the scientists got this one right.” Maddox said under his breath. He couldn’t recall how many of his other colleagues had paid dearly for some egg heads wrong ended calculation.

Maddox was so caught up in the solarium he didn’t notice when the Emperor walked in. “Captain Maddox, is it?” The emperor asked appraisingly. Instantly Maddox went to one knee, casting his gaze down, silently berating himself for not having paid attention.

“Yes, your eminence.” Maddox replied, eyes still to the ground.

“Captain Maddox, please do stand up. I wish to speak with you.” The Emperor said, taping Maddox on the shoulder, letting him know to follow him. Captain Maddox sprang to his feet and fell a half a step behind the emperor as they walked down a long corridor lined with marble statues and wall hangings. “Captain Maddox, I have been made aware of your remarkable record among our aerospace corps. It would seem that among the best, you are the best.” The emperor stopped, and turned to look at Maddox. “Would you agree?” he asked stonily.

“My eminence, that is not for me to say. I wish only to serve.” Maddox replied automatically. Maddox came from a long line that served in the empire service; he understood and respected the ideals of loyalty, and honor. He sincerely felt he was a part of something to believe in, especially now with so many possibilities for their people. He would see this solar system, through and through. And perhaps, one day, when the egg heads figured out how to go faster than light, his great great-grandchildren might see the stars themselves!

“Ah, I see a bright future for you, Captain Maddox. A bright future indeed.” The emperor put his hand across Maddox’s shoulder, tugging him closer as they walked into a room with giant arches framed in steel. “What do you know about hyper-tunnels, Captain Maddox?”

Maddox looked into the emperor’s eyes, transfixed by the ice gray steel behind them. He could feel the power of the world course through his veins. It spooked Captain Maddox, and he didn’t scare easily. “I’m… I’m not familiar with that concept my liege. What is it precisely?” Maddox asked hesitantly.

As they crossed the threshold of the door, the emperor whispered, “Now, you can keep a secret, can’t you?” Captain Maddox had a look of surprise as giant steel doors closed silently behind them.

To be continued…

[ June 19, 2003, 21:40: Message edited by: clark ]

[clark]

I did a slight edit to chapter 2 to adjust the pacing- it seemed to move a little too fast. Anybody care to comment?

I must say I am excited about the start, as I have a nice situation with which to shape the first part of this story. I think everyone will be in for a treat (at least for the next two chapters).

I must also confess I screwed up- I forgot to adjust the culture traits- and I'm playing with a max 5000 bonus. And I get nothing! Argh. But, I look at it as a way to make things a bit more exciting, make the odds a bit higher... but the research and production is killin me!

[Raging Deadstar]

Originally posted by clark:
With that, the world went black, and Dr. Hunter politely passed out.

I loved that little end bit, politely passed out

This story is great, a very nice start, fluent to read and leaves little hints at things. All the things needed to make it a great addition to SEIV Fanfiction! I enjoyed these chapters, and i like the idea of these emperors and emperess being very powerful, which must give you a lot of freedom to roleplay the game.

I better finish the next chapter of my story, i'm glad it isn't like a competition on this board or i'd be doomed

[Suicide Junkie]

It would be the Trillian’s first generation of ships capable of sub-light speed.

Sublight is anything slower than light, you know... might want to reword that.
(My car is capable of sub-light speed!)

But anyways, Excellent story!

[minipol]

Reading chapter 2, it made me realise what i sometimes miss in SEIV what some other games do have: leaders! Adds to the roleplaying character of the game. Some games give you great leaders at random times with abilities that influence troops. In SEIV, that could mean that some leaders influence ground combat of the troops they lead, others fighters or fleets!
Maybe boost intelligence or research.

Dang, reminds me of, eh, what's it called * stands up, walks to box with old goodies * Hah, Starwars Rebellion.

Image that for a race (say Federation), you could suddenly end up with Jean-Luc Piccard
Would be fun. Then for modding you could make a number of leaders that would appear at a certain time or randomly.

I'm off to post this at the SEV wishlist.

* lalalalala *

[ June 19, 2003, 20:45: Message edited by: minipol ]

[primitive]

Now you got me hooked.
Keep them coming or I will hunt you down and ......

[Ragnarok]

Just finished reading the second chapter, Clark. Great job once again. The little bit of suspense at the end was a great touch. More, more!