[SDNW4-Standalone Fic] Under the Black Star
Posted: 2011-04-16 06:07pm
This is a standalone fic I've been working on from the SDNW4 Universe, but taking place in a different time period.
PROLOGUE:
Scythian City, Planet Eschate
Rimland Sector, The Centrality
12 February 3099
Rimland Sector was not initially chosen for human colonization. In the 30th century, the Centrality had first thought of occupying Sector N-11, but some argued that it would be then dependent on the moderately-developed sectors and would be very close to the United Nations, not a close friend of Centrum. Other sites were rejected for being almost on the edge of the Nova-Atlantean Commonwealth and the Eoghans, sworn enemies of the Centrality. The sector O-9 (the future Rimland) was chosen because it served as a first line of defense for Dovan sector and it was near the neighboring Ranoideans, which, despite being ruled by techno-socialists, they lacked a history of conflict with the Centrality. Even after deciding to settle at O-9, the Central State took its time in choosing reliable settlers before they were sent, as the Centralists feared the risk of a rebellious colony, as in Shimor.
Rimland, like all colonial sectors, was underdeveloped. The other colonial areas had priority, and therefore the budget for Rimland was just enough to maintain the functioning of the sector to a minimum. Rimland was an area of small colonies and militarized enclaves, with the sector capital being the only planet that could be called developed, and even then several areas of the capital were not yet enjoying the conforts of civilization. There was the problem of patrolling the new territory, and it was common to see fighters, frigates, and destroyers from the Navy in the space over the colonies, chasing after smugglers, criminals, or other "illegals". Eschate was a good example of this.
Who gave my father the idea of moving here? I'll understand if it was because the Party wanted him here, but he never talked about the reasons for the move. This is ridiculous. So thought Estegan Hortenes, a 24 year-old who worked as a receptionist at the offices of the Centralist administration that ruled Scythian City. He had been saved from recent layoffs as a result of budget cuts in the city. He appreciated the fact that his grandfather had connections with important members of the sector government and thus could influence his retention.
Hortenes, your typical Centralite citizen, was bored with his job. What he did was simply to ensure that all who entered the government building was properly registered, and smile to anyone who got close by. His work did not give much time for fun, not even to go out to a party with his friends. He could only work, go home to rest, and the next day followed the same routine. He was thinking about changing jobs, but the planet did not offer many employment opportunities besides the military.
But today was different. His boss decided to give him "a week's holiday" as a reward for having been "an exemplary employee. " Hortenes was now walking the streets of the city, thinking what to do with his spare time. I can go to the stadium. Heard that are shaping up a new game between the baseball teams of Aurora and Faust. Or I can go to the General Library-
The sound of an explosion shook him out of his thoughts.
He looked back and saw that the Police Headquarters of Scythian City was burned out. Firefighters scrambled to put out the remaining fires while some policemen and paramedics searched for survivors to treat. Hortenes joined the crowd that was forming behind the burned building. There was a big hole in the center of the building and the floor was filled with debris and charred corpses. The remaining police and agents of the CSB (Central Security Bureau) held back the curious crowd. An officer with a bullhorn shouted, "Citizens, return to your work! You do not have commitments here!"
Hortenes thought, It's been a long time since there was a terrorist attack. Now the Party will panic. Who will it be this time?
The following days were going to be interesting for Rimland...
Thoughts?
PROLOGUE:
Scythian City, Planet Eschate
Rimland Sector, The Centrality
12 February 3099
Rimland Sector was not initially chosen for human colonization. In the 30th century, the Centrality had first thought of occupying Sector N-11, but some argued that it would be then dependent on the moderately-developed sectors and would be very close to the United Nations, not a close friend of Centrum. Other sites were rejected for being almost on the edge of the Nova-Atlantean Commonwealth and the Eoghans, sworn enemies of the Centrality. The sector O-9 (the future Rimland) was chosen because it served as a first line of defense for Dovan sector and it was near the neighboring Ranoideans, which, despite being ruled by techno-socialists, they lacked a history of conflict with the Centrality. Even after deciding to settle at O-9, the Central State took its time in choosing reliable settlers before they were sent, as the Centralists feared the risk of a rebellious colony, as in Shimor.
Rimland, like all colonial sectors, was underdeveloped. The other colonial areas had priority, and therefore the budget for Rimland was just enough to maintain the functioning of the sector to a minimum. Rimland was an area of small colonies and militarized enclaves, with the sector capital being the only planet that could be called developed, and even then several areas of the capital were not yet enjoying the conforts of civilization. There was the problem of patrolling the new territory, and it was common to see fighters, frigates, and destroyers from the Navy in the space over the colonies, chasing after smugglers, criminals, or other "illegals". Eschate was a good example of this.
Who gave my father the idea of moving here? I'll understand if it was because the Party wanted him here, but he never talked about the reasons for the move. This is ridiculous. So thought Estegan Hortenes, a 24 year-old who worked as a receptionist at the offices of the Centralist administration that ruled Scythian City. He had been saved from recent layoffs as a result of budget cuts in the city. He appreciated the fact that his grandfather had connections with important members of the sector government and thus could influence his retention.
Hortenes, your typical Centralite citizen, was bored with his job. What he did was simply to ensure that all who entered the government building was properly registered, and smile to anyone who got close by. His work did not give much time for fun, not even to go out to a party with his friends. He could only work, go home to rest, and the next day followed the same routine. He was thinking about changing jobs, but the planet did not offer many employment opportunities besides the military.
But today was different. His boss decided to give him "a week's holiday" as a reward for having been "an exemplary employee. " Hortenes was now walking the streets of the city, thinking what to do with his spare time. I can go to the stadium. Heard that are shaping up a new game between the baseball teams of Aurora and Faust. Or I can go to the General Library-
The sound of an explosion shook him out of his thoughts.
He looked back and saw that the Police Headquarters of Scythian City was burned out. Firefighters scrambled to put out the remaining fires while some policemen and paramedics searched for survivors to treat. Hortenes joined the crowd that was forming behind the burned building. There was a big hole in the center of the building and the floor was filled with debris and charred corpses. The remaining police and agents of the CSB (Central Security Bureau) held back the curious crowd. An officer with a bullhorn shouted, "Citizens, return to your work! You do not have commitments here!"
Hortenes thought, It's been a long time since there was a terrorist attack. Now the Party will panic. Who will it be this time?
The following days were going to be interesting for Rimland...
Thoughts?
