The Least You Need To Know About Star Seeker.
It’s easy to forget as a Sci-Fi fan what a rare breed we are. Our genre requires not only a great deal of imagination, but at least some familiarity with the sciences. But despite the foundations in fantasy, there are still conventions; certain rules and basic laws of physics that need to be observed. We can’t find our characters miraculously delivered from dire straits because “a dragon!” But we can accomplish the miraculous “because alien technology!” or “because aliens!” And if that alien just happens to look like a dragon or saurian, then, well, so much the better – just don’t call it a dragon.
I became more acutely aware of this when having my work evaluated by a professional who was not a Sci-Fi person. One of the characters in Book 7 Children of Charon wears red Converse high-tops. She criticized him as being unbelievable, something to the effect that “no one would take him seriously with those shoes.” (I just felt a disturbance in the force – as if thousands of David Tennant “Doctor Who?” fans cried out in agony). My reply was that “regulation Scout boots didn’t come in his size.” She said “okay,” but that I would have to explain that.
So that lead me to this conclusion: while there is a glossary at the back of the book, there should be something that explains how things all fit together. So here it is, a very short list: “The Least You Should Know About Star Seeker:”
1) Science fiction (as does all fantasy) requires a “willing suspension of disbelief.” You don’t have to have a degree to understand how a light switch works, only that it does. The same is true with the background tech. Just accept it; the author will explain it if you need to know. Also be warned: authors of series can pose a problem in book two and not resolved it until book six. Bwahahaha. Some readers like the long game.
2) Space is vast. Travel in Seeker is based on jump or warp technologies. Jump drives fold space like a cloth, traveling like a needle through the fabric, emerging on the other side without covering the space between. Jump drives are rated 1-6 for the number of par secs (3.2 light years or 60 trillion miles) they span. Each jump takes a week (MOL) regardless of distance covered.
3) Ships are incredibly cramped. Scout ships have no hallways and use ladders between decks. To make best use of space, CSS ships may use different gravity orientations on each deck. Most decks are perpendicular-to-thrust (most efficient). Decks requiring the storage of ship’s boats and equipment usually run parallel-to-thrust.
4) With the discovery of fusion technology, energy became cheap. Fuel (hydrogen) is skimmed from bodies of water or the atmospheres of gas giants and then refined. Water and breathable Oxygen can also be a byproduct of that process. As long as there is a source of fuel, ships can remain indefinitely in space.
5) When large number of crew or ships are introduced, first absorb the flavor of the names as a group (nationality, etc.), learn how to mentally pronounce the names then forget them. If they are important, they will be mentioned again. Do the same with ships: the flavor is important. “Panama Hattie” says something about its Captain and the purpose of the ship.
6) Space travel between the stars takes a long, long time. In Seeker, there is no faster than light radio. Communication from the front to HQ and back takes 10-12 weeks. Yes, it is a plot device (and a pain for me to keep track of). This is much like the Age of Exploration when messages took three months to travel the Atlantic.
7) Books in the Star Seeker Universe have appendices at the back of each issue. They include ships and their crews, lords and their demesnes, a glossary of terms, locations and characters and illustrations of star ship exteriors (and in most cases interiors) and star charts. Last, but not least: a preview of the next view of the series.
If you are a novice, consider yourself “jump-started.” If you have more experience, Welcome to the Star Seeker Universe. Now go forth and explore the stars!