The first week or two of starting a new novel is a very exciting time (by the standards of writers I suppose). Laying the groundwork for a new universe is really neat! New governments, new economies, new technologies… revisiting a setting that I’ve already established is like getting into a comfy pair of pajamas, but inventing new worlds is going shopping with an unlimited budget!
This one is going to be a relatively tech-forward universe. There are a couple key technologies that are critical to the story: specifically “shields” and “lances.” Basically, the good guy ships have defensive technology called “shields” (super original name, I know, but it fits perfectly with the purpose of the defensive tech and it means everyone reading about it already kinda knows what it does) and offensive technology called “lances” that are both powered by a super-secret secondary power source called a Cylinder Engine.
There was a brief temptation to call it a “C-Drive” as a nod to us old timers who had to deal with things like lettered drives in the times before Windows, but I think I’ll leave that be.
The Cylinder Engine is going to be a critical plot point, since the Good Guys(tm) are desperate to protect it from the Bad Guys. It’s their sole advantage in a war they’re already losing.
But other than that, it will be an exploration story, of reaching new and exciting worlds, meeting new and exciting people, and trying not to die in new and exciting ways! I’m excited!
Hope everyone out there is staying safe and healthy!