beccastareyes | I do so have a plot! I throw the characters at each other and see what happens!

What? It seems to work well for me.

New Terms

Bug: Any one of a number of human-created nanomachines that

interact with normal life. Some are symbiotic with humanoid life, while

others are just pests, or agents of disease, much as any other

microorgansm. The use of 'bug' to mean insect or naturally-evolved

microoraganism is generally obsolete. 'Computer Bug' has shifted to be

'software bug', or 'virtual bug' for clarity.

Bug Catastrophe: The event several centuries ago when nanomachines

carried off a sizable minority of Earth's human population to colonize the

stars.

Cross-: Term for a non-biological relative in a pair family or other

polygamous family. Other terms often used are 'bio-' (bio-parent,

bio-child), 'full-' (full-sibling, full-niece/full-nephew), and 'half-'

(half-sibling, half-niece/half-nephew).

Dyson Clouds/Clouds: A spherical shell of machines surrounding a star to

absorb most of the light. Specifically refers to the presumed artifical

intelligences that builds and lives in such clouds around red and white

dwarfs. There is speculation as to the nature of these intelligences --

whether they were once humans who never went back to a biological form after the

Bug Catastrophe, or if they are an alien civilization. While the Clouds

are happy to trade information for information, they don't answer questions

about where they came from for cheap. Typically relations are done via

Interfaces -- android constructed bodies that contain eihter a cloud entity or a

piece of one (no humanoid is really sure how many beings live in one cloud, or

even if 'being' has a meaning for a cloud). Clouds tend not to travel, so

information about new places they would never go is of value to them.

Humanoid: Anything that is human, or descended from a human

Martian: Someone from Mars, but specifically refers to the racial group

that came from the pre-Catastrophe Martian colonists, a mix of mostly East

Asian, European and Indian Subcontinent ancestry.

Neuter pronouns: Se/se/ser/sers

is acceptable for third-gender folks and genderqueer individuals. 'It' is

considered rude, or inhuman. Singular 'they' is more used for hypothetical

people.

Non-solar: Any humanoid born outside the solar

system, technically, but usually means anyone with genes that came from a

non-solar planet.

Pair marriage/pair family: A marriage made up of four people -- two

identified as male and two as female, typically. So named because the

original pairs were created by two couples to work with the Martian reproductive

laws after the Bug Catastrophe. Since people were encouraged to have two

children with two different partners, the idea was that two couples (either

same-sex or opposite-sex) was the minimum size needed to get the benefits

optioned by the government, and let every biological parent be involved in the

upbringing of the kids, without separating siblings (or half-siblings).

Nowadays, many Martian immigrants just think of them as familiar and one of the

'normal' ways to make a family, even if the child parentage isn't as mandated as

it was back then. A pair family is the nuclear family created by the

members of a pair marriage and their children. (In places where polygamy

is illegal, restricted to one sex, or otherwise structured in a way that doesn't

permit a legal pair marriage, couples may be on the books as two marriages, but

socially will consider themselves married to all three partners. This is

also true even if all members of the pair marriage are heterosexual or

homosexual, or otherwise not physically attracted to one or more of their

spouses. Occasionally, one of the more traditional heterosexual pair

marriages will use the term co-wife/co-husband or sister-wife/brother-husband,

or, in cases where the marriage is just two monogamous couples who have agreed

to raise their families together, cross-wife/cross-husband. It does come

off a little old-fashioned to a modern Martian, who really doesn't care who is

sleeping with who in a pair marriage.)

Solar: A word for a (relatively) unmodified human. Includes

Terrans, Martians, and residents of the Asteroid Belt. (There are also

colonies on the Moon and people working on Saturn, but there's not enough of a

national identity, though occasionally you get someone with Loonie Pride.

And talk of cloud cities on Venus.)

Technomage: One who pick up the signals and use stray bugs by thinking at

them -- it usually means that one has been training since one was young, so that

one's neurons actually have bugs incorperated into them. Normally, it

allows things like low-level telepathy or the ability to tell if a computer is

turned on, or a sort of itch around radio (not terribly useful -- radio is

everywhere, but supposedly a technomage in a spacesuit can find nearby space

stations, stars and gas giants and the Galactic Center). Latent

technomages are those who haven't realized the ability. There are rumors

of 'active technomages', who can do more than listen, and black-ops implants

that make someone an active technomage, but so far things are

unsubstanciated. The Starsailors are known for having a talent along those

lines. Daryn had legends of mystics that many think were technomages, but

they disappeared during the colonization effort -- most people blame a mutation

in the bugs that made them more suceptable. Technomages are more prone to

bug-borne dieases.

Translator: Good mechanical translation is available, but speaking to a

person who took the time to learn your language is considered good matters in

many places, even if the accent is atrocious. In situations when a

language is not pronounceable by human vocal chords, sign languages have

developed, especially since most humanoid hands are roughly similar. As a

result, businesses will often employ emissaries who can speak a certain

language.

Characters

Melody Hartmann

Who is she? Melody is the human child of a mixed

Starsailor/Human pair marriage. Her bio-parents are Michael Hartmann, an

American Terran immigrant to Nemea and Nila Mizushima, a Nemean-born daughter of

two of the first Solar colonists. Her cross-parents are Sephan, a son of the of

the founding Starsailor colonists, and River, a new immigrant from Beacon.

She has two younger sisters -- Min, her cross-sister and Emma, her

full-sister. She is named for her bio-paternal grandmother, Mel

Hartmann. She lived on Earth from age 12 to 18, with her cross-aunt

Philee. She studied journalism in college and got a job as a foreign

correspondent, partially because she spoke several languages (Starsailor,

Darynese and a couple of human languages). She was set to cover the

Darynese sphere of influence, because she spoke their language and the personal

contact made her more appealing. She mostly stays on Daryn and screens out

locally-written stories for sending on to Earth, but she will occasionally write

her own stories.

What does she want? To do her job. Also, to protect her friend Rikayo

especailly. She has no ill-will towards the Darynese, but tends to be a

modernist. On the other hand, her orders tell her to not get involved in

local politics.

Alriai Luzaiyilai Aborin

A Kemaryn-Darynese mailship pilot completing her license. Melody and

Rikayo use her ship to get out to Kemaryn. Alriai is the daughter of the

head of the Aborin Shipping, which is doing quite well for itself as one of

Kemaryn's main shipping companies. Her mother, Luzai Aborin is not the

clan head, but is in the upper echelons of clan leadership. The mailship

she's piloting is one of her family's, for example. Alriai is named for

two aunts who died on a shipping run while her mother was pregnant -- they had

an equipment failure, and her aunts stayed behind in a lifeboat to make sure the

rest of the ship got through to the final destination. Alriai has never

been on the surface of a planet (the closest is the asteroid shipyard), and is

perfectly comfortable in space.

What does she want? To protect the interests of Aborin Shipping.

She's a little suspicious of the Yizalryn shippers as a result -- generally,

Aborin has a few Kemaryn rivals but they all band together against

Yizalryn. Daryn tends to rely more on outside shipping, though a few clans

have in-system shipping. Mar Darenka has attempted inroads against

colonist control of outsystem shipping, so she is a figure of some

suspicion. Overall, the Aborins want Daryn to stay out of shipping, and

stay conservative enough that they prefer the Kemaryn to the Yizalryn, but not

so much that they go isolationist.

Rikayo Maryilao Darenka

A homeworld-Darynese son of the Darenke clan head. He spent some time on

Earth, studying, and is trained as an engineer. He also ends up serving as

a bit of a political symbol for his mother -- a sign that the outside isn't

something that will make one non-Darynese. As a result, he often travels

with her when his job permits. He met Melody on Earth and the two of them

have been close friends since childhood. He has a younger sister,

Aris. His parents are Mar Darenka and Treyao Lupera. Melody often

teases him about his political involvement.

What does he want? Riki wants to be a dutiful son, and help his mother's

political ambitions, which he also believes in. He is a strong liberal,

not surprising considering his background. On the other hand, he has taken

on enough human characteristics that sometimes he finds his duties

overwhelming. Part of him wants to just move to Earth or somewhere outside

of his mother's sphere of influence, though the lonliness of being clanless

scares the crap out of him. He didn't tell his mother, but he wants to go

to Yizalryn to look for a job as an engineer. Yizalryn is close enough

that he is still among other Darynese, but not clanspeople. He also is

very fond of Melody, the two having spent a lot of time after work hanging

out.

Mar Kylnyuyilai Darenka

Current leader of Darenke clan, and current Prime Minister (or equivalent) of

Daryn's civil government. (I say Prime Minister, as she essentially

governs as the head of a coalition.) Mar did some studying on Earth, why she

sent both of her children there fora bit. Married to Treyao Lupera, has

two children -- Rikayo is in his mid twenties, and Aris is a teenager. She

is an only child, unusual in Darynese society, but her mother has undisclosed

medical issues. Her parents are Kylnyu Darenka and Naos

Aekaenba. She's considered something of a political genius and

charismatic figure, something that neither of her two children inherited -- both

take after the thoughtful introversion of their father.

Mar's overall goals are to keep Daryn competitive versus other planets (and its

own colonies). Daryn already has a bit of a lead, thanks to persistent

slower-than-light colonization before they were recontacted by other humans --

it has Kemaryn and Ilubolryn as colonies, with Yizalryn as a group of Darynese

uninterested in the homeworld. She is concerned about the fact Daryn's sun

is showing signs of age, and the environment is destabilizing, but sees

negotiating with offworlders to lessen the population load and improve

technology to keep everyone fed as the solution.

Ayalu Arbudeyilai Lupera

Representative of the Darynese priesthood, which also controls a lot of the

medical and social services that aren't delegated to the clans. She

happens to be Mar Darenka's sister-in-law (the sister of Mar's husband), but the

Lupere Clan has always been a lot more conservative than the Darenke clan.

Ayalu is no exception -- she has pretty much given over her life to the clan and

the priesthood (in that order), and doesn't much care for her brother and his

wife's political leanings, nor how they are bringing up her niece and

nephew. Clan politics being what they are, she has little to no recourse

about this, besides to make it clear that she has a personal dislike for Darenke

clan. (Mar for her part, does not take it personal, aside from being

annoyed that Ayalu is.) She has been a rising star in the conservative

faction in the priesthood, and holds administrative posts. She also is a

fair psychologist.

Ayalu is unnerved by the colonies, since even Ilubolryn is unacceptably alien

thanks to its minimal contact with the homeworld. She doesn't want to

change the way of living her people have had, and she doesn't want to

move. She is slowly trying to deal with the fact that her people are going

to die in under a millenium if they don't Do Something, but she is more in favor

of a massive evacuation, then isolation from the rest of the universe, including

letting the colonies hang. She doesn't care much for non-Darynese that

stick their noses in Darynese business, so she's not going to like Melody.

Especially given Melody's close friendship with Rikayo.

Nenke Betaiyo Kaezo

Military person of Daryn's government. An older man, spent most of his

time steadily working his way up the ranks in Daryn's police force. A

moderate who is more interested in brokering compromises than causing

trouble. Some of this is due to Daryn's sexism -- any sign of 'male'

aggression would be looked on disfavorably. Has a strong interest in

promoting equality. To some extent, is curious about the Yizalrynyil, in

that they are alien -- one of his unusual traits is an interest in other

cultures, even if he would never leave the homeworld. (And this is his first

trip out). Very duty-bound and a strong sense of justice -- if trouble

happens, he will have problems keeping his nose out of it.

Daonai Dimu

An executive who entered politics, Daonai is known for being a cutthroat

businesswoman. Technically transgender by Yizalryn convention, but

biologically female and leans feminine naturally. Cultural pride will

cause se to object to feminine pronouns. Ser company handled a lot of

shipping, but also did a lot of nanotech development. Daonai opposes Daryn

modernizing, but also opposes (to a lesser degree) Daryn isolating

themselves. Se doesn't like them much, but prefers them dependent on

Yizalryn shipping than setting up their own companies or going through

Kemaryn. Se isn't willing to accept Darynese colonists unless they adapt

to Yizalryn. Thankfully, this is not an issue, as Yizalryn is a world

being terraformed, and cannot support a massive influx. Se is also willing

to flaunt Yizalryn culture to make others uncomfortable, and is pretty

ruthless. Ser first concern is to protect ser world at any cost.

Saenyo Aro

Daonai's aide, a historian by trade, and a bit of a technomage (as is

Daonai). Identifies as transgender, but is biologically male. Unlike

Daonai, actually identifies as transgender. Daonai considers se half a

protege of sers. Is endlessly fascinated by technomagery, and history, and

their combination. Daonai funds a lot of ser research, as it pays off in

things se can patent. Saenyo would love to see the worlds open more to

exchange of ideas -- while se sees Daryn's culture as needing some changes, se

is interested in seeing things come to equilibrium, rather than the forced

segregation by distance.

Trokeo Delban

Kemaryn's representative. His goals are the protection of Kemaryn

business. He is happy to provide services to Daryn with the provisio of

keeping them from developing a strong spacer industry.

Rozaelai Taeni

Ilubolryn's representative. She wants to keep a major influx of homeworld

people off her world. She welcomes limited immigration, though.

Zakenyo Mairibi

A young Ilubolryn priest training in Kemaryn. Generally a decent

sort. Latent technomage. Descendant of Elbetra Mairibai, though

Elbetra's sister.

Rubelao Elbetra Mairibai

Founder of Yizalryn's second wave of colonization. Had a falling out with

Aerul -- the two had ended up fighting, with Mairibai ended up unleashing a

massive bug plague on Daryn to prevent Aerul from doing something. Se took

the blame, and fled to the colonies with ser supporters. Has a soft spot

for Yizalryn, and for technomages, and a skill with bugs. A bit of ser

personality was saved by Aerul, and se is trying to subvert Aerul's plans.

Part of se wonders if things would be better without Daryn, but se doesn't trust

non-Darynese to not muck things up.

Aerul Trunym

A ghost in the machine, Aerul has been missing for over a century, after a

failed FTL trip. Ser goal is to keep Daryn the way it was, so is

approaching the conservative factions. Has a skill with bugs. He has

a crazy scheme to preserve Daryn against its' Sun's evolution, by bringing the

entire world into a virtual FTL space using the bug population. Needs

Daryn's infrastructure, and the alien disassemblers on Kemaryn.

Trying to decide if I want multiple POVs, or just let Melody tell the story.