Cailin Briste's Blog, page 30

Qingdao – the Planet

Qingdao is located in the Bing Lon sector that lies closest to the Sympallan Drift. Although it was colonized as an open planet, a large portion of the population is of Earth-Asian descent. The planet required terraforming, but while it made the planet habitable, it did not destroy the austere beauty of the jagged mountain ranges that make up large portions of the many small continents and islands of the world.

Qingdao is known for the aesthetic beauty of its sculpted gardens and graceful ar...

Runner’s Hub – space station catering to smugglers

A former ship’s captain in the Federation fleet, Marge Boleoruns the Hub like a military command. Starting out as a set of linked tankers providing fuel and an exchange point for those who didn’t like Federation oversight, the Hub has grown to a huge cylindrical wheel. Multiple levels provide docking, warehouses, repair facilities, banking, trading, quarters, and pleasure. Boleo isthe ninth person in a line that goes back centuries to be responsible for the management of the Hub. All profits...

Correggia and Forplix – Two Planets in One Solar System

These two planets are extremely close to one another and have a history of disputes, which have led to numerous wars. It’s almost a Hatfields and McCoys situation, which requires the Federation Navy to maintain an in system presence to keep the current round of recriminations from developing into an all-out shooting war. A Federation ambassador is attempting to mediate a peace treaty, but ongoing raids by each side make it difficult if impossible to see any results from his efforts.

Gallarda – the Planet

Gallarda is one of the three poorest planets in the Tallavan sector based on standard of living and median income. Right to settle was purchased by an entrepreneur who planned to market pyantha fiber as the next innovation in textiles. The ability to grow pyantha was rare in the galaxy and unique to Gallarda on this side of the Sympallan Drift. The planet was never terra formed, making it necessary for those hired to work on Gallarda to rely on hydroponic warehouses for their food. Through a...

Furzine – the Planet

The Furzine colony was mismanaged from the beginning. They limped along with the Federation’s assistance until they reached full membership status. On their own, mismanagement rose to new levels, food and fuel shortages became regular events. Riots ensued. Order was restored by a man with strong ties to criminal organizations. He became the first strongman of Furzine.

Over time, that position was passed on to a successor or violently wrested into the hands of another. The Benefactor is Furz...

Preatiens – the Planet of Empathic Women

Preatiens was colonized as an open planet. Shares were sold to anyone who could afford to pay them. Background checks weeded out criminals and other undesirable elements such as those with hereditary genetic defects.

It wasn’t until babies were born on Preatiens that the effect of a hitherto unknown element in the soil was discovered. Those girl babies conceived, gestated, and birthed on Preatiens developed a genetic anomaly. Carried on the X chromosome, the defect, or as some later called i...

Beta Tau – the pleasure planet of the Tallavan sector

Beta Tau, a hot desert planet, was planned from the first as a premier vacation paradise. People call it a pleasure planet because it offers decadence on a grand scale for anyone old enough and with sufficient credits to enjoy. Although its reputation is strongly rooted in the hedonistic delights it offers, Beta Tau also has domes dedicated to those vacationing with children, luxury shopping, arts and entertainment, sports, a water dome, and a garden dome. The botanical gardens are listed as...

Tallav – the Planet

The rainbow hills of Tallav in Shane: Marshal of Tallav (photo is real mountains in Danxi China)

Tallav is one of the few planets discovered that is ideally suited to human life. Terraforming was not required. Xenobiologists were employed to integrate Tallav’s ecosystems with essential elements of Earth’s ecosystems. The fee to colonize this gem was high.

The colonization rights were purchased by a large group of extremely wealthy women who had united around the concept of establishing a matr...

Holiday Book Bash – Win a Copy of Maon: Marshal of Tallav

The Dec. 6 release date of Maon: Marshal of Tallav is perfectly timed in the lead up to the Holiday Book Bash Extravaganza. 30 authors were will be participating.The “official” party dates are Dec 16th, 17th & 18th starting at 4 PM EST to 10 PM EST each day!

I’ll be giving away a copy of Maon: Marshal of Tallav to a randomly selected participant.

My time slot is Dec. 16 7:30-8:00 pm – Cailin Briste. Note: time is EST. Join me as we chat about erotic romance, science fiction romance, the holid...

Planets in the Tallavan Sector – Sons of Tallav Series

Tallav is one of hundreds of federated planets that occupy a portion of the Milky Way galaxy where planets capable of sustaining human life are most likely to be found. Initially, colonies were established by independent groups on those planets closest to Earth. These early colonies depended on Earth until they achieved stable agricultural, industrial, economic, political, and social systems.

The Milky Way arch. Credit: Bruno Gilli/ ESO

Mutual assistance pacts were common. As planetary indepe...