[GrandAdmiralAbaht]

I've taken a new interest in the Terran-Vasudan War, and so I have decided to begin a large writing project.  I looked through Eishtmo's timeline in the FSURP, and I have decided that its pretty thorough and well thought out.  Out of the events in the timeline, I chose to write my fanfic on the "Siege of Betelgeuse" a six-month debacle in which Terran forces are cornered in the Betelgeuse system and a Vasudan Prince decides to lay siege to the system in an attempt to make them surrender.

I have only worked out a basic outline for the Siege of Betelgeuse (mind you that that is only a working title), but I can tell you this: This is gonna be big:)

This fanfic will stay as close to FS1 cannon as possible (meaning I will be using jump nodes that were disregared in FS2) and be an action-packed read.  I plan to focus on the real horrors of the T-V war and how the common people were made the victims of this conflict.

The novel will be centered around Ruben Illich, a GTA fighter pilot whose life has just been wrecked when his Antares home is destroyed, along with his wife and family.  He will constantly be in a struggle to maintain his sanity during the grueling conflict on Betelgeuse.  Other elements will be introduced as I develop them.

Other prominent characters this novel are General Kyle Lumi, a young officer promoted because of recent power vaccums in the GTA command structure.  He is placed in command of Betelgeuse's defence and is determined to allow the people he is protecting to live after Betelgeuse.  He also wants to prove himself as a leader to GTA command.

I will also feature Prince Amenhotep as my antagonist.  Amenhotep is driven by his cruel sense of justice, and wants nothing more to see his son, who was assassinated by Terrans, avenged.  It is he who orders the assault on Betelgeuse and he plans to make the Terrans suffer.  Amenhotep is also under politcal pressure to strike a dicisive victory for the VPE, because recently his operations have been costly in Vasudan lives.  He also wishes to gain status among the more respected members of the royal family.

I predict that this fanfic may take some time to develop, possibly on the order of three to five months, but I am determined to have it done.  I will release it in several sections.

I am making this fanfic not only for the reason that I am particularly interested in the T-V war, but also that I can contribute to the FS community and provide a decent source of information.

Any opinions/suggesstions/comments about my proposal would be extremely welcome.

[GrandAdmiralAbaht]

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Anyone?

[GT-Keravnos]

ME!

I would model it after a known siege, I have a few I could think of.

Vasudans and their philosophy is quite different than ours.

They have "inferiority complex", I do remember the scene in the Collosus encounter where you would fly alonside them and they would hear remarks like..." that is too good a gun for a Terran" or something and then another vasudan would retort... "hey we helped build it too!"

So, a proud race... Do explain their philosophy. Is it a warrior for honor caste? (Spartans, Samurai, Klingons) or do they approach Ferengi like trade values.

Before you do some heavy writing, do some HEAVY researching. Put some limits to your characters, races, what have you and STICK WITH THEM. I for one, feel that the Vasudans in vol. 1 are better than those in vol. 2. Vol. 2 vasudans feel like terrans in funny costumes

[GT-Keravnos]

Yeah, another thing.

-> Model some of the hardships that the general population has to go through during the siege. I was thinking of Medieval sieges that people ate mice and stuff.

-> Through the eyes of the pilot, see what the other techs pass like. I have served in the Greek Air Force, and the Pilots were the Elite, where as most of us were grunts. Being an AA gunnery sargeant myself, I would ask for a flak gunners' report of some skirmish. Or the way things shake when some gunners go out in the town.

Tell the war from a grunt's side of view TOO! Those poor alpha 2-oo exist too you know!

Failed Exodus. attempt to relieve. You can take it in so many ways...

[Thor]

Yeah, Keep it real.  If you make it moving, they will come.  I'd make sure to have things seem somewhat desperate for the Terrans.  Remember these two things.  Your characters MUST be believable, and You don't need a happy ending.  Don't make it down right depressing, but don't miraculously have the terrans swarm in and save the day.  A hard one victory is all ways more satisfying than a gimme.

[adwight]

One suggestion, give the Terrans a their good share of defeats, same with the Vasudans...  That makes it much more realistic and more interesting.  This sounds really cool, go for it!

[GrandAdmiralAbaht]

Thank you for the responses.  

I am still writing out the detailed outline (its about 4 pages long already and it covers only parts I and II), but i should soon be able to get to work with the prologue.

[Flaser]

I'm working on a fanfic that covers the story of pilot who's served even before the GTA existed.
I'd like to put cross references with your work into mine, for I'm also trying to stick with the FSURP aas much as possible.

[GrandAdmiralAbaht]

PM me and you can send me your outline.

I'll send you mine if you wish, once im finished it.  I'm fine tuning some ideas.

[Eishtmo]

All I can say is good luck.  These kinds of things take a while to develop and effort to actually finish.  Your best bet while writing (regardless of format) is to post it here and/or at Warpstorm, which despite heretic's issues is still open to any and all of you.  And make a post once a day, or as close as you can.  If all else fails, write right in the reply box.  Anything to keep you thinking about it and writing it.  Without the pressure to keep producing, you'll never finish (this is from experiance).

Good luck with the story, I hope it comes out well for you.