Through the Void - Discussion and FAQ

Welcome to Solar-Net! The first inter-system attempts at making internet. We've improved connection time so instead of waiting for someone to respond in 13 minutes by connected tightbeam, we now respond in 10! So, welcome to the Net and let's see what you have to say about what the hell is going on in the universe! We accept everyone! Save for them Earther government types. Mars can probably go fu- [TRANSMISSION CUT]

Here we are, the discussion thread. I hope to answer a lot about this idea and hopefully make it past Book One, if we can.

Ok, so what's the general idea for the setting? is it strictly the same setting as The Expanse? if so, will we deal with the proto-molecule? or is The Expanse just a basic framework to expand on?

Basic Framework, you'll be dealing with your own insanity. No protomolecule.

Hm, so I just realized since our characters have been on the Benjamin for varying periods of time, would it be a good idea to work out how well each one knows each other now or nah?

edited 11th Apr '17 3:42:58 PM by CorvusAtrox

That would be a good idea actually.

Okay! Then I'll start off with saying Hyouta's been on the ship for a few months, so he might kinda know people, but not necessarily too well. (We can probably work out for specific people as more people say stuff)

edited 11th Apr '17 3:42:45 PM by CorvusAtrox

Artyom knows everyone, but doesn't talk to them much. Doesn't emote well either. He's trying to fix that.

Natalie is pretty antisocial but has been around a while and people prolly recognize her as a senior engineer on the ship, at least.

Xander has, as stated in his bio, been with the Benjamin for a year. He knows most of the crew more or less by name, but his reticence and aloofness make it so that he's only really familiar with a few of the officers and other people who he'd have more day-to-day dealings with.

Danny has been on the ship for almost two years, people are used to seeing her but few actually know her, this bothers her but not enough to do something about it.

How many people make up the crew of the Benjamin?

Around 50 to 100, the Benjamin is a older ship but has gone through some recent upgrades for improved automation under the Earth Dawn Resource company's plans of laying off some people.

Plenty of people work on the ship for hauling vital resources around the Solar System.

Hm... any of our characters in areas that could theoretically experience layoffs? (especially since Hyouta's one of the newest on the ship, from what I can tell)

Not likely, a human presence is still legally required due to new sanctions about proving humanity's future in space. The layoffs already happened.

Ah, gotcha

Political situation on Earth? Is the entirety of Earth under one united government or are there major coalitions or are the countries more or less still as they were in the 21st century?

There are new Coalitions that are made up of individual countries. They reluctantly work together in a better UN, mostly because Mars has quickly become a superpower.

Will you be providing a roster of at least the important people in the universe that we should know of? Such as the captain of the Benjamin, important political figures, etc. Or will we have leeway to make them up as we go, and whoever names, for example, the Prime Minister first we'll just go with that from then on?

Some will be made up, some will be on a roster. It varies.

What does the government of Mars look like?

Democratic in a sense, but extremely dedicated to the point that the only democratic part is the voting process. It's extremely authoritarian, but out of necessity considering that they only just managed to successfully terraform one dome. Entirely Martian Grown Green.

So expect most people from Mars to be relatively hardass and patriotic.

What kind of business does the Benjamin handle? Ice? Are the routes dangerous?

It's a generalized Resource Hauler thus it's journeys vary, sometimes it carries gas, ice, dedicated agricultural resources, minerals and materials. It's job is varied as it serves a buffer somewhat to ease the dedicated need.

It's routes are relatively safe and plotted to lower piracy potential.

So does the Benjamin find itself plying trade between Earth and Mars more or does it more often do supply runs to the Belt? Just curious.

If you give me some specs, I can try making a map/plan of the ship. Or I can make it up if you don't mind

In answer to previous questions, Mal basically knows almost everyone's name. He doesn't really know the crew and officers and whatnot personally, but he's done his research, and he's good with names and whatnot.