Red Fox sneak peaks

Senia Felix, main character of Rocket Fox.

February is only a month away, and I’m still doing minor prep work for the new story arc in the Lupine Star System.  Book one of the three books (which ends with Swift Fox) will begin in a little over a week (a week and a day, to be absolutely accurate).

The tentative title is called Rocket Fox and the Flight of the Nighthawks.  I know, sort of pulled from the abandoned project Black Mask & Pale Rider Flight of the Skyhawks (not entirely abandoned, mind you).  This story arc will see Senia along with her comrades Clarfax Billings and Hardy Maynard (who’s gender has changed and will be changed in the second draft of Swift Fox) first graduating from the Royal Vulpine Academy and being assigned to the Main Authority, where they will serve as bounty hunters.  They will have the distinction of being the only bounty hunters in the Main Authority to be given a squadron designation, however.  This thanks to some pull Billings will have.

As mentioned, Maynard is getting a gender change.  “He” is becoming a “she”, and the reason why is a simple one.  Vulpinia is a matriarchal society, where the female is deemed just as important as the male.  I felt it would be a bit more in keeping with the society’s philosophy that there would be two females in a squadron of three, instead of the other way around, having two males in a squadron of three.  This story will also help flesh out Senia, Clarfax and Hardy a bit more, as I felt that they were rather bland in Swift Fox and the Pirates of the Jackai.

As well, the new story will have some quotes tossed in for flavour, some will feature the main characters, some will feature important to the main characters, others will feature characters to be met in future arcs.  Here is one that describes why ships are called ‘she’.

“There is a reason why, my daughter, we call ships ‘she’. From the grand old sailing vessels that charted the waters of Vulpinia to the space faring cargo cruisers that travel from Critainia to Canin and back again. We Vulpine have always held females in high regard. It’s why we call out to the Great Mother.

But ships are called ‘she’ because they are sturdy, protective and true.

They are sturdy because they have to withstand the rigors that are set before them. Whether that be the waters of the Red Fox Sea, or the treacherous lanes of the Wayfarer’s Run through the asteroid belt.

They are protective because they give us a home. A shield against the elements. They hold us close and they will always try to keep us from harm.

They are true because they will always give you the answer you need, even if it isn’t the answer you necessarily want.

I want you to remember that, my darling Crena. For one day, you will be captain of this ship. You will have to take care of her, just as she protects you. As she protects you, she protects the crew, just as you must protect the crew.

And that is why we call them ‘she’. They come in all shapes, all sizes, and serve all sorts of functions. And whether they are called the Barrow’s Revenge, the Lionid’s Pride or the Jackai Sifter, they are all beautiful.” ~Cedric Clarendale speaking to his daughter, Crena Clarendale, future captain of the Barrow’s Revenge, proposed intro for Rocket Fox and the Flight of the Nighthawks.

I may have other snippets of quotes from characters in the series in the coming days, I’ll have to see how things go and what characters speaks out the loudest.

For now, some space mood music.

Related articles

• Rocket Fox: sneak peak (taholtorf.wordpress.com)
• Science fiction adventure! (taholtorf.wordpress.com)
• What was your favorite book as a child? (taholtorf.wordpress.com)
• Character Building in the Lupine Star System: Lieutenant Senia Felix (taholtorf.wordpress.com)