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The Halonica Chronicles - Book 1: Awakening

It had to start somewhere. For Sean, it started well before the dusty planet the first book begins on and ends after a tour of multiple planets. Political turmoil, corporate espionage and freelancing… who knew they were a perfect marriage. Complete with myriad fights, reconciliation, and always asking the question “Why?”

Sean’s companion is unfailingly polite, or entirely rude, depends on the day. With the voice of a well-bred academic, and the instincts of something far less restrained, every suggestion arrives in proper form, whether it is tactical data, archived information or a not so mildly enthusiastic proposal to eliminate a problem… permanently and inefficiently.

Join me on this wild ride through the Halonica System and see what all the fuss is about. Hands off that bottle of Ranger # 21!

SEE IT ON AMAZON

Character Biographies

Because there are a lot, and it can get hard to track (for me).

Sean’s ship and onboard artificial intelligence. Very clearly the main character. Tactically smart to a “T” and extremely intelligent. He is easily excited in combat and sometimes not as efficient as he would like to be.
(edit) Note that the entire paragraph above was written by Rok and he wouldn’t let me fix it.
Sean is a charismatic young individual with devilish good looks. A secondary character, he always tries to do the right thing, regardless of danger, and loves his family, however dysfunctional. He excels at reading people and situations and is a quick thinking problem solver that comes up with unique solutions. They work most of the time, and if they don't work it's probably because he didn't listen to Rok. He is dealing with some recent personal trauma and loves a stiff drink to drown out said problems, Ranger No. 21 preferably.
(note: Again, Rok has made some edits to this passage, I haven't been able to figure out how to fix it, but will at my earliest.)
(Ha ha, no you will not. I saw his other note too, newb.)
Sean's father, CEO of Nelcyon, and the most powerful man in the known systems. He is extremely distrustful and borderline paranoid. This stems from multiple attempts at corporate espionage against Nelcyon and history from Old Earth. He is an extremely shrewd businessman who is uncompromising and always wins, always. Being the sole marketing in Hals tends to tip the scales in your direction after all.
Sean's mother and Tiber's wife, even if begrudgingly. Very protective and nurturing to her children due to events that occured on Old Earth and their father is mosly absent. She is always looking for opportunities to open Tiber's eyes to Sean's contributions to the family.
Sean's younger brother and life long military man. The favored child of Tiber due to a strange coincidence in Sean's birth. A trained weapon and exceedingly adept and prefers to use lethal skills, Elliot's only goal is to make his father proud. Not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, but even a sledgehammer has its uses.
Madam Bethany's older brother and the lead Hal researcher at Nelcyon. He has worked for Nelcyon since his Old Earth days. Very protective of his sister and her children due to Old Earth history and knows what the Nellis family is capable of. One of the very few people who is trusted by Tiber due to his extensive knowledge in Hals and the value of said knowledge.
Sean's paternal grandfather and original founder of Nelcyon (formerly Nellis Energy). Similar to Tiber, extremely hard working and successful business man. Known for taking huge risks with equally huge payoffs. Uncompromising and unforgiving of mistakes or breaking his hard earned trust. Died of landing fever.
Sean's paternal grandmother and an extremely sweet woman. She is very protective of her family and her non-profit organizations she runs on behalf of her family. It is said she once fired an employee for not tucking in his shirt. Said employee wasn’t wearing any pants either, but that was added to the dress code until after. Has always adored Madam Bethany as her daughter-in-law, which is rare so I hear.
Attaché, personal bodyguard and fixer to Sir Tiber Lee Nellis. One of the few people completely trusted by Tiber. Not much is known about Krone other than he has worked for the Nellis family since they relocated to the system. He is trained in multiple forms of warfare and has extensive enhancements. Whether those enhancements are cybernetic or genetic is unknown.
CEO of Fertile Futures and ruler of the planet New Hope. Forced into her leadership position at an early age, she is extremely intelligent and beautiful beyond compare. She is devoted to her people and her planet and does the best that she can, even with her limited experience. Her external projection hides her inner turmoil as she struggles with childhood trauma. Will always make decisions that are good or just, but can and will make sacrifices to attain those goals.
Attaché and personal bodyguard to Lady Marconi. Specially trained to protect his ward, although he carries a chip on his shoulder for a past failure to protect his charges. Will do anything to ensure no harm comes to Lady Marconi.

Former marine, known to some as Lash, others as Ash. She fell in with the wrong crowd, and by that I mean captured and forced into the wrong crowd. Like eat your enemies kind of wrong crowd. She is a survivor and competent warrior. Carries a grudge due to her experiences and is on a quest for vengeance. Stay out of her way.
CEO of PINC, the largest communications and news agency in the system. He is the definition of flamboyant, no literally, look him up in the PInc dictionary, with over the top hair, style and personality. Think Rudy Rhod from the Fifth Element and you are scratching the surface. He is a shrewd negotiator and easily ticked off. He rarely gives anyone attention as he feels none deserve it. His one goal in life is to be in or know everyone's business, personal or not, and he is close to that goal. If he has a relationship with someone, it probably isn't amicable.
CEO of Independence Arms, the largest arms manufacturer in the system. Very secretive, manipulative, conniving (enter other evil terms here). It is said that he once looked at a family of otters playing in a pond and did not smile, literally scum of Old Earth. This guy once traded his son for an arms deal, sure he sacked the corp and stole his sone back, but still. Ick. Rumored to be negotiating arms deals with powerful corporations what can only be assumed is nefarious purposes.
Enigmatic CEO of MERC. No one, and I mean no one has seen Stefan's face. There's not even a corporate photo of the man anywhere. He is so secretive even his handwritten notes are encrypted. If he was a character in mission impossible, he would be the tape that Tom Cruise listens to before each mission. Rumor has it that he is friends with James Miller and Christof Moniker, he may even be related to one of them.
CEO of Potential Co. a specialized provider of cybernetics and robotics to those in need of such things. Wears a customized mask that hides wounds earned from an Old Earth war, rumor has it. Said to be friends with James Miller and Stefan Smith (maybe he has seen his face)?
CEO of Clandestine. Kind of like a modern day (future day?) Robin Hood. He is a spymaster that deals in intelligence by stealing information from unfriendly corporations and selling it to... other unfriendly corporations. Regularly goes on missions of extreme danger to help others, who does that remind you of? Is very friendly to and protective of Chloe Narobi. Rumored to be friends with Christof Moniker and Stefan Smith (wonder if he has seen his face).
CEO of Escape Inc., the largest resort corp in the system. Close friends with Sean's mother and very protective of her daughter. Runs a tight ship where the customer is always right, until they aren't, then they disappear (out the back, not the kind of disappear you were thinking). Potentially close friends with James Miller.
Captain in the MERC armed forces although he performs duties of a colonel or general. Wait, is his first name Captain? Oh, that makes sense. No nonsense leader that puts his mission and his men first, the order of that varies. In an alternate universe, there would be a game loosely based on this guy and his name would be John Price. Would be best friends with Chuck Norris (God rest his soul).
Fertile Future's military leader and father to Own Hastings. He is completely loyal to Lady Marconi and the people of New Hope. His military experience dates back to Old Earth and his one of the most decorated and competent commanders in the known systems. He utilizes his extensive knowledge and experience to ensure his corp has the advantage, whether that is politically or in times of war. One of his favorite quotes is "Being intelligent means you know what to say, having knowledge means you know when to shut up." Listening to other's ideas before rushing to a decision has been one of the primary reasons he has been so successful.
Sean told me not to put this one in here but I ignored him. Owen is Lady Marconi's husband and son to High Admiral Hastings, with stupid good looks and manly features. His prominent chin, broad shoulders, and perfect hair defy logic. He too is completely loyal to Lady Marconi and the people of New Hope. When not in wartime, he is an ambassador and liaison to developing planets where he spreads the goodwill of Fertile Futures. Truly a magnificent specimen of a person. His one weakness is dark chocolate covered wafers.

The Halonica System:

Star Systems

Again, because there are a lot and its hard to track (for me).

Major Planets:
New Austin - Capital world of Nelcyon
Plutonia - Capital world of Rawton Inc.
Minor Planets:
Halson (Hal major site)
Palestine (Independent)
Non-Livable Planets:
Bush (metals)
Houston (hydrocarbons)
Major Planets:
New Tokyo- Capital world of Chamber Matrix
Upton - Capital world of Siber LLC
Goldman - Capital world of Mason Financial LLP
Minor Planets:
Barren (wasteland)
Non-Livable Planets:
Titan I (metals)
Titan II (hydrocarbons)
Mareh (water/acidic)
Major Planets:
Spartan - Capital world of Independence Arms
Minor Planets:
Slope (ice world)
Bracket Asteroid Field
Breen (independent)
Non-Livable Planets:
Pitch (fire planet)
Evergreen (acidic)
Major Planets:
Xiao - Capital world of Zen
New Hope - Capital world of Fertile Futures
Aqua - Unsettled
Minor Planets:
HC-212 (gas giant)
HC-214 (hydrocarbons)
Non-Livable Planets:
Miist (jungle/unsafe atmosphere)
Major Planets:
Haven - Capital world of Escape Inc.
Range - Capital world of Logistix
Minor Planets:
HC-340 (Hydrocarbons)
Non-Livable Planets:
Ticonderoga (Oxygen rich)
Lupe (fire planet)
Has a single minor planet with numerous moons and dual suns. The suns are constantly emitting solar eruptions which disrupts technology on the surface. A colony ship crashed on the planet but has not been heard from since.
Has one major planet formerly known as Roanoke. All inhabitants were eaten by local fauna, aka, the Skit. No follow up settlements were attempted. Five non-livable planets comprised mostly of ice worlds, no known valuable resources.
Minor system with no livable planets. All four of the planets orbit too closely to the overactive sun and thus, are all fire planets.
Minor system with one minor planet and three non-livable planets. The minor planet has what many thought were the remains of an ancient civilization, however, upon further study the ruins were actually identified as a set for an old video game. Otherwise the system has basic resources.
Dark system with no active sun. Has a single lifeless planet.
Minor system with no livable planets, but does have a few rare resources.
Colony ship wreckage in the Outer Belt, closest to the Atlas system. Pirate activity has been reported in the area.
Colony ship wreckage in the Outer Belt, closest to the Mariah system. Pirate activity has been reported in the area.

Major Corporations

Formerly Nellis Energy from Old Earth. Legally the only marketer of Hals in the known systems and considered to be the most powerful corporation in existence.
Largest arms dealer in existence. Constantly develops cutting edge technology as long as it involves obliterating something, or possibly protecting assets.
Largest manufacturer and supplier of agricultural products, including food and fresh water.
Largest supplier and originator of mined non-hydrocarbon resources and rare earth minerals.
Largest purveyor of medical equipment, supplies and services. They run most hospitals, bill you, and then charge you again for the papercuts that ensue.
Largest manufacturer and supplier of transportation vehicles and non-combat spacecraft. If it moves, they probably built it.

Conglomeration of construction entities that represent… well construction companies. They can build stuff, like buildings, roads, underwater research labs, you name it.
Largest manufacturer and supplier of technological devices, whether it’ s consumer, communication, infrastructure or industrial. If Radio Shack, Nokia and Compaq had a relationship, that would have been weird, but it might have resulted in Chamber Matrix circa 1990.
Largest provider of human assets, in legal form. They can provide outsourced staff for anything, literally.
Former conglomeration of banks, financial advisors, accountants and loan sharks that lost their power to a hostile takeover from Brodrick Mason, an individual. He has a very good poker face. It’s not clear who the other limited partner is, but there has to be one right?
Largest source of consumer information, news, and virtual entertainment provided by a plethora of communication devices. All unbiased of course. The show must go on.
Conglomeration of religions, churches, societies, and aid providers. These are the friendliest people in the galaxy, the pamphlet says so!
Defunct corporation from Old Earth that went against Nelcyon in the final world war. Led my Niklas Muller, it was the largest provider of private military resources and equipment before the Exodus.

Sub-corporations

They aren’t like major corporations because they are sub’s (not the Jimmy John’s variety.)

Provides mercenaries, guns for hire, and security. While they work for money, they do tend to do it for reasonable reasons.
Provides customized luxury transportation for space and planet side.
One of the last producers and suppliers of hydrocarbons such as natural gas, gasoline, and diesel fuels. Makes a killing on lubricants.
Specializes in exploration, history and art. Rumored to have lost their last two expeditions; one to the Heathen system and the other to the Lara system.
Provides custom security to the ultra-wealthy and those with more assets than they know what to do with. In some circles known as rent-a-cop.
Provides highly customized cybernetics and robotics at a fraction of Chamber Matrix prices. They work a fraction of the time as well, unless you pay more.
Largest owner and operator of resorts, hotels and other hospitality venues in the Halonica system. Currently has an application to be considered as a major corporation since they are the only sub-corp that governs an entire planet.
Primarily advertised as a competitor to Escape, Inc. with a focus on casinos. However, they are well known to “dabble” in private entertainment and debauchery. If you are under 17, please ask your parents before you search that up. If you are over 17 and still had to look that up you had a similar college experience to me… sadly.
Subterfuge is a fancy noun, clandestine is a fancy adjective… wait, that’s exactly what this corp does. They do tend to keep it light, tight and bright though, besides the whole selling information to the highest bidder though. Don’t get on their bad side.
Owns the rights to Aqua, an all water planet. Other than the planetary rights, they have no assets and provide access rights to other corps such as Roughneck Fuel and Fertile Futures.
A cool combination of ideas, aerial pirates. The only thing that beats that is space pirates, am I right? Or space ninjas… jeez new book idea.
Way cooler than Skyrats, but now threatened by Space Ninja’s, even though nobody has seen said ninjas since their hideout in Modesto was located. The pirates are concentrated around the Wreck and Freeport.

A large group of construction workers wearing blue shirts and wide-brimmed hats are working together on the wooden framework of a roof at a house under construction.

CAREFUL Y’ALL!!!

THIS AREA IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

Apologies, I am new to this and am currently working on this page. I intend to upload character background, various chapter art, thought pieces and background if interested parties (that’s you) demand it.