The DRS Dresden was one of the first German heavy cruisers to join Aneerin’s fleet. He fought with us in all the Battles of Alpha Centauri, stayed through the hellish Hyades Cluster, and went on to sail with us throughout the Outer Colonies and beyond. He was a good ship. Betty liked him too, though for way different reasons than I did. They still flirt every time we end up in the same system, which happens often enough that I don’t think it’s coincidence.
Before Contact, all colonies were major governmental or international endeavors, taking years or decades to plan and organize. In the century before The War, smaller private organizations began to expand into the vast reaches of the Outer Colony Region. One such organization from Kansas colonized New Salina. We passed through the system during The War, chasing a Russian fleet. I left a shard behind, and now I sell dress suits to enterprising young men.
As we explored the star systems around us, our governments began to seriously consider another answer to the Fermi Paradox. We may not have had Contact because it is the nature of intelligent life to destroy. Stories of Berserkers or Von Neuman probes destroying all life were once common. And then there is the simple possibility of genocidal aliens who do not want competition. Peloran Contact was a pleasant surprise to the more pessimistic of us.
I served on the HMCS Elizabeth for a few months back in 2315. She was the first Canadian heavy cruiser in Aneerin’s fleet and he wanted someone who knew Canadians to help ease them into the fold. Here’s the secret. Canadians are Americans too, especially in the west. I spent a lot of time partying with them as a kid. They are lovely people. Quebec is full of crazy people though. Lucky me, the Elizabeth was full of westerners. Easiest orientation cruise ever.
I leave a shard of myself behind on every world I visit, to keep track of what we influence. I’ve been to every Core World as it happens, and after The War and its aftermath we spent several months on Paradisia. The world earns its name, and it is an amazing place to relax and recharge and watch life flow by. Of course, we’re not big on watching, so we moved on. I stayed there as a tour guide though, helping other people find the same peace we did.
The Martian Affair on Amazon
Forge of War on Amazon
The Audacious Affair on Amazon
Angel Flight on Amazon
Angel Strike on Amazon
Angel War on Amazon
The Family Affair on Amazon
The Thunderbird Affair on Amazon
Wolfenheim Rising on Amazon
Wolfenheim Emergent on Amazon
The Gemini Affair on Amazon