Blood Siren

by Michael Formichelli

  Confederate

  Star Corps

  Name for the military machine of the Confederation. It is sub-divided into various branches, among them the Star Jumpers, Star Commandos, and the Confederate Star Force.

  Confederation

  of

  Sovereign

  Systems

  Conglomeration of five sovereign star-nations; The Tri-Terra Republic (Solan/human, VoQuana), The Cleebian Greater Prosperity Sphere (Cleebian, Achinoi), The Galaenean Unity (Galaenean), The Relaen League (Relaen), The Isinari Equalitarian Republic (Isinari) and unofficially The Savorchan Tribal Sovereignty which has no governing powers at this time (Savorchan).

  Cyberweb

  A term for the Confederate digital environment network; the Internet of the 25th century. It can be linked to in a variety of ways, and supports virtual environments as well as very high speed communication. Due to the limits of interstellar communication, each system has its own Cyberweb, as does every planet, every ship, even certain pieces of technology. Confederate citizens rely on the Cyberweb for nearly every life activity they engage in.

  Democratic Labor

  Party (DLP)

  The DLP is the political party of the working people of the Confederation. It enjoys support from the majority of the populace living in big cities and settlements, and from a select group of barons. It is the chief rival of the Mercantile Party.

  Environmental

  Suits a.k.a. E-Suits

  Typically skin-tight or nearly skin-tight suits made of insulated, shielded smart-fiber polymers to allow the wearer to survive in harsh conditions, including vacuum. They have a hood component with a built-in breather membrane that can recycle the wearer’s air indefinitely.

  Feast of

  Paraximos

  A celebratory holiday held on Anilon.

  Gauss Weapons

  Projectile weapons, on a personal scale, that use magnetic fields to accelerate ammunition to super-sonic speeds.

  Hizgrul Caldera

  Region of Savorcha where the seat of the Savorchan Tribal Sovereignty lies.

  Kosfanter

  Capitol of the Confederation of Sovereign Systems, a moon of the gas giant, Matre; the 5th planet in the Matre’s Glory system.

  Latanus Feast Day

  An Anilonian Holiday

  Medical Nanomachines

  Nanomachines with pre-programmed, medical functionality.

  Mercantile Party

  (MP)

  The MP is the party of the majority of barons. Its purpose is to ensure the unhindered, virtually unregulated state of interstellar commerce remain as it is. It enjoys a vast wealth and firm support from some of the wealthiest Barony houses, including Revenant, Olivaar, and Sordekaar.

  Nanodetox

  Commercial name for pre-programmed nanomachines that remove toxins (usually alcohol) from the host system.

  Nanomachines

  Remotely programmable, microscopic robots

  Orgnan

  Dominant species in the Orgnan Empire known for brutality.

  Orgnan Empire

  Vast star-sovereignty ruled by the Orgnan species. Its economy is infamously a slave-economy, with several species held in bondage.

  Relaen

  Dominant species of the Relaen League. They are an ancient group of sentient species who has been wandering the stars since the loss of their home world thousands of years ago.

  Sakari

  Cleebian eating utensils

  Savorcha

  A planet on the Confederate-Orgnan border. Home world of the Savorchan Tribal Sovereignty.

  Shell a.k.a.

  Combat Shell

  Confederate term for a heavily armored, environmentally sealed, exoskeleton. CSC-1A is the Confederate heavy combat model used in the Savorchan Conflict.

  Silocar

  Artificial blood for synthetic life systems. It functions to transport nanomachines, and is polarized to carry a charge. It functions as a kind of liquid wire, maintenance, and sanitation system all at once.

  Solan

  Term for a person from the Sol system, typically human. Also, a synonym for human.

  Symbiotic Cerebral Computer

  a.k.a. SCC

  A Cerebral Computer with an A.I. installed

  The Barony

  1/3 of the Confederate legislature. It shares power, in theory, with the Sovereign Council and the Office of the Premier, but its total control of the Confederate Treasury makes it the primary government entity.

  VoQuana

  Dominant species in the VoQuana Remnant, a hybrid species created by the blending (and intensive genetic manipulation) of the now extinct Qua and humans. They are rumored to be telepathic, and a great deal of fear is evident in the Confederation from the belief that they are.

  VoQuana

  Remnant

  Conquered sovereignty of the VoQuana species. It has no official status in the Confederation of Sovereign Systems, and its citizens are quarantined on its planets.

  Zov

  A VoQuana world near the Greater Cleebian Prosperity Sphere.

  About the Author

  Michael Formichelli has been a die-hard fan of science fiction and fantasy since his mother first let him stay up late to watch Star Trek re-runs in the early 1980’s. Along with a passion for sci-fi, Michael is a lover of all things science related from astronomy to biology and beyond. He holds a black belt in Kendo (Japanese sword fighting), and is rather fond of studying foreign languages.

  He lives in orbit of New York City with his wife and two cats.