Read The Saga of Seven Suns: Veiled Alliances Online
Authors: Kevin J. Anderson
Tags: #Fiction, #Science Fiction, #General
The Saga of Seven Suns: Veiled Alliances (15 page)
AFTERWORD
From its inception, the Saga of Seven Suns has been closely linked with comics. During the long development process for the huge series, the worldbuilding and creation of the character backgrounds, I hired excellent comic artist Igor Kordey to help me visualize the key elements. Igor designed the Klikiss robots, the Prism Palace, Ildiran costumes and kiths, Roamer skymines, the Whisper Palace, and the hydrogue warglobes.
I had worked with Igor before on a
Star Trek: The Next Generation
graphic novel,
The
Gorn Crisis,
cowritten with Rebecca Moesta, for Wildstorm Comics, and Igor also painted the covers for my
Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi
comic series,
Redemption
. Rebecca and I also tapped into his talent and imagination to visualize parts of our
Crystal Doors
Trilogy.
After reading my original outline and proposal for the Saga of Seven Suns, Igor dove into the project and sent me faxed sketches of his concepts, which in turn sparked ideas of my own, which led to more sketches and full paintings from Igor. Many of the Saga’s storylines and characters grew directly out of these brainstorming sessions.
As I began writing the novels and continued my work in the comics field, I showed some of the development artwork to my editors at Wildstorm Comics. Since this epic science fiction series is so visual, I thought a graphic novel would make an excellent companion, and I sold Wildstorm an original graphic novel, a prequel to the series called
Veiled Alliances
.
Because Igor had other artistic commitments, we went with the artist Robert Teranishi to do all the interiors. Stephen Youll, who had painted the initial covers for the novel series, also painted the cover for the graphic novel. I thought it was a great story, and I was very pleased with how it turned out. Years later, however, the graphic novel is hard to find, and it never received wide distribution outside the U.S.
Having finished my Terra Incognita fantasy trilogy, I turned my imagination back to the Seven Suns universe so that I could begin work on the sequel trilogy I’d always kept in mind, The Saga of Shadows. But it’s been ten years since I wrote
Hidden Empire
, the first novel in the Saga of Seven Suns, and I realized I needed some time and practice to get up to speed on the big fictional universe I had created.
What better way to get my head back into that universe, I thought, than to write something new? And I realized that the story told in the
Veiled Alliances
graphic novel was a perfect place for me to practice.
Since the majority of fans of the Saga of Seven Suns didn’t have a chance to read the graphic novel, and I felt the story was important enough to revisit it. I developed it into a full-fledged original novella, a vital prequel that lays the foundations for all of the groups and conflicts that make up the Saga.
For me as a writer, revisiting
Veiled Alliances
served its purpose extremely well. I was thrilled to return to the Roamer skymines, the breeding camp on Dobro, see the origin of the green priests on Theroc, spend time with the old Teacher compy, OX, another scheming Chairman of the Terran Hanseatic League, and its first Great King. Writing
Veiled Alliances
also gave me a chance to drop in a few hints of what will be appearing in the Saga of Shadows, a next-generation story that begins twenty years after
The Ashes of Worlds
.
Telling a story with images and dialogue balloons is very different from having the freedom to describe scenes and write conversations without limitations. I was able to add a lot more character background and depth to the inner dialog and history. Readers may notice some variations between this novella and the graphic novel version—a rearrangement of scenes and timing, expanded or altered dialogue—but the story is the same.
I hope you enjoy it, and I hope it whets your appetite for the Saga of Shadows. I promise another spectacular galaxy-spanning story with many characters, worlds, creatures, and conflicts—as well as special effects as good as only your imagination can create.
BONUS
THE SAGA OF SEVEN SUNS
VEILED ALLIANCES
Original Graphic Novel Script
PAGE 1
Four panels. Text blocks, serving as a “rollup” to give the necessary background information (like the intro paragraphs in the STAR WARS films) are spaced around the panels. No dialog or captions on the panels themselves.
Note, the text blocks may be more effective if typeset rather than hand-lettered.
PANEL 1
Earth hanging in space, western hemisphere showing. Typical planetary shot.
TEXT BLOCK 1:
IN 2100 A.D., A TIRED AND CROWDED EARTH DISPATCHED 11 GIANT, SLOW-MOVING GENERATION SHIPS ON A HOPEFUL—SOME SAY ‘POINTLESS’— QUEST.
WANDERING AIMLESSLY WITHOUT FASTER-THAN-LIGHT TRAVEL, THEY SEARCHED THE SPIRAL ARM FOR NEW HABITABLE PLANETS.
PANEL 2
Closer in, the curvature of Earth fills the bottom of the panel, atmosphere, clouds. Stars glimmer in the blackness of space. Several of the brightest ones look different, though—these are the approaching massive alien ships in Panels 3 and 4.
TEXT BLOCK 2:
EARTH NEVER EXPECTED TO HEAR FROM THEM AGAIN. THESE SELF-SUFFICIENT SHIPS PLODDED TOWARD DISTANT STAR SYSTEMS LIKE MESSAGES IN BOTTLES, TOSSED INTO A VAST, EMPTY SEA . . .
PANEL 3
Big Ildiran warliner, looking like a gaudy angelfish, flat and ostentatious, with lots of peacock-style colors, antennas, flashy bits. It looks ALIEN, awe-inspiring, but showy rather than threatening.
TEXT BLOCK 3:
AFTER 144 YEARS, ONE GENERATION SHIP ENCOUNTERED THE SOLAR NAVY OF THE VAST
ILDIRAN EMPIRE
. THE BENEVOLENT ALIENS TOOK THE HUMAN COLONISTS TO A VIRGIN WORLD . . .
PANEL 4
Like a scene out of INDEPENDENCE DAY. Now we see a whole fleet of these amazing huge warliners converging over Earth, descending into the atmosphere.
TEXT BLOCK 4:
THE CURIOUS ILDIRANS, WHOSE CIVILIZATION IS OVER FIFTEEN THOUSAND YEARS OLD, WENT IN SEARCH OF THE OTHER TEN HUMAN GENERATION SHIPS.
THEN FINALLY THEY CAME TO EARTH.
PAGE 2
Four Panels and one text block.
TEXT BLOCK:
FIVE YEARS AFTER THE FIRST CONTACT BETWEEN THE TWO CIVILIZATIONS, THE ILDIRAN SOLAR NAVY SENDS A FORMAL DELEGATION TO THE HUMAN KING.
IT IS A SPECTACLE THE PEOPLE OF EARTH HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. . . .
PANEL 1
Spectacular panel showing the magnificent Whisper Palace: obviously being expanded, a new wing added, scaffolding up one side of a big tower.
PANEL 2
People looking into the sky, pointing, amazed. These are ordinary people, dressed in everyday work clothes, minor government workers on the job.
PANEL 3
Smartly uniformed royal guards standing outside the archway into the Throne Hall. One speaks into a communication badge at his collar.
1. GUARD
ROYAL GUARD IN POSITION AND READY, MR. CHAIRMAN.
PANEL 4
Big panel, bird’s-eye view of the Whisper Palace and the Palace District bounded by the Royal Canal. We are looking down at the fantastic multi-domed building, as if we’re in a helicopter high over the Vatican. One of the Ildiran ships is descending, halfway down, heading toward a big plaza. In the lower right corner, extreme foreground, we see part of another Ildiran ship (it’s in our face), as if we’re looking over the edge of the top deck.
2. RADIO BALLOON
PLAZA LANDING AREA CLEARED.
3. RADIO BALLOON
PREPARE FOR THE ILDIRAN DELEGATION. SNAP TO IT NOW!
PAGE 3
Four Panels
PANEL 1
Two men, CHAIRMAN MALCOLM STANNIS stands adjusting the fancy robes, medallions, etc. of KING BEN. Our first impression may be that Stannis is a manservant, but the dialog in the next two panels tells us otherwise. Stannis is young and ambitious (think of Paul Reiser as Cotter Burke in ALIENS, a slimy Yuppie). He is dressed in a futuristic version of an Armani suit, business attire.
King Ben, on the other hand, has all the costume and finery of a traditional king, jewels, crown, plush cape. He has a chubby and good-natured face, everybody’s favorite uncle. He also looks a little scared (emphasize in Panel 2); he’s waaaaay over his depth.
1. MALCOLM
TODAY’S EVENTS WILL FOREVER CHANGE THE HUMAN RACE, KING BEN.
[LINK]
YOU’D BETTER NOT BOTCH THIS.
PANEL 2
Standalone shot of King Ben, uneasy, “How do I look?”
2. KING BEN
CHAIRMAN STANNIS, YOUR PREDECESSOR CHOSE ME AS AN
ACTOR
TO FILL THIS CEREMONIAL ROLE. . . .
PANEL 3
At the doorway to the opulent Throne Hall, with the empty throne sitting in the distance at the other end of the big echoing room. Malcolm Stannis, looking somewhat impatient, gives bumbling King Ben a nudge, getting him moving into the room.
3. KING BEN
THIS WILL BE MY BEST PERFORMANCE EVER!
4. MALCOLM
IT BETTER BE. NOW GET GOING.
PANEL 4
Spectacular panel of the magnificent Ildiran warliners landing in the plaza in front of the Whisper Palace.
5. CAPTION (STANNIS SPEAKING)
“THE NEW STARDRIVES THE ILDIRANS HAVE PROMISED US WILL OPEN THE WHOLE SPIRAL ARM TO HUMAN COLONIZATION AND EXPLOITATION.”
6. CAPTION (STANNIS SPEAKING)
“ALL THOSE WORLDS AND RESOURCES WILL BE A GLORIOUS BOON FOR THE TERRAN HANSEATIC LEAGUE.”
PAGE 4
Eight panels
PANEL 1
With the big Ildiran warliner landed in the background, ADAR BALI’NH emerges. He has descended the ramp (or perhaps some more innovative way of getting him off the ship) and is now standing in the foreground. He has a formal but alien-looking military uniform. He looks like the sketch designs for Adar Kori’nh from the novel. Following him in the background are other Ildiran soldiers—these look more beastlike, a different breed of Ildiran, but with features clearly related to Bali’nh’s.
1. ADAR BALI’NH
SO THIS IS EARTH! YOUR DESCRIPTIONS HAVE NOT DONE IT JUSTICE, OX.
PANEL 2
Close-up, the compy OX emerges from the Ildiran warliner. He is a small robot, somewhat humanlike, reminiscent of a tin soldier. Not at all threatening, he is a “competent computerized companion.”
TEXT BLOCK [MARGIN]
EACH GENERATION SHIP FROM EARTH CARRIED A “COMPETENT COMPUTERIZED COMPANION.” THESE “COMPIES” SERVED AS TEACHERS, GUIDES, AND ARCHIVES FOR SUCCESSIVE GENERATIONS OF WAYWARD HUMANS. . . .
2. OX
WHEN I DEPARTED EARTH ON THE
PEARY
149 YEARS AGO, THE KING’S WHISPER PALACE HAD NOT YET BEEN CONSTRUCTED.
[LINK]
MUCH HAS CHANGED SINCE MY GENERATION SHIP WENT IN SEARCH OF NEW WORLDS.
PANEL 3
A crowded scene (perhaps larger than I have drawn it on the sketch), showing the Adar flanked by his Ildiran soldiers, standing next to OX, as they are all met by royal guards.
3. BALI’NH
I AM ADAR BALI’NH, COMMANDER OF THE ILDIRAN SOLAR NAVY.
PANEL 4
Adar Bali’nh half body shot, raises his arm as he introduces himself.
4. BALI’NH
WITH THE BLESSING OF OUR OMNIPOTENT MAGE-IMPERATOR, I HAVE COME ON A DIPLOMATIC MISSION TO EARTH.
PANEL 5
Close-up of OX’s head.
5. BALI’NH (OUT OF PANEL)
I HAVE ALSO BROUGHT THE COMPETENT COMPUTERIZED COMPANION OX, FROM THE RESCUED GENERATION SHIP
PEARY
.
PANEL 6
Guards lead the Adar and OX toward the arched openings of the Whisper Palace, in the background. Ildiran soldiers in the foreground.
6. GUARD 1
COME THIS WAY.
7. GUARD 2
KING BEN WILL RECEIVE YOU IN HIS THRONE HALL.
PANEL 7
Inside the Throne Hall, close-up of Malcolm Stannis whispering to a frightened-looking King Ben.
8. STANNIS
REMEMBER, DON’T SAY ANYTHING IMPORTANT. DON’T AGREE TO ANYTHING.
[LINK]
AFTER WE HEAR WHAT THE ILDIRANS HAVE TO SAY,
I
WILL WRITE YOUR REPLY.
9. KING BEN
CHAIRMAN STANNIS, I HAVE WORN THIS CROWN FOR 28 YEARS, AND —
PANEL 8
Stannis, close-up, looking stern.
10. STANNIS
AND I MAY ONLY BE NEWLY ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN, BUT WE BOTH KNOW WHO RUNS THE SHOW, KING BEN.
[LINK]
DON’T WE?
PAGE 5
Eight panels
PANEL 1
Big panel, Adar Bali’nh and OX, with their backs to us, stand in the left foreground, ready to approach King Ben who sits up on his throne.
1. ADAR BALI’NH
YOUR MAJESTY, IN ALL THE HISTORY OF OUR EMPIRE, AS TOLD IN THE
SAGA OF SEVEN SUNS
, ILDIRANS HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED ANOTHER INTELLIGENT RACE — UNTIL NOW.
2. ADAR BALI’NH
OUR MAGE-IMPERATOR IS PLEASED TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGY TO WELCOME HUMANS INTO THE GREATER CIVILIZATION OF THE SPIRAL ARM.
3. ADAR BALI’NH
OUR FAST STARDRIVE WILL HELP YOU EXPLORE AND SETTLE VAST NEW TERRITORIES.
PANEL 2
Business-suited Malcolm Stannis stands talking with one of his cronies, surreptitious in an alcove. They are speaking in whispers.
4. CRONY
I BET THE KING IS ABOUT TO WET HIMSELF! HE’S NEVER HAD TO DO ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE.
5. STANNIS
GOOD THING I’M HERE TO MAKE THE DECISIONS. THE HANSA NEEDS A STRONG LEADER RIGHT NOW.
PANEL 3
King Ben, chin in his knuckles, listening intently to his visitors. Dialog is either whispered balloons from out of the frame, or captions with quote marks.
6. CRONY
MALCOLM STANNIS! EVERYBODY KNOWS YOU BRIBED YOUR WAY INTO THAT POSITION —
7. STANNIS
THAT DOESN’T MEAN I’M NOT A GOOD LEADER.
PANEL 4
OX talking.
8. OX
THE ILDIRAN EMPIRE HAS MAPPED HUNDREDS OF HABITABLE PLANETS THEY HAVE NO INTEREST IN COLONIZING.
9. OX
IN OTHER WORDS, SIRE, ALL THOSE WORLDS ARE UNCLAIMED.
PANEL 5
Adar Bali’nh talking.
10. BALI’NH
THE ILDIRAN SOLAR NAVY HAS ALREADY LOCATED ALL BUT ONE OF EARTH’S GENERATION SHIPS AND DELIVERED THEM TO SUITABLE WORLDS FOR SETTLEMENT.
PANEL 6
King Ben talking.
11. KING BEN
THE FIRST SHIP YOU FOUND — THE
CAILLIÉ
? — HOW IS THAT COLONY DOING? IT’S BEEN FIVE YEARS, I BELIEVE?
PANEL 7
Malcolm listening.
12. STANNIS (MUTTERING)
THIS COULD BE THE GREATEST DAY IN THE HISTORY OF THE HANSA!
[LINK]
DO THOSE ALIENS KNOW THE VALUE OF WHAT THEY’RE OFFERING US?
PANEL 8
OX and Adar Bali’nh side by side.
13. ADAR BALI’NH
THE
CAILLIÉ
REFUGEES HAVE SETTLED ON A FORESTED PLANET, THEROC. THEIR COLONY IS MOST UNUSUAL, YET IT THRIVES.
14. OX
PERHAPS SOMEDAY A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THEROC WILL RETURN TO EARTH, JUST AS I DID.
PAGE 6
Because this story takes place on several worlds, as a “chapter divider” I would like to start the new sections with a thin colored band across the top, giving the name of the planet in reverse-out white letters. Here, there is a green band with the name THEROC in white letters running along the top of the page, with the color bleeding down into the gaps between the panels. See the colored sample included with the sketches.
Seven panels
PANEL 1
We see young THARA WEN running madly through the thick underbrush. She is a gorgeous Asian girl, wearing little, showing lots of skin in her legs, arms, midriff. (More than just cheesecake, though—we need to see the dramatic shift later after her skin turns entirely green.) She’s got a few scuffs and scrapes on her arms and legs. This isn’t BAYWATCH—she’s scared half to death.
TEXT BLOCK 1
WHEN THE FIRST GENERATION SHIP WAS BROUGHT TO LUSH THEROC, THE EXHAUSTED PEOPLE WERE DELIGHTED TO MAKE THEIR HOME THERE.
THE LAST CHILDREN TO BE BORN IN SPACE ADAPTED MOST READILY TO THE NEW ENVIRONMENT.
PANEL 2
Close-up of Thara’s face, utterly terrified.
PANEL 3
Another shot of her running through the thick forest, heading away from us. In the foreground, though, we get a glimpse of what is after her: a man, his shadowed head and shoulders seen from behind as he pulls a large fern aside, watching Thara run.
TEXT BLOCK 2
BUT EVEN ON A FRESH NEW WORLD, OLD SICKNESSES AND CRIMES OCCURRED.
TEXT BLOCK 3
SADLY, IT SEEMED A PART OF HUMAN NATURE.
PANEL 4
Thara looks over her shoulder in fear, still running at top speed.
PANEL 5
We see an angry, psycho man chasing her, clutching a knife in his hand (maybe the knife is a piece of sharpened scrap metal with rags wrapped around its hilt.)
1. SAM ROPER
THARA WEN! COME HERE, IF YOU KNOW WHAT’S GOOD FOR YOU, GIRL!
PANEL 6
Close-up of Sam Roper, looking furious and ferocious.
2. ROPER
WHAT ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT? I WON’T HURT YOU.
PANEL 7
Extreme close-up of his hand gripping the wicked-looking knife.
3. ROPER (OUT OF PANEL)
I PROMISE. . . .
PAGE 7
Eight panels
PANEL 1
Thara runs toward one of the old colonists’ prefab huts, now overgrown with weeds and vines, used for storage. Clearly nobody has been here in a while. The name CAILLIÉ is stenciled on the side.
1. CAPTION
THARA WEN DOESN’T KNOW WHAT SAM ROPER WANTS FROM HER.
PANEL 2
Hiding behind the prefab hut, Thara peers around it, still very afraid.
2. CAPTION
AT THE MOMENT, IT ISN’T IMPORTANT.
PANEL 3
With the prefab hut in the background, Sam Roper barges into the clearing; he’s hunched over, looking bestial, still clutching his knife.
3. ROPER
NOBODY OUT HERE TO HELP YOU, YOU KNOW!
PANEL 4
Close-up of his hand, slashing the knife through a tangle of vines.
4. ROPER
WE’RE TOO FAR FROM THE REST OF THE VILLAGE.
PANEL 5
Thara, off and running again.
5. CAPTION
THE FORESTS ON THEROC ARE VAST, DENSE . . . MYSTERIOUS.
PANEL 6
Standing close to one of the wide, golden-scaled trunks of a tall worldtree, Thara looks up, craning her neck and implying just how HIGH these things are.