Difference between revisions of "FreeRIDErs (setting)"

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{{Universe|FreeRIDErs}}
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{{Universe|FreeRIDErs}}{{DEFAULTSORT:FreeRIDErs (Setting Overview & Story Timeline)}}
  
 
{{byline|author=Jon Buck
 
{{byline|author=Jon Buck
 
|user=JonBuck}}
 
|user=JonBuck}}
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{{byline|author=Robotech_Master
 
{{byline|author=Robotech_Master
 
|user=Robotech_Master}}  
 
|user=Robotech_Master}}  
  
 +
=={{separator|f|Setting Overview}}==
 +
[[Image:CatGirls.jpg|thumb|300px|Kaylee and Uncia in battle dress, by Marty Salsman (http://martysalsman.deviantart.com)]]In the 25th century, scientists and technicians on the distant colony world of Zharus make a startling breakthrough in energy storage and artificial intelligence, with the aid of "qubitite," a naturally-occurring metamaterial with remarkable quantum properties. The creation of true AI springs from quantum simulations of neural networks based on animals' genetic material that expand to take on true sapience.
  
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=={{separator|stars|Stories in Chronological Order}}==
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Matching these "Reticulated Intelligence" (RI) neural networks with nanotech-composite "Drive Extender" (DE) transforming robotic bodies produces the RIDE: a metallic animal that can transform itself into a vehicle such as a hover-motorcycle (or hover-car or even plane for larger animals), or into an environmentally sealed suit of anthropomorphic-animal body armor to survive the extreme environments of Zharus's deserts, undersea, or even outer space. (Because combining with such a suit goes beyond merely putting it on and involves elements of physical and neural linkage, the act of merging with a RIDE in armor mode is called "Fusing.") Thanks to "hardlight" technology, RIDEs can even be covered with solid holographic fur that feels real to the touch, and even to the RIDE itself.
  
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Authors may add links to their stories as they happen in chronological order in story time.  For a complete listing of all FreeRIDErs stories, since this list may be updated sporadically, see [[:Category:FreeRIDErs|the FreeRIDErs Category]].
+
However, due to their animal basis, Fusing with a RIDE can have consequences for the pilot. In order for them to be neurologically compatible, the pilot has to have similar physical features to the RIDE itself—and the RIDE's nanotech innards are designed to grant those changes. This means that Fusing with RIDEs based on ordinary land mammals will grant the rider their ears and tail (and sometimes more extreme additions such as nose, eyes, or fur).  
  
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'''156 AL'''
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RIDEs based on further different animals, such as reptiles, birds, or undersea mammals, can produce much extreme changes in their riders that restrict their ability to change back or combine with a different RIDE. And likewise, if the pilot is the wrong gender, the RIDE's nanites will adjust that, too. In most cases of gender or other extreme change, the changed human is unable to safely change back for at least three years.
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*[[User:Robotech_Master/Deserted|Deserted]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
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*[[User:Robotech_Master/Merging_Traffic|Merging Traffic]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
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*[[User:JonBuck/FreeRIDErs|FreeRIDErs]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]])''
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=={{separator|stars|Background Material}}==
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These RIDEs are used in taming the huge continent of Gondwana, a harsh and often lawless frontier that, unlike the more sedate and longer-settled continent of Laurasia, has many rich resources there for the taking, and a number of city-states occupying the ring of fertile land around the great central desert. In the desert, RIDEs are necessary to live. In the cities, they are urban transportation and playthings of the wealthy and middle-class alike. But even as they are considered mere "equipment" by many, those who know and love them know they are more than that—they are ''people'' too. Will the world come to realize and acknowledge this?
  
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==={{separator|stars|Monetary Units}}===
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[[Image:Uncia-Harlan-Stein.jpg|thumb|150px|Uncia in battle dress, by Diana Harlan Stein (http://naiadstudios.com)]]In recent years, rumors of a new form of change have been circulating—a combining of rider and RIDE that goes far beyond Fusing. Called "Integration," this combines man and machine into a single gestalt being who can no longer separate—and who are rumored to possess powers far beyond those of mere mortals or RIDEs. It is as yet unclear whether these "Integrates" are to be welcomed or feared—and, indeed, many would place them in the same category as Bigfoot, the Yeti, or the Loch Ness Monster. But these Integrates may be growing tired of keeping to themselves.
  
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'''Source:''' Reynolds, Nathan. (149 AL) ''Zharus: A Socio-Economic Primer'' (Uplift: Uplift Press)
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And the latest potential threat may very well be the old home world of Earth itself. For fifty years, it has scoffed at the idea that a distant, backward world like Zharus could be the home of so many major technological breakthroughs. But Earth's mind may be changing on that score—and it has long been known for its willingness to reach out and take what it wants.
 +
 
 +
Welcome to the world of Zharus—and to its denizens. Colonists. Bandits. Miners. Mechanics. ''FreeRIDErs.''
 +
 
 +
=={{separator|f|Suggested Reading Order}}==
 +
 
 +
===Robotech_Master's Take===
 +
As this is a shared universe, there could be plenty of jumping-on points. '''The very best way to read it would probably be by publication order,''' since that would give you the same effect as the people who were reading it in real time from the beginning. '''There's a list available [[FreeRIDErs (publication order)|here]].'''
 +
 
 +
Otherwise, I suggest reading "Deserted", "Merging Traffic", "Rochelle & Rufia: R&R", then "FreeRIDErs", then the first few chapters of "Integration" (and my "Foxed" tales), as those were all written earliest and have most of the earliest setting building in them. Then you can read Jetfire's and the other authors' stories in chronological order, and continue reading "Integration" after that. (Probably should leave "Second-Hand Lioness" until after Integration #21, otherwise some events in the main story could be spoiled.)
 +
 
 +
I'd suggest to have all of Jetfire's chronologically-earlier stuff read before you get to Integration #14, since that's where some of his characters merge into the storyline. That being said, you could probably just as easily read everything in straight chronological order without missing ''too'' much. Or just pick one writer at random and read his or her works through in order, then pick another one. Once you've read enough, it all starts to make sense together.
 +
 
 +
Either way, you should read at least some of the stories before you try to dig into the setting background material below the story list on this page. It was mainly written for our own reference and amusement while we built the setting overall, and can be kind of confusing if you come to it without a grounding from the stories in how the world works.
 +
 
 +
===Claude LeChat's two cents ===
 +
 
 +
I went a different way myself. ''Deserted'' and ''Merging Traffic'' are of course the mandatory first two, since they introduce the setting and all the most important characters. Then you're free to read e.g. the first three ''Inspecteur Hollins'' stories. But not the fourth, not yet!
 +
 
 +
Before jumping into the pivotal novel ''Integration'', you'll probably want to read ''FreeRIDErs'', since it provides a crucial bit of background, and possibly ''All Spark Bulletin'', since it's a good introduction to the Munns. But you can't go wrong with any of Jetfire's prequel stories. Fibio's ''Turnover'' will give you a good idea of the spaceship tech in the series, as well as being an emotional story in itself.
 +
 
 +
Last but not least, ''Barely Fused, Slightly Foxed'' and ''Longer Fused, More Foxed'' fill in a couple of holes in the aforementioned ''Integration'', but you can safely read them afterwards since they're unrelated but for the characters. As for ''Wolves in the Fold, Part One: A Wolf at the Door'', it makes for a nice "outboard epilogue" to the novel.
 +
 
 +
Stories that can stand on their own, for readers who aren't familiar with the franchise:
 +
 
 +
* ''Madison Brubeck and the Spotted Stowaway'', but it arguably cheats because it's a spin-off;
 +
* ''As a Woman I RIDE'';
 +
* My own ''Alpha Camp'', if you don't mind minor spoilers for how the conflict of ''Integration'' unfolds.
 +
* Of the newer stories, ''Slow Boat to Zharus'', though you might want to read some of the early stuff first.
 +
 
 +
=={{separator|f|Stories in Chronological Order}}==
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 +
[[Image:Faught_kaylee_uncia.jpg|thumb|300px|Kaylee and Uncia in battle gear as depicted by David Faught - https://www.facebook.com/DavidFaughtArtist]]Authors may add links to their stories as they happen in chronological order in story time. ("AL" stands for "After Landing," representing the number of years after the colony ships landed in 2350 AD.) For a complete listing of all FreeRIDErs stories, since this list may be updated sporadically, see [[:Category:FreeRIDErs|the FreeRIDErs Category]].
 +
 
 +
Stories that have been updated to the "Director's Cut" second draft edition are indicated with a '''(DC)''' afterward.
 +
 
 +
'''66 AL (2416 AD)'''
 +
* [[User:Robotech Master/The General|The General]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
 +
 
 +
'''108 AL'''
 +
*[[User:Jetfire/Aloha|Aloha]] ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])''
 +
 
 +
'''112 AL to 113 AL'''
 +
*[[User:Robotech Master/Greatest Show|The Greatest Show]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' with ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
 +
 
 +
'''121 AL to 123 AL'''
 +
*[[User:Robotech Master/First Deployment|First Deployment]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
 +
*[[User:Robotech_Master/GI_Joe|G.I. Joe]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' and ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]])''
 +
 
 +
'''122 AL'''
 +
 
 +
*[[User:Jetfire/Broken_Crown|Broken Crown]] ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])''
 +
 
 +
'''128 AL'''
 +
*Marshals: Beginnings
 +
**[[User:Robotech_Master/Ride_Sally|Episode One: Ride, Sally]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
 +
**[[User:Robotech_Master/Reaping_the_Whirlwind|Episode Two: Reaping the Whirlwind]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
 +
 
 +
'''129 AL'''
 +
*[[User:Jetfire/Splashdown|Splashdown]] ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])''
 +
 
 +
'''131 AL'''
 +
*[[User:Jetfire/Astra-naught|Astra-naught]] ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])''
 +
 
 +
'''132 AL'''
 +
*[[User:Robotech_Master/Where_Everybody_Knows_Your_Name|Where Everybody Knows Your Name]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
 +
 
 +
'''134 AL'''
 +
*[[User:Jetfire/The_Lady_of_the_Tiger|The Lady of the Tiger]] ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])''
 +
 
 +
'''133 AL to 138 AL'''
 +
*[[User:Jetfire/Cave_of_Wonders|Cave of Wonders]] ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])''
 +
 
 +
'''138 AL to 152 AL'''
 +
*[[User:Jetfire/Sum of Their Parts|Sum of Their Parts]] ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])''
 +
 
 +
'''140 to 141 AL'''
 +
*[[User:JonBuck/Fly With Me|Fly With Me]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'')
 +
 
 +
'''143 AL'''
 +
*[[User:Robotech_Master/Darling_Clementine|Oh My Darling Clementine]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
 +
 
 +
'''144 AL'''
 +
*[[User:Robotech_Master/A_Fritzmas_Carol|A Fritzmas Carol]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
 +
 
 +
'''146 AL'''
 +
*[[User:Hawl/Aloha666_dircut|Aloha 666]] ''([[User:Hawl|HawlSera]]))'' '''DC''''
 +
 
 +
'''147 AL'''
 +
*[[User:JonBuck/FADE IN|FADE IN]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]])''
 +
 
 +
'''147 AL to 154 AL'''
 +
*[[User:Jetfire/Spice Girls|Spice Girls]] ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])''
 +
 
 +
[[Image:Zane-Harlan-Stein.jpg|thumb|300px|Zane, and the Zane Cane, by Diana Harlan Stein (http://naiadstudios.com)]]
 +
 
 +
'''148 AL'''
 +
*[[User:Hawl/Intended Side-Effects|Intended Side-Effects]] ''([[User:Hawl|HawlSera]]))''
 +
 
 +
'''149 AL'''
 +
* [[User:Jetfire/In_Space|In Space...]] (149 to 156 AL) ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]]'' with ''[[User:JonBuck|Jon Buck]])''
 +
 
 +
'''152 AL'''
 +
*[[User:Robotech_Master/Pride_Lioness|Pride of Lioness]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
 +
 
 +
'''152 to 153 AL'''
 +
*[[User:Jetfire/Walkabout|Walkabout]] ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])''
 +
*[[User:Jetfire/All_Spark_Bulletin|All Spark Bulletin]] ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])''
 +
*[[User:Jetfire/The_Touch|The Touch]] ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])''
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''155 to 156 AL'''
 +
*[[User:JonBuck/Marshals|Marshals]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' with ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
 +
 
 +
[[Image:Blackmon-KayleeUncia-lines-01.jpg|thumb|300px|Uncia and Kaylee in battle as depicted by Jacob Blackmon - http://prodigyduck.deviantart.com/]]'''156 AL'''
 +
*[[User:Robotech_Master/jeanette-lioness|Jeanette & Tamarind: The Second-Hand Lioness]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' (begins before "Deserted" and covers all the way through Integration #21)
 +
*[[User:Robotech_Master/Deserted|Deserted]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
*[[User:Hawl/Crossrider's Dream|CrossRIDEr's Dream]] ''([[User:Hawl|HawlSera]])'' (Takes place one week after Chapter 5 of Desserted, but is not a story in the Integration Storyline)
 +
*[[User:Robotech_Master/Merging_Traffic|Merging Traffic]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
*[[User:Robotech Master/Rochelle Rufia|Rochelle & Rufia: R&R]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
*[[User:Robotech_Master/FreeRIDErs_dircut|FreeRIDErs]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
*[[Turnover]] '' ([[User:Fibio|Fibio]])''
 +
*[[User:Robotech_Master/ANGLE ON|ANGLE ON]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' (Concurrent with the first half of ''Integration''.)
 +
*[[User:Robotech_Master/DISSOLVE TO|DISSOLVE TO]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' (Concurrent with ''Integration'' #16-#17.)
 +
*Integration
 +
**[[User:Robotech_Master/All Nighter|Part 1: All Nighter]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech_Master/Integrates|Part 2: Integrates]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/RIDEgirls Day Out|Part 3: RIDEgirls' Day Out]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/Dating Games|Part 4: Dating Games]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/N00bs|Part 5: N00bs]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/All Aboard|Part 6: All Aboard!]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
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**[[User:Robotech Master/A Meating of the Board|Part 7: A Meating of the Board]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/Meat the Press|Part 8: Meat, the Press]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/Stockholm Vacation|Part 9: Stockholm Vacation]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
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**[[User:Robotech Master/Spaceflight of Fancy|Part 10: Spaceflight of Fancy]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/Citizen Katie|Part 11: Citizen Katie]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/The Crew|Part 12: The Crew]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
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**[[User:Robotech Master/Kaylee Anny|Part 13: Kaylee & Anny]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/Assault Batteries|Part 14: Assault and Batteries]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'', ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'', and ''[[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/Task of Amontillado|Part 15: The Task of Amontillado]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'', ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'', and ''[[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/Integrate Raids|Part 16: The Integrate Raids]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/Family Matters|Part 17: Family Matters]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/Many Meetings|Part 18: Many Meetings]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/Meetings Completing|Part 19: Meetings Completing]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'', ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'', and ''[[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/Prodigals|Part 20: Prodigals]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/Enemy Lines|Part 21: Enemy Lines]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/Alpha Strike|Part 22: Alpha Strike]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/Universe of Battle|Part 23: Universe of Battle]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/What Happened Mouse|Part 24: What Happened to the Mouse?]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/The Big Date|Part 25 (Epilogue): The Big Date]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' '''(DC)'''
 +
*[[User:Robotech_Master/Slightly Foxed|Barely Fused, Slightly Foxed]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' (takes place between Part 5 and Part 6 of Integration)
 +
*[[User:Robotech_Master/More Foxed|Longer Fused, More Foxed]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' (takes place between Part 5 and Part 14 of Integration)
 +
*[[User:Claude_LeChat/Alpha Camp|Alpha Camp]] ''([[User:Claude_LeChat|Claude LeChat]])'' (begins in Part 8 of Integration)
 +
*[[Taking the Plunge]] ''([[User:Kris|Kris]])'' (takes place after Part 8 of Integration)
 +
*[[Inspecteur Hollins and The Cat's Paw]] ''([[User:Fibio|Fibio]])'' (takes place during parts 9-11 of Integration)
 +
*[[Inspecteur Hollins and The Viral Thief]] ''([[User:Fibio|Fibio]])'' (takes place sometime after part 12 of Integration)
 +
*[[Inspecteur Hollins and The Multimillion Vault]] ''([[User:Fibio|Fibio]])'' (takes place after part 12 of Integration)
 +
*[[User:Robotech_Master/Kandace Jenni Friendship|Kandace and Jenni: A Beautiful Friendship]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' (takes place during/after the end of Part 15 of Integration)
 +
* [[User:Robotech_Master/Rochelle Rufia Redux|Rochelle & Rufia Redux: Foxing About]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' and ''[[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])'' (takes place after the end of Part 17 of Integration)
 +
*[[Inspecteur Hollins and The Integral Assassin]] ''([[User:Fibio|Fibio]])'' (takes place during part 23 of Integration)
 +
* [[User:Jetfire/Spacer_Oddity| A Spacer Oddity]] ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])''
 +
*[[User:Robotech Master/Final Countdown|The Final Countdown]] (''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' with ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'')
 +
 
 +
'''156 to 157 AL'''
 +
* [[User:Robotech Master/Spotted Stowaway|Madison Brubeck and the Spotted Stowaway]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' (starts before "Deserted"; concludes after "Integration" and the "Stonegates" stories)
 +
* [[User:Robotech Master/Yield Ahead|Merging Traffic II: Yield Ahead]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' and ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]])''
 +
 
 +
[[Image:Cybercats001color.jpg|thumb|300px|Rochelle and Kaylee as interpreted by William Levy (http://williamlevy.deviantart.com/)]]'''157 AL'''
 +
* [[User:Robotech Master/Impossible Things|Impossible Things]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
 +
* [[User:Robotech Master/Aloha Stonegates|Aloha, Stonegates!]]  ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'', ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'', and ''[[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])''
 +
* [[User:Robotech Master/Skunked|Skunked!]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
 +
* [[User:Robotech Master/Paws Up|Paws Up!]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'' and ''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
 +
* [[User:Robotech Master/A Wolf at the Door|Wolves in the Fold, Part One: A Wolf at the Door]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])'' (with ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]''))
 +
* [[User:Robotech Master/A_Wolf_in_Sheep's_Clothing|Wolves in the Fold, Part Two: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' and ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]])''
 +
*[[User:Robotech_Master/Joseph_Life|Joseph Steader, This is Your Life!]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' and ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]])''
 +
* The Gondwana Grand Tour ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' and ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]])''
 +
** [[User:Robotech_Master/shell_game|Prologue: Shell Game]]
 +
** [[User:Robotech_Master/ggt_uplift|Chapter One: Uplift and the Tunnel]]
 +
** [[User:Robotech_Master/ggt_nuevosan|Chapter Two: Nuevo San Antonio]]
 +
** [[User:Robotech_Master/ggt_sturmhaven|Chapter Three: Sturmhaven]]
 +
* [[User:Robotech Master/Saints Marching|The Saints Go Marching In]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
 +
 
 +
* [[User:Claude_LeChat/Return to Alpha Camp|Return to Alpha Camp]] ''([[User:Claude_LeChat|Claude LeChat]])'' (position in timeline is approximate)
 +
* [[User:Robotech Master/Kevin De-Claude|Kevin, De-Claude]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
 +
* [[User:Robotech Master/youngguns|Jeanette & Tamarind: The Young Guns]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
 +
* [[User:Robotech Master/Good Bad Fritzy|The Good, the Bad, and the Fritzy]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
 +
* [[User:Robotech Master/Family Lynx|Family Lynx]] (''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' and ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'')
 +
* [[User:Robotech Master/Dog Day Morning|Dog Day Morning]] (''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' and ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'')
 +
* [[User:Robotech Master/When the Lady Smiles|Merging Traffic III: When the Lady Smiles]] (''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'')
 +
* [[User:Claude LeChat/Imperfect Coupling|Imperfect Coupling]] (''[[User:Claude LeChat|Claude LeChat]]'')
 +
 
 +
'''157 to 158 AL'''
 +
* [[User:Robotech Master/Totalia Prelude|Return to Totalia, Part One: Prelude]] (''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' and ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'')
 +
* [[User:Robotech Master/reindeergames|Jeanette, Tamarind, and the Young Guns: Reindeer Games]] (''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' and ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'')
 +
* [[User:Jetfire/DragonRIDEr_of_Pharos|DragonRIDEr of Pharos]] ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])'' (Date fuzzy, sometime after Inties are revealed)
 +
 
 +
'''158 AL'''
 +
* The Durian Crew
 +
**[[User:Robotech_Master/Immigrant Song|Immigrant Song]] (''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' with ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'')
 +
**[[User:Robotech_Master/Dressed for Success|Dressed for Success]] (''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' with ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'')
 +
**[[User:Robotech_Master/Thank You for the Music|Thank You for the Music]] (''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' with ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'')
 +
**[[User:Robotech_Master/Head Over Heels|Head Over Heels]] (''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' with ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'')
 +
 
 +
*[[User:Robotech_Master/Tick Tock Tick|Tick Tock Tick]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
 +
*[[User:Jetfire/Spies_Among_Us|Spies Among Us]] ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])''
 +
*[[User:Jetfire/Cat_Scratch_Fever|Cat Scratch Fever]] ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])'' (Starts in 157 AL)
 +
*[[User:Jetfire/Rescue_911|Rescue 911]] ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])''
 +
* [[User:Jetfire/United_Way|United Way]] ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])''
 +
* Return to Totalia, Part Two: Parallels
 +
** [[User:Robotech Master/Parallels Visitors|Part One: Visitors]] (''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'', ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]],'' and ''[[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]]'')
 +
** [[User:Robotech Master/Parallels Clementine|Part Two: Clementine]] (''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'', ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]],'' and ''[[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]]'')
 +
**[[User:Robotech Master/Parallels Fleet|Part Three: The Fleet]] (''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'', ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]],'' and ''[[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]]'')
 +
*[[User:Robotech Master/Cold and Wet Nose for News|Cold and Wet Nose for News]] ''([[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]])''
 +
*[[User:Robotech Master/A Dash from the Past|A Dash from the Past]] (''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' and ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'')
 +
 
 +
*[[User:Robotech Master/Interchange Ahead|Merging Traffic IV: Interchange Ahead]] (''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' and ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'')
 +
*[[User:Robotech Master/Raising Ruth|Raising Ruth]] (''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' with ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'')
 +
*[[User:Robotech Master/Welcome Back|Welcome (Back) to the Real World]] (''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' with ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'')
 +
 
 +
*[[User:Jetfire/The_Power|The Power]] ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])''
 +
*[[User:Jetfire/All_Hell_Breakin_Loose|All Hell's Breakin' Loose]] ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])''
 +
*[[User:Jetfire/Riding_The_Eye_of_the_Storm|Riding the Eye of the Storm]] ''([[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]])''
 +
 
 +
* [[User:Jetfire/iron_hand_in_a_velvet_glove|Iron Hand in a Velvet Glove]]
 +
 
 +
* ''[[User:Claude LeChat/The Wolf and the Father|The Wolf and the Father]]'' (''[[User:Claude LeChat|Claude LeChat]]'') (takes place after ''Young Guns'')
 +
 
 +
'''159 A.L.'''
 +
 
 +
*[[User:Robotech Master/Warm Welcome|Warm Welcome]] (''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' and ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]],'' with ''[[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]]'')
 +
* Cougar Town (''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'' and ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'')
 +
** I. [[User:Robotech Master/Cougar Town|Cougar Town]]
 +
** II. [[User:Robotech Master/Down on the Farm|Down on the Farm]]
 +
** III. [[User:Robotech Master/A Cougar Comes to Town|A Cougar Comes to Town]]
 +
** IV. [[User:Robotech Master/Play the Game Tonight|Play the Game Tonight]]
 +
*[[User:Robotech_Master/Hello, KITTy|Hello, KITTy]] (''[[User:Robotech_Master|Robotech_Master]]'', with ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'')
 +
*[[User:Jetfire/Slow_Boat|Slow Boat to Zharus]] (''[[User:Jetfire|Jetfire]]'' with ''[[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]]'')
 +
 
 +
=={{separator|f|FreeRIDErs First Drafts}}==
 +
 
 +
Since we've started going back and revising the early portions of the story to bring the into line with what we wrote later, we have decided to preserve early drafts when they are changed sufficiently to merit a separate presentation. For most of these (but not "FreeRIDErs"), you can also use the "History" function to see what changed.
 +
 
 +
*[[User:JonBuck/FreeRIDErs|FreeRIDErs]] ''([[User:JonBuck|JonBuck]])''
 +
*[[User:Hawl/Aloha666|Aloha 666]] ''([[User:Hawl|HawlSera]]))''
  
−
There is a frequently-repeated but probably apocryphal story that posits, when the newly-formed Nexus Consortium in Laurasia was drawing up plans to establish a colony on the continent of Gondwana, it forgot to provide the contractor with its preferred names for things, such as the units of currency the colony would use. So the contractor simply used “monetary units” (or the abbreviation “mu”) as a placeholder, assuming Nextus could change it later.
+
HawlSera - I really love writing for FreeRIDErs, it's pretty great, but overtime as my writing skills have evolved and to be truthful, most of the FreeRIDE stories I wrote, were done under the influence of illicit stimulants, which overall I feel had a negative effect on my writing ability. I'm now clean and will be rebooting my FreeRIDE stories. The old "canon", (which honestly failed to work with the overarching canon of FreeRIDE) will be in this section
  
−
However, the name had not been changed by the time the colony was actually founded, at which point the colonists--impressed with its straightforwardness and simple Greek-letter abbreviation--adopted the placeholder as its actual currency title. Thanks to Nextus’s rapid economic explosion due to its advances in science, technology, and industry, its “mu,” “moo,” or “moonits” soon displaced other colonies’ own government-backed money (such as Nuevo San Antonio’s neo-peso or Uplift’s cumulo) as the ''de facto'' currency of trade among people and businesses.
+
*[[User:Hawl/Simon Of Cape Nord|Simon Of Cape Nord]] ''([[User:Hawl|HawlSera]])''
 +
*[[User:Hawl/Bob's Origin|Bob's Origin]] ''([[User:Hawl|HawlSera]])''
 +
*[[User:Hawl/As A Woman I RIDE|As A Woman I RIDE]] ''([[User:Hawl|HawlSera]])''
 +
*[[User:Hawl/At Ace, We RIDE|At ACE, We RIDE]] ''([[User:Hawl|HawlSera]])''
 +
*[[User:Hawl/To Dream, We RIDE|To Dream, We RIDE]] ''([[User:Hawl|HawlSera]])''
 +
*[[User:Hawl/We live to RIDE, We RIDE to Live|We live to RIDE, We RIDE to Live]]''([[User:Hawl|HawlSera]])''
 +
*[[User:Hawl/Nearing The End Of Our RIDE|Nearing The End Of Our RIDE]] ''([[User:Hawl|HawlSera]]''
 +
*[[User:Hawl/For Victory, For Venars, Together We RIDE!|For Victory, For Venars, Together We RIDE]]'' ''([[User:Hawl|HawlSera]])''
 +
*[[User:Hawl/TWREpilogue:We'll RIDE Again Someday|TWREpilogue:We'll RIDE Again Someday]]
 +
*Cores of Sarium
 +
**[[User:Hawl/Buttercup's Heist|Part 1:Buttercup's Heist]] ''([[User:Hawl|HawlSera]])'' (Takes place during the two days before Part 8 of Integration)
 +
**[[User:Hawl/Ruby Withdrawal|Part 2:Ruby Withdrawal]] ''([[User:Hawl|HawlSera]])''
 +
**[[User:Hawl/Making a Man Out Of Jamie|Part 3:Making a Man Out Of Jamie]] ''([[User:Hawl|HawlSera]])''
 +
*Omniverse OverRIDE
 +
**[[User:Hawl/GoKARTers|Part 1:GoKARTers]] ''([[User:Hawl|HawlSera]])'' (Starts in 150 AL, Ends around May 156 AL, about a week or so after FreeRIDErs ends)
 +
**[[User:Hawl/DayOfTheDin|Part 2:Day Of The Din]] ''([[User:Hawl|HawlSera]])''
 +
**[[User:Hawl/Serve In Hell, Rule In Heaven|Part 3:Serve In Hell, Rule In Heaven]] ''([[User:Hawl|HawlSera]])''
 +
**[[User:Hawl/In Need Of A Mother|Part 4:In Need Of A mother]] ''([[User:Hawl|HawlSera]])''
 +
*[[User:Hawl/An_Integrate's_Guide_To_Love|Integrate's Guide To Love]] ''([[User:Hawl|HawlSera]])''
  
−
By this point, the passage of time makes it unlikely the story will ever be either proven or disproven--but whether true or not, the story has been incessantly repeated by other colonists (and even Nextusians themselves) for the same reason as most ethnic humor--it plays so well to the Nextusian stereotype as a bunch of unimaginative pragmatists. (See also, “How many Nextusians does it take to charge a hardlight projector?”) Unimaginative or not, however, Nextus boasts a GDP 50% larger than its nearest Gondwanan competitor—so perhaps pragmatism may not be all bad.
 
  
−
==={{separator|stars|Zharus: Ecology and Wildlife}}===
+
=={{separator|f|Background Material}}==
−
'''Source:''' Banner, R.J.. (122 AL) ''Zharus: A Guide for Immigrants.'' New Boston: Suffolk E-Press
+
−
====Introduction: A Far Away Home====
+
−
Zharus was discovered by a sublight survey probe in the year 72BL (Before Landing, 2278 AD). It took twenty years for the data to travel back to Earth at mere lightspeed. At the time habitable planets were starting to appear more frequently as probes were sent to nearby stars. That Zharus was a habitable super-Earth came as a surprise in the astrobiology, astronomy, and xenogeology fields. Underwritten by the philanthropic Zharus Diaspora Group and Steader Colonization Consortium, a fleet of twenty colonization ships were built and sent into the stars, with hundreds more to follow. The journey took thirty-five years and is an adventure tale by itself.
+
−
The advent of superluminal propulsion a century ago changed the whole colonization landscape. Even the first superluminal starships shaved ''twenty years'' off the travel time. Since then, as speeds through subspace steadily increase, we are now within a year's travel from the Core Colonies of Proxima and Centauri. We have the space, no natives to displace. Come join us!
+
−
Our world is dominated by three truly massive continents to match its impressive girth, rightly named for Old Earth's long-vanished supercontinents. Despite this, our surface gravity is less than Old Earth's. While this leaves planetary resources deficient in most useful heavy metals, asteroid mining more than makes up for it. Our world provides ample resources, including so-called "rare earths" in vast amounts necessary to run modern civilization.
+
−
We are proudly the largest jewel in the Earth-sphere's crown. Independent of Earth-sphere politics, yet proud of our heritage.
+
−
====Laurasia: A Temperate Eden====
+
−
The smallest continent, Laurasia's growing population of two billion is still uncrowded. As large as North America and Asia combined, by itself it has nearly half of Old Earth's habitable surface area. The continent has been extensively terraformed and the process continues. 90% of food production is centered here, with vast areas devoted to Terran crops and livestock. Yes, we still raise food the old-fashioned way.
+
−
Visit the capital city of Zharustead.
+
−
====Rodinia: A Native Refuge====
+
−
The second-largest continent. Slightly larger than Laurasia, it dominates the Southern Hemisphere. The Zharus Colonial Authority designated this continent as a native refuge--a Planetary Park--declaring it off limits to any development aside from a few special tourist and scientific installations.
+
−
Zharusian life is primitive by Earth standards, with no native vertebrates. The continent is dominated by life similar to Earth's Carboniferous Period, three hundred million years ago, with the addition of grassoids, flowing plants, and well-developed soils. Verdant and lush, there are many safari options for the willing. Will you dare?
+
−
====Gondwana: A Billion Year Drought====
+
−
Since its discovery from the very first survey probe, geologists and climatologists from Earth and beyond have marveled at the conditions that have produced the Dry Ocean. A combination of geographical features, tectonic stasis, and the most stable climate ever discovered, have left an area larger than the North Atlantic on Earth drier than the Atacama Desert in South America. At the deepest point, 1,800 meters below sea level, temperatures can reach 80C on high summer days and a chilly -20C on low winter nights.
+
−
The Dry Ocean contains wonders unseen on other worlds, even the low-gravity spindle-arches on Proxima. Desert tours are available for a nominal fee, ranging from personal tours from locals to commercial liners carrying hundreds of guests in climate-controlled comfort on leisurely week-long cruises.
+
−
Human and native life exists around the edges. The Polis of Uplift is the only one that exists away from the life-giving rains of the continent's Coastal Ring. These hardy, friendly folk will be happy to welcome newcomers from Earth, Proxima, Wednesday, and the other human colonies.
+
−
What life exists in the Deep Desert lives on a different plane of time. See the columnar "plants" that contain numerous channels to trap any hint of moisture in the air, some estimated to be ''millions'' of years old.
+
−
There is great wealth here, buried in the rock, in vast deposits of evaporates bombarded by millions of years of solar radiation, changed somehow. It's all here, unclaimed riches. Will you get yours?*
+
−
<nowiki>*</nowiki> <sub>This is not a guarantee. Suffolk E-Press LLC is not liable for ''mu'' spent, death, dismemberment, accidental species/gender reassignment, or potential bankruptcy.</sub>
+
  
 +
Due to the huge amount of material, we have moved this to its own page:
  
−
'''More to come…'''
+
[[FreeRIDErs (background material)]]
  
 
[[Category:FreeRIDErs]]
 
[[Category:FreeRIDErs]]

Latest revision as of 19:53, 4 June 2020

Icon
 FreeRIDErs story universe


Author: Jon Buck
Author: Robotech_Master

Separator f left.png Setting Overview Separator f right.png

Kaylee and Uncia in battle dress, by Marty Salsman (http://martysalsman.deviantart.com)
In the 25th century, scientists and technicians on the distant colony world of Zharus make a startling breakthrough in energy storage and artificial intelligence, with the aid of "qubitite," a naturally-occurring metamaterial with remarkable quantum properties. The creation of true AI springs from quantum simulations of neural networks based on animals' genetic material that expand to take on true sapience.

Matching these "Reticulated Intelligence" (RI) neural networks with nanotech-composite "Drive Extender" (DE) transforming robotic bodies produces the RIDE: a metallic animal that can transform itself into a vehicle such as a hover-motorcycle (or hover-car or even plane for larger animals), or into an environmentally sealed suit of anthropomorphic-animal body armor to survive the extreme environments of Zharus's deserts, undersea, or even outer space. (Because combining with such a suit goes beyond merely putting it on and involves elements of physical and neural linkage, the act of merging with a RIDE in armor mode is called "Fusing.") Thanks to "hardlight" technology, RIDEs can even be covered with solid holographic fur that feels real to the touch, and even to the RIDE itself.

However, due to their animal basis, Fusing with a RIDE can have consequences for the pilot. In order for them to be neurologically compatible, the pilot has to have similar physical features to the RIDE itself—and the RIDE's nanotech innards are designed to grant those changes. This means that Fusing with RIDEs based on ordinary land mammals will grant the rider their ears and tail (and sometimes more extreme additions such as nose, eyes, or fur).

RIDEs based on further different animals, such as reptiles, birds, or undersea mammals, can produce much extreme changes in their riders that restrict their ability to change back or combine with a different RIDE. And likewise, if the pilot is the wrong gender, the RIDE's nanites will adjust that, too. In most cases of gender or other extreme change, the changed human is unable to safely change back for at least three years.

These RIDEs are used in taming the huge continent of Gondwana, a harsh and often lawless frontier that, unlike the more sedate and longer-settled continent of Laurasia, has many rich resources there for the taking, and a number of city-states occupying the ring of fertile land around the great central desert. In the desert, RIDEs are necessary to live. In the cities, they are urban transportation and playthings of the wealthy and middle-class alike. But even as they are considered mere "equipment" by many, those who know and love them know they are more than that—they are people too. Will the world come to realize and acknowledge this?

Uncia in battle dress, by Diana Harlan Stein (http://naiadstudios.com)
In recent years, rumors of a new form of change have been circulating—a combining of rider and RIDE that goes far beyond Fusing. Called "Integration," this combines man and machine into a single gestalt being who can no longer separate—and who are rumored to possess powers far beyond those of mere mortals or RIDEs. It is as yet unclear whether these "Integrates" are to be welcomed or feared—and, indeed, many would place them in the same category as Bigfoot, the Yeti, or the Loch Ness Monster. But these Integrates may be growing tired of keeping to themselves.

And the latest potential threat may very well be the old home world of Earth itself. For fifty years, it has scoffed at the idea that a distant, backward world like Zharus could be the home of so many major technological breakthroughs. But Earth's mind may be changing on that score—and it has long been known for its willingness to reach out and take what it wants.

Welcome to the world of Zharus—and to its denizens. Colonists. Bandits. Miners. Mechanics. FreeRIDErs.

Separator f left.png Suggested Reading Order Separator f right.png

Robotech_Master's Take

As this is a shared universe, there could be plenty of jumping-on points. The very best way to read it would probably be by publication order, since that would give you the same effect as the people who were reading it in real time from the beginning. There's a list available here.

Otherwise, I suggest reading "Deserted", "Merging Traffic", "Rochelle & Rufia: R&R", then "FreeRIDErs", then the first few chapters of "Integration" (and my "Foxed" tales), as those were all written earliest and have most of the earliest setting building in them. Then you can read Jetfire's and the other authors' stories in chronological order, and continue reading "Integration" after that. (Probably should leave "Second-Hand Lioness" until after Integration #21, otherwise some events in the main story could be spoiled.)

I'd suggest to have all of Jetfire's chronologically-earlier stuff read before you get to Integration #14, since that's where some of his characters merge into the storyline. That being said, you could probably just as easily read everything in straight chronological order without missing too much. Or just pick one writer at random and read his or her works through in order, then pick another one. Once you've read enough, it all starts to make sense together.

Either way, you should read at least some of the stories before you try to dig into the setting background material below the story list on this page. It was mainly written for our own reference and amusement while we built the setting overall, and can be kind of confusing if you come to it without a grounding from the stories in how the world works.

Claude LeChat's two cents

I went a different way myself. Deserted and Merging Traffic are of course the mandatory first two, since they introduce the setting and all the most important characters. Then you're free to read e.g. the first three Inspecteur Hollins stories. But not the fourth, not yet!

Before jumping into the pivotal novel Integration, you'll probably want to read FreeRIDErs, since it provides a crucial bit of background, and possibly All Spark Bulletin, since it's a good introduction to the Munns. But you can't go wrong with any of Jetfire's prequel stories. Fibio's Turnover will give you a good idea of the spaceship tech in the series, as well as being an emotional story in itself.

Last but not least, Barely Fused, Slightly Foxed and Longer Fused, More Foxed fill in a couple of holes in the aforementioned Integration, but you can safely read them afterwards since they're unrelated but for the characters. As for Wolves in the Fold, Part One: A Wolf at the Door, it makes for a nice "outboard epilogue" to the novel.

Stories that can stand on their own, for readers who aren't familiar with the franchise:

  • Madison Brubeck and the Spotted Stowaway, but it arguably cheats because it's a spin-off;
  • As a Woman I RIDE;
  • My own Alpha Camp, if you don't mind minor spoilers for how the conflict of Integration unfolds.
  • Of the newer stories, Slow Boat to Zharus, though you might want to read some of the early stuff first.

Separator f left.png Stories in Chronological Order Separator f right.png

Kaylee and Uncia in battle gear as depicted by David Faught - https://www.facebook.com/DavidFaughtArtist
Authors may add links to their stories as they happen in chronological order in story time. ("AL" stands for "After Landing," representing the number of years after the colony ships landed in 2350 AD.) For a complete listing of all FreeRIDErs stories, since this list may be updated sporadically, see the FreeRIDErs Category.

Stories that have been updated to the "Director's Cut" second draft edition are indicated with a (DC) afterward.

66 AL (2416 AD)

108 AL

112 AL to 113 AL

121 AL to 123 AL

122 AL

128 AL

129 AL

131 AL

132 AL

134 AL

133 AL to 138 AL

138 AL to 152 AL

140 to 141 AL

143 AL

144 AL

146 AL

147 AL

147 AL to 154 AL

Zane, and the Zane Cane, by Diana Harlan Stein (http://naiadstudios.com)

148 AL

149 AL

152 AL

152 to 153 AL


155 to 156 AL

Uncia and Kaylee in battle as depicted by Jacob Blackmon - http://prodigyduck.deviantart.com/
156 AL

156 to 157 AL

Rochelle and Kaylee as interpreted by William Levy (http://williamlevy.deviantart.com/)
157 AL

157 to 158 AL

158 AL

159 A.L.

Separator f left.png FreeRIDErs First Drafts Separator f right.png

Since we've started going back and revising the early portions of the story to bring the into line with what we wrote later, we have decided to preserve early drafts when they are changed sufficiently to merit a separate presentation. For most of these (but not "FreeRIDErs"), you can also use the "History" function to see what changed.

HawlSera - I really love writing for FreeRIDErs, it's pretty great, but overtime as my writing skills have evolved and to be truthful, most of the FreeRIDE stories I wrote, were done under the influence of illicit stimulants, which overall I feel had a negative effect on my writing ability. I'm now clean and will be rebooting my FreeRIDE stories. The old "canon", (which honestly failed to work with the overarching canon of FreeRIDE) will be in this section


Separator f left.png Background Material Separator f right.png

Due to the huge amount of material, we have moved this to its own page:

FreeRIDErs (background material)

Retrieved from "https://shifti.org/index.php?title=FreeRIDErs_(setting)&oldid=19646"