How This Came Together
In Christened, an original science fiction story from the Transformation series, the triumvirate receives troubling news about another potential colony before Olyver turns his attention toward the settlement’s first colonization ship. As Quinn and Caitlin push back against his demands for faster expansion, a debate over schedules, safety, and the lives of future colonists begins shaping what their new federation may become.
Olyver wants the colonization effort moving faster. Quinn insists construction is following the timetable they already approved. Caitlin refuses to rush people toward a world that may not be ready for them. As their disagreement grows, the discussion shifts in an unexpected direction, forcing the triumvirs to decide whether there is anything about their expansion they can actually agree upon.
Music Pairing
Sprightly Twilight brings flickering energy and uncertainty to Christened, matching the fragile balance between political tension and the hope surrounding the federation’s expansion. Its whimsical yet reflective movement complements the triumvirs’ sharp exchanges while preserving the sense that, despite their disagreements, they are still building toward something larger.
Behind the Scenes
For this installment of Transformation, I wanted to circle back around the triumvirs while allowing Escort Two to make another appearance without needing to explore their expedition further. One reason I enjoy returning to the triumvirs is the built-in tension the trio provides me. While I’ve featured their arguments before, I didn’t want this story to become a rehash, so I leaned into the risks surrounding colonization and the different ways each of them approaches building their new federation.
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Excerpt of Christened
“Aurora, are you there?”
Olyver’s head whipped towards the comms. “Didn’t Escort One land?”
“Yes,” Caitlin said.
“This is Aurora.” Olyver rose and crossed the room, his eyes bouncing between the other triumvirs and the comm system in their shared office. He plopped onto the chair beside the unit with a sigh. “Who’s this?”
“Escort Two,” Beatrix said.
“Is everything okay?” Quinn asked, propping himself up. “You weren’t supposed to check in until you returned.”
“We’re fine,” Beatrix responded. “We just wanted to give you all the information about the last planet in the system.”
Olyver grinned, cocking his head to glare at Quinn. “Thank you, Beatrix. It’s nice to know that some people will follow the proper procedures.”
“Save it, Olyver.” Quinn rolled his eyes and collapsed into his chair before groaning as he covered his face with his hands. “Beatrix, why are you calling in with an update?”
“With what we found, we didn’t feel waiting until we returned would be all that beneficial,” Sarra said.
“Sarra, you are not the comms officer for Escort Two,” Olyver said.
“Shut up, Olyver,” Quinn said.
Olyver’s lips curved into a snarl as his fingers wrapped around the chair’s arms.
Quinn lifted a stylus and pulled a pad from his desk. He stared at the other triumvir until Olyver looked away. Quinn ran a hand through his hair and broke the tense silence. “Sarra or Beatrix, I don’t care which of you gives the update, as long as someone gives it to us.”
“The last planet in the system has a pair of moons,” Sarra said.
“Satellites, Sarra,” Beatrix said. “Of the pair, only one can be colonized.”
“In only the loosest definition of the word,” Lora said. “Don’t sugarcoat the status of that toxic moon.”
“Won’t the terraforming process clean the moon’s atmosphere?” Caitlin asked. “I mean, isn’t that the whole purpose?”
“That would be the point,” Beatrix said. “Unfortunately, this environment is highly corrosive. It’ll eat through our equipment long before the surface is safe for colonists.”
“Among other issues,” Lora said. “Don’t forget the laundry list of minor inconveniences that moon possesses.”
“Yes, Lora, it will take a lot of work to colonize that satellite,” Beatrix said. “But that’s not the point behind our expedition.”
“Thank you for the update, Escort Two. End the connection.”
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Have a wonderful day my friends!