New Firefly chapter release possible this weekend

Having been given a head start with a section of the new chapter already written by Leo Archon, I launched into that next chapter and now find it coming quite quickly. Already at 6000 words, it is likely to be finished by the weekend, and depending on how quickly my prereaders can get to it, it might even go out on Sunday.

The new chapter will be an interlude of sorts--no combat, sorry, though it does return the focus to the Royal Navy on the approach to Epsilon. The theme and writer of this tale is a surprise, so no teaser this time. You will get some answers, however, as to how Admiral Coral Torch was able to contact the battle group, as well as some elaboration of a race that’s been often-mentioned in the story but never yet been seen or heard from--the Harpies. We’ve heard about them going back to the original Gentlemanverse stories, most notably Feathered Heart, but it was never really known who and what they were.

Though I have my issues with the MLP movie, they gave us some cool new races and in one of them lies the answer: the Harpies are the avian pirates we saw in the movie, like Captain Celaeno. I’ve worked out a rough background for them, and you’ll begin to hear more about them in this chapter.

For now, let’s just say they will have a definite role in the conflict to come, both as an adversary and a potential ally to the ponies.

Bottom line--new chapter on the way, and sooner rather than later. Be looking for it as soon as Sunday!

Comments

[JMP]

Another faction entering the war? It'll be interesting to see their motivations. As always, I look forward to the new chapter

[AJ Aficionado]

When there are pirates involved there's no telling what you'll get! Glad to see some development for the Avians. I did have a favorable view of them in the movie.

[AJ Aficionado]

4965034
Oh, there will be more factions.

[Posted]

The pen is mightier than the sword! But pegasi have hundreds of feathers which can be used as writing instruments so that means? I'm stoked to see the world open up a new bit of lore and see how it develops and where it goes.

PS You're a cruel one to remind me of Feathered Heart.

[Rayvinne]

Captain Celaeno is best pirate.

[Firesight]

Finally catching up on these, well after the fact.

4965034

Another faction entering the war? It'll be interesting to see their motivations. As always, I look forward to the new chapter

Hope it was to your liking, then! More on the Harpies is definitely on the way.

4965062

When there are pirates involved there's no telling what you'll get! Glad to see some development for the Avians. I did have a favorable view of them in the movie.

And you just know I’m going to throw some Pirates of the Caribbean references into there...

4965063

Oh, there will be more factions.

Indeed. Several more, in fact. The gryphons already have one in the dragons, and the Minotaurs are supplying them. Both sides enlist different allies, and there’s no guarantee that any faction will stay on the same side, either.

4965080

The pen is mightier than the sword! But pegasi have hundreds of feathers which can be used as writing instruments so that means? I'm stoked to see the world open up a new bit of lore and see how it develops and where it goes.

Thanks! Here’s hoping we can deliver...

PS You're a cruel one to remind me of Feathered Heart.

Yeah, sorry. Believe me, I miss that story too, but it appears DEL is gone from the site for good. If I could get in touch with him, I’d ask if we could take the story over so it can be finished. Without him, and with Five Star Service finished, the Gentlemanverse is quite dead nowadays.

[Firesight]

4965672

Captain Celaeno is best pirate.

Agreed. I may flag one of the harpies as her ancestor, too.

[AJ Aficionado]

4965080

I don't even really read fanfiction anymore (Firesight aside) but I'll never stop pressing F for Feathered Heart.