Shejidan / Alliance Unbound

**Posted by Surtac** 11/04/2024 12:27 am

Aja Jin wrote:
Surtac wrote:
Ok. It has been a few more days, some of which I have spent in frantic re-reading or skimming of other AU books to remind myself of ... things.

Does anyone want to talk about the elephant in the room? I think it could be quite spoilerific for other existing books and limit possibilities for another book in this sequence.

You do all know what I'm referring to here, right?

Maybe start a spoilers thread? And, what elephant ?

Ok, here's your spoiler thread. I'm pleased you suggested this, mahe. I've been finding it hard to bite my tongue and remain cryptic when posting about this book.

Let me explain why.

CJC has been writing books in the A/U universe since Downbelow Station was first published in 1982, over forty years ago. And with every new book in that universe, there are connections made - a name or an incident is mentioned, or a date is given or implied. And so on

And for forty years, I've been looking for and documenting those connections for my own purposes, trying to compile my own consolidated Alliance Union history from the hints we are given. Every partial re-read of an AU book seems to reveal something new I've missed before. This time round is no exception to that general rule. Re-reading finity's End form the context of having just read Alliance Unbound has delivered a few such tidbits and further connections.

And so, yes, from my context and perspective, there is an elephant lurking in Alliance Unbound, and that elephant has a particular name.

Anyone like to guess what it is, before I reveal it?

**Posted by Aja Jin** 11/04/2024 8:57 am

I bet someone will know the answer, although nothing occurs to me. I need to do a re-read.

Is my memory correct that CJ said she and Jane were doing an A/U history/timeline, back before the release of Alliance Rising? I guess that got swamped by the health issues, but I'd love to see it. And/or to see your version !

**Posted by Surtac** 11/04/2024 4:57 pm

I believe your memory is correct. I thought I read of it being delayed until after Alliance Rising was due, but I don't know its' current status. I can only assume that if it does ever appear, it will be based on the original version written by Herself before any of the AU books appeared. She has described creating this on multiple occasions, so we know it exists.

My version I'm happy to share parts of - it's an aggregation and conglomeration from many sources so there will be bits I won't have clearance to share. But I'm sure I can distill a better timeline for you at the very least. In fact, I have a modest proposal I'll bring to the Guild shortly.

**Posted by BeulahBelle** 11/04/2024 9:43 pm

Fletcher?

**Posted by BeulahBelle** 11/04/2024 9:45 pm

Second thought: I think it's Mallory.

**Posted by BeulahBelle** 11/04/2024 9:50 pm

But, oh, Fletcher ...

**Posted by Surtac** 11/04/2024 11:51 pm

It's not Fletcher. The Fletcher in Alliance Unbound is clearly the one the later Fletcher on Pell Station is named for, in defiance of ship tradition at that point. Maybe one of Francesca's final acts of rebellion towards the Family that had left her there alone.

Your second thought wins the no-prize, 'Belle. That's the name I was looking for. The real question of course is: why?

**Posted by Aja Jin** 11/05/2024 8:05 am

I was surprised there was no mention of Signy, and wonder what the issue is between Tom and Cyteen.

**Posted by Surtac** 11/05/2024 4:54 pm

Aja Jin wrote:
I was surprised there was no mention of Signy, and wonder what the issue is between Tom and Cyteen.

I'm not. I don't believe Signy has been born yet. And whatever the issue is between Tom and Cyteen, I think it clearly colours Signy's attitudes toward and distrust of Union in the chronologically later books. And I think in that sense, it's only one of the legs of our mystery elephant.

**Posted by Aja Jin** 11/10/2024 9:19 am

So, foldable vanes. That's a new one.

And, Finity "talks", and there is at least one mention of AI. There is little to no use of advanced computers or AI anywhere in the A/U series (or any CJ book). Is this something new peeking out? Having super intelligent computers can be a real "cheat" for story telling, so I'm fine with not including them. In shorter forms (like ! hour TV), it's useful to have a character to provide needed information on demand to speed the story along. Mr Spock had this role in TOS.

Alliance Unbound - the Spoiler Thread Version

Aja Jin wrote:

Surtac wrote:

Aja Jin wrote: