====== The Endeavour series ====== A (fairly low-key) [[sf index|science fiction]] and [[timelines:future|future history]] story series, created by [[offtopic:AndyC]]. Ongoing since late May 2015, you can find [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=354793|the first volume here]] and [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/|the second volume here]]. The first volume of the story was also [[http://sealionpress.co.uk/our-books/the-end-and-afterwards/|published]] in January 2016 by [[offtopic:Sea Lion Press]], as part of Phase 3 of their publishing plan. The second volume was [[http://www.sealionpress.co.uk/product-page/diamond-in-the-dark|published]] in July 2017 as part of Phase 6. ---- ==== Basic plot ==== The story takes place within the context of a relatively near-future history, though one without a specified date, and follows around several plotlines concerning various groups of characters worldwide. The primary backdrop of the storyline is the return of the first unmanned interstellar mission back to Earth, and the planning and construction of the first interstellar manned exploration vessel. As is typical of Earth history, these efforts get tangled into various twists and turns of a political and personal nature. Unfortunately, however, a good chunk of the planet is devastated when the unmanned probe, named "Star Pioneer", crashes just off the coast of Madagascar; thus forcing the evacuation of as many survivors off the planet as possible. ---- ==== Chapters ==== The date when the chapter was first posted is included in the brackets. The story will come in three volumes once its fully finished. === Volume 1 : The End and Afterwards (May-November 2015) === **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-10788626|I.]]** (22 May 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-10792207|II.]]** (23 may 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-10800326|III.]]** (25 May 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-10815943|IV.]]** (28 May 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-10816232|V.]]** (28 May 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-10834913|VI.]]** (1 June 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-10848975|VII.]]** (4 June 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-10860911|VIII.]]** (7 June 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-10875875|IX.]]** (10 June 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-10900056|X.]]** (15 June 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-10932992|XI.]]** (22 June 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-10995657|XII.]]** (6 July 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-11026700|XIII.]]** (13 July 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-11060526|XIV.]]** (20 July 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-11091718|XV.]]** (27 July 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-11124853|XVI.]]** (3 August 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-11156241|XVII.]]** (10 August 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-11187014|XVIII.]]** (17 August 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-11218785|XIX.]]** (24 August 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-11249269|XX.]]** (31 August 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-11282091|XXI.]]** (7 September 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-11319719|XXII.]]** (14 September 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-11354309|XXIII.]]** (21 September 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-11383241|XXIV.]]** (28 September 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-11417410|XXV.]]** (5 October 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-11447555|XXVI.]]** (12 October 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-11477885|XXVII.]]** (19 October 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-11510674|XXVIII.]]** (26 October 2015) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-11540211|XXIX.]]** (2 November 2015) Besides this list, you can also use the threadmarks available directly in the thread, to read from chapter to chapter. === Volume 2: Diamond in the Dark (September 2016 - March 2017) === **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/#post-13064432|I.]]** (4 September 2016) **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-3#post-13107932|II.]]**(11 September 2016) **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-3#post-13154632|III.]]**(18 September 2016) **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-4#post-13200892|IV.]]** (25 September 2016) **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-4#post-13252696|V.]]** (2 October 2016) **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-5#post-13308474|VI.]]** (9 October 2016) **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-6#post-13364662|VII.]]** (16 October 2016) **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-6#post-13414253|VIII.]]** (23 October 2016) **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-7#post-13461958|IX.]]** (30 October 2016) **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-7#post-13511918|X.]]** (6 November 2016) **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-8#post-13577258|XI.]]** (13 November 2016) **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-8#post-13624667|XII.]]** (20 November 2016) **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-9#post-13673234|XIII.]]** (27 November 2016) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-9#post-13721097|XIV.]]** (4 December 2016) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-9#post-13770740|XV.]]** (11 December 2016) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-10#post-13817674|XVI.]]** (18 December 2016) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-10#post-13891551|XVII.]]** (25 December 2016) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-10#post-13903047|XVIII.]]** (2 January 2017) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-10#post-13945355|XIX.]]** (8 January 2017) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-11#post-13997039|XX.]]** (15 January 2017) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-12#post-14049516|XXI.]]** (22 January 2017) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-12#post-14072639|XXII.]]** (25 January 2017) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-13#post-14101015|XXIII.]]** (29 January 2017) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-13#post-14123867|XXIV.]]** (1 February 2017) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-14#post-14150390|XXV.]]** (5 February 2017) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-14#post-14174552|XXVI.]]** (8 February 2017) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-15#post-14199863|XXVII.]]** (12 February 2017) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-15#post-14224207|XXVIII.]]** (15 February 2017) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-16#post-14251233|XXIX.]]** (19 February 2017) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-16#post-14273427|XXX.]]** (22 February 2017) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-17#post-14300137|XXXI.]]** (26 February 2017) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-17#post-14320102|XXXII.]]** (1 March 2017) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-18#post-14347058|XXXIII.]]** (5 March 2017) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-18#post-14367870|XXXIV.]]** (8 March 2017) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-19#post-14392698|XXXV.]]** (12 March 2017) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-20#post-14393008|Alpha Centauri Star System]]** (12 March 2017, visual spoilers !) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-20#post-14394152|Elpis from space (1)]]** (12 March 2017, visual spoilers !) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-21#post-14394307|Elpis from space (2)]]** (12 March 2017, visual spoilers !) **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-21#post-14394351|Elpis map]]** (12 March 2017, visual spoilers !) Besides this list, you can also use the threadmarks available directly in the thread, to read from chapter to chapter. ---- ==== Media and trivia ==== **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/1/post-11017435|AndyC's description of the starship Endeavour]]** **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-5#post-13318293|Interstellar communication with the starship Endeavour while it's underway (1)]]** **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-5#post-13318527|Interstellar communication with the starship Endeavour while it's underway (2)]]** **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/diamond-in-the-dark-endeavour-series-volume-ii.397440/page-20#post-14393426|Crew composition of the Endeavour]]**, courtesy of [[offtopic:Lowtuff]] ---- ==== Reviews & Criticism ==== //(Warning, small spoilers here.)// The story has, so far, received generally positive reviews over the past few months. However, though, there has been occasional criticism; one reader did notice some significant plausibility issues when it came to the "Star Pioneer" disaster itself -- as originally written, the heat pulse was apparently non-isotropic in nature, allowing Nigeria to survive relatively intact while scorching central Australia -- he pointed out that this was rather implausible because this is generally not how explosions (such as that of atomic bombs, for example) of any kind, work, but rather, the initial effects radiate out in an exact, or virtually exact, circle from the point of initiation (so, therefore, either both areas had to be destroyed, or both areas would survive). Most other readers who commented on this particular thing, however, were and have been generally willing to let that little bit slide. ---- ==== Awards ==== To date, this story series has won the following [[alternate history:Turtledove Awards]]: * //**The End and Afterwards**// - **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/attachments/ta-2016-future-history-timeline-png.279100/|"Best Future History Timeline"]]** ([[alternate_history:2016_winners|2016]] [[alternate history:Turtledove Awards]]) * //**Diamond in the Dark**// - **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/2017-turtledove-award-winners-announcements-acceptance-speeches-and-comments.411355/|"Best Future History Timeline"]]** ([[alternate_history:2017_winners|2017]] [[alternate history:Turtledove Awards]]) ---- ==== Navigation ==== **[[stories:sf index|Science Fiction Stories Main Directory]]**