Charlie the Beluga - An adventure to explore the Galaxy! [Comment Thread]

Well... honestly i dont know if it was the right choice to change the story in this way.
I did plan to do it for quiet some time now but i wasn't sure if i should.
Mostly because people probably liked the story because it was an easy one with some good screenshots and that reading about the friendship and the adventures of some 'sentient' space vehicle's is more fun than what is (probably) going to come now.

I wanted the story to play out this way because:

1. It is a bit silly having a story about some sentient space vehicles doing their thing like some kind of Sci Fi Thomas the Tank Engine.

2. It does not really fit in the Elite Dangerous Lore to have some AI's flying around documenting their live for everyone to see.

3. The first story about Bob the Keelback was more about having something to do in Elite Dangerous rather than telling a good story.

4. I like the game and I want -altough unoffical- to be a part of its story in a more serious way.

5. I want to write something more serious that takes more then about five minutes to write.

6. I want to write something that might get people to think about the topics used within the story.

7. I want to challenge myself by taking this idea and turning it into something that is more worth the time and that is of good quality.


.

I'm probably going to start a new thread to continiue the story, since i'm now putting more effort into the storytelling it will most likely take a few days between each post.

The story as of now is still interactive, you can now directly participate in the story thread with a "comms response" but try to roleplay since its the story thread. I plan to keep the story interactive.

The focus of what im doing in game and therefore what i am going to make screenshots of is dependent on the character development which you can influence.

.

For now i look forward to your feedback and hope that some of you like the idea.
 
Here are some screenshots that are ok but did not make it into the -as of now- last post of the story.

ZJQ8YAa.jpg


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kaxHeck.jpg
 
It was a great fun yesterday to fly around with Charlie and Tim and to drive through this huge crater with Jeff. Thanks for being part of the story !
 
Thank you for this great exploration event yesterday, it was a very sporty SRV race, and thanks for the great documentation of this event in your roleplay cmdr
Greeting Chessi
 
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The new story might come out sometime in the beginning of october 2017.

I apologize to those who are anticipating the new story -altough I highly doubt there is anyone- but due to work and other occupations it is going to take some time until I can release the first open log entry of the story.
 
Update in regards of the upcoming story:

Hello to the few that read this,

The new story will be a video series and will start Soon™, probably Q1 of 2018.

I am still emailing with Frontier reagarding lore questions and other details that are important for such a project and therefore the start of the series is depended on the results of the communications with Frontier. (Thank you to Dale Emasiri from Frontier for his good help so far.)

As already mentioned the story will be a video series, it will feature one (young, male) main character on his journey within the Elite Dangerous universe.
The series is supposed to be rather emotional in tone and story and the viewer is supposed to somewhat accompany the main character on his journey while, as the series progresses, the viewer is going find out more about the characters past and motivations.


Regarding production progress:

I am currently getting used to the software (Video, music, voice-software). For each I am currently conducting tests, short demo videos might be uploaded in the future.

I am still writing the character books. These are supposed to prevent me from forgetting things about the (main/side) character/s and usally help in the scripting process.

Basic scripting for the first episodes has begun.

The current working title for the series is: Elite: Dangerous - Commander's Log.

The quality of the videos won't be great since my hardware is pretty much this:
stock-photo-potato-on-white-background-132427382.jpg


"Your computer is far below our minimum specifications so very glad to hear you can run the game on that also." -Customer Support Wing 2017

 
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Update:

The story will probably be released at the end of Q1 of 2018.
It is however likely that there will be further delays due to medical issues.

Due to extensive rewriting and changes to the characters it will most likely be released the second half of March.

The score will be a simple soundtrack composed by me and the games soundtrack as I seem to be unable to turn it off in some scenarios within the game.
Don't expect something mindblowing or great it will be rather simple without any complete song/themes but rather musically accompaniment for the events in the story.

Recording will start after the Q1 update of Elite as it updates the game in significant ways that allow for better story telling.


As for the story:

It wont be a very good story neither will it be very bad(hopefully).

It did undergo some heavy changes but the following parameters are most likely to stay the same:

-The story follows a male character as he travels throughout Elite.

-The story plays within the Elite timeframe within it is published.

-The character is under 30 but older than 20.

-The story is told by the character in the form of logs that he files during the journey.

-These logs are read (watched) by the viewer but are not published by the character himself or otherwise within the Elite universe.

-The character is mostly alone during his journey.

-The character will wander throughout Elite starting in the Bubble.

-The character in the story tries to deal with the loss of a person he truly loved.

-The character blames himself for the death of that person.

-The character was once in the Federal Navy with that person.

-The person died during an assignment he was together on with the character.

-The story does not have a definitive focus on activities within Elite (like Mining, Combat etc.).

-The story is supposed to be rather dramatic.

--

Regarding the short novel posted for the Elite novel contest I still plan to rewrite it but as it turnes out it makes more sense as a longer story and some bigger changes to it. The rewritten version will be released someday but not within the next months as I do not have time to write so much.
(I know that the short story is bad but thats because I hastily wrote it in about 4hours.





[Note: If you like the story or are excited for it (for some reason), please don't tell other people about it because I want to keep the initial starting as small as possible.]







 
Update:

The script for the first episode is almost ready and same goes for the second one. I can also now -kind of- handle all the software needed for the production.
Although my Computer slowly starts to give up (after 6years), progress is steady.

Unfortunately due to medical problems the production of the sereis might slow down and further delays are to be expected.


A current focus of the production lies on a basic soundtrack for the series.
It is mainly just trying out what fits and what not with certain scenarios and visuals within Elite and the series, basically trial and error.

However while doing so I came across an old WIP track that could work within the series (after some alteration) but it sounds very familiar to me (It might just be because I likely came up with it) and I'm not sure what it could be.
I tried to find something that has the same melody but with little luck.

You can listen to it on the link below and maybe one of you can tell me where the melody might be from and share a link to it as I dont intend to copy existing soundtracks/songs/themes:

https://soundcloud.com/user-430701655/dundun
 
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"Sadly I am realizing that my computer is too weak to record ingame footage in good quality and that I am too poor to get it fixed in the forseable future.

Some dreams take long.

And at least I can still write a story in novel form and make some music to it."


As it turns out whatever the settings are my computer is not able to record any ingame footage without having it be approx. 5 frames per second or 1 frame every 5 when something happens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40jboCB-sN4

This is mostly due to my computer being an old custom-build PC that I got of ebay about 6 years ago for about a 110$.
The problems it had back then were minor; it was not able to restart as per OS command and it had rather slow hard drives.
But now the hard drives are the slowest part and the computer crashes far more frequently.
Sometimes it just crashes when sliding with the mouse over another open tab in Firefox.

All this basically means that 'Elite: Dangerous - Commanders Log' will probably not be released within the next 2years or so, at least not as a video series.


But to not disappoint myself and the, probably two or so, people that are waiting for the story; I will take this horrible piece of a short story:
Elite: Dangerous
Commander's Log
Beginnings Novel
[Log Entry #1]

Today I'm very excited! Today is the day I got my very first, own starship.
It's a Cobra MKIII, everything is stock, except for an Onionhead paintjob with decals.

I bought it from an older man living on Mars, it was probably his son's or something.
He seemed to be happy to have "finally sold it". I just had it checked at the Mars Security Office,
they said that everything was done according to law and that the paperwork checked out.

So here I am. Commander of my very own ship.
The "Comba Cobra".

The only Problem now is to get a Job.

[Log End #1]
-
[Log Entry #2]

A friend at the Federal Navy Public Service Office helped me to get a service contract in the Navy Auxiliary.

It's a simple Job; Haul 100 small crates from a navy depot on Mars to a medium operations platform in close orbit around earth once a week for 100.000cr per run.
And since I was in the Federal Navy as a pilot I don't have to learn any new protocols.
But the best thing is that I can use a navy priority corridor, so I don't have to float in the mess that is mars air and space traffick.

[Log End #2]
-
[Log Entry #3]

Wow.
I'm baffled by what happend to me today. I didn't think that after what happend to me the last few weeks, that I can be- so happy by just meeting one person.

The day started pretty normal, I went to Mars, landed at the depot, filled the paper work and left an hour later with the crates.
After ten minutes I arrived at the operations platform and to my surprise someone with a friendly, calm and young male sounding voice greeted me on comms.

"Greetings Commander, you are on time and clear for approach. Please note that you are not allowed to land on the hull of this platform and therefore need to position your ship on the marked side of the platform, facing away from the planet."

As I flew towards the marked area I noticed that the platform had what appeared to be multiple landing zones on its left hull, judging by the size of them they seemed to be for smaller craft but big enough for a Cobra nonetheless.
But probably just for a wing of Condors or something.

As I was in position the voice said:

"Thank you Commander, unfortunately our small cargo limpets are defect and I'm the only one on this platform. I would really appreciate it if you could help me transferring the cargo onto the platform."

I agreed, put my EVA gear and helmet on, depressurized the ship and opened the main airlock in the back.

At the same time an airlock opened on the platform and someone with a standard navy EVA suite came out and greeted me by waving his arm.
We established communication between our suites and he came over to help me unload the crates.
The glass on his helmet was black, so I couldn't see his face.
But that was probably a good thing or I would have probably been distracted the whole time.

It took us about 3hours and 41minutes to transfer all of the crates and to store them in 0g.
During the time we both didn't talk that much besides some "over here" and "that way".

Afterwards he invited me into the pressurized living quarter's section of the platform to fill out the paperwork and to thank me for my help.
I accepted since it was already a long day and It was a nice idea to breathe some -hopefully- clean air.

I followed him and immediatly took off my helmet once we were in the pressurized part of the platform. He however kept his on- and did go to the above deck.
I enjoyed the air for a few more seconds and then followed him.

As I moved upwards through the hole in the floor, I saw him taking of his helmet and the second he looked at me, I was completely blown away by what I saw.

I tried to speak but couldn't say a thing. I tried to move but my entire body was frozen.
I probably looked like a complete idiot, just staring at him.

And he just smiled, turned away and walked with his mag-boots towards the table on the other side of the room.
2 seconds later I was able to move again, I turned my boots on and walked towards him, thinking about how embarassing that moment was, shaking.
He then turned around, looked at me and asked me with a smile:

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I- I- I just... ähm, how are you?" I replied.

"Im fine, how about you?" he said.

"Yes, I'm- I'm okay." I said, trying hard to speak clearly.

I was completely overwehlmed by my feelings, I was nervous as and full of joy as I was never before, I- tried to act normal but for some reason couldn't.

Just looking at his face made me feel weird but happy, nervous and all of that at the same time was just... amazing.

We then sat down and started to talk a bit while he was filling out the paper work;

"Why are you so nervous, are you sure everything is okay?"

"Yes, I- I just..." I tried to speak but couldn't, as if something was blocking my throat.

"Is it because of me?" he said while finishing the sentence with a smile.

"Ähhhh. I really- I think you... äh look, look... good" I said while trying to concentrate as best as I could.

He seemed amused, smiled and said:
"Well if it is like that, we can maybe meet another time. Are you coming next week too?"

My heart stood still and I cought upon hearing his words, breathing a bit heavier afterwards.
But for some reason I felt reliefed and with far more confidence but still nervous I said:

"Sure, I come here every week for the next six. We can meet if you'd like."

"Great! I'm looking forward to it. See you next week."
While saying that he gave me the finished paperwork and I tried, as best as I could, to get to my ship and leave.


I guess I'm, for the first time in my life, in love with someone... It feels great but... uncertain.

[Log End #3]
-
[Log Entry #4]

It's been two days now since I met him. And I just can't sleep or do anything without thinking about him.
His voice, his white hair and skin and his crimson eyes that together give him such a beautiful and amazing face. But I can't help but to think about; what if I only love him for his looks and not for who he might be.
Would I feel the same if he had average pigmentation?

I guess its wait and see now.

[Log End #4]
-
[Log Entry #5]

A week has passed, I met him again and I have to say: Im conflicted.

I picked up the stuff from Mars, went to the platform and got directed to the station by a different voice this time.
I wondered has he been stationed somewhere else?
During my approach I saw that on the landing zones 3 Condors were parked. So he probably had to do something else.

The voice ordered me to open the cargo hatch and to wait for the small limpets to do their job.
I acknowledged and waited.
After just 10 minutes the limpets were done, shortly after the voice said:

"Thank you for your cooperation, please open your main airlock to recieve your passenger."

I was surprised since there was no mention of any passengers in the mission description.

I followed the order and waited in anticipation on the other side of the airlock for the passenger.
As I had hoped, It turned out that he was the passenger. He greeted me friendly after removing his helmet and I welcomed him very happely on my ship.

"Where do you need to go?" I asked.

And he replied:

"Wherever you like to go, afterall this is pretty much our first date." He smiled and headed for the cockpit leaving me baffled at the airlock.

I was amazingly happy after he said that "our first date". That means that he also has feelings for me.

Eventually we decided to visit Héng Shān in the north of the Chinese Region. We mostly walked and talked. He told me things about him and I told him things about me. At one point we talked about my past in the Federal Navy and why I left after just a year.
I told him that I left because I felt betrayed after it turned out that my commander was involved in bribery and other faces of corruption. After all he was one of thousands of officers in Sol that where involved in such crimes.

But then he told me that he really loves me and that he thinks that we should share our lives with each other but that would only be possible if I would be to join the Federal Navy again.

A said that the chances are small that I will be assigned to the same station or ship as him and he just replied with;

"Don't worry, my mother has some influence in the Federal Navy, she'll get us two together."

As he said that my love for him at that moment weakend. And was replaced with anger and sadness. I got this once in a livetime chance to be together with the one person that I truly love and that would only be possible by being involved in the one thing that is tearing the Federation apart; Corruption.
One of the things I hate since it costs many lives just because some people want to have it easy.

After that I we got pack to the ship and I brought him back to the platform.


And now I need to make one of the biggest decisions in my live.

Do I sacrifice my true and only love for my personal fight against corruption or do I look away just this one time?

[Log End #5]

And try to turn it into a longer but probably better story that is more thoughthout and with better writing.

It will probably end up being a 'book' with a few chapters and I will post it here in the forums.
The release date for this, so far, is Q3 2018.


And if my computer doesn't die along the way I will post short bits of music that I will probably use in Commanders Log as part of the soundtrack once I can record the footage for it. And probaly some random stuff along the way.

I will post short updates and other stuff on my twitter from time to time, like small progress updates and links to uploaded music.
https://twitter.com/Miepit_



PS:
I send an E-Mail to Frontier trying to get permission for a stupid GoFundMe campaign for Commanders Log to try to get the financing I need for the project to be in good quality. If I get that permission I will let you know once the campaign is set up.




 
Future upadates regarding Commanders Log will be handled over twitter and likely a dedicated thread in the future, therefore this thread can be closed as it is unlikely that there will be future comments regarding 'Charlie the Beluga'.
https://twitter.com/Miepit_



 
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