Tales of the Tai-Pan Universe

From WikiFur, the furry encyclopedia.

Tales of the Tai-Pan Universe is a shared universe fanzine published three times per year by the Tai-Pan Literary & Arts Project. Writers and artists who meet the contribution requirements create the characters who inhabit, and the planets visited by, the ships of the universe: (There is also another book, Called "Tai Pan", or "Supreme Trader", written by, James Clavell. First Printed in September 1966. It is about an early trader, named Dirk Struan, who tries to set up a trading system between China and England. Set in the 1800's. Not a Furry story. Real people, not Furries.)

the pirate ship, Iktome
the luxury cruise liner, Quantum Lady
the university/science vessel, Ramanujan
and the merchant ship, Tai-Pan

Originally published under the title Tai-Pan, it has been awarded Best Anthropomorphic Fanzine at the Ursa Major Awards for two years running, in 2003 and 2004.

Conceived at Norwescon in 1988, the Tai-Pan Project has benefited from the talents of a many contributors over the years. In addition to over 50 writers and artists, the project has depended on the volunteer time of story editors, copy editors, and administrative helpers. The first issue was published in 1991 and laid much of the groundwork for concepts and characters that are still being written about today.

Since its inception the project has published a wide range of stories from space opera to hard science fiction and from mystery to romance. While all of the stories stand on their own, authors have taken advantage of the shared nature of the universe to write stories that build on a theme or character arc started by another writer.

[edit] Story arcs and novellas:

Sins of the Brother Chance and Satin, sibling snow-leopards escaped their war-torn city and joined the crew of the Tai-Pan. Chance disappears, leaving his sister to discover for herself the deadly legacy he has left her.

“What Tales He'd Tell," by Whitney Ware, #1 “New Queensland Station,” by Gene Breshears, Keith Alan Johnson, and Whitney Ware, #2; “Between a Laugh and a Tear," by Whitney Ware, #2; “Sins of the Brother,” by Gene Breshears, #15; “Sea of Troubles,” by Keith Alan Johnson, #16; “When the Music’s Over,” by Chuck Melville, #17; “The Art of Being Special,” by Chuck Melville, #B; “Dancing on My Grave (parts I and II),” by Gene Breshears, # 24 and #26; “One Last Dance,” by Kristin Fontaine, #33; and “Night of Destiny,” by Gene Breshears, #34.

Faustian Bargains : Is Faust the tool or the workman? Find out how one of the Tai-Pan’s most dangerous characters came into being.

“Changing Professions,” by Anthony Waters, #4; “The Subtlest Beast,” by Gene Breshears, #18; “The Holly King," by Gene Breshears, #19 “The Flesh is Weak,” by Chuck Melville, #20; “Speak of the Devil,” by Gene Breshears, #26; “...And the Devil Appears” by Gene Breshears, #28; “The Throne of Osiris,” by Gene Breshears, #34; “The Devil's Workshop” by Gene Breshears, #35; and "Dance with the Devil," by Gene Breshears, #41.

Out of Place by Gene Breshears. The Ramanujan is a research ship sponsored by the Jodhpur Academy of Science. When the planet Zaphyra is destroyed by a fast-moving back hole there is no argument that the phenomenon needs to be studied. But only Doctor Emmet Barker sees the deeper mystery that must be solved before war again engulfs Known Space.

“Chapter 1: Out of Place,” #9; “Chapter 2: Margin of Error,” #17; “Chapter 3: Partial Observer,” #21; "Chapter 4: Variant Analysis,” #25; "Chapter 5: Empirical Evidence,” #30; and "Chapter 6: Dark Matter,” #33.

Adventures of Vashti Ahandra, the Butcher of Bedlam Circuit Vashti, a ‘vorine rock singer was on her way out when her manager dumped her on a planet where reputation is everything and where only one person on the entire planet knew her. Forced to make her way alone who knows what she will become?

“Reputation,” by Mark Allen Davis, #8; “The Truth Will Set You Free,” by Mark Allen Davis, #12; “Gold Dust Woman, by Mark Allen Davis, #E; “Why Do the Heathens Rage?” by Mark Allen Davis, #20; and “The Snow Wives,” by Gene Breshears, #31.

Sasha: Mom Marine A house mouse makes a new start when the ship she is traveling on is ambushed by the infamous pirate ship Iktome.

“In the Country of the Blind,” by Mark Allen Davis, #12; “A Dish Served Cold,” by Chuck Melville, #13; and “God is a Bullet,” by Mark Allen Davis, #13.

Anniversary Bash A group serial story that was plotted out in the early days of the project. This story involves crew of both the Iktome and Tai-Pan in a massive moonquake that destroys a salvaged vessel the Iktome crew had just sold and takes out most of the spaceport in the process. The prologue was printed in issue 16, chapters 1-12 in issues 17-29 and the epilogue in issue 30.

The Good Ship Tai-Pan by Chuck Melville. Before becoming the respectable merchanter, the Tai-Pan the ship had a checkered history. From medical transport to smuggler the ship has seen difficult days.

“Mercy,” #25; “Rift” #25; “Daedalus,”,#31; “The Flechette,” #34; “Chester was a Pirate,” #11; and “The Carcajou,” #35.

The Velvet Kageri Mysteries by Gene Breshears. The Quantum Lady attracts all sorts-- from tourists to permanent guests. It is lioness Velvet Kageri’s job to hunt down the criminals that prey on unwary visitors.

“A Shadow’s Kiss,” #E; “Kiss and Tell,” #32; and “Wassailing the Lady,” #42.

A Hare to Guide Them Karaya del Tanzit was bred and trained to use her abilities to read and manipulate people to serve the political agenda of her masters in whatever way they require. Chaos follows in her wake, but is it of her own making?

“Haresay,” by Edd Vick #29 and #30; “Communications,” by Edd Vick #9.

Solome, a Pirate Born? Solome is good at two things-- getting computers to do what she wants and manipulating stupid people. That is until her path crosses that of pirate captain, Bendigo Roberts. Will her abilities save her or just give her a longer rope to hang herself with?

"Twice a Fool," by Sky Oxford #SK; "How to Tell a Lie," by Sky Oxford #40; "Cheat," by Sky Oxford; and "They Might be Giants," group story #26.

F.J. MacQuarrie Francis James MacQuarrie (Mac to his friends) is that rarity, a terran-born spacer. Fifteen years travel lie between him and his birth family but life as as a ship-board engineer suits him. He calls the Tai-Pan home.

“New Queensland Station,” by Gene Breshears, Keith Alan Johnson, and Whitney Ware, #2; "Phantom Pain," by Gene Breshears, #20; "Such Revenge on You Both," by Gene Breshears, #11; "Dancing on My Grave," #24 & #26; "Regrets," by Kristin Fontaine #21; and "The Water of Life," by Gene Breshears; #25.