flux
500 years from now, Earth is abandoned, no longer habitable. Humanity now lives in orbit of the planet and has spread into the solar system. New cultures and societies shape humanity's future: from the outwardly benevolent United Nations Council to the genetically engineered Tel. All with powerful figures serving their own self interests.
Two people from different times find their lives thrust into chaos. Set on a course to uncover a secret that has been hidden by powerful figures for centuries. A truth, that once uncovered, will change humanity's past, present and future.
FLUX is an epic sci-fi comic series for fans of Blade Runner, The Expanse, Altered Carbon and Game of Thrones.
the covers
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Chapter One
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Chapter Two
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Chapter Three
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Chapter Four
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Chapter Five
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Chapter Six
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Chapter Seven
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Chapter Eight
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Chapter Nine
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Chapter Ten
The Characters and world of FLUX
An abandoned earth
Earth has been abandoned, its atmosphere now toxic beyond the point of being habitable. Humanity now lives in orbit, on giant constructed land masses the size of nations, as well as more remote settlements throughout the solar system.
The reason behind Earth’s demise is commonly known to be extensive pollution and war. However, the truth is a carefully guarded secret…
mai taren
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The daughter of a freighter captain, she grew up with her father as her only family. Raised on their ship, the Taren One, she became a skilled engineer and capable crew member.
Theirs was a simple life, until Mai was thrown into a world of violence and a fight for survival. Setting her on a path that will lead her to uncover long hidden secrets, including that of the nature of her birth.
Iain Ortha
500 years before the primary events of FLUX, Iain Ortha is given the news that he is dying. Earth’s ever more toxic atmosphere having left him terminally ill. Determined to beat his illness, Iain turns to cryogenics, freezing himself until a cure can be found.
Awoken nearly 500 years later, he finds himself trapped in a forgotten underground facility, still running thanks to its geothermal power supply. The last man on earth with only an AI caretaker for company, and his own decaying sanity.
Little does he know that his story will soon cross paths with another, regardless of the distance that seperates them.
Earth & The United Nations Council
The orbiting nations of Earth, as well as many of the more remote settlements and outposts, come under the governance of the United Nations Council (UNC). Rife with corruption, it is said that it is the corporations and the hyper wealthy that are the true power of the UNC.
A strong military-industrial complex is at the heart of the UNC, with arms being a primary source of wealth to those that pull the politicians strings.
Alexander Benedict
The wealthiest person alive, Alexander Benedict is considered to be the true power of the UNC.
Owner and CEO of Benedict Industries, his family’s business empire that dates back to before humanity’s exodus from Earth, he controls the majority of commerce throughout the UN. What may appear to be competitors are, in reality, silently controlled by Benedict Industries.
Neo Frankfurt
The financial centre of the UNC, Neo Frankfurt is the home of Benedict Industries.
Like all the orbiting nations of Earth, the abandoned planet looms in the skies above.
Cobie Kime
Assistant and adviser to Alexander Benedict, Ms Kime’s ambition is matched only by her ruthlessness.
Carrying out Benedict’s wishes, she enforces his will, priding herself on the integrity with which she carries out her duties.
Many times the opportunity arises that she could betray Benedict and take all he has for herself, but that would be cheating. She must be patient and earn it.
First appearance: FLUX #6
The Armed Forces of the UNC
Despite there being little to threaten the security of the UNC, their armed forces are vast, if for no other reason than to justify the continued manufacture of arms. Primarily by Benedict Industries.
Divided into two main divisions: Army (UNCA) and Navy (UNCN), the navy being the largest contingent, they police UNC space, hunt down pirates that lurk in the outer reaches of the solar system, and, most importantly, keep anyone from visiting Earth’s abandoned surface.
In the early days of humanity’s exodus from earth, a contingent of if scientists and academics postulated that humanity would have to adapt and evolve to be better suited to living in orbit. A level of genetic engineering was agreed upon to achieve this.
When some proposed further genetic manipulation beyond that which was considered necessary in order to “perfect” the species, their proposal was vehemently rejected. In response, they split away from earth and its governing body, forming the first independent nation - Tel.
Now free to follow pursue their ambitions fully, the people of Tel soon became a fully genetically engineered society, to the point they are not longer considered human and are instead referred to as Tel.
Their home, a giant city nation, is built into the surface of an asteroid that has been brought into a stable orbit between Earth and Venus.
Tel
An administrator within the Tel government, Yara Dan’toya (right) oversees Tel population and the inception of new Tel. As part of her duties monitoring non-Tel visitors, she befriended a visiting freighter captain: Isaac Taren, Mai Taren’s father, the two of the becoming close.
When tragedy strikes the Taren Onem Yara Vows to stop at nothing to find the now missing Mai, no matter who it may cross.
Aahnya Nesz (left) is not only Yara’s assistant, but also her closest friend. Loyal to Yara, she provided what help she can in the search for the missing crew of the Taren One, but has concerns over the risks Yara takes, and the implications it could have for them both.
Yara Dan’toya & Aahnya Nesz
Brae Maszikar
Brae Maszikar came up through the political ranks with her friend Yara Dan’toya. Whereas Yara was content with her position as an Administrator, Brae’s ambitions were greater, and she soon rose to power as High Chancellor, Tel’s head of state.
Brae has held power longer than any prior High Chancellor. She carefully hides her ruthless and self serving ways behind a facade of benevolence. In truth, she has no intention of giving up her position and will fight off any challenge to her power with any means she deems necessary.
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Saavi Dai’renn
Primarily an aide and adviser to the High Chancellor, Saavi also serves as Maszikar’s personal bodyguard.
However, Saavi has secrets of her own that she keeps from her employer, as her own interests begin to conflict with those of the High Chancellor.
Tel’s genetic engineering progressed to the point that they are no longer born but created and designed. Each Tel is created from the genetic material of others, akin to an advanced from of cloning. For many Tel, their life is predetermined, their genetic makeup engineered to serve a specific purpose.
This process has led to Tel becoming an entirely female society, men no longer being required to reproduce. That said, the Tel consider themselves gender-less, there no longer being a need to differentiate.
Tel genetic engineering also allows for greater control of their biology, allowing them the ability to change and adapt throughout their lives.
The Tel are long lived, with life expectancies of well over 200 years.
Tel Genetic Engineering
The Perception of Perfection
The Tel work hard to preserve their image of perfection. A society that has eradicated disease and disability. One where its citizens have true autonomy and self expression. To some outsiders, Tel are seen as aloof, elitist and condescending.
Although their relationship with Earth and the UNC is an amicable and cooperative one, the Tel are insular, rarely allowing outsiders access to Tel itself, and they are cautious about what of their advanced technologies they share.
However, much of this is to hide the truth from the outside world. Imperfections do exist, greed among the powerful is rife and the predetermination of position bred into each Tel limits how truly free they are. Tel that speak out against this and the evident eugenic practices that are the foundation of their society, are swiftly silenced.
Self expression and individuality are of great importance to the Tel. Although they are more than simply clones, there is an inferred stigma that comes with the nature of their creation that Tel feel a need to defy.Tattoos and body modification are prevalent among all Tel, and their fashions are less about modesty but a further way of expressing their individuality. The absence of a patriarchal influence has rendered physical taboos non existent, affording each Tel the choice to be as modest or liberal as they desire.
Tel family structures are mostly polyamorous, and although monogamous relationships do exist, they are rare.
Although Tel consider themselves a truly free society, a contradiction is found in how the Tel are created and designed. All Tel are bred to serve a specific purpose within their society, and conformity, for most, provides a life of comfort and privilege. There is little in the way of a class system, instead they are broadly divided into conformists and non-conformists. The existence of non-conformists is not openly discusses with outsiders due to the possible implications it could have on the perception of Tel being a “perfect” society.
While most conformists would shun non-conformists, there are those that will still happily associate with them, as well as sympathise with their beliefs.
More extreme non-conformists, colloquially known as Renegades, face harsher consequences and may find themselves imprisoned or banished from Tel. Associating with a renegade can also have severe repercussions.
The development of subcultures within Tel society has grown from the conformist / non-conformist divide, and many underground social and entertainment districts have arisen from this, with bustling nightlife scenes. Places that conformists will frequent and happily mix with non conformists.
Tel Society & Culture
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