It Doesn’t Diverge

It Doesn’t Diverge
SpaceX

Readers have asked where the Combat Frame XSeed timeline diverges from ours. I always respond that it doesn’t. The series’ backstory starts at Current Year and envisions how the various crises now besetting the world might shake out with a couple of curve balls thrown in.

One central conceit of XSeed lore involves descendants of corporate oligarchs weaponizing their private space program. In light of that fact, you can imagine how amusing I found this story.

Elon Musk’s rocket-making company is not only tight with the Pentagon but, if duty calls, could also start launching military weapons, SpaceX’s president and chief operating officer has said.

SpaceX is known for daring plans to colonize the moon and Mars, and it seems the company is open to including arms in its portfolio of things which they blast into space.

“If it’s for the defense of this country, yes, I think we would,” Gwynne Shotwell told a room packed with military officials and defense contractors on Monday, various outlets reported.

The executive didn’t elaborate on the types of weaponry SpaceX might launch. Yet, the Pentagon-linked crowd seemed quite excited anyway, as Shotwell’s response was met with loud applause. 

Speaking at an Air Force Association event, Shotwell boasted about the company’s partnership with the military. SpaceX has spent “a lot of time building our relationship with the Air Force” and is “now in a good position,” she said.

When it comes to weapons, it wouldn’t be that surprising that the rocket maker may actually end up on the Pentagon’s shortlist. The US Air Force was impressed by the successful test launch of the Falcon Heavy rocket in February, and later awarded the company a $130 million contract to send a military satellite into orbit.

The company’s willingness to launch weapons might also come in handy after President Donald Trump recently ordered the creation of ‘Space Force’ as an independent branch of the US Command.

Right on schedule. It’s all the more fitting that this announcement comes from SpaceX since I intended the word XSeed to evoke the same corporatist aesthetic as the name of Musk’s company.

Stock up on canned food and water filters.

And if you haven’t backed the Combat Frame XSeed Indiegogo campaign yet, now is a great time to jump on board. We’re 274% funded with 500% needed for the audiobook. We’ve added new perks, including a place in the novel’s dedication and a private dinner/signing with me. There’s also one Build-a-Mech perk left, so if you’re a budding CF engineer, get it while the getting’s good!

Combat Frame XSeed

10 Comments

  1. Anonymous

    "SpaceX has spent “a lot of time building our relationship with the Air Force” and is “now in a good position,” she said."

    SpaceX is currently leading the USAF by the nose on space policy and technology right now. Of course, SpaceX can do what NASA can't. Still, it is worrying to see generals essentially abdicate their responsibilities to the Musks of the world.

    • Brian Niemeier

      Now factor in the stats that say 70% of Americans of enlistment age are unfit for military service–due to obesity, frailty, drug addiction, criminal records, or a combination thereof.

  2. Unknown

    Was the Metal Gear franchise something that inspired you as well?

    • Brian Niemeier

      Yes. The book has definite espionage elements. Like the mech tropes, I make the cloak and dagger stuff more accessible and intelligible too.

  3. D.J. Schreffler

    "Readers have asked where the Combat Frame XSeed timeline diverges from ours. I always respond that it doesn't."

    It hasn't yet that is. Whether that's a good thing or not depends on the future we actually get.

    • Brian Niemeier

      Good point. It will definitely be bad for us if the timeline doesn't diverge. We won't live to see the cool mechs. The next few generations in that scenario will see Mad Max-level societal collapse in some regions, shariah law in others, and multiple world wars.

    • Anonymous

      Interesting. Certainly gives me food for thought. I tend to incline we'll have an efficient totalitarianism based on the chicom social credit system and the Big tech's deplatforming precisely to stave off Mad max civilizational collapse and rule totally forever.
      xavier

  4. Fiannawolf

    Pokemon go to the Polls. Mad Maxine Clinton future. Her mechs break down after being hit with air conditioning. XD

  5. wreckage

    Where's the pledge level with water filters? Huh? Huh???

    • Brian Niemeier

      If I were a water filter merchant, do you think I'd be here talking to you right now? I'd be relaxing on a tropical beach.

Comments are closed