F   R   E   E   F   A   L   L

Welcome to the 21st Century.

History and Background

This is the true story of the empire of Quinn.

1985: "Quantum Leap"

An escaped convict threatens to blow up the Quintex Corporation headquarters in Hamilton, Montana, using an experimental antimatter device. A lone engineer and his talking robot find themselves in a race against time to locate and disarm the bomb. (This title predates the television show of the same name.)

1990: "Ever Upward"

Jennifer Maitland, the first female President of the United States, authorizes the sale of the state of Montana to Quintex. She must also decide whether the company should be legally considered a sovereign nation. (Another story involving the invasion of Montana by Communist-ruled Canada never makes it past the outline stage.)

1992: "Where Is Thy Victory"

The first part of this story, nearly 22,000 words, was written between January and September. The remainder was plotted out, but never finished-- just as well, since the setting and backstory (which evolved into the Freefall universe) needed more development.

1993: Freefall, Part I: Rescued

Quintex becomes an interplanetary corporation, headquartered on the asteroid New Montana and leading the exploration and settlement of the Torus, the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

1994: http://cyclone.stanford.edu/~overcee/FF/

Freefall, though not yet complete, finds its way onto the World Wide Web. The author is surprised and delighted to receive comments E-mailed from people as far away as Australia.

1995: "Fish Story"

A short story set on the fringes of the Freefall universe. Critiqued by Pat Murphy, Ursula K. LeGuin, and fifteen Stanford University undergraduates in a science fiction writing workshop.

1995: Freefall: A.D. 2060 completed

By this time, approximately twenty readers have corresponded with the author via Internet.

1996: Freefall: A.D. 2060 undergoes a minor rewrite

The Freefall Web site is also redesigned.

1997: Freefall: No Fate

You thought the Torie War was the main event? You ain't seen nothin' yet.