The first quarter of this year of short stories held two additions to The Alternate Extras of Halesowen and one for Shorts of the Rula. For this second quarter, it is Shorts of the Rula that had the greater number of additions. And so, with all three of the quarter out, it is now time to reveal some planning that went into those additions of Q2 2025. Starting with the students of Halesowen College.
For Ice Cream Frustration, it was a case of putting an idea I’d already got in storage to the characters that most suited it. Who is most likely to want a fight? Get drawn into attacking back in a verbal sparring match? Hannah seemed the likely candidate, especially if she was experiencing something similar at home. Thus, it was easily able to tie into why she had originally agreed to Elizabeth’s birthday meal before backing out.
But Hannah had already got a story from her point of view. Every character – aside from those who revealed the full short films during the last day at college – would only have one. It seemed obvious to use Quinn as the point of view for this story. The two are friends from before college, giving me a good reason to show them together once again outside of college. But this is a Hannah strained from recent events. How would that affect the relationship between the two?
Unlike with Waterways On Sunny Days, where the two were at ease with other, there’d be some tension between them. Hannah secretive about things, and suffering a bit of tiredness. So when it came to trying to cheer Hannah up with some ice cream, the opposite instead happens. Which Quinn is unsure how to react to, but for sure will back her friend up. Make sure she’s fine after the fight is done.
The first of the additions to Shorts of the Rula stays within the Alternate Halesowen and Beyond universe. Not only does it give a bit more of a look at the Republic Antarctic, it served as a way to flesh out the Space Race Championship franchise as it is seen within that universe. A perfect story when the real world version of Space Race Championship had just recently released.
One thing I wanted from Sequels of the Past and Future is a strong sense of excitement that comes from an event revealing a new game. Not from the point of view of a fan, but of someone who had played a part in making it. A voice actor for one of the main characters. Who was also a fan, living the dream of getting to play a part in the franchise they loved.
Much like with incorporating Elemental Heroes into the Alternate Halesowen and Beyond universe, it allowed me to dive into some no longer in use ideas to base that version on. Naturally, it was a lot of fun coming up with the history of Space Race Championship in this universe, including who the author would be. Now, I clearly couldn’t use the name of Brandon Golden for that, with one already existing in the universe. So I settled on something close to my own.
To make the event a bit more special, I felt it would be fun to make it a ten-year celebration of the franchise. Hosted by the author of the book who would announce a new one. Followed by a sequel to the game Frontal Assault. Looking to EA’s announcements regarding their Star Wars Battlefront games, I used that inspiration for crafting this event. Complete with pulling back the curtains to reveal that those at the event could play the game right now!
And lastly, Terminal Ruins. Bringing a new story within the Herzan State. Returning to that universe for the first time since the end of 2019. When it came to telling a new story within Herzan, the one thing I wanted to do was expand the geography of this fictional Michigan. Sprinkled throughout are names of places, such as Kenara. The capital of Herzan. The other thing I wanted to do was expand on the gangs the state holds.
The Becher Terminals are the gang of focus. Based in the county of Becher, the Terminals are looking to expand their operations. Seeing the racing-themed amusement park as an opportunity for doing just that. Their in for that being the owner, who once helped their leader. Allowing me once again to slot a Brandon Golden into a universe. Since the owner ignored their letters, that gave a reason for the Terminals to take a more direct approach to taking over.
Rather than have the point of view be the owner of the park, I wanted someone unaware of everything that lead to the Terminals arriving. A couple, with the point of view being the one who had been to the park before. Who would first-hand experience the brutality of the Terminals. Understand that they are not to be messed with. Making this the first story I’ve used some content warnings for. I don’t hold back with these depictions.
The third quarter promises more expansion of another universe of mine. With it being Racing Month in July, it’s time for another visit to the Zincite Storm universe. This one focusing on an area referenced in the previous visit to the Racer’s Way. With Quinn’s story out, there are just three left until The Alternate Extras of Halesowen is complete. Two of those stories will be in this third quarter, with Alicia providing an different point of view on Elizabeth’s birthday meal. As for what Daniel gets up to, that will remain a secret for now.
And remember that there’ll be something new coming in this third quarter. The first story of Trials of Gore Fest. A dark web competition that sees people perform acts of murder in creative ways, it has come to the attention of Dark Web Intelligence that some from the UK have formed a team. Knowing where they will strike for their first entry, DWI sends a team of their own out to gather information on who these competitors are. That will come in August.
