Non-Canon Stories

(Copied straight from .XML 'backup' file, needs formatting and corrections. ZM User (talk) 20:15, 22 April 2024 (PDT))

   (This is a list of stories that have been declared "Non-Canon", hopefully with explanation of exactly why.  Authors should be able to reference other parts of those stories.  As always, 'Canon' is whatever The Thinking Horndog and the Swarm Authors' Email List say it is, so if there are any questions ask the list. -ZM)

This list is NOT COMPLETE!

The "Cosca" Series

   TH has said the Cosca aren't canon, but several stories reference them so they are here to stay.  The big problem is their HSIT weapons.  These are absolutely prohibited and can't be used in the Swarm Cycle.  We are not allowed to use weapons that might render a planet non-inhabitable.  Rather than argue about whether or not they are part of the Confederacy, as authors it's better if we just ignore them.

Interstellar Communications

   The interstellar communication concept is non-canon.  We want each colony to be independent, so there is no quick and easy way for Central Command to micromanage the war.  TH has said that the (original) Confederacy probably has interstellar comms, and we're pretty sure that the Darjee envoy who started this whole thing could talk to his superiors without leaving Earthat space, but WE don't have anything like that.  Further, for the good of the story line, we don't WANT it.  Getting a message from one system to another takes a ship to carry it, until we invent message torpedos.
   Stories that use instant interstellar communications include:

• TH's "Pickup Number 18" with the phrase "I see her daily via hyperwave"
• AJ's Ishtar series which include videoconferencing between systems

"Hot Time in the City" by Just Jack

   On 4/19/2017, MO said: Just went back and did a quick read of Hot Time.  Non-canon stuff I found included using communicators instead of an implant, having a personal AI "given the ignominious place on my belt where she lived," battle armor at all extractions once EF violence escalated, repeal of mandatory testing laws (in NY,NY?), using GTUs to extract "thousands" instead of transporter pads, (maybe) giving GMUs earth to make non-hyper transports, Mars being 'eaten" by GMUs to make war materiel, dependent pickups by dropping transporter pads on doorsteps P_ no mention of anyone knocking on doors, just picking up entries and exits, putting "all of our passengers put into crypto biostatic hibernation", 'a GTU is a full 20 kilometers in diameter, we still have tight quarters when carrying over fifty thousand people","I found out it had been sent out under AI control as my new command."

"Operation Triskelion" by Duke of Ramus

   This story explains how the Sa'arm are defeated and removed as a danger to the Confederation, thus ending the war.  Things that end the war are not allowed.

Doc Tufferson's Stories

   On 5/1/17, TH said: "A LOT of Doc’s stuff is non-canon – frankly, everything is.  He went places we’re not going.  No big deal.  But we should probably make it clear."

"Waste Not, Want Not" by Zaffen

   This story explains how a group of super-geniuses figure out what's really going on and how to stop the Sa'arm, thus ending the war.  Things that end the war are not allowed.

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