Technology
Dragonfly Spaceship
Essentially – a stretched version of the space shuttle with three payload pays, and large wings like a dragonfly. The dimension jump drive is the large bulge just behind the main wings of the craft.
The original design, made from a dragonfly and a space shuttle image…
Mini-jets
Housed in the front two payload bays of the dragonfly, there are usually two of these in each bay (four in total). These allow excursions from the main craft where necessary. They can be launched from the dragonfly when in flight through the roof, which opens like the Space Shuttle payload bay. Each mini-jet contains a small cockpit at the front, with a small cargo bay at the rear – with a rear door that can act as a ramp (like a cargo plane.
This is probably the closest in shape to my imagination, although the actual craft would be much smaller (a bit like Thunderbird 4, which was used as a basis to model the craft above):
There are two of these housed nose-to-tail in each of the front two payload bays (bays 1 and 2). Just like the space shuttle, the roof of the bay can open to allow the mini-jets to be launched:
Side-world base
A large central dome, housing the main living quarters, surrounded by lots of smaller domes that house the “push gates”. This is still on Earth (hence the Moon in the background) – but on a version of Earth that is much smaller and does not have a substantial atmosphere.
Inside the central dome
Céline’s Lab
The prototype “push gate” – capable of shoving something (or someone) sideways through a perpendicular dimension into a parallel world.
Refining the “push gates” at a secret Government facility
Interceptor Craft
Rival to the dragonfly. Developed by rogue elements within the Government. Also capable of trans-dimensional travel.
Characters
Abbi
Abbi is Céline’s best friend (since living together during Undergrad days) and a devoted rower. English student by training, she is tough and resourceful. Completing a PhD in linguistics.
This is probably the closest match to my mental image of Abbi:
Nilesh
Nilesh is a physicist, and funding competitor to Céline. Not originally friends with the group – he gets involved by accident when walking into Céline’s lab at the wrong time!
Originally, most of the characters were imagined as white – probably because all of my closest friends at University were. However, the image below is fairly close to how I imagined Nilesh (originally called Nick).
Tom
Abbi’s boyfriend from University. Very sporty. Now working in a local biotech company as a research scientist.
Nilesh, Abbi and Tom
I had a particular photo of three friends walking towards the camera, which provided a lot of inspiration for Abbi, Nilesh and Tom. The top photo is fairly close to how I originally imagined the three, but the bottom photo provides an alternative interpretation which I like too.
Kit
A small, slight, shy student – humanities focus. Small friendship group. Troubled past. Still an Undergrad, has latched on to Céline as a comfort blanket, but adores Abbi.
This one is particularly close to my mental image:
Céline
Genius PhD physicist, looking for a solution to the “dark matter problem” (i.e. where is all the extra matter in the universe that holds galaxies together). Accidentally discovers that all solids are actually four dimensional, with the extra matter existing in parallel “furrows” in a fifth dimension. Develops a method to “push” objects sideways into these furrows using technology based on the element “Tennessine” – hence the name of the website.
This is pretty close to my mental image – but less makeup (like above):
Alex
Techie working at the University Physics laboratory. Helpful with the more physical computing side of the equipment. Slightly overweight, but always willing to please.
This is fairly close to my mental model:
Adamma
Highly trained soldier who is assigned to watch the renegade physicists after their initial forays into the furrows. Forced to choose between different elements of the military, but eventually becomes protector and advisor to the group. Crucial in training Abbi to become a military leader.
Probably the closest match to my mental image:
