Stellar Rein is an episodic Sci-Fi racing series set in The Stellar Universe. This is Episode One: The Qualifier.
Press Play to hear me perform the voice over!
Episode One: The Qualifier
Ibra’s hands trembled on Quetzle’s reins. He gripped the pommel of his saddle, leaned forward, and pointed past Quetzle’s eyes towards the fur bait swinging from the chase rail.
“Focus on the bait, Quetzle. We can’t lose like a bunch of Coasters.”
Quetzle flattened the emerald feathers of his serpentine body and ruffled his crimson mane. He huffed, puffing a red cloud of dust into the air, as fans from all over the sun system blended their cheers and jeers into a single unintelligible rumble.
A 750-click sprint in 30 seconds separated them from one of the 20 sponsorship slots that would qualify them for the tournament. The winner earning prestige and a shot to compete in ranked races.
Ibra patted the feathers on Quetzle’s mane.
“Don’t get distracted like on the ranch, buddy,”
Quetzle let out a low hiss, his long tongue flickering.
Bang! The gate dropped.
30 seconds
Ibra snapped the reins, and the crowd erupted into a glorious roar that shook the stadium air. The chase rail rose and whined around the track. Quetzle sprinted after the bait. His feathers clung tight to his streamlined frame as he cut through the air, clouds of red dust trailing his wake.
20 seconds
A flash of yellow just beyond the side rails. An official waved the first quarter-flag. Quetzle locked on and veered off course; the crowd’s roar dipped into silence. Ibra leaned deep into the opposing direction to counterbalance his mount’s momentum and pulled hard against the rein.
The crowd surged. Quetzle, back on course, galloped harder. His four powerful legs blurring underneath him as he closed in on the bait.
15 seconds
Ibra clenched his teeth, snapped the reins, and squeezed his legs against his mount’s body. Quetzle’s jaws opened wide. Ibra pulled back on the reins. Quetzle ignored the tension, leapt, and chomped down. The bait ripped off the chase rail as they crashed onto the dirt track in a cloud of red.
10 seconds
“Quetzle, get up!”
Ibra yelled. He twisted and snapped the reins as Quetzle tore into the fur bait, proud and oblivious, the finish line only clicks away.
5 seconds
“Get up! We can make it!”
He kicked back and dug his heels into Quetzle. His mount sprung up and lunged forward. Ibra held his breath.
The horn blared
They leapt over the finish line — one second too late. Quetzle shook the bait in his jaws while Ibra pounded his thigh in frustration.
Ibra slumped to the dusty derby ground beside his elated partner. He reached out and ran his hand along Quetzle’s crimson mane.
“You finally focused, buddy… but we were too fast to win.”
Will Ibra and Quetzle get another shot, or is this the end of the line?
Who is Ibra, and what is he risking for a chance at glory?
What politics are at play for a young jockey racing on a foreign world?
Stellar Rein: Second Wind, Episode Two
The walls of the scentless trailer hummed from outdated tech within. Ibra forced himself upright. He glared at the I.S.C. terminal near his bed, sighed, then reached for the receiver.
Audio done with a full cast of actors!
Stellar Rein: Episode Two
Explore the world of the Vos System II tournament with Ibra in the wake of the Qualifier Round.
“The planet pulsed every twenty-five minutes, thrumming into my marrow. The global metronome eroded every stone into sand, leaving sprawling dune formations patterned in the acoustic geometries wrought by its ceaseless rhythm.”
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Very nice audio work! I heard the no-music version and I thought it sounded great.
Danny! This was fun to read and listen to. Most of the noises made it feel alive but I did not like the music too much, distracted me from the words, but it does feel like I am in the stands of a crowded event.
The description of Quetzle was my favorite and the continued use of red dust.
The description of Quetzle standing proud also made me smile. Did they he really lose? Seems to me that he met his goal.
Noticed something in the audio where it does not quite match the words.
-Fans from all over the sun system blended their cheers and jeers into a single unintelligible rumble.
-The winner would earn prestige and a shot to compete in ranked races.
Overall it was fun and I like the voice over.
Hope everything is going great for you!