Creator's NoteThe Sugar City Archives § is a collection of stories from the world of Cigam. An introduction to this planet, The Forgotten Winter is narrated by a native and told through the journals of an astronaut from Earth called Alba. It is the first part of the trilogy Alba Lands which spans from Cigam to Earth, then beyond.
Written mainly in English, some parts are a composition of Scots - a dying variety of Anglic language from Scotland - constructed with English, Gaelic, slang, dialects, and other forgotten tongues of the land. While understanding is not inherent to the story, a translation link is provided should you require. Although, if you know as little as the main character Alba, then you can experience his plight.
The intended way to read the series is with musical accompaniment (mostly instrumental: electronic & classical). Not for everyone of course, but if you wish to listen then the recommended track and link is provided before each chapter (via YouTube). If the exact link is missing, then you can use something similar (original tracks to follow). All artwork is from my own travels and cameras, unless stated otherwise. They represent places and people on Cigam, but real locations and names are labelled out of interest.
You may be hitherto thinking that this is not the story or genre for you. If so, remember that so much more is possible than you can't even imagine. For example, there are more stars in the observable universe than grains of sand on Earth. Or that a certain species of jellyfish is immortal. Our world is so tiny, and there are such powerful things beyond it.
BlurbI'm Alba but... the name's an echo, a relic from another time. Something changed, dimmed the lights, and now, I'm not the person I used to be. A symptom of being lost in space probably. I'm from Earth, well, my parents were from there, I've never set foot on it myself and I doubt I ever will. My whole life has been flying through galaxies, exploring planets, and chasing stars. I know it sounds incredible but that's all I've ever known, stranded on a spaceship that I call work and home, forced to discover lifeless rocks, destined to be alone.
Though, it wasn't always like this. For even in that world of loss I was happy - content at least - at times, thriving. A soothing silence, empowering solitude and an exciting chaos. Terrible things happened, but I dealt with them without thinking. Now, nagging parochial voices shriek through my head: fears, doubts, regrets, turning that silence unsettling, solitude restrictive and the chaos - terrifying. Forgive me, I won't make sense at times, as I struggle to make sense of things myself, the realisation that my life and mind are so different to many. I try to find out why, what befell me, what happened to Alba. It's beginning to get to me, in fact, it's killing me.
Until one day, a crimson dawn woke and on the brink of breakdown my ship came alive. A new galaxy greets us, and inside, the wonder and relief of the most serene, blue planets calls my name. It needs to be the place we've been looking for, the fresh start I so desperately crave. I disembark to discover what should be an alien world but so much is familiar...
Another time, another world yet so familiar...
The boy from Earth will encounter many things, the most fateful; an ashen-faced, golden-haired girl. An ethereal native and a sign that Alba is closer to home than once thought. Far from a stereotypical alien she wears a blue Kappa tracksuit, speaks a basic grasp of English and Scots, while sending the mind of Captain Choirs reeling, as well as his heart pounding.
Powerful, gorgeous, bold, her name is Crystaligicx.
Amid a crippling plague, she must save our boy. And then our worlds
