Worldbuilding Spotlight: Disaster Aversion Team (DAT)
Worldbuilding from the Space Squad 51 Universe…
After the chaos of Spaceberg, Nikili Echols was offered a promotion within the Orbital Rescue Services (ORS). Instead of climbing the ranks, she chose a different path—devoting herself to preventing another disaster of that scale from ever happening again. Her reward was the privilege of naming and shaping a brand-new organization: the Disaster Aversion Team (DAT).
ORS vs. DAT
The ORS operates much like traditional firehouses—localized, community-based, and only loosely connected. While they can coordinate across districts, communication isn’t instantaneous and usually only happens in extreme emergencies.
By contrast, DAT is designed to keep an eye on the solar system as a whole. Its purpose is to anticipate trouble before it strikes and reallocate resources where they’re needed most. If ORS is about immediate response, DAT is about foresight and prevention.
Structure & Style
DAT borrows heavily from ORS, keeping the familiar hierarchy of chief, captain, lieutenant, responders, and cadets. The ships are the same iconic design—patterned after a Huey helicopter and painted in vivid red for instant recognition. The uniforms echo those of ORS as well. These similarities exist because Nikili never stopped loving ORS; she wanted DAT to honor its roots while broadening its reach.
A Strategic Base on Rhea
Nikili chose to base DAT on Rhea, one of Saturn’s moons. From this vantage point, DAT can reach both the Inner and Outer Sol efficiently. Rhea also houses the top university in the solar system, giving DAT direct access to cutting-edge research and some of the brightest minds humanity has to offer.
The Sinclair Storm & Growing Pains
DAT is still young, and its systems are untested. With the looming threat of the Sinclair Storm, the team is scrambling to deploy GravoNets—experimental technology designed to shield colonies from catastrophic harm. Whether the nets will be ready in time is still uncertain.
For now, DAT is in its infancy, but Nikili dreams big. Her vision is clear: a system-wide safety net ensuring that every citizen of Sol can live without fear of another Spaceberg.
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![Substack](http:// <h5 style="text-align: center;" data-start="251" data-end="401">🚀 <strong data-start="254" data-end="293">Salutations, interstellar voyagers!</strong> 🌟<br data-start="296" data-end="299" />Incoming transmission: here's the May report on current missions, new launches, and cosmic adventures!</h5> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-4036 size-large" src="https://www.mpaxauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/galactic-status-1024x344.jpg" alt="M. Pax upcoming releases" width="1024" height="344" /> <h3>🚀 <strong>Project One: Completing the Space Squad 51 Series</strong></h3> <strong>Status: in the solar system!</strong> <ul> <li><strong>Spaceberg:</strong> Currently in edits with more spit and polish, and the addition of bonus extras to make the story more immersive. In final edits for re-release. Will be out in the wilds again by the end of the first week in June.</li> <li><strong>Space Trash:</strong> Edits complete.</li> <li><strong>Space Hitched: </strong>Edits complete.</li> <li><strong>Space Weed:</strong> Final Edits in progess.</li> <li><strong>Space Worms: </strong>Another new addition with a rough outline. This new story will be a stretch goal for Kickstarter backers. Don't miss out!</li> <li><strong>Space Rock: </strong>Another new addition with a rough outline. This new story will be another stretch goal for Kickstarter backers.</li> <li><strong>Exciting News:</strong> I'll be creating bonus content to make my stories more immersive from here on out. Bonus extras complete for <em>Space Hitched</em> and <em>Space Weed</em>. Some are done for <em>Space Trash</em>. Will add them in for Spaceberg when the first draft of Space Weed is complete.</li> </ul> ✨ L<strong>aunch date set for September 30, 2025! Sign up for the prelaunch of the Kickstarter Launch Party so you don't miss out on anything! <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mpaxauthor/squad-51?ref=78gve4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PRELAUNCH</a></strong> <hr /> <h3>🌟 <strong>Project Two: Shroomtopia</strong></h3> <strong>Status: Steady as she goes!</strong> Writing the rough draft live in Discord and Substack. Come join me at <a href="https://discord.gg/NjmHxuCH" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paxport</a>! <hr /> <h3>🌌 <strong>Project Three: Completing the Rifters Series</strong></h3> <strong>Status: Charting new dimensions!</strong> <ul> <li><strong>The Generals (Rifters Book 5):</strong> At 30% plotted, this novel is laying the foundation for epic twists and turns. My target is 70-80,000 words, and it’s going to be worth the wait!</li> <li><strong>Untitled (Rifters Book 6):</strong> The final installment is 5% plotted, but hey, the adventure is just beginning. My aim? Another 70-80,000 words of world-saving, dimension-bending awesomeness. It possibly has a title. Debating: The Sentinels or The New Order. Maybe I'll come up with something else.</li> </ul> <h3 data-start="99" data-end="134">🌙 <strong data-start="102" data-end="134">Project Four: Hetty Locklear Series</strong></h3> <p data-start="136" data-end="171"><strong data-start="136" data-end="147">Status:</strong> In the line up after the Rifters series is complete</p> <p data-start="173" data-end="248">I'll be giving The Renaissance of Hetty Locklear a new title and a new cover, but it will be the same content. I have titles for the other three novels that will round out this series and some rough notes for the books.</p> <hr /> Keep your comm channels open for more updates. One of these stories will be a freebie for my mailing list. If you haven't joined the M. Pax Dimension yet, well, get over there! <a href="https://71235d1d.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAJvNPpqGb13LIDolwCJS3JGSoYZYusWdSUmAo9ecf9GspHhcQOYRI_ijWcL9KSWcMemOJg6K7lGAjSPM_KitxvBzMYsfvtIu8VH-1OotwpiTJzoP51s1jzSD2Xx1qFr8DUCotor6ZXj2HpJ0HBkCjYs1hXFpOtOZezhdeG_epDAm1yQyIIC4ECaEwt0i3RLP28JY3Y9iRI9e" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MPAX DIMENSION</a> Until then, happy reading and dreaming! <strong>Stay tuned and peace out, M. Pax</strong> 🚀✨ ){kind=link}