The Crider Chronicles: Confederacy – Part I

by | Sep 29, 2025 | Fiction | 86 comments

Tarbos

The year 2234CE was to be a momentous one in human history.  Early in that year, Robert Pritchard, the Project Director for Off-World Mining & Exploration’s operations on the planet Tarbos, called a meeting of delegates from the thirteen worlds to discuss solutions to the loss of OWME freighters.  While the causes of the losses were not known at first, the hostile Grugell were suspected, and this was later confirmed.

However, Director Pritchard’s meeting was to have far more lasting results than initially planned.  Even before the delegates began to arrive on Tarbos, the meeting evolved into what would become a Constitutional Convention founding the Confederated Free Planets.

The Grugell swiftly discovered the intent of the various planetary officials gathering on Tarbos, and moved to prevent the formation of an interplanetary human government.  Efforts were undertaken by at least one Grugell warship commander on several different fronts, all ultimately unsuccessful.

The new Confederate Constitution was swiftly ratified by the thirteen settled worlds.  Tarbos Project Director Robert Pritchard was elected the first Confederate President; a key point in his campaign was the founding of the Confederate Navy.  The human expansion continued, at a faster pace now, borne by ships carrying the blue banner of the Confederacy. – Morris/Handel, “A History of the First Galactic Confederacy,” University Publications, 2804CE

To see more of Animal’s writing, visit his page at Crimson Dragon Publishing or Amazon.

About The Author

Animal

Animal

Semi-notorious local political gadfly and general pain in the ass. I’m firmly convinced that the Earth and all its inhabitants were placed here for my personal amusement and entertainment, and I comport myself accordingly. Vote Animal/STEVE SMITH 2028!

86 Comments

  1. PieInTheSky

    Oh so a woman can’t be first Confederate President how backwards. The presidents pronouns were not even mentioned.

  2. Sean

    And that, kids, is how I met your mother.

    • Sean

      Oh wait. The Epilogue was last week.

      • R.J.

        I am hoping it will lead to more in the series.

      • WTF

        RJ – It does, it’s another whole book, and a very good one.

  3. Rat on a train

    Hurrah! for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star!

    • Furthest Blue pistoffnick (370HSSV)

      I’m only part way through, but I have to say good on him. I see a lot of my friends say we should fight for Ukraine. They are’t going to be doing any fucking fighting though. They want other people to do the fighting. Everybody is brave until it is time to do war shit.

      • Not Adahn

        I find it interesting since the guy is an example of a type that AFAICT has always existed — a guy who is not averse to (or perhaps even eager for) violence, looking for excitement/adventure. The people in the comments section are apparently unaware that this has ever existed and/or horrified that humans haven’t evolved into the New Civilized Man.

      • creech

        “You dig it, you go.”. Protestor back in ’67 said that to me and it did change my whole outlook on the War in Vietnam.

    • Gustave Lytton

      The comments at the end over his use of long covid are perfect.

      • Sensei

        Almost as good as the article!

    • JaimeRoberto (carnitas/spicy salsa)

      “These groups were often staffed by volunteers who did not have backgrounds in related fields. Couch surfing world travelers, waiters, misfits and nomads. One guy I met had spent years working in a traveling circus…A lot of people were running from something. A lot of people had problems back home. Messy divorce, death of a child, terminal disease, previous suicide attempts, mental illness, PTSD, legal issues, substance abuse issues. I saw all of these things that I listed in multiple people.”

      This matches my experience living in Eastern Europe in the 90s though it’s probably more like that in a war zone.

  4. R.J.

    A buildup to new chapters in this series would be awesome!

    TPTB: I had a moment and typed up an article on the DFW Cryptid Museum as extra content to use as you all see fit.

    • UnCivilServant

      I just had an idea for a parody museum – a Cryptid Museum of Humans, which is about humans from the point of view of creatures trying not to be seen by them.

      • R.J.

        That would be good. Every human needs to be shown carrying around and staring at a phone.

  5. UnCivilServant

    GRRRRRrrrr

    So I have the current network topology

    Desktop -> AR/Switch -> Linux Gateway -> Router -> Modem

    But the Linux box still wants to route out via the AR/Switch. I am clearly screwing up the configuration.

    • UnCivilServant

      *AP/Switch

      **AP/Switch

      🙄

      • Not Adahn

        So you’re saying you have both a select-fire M16 and a Glock with a switch?

      • Dr Mossy Lawn

        Going to need some IP/netmask/default routes..

        Then we get into the “why” dual routers?.. not that you can’t but what is the added value.

      • Dr Mossy Lawn

        This is an AP/router that you are trying using in a bridge/AP mode.. but not as a router?

      • UnCivilServant

        The AP provides wireless and internal wired connectivity. the router is a firewall. the gateway runs IDS/IPS.

      • Dr Mossy Lawn

        We are going to have to see the IP assignments, and who is providing the DHCP services?

      • UnCivilServant

        Desktop – gets DHCP from Linux Gateway
        AP – Static 10.1
        Gateway – Static 10.2 inside, static 50.2 outside, provides DHCP and DNS to all 10.* network, (other devices getting DHCP like Desktop not shown, not relevant to discussion)
        Router – Static 50.1 inside, DHCP from ISP outside.

        Only gateway and Router are on 50.* network on one wired link.

      • Rat on a train

        Why are you using non-private IP space (50.1 and 50.2)?

      • UnCivilServant

        Roat, those are the last two octeds because typing it all out was pointless.

      • Rat on a train

        Ah, sorry. The 10.* got me thinking you were using that private range.

      • Dr Mossy Lawn

        ok, so how does the desktop get a default router of the AP/switch? 10.1

        Is the AP/switch/(not used router) still have its DHCP server enabled? Then you need to turn that off.

        Next up.. packet capture.. we need to see the packet that assigns the AP/switch to the desktop.

      • UnCivilServant

        The Desktop does not get a default router of 10.1, it gets the correct 10.2

        The AP has not been serving DHCP for years, it’s always come from 10.2

        The Linux box at 10.2/50.2 won’t talk external to 50.1, getting stuck on 10.1, which was the old route before I decided the AP was getting old and I didn’t want it on the internet directly.

      • Dr Mossy Lawn

        Ok, so we are at the Linux gateway.

        dump its route table, and all interfaces.

        netstat -ar
        ifconfig -a
        arp -an

      • UnCivilServant

        # netstat -ar
        Kernel IP routing table
        Destination Gateway Genmask Flags MSS Window irtt Iface
        default 10.10.10.1 0.0.0.0 UG 0 0 0 eth0
        default 192.168.50.1 0.0.0.0 UG 0 0 0 enxbcfce7295829
        localnet 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 eth0
        192.168.50.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 enxbcfce7295829
        # ifconfig -a
        enxbcfce7295829: flags=4163 mtu 1500
        inet 192.168.50.114 netmask 255.255.255.0 broadcast 192.168.50.255
        inet6 fe80::f9e9:dfd2:b42:25bf prefixlen 64 scopeid 0x20
        ether bc:fc:e7:29:58:29 txqueuelen 1000 (Ethernet)
        RX packets 0 bytes 0 (0.0 B)
        RX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 frame 0
        TX packets 0 bytes 0 (0.0 B)
        TX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 carrier 0 collisions 0

        eth0: flags=4163 mtu 1500
        inet 10.10.10.2 netmask 255.255.255.0 broadcast 10.10.10.255
        ether 10:7c:61:75:91:20 txqueuelen 1000 (Ethernet)
        RX packets 4181721 bytes 467596613 (467.5 MB)
        RX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 frame 0
        TX packets 4150165 bytes 413062311 (413.0 MB)
        TX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 carrier 0 collisions 0
        [loopback redacted]

        # arp -an
        ? (192.168.50.1) at a0:ad:9f:6f:fc:64 [ether] on enxbcfce7295829
        [DHCP local clients redacted]
        ? (10.10.10.1) at 78:d2:94:7b:2e:d8 [ether] on eth0
        ? (185.125.190.48) at on enxbcfce7295829

      • UnCivilServant

        Yes, it says 50.114, I’ve been calling it 50.2 because after I sort this out I’ll be re-IPing that part of the network.

    • Rat on a train

      Does the DHCP service on the gateway specify the router IP option to point to the gateway?

      • UnCivilServant

        The DHCP info handed out by the linux box gives itself as the gateway. This is working. I can tracert from the desktop to the internet and see it go over to the linux box and then go on its merry way.

      • Rat on a train

        From the DHCP configuration on my service server pointing to my gateway:
        subnet 192.168.1.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {

        option routers 192.168.1.1

        }

      • UnCivilServant

        The problem isn’t the DHCP info.

        I swap the modem cable from AP to Router and the linux box doesn’t want to talk to the outside via that interface, the traffic heading back to 10.1 and getting confused.

      • Rat on a train

        What is the default route on the gateway? It should be to the router.

      • UnCivilServant

        I got a two for one special:

        # route -n
        Kernel IP routing table
        Destination Gateway Genmask Flags Metric Ref Use Iface
        0.0.0.0 10.10.10.1 0.0.0.0 UG 1002 0 0 eth0
        0.0.0.0 192.168.50.1 0.0.0.0 UG 1003 0 0 enxbcfce7295829
        10.10.10.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 1002 0 0 eth0
        192.168.50.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 100 0 0 enxbcfce7295829

      • Rat on a train

        I believe you should only have the 192.168.50.1 with the 0.0.0.0 mask. The first entry is hijacking traffic.

      • Dr Mossy Lawn

        0.0.0.0 10.10.10.1 0.0.0.0 UG 1002 0 0 eth0

        is your problem..

        so where did you configure that?

      • Rat on a train

        My guess would be it should be:
        0.0.0.0 192.168.50.1 0.0.0.0 UG … enxbcfce7295829
        192.168.50.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U … enxbcfce7295829
        192.168.10.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U … eth0

      • UnCivilServant

        so where did you configure that?

        🤷‍♂️

        I have no idea.

      • Dr Mossy Lawn

        Well, that is the issue.. so we need to track it down.

        which linux are you using…

        Is it /etc/defaultrouters ? It will be something in /etc. I would search for 10.0.10.1 in every single file under /etc

        Right now you can delete the route by hand.. and it should start working

        route del 0.0.0.0 10.0.10.1 (adjust as needed)

      • Rat on a train

        Can you remove the first entry using the command line?

      • UnCivilServant

        it’s Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS according to the login motd.

      • Dr Mossy Lawn

        Google says:

        /etc/netplan/01-netcfg.yaml network:
        version: 2
        renderer: networkd
        ethernets:
        eth0:
        addresses:
        – 192.168.1.100/24
        routes:
        – to: default
        via: 192.168.1.1
        nameservers:
        addresses:
        – 8.8.8.8
        – 8.8.4.4

        so I would look around there to start.

      • UnCivilServant

        route del 0.0.0.0 10.0.10.1 (adjust as needed)

        While that removed the route from the table, the result became that the linux box just crossed its arms and went “Now I won’t talk to anybody” I eventually rebooted and it restored to the previous state of wanting 10.1

      • UnCivilServant

        That’s not entirely accurate, it did ping both 10.1 and 50.1 with the route removed.

      • Dr Mossy Lawn

        Then give us the route table after the delete.. If they both went, then you need to add back in the 192.168.50.1 route.

        this is always building blocks..

        Interfaces (with correct netmask)
        Routes
        Arp tables.

      • Dr Mossy Lawn

        you can ping the “peers” since the 10.10.10.0/24 and 192.168.50.0/24 routes are still in the table.

        the route delete command must have nixed both default routes.

      • UnCivilServant

        It did not delete both default routes, it retained the 50.1, but I’m wondering if the router is blocking DNS traffic from pihole making queries outbound.

      • UnCivilServant

        Here’s the Stupidest development that makes all the resting moot.

        The New Router is refusing to get a DHCP address from the ISP when plugged into the modem. It recognizes the port has been connected but doesn’t do a DHCP lease despite appearing to be set to do so.

      • UnCivilServant

        😡🤬

        Of all things a router is supposed to do out of the box – get an upstream DHCP address is right there at the top of the list. The config says it should. But nooo, it just never bothered

    • Gustave Lytton

      I was told there would be no networking.

      • Furthest Blue pistoffnick (370HSSV)

        *Holds tiny “NERDS!” sign to camera.*

      • UnCivilServant

        You willingly associate with Nerds. You have accepted the terms and conditions which includes occassional nerd talk.

      • Rat on a train

        I’m a geek not a nerd …

      • UnCivilServant

        that explains the chickens with the heads bitten off.

  6. ron73440

    I was trying to find this book on my kindle and realized it was in the same book as the last series.

    It’s been awhile since I read this one, I bought the book in Feb of 2020, right before the world lost its mind.

  7. Sean

    #ows587 🔎 5/5 (00:47)
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    🔥 streak: 1
    onewordsearch.com

    • Fourscore

      Best and brightest, Sean.

      It’s great to have over achiever kids.

      Mine got into community college so there’s that.

      • Rat on a train

        I got into my first choice for community college!

      • Akira

        When I worked at a factory, some guy used to brag that the college he went to (Edison Community College in Piqua, OH) was “one of the top five community colleges in the country”. Then every time he said or did something dumb – which was frequently – we’d say to him “top five community colleges in the country!”

      • UnCivilServant

        I’m ashamed enough of having gone to college. Don’t make me try to think if it ranks anywhere in the heirarchy of academic nonsense.

      • Rat on a train

        Mine is ranked in the top 200.

    • Rat on a train

      blue no matter who

      • The Other Kevin

        It’s way too important!

    • Sensei

      In NJ? Just put the thumb on the scales in Essex, Hudson and Camden Counties.

  8. Not Adahn

    Woot! Got my official assignment for Race Gun Nats, and it will be the Range Master audition. The process was more work than I expected.

    • UnCivilServant

      This whole range master process seems poorly documented and managed.

      • Not Adahn

        What? But it uses SumTotal!

        It’s the result of an ad-hoc attempt of formalizing a “procedure” which was originally purely consensus-based. Compared to the only other large volunteer-based organization I have experience with (the Boy Scouts of America) it is completely adequate. Admittedly, the BSA has had over 100 years to get their shit together, but they also own a lot more property than USPSA does.

      • UnCivilServant

        From your updates I get a general sense of confusion and miscommunication.

      • Not Adahn

        Compared to my workplace yes.

    • UnCivilServant

      Fuck that noise. Your shitholes aren’t worth visiting, let alone worth that much data.

      • Sean

        Seriously.

        Especially with all the 3rd worlders running amok.

      • Rat on a train

        I don’t want to visit our cities. Why would I visit yours?

    • Timeloose

      The US government doesn’t have my finger prints, I don’t trust them. Now I have to trust the EU.

      Just booked trip to Italy for next summer.

      • R.J.

        My wife wants to go to Italy too.

      • UnCivilServant

        I hear Naples, Florida does a good impersonation minus the volcano.

    • Furthest Blue pistoffnick (370HSSV)

      Iceland is on the list, Glibcruisers.

      *gets out sandpaper*

      • Evan from Evansville

        This is my key Go-To place that’s a) affordable; b) not-yet visited by me; c) fairly easy to get to, frankly; and d) seems better off (more rural helps, methinks) than their fucked up Euro ‘neighbors.’

        I’ve spent plenty of time in Europe and the UK. I really can’t imagine going back. Things would have to line up *just* right. A yet- unknown Helen of Troy (OH) would have to be remarkably insistent upon that shit. I’d feel much safer, and more grounded, ‘used to it’ with SE Asia. (Dammit, no euphemism. Y’all know I used to live there.) Singapore’s my dream spot to take my nephews exploring, with only a few days there to absorb that madness and then to Chiang Mai or whatever mainland struck their fancy.

        I partied plenty and wasn’t always the safest, but having a US passport, and not being a fucking asshole, are two big keys to why SE Asia is purposefully careful ’round Americans. Too much tourism $$ and don’t wanna screw the pooch. (At least for dudes. I wouldn’t travel solo as a chick in many /most places I’ve been outside of Far East Asia.)

      • Akira

        Helen of Troy (OH)

        I don’t know any Helen, but we have plenty of Karens!

  9. Evan from Evansville

    Well done, Animal. I’m curious how the ‘new order’ Founders will do with the Convention of their Confederation.

    Oooh, ya wrote it long before, but this is oddly timely:

    Early in that year, Robert Pritchard, the Project Director for Off-World Mining & Exploration’s operations on the planet Tarbos, called a meeting of delegates from the thirteen worlds to discuss solutions to the loss of OWME freighters.

    (I…presume our Russian agent wrote this *before* Hegseth summoned all 1-Star+ Generals for a sit-down with Trump, not actively knowing of such a tie. ‘Twould be curious misdirection from our Animal had he known all along. Knoweth not, I, with он…)

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Animal’s Daily Schedule Update News | Animal Magnetism - […] I get into this, check out the first installment of The Crider Chronicles – Confederacy over at Glibertarians. You’re…