- The Dark Wheel
"The Dark Wheel" is a 1984
novella set in the "Elite" computer game universe and included with most 8 and 16 bit variations. It was written by noted fantasy writerRobert Holdstock . The novella can be read [http://www.iancgbell.clara.net/elite/dkwheel.htm online] at Ian Bell's [http://www.iancgbell.clara.net/elite/ Elite site] .The story tells of a young pilot, Alex Ryder, whose father Jason is killed when their merchant ship is attacked by pirates. In trying to understand and avenge his father's death, Alex encounters the basics of the Elite universe - including combat, hyperdrive and hyperspace, the Thargoid - and discovers the truth about his father and his combat rank. He also learns who the "Dark Wheel" are and what it takes to join their ranks.
The original Acornsoft version promises on its back cover that " [a] sequel to the novella is planned for publication in 1985", but no direct sequel was ever written. A second novella, "Imprint" by Andy Redman, was included with the
IBM PC release of "Elite Plus", but despite being set in the same universe it is in no way connected to the original story.External links
* [http://www.iancgbell.clara.net/elite/ Ian Bell's Elite site - including the full text of "The Dark Wheel"]
* [http://robertholdstock.com/ Robert Holdstock's site]
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