Hey everybody. I know this probably counts more as a journal, but I wanted it here for easier access.
Yesterday this idea for a new story series came to my mind. I'll give a synopsis then leave it open for comments. I want this story to be more reader friendly, since The Argonian Chronicles is completely not.
The idea is: In the distant future mankind has been killed off by a virus. This virus attacks DNA itself, causing mutations that were fatal for humans and many other species. It also caused mutations that were more beneficial. For a few species, it caused rapid evolution, creating sentient beings (bears, wolves, horses, etc). In others, the evolution only created new species that now inhabit the wild (reptiles, birds, aquatic animals).
Luckily, mankind placed much of their technology and knowledge in what later became known as "The Vault". While they were hoping for mans continued existence, this helped the new inhabitants of Earth to quickly become as advanced (some cases more) as man was when they went extinct. The Vault kept it's contents intact while everything else decayed. Ruins of man's cities dot the land, but new, larger cities shadow these.
That's all I've got so far. I would like some input on the idea. Anything that would make it more interesting, characters, species, whatever you as the reader would like to see. I have included most species I have planned in the tags. I'm thinking of having a bear and husky as main characters, but need a few more.
That's it, I now open this to everyone.
My thinking was that shortly after this virus breaks out, some of the humans were able to construct a generational ship and leave for Alpha Centauri. As in your idea, certain species of animals did eventually evolve and inadvertently gain access to human technologies and other useful data.
From this point you could probably go anywhere. Make the humans return to earth, either to greet the furs as equals, enslave them, wipe them out and visa-versa. Unfortunately this horse has been beaten to death a long time ago, and you will find a least a few stories here on this site that follow generally the same plot. In my draft however gave the furries an insatiable desire to find out what exactly had happened to the humans, and they essentially re-ingineer their entire society to achieve that goal.
Of course I would never write anything without coming up with some sadistic idea to make them suffer a little bit ;) You see, the furries are dying, because of the genetic mutations. Their only course of action, after exhausting all possible avenues of finding a cure, is to somehow reach, track down, or convince the humans to help them. My initial draft kicked off after they had constructed their own interstellar space-ship, and follows a few of their bravest furs as they take on the momentous task of reaching Centauri. Again, there are various ways you can tackle this. Either the humans has been wiped out, refuse or is unable to help them, capture them, betray them, go to war... etc... etc...
Anyway, feel free to make of it as you wish, or even tap my mind if you find this remotely useful.