Thorne Family Adventures
The Thorne Family Adventures are an anthology of stories set in the increasingly grim world of Dimension Delta Zeta 17-46 and involving at time both Super Force and specifically, Samantha Grey.
Writer's Guide
The Thorne family exists at the intersection of genius, tragedy, and global conflict. Their isolated life on a secluded Caribbean island is a fragile truce between one family's need for peace and a nation's demand for survival. This guide presents the status of the family roughly in the year 1964.
Vivian Thorne
Dr. Vivian Thorne (born 1923) is the central figure of the Thorne Family Adventures, serving as the NAFR's foremost normal-human mind in Quantum Gravitation and an Apex Researcher. At age 41 in 1964, her brilliance is critical to the Republic's survival amid ongoing global conflicts. Her service is driven by a tragic paradox: she despises war due to personal loss but fears her nation's defeat more, viewing her development of war-critical technology as a necessary sacrifice to protect her children and the NAFR from atomic destruction.
Early Life
Born in 1923 to the elite Thorne family of Boston's historic Boston Brahmin upper class, Vivian was funneled into the nation's top academic pipelines from a young age. Her exceptional talent in Quantum Gravitation quickly distinguished her as the NAFR's leading normal-human expert in the field. During her accelerated studies and Ph.D. (or equivalent) candidacy review, she encountered "Doctor Philadelphia" under one of his civilian identities—a metahuman whose transcendent understanding of physics has guided much of the NAFR's 20th-century scientific advancements. He is responsible for approving candidates for the Apex program, recognizing Vivian's potential. While pursuing her research, she met and fell in love with Damien Thorne, a fellow science student specializing in nuclear chemistry, during study sessions she initiated to help him pass an advanced Quantum Gravitation course. Despite her efforts, Damien failed due to distraction, but their relationship blossomed. Vivian's genius cultivated a defiant streak and an anti-war morality, often setting her against the authority structures she now serves.
Personal Tragedy
Damien Thorne became an NAFR Strategic Infrastructure Engineer and academic, contributing to the Republic's defenses. Their life together was shattered circa 1962 when Damien was killed in the British atomic attack on Baltimore during the October War. This loss forged Vivian's defining conflict: she hates war with every fiber of her being because of the personal price she paid, yet she fears her nation's defeat even more. She commits to her work as a "necessary sacrifice" to shield her children—Caleb (born 1953) and adopted daughter Zara (born 1954, orphaned in the October War)—and the NAFR from future atomic threats. Her duty extends beyond the lab; as a Maverick Genius, she actively speaks up, offering guiding wisdom to the military and national government. She holds them accountable to the nation's high ideals, and forward-thinking NAFR leaders frequently invite her to events and meetings outside her field for her insight and criticism. Vivian acknowledges that "every discovery has a shadow," reflecting her awareness of the moral ambiguities in her research.
Apex Researcher
Designated an Apex Researcher at age 41, Vivian is one of several such experts in crucial fields but the most important in her specialty. Her work is on the brink of a revolutionary breakthrough, making her a high-value asset whose safety and productivity are paramount. Since early 1963, she has lived and worked in profound solitude on a secluded Caribbean island research station, relying on Major Rex Corbin as her protector and logistical assistant. Her willingness to confront authority makes her a volatile yet essential component of the NAFR's survival strategy in the dystopian setting of Dimension Delta Zeta 17-46.
Rex Corbin
Major Rex Corbin (born 1913) is a key supporting character in the Thorne Family Adventures, embodying the North American Federal Republic's meritocratic military ethos as a hardened, professional soldier turned guardian. At age 51 in 1964, his career was redefined by personal tragedy and a secretive reassignment, evolving from frontline combat to protector of the Thorne family on their secluded Caribbean island research station.
Early Life
Born in 1913 in rural Texas (pre-NAFR United States), Rex was instilled with a fierce work ethic, unwavering moral code, and natural expertise in firearms and outdoorsmanship—attributes highly valued by the NAFR military. At age 17 (circa 1930), he enlisted in the Federal Republic Army, quickly advancing through the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) ranks due to his foundational skills, focus under stress, quiet intensity, and superior performance.
The Mustang
During an early engagement in the South Asian War, Sergeant Corbin's unit was compromised, with all officers incapacitated. He took calm, decisive command, leveraging his exceptional tactical sense and "steady hand with a pistol" to save his squad and complete the objective. This heroism earned him a battlefield commission to Second Lieutenant, delivered by a General Officer over radio amid the action. He underwent a mandatory, intensive Officer's Finishing Program, transforming him into a highly capable, field-hardened "Mustang" officer—known for earning authority through results rather than connections.
Career Rise & Fall
Corbin enjoyed a distinguished combat leadership career, steadily rising to Major (O-4) through field achievements, unburdened by political or social ties. In 1962 (age 49), he led Operation Chimera Block, an extraction of a Vietnamese intelligence agent ("Chimera") and family, possessing vital knowledge of British and Manchu double-agents in Southeast Asia. The mission catastrophically failed—losing the agent—due to bureaucratic incompetence and intelligence shortcomings, particularly the military's underestimation of Imperial metahuman intervention. This systemic betrayal shattered his "direct and unwavering" moral code. While shielding a surviving family member, Corbin sustained a catastrophic injury to his dominant arm. It was fitted with a discreet NAFR device: a sleek, highly integrated Tactical Stabilization and Micro-Dampening Unit, restoring motor function but deeming him unfit for full Active Duty Combat Readiness due to trauma and maintenance sensitivities.
The Guardian
Post-recovery in mid-1962, Corbin was assigned to a soul-crushing Staff Officer desk job, which he found deeply unsatisfying. Months later, he received a secretive offer: "Retire" and join the Shadow Guard—a powerful internal organization promising a meaningful role utilizing his combat abilities for national importance. He accepted immediately. After rapid training and high-clearance briefings in early 1963, he became the Protector and Logistical Assistant for Apex Researcher Dr. Vivian Thorne. His experience, augmentation, and moral strengths made him ideal for this Shadow Guard operative role. In the narrative, by 1964, 51-year-old Major Corbin is the quiet, formidable constant on the Thorne family's island. His professional duty has deepened into a paternal bond with children Caleb and Zara, making their security his sacred mission. He serves as the gatekeeper to Vivian's solitude and bulwark against threats, adding steely resolve and added layers of cybernetic history and personal evolution in the dystopian Dimension Delta Zeta 17-46.
Thorne Children
The children were forged by the tragedy of the October War, making them resilient co-conspirators in their family's dangerous existence.
Caleb Thorne
Caleb Thorne (born 1953) (The Protégé) is one of the young protagonists in the Thorne Family Adventures, serving as Dr. Vivian Thorne's biological son and the series' "Protégé." At age 11 in 1964, Caleb is forced to mature quickly due to the family's isolated and dangerous existence amid global conflicts. He embodies youthful ingenuity and resilience, often transforming perilous situations into opportunities for clever problem-solving.
Early Life
Born in 1953 to Dr. Vivian Thorne and her late husband Damien Thorne, Caleb's early childhood was marked by the privileges of his mother's elite academic world. However, the family's life was upended by the October War in 1962, which claimed his father's life in the British atomic attack on Baltimore. This tragedy, combined with the Thorne family's relocation to a secluded Caribbean island research station in early 1963, accelerated his maturity, turning him into a resilient co-conspirator in their high-stakes adventures. Caleb is surprisingly adept for his age, demonstrating tactical acumen and technical proficiency. For instance, during enemy attacks on the island, he assists Major Rex Corbin by feeding tactical coordinates as if playing a video game, highlighting his quick thinking and adaptability under pressure.
Personality
Caleb's primary motivations are deep familial love for his mother and adopted sister Zara Thorne, coupled with an insatiable driving curiosity about the world. This curiosity fuels his role as an adventurous explorer, often leading him to uncover hidden dangers or innovative solutions in the narrative. Forged by the October War's tragedy, Caleb represents the series' blend of innocence and precocity. He and Zara provide wonder amid darker themes, with their questions and actions foreshadowing potential future roles in NAFR lore, such as involvement in scientific or military endeavors.
Role
In the Thorne Family Adventures, Caleb is a vital part of the team, contributing to the family's dynamic as adventurous, tactically-adept kids who turn their high-tech outpost and globe-spanning travels into an action-adventure backdrop. His presence injects empathy and youthful energy into the dystopian setting of Dimension Delta Zeta 17-46, balancing the adult characters' moral complexities.
Zara Thorne
Zara Thorne (born 1954) (The Witness) is one of the young protagonists in the Thorne Family Adventures, serving as Dr. Vivian Thorne's adopted daughter and the series' "Witness." At age 10 in 1964, Zara brings empathy and moral grounding to the family's perilous world, having been forged by tragedy into a resilient observer and keeper of the narrative's human elements.
Early Life
Born in 1954, Zara was orphaned during the October War in 1962, due to the widespread devastation from British atomic attacks. In the aftermath, she was adopted by Dr. Vivian Thorne, becoming the younger sister to Caleb Thorne and integrating into the family's isolated life. The Thorne family's relocation to a secluded Caribbean island research station in early 1963 further shaped her role, making her a co-conspirator in their high-stakes existence. As a vital part of the team, Zara contributes through her keen observation and emotional insight, often uncovering subtle clues or providing support during crises.
Personality
Zara's motivations stem from her adoptive family's love and a profound sense of empathy, honed by her early loss. As the "Keeper of Secrets," she represents the moral human core of the story, offering an intuitive understanding of others' emotions and ethical dilemmas. Forged by the October War's tragedy, Zara embodies quiet strength and compassion, contrasting with Caleb's curiosity-driven ingenuity. Together, they infuse the series with innocence amid darker themes, with her empathetic questions often highlighting the human cost of conflicts and foreshadowing deeper NAFR lore implications.
Role
In the Thorne Family Adventures, Zara is essential to the team dynamic, transforming the island outpost into a backdrop for adventure while grounding the story in empathy. Her presence adds emotional depth to the dystopian setting of Dimension Delta Zeta 17-46, balancing the intellectual and tactical elements with heartfelt humanity.
Island Home
The Thorne family's primary base of operations is a secluded Caribbean island research station within the North American Federal Republic Caribbean Protectorate. Established in early 1963 as a secure outpost for Dr. Vivian Thorne's classified Apex Research in Quantum Gravitation, the island serves as both a haven for the family's isolated life and a high-value target for global adversaries.
Key Features
- Isolation and Environment: The island is remote and tropical, providing profound solitude for Vivian's work on revolutionary breakthroughs. Its natural beauty includes lush vegetation, beaches, and potential volcanic elements; contrasting with other fortified, high-tech research facilities.
- Security Measures: Major Rex Corbin acts as the "gatekeeper" and logistical assistant, transforming the station into a defensible bulwark. The setup includes advanced defenses and secure refuges and command centers, allowing even the children (Caleb and Zara) to contribute tactically during threats. The island itself, while remote in the Turks and Caicos, is sufficiently far inside the NAFR's defense perimeter to offer it security from direct surveillance or assault.
- Role in the Narrative: As a "magnet for enemy metahuman and Super Force counter-involvement," the island is constantly menaced by non-conventional threats. It features prominently in stories like The Serpent in the Garden (Summer 1964), where British Imperial agents infiltrate, leading to a daring rescue by Samantha Grey and her Super Force team (STG-9).
- Broader Connections: While not explicitly part of the Zoo Line network, the station shares traits with Caribbean Zoo Line outposts, such as Falcon Station on La Soufrière (St. Vincent), emphasizing strategic isolation for sensitive NAFR projects.
This setting draws inspiration from classic adventure tropes, turning the family's "high-tech research outpost" into a globetrotting launchpad for perilous missions amid the dystopian backdrop of Dimension Delta Zeta 17-46.
Stories
The Thorne Family Adventures anthology consists of core stories that directly feature the Thorne family (Dr. Vivian Thorne, Major Rex Corbin, Caleb Thorne, and Zara Thorne) as central protagonists, often in high-stakes adventures inspired by 1960s action cartoons like Jonny Quest. These are set within the dystopian alternate history of Dimension Delta Zeta 17-46. Below is a chronological list of the core stories, followed by a secondary list of related narratives that crossover with or reference the Thorne family, typically through Super Force operatives like Samantha Grey.
Anthology
- The Serpent in the Garden (Summer 1964): The Thorne family, isolated on their secluded Caribbean island research station, faces infiltration by British Imperial agents. Samantha Grey and her Super Force team (STG-9) intervene in a daring rescue, marking the family's first encounter with metahuman threats. Themes include paradise disrupted, familial bonds, and the shadows of global espionage.
- Operation Deep Freeze (Winter 1967): Responding to an emergency at the remote Zebra Station in Northeast Greenland, the Thornes join Samantha Grey's teams (STG-4 and STG-9) in a high-Arctic adventure involving catastrophic failures, extreme environments, and battles against surprise threats. Highlights include discovery, disbelief, and intense cold-weather tactics.
- The Symposium (Spring 1968): At a secure NAFR facility in the Appalachians, the Thorne family attends secret briefings on emerging threats. Dr. Thorne advocates for metahuman ethics, forging deeper bonds with Samantha Grey. The story features ethical panels and private revelations.
- Project Liberty Veil (January 1969): The Thornes attend President Armstrong's inauguration and witness Samantha Grey's manumission from her Geas coercion, followed by her commissioning into the Super Force. This culminates in themes of reform, freedom, and the family's role in NAFR's ethical evolution.
- Home for the Holidays: (Christmas, 1971): A holiday-themed story involving Samantha Grey with new-found ties to the Thorne family and their isolated life. Themes of found family during wartime.
- Mysteries of the Unknown (1973): A mysterious object crashes and the Thorns are called in to investigate.
- The Academy Standard (1978): Caleb is a hotshot cadet at the Academy. Cameo by Samantha Grey
- The Rings of Saturn (1995): General Caleb Thorne on the bridge of the *RNS Dreadnought*, patrolling the Xenon mining operations in the Saturnian Ring System.
- The Iron Ledger (2005): The 'Iron lady', Senator Zara Thorne navigates smoke-filled rooms of the capitol in Detroit-Windsor and visits a high-tech industrial foundry in the Rio Grande Valley.
- Requiem for a Scientist (2010): A poignant family reunion when Dr. Vivian Thorne passes away at age 87.
Related Stories
These narratives are part of the broader Super Force or Samantha Grey canon but feature crossovers, references, or indirect impacts on the Thorne family adventures. They expand the universe and provide context for metahuman interventions.
- Operation Rug-Pull (Autumn 1968, Indications & Warning Phase): Dr. Thorne's revolutionary Deep Radar Mk II technology detects anomalies at the Tehran Quantum Centrifuge Reactor. This sets the stage for broader Super Force operations, with the family providing critical intelligence analysis amid escalating geopolitical tensions.
DNA
The core structure and tone of The Thorne Family Adventures are a deliberate homage to the beloved 1960s adventure cartoon Jonny Quest. The series captures the classic dynamic of a brilliant scientist and his family undertaking perilous, globetrotting adventures supported by a capable military protector. Dr. Thorne replaces Dr. Benton Quest as the genius scientist. Major Rex Corbin embodies the steely resolve and guardianship of Race Bannon, with the added layer of a cybernetic past and growing paternal bond. The children, Caleb and Zara, homages to Johnny and Hadji, are the adventurous, tactically-adept kids who transform their isolated, high-tech research outpost into an action-adventure backdrop, constantly menaced by global enemies and non-conventional threats.
The ultimate wild card in this environment is the Super Force and its operatives, most notably Samantha Grey. Super Force is the highly secretive, metahuman-led branch of the NAFR war department, whose existence remained classified until well after the series' timeline. Major Corbin's service failure involved metahuman intervention, and the Thornes' highly classified Apex research is a magnet for enemy metahuman and Super Force counter-involvement. Appearances by the volatile Samantha Grey—a powerful metahuman whose missions are often brutal and covert—inject unpredictable, transcendent power into the family's world, creating intense internal conflict for Vivian Thorne, Major Corbin, and Vivian's children.