In this novel I'll be using a number of different "shortcuts" to help explain/clarify things.

First, anything contained in brackets "[ ]" is a source of "third party information". This info is exclusive to the reader, this will be used to explain things that the reader may not know, but is common sense to the characters. Occasionally the information stated in here will not be known by the characters but will still stay exclusive to the reader.

Secondly, changes in perspective will be frequent. This is merely to shift the focus on a different character, most of the time these shifts will occur during the same period of time. I will clarify this through a set of five asterisks "*****".

Third, messages displayed on systems, whether they be automated or personal, will be shown with curly brackets "{ }".

Fourth, radio voices will be identified with a tilde at the start. Example:

"~The order is to retreat!"

Next, occasionally chapters will be written in a first person perspective. This novel is mostly third person, but rarely will I use the first person. This will be clarified in the title, usually with the character name and "POV" written next to it.

Finally, flashbacks will occur with a small series of symbols "-<>-" and "-><-". I will use these in two ways. "-<>-" indicates the start of a flashback and "-><-" indicated the end of a flashback.

For flashbacks of a certain line someone said the quotations will be encompassed with "-<>-"

For example:

-<"Breathing is important, be sure to do that.">-

Thank you for your attention, and hope you enjoy the novel!