Planet: Amargosa
Location: Amundsen Foothills north of the Central Plains Townships
Type: Homestead / Remote cabin
Summary:
Walden is the name John Parker gave to a remote cabin and its surrounding property in the foothills of Amargosa. Named after the famous book Walden by Henry David Thoreau, it served as the Parker family’s “summer place.” During the Gelt Incursion of 429 IE, Lizzy Parker led JT Austin there after they fled the Parker farm, intending to use it as a place to hide and recover. The route to Walden led them away from the reservoir and the alien landing site.
The homestead, while isolated, became a symbol of retreat and safety for the characters. Though later taken over by Colonial Guard and Marines under command of Quan Jiang, it represents a place untouched by war—at least temporarily.
Author’s Notes:
JT’s claim on the place was solidified when Lizzy was buried outside the cabin.
Originally intended as a place for JT to hide and reject the world, it became a place of refuge he offered the other Children of Amargosa, Quan, and Suicide.
It becomes a running joke that JT is always expanding the cabin, with extra rooms and a full second story, not to mention a solar farm large enough to power a small town. In a future short story depicting JT’s evolution as a “girl dad,” he is building a kitchen extension and talking about building a guest house as his family grows to take over the cabin.
Later in the Amargosa Trilogy and in the Suicide Arc, Tishla flees her role as planetary leader to occasionally spend two weeks cooking, cleaning, and helping JT finish his never-ending construction projects.
A village, Bog’s Hollow, later grows up at the foot of the hill where Walden is situated.
Appearances: The Children of Amargosa