Tag: Russia

“The Fallen” 5/4

It was pointed out to me I never mention holidays in my stories. As far as I can recall, even as Catholic as so many of these people are, I never even mention Christmas or Easter. The way this segment ends makes me think there should be some kind of “Thanksgiving” holiday for the Martians. But, what date? Colonization was not like the landing of the first ship from a distant star, it’s been going on for more than a generation now. Allie’s amazing discovery? Why give “thanks” for that, as it creates a million new problems and possibilities? And, of course, there are three very distinct cultures, led by two races, on Mars; do the Russians and Japanese have the equivalent to a “Thanksgiving Day” in their current cultures? Perhaps I should just stick to shoehorning the religious one’s in where I can.

Back home into the bosom of her family, Allie makes a surprise announcement – on someone else’s behalf – before learning from her diplomat father the leading edge of the ramifications of her accidental discovery.

Still and all, Allie’s parents have something to give thanks for; Happy Thanksgiving to my FUSA readers!

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“The Fallen” 4/15

Another interlude back on the surface, seeing how the rescue effort is developing. And, boy, is it. Even so, there’s much careful planning for phase two, the drone. Recall at this moment Kira has no idea how deep the hole is or how does it end. As she says, she is assuming the best for Allie and Zhukov and planning accordingly. I have Kira reflect a little on the political changes to Earth and Mars over the last thirty years.

The play on words of “A-Hole,” A for Alicia Alvarez, came to me before Mass yesterday, so I’m assuming the pun is divinely inspired.

Because there is a lot for me to learn in this second interlude, I may be back to a MWF posting this week. Apologies.

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“The Fallen” 4/6

Ask stupid questions, get handed funny answers. I laughed all the while typing this little interlude. Back on the surface, we get a short glimpse into what Kira’s been up to. Being one of her, that’s quite a lot.

The last line illustrates that being a human at the mercy of demi-humans in an autocratic political system does have some drawbacks.

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“The Fallen” 3/6

Bigger update with someone new to this story but introduced a few other places, especially in the epilogue of the 5-star reviewed “Ice Inundation Intelligence.”

“The Fallen” is gaining its own momentum. Part One was 3800 words; Part Two, 6400. To-date, Part Three is 6800 and not about to end for at least another 2500-5000. Maybe Part Four will just be, “rocks fall; everyone dies.”

*sigh* We all know that won’t be the case. I’ll keep on keeping on. I know I’m working toward the image of the girl in the swamp. It’s just a matter of getting there.

With all of these Russian demands, I realized I’d better put the map back up.

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“The Fallen” 3/5

A bit of a physical transition from Neo-Yokohama to Ekaterinberg. And yes, Alicia’s reaction as the pass over the marshes is what we writers call a “tell.”

The Russian functionary makes two mistakes in a row, which I find a bit surprising for a politician at that level and on another world. When I wrote what comes out in segment six, I now think it was a ruse to get Anton wondering how competent these people are. Looking further ahead, I was surprised to find someone I’d not expected to see on Mars. That will be for later.

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Ice Inundation Intelligence

Pleased to announce the release of both the paperback and Kindle versions of my latest book. Number seventeen of the future history that is Machine Civilization.

As with many of my other books, I am hoping to have it ported to Smashwords in a week or two, depending on how many times I bang my head against a brick wall for their kludgy interface,

***

Canada is dying. In a new ice age, one by one, their cities are falling. They occupied the empty US Midwest but Quebec wants out and the Russian Army is coming into their central provinces from the west. Leading a scout unit to divine the Russians’ intentions, Lt. Eloise Patel is captured and tortured, then rescued by the love of her life, Centurion Bob Hardt. The politics point to a three-way war.

Mars is being reborn. Terraformed by the Polar Alliance, the northern hemisphere is an ocean. But the Second Inundation has many worried. There to keep an eye on things, Empress Faustina and one of her sons stumble across an ancient alien artifact – and vanish.

While the politicians bluster and threat, Hardt, Patel, and Sgt. Sergei Konev of the Russian Army try to keep a peace on the ground and between one another and their three nations.

***

“The Fallen” 1/2

After showing the interpersonal politics between Robert and Nadia, I quickly wanted to show that this is not just a marriage forced on them by their respective rulers. They met, talked, had a (small) chance to say “no.” Any marriage is work; constant day-after-day work. I’ve been at it for over thirty years. No time off for good behavior.

Even a crown prince must defer to their sovereign, so Robert makes a call. At this point in her life (Fussy is fifty now), I think she is a jerk just for jerk’s sake. St Petersburg to Huntsville in a few hours? I wonder how he’ll pull that off…

“I I I” isn’t even out yet and I’m already writing spoilers.

Mild content warning for what’s below.

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“The Fallen” 1/1

From the image all the way at the bottom, I had an idea. My demi-humans are known for their bioluminescent eyes. Was this young woman just taking a walk from her tent to cup a mouthful of water? About to dive in for a swim? Or maybe…

All things break down. Including civilizations. Including genetics. I began to wonder, what would a tribe of demi-humans be like in a non-technological world? They fact they think fast with quick reflexes would still be a positive survival factor; their ability to see into the Void would be useless. What would they keep; what is discarded? They can talk to one another by touch… do they lose vocal language?

And where did the image happen? Earth? Terraformed Mars? Some other world so far in the future I cannot grasp?

So, just like all the other times, I sat down and started writing. After my nearly ready to release “Ice Inundation Intelligence,” which I knew was a novel from the get-go, this is just me playing with ideas. Could be a short story; a series of them. I, honestly, had wanted to temporally backtrack, that is, fill in some of the gaps of people and event going all the way by to “Echoes of Family Lost,” but this opens six freakin’ years after “I I I.” Fine. Let’s see where it leads, frens.

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B17. Name and Cover

“Ice Inundation Intelligence.” This speaks to Canada, Mars, and the plight of Eloise Patel and the two men trying to keep her alive.

What is likely the cover is below the fold. The front is obviously southern central Canada. Sgt Konev on the left, Patel in the middle (love-sick for Hardt), with Hardt on the right. Who’s the guy on the cart in the back, I wonder?

From the blues and blacks of the front we see a still-red Mars, being terraformed. Empress Faustina – showing off without her helmet – and her son Edward look out at Arabia Terra (there will be a map page in the book), watching the inrush of water from the Second Inundation.

When I have my copyedit back, it will take several days to two weeks to implement the changes, get a proof copy, then release it to the wild. Thanks, everyone, for reading along and any suggestions. I’m playing with some ideas for two more stories and hope to start posting again, soon. Deus vult.

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