Conference Prep

            Aaah! I’ve got just over a week to prep for the conference. I don’t even have to travel because it’s local, but I still feel a sense of “OMG what the heck am I doing?” I need to get ready, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. I’m going to pitch this time, and I haven’t done that in a while, and I’m going to be doing it with my science fiction story, which I’ve never queried yet.

            Okay, I think I just freaked myself out some more. Slow breaths. Deep breaths. I’ve still got a week (only a week!).

M3 Flood Myths: Deucalion

            Deucalion starts out like most of the flood myths, with humanity doing something bad. Wicked, uncivilized behavior is the norm, and so Zeus needs to eliminate them. But while the Incan and Biblical stories show the ones responsible for the flood (the Incan gods and God, respectively) giving warning of the impending flood, that is not the case, here. Prometheus, instead, warns his son Deucalion, directing him to build a chest in which to safeguard himself and his wife Pyrrha from Zeus’s flood.

            For nine days they are in the water in this chest, until they land on a mountain. Some believe it to be Etna, others Parnassus, but the result is largely the same, a sacred mountain to the culture.

F3 New Theory

            “Okay, everyone, settle down,” Macomber addressed the auditorium.

            The auditorium’s buzz of conversation faded into the unlimbering of data slates, audio recorders, and old-school paper notebooks.

            “Shen-Yu has agreed to run tests as to whether or not tachyons can interact with the platinum-cobalt mesh from Hermes’ ion engine. But I don’t want to just leave it in their hands, especially since they don’t have much that’s confirmable. I want more theories, and better information. I have to brief the Secretary in four hours, and I don’t want to tell her that it’s all in the hands of a Chinese facility that has yet to scientifically validate its findings. So, let the theories fly.”

Descent

            Spring Break has passed. We’re moving into the final descent. It should be easier, but I have been around long enough to know that it’s just going to get more chaotic. But I need to manage it better. I’ve got a conference coming up and a convention after that. I’ve got to buckle down and figure out how to keep everything running smoothly without getting caught up in the stress of it. I’m thinking a nice massage would be in order. Yes. That sounds right.

M3 Flood Myths: Incan

            Now, this is a short myth, similar to Manu and the Fish, but it has the same kind of importance to it. The gods are out to destroy humanity because they have become barbaric, murderous, and no longer respect the gods. The gods are somewhat miffed at such behavior, so they want to hit the reset button by flooding the world. It’s understandable, and will hardly be the last time this idea comes forth. But the two brothers are examples that there is some good in humanity because they treated the llamas well, so the llamas warn them. The Incan flood is interesting because it is one of the few that doesn’t involve a boat.

F3 Competition

            Macomber adjusted his glasses as cover to rub his temple to stave off the impending migraine. Andrews and Peterson were at it again, not ten slides into Andrews’ presentation.

            “The ion drive’s mesh? That’s what you’ve come up with? What could the mesh possibly have to do with anything? It’s a simple weave of metal held on by four small screws.”

            “Yes, and it’s missing. I’ve combed through everything else, and there’s nothing out of place.”

            “Could a micrometeoroid have struck it?” Carr asked.

            “Unlikely—” began Andrews.

            “Are you out of your mind?” Peterson broke in. “Any impact would have hit the vehicle itself. To hit the mesh, and only the mesh, it would have to have exactly the right velocity, the right angle, all lined up with Hermes perfectly in order to avoid leaving any other trace.”

Break Time

            I’m on Spring Break, but instead of living it up by going to Mexico, Daytona, or some other destination (because I’m poor and can’t afford to go), I’m writing. And with that, I say goodbye here and hello to my manuscript.

M3 Bible: Tower of Confusion

            The Tower of Babel is an interesting little story that actually has many things going for it. In the first place, it establishes, concretely, an idea that is present in much of mythology. High places are sacred. Many cultures hold mountains to be sacred as either the actual living places of the gods (Mt. Olympus) or are simply closer to the living place of the gods (heaven). Nearly every culture holds that mountains are sacred, and the Bible’s narrative is no different.

            This sentiment will be echoed heavily in the story of Moses with both Mt. Horeb and Mt. Sinai as places where it’s possible to commune with God. But with the Tower of Babel, we have an artificial attempt to create a means to reach God.

F3 Working Theory

            “Okay, this is Walker Andrews recording an audio log. I’ve been going over the images that Hermes sent back, trying to figure things out. Our initial idea about Hermes’ location has been confirmed, it’s 87 light days from our solar system. We confirmed that through photos of the surrounding star field, and magnitude of the sun from its position.

Many Paths

            So I’ve been thinking about writing, teaching, life, the universe, and everything. It’s some heady stuff, to be sure. And what strikes me is that there are many paths. And I like that. I want there to be many paths. I want there to be not just the road not taken, but also the road yet to be made, the exploration waiting to happen. I think it’s on these avenues where the best of humanity can come out. The urge to explore, to see what’s out there, is when we stretch ourselves to the fullest.

M3 Bible: First Brothers

            I took my time going through the Biblical creation and the Garden of Eden, and now it’s time to tackle life outside of Eden. We come at last to Cain and Able. As a story, it’s surprisingly short. They both make sacrifices, Able gives the best he has, and his sacrifice is accepted. The implication is that Cain did not, and his sacrifice is not accepted. Cain murders Able. God asks Cain about Able, and throws out the line about brother’s keeper. God curses Cain and casts him out.

            Now, there are a number of things that can be discussed from even this short a story. The first of which that always comes to mind is, where did Cain’s wife come from? Well, we don’t know for sure. There are two possibilities that I’ve been able to come up with.

F3 Impossibility

Recorded Conference Meeting: Hermes Satellite Mission Control Crew

Peterson: I’m telling you, the data’s corrupt. It’s impossible.

Andrews: And I’m telling you that we have a signal. It’s not impossible.

Davis: Are we really doing this again?

Carr: Apparently. I’ll go put on more coffee.

Macomber: Let John have his say, but John, this is the last time. After this the issue is closed.

Short Story Bug

            I’ve been bitten by the short story bug again. This usually happens when I’m starting a brand new concept and universe, or when I’ve got one that I’m excited to continue to flesh out. In this case, it’s the latter. I’ve got a great concept for a story set in the universe of Captain Peter Flynn, but Flynn will not be appearing in it. But, like I said, it will continue to flesh things out, putting some things in perspective for why certain things exist in that universe.

            And I think it’s going to be a really freaking good story.