Alexa D. Wayne's Blog: Lexie Wayne Blog, page 4
April 22, 2019
Event Horizon The Underrated
1997 People Had Hope!
*** THIS IS AN IN-DEPTH REVIEW WITH SPOILERS ***
When my mother went to Blockbuster, we were members with our cards and all where six movies would cost only like $10.00 for rentals. Good times! Well, I was a fan of the Alien franchise, Ripley being a role model to me. I wanted to watch Alien III because it was the one I didn’t watch, but the movie wasn’t there.
The guy behind the counter suggested Event Horizon. He said that the movie was science-fiction and had some horror factor to it. He said I’d like it. So, my mother rented it, and when coming home, we put pushed play on the VHS and the movie that changed my perception of time and space started…
2015: First permanent colony established on the moon.
2032: Commercial mining begins on Mars.
2040: Deep space research vessel Event Horizon launched to explore the boundaries of the solar system.
2040: The Event Horizon disappeared without a trace beyond the eighth planet, Neptune. It is the worst space disaster on record.
2047 NOW
The movie revolves around the Event Horizon, a starship capable of FTL which is, according to the laws of physics, impossible. The Event Horizon was part of a Code Black project, meaning higher than “Top Secret” because of its capabilities. All those people knew was that the starship and its crew disappeared around Neptune’s orbit.
When Dr. Weir joins the crew of the U.S.A.C. Lewis & Clark a Search and Rescue ship, he meets with Captain Miller, Dr. D.J., Medical Technician Peters, Lieutenant XO Stark, Rescue Specialist Lieutenant Cooper, Pilot Smith and Ensign Justin, he must explain the unexplainable: how his starship could bend the laws of physics.
[image error]Event Horizon – 1997
Many, still shaken by the disappearance of the crew, are tempted not to trust Dr. Weir until he takes a piece of paper and explains the way his starship worked. While many believe a straight line is the fastest way to get from Point A to Point B, Dr. Weir assured them the correct answer is
Point 0.
The temporarily folding of space and time would create a gateway which suggested the creation of a wormhole to get through the distance needed and reappearing where they should be according to plan. However, the starship disappeared for seven years.
Relativity Drive
So, I do love Event Horizon for many reasons I’m not going to start enumerating them. However, there are some holes in the FTL physics or more accurately, “pseudo-physics.” The demonstration given by Dr. Weir was the suggestion of a wormhole.
We all agree on that. However, the core itself is a replicated or artificially constructed black hole used to create a wormhole. While no one ever encountered a black hole, touched its goo and come back to talk about it, Dr. Weir figured it out somehow and build one to power the ship.
Note here, I’m not an astrophysicist and even less a scientist, just a very enthusiastic sci-fi nerd who reads all about science.
[image error]Event Horizon – 1997
Now, Dr. Weir explained that the way to travel faster than light is to actually cheat it by creating short cuts implying that the actual core is the famous wormhole theory using the demonstration of the point A and B with the piece of paper. What I liked about it? They never mentioned in the movie that it worked. How? Event Horizon originally aimed for Alpha Centauri, did it go and that’s what is out there, chaos or did it just went to another dimension or mirror universe?
Then again, scenes in the movie make the entire process look more like a hyperdrive system.
When Dr. Weir mentions the drive using focused gravitons, it implied he used the overly immense gravity of an artificial black hole to bend space itself to allow it to go faster than light.
If you saw the movie, you must remember Ensign Justin sticking his finger in the “black hole goo” and the core pulling him when eventually, Cooper brought him back. That wouldn’t happen like this at all in real life. However, before bitching about the movie’s pseudo-physics, let us remember that Dr. Weir expresses his belief about the event to
be impossible.
The Event Horizon appears in the stratosphere of Neptune, therefore, its gravity would imply the ship should’ve crashed or find itself pulled by its gravity. Then again, who knows what is keeping it out there since it is haunted or inhabited by something from another dimension.
[image error]Event Horizon – 1997
If you wonder about the Lewis & Clark vessel, their engine is an ion drive acceleration process. This process imply that the engine uses individual atoms as a mass reaction to propel a ship that is, let’s face it, incredibly more massive.
While it is economical on fuel generation, its low velocity becomes a handicap as it would progressively accelerate. So, when Dr. D.J. says that the activation of the core would generate enough G-force to liquify a skeleton, it is most likely wrong.
[image error]Event Horizon – 1997
So, we can agree that while the entire pseudo-physics isn’t a hundred percent on the spot, it isn’t entirely wrong either. At its core, it is still
quite impressive.
Cyber Gothic Architecture
The overall look of the Event Horizon ship inspired by the Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most original thought. Because the movie harmonized itself with both science fiction and horror, a gothic look is a perfect choice.
[image error]Event Horizon – 1997
The “meat grinder” corridor between the front of part of the ship and core engine, told by Dr. Weir that its purpose is solely to reduce the effects of the gravitational field, is the design of the famous and beloved French cathedral. Down to the exterior design is a result of mixing images of the landmark. The structural scaffolding was actually inspired by the rose window.
[image error]
The ship itself, coming back in scanning by Lt. Stark, as alive brings the theory that whatever the ship ended up within when it disappeared, came back with it as either an entity or some kind of organic microscopic self-aware presence that made the ship its home and needs more humans to bring back with it.
The Horror Factor
There are many scenes in throughout the entire movie that demonstrates horror. While there are some classics, “the cat scare” with the empty glove hitting Captain Miller when he visited the Event Horizon for the first time to look for the crew when the artificial gravity was offline.
It also disregarded African Americans as being the first one to die. Actually, Lt. Cooper lasts to the end, and Captain Miller sacrifices himself to save the last three members of his crew.
[image error]Event Horizon – 1997
The unknown is actually the main focus of the horror factor throughout the movie. The crew is looking for a way to leave the Event Horizon while the Lewis & Clark is under repair—attached to the Event Horizon’s exoskeleton, caused by a breach triggered by Justin’s curiosity surrounding the engine when exploring the ship for survivors and logs.
Three members of the rescue crew faced strange hallucinations coming to life before their eyes. Dr. Weir’s wife who committed suicide due to neglect, Captain Miller who abandoned a member of his crew to burn alive on a mission, Peters’ missing her child because of the Event Horizon are the following incidents leading to the belief that the ship is alive, possessed
or haunted.
Nobody left alive, corrupted logs on a CD, distress called received by NASA missing parts of a message from the original crew all lead, again, to the unknown. What happened to the crew? Why is the Event Horizon back where it disappeared and why does it look like a tomb? Why are everything corrupted or missing parts?
[image error]Event Horizon – 1997
While Dr. Weir is the one forced to come out with explanations, he tries to rationalize the crew’s reaction to hallucinations created by the “insert whatever foolish psychological explanation you want” to calm the crew down, but nothing works in his favor.
After all, Dr. Weir is the one target for the ship, his ship.
Some Brains For Latin?
It is evident that the first crew from the Event Horizon had a smart captain. How do we know? Because he shows off his Latin, however, one could think it is his trademark phrase, just like Captain Picard had in Star Trek The Next Generation every time the Enterprise would go on a mission, “Engage!” or “Make it so!”
Captain John Kilpack clearly says at the beginning of the visual log on the touchscreen of the central station, “Ave atque vale,” meaning, “Hail and farewell.”
[image error]Star Trek TNG – Captain Picard
The unknown that we established is the focal point of the horror set in revolves around the corrupted CD log, and the distress call sent with distortion. The message from a human voice, hearth through a cascade of screams and cries, seems to speak some sort of language that only Dr. D.J. can recognize.
D.J. is an introverted man, reserved and not quite social but very protective of the people he loved. Walking around with a cigarette either in his hand or his mouth, he wears a vest with many medical tools and syringes. Later in the movie, it is clear D.J. and Captain Miller are close friends and served for many years together.
When the first distress call plays, Dr. D.J. recognizes words in Latin and replay the voice lost in a cacophony of lamentations and agonizing voices, “Liberate me,” which would mean “Save me.”
However, later on, when D.J. is sitting in the stasis chambers of the Event Horizon along with Captain Miller, the doctor shows concern and fear which is out of character for the “nerd” of the crew and mention his mistake.
[image error]Event Horizon – 1997
He heard the message of Captain John Kilpack wrong and clarified what he truly said, “Libera te tutemet ex inferis,” which translates to, “Save yourselves from hell.”
Also, yes, people agree that the latin was actually wrong. “Save me” would be, “Salvum me” but the translation would be “Free me” for the words, “Liberet.” Going in that direction, “Save yourselves from hell” would be, “De inferno liberabis.”
Curiouser and Curiouser
The Event Horizon strangely designed its depressurization chambers with its sequence that couldn’t be canceled from either side of the airlock when activated. While it is a reasonable precaution for the starship one would think that an abort command should be available or a vocal control from a commanding officer such as the XO of the crew, Lt. Stark. I mean, it did take a total of 90 seconds for the depressurizing process.
While I find it strange for Justin to wake up and to want to commit suicide after seeing what they refer to as some type of hellish dimension that the Event Horizon went to, I do not understand when the possession leaves him not wanting to die.
[image error]
He clearly states that the dark is coming for them. So, everything points out to a horrifying view and vision of what awaits them. While I know he doesn’t need to go to the extreme of ending his life, it would’ve made it more realistic for him to say something about his intentions or clarify his vision of what he saw.
While some saw that the body reaction of Justin is right when expelled from the Event Horizon and the time it takes for Miller to get him back in as he was already waiting for him outside in his astronaut suit, I somehow believe that the blood coming out should boil and evaporate? Something seems wrong in that scene to me.
Overall Horror
To me, it is clear that Dr. Weir suffers from a PTSD state after the suicide of his wife and the ship takes advantage of it while slowly possessing his mind. If you are used to paranormal horror movie such as those speaking of demonic or ghost possessions, then you would recognize those signs that Weir shows throughout the movie. Especially following the event of when he scratches his own eyes out in agony.
Then, he shows superhuman strength, capable of lifting a human being way larger or taller than himself as if they weighed nothing. He also performs surgery on D.J. after sneaking up on him following the warning Captain Miller gives his friend about Weir gone psychotic on them.
[image error]Event Horizon – 1997
We see a previous scar on D.J.’s chest from below his clavicle to his ribcage. Later on, the doctor’s body is displayed hooked above the surgical table by the flesh of his back, chest cavity entirely open.
Peters‘ gone, Cooper stuck in space, Smith‘s gone with the Lewis & Clark, Justin in stasis stabilized by the doctor before his horrifying death, this only leaves Captain Miller and Lt. Stark.
It is almost as if the ship is securing the crew of the Lewis & Clark to be its next victim to bring to the dimension it went to the first time it disappeared seven years before the distress call. Once Weir is out of the starship into the vacuum of space, another Dr. Weir shows.
[image error]Event Horizon – 1997
Of course, it isn’t the original one, I stipulate here that he might be the embodiment of the ship. He’s the Event Horizon. How did I come to that conclusion? Well, for once he is naked and shows scars all over his body and has his eyes back.
His attitude and personality are entirely different than what it was. He can also make hallucinations evoking that he is now part of the
supernatural dimension.
Hell is just a Word!
The horror factor of the Event Horizon is good, and many scenes still show up good on your small screen. Only a few shots here and there are obviously superposed and CGI. However, not enough of them to destroy the movie.
The storyline is excellent, the acting is done by great actors, and I do highly recommend this movie to any fan of either science fiction or horror, even paranormal. This movie was able to mix together science fiction and paranormal. Not many stories can do it, but this one did it in a
significant way.
[image error]Event Horizon – 1997
After all, hell is not religious in this context, it is only
used as an image that most people would have when thinking of a hellish place.
Weir refers to it as a dimension of pure chaos. So, why not give it a try and
see if it is up to your standards?
The ending is up to you! Did Stark, Cooper, and Justin made it home or is the ship waiting for the core to come back?
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April 21, 2019
Space Time Magazine Interview Author J.A. Stone
IDENTIFICATION OF HUMANOID: Hargrove Perth
I was born in Los Angeles, California, but live in Florida where I spend every possible moment on Santa Rosa Island.
I won the National English Merit Award and wrote a summer column for the Santa Rosa Sun for ten years, beach commentary, events, news, and bar reviews.
[image error]J.A. Stone Logo
I am a feminist by nature and principle, and favor strong female leads in everything.
SEARCH: ENQUIRY: AUTHOR INTERROGATION
ALEXA WAYNE (A.W.): When did you find out you would want to write novels?
J.A. STONE: I’ve known all of my life! Work had always gotten in the way, until 2010, when I retired from FEMA early as I was injured.
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A.W.: You mentioned your work, all set in science-fiction, would you let our readers know why you are attracted to that genre?
J.A. STONE: Science Fiction has always been my one true love. Blame Star Trek.
AW: When writing about sci-fi, do you do research and if so, how far do you go with your research?
J.A. STONE: I do! I am fortunate, my brother is an Astronomer, so I am privy to practical answers to most of my questions. For independent research, I try to go to the actual science, and avoid crowd-sourced information!
[image error]Warfell and Fey Poems from the Novels by J.A. Stone
A.W.: What is most important to you when writing your novels?
J.A. STONE: Coffee and music. Delta Rae and Nico Vega are my first choices.
A.W.: Which authors influenced your writing in science-fiction?
J.A. STONE: R.A. Salvatore, Raymond E. Feist, J.R.R. Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis!
[image error]J.A. Stone Novels
A.W.: Which of your novels is your favorite and why is it your favorite?
J.A. STONE: The Warfell and Fey series. Danica and British are unlike anything you have ever read!
A.W.: Do you believe in alien visiting our world, by that I mean in abduction or close encounters of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th kind?
J.A. STONE: Absolutely. I’m a UFO nut.
A.W.: What made you decide to be self-published?
J.A. STONE: I’m a hundred percent self-made and published as well. Wouldn’t have it any other way.
[image error]J.A. Stone Logo
AW: What sets you apart from other science-fiction and cyborg authors?
J.A. STONE: My unique style and memorable characters.
AW: What can readers look forward to from J.A. Stone in 2019?
J.A. STONE: A Dark Unicorn, a Vampire Knight, and more Assassins!
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April 20, 2019
Discovery says Goodbye to Enterprise
Goodbye to Too Many?
In the Star Trek universe, it is rare that viewers confronted many losses. Throughout its entire life, the Star Trek franchise showed little significant loss at the exception of a few memorable ones including , , the loss of Sarek was minor considering he was a minor character.
Most of the time the deaths in the previous series revolving around famous characters were temporary due to either time continuum fractures or unification of two beings like Tuvix from Star Trek Voyager.
[image error]Star Trek Discovery – CBS All Access
However, Discovery is not at all ignoring the rhythm of its predecessors and deaths that viewers saw sometimes came back alive in characters such as . Let’s not entirely count as she is from the Terran universe.
“The Starfleet Manual offers no regulatory guidelines for interactions between humans with Klingons grafted to their bones and a ship’s doctor returned from the dead.”
Commander Suru
In two seasons, Discovery encountered more deaths revolving around its main crew and adversaries than ever before. Is it due to the new trend made famous through the series of Game of Thrones or The Walking Dead? Killing characters that the viewer wouldn’t expect is now something familiar. Don’t get attached too quickly; your favorite character might die in the next 42 minutes!
[image error]Star Trek Discovery – CBS All Access
So far, we said goodbye to a few characters, including , and which brings me to my second thought.
Too Many Captains?
Just in the first season, we saw the command going from the fantastic hands of in charge of the U.S.S. Shenzhou that perished at the Battle of the Binary Stars to the awesome anti-hero commanding the U.S.S. Discovery.
Neither makes it to the end of the first season. Despite coming back, she isn’t the captain we saw but the ex-Empress of the Terran universe. It is still unknown either we’ll see the true or not.
[image error]Star Trek Discovery – CBS All Access
In the second season, the Discovery was in the hands of . makes an excellent second in command but lacks the many unique qualities that Star Trek captains showed in its predecessors. There is something about that doesn’t say: Star Trek Captain despite now showing a strong backbone and more strength in his command.
“If you’re telling me this ship can skip across the cosmos on a highway made of mushrooms, I kind of have to go on faith.”
Captain Pike
His command doesn’t last long when walks on the bridge and must lead Discovery on a new mission. Then again, in the two last episodes of the season, we must say goodbye to and hello again to in the commanding chair.
Here’s what I think, there is only two way I see the series going: either is now permanently in command or Discovery will continuously have a new captain each year. Either way, we are on new grounds.
[image error]Star Trek Discovery – Suru
Star Trek never had a constant rotating captain and never had an alien as the main captain of its crew. So, to me, it is groundbreaking either way, but I don’t know if I’m entirely comfortable with the idea…yet.
Birth of the Borg
It is not secret, in the Star Trek universe, The Borg are the biggest threat to the galaxy or at least two out of four quadrants as far as we know. The Borg are a cybernetic alien species which to grow conquers worlds by assimilating not only its people but also its technology and use it to their advantage and moves on to the next and so on.
The Borg functions like a beehive, which means there are a queen and its drones. They think as one and act as one. Which you would think is, and it is, however, there is no “I” or “Me” or individuality.
[image error]Star Trek – The Borg
For the hive to work, everyone functions as one entity governed by the queen. Throughout the Star Trek franchise, starting with The Next Generation, the alien species comes to the small screen through Q.
Created out of nothing, little did the writer know he just made one of the most powerful villains of all time in science fiction history: the Borg’s personality and views developed through TNG and Voyager. However, Discovery brought something strange with it the A.I., the Control, the Sphere.
[image error]Star Trek Discovery – Section 31 – Control
Those three words alone to me equal the possibility of the Borg. The Borg is a cybernetic entity. It started somewhere. They are old, but Discovery now is going to the future to protect the knowledge of 100’000 years that belonged to an organic being called the Sphere who died and decided to share its mind with Discovery‘s computer, from Control—Section 31’s Threat Assessment System aka the AI.
Let us not forget, the AI is capable of possessing people by entering its body and suddenly we would see the veins turning black and the skin ghostly in appearance: the Borg?
[image error]
The Borg is a threat that needs a beginning. I wonder if this is its beginning. We think killed it and she does believe that she did. However, who knows? came back; why not Control?
I know some believe this theory to be far-fetched, but I disagree, if elaborated correctly, we might see more of this knowledge, and with a suit capable of going back and forth in time, it gives the Borg the edge and a possible beginning.
What Now?
So, now and are right back where they belong: on the Enterprise. U.S.S. Discovery is where it should be, we believe, far in the future where it can protect the knowledge of the Sphere from Control who is supposedly dead.
However, as far as we know, that red dot in the sky more than hundred days later that showed up in the sky might as well be Control wearing the suit fooling everyone in the “present.”
[image error]Star Trek Discovery – Captain Christopher Pike
After all, time is relative.
For those who got attached to , do not despair! A rumor is out that there might be a spin-off just for in the making. I know I’d watch it! I’ll miss the Queen, Tilly’s friend, but hopefully, we’re not done seeing her if gets his spin-off.
[image error]Star Trek Discovery – CBS All Access
It is just a hunch so far, but I doubt that we’re done with and too. If the Discovery stuck in the future, are we again saying goodbye to great and rich characters? I doubt it.
Something might have Discovery either come back or force others to join them in the future or, they’ll be part of the spin-off.
[image error]
Either way, Discovery left us again with more questions than answer despite bringing the Red Angel question to a conclusion.
Now, we wait.
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April 17, 2019
Starhopper Success Firing
Successful Ignition
As a test version of SpaceX’s next-generation spacecraft, the smaller Starhopper successfully ignited its onboard engine for a short test, lifting it only a few feet from the launch pad before settling back down. This test vehicle comprised the lower section of the rocket, as Elon Musk deemed the full assembly to be unnecessary for the test firings.
[image error]Starship Super Heavy Vehicle Wikipedia
The full-size Starship vehicle is intended to take scientists and paying passengers to the Moon, and later on, Mars. Allegedly made from stainless steel, although lacking a flux capacitor, Starship is planned to launch atop the SpaceX’s Super Heavy booster—originally named Big Falcon Rocket, one of the most powerful rockets ever made.
[image error]Falcon 9 Landing
After achieving low orbit, the Super Heavy will then return to Earth for re-use in the same way as the astonishing Falcon 9 boosters.
Everything’s Bigger In Texas
Built in Texas at the company’s launch and test facility, the Starhopper still needs to conduct more hover test flights before any part of the vehicle sees space. The tests are crucial to the development of SpaceX’s Raptor engine, which will eventually power both Starship and Super Heavy.
Starhopper is currently fitted with a single Raptor, although Starship will boast seven, and Super Heavy will enjoy a massive push from a cluster of thirty-one, yes, 31! Raptors.
[image error]Starship separating from Super Heavy vehicle Wikipedia
With the Raptor using a mix of cryogenic methane and liquid oxygen, Musk estimates a ten to twenty percent increase in power compared to the ‘warm propellant’ used in earlier testing. Musk hopes Starship will eventually generate up to 170 metric tons of thrust during launch.
Space Race
For this writer, a new and exciting Space Race has emerged, with Jeff Bezos, fronting Blue Origin, Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic all reaching for the Moon and stars, and it’s a thrilling time to be alive.
It’s a time which hasn’t been seen since the Sixties, when the previous generation thrilled, and feared, the USA and USSR’s urgent scramble into orbit and ultimately, the USA’s missions to the Moon.
[image error]NERVA Engine
However, after the insane spending, came the cold reality and Congress stifled further exploration, forcing NASA to shelve the nuclear NERVA engine, which might have pushed astronauts to Mars as early as the 1980s, spending the now-meager budget on the horse-designed-by-a-committee, the Space Shuttle.
Wonderfully inspiring in its day, at least to the layperson, the poor shuttle turned out to be a mish-mash of departmental wishes, very unlike the original concept drawings, its design stifled by conflicting demands. Sadly, it seemed to prove that throw-away hardware was far safer than reusable.
NCC-1701 Enterprise
However, have we now come full circle, to a time where reusable rockets cost less than throw-aways? Three billionaires seem to think so and are pinning their money and reputation on perfecting their respective systems.
[image error]Enterprise test flight Edwards AFB
If I was to criticize this endeavor in any way, and it’s a small complaint, it’s this: When the Shuttle was first being air-tested on the back of a Boeing 747. There were Star Trek fans, hungry for a revival of their beloved 1960’s series, begged NASA to name the test vehicle OV-101 Enterprise. It was a tribute to James T. Kirk’s iconic starship, and although the campaign was successful, the sad irony was that Enterprise never flew in space.
Memory Lane
I’m reminded of those days now when I read about Musk’s Starship, a vehicle which I’m certain will be ultimately successful, but will never reach any actual stars. Also, Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic is even less likely to live up to its title.
[image error]Raptor first firing from Twitter
However, the name is less important than the ventures it inspires. Enterprise preceded 135 flights into orbit, and I’m thrilled for a future where Starship finally takes human beings to Mars, and a Galactic spaceplane allows the more affluent of us see the curve of the Earth with our own eyes.
Above us, lies the future.
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April 16, 2019
Space Time Magazine Interview Author Haley Cavanagh
IDENTIFICATION OF HUMANOID: Hargrove Perth
Haley Cavanagh is a military veteran, wife, and mother. She is an alumna of Columbia College, a musical theater nut, and she loves to dive into any book that crosses her path.
[image error]Haley Cavanagh Author Picture
Haley resides with her family in the United States and enjoys spending time with her husband and children when Haley’s not writing.
She also writes award-winning romance novels under a pen name. Astraeus is her first science fiction novel with Covey Publishing, and it won the Paranormal Romance Guild’s 2018 Reviewer’s Choice Award.
[image error]Paranormal Romance Guild’s 2018 Reviewer’s Choice Awards Novel
Haley loves to hear from her readers and encourages you to contact her via her website and social media.
SEARCH: ENQUIRY: AUTHOR INTERROGATION
ALEXA WAYNE (AW): When did you find out you would want to write novels?
HALEY CAVANAGH: I’ve always written, but I didn’t get serious about it until I was pregnant with my second child, about ten years ago.
AW: You mentioned your work, all set in science-fiction or cyborg settings, would you let our readers know why you are attracted to that genre?
HALEY CAVANAGH: Yes. When I was younger, my uncles were big Trekkie fans. In the early eighties, they had me watch every episode of Star Trek (the TV show), and made sure I was adequately indoctrinated into sci-fi early on. I write in different genres and am a published romance novelist under a pen name, but sci-fi is my original love.
[image error]Astraeus by Haley Cavanagh
There’s the truth, wisdom, and something to be said about the human condition when you place a man in space and take him out of his natural habitat. I think sci-fi appeals to many because there’s always a fundamental statement about the man beneath it.
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AW: When writing about sci-fi, do you do research and if so, how far do you go with your research?
HALEY CAVANAGH: Yes, I research. It depends on what the book is specifically about. The adage, ‘write what you know’ rings true, but after seven books and venturing into a new genre, you have to be familiar with what you’re writing.
We’re luckily planetarium pass holders, and I frequently read on astrophysics and follow NASA’s social media (in addition to being a sci-fi geek). I will usually get out and do a bit of substantial research to set the mood.
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AW: What is most important to you when writing your novels?
HALEY CAVANAGH: The characters themselves. They have to seem real to me as if they were sitting next to me. I can have the book outlined and plotted out to the nines, but if I can’t see the characters, neither will the reader. Once they’re fully developed, it’s easy to write. However, characterization is essential. I like to know whom I’m writing about.
[image error]Astraeus by Haley Cavanagh
AW: Which authors influenced your writing in science-fiction?
HALEY CAVANAGH: Stephen King. I read The Stand when I was sixteen years old, right around the time the TV mini-series came out. He has had a tremendous impact on my writing. John Grisham, Alice Walker, Dean Koontz, Orson Scott Card, Marie Lu, and Suzanne Collins, to name a few. The list is endless—so many wonderful authors.
AW: Which of your novels is your favorite and why is it your favorite?
HALEY CAVANAGH: I enjoyed writing Astraeus. I’ve written seven romance novels under my pen name, some of which have won awards, but Astraeus was the first book which I wrote that I would feel comfortable letting my daughters read in a year or two.
[image error]Astraeus by Haley Cavanagh – Audio book promo
I dedicated the novel to them, in fact, and it’s a story I’m proud of having written. I loved writing it, and I enjoyed the world-building aspect of it. Plus, I’m a massive sci-fi nerd, and it was fun to tap into that side of my imagination.
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AW: Do you believe in alien visiting our world, by that I mean in abduction or close encounters of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th kind?
HALEY CAVANAGH: I think it’s probably happened at one time or another. With water-sustaining planets such as Titan, Io, and many others were finding out about, it stands to reason that if we exist, others exist, right? Water, sunlight, and breathable air foster life, so it’s only logical.
My guess is we probably seem primitive to them in both our contentions with another ideologically and politically, and they might consider our technology in the horse and buggies stage, which is why they haven’t introduced themselves. However, yes, I believe there’s life out there. It’s a vast, endless universe.
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AW: What was your reaction when you learned a publisher wanted you as part of their authors?
HALEY CAVANAGH: I shopped around for a while for a good publisher for Astraeus. Sci-fi is tricky because it has to be the right fit. Some publishers only publish one genre, and some aren’t looking for futuristic sci-fi. I was delighted when Covey Publishing offered a contract.
[image error]Astraeus – Character Art
They’re a newer publisher, but they’re off to a great start, and they know what they’re doing. I’ve enjoyed being published with them. They’re fantastic with their authors and care about quality, which is something important to me as an author.
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AW: What sets you apart from other science-fiction and cyborg authors?
HALEY CAVANAGH: You know, there are some fabulous sci-fi and cyborg authors out there. I couldn’t say why my writing is set apart from theirs. I’d frankly be honored to be considered up to their caliber. I can tell you that I have a military background which lends a compelling, realistic take on certain aspects of the storyline and characters.
[image error]Astraeus Coming Soon to Audible by Haley Cavanagh
Astraeus is a unique, award-winning novel, and along with a strong plot and intense action, there is emotion, depth, and a more profound message behind it all. I’ve been told my writing is layered, and there are many pieces to the novel which unfold as you read.
AW: What can readers look forward to from Haley Cavanagh in 2019?
HALEY CAVANAGH: The Astraeus sequel! I’m working on the sequel, which I’m hoping to finish before summertime, and I’ve also written the stage play and screenplay for the novel, so we’ll see where they lead.
For the future, I also have a YA Dystopian sci-fi on the back burner, which I’m hoping to dabble more in soon. Stay tuned to my social media and newsletter for more on that!
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AW: Thank you for your interview!
HALEY CAVANAGH: Thank you kindly for having me! I look forward to following your magazine, and I’m honored to be here. For any readers, the audio book for Astraeus will release in April. I will also be at FanX (Utah Comic Con) on April 19th and 20th with the novel, so come stop in and grab a book!
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April 15, 2019
Composite Volcanoes
Inspiring Power
Think of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Vesuvius, and Krakatoa. Their power is entirely awe inspiring and definitely can wipe out an entire civilization in moments (i.e. Pompeii).
Composite Volcanoes are also called Stratovolcanoes, and the word most commonly associated with them is catastrophic. They are build over hundreds of thousands of years from the lava blobs and are most commonly located along the subduction zones of a planet—where the plates come together and form tectonic boundaries.
Although Earth is unique in Her quality of having tectonic plates, in your universe anything can happen. You have to have a thin crust that “floats” on a bed of lava, and if you do, then you will likely have composite volcanoes.
[image error]Earth from Space
Their sides are steep, and they have a
distinct peak that is oftentimes snow capped due to the high elevation. They
usually have one vent sealed with a plug, and it takes an immense amount of
pressure to get them to blow their tops. The lava flows are not often dangerous
because they move slowly enough for people and animals to get out of the way.
Dangerous Flow
Pyroclastic flows are by far one of the most dangerous aspect about a composite volcano. A mixture of fine ash, fragmented lava, debris, and obscenely hot gases travel at speeds over 100 miles per hour and are impossible to outrun on foot. The best thing you can do is to take shelter, however, even then safety is not ensured. The heat often will kill you if suffocating on the ash does not.
Ash clouds can travel around the globe. The Mt
Pinatubo cloud affected Earth temperatures up to 1.3 degrees Fahrenheit. This
can change the climate enough to where animals can no longer survive in the
place they once lived. This can cause new ice to form, or old ice to melt. It
is critical for your planet to remain stable, and change can cause devastation.
[image error]Magma
Acid rain comes from the gasses released into
the atmosphere and usually falls not far from the volcano. You will also have a
large amount of ash. It looks like snow and though some of it is “fluffy”
chunks—a large amount of it is fine and will choke you. There are some things
you could do, however, it is unlikely there will be much of anything that will
live through the ash fall.
World Building Tip
When building your planet, you now can adeptly
incorporate volcanic activity. It will help add a danger that may not otherwise
be present. Will they have the proper equipment to survive the acid rain, or
have the respirators needed to filter out the fine ash? Will those respirators
be able to handle such a fine substance? Will the eruption change the planet’s
environment? Or will you have any volcanic activity at all?
[image error]Kilauea – Hawaii
Volcanoes are a wonderful wild card you can
throw in to help make your story that much more interesting to your readers!
Until next time!
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April 13, 2019
Space Time Magazine Interview Author Winter Lawrence
IDENTIFICATION OF HUMANOID: Winter Lawrence
Winter lives in the moment and loves nothing more than being surrounded by her family, her fur-babies, and a ton of great reads!
[image error]Winter Lawrence Author Picture
When she doesn’t have her nose stuck in a book, she’s usually thinking up faraway, fantastical worlds, or she’s cooking up a storm in the kitchen.
SEARCH: ENQUIRY: AUTHOR INTERROGATION
ALEXA WAYNE (AW): When did you find out you would want to write novels?
WINTER LAWRENCE: I’ve always had a very active imagination and I’ve always been an avid reader. With that being said though, the thought of actually writing a book never occurred to me until much later in life, and for some reason, I thought it would be an easy endeavor.
[image error]Sea of Secrets Anthology
Boy was I wrong! Learning how to write a book and then publish one has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life. It’s a tough business, and one that, if I had known what I know now beforehand, I probably would have avoided, but now that I’m in-it-to-win-it, I’ve learned to take a lot of things in stride and I just enjoy the process.
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AW: You mentioned your work, all set in science-fiction settings, would you let our readers know why you are attracted to that genre?
WINTER LAWRENCE: I’m an escapist, and by that I mean when I read a book, or write one for that matter, I don’t want to read something that can happen to me. I want to read about something totally awesome and practically impossible.
I want magic. I want my imagination to short circuit! Most of us live very ordinary lives, and while I’ve definitely had my fair share of adventures, I still want to pick up a book and dive into an extraordinary world, where weird and crazy is the norm!
AW: When writing about sci-fi, do you do research and if so, how far do you go with your research?
WINTER LAWRENCE: I have an oddly heavy, very loose research policy. I know, it sounds contradictory and weird, but I’m a research junkie for some things, but not for others. Let me explain. When it comes to settings, character profiles, mannerisms, and all sort of little things, I’ll spend hours at the library or surfing the web, to make sure that I get everything right.
[image error]Eve 2.0 by Winter Lawrence
When it comes to lore though, I almost exclusively try to avoid any detailed information about the topic I’m writing on because I don’t want to unintentionally borrow someone else’s work.
For a short while before I begin a new manuscript, I’ll stop reading books in that genre and I’ll keep research to the bare minimum until I’m done with my first draft.
AW: What is most important to you when writing your novels?
WINTER LAWRENCE: I’m a theme girl, but I never think up a novel with a theme in mind—it’s actually the other way around. Most times, an idea strikes me at the oddest time, and I usually only get a glimpse of a character or a situation, so I have to expand on it.
I think up a beginning and ending, and in the process, themes come to me. As I said earlier, I’ve had my fair share of adventures, some good, some bad, and so while I want my writing to entertain people, I also want my creativity to have a positive impact on the world.
AW: Which authors influenced your writing in science-fiction?
WINTER LAWRENCE: For science fiction, I’d definitely go with H.G. Wells as the most influential author! I read The Time Machine when I was very young, but even back then it helped me realize how connected we are as humans, and how, despite time or place, there are some inherently sad laws of nature that we cannot seem to escape.
[image error]DOWNFALL The Supra Humans Vol.1 Anthology
There are always winners and losers; there are always class divisions; there are always predators and prey. It was a tough pill to swallow, but it is reality, and so it helped me realize the importance of kindness, and of fairness and equality.
AW: Which of your novels is your favorite and why is it your favorite?
WINTER LAWRENCE: This is always such a tough question to answer because I love all of my stories! Each has come to me in a rather unique way and so picking the one I like the best is difficult. For the moment though, I’d have to say that I’m really digging No Good Deed.
It’s a short YA Supernatural Fiction story about two teenage girls who are seemingly very different, unconnected people, but as the story progresses, the reader learns that there’s much more to their relationship, and as both girls begin to discover the truth, they each handle their circumstances in different ways.
As a writer, making sure that all of that came together in an awesome, suspenseful way was really fun and exciting for me, and it’s inspired me to write a new YA novel about a girl searching for her mother.
AW: Do you believe in aliens visiting our world, by that I mean in abduction or close encounters of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th kind?
WINTER LAWRENCE: Of course! It would be unbelievably arrogant or ignorant of me, as a mere human, to deduce that we are the only intelligent life forms in the universe. So while I can’t prove their existence, I certainly believe (and hope) that we aren’t alone.
Nor would I blame them for scooping us up to try and figure us out on their own terms, because, let’s face it, if they were smart enough to make it here, then they should be smart enough to know that we aren’t the most welcoming bunch!
[image error]The Gothic Grimoire Anthology
AW: What was your reaction when you learned a publisher wanted you as part of their authors? / What made you decide to be self-published?
WINTER LAWRENCE: I literally cried. Not ugly-girl cried, but I was definitely emotional about it. Like I said, the writing industry is a tough business, and while some people have smoother rides, it’s still a bumpy, often treacherous, journey.
AW: What sets you apart from other science-fiction?
WINTER LAWRENCE: I’m such a fan of the status quo, so it’s funny that I have to “break the mold” as a writer. For me, I do that by writing the way I like to read—with lots of action and dialogue that carries along the plot.
There are some authors who love to write long, detailed accounts of clothing and scenery, which is great, but I prefer showing less and doing more. It’s like science fiction for the ADD mind!
AW: What can readers look forward to from Winter Lawrence in 2019?
WINTER LAWRENCE: I’ve had the honor and privilege of being published in several of Gothic Bite Magazine’s anthologies, and I have several other short stories due out with GBM and the Sea of Secrets anthology this upcoming year.
I also have the first book of The Gamer Series due out Summer 2019, so it’s exciting times, friend! For the most up-to-date information on all of my literary adventures, readers can visit me at www.winterlawrence.com.
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Star Wars Battlefront 2 The Review
Restart the Battlefront
EA chose the fan favorite Battlefront series to restart with a fresh coat of paint on current Gen consoles, the PS4 and Xbox One.
While the first game in the series was fairly well received, many complained that the game was too linear, having only an online mode or various missions to do by yourself for a solo player.
[image error]Star Wars – Battlefront II – EA Games
Many were furious, and EA quickly learned a valuable lesson, one they would not repeat with their second attempt at greatness, Battlefront 2.
Learn with 2
Battlefront 2 released in November of 2017 with a promise of so much new content and most of it would be free. EA tried to ease fans back into this game after being vocal about the previous instalment. They did succeed in bringing back the customers, and on delivering an excellent experience for Star Wars fans.
[image error]Star Wars – Battlefront II – EA Games
Yes, there is still a strong online mode for this game, comprising much of the game honestly, but, they did manage to sneak in a story mode much to the delight of the fans of solo campaigns everywhere.
[image error]Star Wars – Battlefront II – EA Games
They also managed to make it so you could do most of the challenges offline, so no one could interfere with those crucial moments of leveling up a hero or your favorite vehicle. For the online gamer, there is so much to choose from in the game.
You have your standard boots on the ground fights which have hefty servers, which allow them to have numerous players on maps on either side of the battle.
[image error]Star Wars – Battlefront II – EA Games
They knew the best way to keep this game going was with new updates, new modes and the like. So, it is precisely what they did. They have been adding more hero characters since the game released, even as soon as a month or so ago adding General Grevious to the mix.
Affordable Bigger Picture
They wanted people to keep coming back. Now, the fact that this game sells for fairly low price pretty much anywhere you go is also a huge factor in its survival rate. Many thought It would die out quickly, but then they didn’t see EA’s bigger picture either.
[image error]Star Wars – Battlefront II – EA Games
I was fortunate enough to snag this bad boy on PlayStation for an affordable price. They had the first and second games bundled with all DLC for 7.50. So, keep an eye out, and you too can have this game for a super
low price.
[image error]Star Wars – Battlefront II – EA Games
One of the big draws of this game and the last for that matter was the ability to play as the prime heroes or villains of the Star Wars universe. This game gives you 20 characters to choose from, some of them added as I said, so any who decided to stop playing this game earlier may have missed out on some cool characters like Anakin or Count Dooku.
Another Review
So, in the end, I would give this game 7 out of 10. While excellent for online frantic Star Wars battles and space combat, there still is so much more than I would want from this game for me to give it a higher score. It is still fun, and at a low price, definitely worth a look and play.
[image error]Star Wars – Battlefront II – EA Games
There you go, folks. Another Space Time Magazine review is in the bag, now I look to the future and our Xbox, for there I have found many a great Star Wars games for me to review for you guys, most of the classics. So, until next time, and as always, see you in the games.
Edward Hale
PSN ID BatEd700
Xbox Live SENSEIZEEANBEE
YouTube Channel
April 12, 2019
Space-Time Interview Author Hargrove Perth
IDENTIFICATION OF HUMANOID: Hargrove Perth
I am that geek girl who loved sci-fi and fantasy growing up. I also love horror. Still, do.
My husband could tell you that if there’s a B movie on SYFY, she’ll watch regardless of how bad it is. The worlds created there to intrigue me; they take me to that far-away place.
I also love to twist it up by adding other genre elements to sci-fi to keep it exciting and different. I remember seeing Star Wars when it first came out in theatres, running home and telling my dad about it. We went to see it. It became our thing to stand in line for all the movie releases no matter how long we had to wait.
[image error]Hargrove Perth Author Picture
I am an award-winning author in the sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal genres. Writing happens in my spare time or whenever it can be squeezed. I will be publishing my 50th book this year, that’s something I am proud of accomplishing.
SEARCH: ENQUIRY: AUTHOR INTERROGATION
ALEXA WAYNE (AW): When did you find out you would want to write novels?
HARGROVE PERTH: I majored in English literature in school, but my love storytelling came from long before that. My mom and dad were, and still, are, avid readers.
Dad could tell the most amazing stories when I was a kid. I was always writing stories for school. Writing composition was my favorite class! So yes, it started young.
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AW: You mentioned your work, all set in science-fiction or cyborg settings, would you let our readers know why you are attracted to that genre?
HARGROVE PERTH: Science is fascinating. You see how much the world has made changes since the day you were born, what advances have been made in the last two centuries, and you know the possibilities are unlimited.
[image error]The Gaslight Girl by Hargrove Perth
I lean more toward dystopian and steampunk when I write sci-fi, but there are a couple of more traditional off world books in the works that I just haven’t finished yet.
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AW: When writing about sci-fi, do you do research and if so, how far do you go with your research?
HARGROVE PERTH: I put an enormous amount of research into every one of my books. Because what I write isn’t limited to just the future, it’s important for the details to be accurate, or at least have an accurate base for the twist put on it, well, to me it’s essential.
AW: What is most important to you when writing your novels?
HARGROVE PERTH: What has always been the most important to me is allowing the character to tell their story. The novel belongs to them, so allowing them to tell the story is essential.
[image error]Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,1914
My books always feature very strong-willed female antagonists and protagonists, so their voice, them having the ability to show how they feel, why they feel that way, what circumstances brought about those feelings is important to me.
AW: Which authors influenced your writing in science-fiction?
HARGROVE PERTH: That’s a tough one because there as so many great authors, and I do read quite a bit. I would have to say, Fred Saberhagen, Neil Gaiman, Algernon Blackwood, HG Wells, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as well as Bram Stoker and Charles Dickens.
AW: Which of your novels is your favorite and why is it your favorite?
HARGROVE PERTH: Right now the Blood Tithe series is my favorite. It’s set in a dystopian London after a plague hits that leaves the majority of the population affected with some immortal trait. It fits sci-fi only because it’s dystopian though.
[image error]Alice Through The Glass Darkly by Hargove Perth
Alice Through the Glass Darkly is my favorite for the sci-fi, steampunk because unlike other steampunk books, it deals with alternate worlds, time continuums that no one knows exists. Plus, cool machines. A great steampunk always must have those ultra-cool gadgets and machines.
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AW: Do you believe in alien visiting our world, by that I mean in abduction or close encounters of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th kind?
HARGROVE PERTH: Anyone who thinks we are the only planet in the universe that has sentient life needs a reality check. I believe they check us out. My question has always been are we food, are we medical experiments, are we a survival resource…The answer to that question is still unknown.
AW: What made you decide to be self-published?
HARGROVE PERTH: I was ecstatic when first published, but unfortunately my tale mirrors many others. I never got my royalties and paid to get the rights back to my book. After that happened, self-publishing was the way to go for me. It still is until a publisher changes my mind.
[image error]Slither – Blood Tithe Series Book 1 by Hargrove Perth
AW: What sets you apart from other science-fiction and cyborg authors?
HARGROVE PERTH: I honestly believe it’s the characters along with the fact that they tell the story. I never have a preconceived notion about a book, so they all begin the same. It starts with a title only. That’s it. From there, character names, descriptions of them, etc. all start to pop into my head.
AW: What can readers look forward to from Hargrove Perth in 2019?
HARGROVE PERTH: To be honest, over 30 unfinished manuscripts are begging for attention in some parallel world attached to my laptop so that it could be anything! There will be the fifth book in the Blood Tithe Series, and there are 2 other books that will be published before summer, with the luck of the Gods.
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April 4, 2019
Cone and Dome Volcanoes
Digging Deeper into Volcanoes
Cinder Cones are volcanoes that have a symmetrical cone up to roughly 1,200 feet with a 30-40 degree slope. Examples of those volcanoes are Paricutin in Mexico, Lava Butte, and Sunset Crater.
The cone is made during the eruption. Expelled material such as lava globs, rock, and volcanic glass break up in the air before raining back down on the ground to build the cone from the ground up. They can vastly change the landscape in a very short amount of time, not unlike other volcano types due to their explosive nature.
[image error]NASA – Possible Cinder Cone on the Southern Flank of Pavonis Mons
Oftentimes when looking at a cinder cone, it looks like it is made of ash and sand. Unlike other volcanoes, it has a “soft” appearance leading away from the bowl-like crater in the center.
I like to compare it to looking like a crushed velvet, or ash in the fireplace. Their color also differs based on the material expelled. So, based on the materials available on your planet, you could have red, brown, or even grey tints to your Cinder Cone!
The next one we are visiting are Dome Volcanoes.
The Dome Volcanoes
Dome volcanoes rarely have enough power to be explosive in nature. That means they rarely travel very far. They most commonly occur in the sides of composite volcanoes, or even in their craters.
It is not uncommon to look in the center of the crater of a composite volcano and see a small dome in the center of a lake. This dome is formed by movement within the volcano that is not powerful enough to form an explosion. As the dome itself gets larger and cools, it has a tendency to send the very outer crust tumbling down the sides.
[image error]Mount St-Helens
What does that mean? It means dome volcanoes tend to have a dirt like appearance. They are rocky, and are rarely smooth, and remind me of a deep rich tilled soil field in the southern Illinois countryside. It is also hard to notice its growth sometimes unless you visit with regularity.
Stories & Volcanoes
Now, how does this work into your story? You are building your world. You need to figure out what type of landscapes you will allow. With Dome volcanoes, remember it oftentimes accompanies another volcano.
[image error]Volcano
Cinder Cones can be absent until an event and then appear after an eruption. So in theory your party can visit a spot one year, leave, and come back for another reason another year, and there is the Cinder Cone there presenting new challenges for them to navigate around.
Anywhere and Everywhere
Both types of volcanoes are anything but dead. They could be dormant, or come to life in an instant. And remember, volcanic activity can occur anywhere.
Moons, Planets, Dwarf Planets—nothing is immune to volcanic activity if it has some sort of normal pattern. Next week we will look at composite volcanoes before we move on to other aspects you need for your story!
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