Michael Brachman's Blog: Tales of the Vuduri, page 172
June 11, 2013
The Robot War
If you have been reading my Wiki called Rome's Revolution: The Science Behind the Science Fiction, you probably read about The Robot War. But if you have not, here is the content which explains about how The Robot War came about:
MASAL (the Master Logical Entity) used PPT Transceivers rather than EM signals as his communication between modules. This allowed him to grow very large and eventually span the Earth. MASAL controlled all the robots, vehicles, automated equipment and so on. After MASAL invented the 24th chromosome and the Overmind arose, MASAL's PPT Transceivers allowed him to become fully integrated into the Overmind.
MASAL's ultimate plan was to transform humans into living robots. He watched and waited and grew impatient. He instigated a series of disagreements with the Overmind and eventually forced the two to split. This precipitated a war. MASAL turned the robots into deadly weapons and slaughtered a tremendous number of Vuduri. Everything under his control was also used as weapon including airships, ground vehicles and so on.
Eventually, the humans prevailed. MASAL had taken his last refuge (or so the Overmind thought) beneath the Flatirons just outside of Denver. The Vuduri constructed huge PPT cannons and blasted out the mountains. The resulting crater was so huge, it is easily seen from the Moon with the naked eye.
In the aftermath of the war, the Vuduri banned the use of robots forever. Not in space, not under the sea, nowhere on land or on other worlds. A new type of computing device, digital in nature, was invented. Because they were digital, machines like OMCOM could never be integrated into the Overmind so they were permitted limited control of vehicles, starships and so on. With that control, a fundamental law was established: no computer could ever have access to a Casimir Pump or PPT Transceiver again. The fear was that with the vastly increased range of PPT Transceivers, even digital computers could become unleashed, a crime called Tasanceti.
Unfortunately for Rome, the Stareater crisis caused her to have to violate the law and she later paid for this crime by being banished from the Earth. To make matters worse, MASAL wasn't even dead although Rei and Rome eventually corrected that problem.
June 10, 2013
Where are all your robots?
It was funny. My stepson Matt was reading the original third book of the long-form of Rome's Revolution. He hadn't commented much but finally he asked, "Where are all your robots?" I knew the answer but realized I had not made it clear in the books. I liked the comment so much that I had Rei speak those actual words (in Chapter 30 of the current book) when he and Rome are traveling to the courthouse through I-cimaci.
That simple comment opened the door to explaining The Robot War, MASAL's plan the "thin the herd" and a whole host of other items. I will give you all the details about that tomorrow.
The fact is, robots are banned from Vuduri society because of that war. And computers are not allowed to use gravitic modulation. Rome gave OMCOM access to the Casimir Pumps and that is why she was put on trial when she came back to Earth in what is now Part 3 of Rome's Revolution.
In the final book in the series, tentatively entitled The Vuduri Companion, there will be a little short story about the final phase of the war. It was actually orchestrated by MASAL so that the Vuduri and the Overmind thought he was dead. The result of that final battle was called the Denver Crater (even though it was centered in Boulder, CO) and it is so large, it can be seen from the Moon with the naked eye.
So, thank you Matthew for forcing me to add in those extra details.
That simple comment opened the door to explaining The Robot War, MASAL's plan the "thin the herd" and a whole host of other items. I will give you all the details about that tomorrow.
The fact is, robots are banned from Vuduri society because of that war. And computers are not allowed to use gravitic modulation. Rome gave OMCOM access to the Casimir Pumps and that is why she was put on trial when she came back to Earth in what is now Part 3 of Rome's Revolution.
In the final book in the series, tentatively entitled The Vuduri Companion, there will be a little short story about the final phase of the war. It was actually orchestrated by MASAL so that the Vuduri and the Overmind thought he was dead. The result of that final battle was called the Denver Crater (even though it was centered in Boulder, CO) and it is so large, it can be seen from the Moon with the naked eye.
So, thank you Matthew for forcing me to add in those extra details.
June 9, 2013
Rei takes his bearings, part 2
The next thing I had Rei do, in the long form of Rome's Revolution was twist around and he felt a shooting pain in his back. In the modern version, he doesn't feel the back pain until he stands up but the back pain plays a central role in the evolution of the plot regardless of which version you are reading.
Despite the outcry from his back, Rei twisted around and checked out the wall of monitors, readouts and displays. I postulated that the Vuduri would use a written language but there was no chance it would be English. So I let them have an alphabet similar to ours but the letters and numbers were formed differently. To Rei it just looked bizarre.
In both the long-form and the modern version, Rei wakes up wearing a Vuduri jumpsuit but he is bigger than a regular Vuduri so I made the jumpsuit too tight in the shoulders in both versions. I still don't know what the Vuduri wear on their feet. I guessed they wore something like moccasins but to this day, I still don't know.
We find out later that the protocol was supposed to be the frozen person was to be dressed in their flight suit which was stored in the lower section of the sarcophagus. That and a baseball cap. But I still don't know if they had work boots, shoes or even footies. I guess I didn't spend enough time looking down at their feet!
Despite the outcry from his back, Rei twisted around and checked out the wall of monitors, readouts and displays. I postulated that the Vuduri would use a written language but there was no chance it would be English. So I let them have an alphabet similar to ours but the letters and numbers were formed differently. To Rei it just looked bizarre.
In both the long-form and the modern version, Rei wakes up wearing a Vuduri jumpsuit but he is bigger than a regular Vuduri so I made the jumpsuit too tight in the shoulders in both versions. I still don't know what the Vuduri wear on their feet. I guessed they wore something like moccasins but to this day, I still don't know.
We find out later that the protocol was supposed to be the frozen person was to be dressed in their flight suit which was stored in the lower section of the sarcophagus. That and a baseball cap. But I still don't know if they had work boots, shoes or even footies. I guess I didn't spend enough time looking down at their feet!
June 8, 2013
Rei takes his bearings, part 1
In the original long-form version of Rome's Revolution, the first time Rei can get his bearings is when he wakes up on the cot/gurney in the airlock which was turned into a decontamination/isolation room. Rei looked around and saw his sarcophagus in the corner. He gave up on the idea that this was all a dream and decided to concentrate on his surroundings.
The first thing he noticed was the monitoring equipment mounted by his bedside. Now if you got anything out of the novels, you know the Vuduri were not big fans of wires so everything was wireless. He was wearing a sensor band that was stuck to his forehead. As soon as he removed it, the equipment showed his heart as having stopped. You'd think that would cause a reaction on the part of the Vuduri but remember, OMCOM was watching him the whole time.
I wanted to make the scene futuristic but relatable so I made the assumption that vital signs are vital signs so no matter how exotic their equipment was, Rei would still be able to recognize a normal sinus rhythm on an EKG.
The next thing I did was have Rei look down at his hand. In the modern version, Rei shouts "ouch" as the needle is withdrawn from his skin. In the original long-form, he was asleep. But would a future race such as the Vuduri even take a blood sample?
My original plan was to take the Great Dying, send mankind back to the Stone Age and then have them progress so that by the time Rei gets there, they are just ahead of us (Rei, actually) in technology. So the short answer is, yes, they still use needles and have to take blood samples.
The first thing he noticed was the monitoring equipment mounted by his bedside. Now if you got anything out of the novels, you know the Vuduri were not big fans of wires so everything was wireless. He was wearing a sensor band that was stuck to his forehead. As soon as he removed it, the equipment showed his heart as having stopped. You'd think that would cause a reaction on the part of the Vuduri but remember, OMCOM was watching him the whole time.
I wanted to make the scene futuristic but relatable so I made the assumption that vital signs are vital signs so no matter how exotic their equipment was, Rei would still be able to recognize a normal sinus rhythm on an EKG.
The next thing I did was have Rei look down at his hand. In the modern version, Rei shouts "ouch" as the needle is withdrawn from his skin. In the original long-form, he was asleep. But would a future race such as the Vuduri even take a blood sample?
My original plan was to take the Great Dying, send mankind back to the Stone Age and then have them progress so that by the time Rei gets there, they are just ahead of us (Rei, actually) in technology. So the short answer is, yes, they still use needles and have to take blood samples.
June 7, 2013
Rome's speech and formal English
The Vuduri don't normally speak. So when Rome learned English, she only spoke it formally. Initially, she did not know how to use contractions. You can see that clearly in Rome's Revolution especially the first half.
Later, as she became more comfortable with the language, she occasionally used contractions. However, when she is stressed, her speech goes to back to formal very quickly. Also, if she can't think of a word, she will substitute the Vuduri equivalent until she can think of the proper English term. You can see that in The Ark Lords when she refers to herself as a veprocenda which is an approximation of the word housewife or homemaker.
By the end of Rome's Evolution, she has been speaking English for five years and is very fluent. She uses contractions nearly all the time, even when she is communicating mentally with Rei.
There is one other time when you will notice that contractions go by the wayside. When I first started Rome's Revolution, I said if Rei doesn't understand Vuduri, then we don't either. So when they are speaking in Vuduri (which I tell you by saying "they said in Vuduri"), you will see there are no contractions because the language does not support them. Eventually, Rei became so fluent in Vuduri and Rome in English that I didn't even bother telling you which language they were speaking in. In fact, sometimes they speak in both.
About the only way to tell is to look for the presence or absence of contractions in Rome's speech. If they are in there, it's English. If they aren't (and she isn't stressed), it is probably Vuduri. If it's blended, would it be Venglish? Or maybe Engluri?
Later, as she became more comfortable with the language, she occasionally used contractions. However, when she is stressed, her speech goes to back to formal very quickly. Also, if she can't think of a word, she will substitute the Vuduri equivalent until she can think of the proper English term. You can see that in The Ark Lords when she refers to herself as a veprocenda which is an approximation of the word housewife or homemaker.
By the end of Rome's Evolution, she has been speaking English for five years and is very fluent. She uses contractions nearly all the time, even when she is communicating mentally with Rei.
There is one other time when you will notice that contractions go by the wayside. When I first started Rome's Revolution, I said if Rei doesn't understand Vuduri, then we don't either. So when they are speaking in Vuduri (which I tell you by saying "they said in Vuduri"), you will see there are no contractions because the language does not support them. Eventually, Rei became so fluent in Vuduri and Rome in English that I didn't even bother telling you which language they were speaking in. In fact, sometimes they speak in both.
About the only way to tell is to look for the presence or absence of contractions in Rome's speech. If they are in there, it's English. If they aren't (and she isn't stressed), it is probably Vuduri. If it's blended, would it be Venglish? Or maybe Engluri?
June 6, 2013
Andrea and the Casino - Part 2
Here is the second half of the omitted portions from Rome's Evolution regarding Andrea Grenmuller and why the Vuduri showed up at the casino:
Andrea was no more and no less insane than any of the other Essessoni. She came to a world where there was no need for money and fashioned an attraction which exploded, bursting spontaneously into the need for coins. That David would bring the silver ingots to her, no questions asked, made it easier to mint the coins and distribute them and then create an edifice that would make them want to turn them in again. The mathematics were staggering and engaged Andrea’s mind in a way that no normal project would. By employing a carefully enlarging pyramid, Andrea was able to recruit 2 then 4 then 8 then 16 then more than she could count. They all bought into a system where you had to buy in. They built the inn and restaurants first. They wanted to get the denizens of Deucado used to the coming to the top of The Hand. Then, behind a large construction wall, they built their glittering palace of play. It was ready the day the wall came down. At first, only the Essessoni flocked in. Not too far behind were the Deucadons. An element of gambling had developed in their society even in the short 500 years since they had been stranded on this planet. Next came the mandasurte. They often emulated the Essessoni but in a sly way. They too wandered in and began to partake of the games.
Finally, the Vuduri came in, not in droves but in spurts. Their reason was always the same. This was research only to try and understand why the other three races seemed to be attracted. As part of their research, they even felt themselves compelled to gamble a little. None were so brave, yet, to take part in the table games. They claimed that interacting with the one-armed bandit was sufficient to find out what they needed. But one look at them would tell you that it wouldn’t be long until they were “researching” the table games too.
No, Andrea had it right. If you build it, they will come. And come back. And come back.
Andrea was no more and no less insane than any of the other Essessoni. She came to a world where there was no need for money and fashioned an attraction which exploded, bursting spontaneously into the need for coins. That David would bring the silver ingots to her, no questions asked, made it easier to mint the coins and distribute them and then create an edifice that would make them want to turn them in again. The mathematics were staggering and engaged Andrea’s mind in a way that no normal project would. By employing a carefully enlarging pyramid, Andrea was able to recruit 2 then 4 then 8 then 16 then more than she could count. They all bought into a system where you had to buy in. They built the inn and restaurants first. They wanted to get the denizens of Deucado used to the coming to the top of The Hand. Then, behind a large construction wall, they built their glittering palace of play. It was ready the day the wall came down. At first, only the Essessoni flocked in. Not too far behind were the Deucadons. An element of gambling had developed in their society even in the short 500 years since they had been stranded on this planet. Next came the mandasurte. They often emulated the Essessoni but in a sly way. They too wandered in and began to partake of the games.
Finally, the Vuduri came in, not in droves but in spurts. Their reason was always the same. This was research only to try and understand why the other three races seemed to be attracted. As part of their research, they even felt themselves compelled to gamble a little. None were so brave, yet, to take part in the table games. They claimed that interacting with the one-armed bandit was sufficient to find out what they needed. But one look at them would tell you that it wouldn’t be long until they were “researching” the table games too.
No, Andrea had it right. If you build it, they will come. And come back. And come back.
June 5, 2013
Andrea and the Casino - Part 1
I cut this stuff out of Rome's Evolution to make the Casino scene run faster but I thought you might want a little more insight into how it came to pass:
Andrea was seated behind a wood-paneled desk that would have been normal for Earth but here on Deucado stood out. Andrea stood up and reached forward with her hand. She was wearing a very Barbara-Edenesque pink hat, tied around her chin by a pink ribbon. Atop the scarf was a pillbox hat, also in pink, that was in consonance with the ribbon. To further the effect, she wore a bright red tank-top covered by a billowy pink vest with filmy sleeves.
Rei was so angry when he first arrived at the casino. He could see the taint of his people seeping everywhere on this planet. It was as if the Essessoni were a disease. But seeing Andrea dressed as ridiculously as she was, made Rei realize every one of his crew was probably functionally insane. Never in their wildest dreams, let alone training, did anything prepare them for a society which was want of nothing. A society where you had to define your own goals and life, there was no pre-determined path or outcome.
Tomorrow - why the heck were there Vuduri in the casino? Could they be gambling?
Andrea was seated behind a wood-paneled desk that would have been normal for Earth but here on Deucado stood out. Andrea stood up and reached forward with her hand. She was wearing a very Barbara-Edenesque pink hat, tied around her chin by a pink ribbon. Atop the scarf was a pillbox hat, also in pink, that was in consonance with the ribbon. To further the effect, she wore a bright red tank-top covered by a billowy pink vest with filmy sleeves.
Rei was so angry when he first arrived at the casino. He could see the taint of his people seeping everywhere on this planet. It was as if the Essessoni were a disease. But seeing Andrea dressed as ridiculously as she was, made Rei realize every one of his crew was probably functionally insane. Never in their wildest dreams, let alone training, did anything prepare them for a society which was want of nothing. A society where you had to define your own goals and life, there was no pre-determined path or outcome.
Tomorrow - why the heck were there Vuduri in the casino? Could they be gambling?
June 4, 2013
Who is Rei?
The "Who is Rome?" posting was so popular, I thought I'd follow it up with a similar one for Reinard for the Rome's Revolution series. The idea is simply when thinking about casting the characters for a potential movie, I need the actor to meet certain physical characteristics. Of course, they have to be able to act, too.
For Rei, I needed an actor who was about 6 feet tall and had sandy to dark hair. I started with Ian Somerhalder. Here is his picture:
The only problem is he may be a bit too short (he is only 5' 10') and his hair may be too dark. Also his hair is usually perfect and one of Rei's trademarks is his unkempt hair. Oh well, it's a place to start. I am open to suggestions.
For Rei, I needed an actor who was about 6 feet tall and had sandy to dark hair. I started with Ian Somerhalder. Here is his picture:
The only problem is he may be a bit too short (he is only 5' 10') and his hair may be too dark. Also his hair is usually perfect and one of Rei's trademarks is his unkempt hair. Oh well, it's a place to start. I am open to suggestions.
June 3, 2013
Days of Future Past
When I was writing the first Intermezzo for Rome's Evolution, which took us back to "Rei's last day on Earth," I had Rei pick a song at random. My original draft had the song as "Days of Future Past" by the Moody Blues, as I believed this was a song on the album.
If you think back to Part 2 of Rome's Revolution, I made a big deal of Rei having recovered his music slab. Well, in Intermezzo 1 of Rome's Evolution, you see how he acquired it and in Intermezzo 2, you see how he recovered it. I even made mention of the fact that Rome liked the Moody Blues as well.
Well, as I was researching Intermezzo 1, I looked at the play list for the album Days of Future Past (P.S. The first book I ever wrote was called Future Past) and discovered there was no song with that title. But then I stumbled across a song called "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" which I had heard many times but never listened that carefully to the lyrics. Here is just a little taste:
If you want to listen to it, here is a video with the song and lyrics.
Pretty prophetic, huh?
If you think back to Part 2 of Rome's Revolution, I made a big deal of Rei having recovered his music slab. Well, in Intermezzo 1 of Rome's Evolution, you see how he acquired it and in Intermezzo 2, you see how he recovered it. I even made mention of the fact that Rome liked the Moody Blues as well.
Well, as I was researching Intermezzo 1, I looked at the play list for the album Days of Future Past (P.S. The first book I ever wrote was called Future Past) and discovered there was no song with that title. But then I stumbled across a song called "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" which I had heard many times but never listened that carefully to the lyrics. Here is just a little taste:
Once I read the lyrics, I was blown away. It was as if this song were written for Rei and Rome. And the song was written in 1967. I didn't even write the first draft of VIRUS 5 until 1973. But it took me until 2013 to read the lyrics carefully.
I know you're out there somewhere
Somewhere, somewhere
I know I'll find you somehow
Somehow, somehow
And somehow I'll return again to you
The mist is lifting slowly
I can see the way ahead
And I've left behind the empty streets
That once inspired my life
And the strength of the emotion
Is like thunder in the air
'Cause the promise that we made each other
Haunts me to the end
I know you're out there somewhere
Somewhere, somewhere
I know you're out there somewhere
Somewhere you can hear my voice
I know I'll find you somehow
Somehow, somehow
I know I'll find you somehow
And somehow I'll return again to you
If you want to listen to it, here is a video with the song and lyrics.
Pretty prophetic, huh?
June 2, 2013
How to embed a trailer when it is not allowed
There are many sites, including this one, which do not allow you to embed YouTube videos. So, when I wanted to display Bruce's awesome trailer for Rome's Revolution, I had to find a way around that blockage.
Well, it's very simple. All you do is embed an image that looks like a YouTube preview and when somebody clicks on the play button, all it does is take you to the proper place on YouTube, thus accomplishing the same goal.
Try it.
Pretty cool, huh?
Well, it's very simple. All you do is embed an image that looks like a YouTube preview and when somebody clicks on the play button, all it does is take you to the proper place on YouTube, thus accomplishing the same goal.
Try it.
Pretty cool, huh?
Tales of the Vuduri
Tidbits and insights into the 35th century world of the Vuduri.
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