Richard Paolinelli's Blog, page 39
June 29, 2020
Escaping Infinity: Through The Superversive Lens
Yesterday I ran my first sci-fi novel, Maelstrom, through the superversive filter. Today, it is Escaping Infinity’s turn.
While Steve Collins was out to save the world in his own way in Maelstrom, Pete Childress is just minding his own business. He’s trying to get to Phoenix for a presentation without strangling his traveling companing, and best friend, Charlie for getting them good and lost again. Saving the world and all of humanity was the last thing on his mind when we are introduced to Pete.
[image error]But the prologue to Escaping Infinity should have warned you that this was going to be anything but a simple road trip for Pete. Yes, that is Earth that gets scorched to a cinder on the very first page of the book. And yes, this is a superversive story despite the grim opening.
Pete and Charlie encounter The Infinity, a hotel inexplicably out in the middle of nowhere that offers weary travelers everything they could possibly want or need. Charlie is immediately taken in by the place and charges off to pursue one of the hotel staff while enjoying its casino.
Pete just wants to get a good night’s sleep, get directions to Phoenix and get back on the road first thing in the morning. But he begins to notice something seems “wrong” about The Infinity, and that feeling of “wrongness” takes hold when Pete notices two important details about the hotel. First, it appears to have many more floors than appeared possible based on his exterior view of the hotel.
[image error]Second, when he heads back to the front desk to inquire with Liz, the desk clerk that checked them in, he finds that the entrance he’d just used not one hour before no longer exists. In fact, he can find no exit back to the outside world at all.
His explorations lead him to several encounters with other guests, people who not only appear out of place, but out of time itself. Romans, ancient Egyptians, a couple from pre-World War II Japan and another couple heading for Paris in the days following the end of that second World War. When Pete finally catches up with Charlie, his friend is as oblivious to the trap they have fallen into as all of the rest.
The mysterious Liz suggests Pete check out a certain door in the indoor garden then scurries away when the Hotel Manager draws near. When Pete locates the door and attempts to open it he is attacked and chased back to his room by a ferocious, and
[image error]A much smaller, and less lethal, blue teddy bear
quite gigantic beast that resembles a blue teddy bear on steroids, roid-rage and all.
Liz is waiting for him in his room after his narrow escape and Pete is unnerved to see his wounds quickly healing and his torn clothing repairing itself. Liz explains that these are all normal occurances within the walls of The Infinity. She also confirms that no one who has entered the hotel has ever walked back out.
After learning the circumstances that led Liz to become trapped in The Infinity, as well as exactly how long she has been trapped inside, Pete resolves to get them both back out. But to do so means he must leave Charlie behind and the gut-wrenching choice tears at Pete’s heart and soul as he vows not only to get out, but to find a way to return and free everyone trapped inside.
The couple’s attempt at freedom fails, just as it seems as if they had found the way out. The Manager calmly informs them that no such path exists and encourages them both to accept their fate. Beaten and exhausted, they both do and become as much a part of the hotel as everyone else inside.
Now, at this point you’re screaming “Hey, buddy, this is a subversive story! Evil wins! Charlatan! Fakir!!!!”
And it is at this point that I remind you that the one thing I am noted for in my storytelling is waving a bright, shiny object in my left hand to draw your attention away from what my right hand is doing. Or, as my friend, The Dome, says: “With you, Richard, everything is the MacGuffin!”
[image error]Because it is at this point when I swing my mighty Superversive battle-ax and lay an epic superversive smackdown on the story and the reader.
Suffice it to say, Pete figures out how to beat the trap that was The Infinity and finds the way out. And it is here where we find out the connection between The Infinity and the destruction of Earth, as well as the true role of the manager.
But that isn’t the end of the story. A Superversive tale has elements of religion in it. And Escaping Infinty has that. It doesn’t promote a single belief over any other – in fact, I’ve been granted honorary status in several religions by people who have read this book – but rather it incorporates a lot of biblical themes into the conclussion of the story.
And the conclussion is very Superversive. Evil does not prevail. Heroes find it within themselves to rise up when the moment calls for them and deliver. And the future of mankind, despite the terrible event that opened the story is positive and uplifting.
You can’t get anymore superversive than that. So, check out Escaping Infinity for yourself and let me know what you think.
ESCAPING INFINITY PURCHASE LINK
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June 28, 2020
Maelstrom: Through The Superversive Lens
I talked a lot about the superversive approach to writing last week and I thought it might be a good idea to spend this week talking about my books through the superversive filter.
[image error]So let’s start off with the very first book I wrote, Maelstrom.
It is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi novel. Yes Virginia, you can find superversive even in post-apocalyptic works. The subversive crowd, Jemisin, et al, starts off with the premise that humanity sucks so much that even after it blows up the world as we know it, the human race still sucks. Superversive says yes, humanity has issues, yes it might blow up the world as we know it, but in the end the best of humanity will find a way to shine through.
And that is what you’ll find in Maelstrom. Steven Collins is a man driven on a single quest: Prevent the next extinction-level event – an asteroid crashing into our world – by creating a fool-proof shield to deflect away these cosmic killers. He eventually succeeds in building a device capable of generating such a shield to cover the entire planet.
Unfortunately, as is often the case with good intentions, something goes awry. The building where he is testing his device vaporizes after a vortex forms within the test area. Collins is sucked into the vortex seconds before the devastating explosion.
[image error]When he wakes up, he finds himself over a century in the future and is greeted by an Earth that looks like every level of Dante’s Hell smashed together. He discovers that his shield is to blame for Earth’s current condition, that over seven billion people died shortly after the accident and that there are only about one million human beings left alive in the 22nd Century.
Making matters worse, those one million are currently trapped under his shield, which has remained operational despite the explosion. Travel beyond the shield is possible, but one of the survivors of the shield’s birth has gone insane and has vowed to exterminate the last of humanity no matter the cost. This madman waits outside the shield, unable to penetrate it and return to Earth, but he can afford to wait. Life under the shield is taking its toll and the survivors have only a few more decades of life remaining before the last will die off.
[image error]Faced with this terrible outcome of his life’s work, Collins takes on the task of trying to rid Earth of this madman’s threat and save the last of humanity. Collins is not a heroic man by nature, but when the moment calls for a hero, he finds it within himself to answer that call. This is superversive.
Not everyone in the story is a good person, none are perfect. But overall, humanity in this story has suffered a terrible blow and are struggling to make a better world of the one they have been given. They will face an evil, one that looks to have the upper hand, but they will never surrender to it. They will always look to what is good and right.
There are other superversive elements to the story as well. There is love, sacrifice and honor. Alexis Tivoli is no damsel in distress. Where she fails in her original mission, she is still a warrior who does not shrink from facing the evil madman when it comes time for a rematch.
Both Steve and Alexis are damaged people, due to their respective life experiences, but they find a certain amount of healing within themselves and each other as the story progresses.
And as for the ending, there are surprises, tragedy and mourning. But there is also love, joy and hope for a better future.
And THAT is very superversive.
Check out Maelstrom for yourself and see if you agree.
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June 27, 2020
Weekly 1K Series: The Calling, Part 2, Chapter 1
A Work Of Star Trek Fan Fiction By Richard Paolinelli
© 2020 RICHARD PAOLINELLI . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO COPYING OR ANY OTHER REPRODUCTION OF THIS STORY IS PERMITTED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION. This is a work of fan fiction based in the universe of Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry. It is not intended to be sold, to be used to aid in any sale and is not to be copied or used in any other way by any other party.
“Damnit, Jim,” McCoy groused as he fiddled with the collar of his dress uniform. “I’m a doctor not a contortionist!”
“Look at it this way, Bones,” Kirk replied to the familiar complaint. “You won’t have to be in it for too long this time.”
McCoy tugged at his tunic as he, Kirk and Spock made their way toward the transporter room. Try as he might, his uniform looked rumpled. Neither Kirk nor Spock suffered as much as a thread out of place on their uniforms.
“It is unusual to welcome a new officer aboard ship in full dress, Captain,” Spock noted.
“I’ve never heard of it either,” Kirk admitted as the doors to the transporter room swooshed open. “But Admiral Cartwright insisted on it. I admit, if such an exception is to be made, this would be the officer to do it for.”
“Bari Forelni. There’s a name that has become synonymous the Federation and Starfleet.”
“Indeed, Doctor. His contributions to the founding of both organizations are most impressive.”
“His record as a Captain is even more so,” Kirk added. “When Starfleet announced they were building a new ship with an all-Etalyian crew he resigned as Etalya’s Ambassador to the Federation and enrolled in the Academy. He’s one of six candidates to be that ship’s first Captain.
“All six have graduated from the Academy and have experience as commanders in the field and all will be serving on starships as part of their final testing before Starfleet picks the new Captain. Admiral Cartwright said Commander Forelni requested to serve his tour on the Enterprise.”
“An honor.”
“Yes it is, Spock, and a little intimidating,” Kirk admitted.
A beep from the transporter console interrupted their conversation.
“Ready for transport, Cap’n,” Scotty, also in full dress complete with a proper Scottish kilt, reported.
“Bring him aboard, Scotty.”
Scotty’s deft hands moved the levers and a human form coalesced on the pad. When the process ended a tall, olive-skinned man who appeared roughly the same age as Kirk stood on the pad. He wore a regular duty uniform and his tunic was red, not command gold. His dark eyes quickly swept the room and lingered on the dress uniforms for a moment. A slight smile tugged at the corners of those eyes.
“Commander Bari Forelni reporting for duty, sir. Permission to come aboard?”
“Permission granted,” Kirk stepped forward and extended his hand. “And welcome aboard Commander.”
Forelni stepped down with more grace than someone who’d lived over a century and a half had a right to possess and clasped his new Captain’s hand.
“A pleasure to be aboard, sir. I was quite pleased to hear that you had accepted my posting here.”
“Admiral Cartwright didn’t seem to be giving me an option to refuse, Commander,” Kirk replied.
“Yes, so I noticed. My apologies gentlemen for having to wear those torture chambers on my account. I had asked the Admiral not to go to any extra-ordinary lengths on my behalf. I hope to be just another member of the crew while I am here.”
“That might be somewhat hard to accomplish, Commander, given your record.”
“Hmmm, I knew I should have tarnished my record more in my misspent youth,” Forelni quipped. “Now I have suffer the terrible consequences of being a living legend. Alas.”
Kirk smiled, feeling much less intimidated now that he’d met the man behind the legend in person.
“Allow me to introduce our First Officer, Mister Spock.”
“Live long and prosper, Commander,” Forelni intoned in Vulcan, smoothly fashioning the Vulcan salute and drawing a slightly uplifted eyebrow in response.
“Prosperity and long life,” Spock answered in kind. “My compliments, Commander, your Vulcan is flawless.”
“Thank you,” Forelni replied, switching back to standard. “It has been some time since I’ve been able to use it. I believe I was speaking with your father at that time. How is Ambassador Sarek and the Lady Amanda?”
“Both well at last communication, thank you for asking.”
“I must say, Commander, you are somewhat taller since our last meeting.”
“I do not recall having met you before, Commander.”
“Well, to be fair, you were roughly two feet long and wrapped in a blanket in your mother’s arms at the time, I would be surprised if even a Vulcan could remember that far back with clarity.”
“Indeed,” Spock allowed.
“And out Chief Medical Officer, Leonard McCoy,” Kirk moved along in the introductions.
“Doctor, a pleasure,” Forelni replied. “I assume I’ll be visiting you soon for a medical exam?”
“The sooner the better, Commander.”
“Let me get unpacked and I’ll drop in tomorrow.”
“And this is our Chief Engineer, Montgomery Scott.”
“Mr. Scott. A most smooth transport. My compliments.”
“Thank ye, sir.”
“Yeoman Brand will show you to your quarters. We’re having a mixer at 1900 where you can meet the rest of the command crew and officers,” Kirk said. “Commander, before you go…”
“Sir?”
“I am puzzled as to why you requested to be posted on the Enterprise and as Chief of Security?”
“As for the first part, I appreciate the rapport between a ship’s Captain and his First Officer. I will only be posted here for six months. I had no desire to be a disruption to that rapport.
“As for the second,” Forelni continued. “In studying your reports to Starfleet Command, I got the impression that you were becoming sorely tempted to launch my predecessor out a photon torpedo tube. I have something of an aptitude for Security. I’d like to see what I can do to bring that department back up to a more acceptable standard while I’m here.”
“Commander,” Kirk said after a moment. “If you can pull that off, and Starfleet Command doesn’t give you command of that new ship, I’ll retire and you can have the Enterprise.”
“Well, let’s not let it get to that point, sir,” Forelni replied allowing the smile to reach his mouth this time. “Enterprise without James T. Kirk, wouldn’t be the Enterprise.”
June 26, 2020
FREE READ FRIDAY: Memoirs Of A TIme Traveler – Doug Molitor
It’s FRIDAY!!!! That means it’s time for another free read for you to download on your Kindle device.
And because I can’t get enough of time traveling stories this week I present to you:
MEMOIRS OF A TIME TRAVELER by Doug Molitor
[image error]In this fast-paced, thrilling journey through time, archaeologist David Preston comes into possession of a baseball supposedly signed by the legendary Ty Cobb in 1908, thanks to Ariyl Moro and her mysterious companion, Jon Ludlo. Except the ball tests out to be an impossible paradox. It was signed with a ballpoint pen (not invented until 1938) using ink that’s several centuries older. But then, Ariyl and Ludlo aren’t who they claim to be either.
Ariyl, a voluptuous 6-foot-3 beauty, turns out to be a tourist from a 22nd century paradise where time travel is the latest craze. Unbeknownst to her, however, her traveling companion, Ludlo, is a psychopath whose thefts are starting to alter history. In a world were even small changes in the timeline can cause catastrophic consequences, Ludlo’s actions may completely destroy the future.
To stop Ludlo, David and Ariyl must solve a mystery involving Bronze Age swordsmen, modern-day Nazis, a steampunk world, Albert Einstein, some highly skeptical Founding Fathers, and a Golden Age Hollywood where the murder of a beloved movie star will spell doom for civilization.
Sci-fi meets romantic comedy…with sword-swinging adventure!
ENJOY!
June 25, 2020
Superversive Vs. Subversive
The last two days I’ve been talking about the two sides that exist – in writing and in society in general – and why I’ve chosen to walk the Superversive path as a writer and a person.
It is really an easy choice when you break it down. Superversive builds up, encourages, has a positive outlook toward the future even in the darkest of times and sees the good in the past while acknowledging where the past came up short.
Subversive tears down, it destroys, it sees only evil in everyone and everything. Subversive offers only chaos, mayhem and destruction. It feeds off these things and demands that everyone and everything be judged as wrong – except its practitioners of course – and in need of being unpersoned and erased from historical memory.
One is the light. The other is the dark. And I cannot abide the darkness that is subversive.
So I align myself with other authors who practice the superversive way: Declan Finn, Brian Niemeier, Larry Correia, Russell Newquist, John C. Wright, L. Jagi Lamplighter, Stephanie Osborn, and many, many more. (For those I didn’t list above, my apologies but know your efforts to forward the Superversive way are greatly appreciated.)
Superversive Press was the great beacon for all of us and we were all sad when SP shut down earlier this year. But while the publishing house is no more, the movement behind it remains alive and well because of those authors who continue to create stories that meet this ideal. I have yet to encounter a superversive story that hasn’t been a pleasure to read. No matter the genre or the story arc they have all been incredibly well-crafted page-turners.
Nor have I seen anyone within the Superversive movement call for another author to be de-platformed or have their books not get published because they do not align with our way of thinking. That bit of skullduggery belongs solely to the Subverse crowd that has infested sci-fi/fantasy for far too long.
The prime examples I can think of in the subversive crowd are N.K. Jemisin, Jeannette Ng, John Scalzi, Cat Rambo, Mary Robinette Kowal, Patrick & Teresa Nielsen Hayden, and several others. They, along with some help from folks like ChinaMike – Lord of the House of 770 Vile Aromas – and a few others, seem to prefer the darkness. They feed off it or so it would seem.
Not only are their stories tiresome – white men evil, civilization as we’ve known it is evil, everyone is racist (except for them of course as they are as pure as the wind-driven snow) – but because they are filled with anger and hate all they can do is tear down and attack those that don’t agree with them. They also take pleasure in destroying established SF/F franchises (yes, I’m looking at you J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson).
Where the Superversive author is: “You write your stories, I’ll write mine and we go our way in peace”, the Subversive crowd is totalitarian: “You will read only our works. No one else is allowed to write and be published unless they meet our approval. Any who dare defy us must be attacked and destroyed.”
As I have said before: I prefer the Superversive path. If you are a reader new to this conflict you probably are unaware of much of what went on in the previous decade. The Subversives – like a cancer – moved in and took over the main publishing houses and awards in SF/F. They ran off those who did not think only approved thoughts. They have attacked those that laid down the foundations of SF/F and attempted to erase them from memory. Google Ng’s acceptance speech of what used to be known as the John W. Campbell Award at the Hugos. Then Google Jemisin’s hate-filled rant when accepting her third Hugo award.
Then ask yourself this: Is this the type of SF/F that I want to read? Is this the type of people who speak to the kind of future I want to see?
If your answers are no, then welcome to the brotherhood and sisterhood of Superversive. We have banded together to preserve the best of all SF/F and offer a better vision of the future. And if you want to find out who to read, just keep an eye on this blog, check out the names I listed above as well as the past and future winners of the Dragon Awards and the Helicon Awards.
You have chosen to leave behind the dark, ugly side of SF/F. It is a small, but vocal, faction that eventually will consume itself with its own hatred and fade into its well-deserved obscurity.
[image error]You have chosen the light. You have chosen The Way.
Welcome.
Hey, the weekend is coming up and if you want to sample some fine superversive writing just click the link to check out my books!
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June 24, 2020
Superversive. This Is The Way.
Yesterday I shared with you what I no longer gave a damn about. So I thought it would only be fair to share what I do give a damn about. Good storytelling that you want to read.
Much like the anarchists we see on the news today, burning, looting and tearing down statues, the world of science fiction and fantasy is under similar attack. They have been attacking long-established legends in SF/F, erasing their names from awards, demanding their books be removed from shelves, etc. And they are insisting that the only acceptable works are ones that preach the social justice themes we’ve all become tired of hearing. They are subversive. They are also part of the reason why people are turning away from reading and SF/F in general.
I reject the subversive. I prefer the superversive. But what does superversive mean in regards to writing fiction of any kind?
The definition of superversive is: “Nurturing; supportive, building up — opposite of subversive.” Where subversive – and those who practice it – can only tear down and destroy what was created by others, superversives build up. Or, as John C. Wright said during a conversation with his wife, L. Jagi Lamplighter, ““You know how subversive means to change something by undermining from below? Superversive is change by inspiration from above.”
Russell Newquist, who runs Silver Empire, touched on this subject four years ago on his blog. Here are some highlights from his post:
Heroes who are actually heroic. They don’t have to be heroic all of the time, or even most of the time. But when the time comes, they must actually be heroic.
People are basically good. Not all the time, not in every case – and certainly not every person. But basically.
Good Wins. Not every time – a good story always has setbacks in it. But evil winning is most definitely not superversive.
True love is real. Again, maybe not for everybody. But it’s real.
Beauty is real. It’s ok to show the warts. But show the beauty, too.
The transcendent is awesome. There’s no obligation to show any particular religion, or even really religion at all. But superversive literature should show the glory and splendor of the wider universe around us, and it should leave us in awe of it.
Family is good and important. Not every family, sure. But those are the exceptions, not the rule.
Civilization is better than barbarism. This doesn’t mean barbarians are evil, or that they aren’t fun. But in the end, they’re… well, barbaric.
Strength, courage, honor, beauty, truth, sacrifice, spirituality, and humility are virtues. This can be demonstrated by showing people breaking the virtues. But they must be recognized as virtues.
There is hope. Superversive stories should never leave the reader feeling despair.
When I was first introduced to the Superversive philosophy in fiction I was hooked. These were the stories I grew up reading, these were the stories I wanted to read more of and these were the stories I wanted to write.
Even with a dystopian story like Maelstrom, or my short story Polar Shift in Planetary Anthology Series: Luna, bad things happen and evil looks to be on the verge of victory but the endings to those stories will not leave you “feeling despair”.
As for transcendence, Escaping Infinity has that in spades. It isn’t preaching a specific religion at all but I think it does show off the splendor and glory of the universe around us. And so far readers of every religion have tried to claim me as one of their own after reading it.
The characters I write don’t set out to become heroes. But when the moment arrives they are there to answer the call to be heroic. There is true love, sacrifice, honor, tragedy, grief, loss and ultimately victory.
Sometimes the hero wins at great cost, sometimes the hero is tested to the greatest depths of their soul. But in the end, the good wins through. I believe this is true in my fiction and, despite all evidence to the contrary, I believe this is true in life.
During a Twitter conversation with a few other writers, I came up with this tag line to explain our approach to writing:
“I wrote this to entertain you, not to preach to you.”
So yes, the Superversive path is the one I choose to walk in my writing journey, and in my life as well, and I will continue to do so for as long as I keep writing, and breathing.
This is the way.
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June 23, 2020
Canceling The Cancel Culture. Or, I Broke My ‘Giv-A-Dam’
I’ve come to the long-overdue conclusion that I have had just about enough of the “Cancel Culture” and it’s pack of sub-human lunatic practitioners. One of them gets their knickers in a knot over the slighest issue – no matter how convoluted the logic they use to get to full outrage – and the whole pack starts howling.
A name, a word (even when they have to declare the word means something it never has before), a flag, a statue and on and on and on…
Oh, they start off with the low-hanging fruit, just to establish themselves as “reasonable people trying to right an injustice” but then they toss reason right out the window and go full lunatic.
[image error]I’ll use the statues as a primary example. They started out going after the Confederate statues first. Who would dare try to defend statues of “racist” people, right? But have you noticed that now they are going after George Washington, Winston Churchill and Teddy Roosevelt?
They even knocked down some poor guy who himself had BEEN a slave for years! I’m still waiting for the reason for that one.
As a quick aside: If a statue, or a book, or a film, or a flag offends you, then don’t look at it. You have every right even, to come out and say it offends you and why. I’m right there with you.
[image error]But where we part company is when you haul off and demand that no one else be able to look at anything that offends you. You have no right to dictate to others what they can see, read or think.
Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean the rest of us have to hate it too. Want to change our minds, then present an argument – reasonably – and convince us. But “because I said so” isn’t a winning argument. Nor is “agree with me or I’ll burn this all down” either.
What is disheartening is seeing businesses and government leaders capitulating to what can only be described as domestic terrorism. No matter how much you give in to them, they will always push for more until you and your business, or your city or state, is destroyed. Don’t believe me? Just ask Neville Chamberlain how his capitulation to a terrorist organization in 1938 worked out.
I’ve dealt with the “Cancel Culture” mob these last three years. Fortunately for me, they have no ability to damage me. Mainly because I don’t care, but also because I haven’t capitulated. In fact, in several cases, I’ve struck back. These last six months have been relatively quiet too as certain members of that mob got the message and went off to find someone else to bother.
[image error]Recently though, two young men tried their luck and found out it is much better to leave me be. Their attempts to “cancel” me failed. But one lost his job and the other his ability to do business on the Internet because of my response. So, if you are of the mind to try this, go find someone else to bother. I don’t play nice and you have been warned.
But this brings me to the real point of this post. I’m no longer sitting back and waiting for the CC Mob to shoot at me. I’m canceling them and all of those that capitulate to them. On my social media, I’ve been blocking anyone who promotes or participates in “cancel culture”, Antifa, BLM or any other terrorist-like organization. I’m also canceling news organizations and their reporters. Every single one that pops up on my Twitter or Facebook feeds gets a block. They no longer have anything to say that I care to hear.
Major and college sports has also been canceled in my home. Since the NFL and NASCAR recently bent the knee to these terrorists, I will no longer support them with my entertainment dollar. I canceled the NBA a decade ago and haven’t watched a game, or spent a penny on a product that adds to their revenue stream, since. And don’t think MLB is off the hook either, nor is the NCAA. The NHL is literally skating on thin ice and if they go that way, I’ll happily cancel them too.
I haven’t been in a movie theater in over a year and the way Hollywood is encouraging this insanity, really ‘Gone With The Wind’ cannot be shown?, then I’ll cancel them without a second thought. There are a host of Indie creators on YouTube cranking out amazing content that is head and shoulders above anything Hollywood is putting out.
I have discovered that I broke my ‘Give-A-Dam”.
[image error]I, like Rhett Butler, simply don’t give a damn for these spoiled brat terrorists, their causes (which are just covers for burning and looting without getting into trouble) or the people and businesses who refuse to stand up to them and tell them to knock it off. If you want to have a reasonable discussion about issues that do indeed need to be addressed, then fine. But burning, looting and tearing down/destroying property is having a temper tantrum, not a discussion.
About the only good thing is that these creatures will eventually turn on their own – they already are to some extent – and it will fall to us to sweep up the debris that eventually will be all that remains of them.
In the meantime, I will reserve my entertainment dollars for people and businesses that focus on presenting entertaining stories and other events. There are plenty of people out there writing such books, creating videos and films that are worthy of my dollars. They are entertaining and that’s all I ask when I set aside the troubles of the day and seek a brief respite from it all. If I want to be preached at, I’ll go to church, not turn on my television.
And that is the one thing you can expect from my books and short stories. I’m not here to preach at you. I’m not here to tell you that you’re evil because of your skin color (white, black, brown, etc.) or to try to make you feel like it is your fault that the world sucks. (I swear, the next person who plays the “white privilege” card on me had better be sitting inside a running Formula 1 race car when they say it).
I, like many other writers I know, understand that you have invested a few of your hard-earned dollars on our books. In return, you are hoping to relax and lose yourself in a world that is far from this one, even if it is just for a few hours, and hopefully we can help you better face the real world again for having read our stories. Readers looking for positive, uplifting, shall we say even superversive, stories are the people I still give a damn about as a storyteller.
Readers like you.
Check out Richard’s books and short stories here.
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June 20, 2020
1K Weekly Series: The Calling: Interlude
A Work Of Star Trek Fan Fiction By Richard Paolinelli
© 2020 RICHARD PAOLINELLI . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO COPYING OR ANY OTHER REPRODUCTION OF THIS STORY IS PERMITTED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION. This is a work of fan fiction based in the universe of Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry. It is not intended to be sold, to be used to aid in any sale and is not to be copied or used in any other way by any other party.
INTERLUDE
April 2, 2145. A Time Between Sagas…
Bari Forelni, Prince of Etalya and former Ambassador to Earth and current Etalyian Ambassador to The United Federation of Planets, stood in space dock and gazed at the gleaming new ship outside.
Enterprise. NCC-1701.
She looked nothing like the ship that bore the same name that carried him from Etalya to Earth nearly nine decades ago. As much as it would have pained his old friend Archer to hear, this new incarnation made her predecessor look like something found in a trash heap. She looked almost angelic, all white with a splash of light here and there save for the deflector dish and at the front of each nacelle.
She was a promise of a great future but now it invoked in him memories of his past here on Earth. He’d spent most of those eighty-eight years here, with occasional returns to Etalya. But he never spent more than a few months at a time there. There was always something going on here on Earth that required his attention. The formation of the United Federation of Planets in 2061 and his heading up the first few years of Section 31 while retaining his position as the Etalyian Ambassador to the UFP. It was a needed service for the newly formed UFP, to discover any threats to its existence that could be nipped in the bud before the threat materialized. He’d stepped down as Director of Section 31 ten years later to return home for nearly a year and was certain that he was leaving the organization in good hands.
“It has been fifteen years since you’ve walked the land of your homeworld, my son,” his father’s recorded message intoned. “It is far past time for you to see your family and your people again.”
Initially, he had balked at the idea. Despite the passage of 15 years, the memory of that terrible day was still fresh in his mind. But he acceded to his father’s request and headed home. The people greeted him with such fervor that he felt shame that he’d delayed his return for as long as he had. All of the major families received him inside the Great Hall. Only the Antonius’ were absent. A few said it was out of respect. Everyone else knew it was out of fear. No one knew if a decade and a half was enough time for a Forelni’s temper to cool.
“Paulo!” he exclaimed when he’d spotted his old friend. The two embraced warmly. “I see they’ve not run you out of office yet!”
“I haven’t managed to get into as much mischief as you,” Paulo replied smiling. “They simply don’t know how to handle that.”
He presented himself to the King and Queen. She spared him with a cool nod. The Laudano’s were known to be quick to anger and slow to forgiveness. But at least she wasn’t yelling “Off with his head!” so he took it as a good sign. His father hauled himself off his throne and stepped down to warmly embrace his son.
“Welcome home, my son, it has been far too long.”
His father had been right and he enjoyed his time back. But he was still the sitting Ambassador and he was needed back on Earth before a year passed. His relationship with his mother was mending, Francesco had been her ‘baby’, but he was still her son too. There was still work to do but it looked promising that the rift would heal.
When the Federation ship arrived to return him to Earth, he took his leave.
“Do not let it be so long before you come home again, my son. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather I appoint a new Ambassador in your stead?”
“I am sure, father. There is much work for me to do there yet. I am needed there.”
“You are needed here too.”
“As long as you are on the throne Etalya is in good hands. I am not concerned.”
“And you have found your calling it seems.”
Bari gave his father a quizzical look.
“Each of us has a calling within. As much as it saddens me that yours is not here, I have a father’s pride in a son that has answered his. Be well my son and come home soon and often.”
He’d done just that for the next sixty years but it always seemed he spent years on Earth and only months on Etalya. There was always some new diplomatic crisis or issue of great concern to the UFP and Bari Forelni’s name was almost always among the first to be called upon to solve them.
Another dust-up between the Tellarites and the Andorians had recalled Bari from a visit home some fifteen years before. As it turned out, the matter had been overblown and easily settled. A dinner was thrown for the diplomats to celebrate.
“Ambassador Forelni,” the Vulcan Ambassador Sarek greeted him.
“Ambassador Sarek,” he replied in Vulcan, raising his hand in the Vulcan salute. “May you live long and prosper.”
“Peace and long life,” Sarek replied, returning the salute. “Your Vulcan has improved, Ambassador. I detect no trace of an accent.”
“You are too kind.”
“May I present my wife, Amanda,” Sarek indicated the lovely woman at his side, holding a young baby that appeared no more than a year old.
“An honor, Lady Amanda,” Bari replied, switching back to standard.
“And our son, Spock.”
“Greetings, Young Spock,” Bari offered. The child looked like he was contemplating forming a tiny Vulcan salute. “My compliments on your family, Ambassador.”
“And your family, Ambassador,” Amanda asked.
“I have not yet married. I still have some time before I need worry about beginning a family.”
“Perhaps you’ve not met the right woman?”
“There is that too,” he admitted. “It seems all of the worthy ladies have already been claimed by my fellow Ambassadors. Again, my compliments, sir.”
“How very gallant,” Amanda accepted the compliment as intended. “I’m certain the right woman will be no match for your charms.”
“Perhaps, my wife, the Ambassador’s affairs are his to be concerned with?”
“Quite logical,” Amanda agreed, and Bari caught the slight wink she sent in his direction as she teased her husband. He kept most of his return smile hidden from Sarek’s gaze and took his leave. He barely made it three steps before he ran into Robert April.
“Ambassador Forelni.”
“Robert! A pleasant surprise. What brings you to this mixer?”
“You do.”
“Well, this should liven things up around here. What is on your mind?”
It was then that he’d been first introduced to Robert April’s “Starships”. The concept of a vessel of peaceful exploration to go out on long-term missions, to seek out new life and civilizations beyond those of known space had captured his imagination.
He’d thrown his full support behind the concept and here he was 15 years later seeing the culmination of April’s dreams.
“Ambassador!” April’s voice boomed out, breaking Bari out of his reverie.
“Robert,” he shook hands with his old friend. “She looks even better in orbit that she did in those animations you used during the presentations.”
“She does doesn’t she,” April agreed. “Have you met my first officer? George Kirk, Ambassador Bari Forelni.”
The copper-headed officer next to April extended his hand.
“Met, no,” Bari replied as he shook hands with Kirk. “But I’ve heard of your exploits, especially the unofficial ones involving that ship out there.”
“I thought those were top secret,” Kirk mumbled a little sheepishly.
“I have my connections, Commander,” Bari shrugged. “I understand your son, James, was along for the ride last time.”
“Yes, I thought the experience would scare him right out of space for good. But he’s enrolled in the Academy now.”
“He’s found his calling then,” Bari said, thinking back to his long-ago conversation with his father.
“Yeah, I guess he has.”
Bari turned back to look at the waiting ship.
“Are you sure you don’t want to tag along?” April asked.
“Tempting offer, Robert, but I must pass.”
“Careful, Mr. Ambassador, Robert has a way of sweet-talking you into doing whatever he wants you to do.”
“So I’ve heard, Commander,” Bari quipped. “But when it comes to the honey-sweet words of Robert April I am immune.”
“How so?”
“I’m allergic to honey.”
The three men shared a laugh and parted company, April and Kirk boarding the waiting ship while Bari waited until she had separated from Space Dock and sailed out of sight. There was something about that ship, something that called to something long ago buried within him.
His destiny, his calling, had led him from his home and out into space. But was Earth his final destination? Something within stirred and answered, No. There was somewhere else he that he would go and he had the strangest feeling that the ship he’d just watched sail away would be very much involved in getting him there.
* * * *
NEXT WEEK: The next saga, Star Trek: The Original Series time frame, of The Calling begins.
Click the link to read the complete 16-chapter Star Trek: Enterprise saga.
June 19, 2020
FREE READ FRIDAY: The Path of Ravens
Its Friday!!! That means its time for you to download another free book for your Kindle device!
This week it is: The Path of Ravens
Norse & Greek mythology meets Lovecraftian monsters in “a brilliant concept… an excellent mix of fantasy and myth. From start to finish, it just didn’t stop–adventure and excitement all the way.” (Amazon Customer review)
Thamoth and the other Atlanteans raised from the dead alongside him have but one purpose: to fight an unstoppable, unthinking enemy, The Myriad, which has already conquered Olympus. Their leader Ares and the witch Medea may consider the Atlanteans expendable, but Thamoth is determined to save his people and lead them to sanctuary. He will meet a silent slayer of giants and adopt her world as his own. At great personal cost, he will unlock the secrets of his forgotten past. Thamoth’s journey will take him to the throne-room of Lord Odinn and down the twisted roots of the ancient World Tree Yggdrasil.
Yet there are troubling signs that the nightmarish enemy Thamoth thought he had escaped will end his second chance at life before it has even begun.
The Path of Ravens is an epic journey that borrows names and places from Norse and Greek myth while creating its own mythology, turning gods into men and women who sweat, bleed, and die to defend what is dear to them.
June 13, 2020
1K Weekly Series: The Calling: Chapter 15
A Work Of Star Trek Fan Fiction By Richard Paolinelli
© 2020 RICHARD PAOLINELLI . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO COPYING OR ANY OTHER REPRODUCTION OF THIS STORY IS PERMITTED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION. This is a work of fan fiction based in the universe of Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry. It is not intended to be sold, to be used to aid in any sale and is not to be copied or used in any other way by any other party.
CHAPTER 15
The Royal Palace was once again draped in the black of mourning. Prince Francesco’s body lay in state in the Great Hall and would do so for three more days until the funeral. Then he would be laid to rest in the Royal Crypt next to his ancestors. There was a casket bearing the name and likeness of the Princess Gianna, but no body lay within it marble walls. Her body had been reduced to ash by the Klingons long before the Etalyian fleet had arrived over Qo’noS.
The major families would all be in attendance, save of course the Antonius’. That they were persona non gratia would be an understatement. Gossipers at the Court wondered whom Marcus would send as his replacement on the Council. It was supposed to be done by a vote of the people of course, but in that district it was known the people voted the way they were told to.
Most settled on it being Marcellus Antonius, Marcus’ eldest son. Others doubted that choice. Marcellus and Prince Bari had a dark history going back many decades. A few wondered if Marcus would go outside the family, if only to keep whoever eventually took the seat alive longer than five minutes. There were many who doubted their Prince would allow Marcus to roam Etalya a free man for very long.
But the question on everyone’s mind centered on one question: Would the Prince attend his brother’s funeral at all? He’d locked himself away in his nearby dimora after the Royal Doctor had repaired his damaged left hand. In the days following the fatal fight, only his friend Paulo, the Chamberlain and a few servants had seen or even spoken to him. The King had sent a royal summons requiring Bari’s presence. The summons went unanswered.
Both the Chamberlain and Paulo had been dispatched to bring the Prince back to the Palace. They returned without him less than an hour later.
“Your Majesties,” the Chamberlain reported. “He….he is…”
The older man could not finish, sadly shaking his head.
“He seems like a man fighting with demons,” Paulo said softly. “Demons only he can see. And it is a fight I fear that he is losing.”
* * * * *
The day of the funeral arrived. Archer and his command staff were in attendance in full dress uniform. It seemed all of Etalya had gathered here once again to bid farewell to a Royal child. It was an hour long affair, capped by the procession to place the casket within the crypt, and had more than a trace of Roman Catholic themes to it.
No one actually saw Prince Bari during the ceremony. Many whispered of a remote figure that kept to the shadows and kept its distance. Covered in a plain black cloak and hood, no one could make out any feature of who the mysterious figure was. But it seemed most likely this had to be the Prince. When the doors to the crypt slammed shut, signaling the end of the funeral, the mysterious figure seemed to melt in the shadows and was not seen again.
* * * * *
The day after Francesco’s funeral, Archer arrived at the Great Hall to take his ship’s leave. The King was there to greet him.
“How is the Queen?” Archer cast a glance at her empty seat near the King’s unoccupied throne.
“Still in mourning, as we all are and will be for some time.”
“I was also hoping to say goodbye to the Prince.”
“My son is much like my wife in matters such as these, Captain,” the King sighed. “It will be of interest to see which decides to rejoin the world of the living first. As for which of them blames him the most for what has happened…”
The King offered a slight shrug as his voice trailed off.
“And does the King also blame his son?”
“A fair question. No, Captain. The King understands what happened had to happen. The father understands and does not hold his son to any blame. The mother on the other hand?” Another sigh. “It will take time for the wounds to heal and some longer than others. But they will heal.”
“Perhaps a change of scenery for a brief time might help?” Archer was struck by a sudden idea.
“What do you mean?”
“Back on Earth,” Archer began, “we are trying to form a union, a federation of sorts, of planets in this quadrant. For mutual exploration and defense. Etalya should be a part of that effort, to show that it can wage peace as well as it can wage war when it has too.”
“And you think my son…?”
“Would make a very good Ambassador to Earth for your people. And perhaps some time away from being reminded of what happened will help him too.”
“This idea has some merit at that,” the King agreed. “Come, Captain, let us both present it to my son. Assuming he will let us past his front door.”
* * * * *
They found Bari in his gardens, staring out of the growth of flowers and bushes. An unopened bottle of wine sat on a table next to him. Another unopened bottle rested in his bandaged right hand and a clean glass sat on the top of the wall he was leaning up against.
“I am told if you open the bottle first, it is easier to consume its contents,” the King offered as they approached. The Prince did not turn to greet his visitors. He looked gaunt and pale. Rumor had it he wasn’t eating much, if anything nor had he been drinking.
“This was the bottle Francesco was to present to be if I should ascend to your throne,” the Prince’s voice sounded flat. “That one down there was the one I would have given him had he taken it instead.”
“And are you planning to drink them both?” the King asked.
“I was wondering if I should save them for a better day, assuming such a day would ever come. Or should I just toss them down on the walk below to smash the concrete and let the wine drain into the ground.”
“It seems a shame to waste them,” the King said softly, walking up to place a hand on his son’s forearm. “There are many better days ahead, my son, even though all you can see now is the darkness.”
Only then did Bari turn to face his father. Archer had heard the story of Paulo’s report of Bari “fighting demons” and the face he beheld was one that had indeed been in such a battle.
“And you, Captain,” Bari looked over at Archer. “Do you see better days ahead?”
“I do.”
“Perhaps he even brings one of many to you know, my son. Etalya needs an Ambassador to Earth. There is talk of a federation of worlds forming. As you said before, Etalya needs to take her place among those worlds. Who better to be her champion than you?”
“A man who slaughtered an entire race to near extinction? A man who slew his own brother? Would you send for Cain, Captain, to make peace with his cousins after he’d murdered Abel?”
“I would,” Archer replied. “When it was Abel who was the jealous brother who attacked Cain and gave him no choice but to defend himself. And you didn’t exterminate the Klingons when you easily could have done so. You stopped the bloodshed when it needed to be stopped and gave peace in this quadrant a chance. Any man who can do that is someone we need on Earth right now.”
Bari turned away to look back over the gardens and said nothing.
“Paulo will remain as Minister of Defense,” the King added. “We will be in good hands here. You need to do this, Bari, for Etalya. But more importantly, you need to do this for you.”
Bari drew in a long breath, held it and slowly let it out. He handed his father the bottle in his hand, then picked up the other bottle and handed that one over too. The King shot his son a puzzled look.
“Keep them for me,” Bari said. “For that better day.”
The Prince turned to Archer and held out his hands.
“When do we leave?”
“Whenever you are ready, Mr. Ambassador.”
* * * * *
This marks the end of Part One of The Calling. Next week’s episode will be “Interlude: The Time Between Sagas”. It will run on June 20th and bridges the gap between the end of this, the Star Trek: Enterprise saga, and the beginning of Part Two of The Calling, the Star Trek: The Original Series saga which will begin on June 27th.
Previous Episodes:
