I suppose that I had never stopped to consider just how terribly annoying it is trying to deal with rehearsals of our praise and worship team until recently.
It's so frustrating to have technical problems of unknown origin, with everyone yelling about how it needs to be fixed, and nobody being quiet so you can figure out where the problem is... then when you discover the source of the problem and fix it other things pop up. "I'm not loud enough, she's too loud... etc." but when you try to fix these, you've got the one guy on the team who plays drums who won't stop long enough for you to get a proper mic check. Even worse, he plays so loud he's bleeding into every mic on stage! Then, when you're trying to make sure the sound is clean, you've got people out in the room making so much noise you can't hear things even though you're wearing headphones.
On the other hand, I think I'm better suited for making sure the sounds work well right now than the other people messing with the sound board, because I've been well acquainted with the system we're using for the locations of mics and amps, and the channels for audio feed and monitors.
Ultimately, I can do this... I can do this, but I don't want to do this. I'd rather be singing than working the sound board; I'm ok with doing the sound since I can't sing because at least I can make sure it sounds right.
Such is the volunteerism I do. Honestly, volunteering to do stuff sucks. On the other hand, it's important, and when it doesn't suck it's just plain awesome. Very little middle ground. Highs and lows all the time.
Now if only I had someone who I could call my significant other, who would serenade me with a soothing croon and beautiful guitar. Oh, sorry, I guess I was daydreaming because at times fantasy feels better than reality.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
The scientist's plan(et)
It was a revolutionary idea! The scientists said that they thought it would be possible to use the long unused art of "alchemy" which had been discarded many years ago. People were confused why this statement was made by some of the most respected contributors to the scientific community.
The premise they had set forth was a simple one. Using the technology we had developed, alchemy as a respectable and reputable scientific field of study was once again possible. Skeptics around the world laughed! Nobody had seen this coming, except for those of the highest elite in the world of science. The Manifold, or so it was called, was a secret group of the 50 most advanced scientific minds. They had for years been collecting ancient documents about alchemy, and preforming tests. Now, less than 20 years since humanity had managed to establish a large and permanent space station in geo-asynchronous orbit around Earth, there was talk of a new plan. The plan to colonize another planet for the first time.
The plan was incredibly expensive, but what surprised people was how the funding for this "crazy idea" had cropped up all over the world! Some of the richest people in the world contributed huge trust funds to Manifold Inc., the business run by the formerly secret scientific group. In order to present their idea, they had come out of hiding, so to speak. The plan, however, was that only Manifold would get to go to Mars for colonization, which effectively kept them just as secret as ever.
It was only two short years after the announcement that the colony ship departed from space station Halo Watch. Equipped with some of the most advanced technology of the time, the Atlas made its journey to Venus, known to be exceptionally hot. It was that exceptional heat that would be the reason the alchemy would be usable with modern technology.
The crew of the ship activated the heat shield, and the ship descended onto the planet's surface. The acidic properties of the clouds would have troubled the scientists, if it weren't for the fact that the ship had been built to absorb sulfur, and reinforce the pressure-resistant plating. Through this marvel of science, the ship would be capable of surviving the trip to the surface, and surely it did.
The next few weeks were a bit troublesome, as steps had to be taken gradually to enable the scientists to begin their colony. First was the wind barrier, using a combination of weights and alchemy enhanced gels, a barrier would be constructed through a continued growth powered by the planet's own atmosphere. Like sandstone being formed when sand is put under intense pressure, is how some of the less eloquent speakers had described it.
Following this, the formation of the Eco dome was a primary concern. Fortunately, with the abundance of thermal energy, and the completion of the wind shield, the Eco dome was the first project on Venus to be made entirely through through alchemy. Scientifically, the abundance of carbon dioxide and heat meant there were plenty of supplies, if they could be changed properly. With the equipment they brought, old equipment designs modified to include modern technology, they managed to synthesize new materials. The Eco dome was ready to be utilized in a mere two days.
The next steps were all done around the same time, stabilization of the surface to avoid eruptions, minor terraforming, and the beginning of the basic agriculture needed to help sustain the environment. The entire process was going smoothly, and on schedule. Using wind generation, atmothermal power, and small-scale nuclear fission, the facility had more than enough power to provide chemical alterations, and basic supplies.
Several months later, Antares stepped out from his bunk, and went about his morning routine. A quick hydro re-utilization shower, a cup of coffee, and his morning reports. Lab 2, which had been working on their hydroponic agriculture had been doing exceptionally well and were ready for the harvest of strawberries this week. Antares was pleased, this would be the first crop of strawberries. He loved strawberries, and had been missing them since he left home. Lab 5 had been conducting further research on the pressure-based transmission system, and had finally managed to create a seamless transmission. Simply put, communications were now easier than ever from Venus to Earth and Halo Watch. It would be good for morale to allow the people stationed here a chance to speak with their relatives and loved ones back on Earth. Various smaller reports on projects and research here and there also surrounded his reading pane.
Finally finished with his morning coffee, Antares dropped his mug into the maitra d' (short for the matter iteration reclamation and disintegration unit). It popped out clean, and he placed it back in his cabinet. After getting into his uniform, he went to his office, where he was going to be watching over the system maintenance for the dome. Normally, things were pretty quiet. The system they used to monitor the activity of the planet and retain the stability of the dome was quite powerful. If there was even a small problem, it would alert Antares immediately. Antares was allowed to access the communication system first this cycle. Taking the chance he had, Antares opened a channel to his mother.
"Oh! Fred, come quick! It's our Ante, Ante's on the doohickey!" A scrawny lady with large glasses and curly hair called out. She wore a floral print dress, and a pink knit sweater. Antares sighed, he told his mother numerous times that he thought she looked ridiculous wearing that outfit. She didn't listen, she always said that a lady should feel comfortable first, and look good second.
"Who's on the what now?" A balding man asked as he entered the room on the display screen. The old lady repeated herself, and then started to talk about how she hated repeating herself. "What was that?" The old man replied again, earning him a quick knock on the head by the woman. She rebuked him for not having his hearing aid on. He reluctantly turned the dial. "Ok, so I still don't know what you said but we don't have time for that. Look who's calling us! It's Ante!"
"I said it was Ante! I said it twice, but you didn't hear me because you weren't listening. Keep your hearing aid on, you know your doctor said" she started, but as she did Antares decided to interrupt. After all, he was limited on how long he was allowed to use the communication system before someone else was given access.
"Hi, mom, dad. Its been busy over here. Say, when am I calling, exactly?" Antares asked, and although his mother was a bit upset at first for being interrupted, the parents both soon looked at him in a manner befitting a person who has been asked the most difficult riddle ever.
"I thought my memory was bad, honey! Look at how Ante can't even remember what day it is. I'm shocked!" Fred replied.
"It's not my memory, dad! Geez. No, it's just a bit hard to know how long it has been since I talked to you. I mean, our days are almost a year long. Here, we go by 'cycles' not 'days, months, and years'. So, as I was saying, when am I calling?"
"Don't mind your father, you know he likes to joke about this kind of stuff," she gave Fred a swift look, grinning, "but you're right you've taken way too long to talk to us! It's been almost a month since you've called. Which reminds me, was our reception always this good?"
"You call this good, Doris? Well, ok, actually this is pretty good. Why can't the cableman get our soaps to come in clear like this, but he makes the phone nice all the sudden."
"Actually, dad, that's on our end. We just upgraded our communications so that our reception would be much better. The cableman didn't have anything to do with this."
"Ah, I see. Well, then maybe you could make our soaps come in clearer. Come back home son, I'll have your mom cook some real food for you, maybe even a strawberry shortcake or something, and you can fix our tv while you're at it."
"Dad, you know I can't do that. I have to stay here for a while, you know that. All this is way off topic, though. How are you both?" Antares responded
"Oh, honey, we miss you so much, really. I understand you can't come home yet, but your father and I are so worried about you. Are you eating well? You look a bit thin. You haven't been going hungry have you? Oh! I knew I should have packed an extra sandwich into your travel case before you left!"
"Mom! Stop it about the food already! What could one more sandwich several months ago do that hasn't already been done? And, you don't have to be worried about me. If anything I'm the safest one here. I monitor all the equipment that tells us if there's a problem. I'd know if there were a problem before anyone else."
"Well, Ante, I don't like it. You're too far out there. And what about kids, huh? When do I get to have little grand-kids? Never if you stay out there! Honestly, why couldn't you have stayed home and just settled down with a nice woman. You know, I hear Barbra has a nice daughter around your age..."
"Mom! Ah, do I have to explain this to you again? I'll have plenty of time to find and marry the right woman, but right now I'm on the most import..." alarms and lights started flashing, and Antares wasn't able to finish. According to the monitoring system, there was a breach in the wind shield. From the looks of the readout, Antares could tell that it was bigger than simple erosion would explain. Antares had to act fast. The Eco dome wouldn't be able to sustain the sheer force of the winds for very long before collapsing.
Disconnecting from his parents, Antares alerted the labs to take shelter, in case of a complete loss of structural integrity. After this, he burst out of his office, and into Lab 1. Lab 1 was in charge of all the maintenance and repairs of the colony, and now it was their time to shine. The crew all donned their pressure suits, and headed out of the dome and into the barren landscape beyond it.
The winds pouring through the rift in the wall were strong. According to the instruments, it was causing significant damage to the wall just by the strength of the winds due to the wind tunnel effect. Winds on Venus were usually faster than the planet's rotation anyway. As the drag caused by the wind increased, loose portions of the wall's stone-like structure were being broken free, and flying away through the air at high speeds.
Antares and the three men he had brought with him were equipped with some of the more advanced technological construction equipment devices. Using a cold-fusion, the machines were capable of producing something that seemed to be a "matter beam" from the operating end. In reality all they did was compress molecular structures, and crystallize them instantaneously. These devices were better in many regards than welding torches because the didn't require any heat output and their fuel was something found in abundance on the surface of Venus: atmospheric pressure.
Instructing his team, Antares began to get the repair underway. Things were moving along well, and the rift was closing again. Meanwhile, Antares checked for the cause of the problem. An eruption had occurred on the surface about 30 meters from the site of the wind shield. Some debris had flown into the shield, and broken it apart. Antares left his three men to examine the eruption closer.
Entering the area where the eruption had occurred, Antares noticed that it had been a small one, and was seemingly finished. Taking his alchemy equipment down inside the rupture, Antares began analyzing the composition of the residue on the interior to determine the type of eruption. According to his scans, it had been a forceful outgassing of hydrogen. This made Antares uneasy. Hydrogen wasn't supposed to be on Venus naturally. Antares sent down a probe he had developed to investigate problems like this, should they arise.
He had never suspected it would be used like this. When Antares had made this probe, he figured it likely that it would be used for surface exploration sometime after the first year, or to examine local eruptions that went too deep to safely traverse in person. He had never thought the first eruption it would be examining would be a hydrogen outgassing. It had a mounted camera, which sent a live feed to the handheld device that was mounted to the pressure suit (to prevent its loss in heavy winds).
The tunnel showed no signs of tampering, it had been a natural occurrence. Further in, the probe sent back footage of a large cavern. Now he understood, it was a pocket of hydrogen located just under the surface. But why had it erupted now, after all this time? The probe moved about a little more, and found a crack caused by tension in one of the cavern's walls. Of course, that meant there was more than one pocket of gas, and they were all under pressure.
It dawned on Antares suddenly that they might not be safe. Leaving the probe behind, Antares rushed back to the wall, which was almost rebuilt. He signaled the men to come back to the dome as soon as they were finished. He rushed inside the dome, and went quickly to Lab 1 to begin doing some simulations on the current surface activity and subterranean tensions.
When the others arrived from repairing the wall, Antares displayed the footage for all of the Lab 1 workers to see, and then began issuing orders to run a variety of simulations. Taking the handheld probe device out of the holding mount on his pressure suit, he began once again to explore the region. A short distance in, and the ground collapsed behind the probe, trapping it inside the area. The probe chipped away at a formation in front of it which was small, and filled with loose gravel. Directing the probe to move further inside, Antares saw though the video feed that located almost directly under the surface of the planet where the Eco dome had been placed was a huge cavern. There was, of course, no cause for concern about a collapse, as several measures had been taken at landing to ensure stability of the ground beneath the structures.
On the far side of the cavern, Antares' probe caught a glimmer of light. Curious of what it was, Antares drove the probe closer, and discovered that there was some kind of metal embedded in the wall. A few key presses later, the probe had begun to extract a sample to see what type of metal it was. This was the biggest blunder Antares had ever made. He hadn't realized it, but for some time, the probe had been completely submerged in a high-pressure high-concentration pocket of Hydrogen. When the probe struck the metal with its claw, there was a brief spark.
"Sir, we ran the simulation, and we've determined that there's the possibility that we could" one scientist said as he burst into the office, but he was cut off by the sound of a huge explosion inside the dome. Antares pressed a button on the wall, which activated an automatic message informing all inhabitants of the colony to don their pressure suits immediately. Antares and his people were quick to follow these safety precautions.
Everything they had worked for so long to achieve was gone. It was like walking into a disaster scene. A crater opening up beneath labs 3, 6, and all the labs with identification numbers higher than 9 (about 12 in all) was all that remained where places of research once stood. The Eco dome had been blasted away through massive over-pressurization followed by massive decompression. The Atlas, was fine because of its location. So were labs 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. Sadly, the most important supplies were located in the labs that had been lost. Fortunately, since lab 2 and lab 5 were still around they could still eat and communicate with Halo Watch (however they could not make a clear connection with Earth for some reason).
Antares had to make a decision. He didn't hesitate, but made a choice that would affect the way humankind would develop over the course of the next decade.
"The surface of Venus was too unstable for inhabitance at the time. An explosion accidentally triggered by a probe caused the loss of a majority of the equipment and supplies. The Atlas remained intact, and so the colony was withdrawn." Antares read the report out loud to the executive.
"I see, so I'm guessing that you know the amount of money that was lost on this venture as the result of this decision?" The executive asked.
"Yes, sir. In addition, the casualties from the seed group totaled at almost 20, 40% of our initial group. I have personally informed the families of those who died in this accident, for those who had any that is."
"And I suppose you feel this was a lesson well learned? I suppose you're happy with this outcome?"
"Of course not! We can't just give up, but Venus was a risky choice for the first colonization, anyway. We can always try again later. We still managed to advance our research and technology significantly."
Antares watched as the executive stood from his seat at the lone mahogany desk in the skyscraper's top floor office. Slowly, the executive walked around the desk, and stood face-to-face with Antares. It was very clear what was about to happen. Antares had been dreading this day from the moment the Atlas had taken leave of Venus' surface. The executive walked over to the door, and opened it.
"Then I suppose the seat is all yours again, and good riddance. I'm glad I no longer have to deal with the mounds of paperwork that come streaming in everyday. It was nice having all the power, but I don't know how you put up with the work that goes with it. Have fun!" The man said as he left, closing the door behind him.
Antares reclaimed his rightful seat at the desk. Heaving a huge sigh, he began filling out the paperwork that was stacked next to him. Insurance claims, severance packages, and numerous other legal and financial documents. This was the reason Antares had gone in the first place: to escape from the paperwork. Now he was trapped once again in the tedium of life.
"Soon, I'll be able to leave again. I can't bear dealing with this for long. But that's ok, I have another plan(et)." He said to himself.
The premise they had set forth was a simple one. Using the technology we had developed, alchemy as a respectable and reputable scientific field of study was once again possible. Skeptics around the world laughed! Nobody had seen this coming, except for those of the highest elite in the world of science. The Manifold, or so it was called, was a secret group of the 50 most advanced scientific minds. They had for years been collecting ancient documents about alchemy, and preforming tests. Now, less than 20 years since humanity had managed to establish a large and permanent space station in geo-asynchronous orbit around Earth, there was talk of a new plan. The plan to colonize another planet for the first time.
The plan was incredibly expensive, but what surprised people was how the funding for this "crazy idea" had cropped up all over the world! Some of the richest people in the world contributed huge trust funds to Manifold Inc., the business run by the formerly secret scientific group. In order to present their idea, they had come out of hiding, so to speak. The plan, however, was that only Manifold would get to go to Mars for colonization, which effectively kept them just as secret as ever.
It was only two short years after the announcement that the colony ship departed from space station Halo Watch. Equipped with some of the most advanced technology of the time, the Atlas made its journey to Venus, known to be exceptionally hot. It was that exceptional heat that would be the reason the alchemy would be usable with modern technology.
The crew of the ship activated the heat shield, and the ship descended onto the planet's surface. The acidic properties of the clouds would have troubled the scientists, if it weren't for the fact that the ship had been built to absorb sulfur, and reinforce the pressure-resistant plating. Through this marvel of science, the ship would be capable of surviving the trip to the surface, and surely it did.
The next few weeks were a bit troublesome, as steps had to be taken gradually to enable the scientists to begin their colony. First was the wind barrier, using a combination of weights and alchemy enhanced gels, a barrier would be constructed through a continued growth powered by the planet's own atmosphere. Like sandstone being formed when sand is put under intense pressure, is how some of the less eloquent speakers had described it.
Following this, the formation of the Eco dome was a primary concern. Fortunately, with the abundance of thermal energy, and the completion of the wind shield, the Eco dome was the first project on Venus to be made entirely through through alchemy. Scientifically, the abundance of carbon dioxide and heat meant there were plenty of supplies, if they could be changed properly. With the equipment they brought, old equipment designs modified to include modern technology, they managed to synthesize new materials. The Eco dome was ready to be utilized in a mere two days.
The next steps were all done around the same time, stabilization of the surface to avoid eruptions, minor terraforming, and the beginning of the basic agriculture needed to help sustain the environment. The entire process was going smoothly, and on schedule. Using wind generation, atmothermal power, and small-scale nuclear fission, the facility had more than enough power to provide chemical alterations, and basic supplies.
***
Several months later, Antares stepped out from his bunk, and went about his morning routine. A quick hydro re-utilization shower, a cup of coffee, and his morning reports. Lab 2, which had been working on their hydroponic agriculture had been doing exceptionally well and were ready for the harvest of strawberries this week. Antares was pleased, this would be the first crop of strawberries. He loved strawberries, and had been missing them since he left home. Lab 5 had been conducting further research on the pressure-based transmission system, and had finally managed to create a seamless transmission. Simply put, communications were now easier than ever from Venus to Earth and Halo Watch. It would be good for morale to allow the people stationed here a chance to speak with their relatives and loved ones back on Earth. Various smaller reports on projects and research here and there also surrounded his reading pane.
Finally finished with his morning coffee, Antares dropped his mug into the maitra d' (short for the matter iteration reclamation and disintegration unit). It popped out clean, and he placed it back in his cabinet. After getting into his uniform, he went to his office, where he was going to be watching over the system maintenance for the dome. Normally, things were pretty quiet. The system they used to monitor the activity of the planet and retain the stability of the dome was quite powerful. If there was even a small problem, it would alert Antares immediately. Antares was allowed to access the communication system first this cycle. Taking the chance he had, Antares opened a channel to his mother.
"Oh! Fred, come quick! It's our Ante, Ante's on the doohickey!" A scrawny lady with large glasses and curly hair called out. She wore a floral print dress, and a pink knit sweater. Antares sighed, he told his mother numerous times that he thought she looked ridiculous wearing that outfit. She didn't listen, she always said that a lady should feel comfortable first, and look good second.
"Who's on the what now?" A balding man asked as he entered the room on the display screen. The old lady repeated herself, and then started to talk about how she hated repeating herself. "What was that?" The old man replied again, earning him a quick knock on the head by the woman. She rebuked him for not having his hearing aid on. He reluctantly turned the dial. "Ok, so I still don't know what you said but we don't have time for that. Look who's calling us! It's Ante!"
"I said it was Ante! I said it twice, but you didn't hear me because you weren't listening. Keep your hearing aid on, you know your doctor said" she started, but as she did Antares decided to interrupt. After all, he was limited on how long he was allowed to use the communication system before someone else was given access.
"Hi, mom, dad. Its been busy over here. Say, when am I calling, exactly?" Antares asked, and although his mother was a bit upset at first for being interrupted, the parents both soon looked at him in a manner befitting a person who has been asked the most difficult riddle ever.
"I thought my memory was bad, honey! Look at how Ante can't even remember what day it is. I'm shocked!" Fred replied.
"It's not my memory, dad! Geez. No, it's just a bit hard to know how long it has been since I talked to you. I mean, our days are almost a year long. Here, we go by 'cycles' not 'days, months, and years'. So, as I was saying, when am I calling?"
"Don't mind your father, you know he likes to joke about this kind of stuff," she gave Fred a swift look, grinning, "but you're right you've taken way too long to talk to us! It's been almost a month since you've called. Which reminds me, was our reception always this good?"
"You call this good, Doris? Well, ok, actually this is pretty good. Why can't the cableman get our soaps to come in clear like this, but he makes the phone nice all the sudden."
"Actually, dad, that's on our end. We just upgraded our communications so that our reception would be much better. The cableman didn't have anything to do with this."
"Ah, I see. Well, then maybe you could make our soaps come in clearer. Come back home son, I'll have your mom cook some real food for you, maybe even a strawberry shortcake or something, and you can fix our tv while you're at it."
"Dad, you know I can't do that. I have to stay here for a while, you know that. All this is way off topic, though. How are you both?" Antares responded
"Oh, honey, we miss you so much, really. I understand you can't come home yet, but your father and I are so worried about you. Are you eating well? You look a bit thin. You haven't been going hungry have you? Oh! I knew I should have packed an extra sandwich into your travel case before you left!"
"Mom! Stop it about the food already! What could one more sandwich several months ago do that hasn't already been done? And, you don't have to be worried about me. If anything I'm the safest one here. I monitor all the equipment that tells us if there's a problem. I'd know if there were a problem before anyone else."
"Well, Ante, I don't like it. You're too far out there. And what about kids, huh? When do I get to have little grand-kids? Never if you stay out there! Honestly, why couldn't you have stayed home and just settled down with a nice woman. You know, I hear Barbra has a nice daughter around your age..."
"Mom! Ah, do I have to explain this to you again? I'll have plenty of time to find and marry the right woman, but right now I'm on the most import..." alarms and lights started flashing, and Antares wasn't able to finish. According to the monitoring system, there was a breach in the wind shield. From the looks of the readout, Antares could tell that it was bigger than simple erosion would explain. Antares had to act fast. The Eco dome wouldn't be able to sustain the sheer force of the winds for very long before collapsing.
Disconnecting from his parents, Antares alerted the labs to take shelter, in case of a complete loss of structural integrity. After this, he burst out of his office, and into Lab 1. Lab 1 was in charge of all the maintenance and repairs of the colony, and now it was their time to shine. The crew all donned their pressure suits, and headed out of the dome and into the barren landscape beyond it.
The winds pouring through the rift in the wall were strong. According to the instruments, it was causing significant damage to the wall just by the strength of the winds due to the wind tunnel effect. Winds on Venus were usually faster than the planet's rotation anyway. As the drag caused by the wind increased, loose portions of the wall's stone-like structure were being broken free, and flying away through the air at high speeds.
Antares and the three men he had brought with him were equipped with some of the more advanced technological construction equipment devices. Using a cold-fusion, the machines were capable of producing something that seemed to be a "matter beam" from the operating end. In reality all they did was compress molecular structures, and crystallize them instantaneously. These devices were better in many regards than welding torches because the didn't require any heat output and their fuel was something found in abundance on the surface of Venus: atmospheric pressure.
Instructing his team, Antares began to get the repair underway. Things were moving along well, and the rift was closing again. Meanwhile, Antares checked for the cause of the problem. An eruption had occurred on the surface about 30 meters from the site of the wind shield. Some debris had flown into the shield, and broken it apart. Antares left his three men to examine the eruption closer.
Entering the area where the eruption had occurred, Antares noticed that it had been a small one, and was seemingly finished. Taking his alchemy equipment down inside the rupture, Antares began analyzing the composition of the residue on the interior to determine the type of eruption. According to his scans, it had been a forceful outgassing of hydrogen. This made Antares uneasy. Hydrogen wasn't supposed to be on Venus naturally. Antares sent down a probe he had developed to investigate problems like this, should they arise.
He had never suspected it would be used like this. When Antares had made this probe, he figured it likely that it would be used for surface exploration sometime after the first year, or to examine local eruptions that went too deep to safely traverse in person. He had never thought the first eruption it would be examining would be a hydrogen outgassing. It had a mounted camera, which sent a live feed to the handheld device that was mounted to the pressure suit (to prevent its loss in heavy winds).
The tunnel showed no signs of tampering, it had been a natural occurrence. Further in, the probe sent back footage of a large cavern. Now he understood, it was a pocket of hydrogen located just under the surface. But why had it erupted now, after all this time? The probe moved about a little more, and found a crack caused by tension in one of the cavern's walls. Of course, that meant there was more than one pocket of gas, and they were all under pressure.
It dawned on Antares suddenly that they might not be safe. Leaving the probe behind, Antares rushed back to the wall, which was almost rebuilt. He signaled the men to come back to the dome as soon as they were finished. He rushed inside the dome, and went quickly to Lab 1 to begin doing some simulations on the current surface activity and subterranean tensions.
When the others arrived from repairing the wall, Antares displayed the footage for all of the Lab 1 workers to see, and then began issuing orders to run a variety of simulations. Taking the handheld probe device out of the holding mount on his pressure suit, he began once again to explore the region. A short distance in, and the ground collapsed behind the probe, trapping it inside the area. The probe chipped away at a formation in front of it which was small, and filled with loose gravel. Directing the probe to move further inside, Antares saw though the video feed that located almost directly under the surface of the planet where the Eco dome had been placed was a huge cavern. There was, of course, no cause for concern about a collapse, as several measures had been taken at landing to ensure stability of the ground beneath the structures.
On the far side of the cavern, Antares' probe caught a glimmer of light. Curious of what it was, Antares drove the probe closer, and discovered that there was some kind of metal embedded in the wall. A few key presses later, the probe had begun to extract a sample to see what type of metal it was. This was the biggest blunder Antares had ever made. He hadn't realized it, but for some time, the probe had been completely submerged in a high-pressure high-concentration pocket of Hydrogen. When the probe struck the metal with its claw, there was a brief spark.
"Sir, we ran the simulation, and we've determined that there's the possibility that we could" one scientist said as he burst into the office, but he was cut off by the sound of a huge explosion inside the dome. Antares pressed a button on the wall, which activated an automatic message informing all inhabitants of the colony to don their pressure suits immediately. Antares and his people were quick to follow these safety precautions.
Everything they had worked for so long to achieve was gone. It was like walking into a disaster scene. A crater opening up beneath labs 3, 6, and all the labs with identification numbers higher than 9 (about 12 in all) was all that remained where places of research once stood. The Eco dome had been blasted away through massive over-pressurization followed by massive decompression. The Atlas, was fine because of its location. So were labs 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. Sadly, the most important supplies were located in the labs that had been lost. Fortunately, since lab 2 and lab 5 were still around they could still eat and communicate with Halo Watch (however they could not make a clear connection with Earth for some reason).
Antares had to make a decision. He didn't hesitate, but made a choice that would affect the way humankind would develop over the course of the next decade.
***
"The surface of Venus was too unstable for inhabitance at the time. An explosion accidentally triggered by a probe caused the loss of a majority of the equipment and supplies. The Atlas remained intact, and so the colony was withdrawn." Antares read the report out loud to the executive.
"I see, so I'm guessing that you know the amount of money that was lost on this venture as the result of this decision?" The executive asked.
"Yes, sir. In addition, the casualties from the seed group totaled at almost 20, 40% of our initial group. I have personally informed the families of those who died in this accident, for those who had any that is."
"And I suppose you feel this was a lesson well learned? I suppose you're happy with this outcome?"
"Of course not! We can't just give up, but Venus was a risky choice for the first colonization, anyway. We can always try again later. We still managed to advance our research and technology significantly."
Antares watched as the executive stood from his seat at the lone mahogany desk in the skyscraper's top floor office. Slowly, the executive walked around the desk, and stood face-to-face with Antares. It was very clear what was about to happen. Antares had been dreading this day from the moment the Atlas had taken leave of Venus' surface. The executive walked over to the door, and opened it.
"Then I suppose the seat is all yours again, and good riddance. I'm glad I no longer have to deal with the mounds of paperwork that come streaming in everyday. It was nice having all the power, but I don't know how you put up with the work that goes with it. Have fun!" The man said as he left, closing the door behind him.
Antares reclaimed his rightful seat at the desk. Heaving a huge sigh, he began filling out the paperwork that was stacked next to him. Insurance claims, severance packages, and numerous other legal and financial documents. This was the reason Antares had gone in the first place: to escape from the paperwork. Now he was trapped once again in the tedium of life.
"Soon, I'll be able to leave again. I can't bear dealing with this for long. But that's ok, I have another plan(et)." He said to himself.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
What a bothersome thing to do.
I understand that the reason we have the ability to live as freely as we do in America hinges on our bill of constitutional rights. I also understand that one of these rights is the right of free speech. No, really! I get it, I promise!
I don't personally believe that burning a flag should be illegal. It is within our rights as Americans to burn flags (including that of the American flag) as long as it doesn't endanger the lives of others directly (such as using it as a way to commit arson).
I don't actually approve of the activity of doing this, though. Hanging flags upside down, standing on top of flags, and burning flags all strike me as terribly disrespectful. Now, to some extent, I don't mind. I mean, if you are terribly opposed to another country and do these things, well that's a form of expression and more power to you, I guess.
I think it's entirely different when you live in and enjoy the privileges of that country (I'm really specifically referring to America, but Canada or other countries with privileges count too) but then you go burning and otherwise disrespecting a symbol of the country. If an American doesn't respect their country enough to treat a generally accepted symbol of the country properly, then they probably shouldn't live in America either. I'm an American, and I understand that the government doesn't always do things right, and neither do the people or the businesses. On the other hand, though, living in America does come with a really nice set of rights that aren't quite the same anywhere else in the world (to my knowledge, at this time).
On a slightly different and related note, regardless of if a person respects the country being symbolized by a flag, I cannot help but still be disappointed in people who would burn and tarnish flags in general. My reason is that I consider it a rather bothersome thing to do. Flags aren't grown, they're made. When a person is burning a flag, they're being disrespectful to anyone involved in the process that resulted in the production of that flag. Like saying "your work is so pointless, worthless, or unimportant that it doesn't matter what I do with it, because the fact that you put forth effort to ensure that this nicely made flag here doesn't matter, so I'll do whatever I want with it, including destroying it". I wouldn't feel like saying that to someone. Certainly, I wouldn't want to say that to the face of everybody involved in the process of making an American flag. What a bothersome and rude thing to do.
It is for that very reason that I think that groups in America which participate in flag burning, and flag desecration (lesser offenses to the military funeral and parade picketing they do at the same time, but I'm not going into that either, although I disapprove of these things as well, but understand that picketing has a time and a place) should really consider whether or not they mean what the desecration of the symbolic American flag represents: an overwhelming disrespect for America, the privileges afforded by the constitution, and the work of all the people who made the flag.
On a final note, it is my firm opinion that a person who hides behind freedom of speech to cry out against America saying that the entire country should be destroyed, that the people who fight for the freedoms (including that precious freedom of speech) deserve to die, and that all the people within
are deserving of terrible things happening to them should realize something very important...
If the people within deserve terrible things, then you as an American deserve terrible things.
If the people who fight for the freedoms deserve to die, don't be upset when your freedoms that allow you to protest the country disappear.
If the country should be destroyed, don't go crying "foul" when you find yourself unable to practice the religion, the cultures, the customs, and the free speech that you get to practice now because the country where these things are offered is gone.
Of course, perhaps if you do these things, you'll be lucky, and the country will live on, the people who defend us will return home, and nothing bad will happen. Still, spouting out nonsense like this doesn't win friends, and I highly doubt it will ever influence anyone to listen and heed your words.
I don't personally believe that burning a flag should be illegal. It is within our rights as Americans to burn flags (including that of the American flag) as long as it doesn't endanger the lives of others directly (such as using it as a way to commit arson).
I don't actually approve of the activity of doing this, though. Hanging flags upside down, standing on top of flags, and burning flags all strike me as terribly disrespectful. Now, to some extent, I don't mind. I mean, if you are terribly opposed to another country and do these things, well that's a form of expression and more power to you, I guess.
I think it's entirely different when you live in and enjoy the privileges of that country (I'm really specifically referring to America, but Canada or other countries with privileges count too) but then you go burning and otherwise disrespecting a symbol of the country. If an American doesn't respect their country enough to treat a generally accepted symbol of the country properly, then they probably shouldn't live in America either. I'm an American, and I understand that the government doesn't always do things right, and neither do the people or the businesses. On the other hand, though, living in America does come with a really nice set of rights that aren't quite the same anywhere else in the world (to my knowledge, at this time).
On a slightly different and related note, regardless of if a person respects the country being symbolized by a flag, I cannot help but still be disappointed in people who would burn and tarnish flags in general. My reason is that I consider it a rather bothersome thing to do. Flags aren't grown, they're made. When a person is burning a flag, they're being disrespectful to anyone involved in the process that resulted in the production of that flag. Like saying "your work is so pointless, worthless, or unimportant that it doesn't matter what I do with it, because the fact that you put forth effort to ensure that this nicely made flag here doesn't matter, so I'll do whatever I want with it, including destroying it". I wouldn't feel like saying that to someone. Certainly, I wouldn't want to say that to the face of everybody involved in the process of making an American flag. What a bothersome and rude thing to do.
It is for that very reason that I think that groups in America which participate in flag burning, and flag desecration (lesser offenses to the military funeral and parade picketing they do at the same time, but I'm not going into that either, although I disapprove of these things as well, but understand that picketing has a time and a place) should really consider whether or not they mean what the desecration of the symbolic American flag represents: an overwhelming disrespect for America, the privileges afforded by the constitution, and the work of all the people who made the flag.
On a final note, it is my firm opinion that a person who hides behind freedom of speech to cry out against America saying that the entire country should be destroyed, that the people who fight for the freedoms (including that precious freedom of speech) deserve to die, and that all the people within
are deserving of terrible things happening to them should realize something very important...
If the people within deserve terrible things, then you as an American deserve terrible things.
If the people who fight for the freedoms deserve to die, don't be upset when your freedoms that allow you to protest the country disappear.
If the country should be destroyed, don't go crying "foul" when you find yourself unable to practice the religion, the cultures, the customs, and the free speech that you get to practice now because the country where these things are offered is gone.
Of course, perhaps if you do these things, you'll be lucky, and the country will live on, the people who defend us will return home, and nothing bad will happen. Still, spouting out nonsense like this doesn't win friends, and I highly doubt it will ever influence anyone to listen and heed your words.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Schoolwork is tiring
It's almost 9pm... I've been up at school since 11am, and I left home at 10am. I'm not accustomed to being awake early, but 10am is by no means early. Still, all this work with almost no time spent taking breaks, even bathroom or lunch breaks, has left me tired. I haven't played Portal for my other class (although I already finished it), and I haven't read my professor's book for Monday (although I already read it before, too)... I don't know if I'm ahead, behind, or living in another alternative dimension where everything is inherently exhausting for no reason.
I can't help but think that there is no better time than the present to disengage from my work, take a moment to eat, and head home early for today. I'm not a slacker, but I'm no good to anyone if I don't have the energy to stay awake. I figure, I should eat and drive home before I'm too tired to do these things.
It's a little ironic that I'm tired doing what I've been excited about for ages, and that the thing that I enjoy but didn't exactly plan to do (my current employment at a packing and shipping location) is something that I don't find as exhausting. It's possible, though, that the reason this is the case is that I've been working for over 9 hours on this stuff, and my longest shift at work is 7 hours (on abnormally long days when I am the only one working).
I look forward to crashing (in bed, not my car).
I can't help but think that there is no better time than the present to disengage from my work, take a moment to eat, and head home early for today. I'm not a slacker, but I'm no good to anyone if I don't have the energy to stay awake. I figure, I should eat and drive home before I'm too tired to do these things.
It's a little ironic that I'm tired doing what I've been excited about for ages, and that the thing that I enjoy but didn't exactly plan to do (my current employment at a packing and shipping location) is something that I don't find as exhausting. It's possible, though, that the reason this is the case is that I've been working for over 9 hours on this stuff, and my longest shift at work is 7 hours (on abnormally long days when I am the only one working).
I look forward to crashing (in bed, not my car).
Friday, April 15, 2011
The magma flows slowly
The marshmallow sat upon his wooden stool, waiting for some company.
Today had been a slow day for him, and no matter how much he wanted
to have something interesting to do, there was little he could do to make
it happen. It was a waiting game.
It was said that there would be a magma flow, sometime between nine
in the morning and six at night. Mother marshmallow had taken up the
stool in the morning, from nine until almost one in the afternoon. It was
clear from her expression that there had been some activity, but the
signs had already cooled, and once again it was quiet.
So, as planned, the marshmallow knight stood guard against the tides
of the magma flow once again... which is to say, he sat down on the
wooden stool and waited for it to start. Sure, there was a spurt of fire
here or there, but nothing so hot or so lengthy that he got toasty. As usual,
whenever there was fire, there was undoubtedly a bit of chocolate
found within.
If things kept up like this, the poor marshmallow knight would find himself
leaving the magma tube for a lack of activity. After all, he was only on
duty from 1-6. Well, that too was a bit of an exaggeration. He was only
officially on duty until 5:30 in the evening, but he still had to close and
lock the entrance to the tunnel before he could leave.
The day wore on, and still, no major signs of activity. It was starting to
get close to time for the worker grahams to show up, and take whatever
melted chocolate bits had been spewed out in the tunnel for the day
with them. JP Graham would be the last of the workers to stop by before
the day was over. JP Graham had already stopped by to deliver some
chocolate treats for the resident marshmallows.
The noble marshmallow knight waited, however not only for
JP Graham, but also to see the other Grahams, several of which he was
well acquainted with. He was hoping that he would get to see Natessa Graham,
and as he was wondering if she would be around to get all the
pointy chocolate bits, she walked in. She looked at the number of pointy bits,
and smiled. Taking them with her, she commented "Aww, y'all are always
so generous on Fridays." She left, wishing the knight a prosperous guard.
The valiant knight marked on his clipboard that Natessa Graham had picked
up her load of pointy chocolate bits. According to the list, there were only three
more pick ups necessary for the day.
The marshmallow knight thought it likely that the worker Graham that was to
come by to pick up all the squareish chocolate bits would be Jeff Graham.
Jeff Graham was more punctual than several of the other squareish bit grahams.
Surely enough, Jeff Graham came by just on time, taking the squareish bits
of chocolate with him. Unfortunately, after Jeff Graham left, another squareish
bit of chocolate popped out from the underground dripways. The knight
left a note for the recruit that was coming to guard the passageways the
following day. Once again, the knight marked off a pickup of delicious
chocolate bits as finished.
Ken Graham, the one meant to pick up the circle chocolate bits, was not
supposed to arrive for a while. Marshmallow knight wondered if it would
really be Ken Graham, or if it would be the Graham trainee. Meanwhile,
another kind Graham, Teresa, came by and took the oddly-shaped chocolate
bits from the tunnel. She was kind, but also in a bit of a hurry. The knight
thanked her for her assistance as she took off quickly.
Later that evening, after closing the tunnel for the day, the marshmallow knight
was going to venture toward an unknown land. There, he would meet up
with a group of fellow warriors. The gummi warrior, the sour man, the jawbreaker,
the bubble lady, and the hardened candysoldier. The training would then
be vigorous and complete. All this in a hope that they would together be able
to defeat the nefarious smoky daemon known only as D. Licious. If the warriors
were able to defeat D. Licious, their triumph would be a great testi-spearmint.
The warriors would go down in history as having been the aces of the battle.
And so it was that the marshmallow knight daydreamed about his upcoming
sparring with the fellow sweet warriors, and his epic battle with D. Licious.
Suddenly, the magma began to flow freely! Hot, chocolaty flames burst
forth from the end of the tunnel. A barrage of warm gooey magma! The knight
leaped from his wooden stool, and sliced through the oncoming wave!
Over and over he sliced! The magma was free, but moved slowly, and
with his great strength and intellect, the marshmallow knight held the
chocolaty flow at bay until it finally died down once again. Shortly after this
chocolate flow ceased, Ken Graham came by to take the circle chocolaty bits.
The marshmallow knight kept his watch vigilantly, and when it was time for it
to conclude, he exchanged his final parting words with Market Wintergreen Stead,
and with JP Graham. Closing and locking the tunnel for the day, the marshmallow
knight hopped upon his trusty cracker-steed and rode off into the distance.
The marshmallow knight would surely go down in history as a hero.
Today had been a slow day for him, and no matter how much he wanted
to have something interesting to do, there was little he could do to make
it happen. It was a waiting game.
It was said that there would be a magma flow, sometime between nine
in the morning and six at night. Mother marshmallow had taken up the
stool in the morning, from nine until almost one in the afternoon. It was
clear from her expression that there had been some activity, but the
signs had already cooled, and once again it was quiet.
So, as planned, the marshmallow knight stood guard against the tides
of the magma flow once again... which is to say, he sat down on the
wooden stool and waited for it to start. Sure, there was a spurt of fire
here or there, but nothing so hot or so lengthy that he got toasty. As usual,
whenever there was fire, there was undoubtedly a bit of chocolate
found within.
If things kept up like this, the poor marshmallow knight would find himself
leaving the magma tube for a lack of activity. After all, he was only on
duty from 1-6. Well, that too was a bit of an exaggeration. He was only
officially on duty until 5:30 in the evening, but he still had to close and
lock the entrance to the tunnel before he could leave.
The day wore on, and still, no major signs of activity. It was starting to
get close to time for the worker grahams to show up, and take whatever
melted chocolate bits had been spewed out in the tunnel for the day
with them. JP Graham would be the last of the workers to stop by before
the day was over. JP Graham had already stopped by to deliver some
chocolate treats for the resident marshmallows.
The noble marshmallow knight waited, however not only for
JP Graham, but also to see the other Grahams, several of which he was
well acquainted with. He was hoping that he would get to see Natessa Graham,
and as he was wondering if she would be around to get all the
pointy chocolate bits, she walked in. She looked at the number of pointy bits,
and smiled. Taking them with her, she commented "Aww, y'all are always
so generous on Fridays." She left, wishing the knight a prosperous guard.
The valiant knight marked on his clipboard that Natessa Graham had picked
up her load of pointy chocolate bits. According to the list, there were only three
more pick ups necessary for the day.
The marshmallow knight thought it likely that the worker Graham that was to
come by to pick up all the squareish chocolate bits would be Jeff Graham.
Jeff Graham was more punctual than several of the other squareish bit grahams.
Surely enough, Jeff Graham came by just on time, taking the squareish bits
of chocolate with him. Unfortunately, after Jeff Graham left, another squareish
bit of chocolate popped out from the underground dripways. The knight
left a note for the recruit that was coming to guard the passageways the
following day. Once again, the knight marked off a pickup of delicious
chocolate bits as finished.
Ken Graham, the one meant to pick up the circle chocolate bits, was not
supposed to arrive for a while. Marshmallow knight wondered if it would
really be Ken Graham, or if it would be the Graham trainee. Meanwhile,
another kind Graham, Teresa, came by and took the oddly-shaped chocolate
bits from the tunnel. She was kind, but also in a bit of a hurry. The knight
thanked her for her assistance as she took off quickly.
Later that evening, after closing the tunnel for the day, the marshmallow knight
was going to venture toward an unknown land. There, he would meet up
with a group of fellow warriors. The gummi warrior, the sour man, the jawbreaker,
the bubble lady, and the hardened candysoldier. The training would then
be vigorous and complete. All this in a hope that they would together be able
to defeat the nefarious smoky daemon known only as D. Licious. If the warriors
were able to defeat D. Licious, their triumph would be a great testi-spearmint.
The warriors would go down in history as having been the aces of the battle.
And so it was that the marshmallow knight daydreamed about his upcoming
sparring with the fellow sweet warriors, and his epic battle with D. Licious.
Suddenly, the magma began to flow freely! Hot, chocolaty flames burst
forth from the end of the tunnel. A barrage of warm gooey magma! The knight
leaped from his wooden stool, and sliced through the oncoming wave!
Over and over he sliced! The magma was free, but moved slowly, and
with his great strength and intellect, the marshmallow knight held the
chocolaty flow at bay until it finally died down once again. Shortly after this
chocolate flow ceased, Ken Graham came by to take the circle chocolaty bits.
The marshmallow knight kept his watch vigilantly, and when it was time for it
to conclude, he exchanged his final parting words with Market Wintergreen Stead,
and with JP Graham. Closing and locking the tunnel for the day, the marshmallow
knight hopped upon his trusty cracker-steed and rode off into the distance.
The marshmallow knight would surely go down in history as a hero.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
The shores of the bay
As Helen watched the boat leave the dock, she felt deep within her that Alexander would never be returning to her. She didn't know why she felt that he wouldn't, only that if he ever did come back he would never be the same. A trip to Cerulea was something that only a few people were ever privileged enough to take. It was a coincidence that Alexander was able to go in the first place. Who would have guessed that his sister had cast a ballot in the lottery with his name on it for his birthday? Even worse, who would have ever thought he would win the grand prize?
A cruise to the fabulous city of Cerulea, famous for their beautiful resorts and even more so for their incredible nightlife. It was said that in Cerulea, a person could walk outside at night, and the sky would show as many lights in the heavens as there were lights on buildings. The food was unrivaled, the entertainment there was fit for his royal majesty, King Feroas XXII.
Helen had heard a rumor that King Feroas XXII had ordered something to be done at Cerulea, in absolute secrecy. Naturally, anything done in absolute secrecy ended up having numerous rumors floating around about it for some time after. Helen feared for Alexander's well-being, but she could not convince him to stay with her. He only had one ticket, and this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, so she let him go. She didn't know whether she would regret it or not.
A month later, Helen had waited as long as she could. The cruise was not meant to be so long, nor was his stay supposed to be as lengthy as it had become. She had received a letter from him from a man who ran the cruise on the day he was supposed to have returned.
Dear Helen,
It is quite a marvel being in Cerulea at last! The beauty of this city is astounding. I have been enjoying my time here thoroughly, and wish you were by my side. In fact, I've missed you so much that I have longed to come back. Sadly, I cannot. There is business here that I must do before I can return. I cannot tell you any more, for risk of your safety, but know that my love for you crosses even the depths of the sea. Please, wait for me, for I shall return to you my darling.
Love always,
Alexander
Helen had waited, but it had now been 4 weeks since he should have returned, and she could do it no longer. Her tears flowed freely as she sat on the edge of the bay. The sun was beginning to set on the horizon, and the last ship would soon arrive. If Alexander was not on it, she would not wait for him. She couldn't let his absence in her life hold her back. On the distant sea, she could barely see a dark spot. The final ship arriving in port. Anticipation was welling up within her, even as she cried. She knew that the moment of truth was at hand.
When at last the ship arrived, the civilians aboard climbed out of the passenger bays, and hurried on their ways home before dark. Alexander was not among them. Helen began to weep openly. Her last chance to be with Alexander faded as a rose wilting from lack of sunlight. As she was turning to leave, she caught a glimpse of a tall man in a suit of armor.
"Alexander!" Helen cried out, as she ran to meet her long missing love. The men on the ship would not let her board, but Alexander and several other men clad in armor soon came clattering out on deck, and disembarked. Alexander paid no attention to Helen as he passed by her. Helen cried and grabbed at his arm, and Alexander stopped walking. He turned his head slowly toward her, but his eyes did not see her.
Helen looked deep into Alexander's eyes, and knew he was lost. His eyes were clouded with the arcane. She let go of hope, for she knew now what had happened. Alexander had been chosen, and now he would never return to her. Helen felt a tremendous sadness, for this had happened to her mother when she was young. Her father had been in service to the Royal Army, and had one night been summoned to a secret meeting. He never came back home. A week later, Helen's mother had received a letter stating that she was missed, and dearly loved. When Helen's mother went to see him that night, she came back crying. Her mother had never been the same afterward.
"Spellbound. You're a spellbound now" Helen stated as the tears in her eyes dried, "and I suppose that means you'll be marching to the front lines soon." Naturally, Alexander didn't reply. He could not reply, for the spellbound were incapable of emotion, incapable of remembering who they were before they had become changed. As such, he had no reason to answer to Helen. He wasn't asked a question, and he didn't know her.
Helen let go of his arm, and watched as he marched away with the other spellbound. The sun glinted off their armor as they marched into the distance and around the corner. As the sun finally rested for the day, Helen turned her back on the city and stood on the edge of the dock. A swift breeze came in from the sea: salty and cool. Helen reached into her pocket, and pulled out the letter she had received from Alexander. A letter, most likely the last thing he had written before becoming a spellbound. Now, Alexander was gone forever. This letter was all that was left of him. Clutching it to her chest, Helen cast herself off the pier and into the waters below. The war would be won, but sadly this battle had been lost.
A cruise to the fabulous city of Cerulea, famous for their beautiful resorts and even more so for their incredible nightlife. It was said that in Cerulea, a person could walk outside at night, and the sky would show as many lights in the heavens as there were lights on buildings. The food was unrivaled, the entertainment there was fit for his royal majesty, King Feroas XXII.
Helen had heard a rumor that King Feroas XXII had ordered something to be done at Cerulea, in absolute secrecy. Naturally, anything done in absolute secrecy ended up having numerous rumors floating around about it for some time after. Helen feared for Alexander's well-being, but she could not convince him to stay with her. He only had one ticket, and this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, so she let him go. She didn't know whether she would regret it or not.
A month later, Helen had waited as long as she could. The cruise was not meant to be so long, nor was his stay supposed to be as lengthy as it had become. She had received a letter from him from a man who ran the cruise on the day he was supposed to have returned.
Dear Helen,
It is quite a marvel being in Cerulea at last! The beauty of this city is astounding. I have been enjoying my time here thoroughly, and wish you were by my side. In fact, I've missed you so much that I have longed to come back. Sadly, I cannot. There is business here that I must do before I can return. I cannot tell you any more, for risk of your safety, but know that my love for you crosses even the depths of the sea. Please, wait for me, for I shall return to you my darling.
Love always,
Alexander
Helen had waited, but it had now been 4 weeks since he should have returned, and she could do it no longer. Her tears flowed freely as she sat on the edge of the bay. The sun was beginning to set on the horizon, and the last ship would soon arrive. If Alexander was not on it, she would not wait for him. She couldn't let his absence in her life hold her back. On the distant sea, she could barely see a dark spot. The final ship arriving in port. Anticipation was welling up within her, even as she cried. She knew that the moment of truth was at hand.
When at last the ship arrived, the civilians aboard climbed out of the passenger bays, and hurried on their ways home before dark. Alexander was not among them. Helen began to weep openly. Her last chance to be with Alexander faded as a rose wilting from lack of sunlight. As she was turning to leave, she caught a glimpse of a tall man in a suit of armor.
"Alexander!" Helen cried out, as she ran to meet her long missing love. The men on the ship would not let her board, but Alexander and several other men clad in armor soon came clattering out on deck, and disembarked. Alexander paid no attention to Helen as he passed by her. Helen cried and grabbed at his arm, and Alexander stopped walking. He turned his head slowly toward her, but his eyes did not see her.
Helen looked deep into Alexander's eyes, and knew he was lost. His eyes were clouded with the arcane. She let go of hope, for she knew now what had happened. Alexander had been chosen, and now he would never return to her. Helen felt a tremendous sadness, for this had happened to her mother when she was young. Her father had been in service to the Royal Army, and had one night been summoned to a secret meeting. He never came back home. A week later, Helen's mother had received a letter stating that she was missed, and dearly loved. When Helen's mother went to see him that night, she came back crying. Her mother had never been the same afterward.
"Spellbound. You're a spellbound now" Helen stated as the tears in her eyes dried, "and I suppose that means you'll be marching to the front lines soon." Naturally, Alexander didn't reply. He could not reply, for the spellbound were incapable of emotion, incapable of remembering who they were before they had become changed. As such, he had no reason to answer to Helen. He wasn't asked a question, and he didn't know her.
Helen let go of his arm, and watched as he marched away with the other spellbound. The sun glinted off their armor as they marched into the distance and around the corner. As the sun finally rested for the day, Helen turned her back on the city and stood on the edge of the dock. A swift breeze came in from the sea: salty and cool. Helen reached into her pocket, and pulled out the letter she had received from Alexander. A letter, most likely the last thing he had written before becoming a spellbound. Now, Alexander was gone forever. This letter was all that was left of him. Clutching it to her chest, Helen cast herself off the pier and into the waters below. The war would be won, but sadly this battle had been lost.
In the fishbowl
I've been noticing that my life seems to be rather together in general.
I've got a job, a car, I'm enrolled in college, and I'm a generally nice guy.
I also have a caring family, with whom I have good relationships.
My mother and I work together as well as getting along famously.
My sister and I tease each other occasionally, but only in love.
When it's just my sister and me, we have deep conversations about life,
and imagine how we would choose to live if we were to live together.
My father... well, this is a complicated situation. My biological father
really isn't part of my life, but I'm rather sure it's not because he doesn't
want to be part of it.
My step-father (I call him 'dad') has been around for so long, I can scarcely
remember a time when I wasn't living together with him and my mother.
However, my relationship with my dad also isn't the best. It's based
off of respect for each others' being an adult capable of making
his own decisions. It's possibly based upon love, but if it is, as if I'd realize it.
Mainly because my dad and I don't see eye to eye on multiple things,
the biggest of which would probably be my personal life, and several other
important things being that I am more compassionate than he is.
I also have a close friend, a best friend you might say, who I practically
consider a brother (and my family treats him as such, too).
Lately, I've been noticing all these things about my life, and feeling as if
I should be pleased. The problem is that I'm not. It's not that I'm
disappointed or angry that I have these things, or that I would rather them
not be this way, but rather that certain events have been cropping up
lately which make me wonder why my life feels so empty.
I've noticed a common trend with the things that seem to be missing.
Let us see if you can spot it:
I seem to be quite renown for my skills at using a computer to accomplish
a variety of tasks. (Heck, I'll go further and suggest it's not just computers
but electronics in general.) The thing is, though, I've become so valued
for my abilities at handling these electronics that my talents and skills
in other areas (such as preforming arts, singing, creative writing, etc.)
have been going completely unnoticed. Recently, the few times I've made
an attempt to use these skills outside of mere pleasurable hobby usage,
I've found myself ignored or even told (in essence) to know my place
and remain doing what I've become invaluable at doing. (Referring to
my volunteering at the operation of electronics.)
My personal life has been quite the same. In spite of my general demeanor,
which is moderately joking, but warm and lighthearted, I find myself
feeling more friendless than ever I have felt for several years. I have
relatives, and of course a best friend, who have not really been looking for
any type of romance in their lives. These are the people who are suddenly
receiving invitations to dinner, etc. or actually becoming involved in
romantic relationships. In comparison, I've been waiting patiently for
anything decent to come along, and I find that I've been ignored, friend-zoned,
or things to that effect.
I've noticed that as I swim around in life, more and more frequently
I've been doing nothing but flailing about above water, hoping for
a gasp of fresh air and finding none. Like a fish stuck in a fishbowl
with the water gradually draining out from beneath him. I have things
together, but nowhere to go, and it's starting to feel like suffocation.
I'm definitely feeling like the taste of a fresh grapefruit (without sugar)
a bit bitter, and a bit sour. I'm still a pleasant person, and I'm nice to others.
I'm just noticing that life seems to be making a mockery of me, and I really
want to know why. But perhaps the time to know that is neither here nor there.
All I can tell is that as things are, my worst fears are coming to pass
before my very eyes. The number of my nightmares has been on the rise,
as well, leaving me with less sleep than usual lately. I have no idea what
I can do to change things, so for now, I'm doing what I've always done: waiting.
I've got a job, a car, I'm enrolled in college, and I'm a generally nice guy.
I also have a caring family, with whom I have good relationships.
My mother and I work together as well as getting along famously.
My sister and I tease each other occasionally, but only in love.
When it's just my sister and me, we have deep conversations about life,
and imagine how we would choose to live if we were to live together.
My father... well, this is a complicated situation. My biological father
really isn't part of my life, but I'm rather sure it's not because he doesn't
want to be part of it.
My step-father (I call him 'dad') has been around for so long, I can scarcely
remember a time when I wasn't living together with him and my mother.
However, my relationship with my dad also isn't the best. It's based
off of respect for each others' being an adult capable of making
his own decisions. It's possibly based upon love, but if it is, as if I'd realize it.
Mainly because my dad and I don't see eye to eye on multiple things,
the biggest of which would probably be my personal life, and several other
important things being that I am more compassionate than he is.
I also have a close friend, a best friend you might say, who I practically
consider a brother (and my family treats him as such, too).
Lately, I've been noticing all these things about my life, and feeling as if
I should be pleased. The problem is that I'm not. It's not that I'm
disappointed or angry that I have these things, or that I would rather them
not be this way, but rather that certain events have been cropping up
lately which make me wonder why my life feels so empty.
I've noticed a common trend with the things that seem to be missing.
Let us see if you can spot it:
I seem to be quite renown for my skills at using a computer to accomplish
a variety of tasks. (Heck, I'll go further and suggest it's not just computers
but electronics in general.) The thing is, though, I've become so valued
for my abilities at handling these electronics that my talents and skills
in other areas (such as preforming arts, singing, creative writing, etc.)
have been going completely unnoticed. Recently, the few times I've made
an attempt to use these skills outside of mere pleasurable hobby usage,
I've found myself ignored or even told (in essence) to know my place
and remain doing what I've become invaluable at doing. (Referring to
my volunteering at the operation of electronics.)
My personal life has been quite the same. In spite of my general demeanor,
which is moderately joking, but warm and lighthearted, I find myself
feeling more friendless than ever I have felt for several years. I have
relatives, and of course a best friend, who have not really been looking for
any type of romance in their lives. These are the people who are suddenly
receiving invitations to dinner, etc. or actually becoming involved in
romantic relationships. In comparison, I've been waiting patiently for
anything decent to come along, and I find that I've been ignored, friend-zoned,
or things to that effect.
I've noticed that as I swim around in life, more and more frequently
I've been doing nothing but flailing about above water, hoping for
a gasp of fresh air and finding none. Like a fish stuck in a fishbowl
with the water gradually draining out from beneath him. I have things
together, but nowhere to go, and it's starting to feel like suffocation.
I'm definitely feeling like the taste of a fresh grapefruit (without sugar)
a bit bitter, and a bit sour. I'm still a pleasant person, and I'm nice to others.
I'm just noticing that life seems to be making a mockery of me, and I really
want to know why. But perhaps the time to know that is neither here nor there.
All I can tell is that as things are, my worst fears are coming to pass
before my very eyes. The number of my nightmares has been on the rise,
as well, leaving me with less sleep than usual lately. I have no idea what
I can do to change things, so for now, I'm doing what I've always done: waiting.
The beginning of fantasy / The beginning of reality
So, if you're reading this blog post, you're either new to "fantasy or reality", or you're reading the first blog post because I haven't posted much of anything else yet. (I'm guessing at some point, that second option won't be happening as frequently.)
Well, let me give you a brief idea of what fantasy or reality is, as a blog:
Fantasy or reality is a blog I'm doing with the purpose of being both a creative outlet for real life problems, and a creative outlet for imaginative juices...
In other words, some of the stuff I post here will be thoughts about my life, and some will just be short stories that I'm writing/have written. That said, I'll be marking each post with one of three terms: Fantasy, Reality, or Both. Since this is the overview, it's known as all three. ^_^
I hope you enjoy the variety of things I post here.
Zack
Well, let me give you a brief idea of what fantasy or reality is, as a blog:
Fantasy or reality is a blog I'm doing with the purpose of being both a creative outlet for real life problems, and a creative outlet for imaginative juices...
In other words, some of the stuff I post here will be thoughts about my life, and some will just be short stories that I'm writing/have written. That said, I'll be marking each post with one of three terms: Fantasy, Reality, or Both. Since this is the overview, it's known as all three. ^_^
I hope you enjoy the variety of things I post here.
Zack
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