The Guardians - Ahead of our Time?

 

Recently, I highlighted an example where the fictional technology used within the Guardian Series is actually becoming a point of everyday science fact. Do you remember?

The HaSP. (Holographic Scanning Platform).

 

This week, I thought I'd highlight another fictional development from the series that now seems to be drawing a great deal of attention in the real world. That to do with synthetic tree/lung development.

In the book, our planet has become increasingly polluted by the build-up of industrial toxins. Many wonder how a natural balance with the environment can be engendered. To assist scientists in their endeavours, the Guardians open up areas of research that allow us to develop a system by which areas of high contamination, and indeed the atmosphere itself, can be purified with the use of artificial atmospheric scrubbers. Such devices vary in size, from superstructure edifices, down to much smaller units, positioned within - for example - art galleries, or subway stations. A lovely dream perhaps?

 

Well, look at this:

 

http://www.greenlaunches.com/other-stuff/artificial-green-tree-that-purifies-air.php

 

 This is just one of a number of projects currently being developed from around the world, whereby thought has been given to the quality of the air we breathe.

While other schemes concentrate on the use of plants, absorbent paper and other mediums, such as sea salt and ozone to improve the air, I thought this particular approach was extremely innovative and appealing.

Developed by Seung Jun Jeong, the Air-Tree sucks in dirty air at ground level, passes it through a number of special filters, and then pumps out the clean air at the top. And it's all completely artificial.

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Another example of the world's true life developments being exposed to you first, through the pages of the Guardian Series.
Remember, if you want to find out more - just click on the links to the right. The science fiction of today, is the science fact of tomorrow.

 

The Council - Shadow Criminals

 

Last week, we took a peek at some of the Guardians from book one, Guardian Angels, who stand out a little. Those whose abilities set them apart and raise questions.

This week, I thought it would be good to do the same with their arch-enemies, The Council.

 

After all, what is it about the council that sets them apart and makes them so dangerous?

 

Let's find out

 

Lei Yeung.

 

 

Born in 1940, in China, Lei Yeung is one of the most insidious, dangerous men you could ever meet. Motivated by revenge, he made his own way to Tokyo as a teenager, and deliberately insinuated himself into its gang culture. Normally, such a thing would never be allowed to happen. But then again, Lei Yeung isn't normal.

Blessed with a heightened sense of intuition, Yeung can sense when people are lying to him. He can fathom their true motives and impulses. That sensitivity, combined with a highly developed sense of intrusive telepathy, means he can push thoughts into another individuals mind in such a way that they truly believe those ideas are their own.

Such skills led to a meteoric rise within the Yakuza, and inevitably, the demise of enemy after enemy. Once invested as the leader of the White Tigers, he systematically set out to establish them as the strongest crime syndicate in existence, while establishing a secret power base of his own - The Council - staffed and headed by people like himself.

Those who accepted his leadership found themselves part of an increasingly powerful and influential society that grew to exercise control in virtually every aspect of peoples lives. Security, defense, health, developing technologies. Those who refused his offer were invariably never seen or heard of again.

You will come to know many of those chosen as leaders of the Council - the Apostles - as they are always keen to take advantage.

 

Luigi Esasito

A newly installed mafia Boss from Brolo, Sicily, Espasito is the latest member of his family to represent Council affairs throughout many parts of the world. A highly aggressive and obstinate man, Espasito is endowed with a powerful elemental ability that has come to epitomize his fiery nature.

 

Alexei Belikov

A long-time advocate of the Council's aspirations, Belikov hails from Kiev, in the Ukraine. Because he has a highly developed self-healing faculty, he has proven very hard to kill, and now represents Council affair throughout Russia 

 

Angelika Papadakos

 

 

Born in Greece, in1980, Angelika is considered by many to be Yeung's problem solver. She is telepathic, and can remote view for distances of up to a mile away from her position. What makes her so dangerous is that fact she has a highly developed succubus ability. She can literally drain the life from a person, whilst replenishing her own. This makes her the perfect assassin, as this everyday, girl-next-door will kill you as soon as look at you. And her victims never show any trace of the violence caused to them.

 

Harry Bing

Harry is an ex security officer for one of the biggest diamond mine corporations in the world. He was excellent at his job. Not surprising, as his highly developed telepathic and teleportation skills made him very hard to beat. Yeung has ensured those abilities now serve the aspirations of the Council, and himself in particular. As head of Yeung's personal security, Harry is a very handy person to have around.

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These are just of the few of the people Yeung can call on. He has them everywhere. Sleeper agents, serving within various governments. In police forces. In research establishments.

 

You never know...Your next door neighbour could be one of them?

Guardians of Note

 

If you remember, the other week I mentioned that we would take a look at some of the Guardians who stand out. Have you ever wondered yourself who, apart from the Overlord, is distinguishable in some way?

 

You might think the obvious candidates would be selected from amongst the Guardian Commanders:

 

 

In some cases, you would be right.

For example:

 Victoria - the Lord Inquisitor - has the most refined and accomplished farsenses of any Guardian, apart from the Overlord himself. Her speciality is the ability to search out and communicate with other psychics over vast distances. She also possesses many other powerful gifts. And yet, she's been content to stay out of the limelight. Why?

 

Corrine Jackson - the Lord healer - possesses the strongest overall healing abilities ever seen in one person.

 

Jade Heung - the Lord Procurator - has a mind like a steel bear-trap. Her compulsive matrix is second to none, and has earned her the respect - and fear - of her peers.

 

Andrew - the Shadow Lord - is something of a mystery in Guardian Angels. He is incredibly powerful in a number of disciplines. Healing, redaction, precognition, elemental. And yet, he has never sought any position other than that of Shadow Lord. Why?

 

And not everybody is a commander.

 

Ben Williams is a name you don't see on the command list. And yet, he is one of only five Guardians known to possess the ability to manipulate energy at the quantum level. Although he cannot teleport, he can detect and assess the nucleic forces that bind reality together. Basically, he's one of a very few individuals who can't be surprised by someone teleporting toward him.

 

Naomi Cruiz is another Guardian you need to watch.

 

 

Although you are introduced to her in Guardian Angels, and get an insight into her unique ability to compartmentalize multiple scenarios at once, it's not until Guardians that you really begin to appreciate what she might achieve. Especially after she is appointed to the rank of Adjutant Marshall.

 

Two more people you'll have to keep an eye on, are Becky Selleck and Joshua Drake.

There's something very special about them you don't begin to see until Guardians.

 

But I'll tell you more about that in March.

 

Until then - see if you can guess why Victoria and Andrew are so reticent to step forward.

 

The clues are there - If you look.

 



The Guardians - Ahead of the Times?

 

In view of recent developments in the world of medicine, I thought I'd change the theme of this weeks Guardian Blog to fit the mood.

 

No doubt, most of you saw the startling revelation regarding a series of cardiac surgeries conducted by Israeli doctors while guided by live 3D images of the patients heart, in a breakthrough being haled as the future of medicine.

 

 

You can read more about that article by following the link below:

http://www.designweek.co.uk/news/3d-holographic-heart-surgery-hailed-as-the-future-of-healthcare/3037431.article

 

I was drawn to the article, as I tried to base the entire Guardian Series on the supposition of...What if?

What if the advanced technology in the series was on the verge of actually being discovered? (Because remember, I devised this series over many years, and didn't actually write the first books until four years ago)

 

Well, if you're not yet a fan of the Guardians, here's a little thing that might surprise you.

In the latest book to be released - Guardians - there is a device invented by one of the characters called a HaSP...

Holographic Scanning Platform.

A high resolution multi wave reader and emitter that is able to scan the human body, and which then projects a real-time, dynamic live-image of the subject onto the doctors I pad, or into the air.

In the book, the HaSP allows specialists to zoom in on specific target areas to determine the best course of action to take. In the case of the Guardians, their readers come with ultra zoom/optic targeting nodes, equipped with state of the art laser and hypersonic delivery systems, capable of non-invasive, and yet aggressive responses to disease.

 

I thought I'd mention this, because as always, the science fact of the future is often based on the science fiction of today...

 

It would appear, Star Trek isn't the only sci-fi series to hold a monopoly in this area.

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If you'd like to find out what other futuristic designs will one day become an everyday fact, click on the links in the side bar. The HaSP is only one of many inventions sure to come your way.

 

What Do Readers Think of The Guardians?

Hi Everyone,

For this week’s post, I thought I’d share some recent reviews for the Guardian Series. As any author will tell you, reviews go a long way toward encouraging us to improve, and keep up the good work. After all, unless you let us know what you think, how will we know if we’re keeping you entertained?

Here’s a sample of what my readers thought.

5.0 out of 5 stars On the Fringe of Reality!, January 14, 2014

This review is from: Guardian Angels (Guardian Series) (Kindle Edition)

Just when you thought is was only a story Guardian Angels began to take on a deeper meaning, and one that really had me thinking . I had always believed in guardian angels and this just made it so real. This story had me hooked from the jump when an incredible miracle is witnessed by the public. This miracle then cascades into a series of many more earth shattering like events. Yes, thousands of people are being rescued from catastrophes all over the planet to come to find out it is a superior race with with beings that possess extraordinary psychic abilities including the power to cloak themselves for their missions. On the other side of the coin is the alarming rate of people gifted with special abilities being kidnapped by evil sources to use as a force against the Guardians. All hell breaks loose here as groups of people begin to have their doubts of what is happening. I have to say with all of the erratic weather and tragedies in our world today it really made this story very plausible.It really makes you think,”Do we already have these special Guardians in place or it is in our near future?” I am most excited to read volume two!

 

4.0 out of 5 stars A book that makes you think, what if..., January 13, 2014

This review is from: Guardian Angels (Guardian Series) (Kindle Edition)

My expectation of a good story is to make me feel, make me think and make me ask the question, what if... This book did all that for me. At the beginning of the book the author gave me puzzle pieces in the form of seemingly unrelated events. As the story progressed, the mind provoking pieces fell into place, letting me put the picture of the whole story together, that was unexpected and fascinating. The author has a very engaging voice that kept me glued to the pages. A great read for everyone who likes to ask the question, what if...

 

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent, January 11, 2014

This review is from: Guardian Angels (Guardian Series) (Kindle Edition)

When I bought this book I had some doubts before starting to read it. It was a novel experience for me since I don't usually do reviews although I read a lot I’m a writer so I read in order to improve my writing style I promised I'd be honest. I give the book five stars first of all for the excellent story line it starts with a bang as I would say an excellent entry in to the novel that draws you in from the start. It has several twists in the story that I won't mention here I recommend to all of you read it you will be surprised it starts fast then it slows down a bit it might make you nervous but the end is worth it you will want to buy the second one right away as a writer i can say great job my friend i read the sequel as well so :) as a reader I’m totally satisfied it is a must read a entertaining fast read that i recommend to everyone it is an excellent sell for the price it has

 

5.0 out of 5 stars really ENJOYING this read and ANGELIC two some book with a Screen play feel to it..., January 6, 2014

This review is from: Guardian Angels (Guardian Series) (Kindle Edition)

I am finishing up BOOK 1 in the series and love Angel stories that have a gritty light dark aspect to it and or a fantasy that bleeds into reality. I left a few other comments to reviews here sharing more of how i see the complexity of this story. Really enjoyed it and the ride it takes you on discovering who and what is playing there behind the scenes. This really is good and is screen play worthy. Just my feeling and point of view. Reading book 2 shortly....ENJOY ...

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I must admit, I’m very pleased to see that readers are enjoying the Guardian Series, as I’ll be resuming their adventures a little later in the year. Thank you to everyone who was kind enough to submit a review.

Until then, don’t forget...

If you like what you see, do let me know J

Next week.

Apart from the Overlord of the Guardians, who do you think might possess the most awesome powers?

Tune in to find out a few little secrets not found in the book.

 

 

Coming soon...

Some reviews for Guardians.

Until then.

Take care.   

 

Guardian Rap Sheet

 

 

As you get more familiar with the Guardians, you start to appreciate why their training program is so intensive. Just imagine the scenarios they have to deal with. Earthquakes, tornados, and other natural disasters. Acts of international terrorism. Perils from the deepest reaches of space. Things that are as wide-ranging as they are diverse.

 

Therefore you can appreciate, it is essential their expertise encompasses as wide a range of skills and abilities as possible, so they can offer the fullest assistance at the scene of whatever incident they attend.

 

Of course, it's very rare for anyone to possess absolutely everything required to deal with every imaginable situation. That's why the orbital stations and ground command centres employ various teams (Alpha Response & Bravo Response) with as wide a skill set as possible. 

 

But how do the commanders know who to select?

That's easy.

They use a thing called a Rap Sheet

 

 

As you can see, the computerised front screen conveys an instant précis that allows supervisors to assess who has the right blend of skills to enhance their squad.

Every guardian has one, and by selecting the right candidate for the right team, Guardian Command ensure they remain in a position to offer as thorough a service as possible.

 

In future weeks I will feature some of the better known characters so you can get more of an idea as to what makes them tick. And, I'll provide similar details about certain members of the Council.

After all, just how much of a threat can they be?

 

The Council

 

(A menace working from the shadows)

 

 

You've read about the elusive members of the Council. The worldwide psychic crime syndicate that has a finger in every pie - especially when it comes to technological advancement.

Well, here they are, revealed in their entirety for the first time.
(bottom of the page)

 

Remember - these are the Apostles as per book 1 - Guardian Angels.

In a few months time, I will update the chart to keep the timeline in sync with book 2 - Guardians.

Because changes do take place, and you'll see why.

 

As you read the books, see if you can spot the characters mentioned here, and try to imagine them employing their abilities to further the diabolical schemes of the Council itself.

 

But, what are their strengths?

What extra abilities do they manufacture through the fiendish machinations the Council puts into operation as they try to stay one step ahead of the Guardians? 

 

And what is it about Lei Yeung that helped him achieve such influence in the first place?

 

Ah. The books contain the answer.

 

You know what to do. The links are in the side bar :)