The Guardians - Ahead of our Time?

As you know, from time to time I like to highlight how the adventures of the Guardians keeps its collective finger on the pulse of reality.

 

 

Recently, I mentioned one of the planets that the Guardians help colonize, Kalliste.

 

However, this is just one of a number of worlds where they do such things.

In the very latest book currently being written - Phoenix Rising - there's a grand revelation regarding the Ceol Star system, and a rather unique symbiosis with a very special place, Armoin.

 

Ceol is an M class Red Dwarf with one planet within the habitable zone. (An area also known as the Goldilocks zone, which is the region within which a planetary-mass object with sufficient atmospheric pressure can support liquid water on its surface)

 

Obviously, the bounds of the habitable zone are calculated knowing the requirements of Earth's biosphere, its position within the solar system, and the amount of radiant energy it receives from the sun. Such factors are believed instrumental in determining the scope and distribution of extraterrestial life and intelligence.

 

The stuff of sheer fiction perhaps?

Well, please take a look at this rather interesting press release from the CETI institute regarding exactly that kind of thing with a real life Red Dwarf (Kepler 186) and an actual world called Kepler 186f.

 

 

http://www.seti.org/seti-institute/press-release/press-release-first-discovery-earth-sized-planet-habitable-zone?utm_content=bufferb0a08&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

 

It makes interesting reading, and is another example where the science fiction of today, may very well become the science fact of tomorrow.

Enjoy :)

Don't forget

Coming later this year...

 

Fallen Angels - Book 3 of the Guardian Series

 

 

Your world will never be the same

Kalliste – A Worldwide Zoo of Discovery

Last week, I introduced you to Kalliste, and told you a little bit about the conditions there. Here’s the map again, so you can get an idea of reference.

Imagine, if you can, a world of endless virgin forests, open grasslands, and mountains so high, it looks like they might attempt to puncture the atmosphere. The seas and oceans are stark and majestic, exemplifying the fact that Kalliste is a world of stark beauty and harsh and rugged terrain.

Of course, the wildlife native to this planet matches the splendor of such an impressive world. Here are some details lifted from the initial report supplied by Deputy Marshall Anatt Yasin, to Guardian Command, regarding some of the species encountered there.

Flora & Fauna:

At this stage, it has been determined that two of the continents, (Nerada and Paladin), are home to four of this planet’s five deadly predators, with those animals being common to both.

The ursine is best described as a combination of a grizzly and polar bear, but half again as big. It has been nick-named a Grylar. It appears to eat anything that moves and will have to be monitored closely. Studies appear to show it favoring deep woodland and high altitude.

There are three main families of big cats.

One is docile and appears to have some form of telepathic ability similar to that displayed by dolphins. It looks like a cross between a Jaguar and a Puma, being similar in size to the former. It is carnivorous, but loves company, and enjoys acting as a retriever of all sorts of objects.

We have affectionately dubbed it a Guappa.

It is susceptible to moods and as such, colonists will need to be strictly instructed as to how to act around them, as when aroused, this animal is capable of inflicting severe injuries.

The other two big cats are much more hazardous.

The first has been christened a Veran, a saber-toothed leonine that stands nearly six feet tall at the shoulder and which is blessed with leopard markings. It inhabits the grasslands and coastal regions and is an excellent swimmer, with many marine animals included in its diet. It appears a solitary animal, and so far has displayed an excessive wariness of humans which is to be initially encouraged.

It too seems to display a form of telepathy and would serve as an excellent future “guard dog” if we can instill in it an adversity to hunt humanoids. Thankfully, one of its favorite foods appears to be Silverstreaks, (see below), which may solve a number of problems for those eventually living in coastal areas.

The final big cat predator is similar in size to larger male tigers.

Called a Quincha, it looks like a cross between a tiger/cheetah/hyena and is twice as fast. They can cruise at seventy miles an hour and have the stamina of a marathon runner. So far, the top sprinting speed of this animal has been measured at one hundred and ten miles per hour.

As with the Grylar, they eat anything that moves, but appear to have a preference for carrion.

The final predator of concern is a reptile–a lizard we have called an Ozzaman. It looks like a small dragon, and can reach twenty feet in length. It will fly for very short distances if it has to and is an excellent swimmer. This beast can vent actual steam through its jaws that strips the flesh from its prey.

The oceans have massive variety of life–(precise enclosed – Appendix D). The only direct danger is represented by the aforementioned Silverstreak, a thirteen foot long eel that can cut through the water in excess of eighty miles per hour. It is highly aggressive and will attack sudden movement without provocation. Colonists are to be educated about the danger this genus represents.

However, caution must also be exercised in the presence of a species of fish christened a Shogun Emperor. It is an extremely venomous fish, the poisonous barbs being positioned along its fins. Although its diet consists of other fish and micro-organisms, it is extremely inquisitive and will brush along you if given the opportunity. This is not a sign of aggression. This species appears to say “hello” by doing just that. As such, extreme caution must be exercised in its presence, as the neurotoxin it delivers is indirectly lethal, inhibiting control of the muscles.

Fortunately we have only found this creature around the southern seas of the western continent, Viridian, where the currents appear to congregate them within a one–three thousand mile radius.

All oceans are home to a species of giant squid that measures in excess of fifty feet. Fortunately this creature is very shy, although inquisitive. If it does approach you, expect to be examined and fondled closely. (A very unnerving experience by all accounts!)

There are a number of mammalians which are plankton or fish eaters and so far we have not discovered an aggressive genus.

Apart from these examples, the only other predator of concern is isolated to Viridian. It is a bird of prey similar to an Eagle, which viciously attacks anyone or anything straying too close to its nesting sites along the western shores of that continent. We have christened them Fire-Strikes, as their claws secrete a naturally occurring acid that can paralyze its victims. Fortunately, their largest prey appears to be sheep-sized bovines plentiful across the entire landform.

 

So, there you go. I wish I was a better graphic artist. I have pictures in my minds-eye that would really bring these creatures to life. But, that’s where you come in. As you read the story, see if you can visualize what these beasts would look like if you came face to face with one, and how it would react. And then try to image what it would be like to have one as a pet!

What would your choice be? A Fire-Strike? A huge Veran, or your very own Ozzaman steam dragon?

Stay tuned. As the series progresses we’ll find out much, much more of the remarkable worlds being discovered, and what it would be like to live there for real.

A Picture Paints a Thousand Words

For those of you who have read Guardians, you will be aware that our friends have begun a colonization process, ready for the time humanity reaches out into the vastness of space. The first area they have selected centres on the planet Kalliste, in the Elpis Star system.

 

In fact, Andrew stumbled across the Elpis Star System during the events recorded in Guardian Angels. I thought you might like to find out more about Kalliste, but, instead of just talking about her, I thought I'd show you a few pictures and maps.

 

 

Elpis (an ancient Greek word for Hope) is an F(IV) blue-white sub giant star located in the Pegasus Dwarf Galaxy. This sun has 1.7 times the mass of our own Sun, and 6 times the luminosity.

In all, there are 7 planets within this system, divided into two distinct regions. The inner zone has four rocky planets: Ovid, Seneca, Apuleius, and Kalliste. The outer area encompasses 3 gas giants: Arminius, Virgil, and Arrhenius.

 

The action takes place on Kalliste, (Beauty), an Earth-like planet of dense teeming jungles and majestic mountains. Fortunately, conditions there create extensive cloud cover, reducing surface light to near acceptable levels. Callistran and Theron, the two moons orbiting this wonder, create high tidal variations. Nevertheless, with a little help from the Guardians, Kalliste has been terraformed into an absolute delight.

 

Kalliste herself has a diameter of 12,693 miles, and a 'K' standard day of 39 hours.

In Guardians, a base camp has been established on Neranda, the largest of the three continents. As you can see from the basic map, Neranda is larger than the other two continents - Viridian and Paladin - combined. Quite a bit of action will take place here in Fallen Angels, and later books too, so I thought it would be nice to familiarize you with the place.

 

Of course, there are a lot of interesting animals, native to this planet that colonists will have to contend with. What are they and what might they look like?

 

Aha! You'll have to wait until next week for that. In the meantime, say hello to Kalliste, and see if you can remember any of her basic features from the storyline...

More to come soon.

Guardians

 

Hi there.

If you remember, I mentioned previously that as we come into March, I'd starts to update certain facts with events that take place in the second book of the Guardian Series - Guardians.

 

So, what can we look forward to?

Well, the sequel gives us a huge hint regarding the history of some of the older and more experienced Guardians. While we don't unearth the origins of Adam himself, we do at last find out who Victoria and Andrew are.

(As to what they are? - Ha! That comes later)

 

We get a glimpse into the actual transension of a human being into a god-like entity, and through this, the impact the presence of the Guardians is actually having on the growing Earth-wide psychic community.

 

The efforts of the Guardians to protect Earth from an extinction event also introduce us to some unexpected characters from the dawn of time, superbeings who harbour a deep and bitter hatred of the founder of the Guardians, Adam. Through them, we are drawn closer to the mystery of his genesis, and what his plans for humankind really are.

 

Of course, with such a volatile mix, tragedy is bound to happen. Does it?

 

 

 

You can find out by clicking a link on the right.

Enjoy :)

 

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.

*******
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.

*****

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?