Chapter 12 : No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed

The twelfth chapter of « 2206 : Window Onto A New World » features Aaren Mayr, the Treasurer of the Alliance of Sovereign Nations.

Flying back to Milagenia, the secessionist reflects on how his official functions have increased the frequency of his travellings.

« The observation obliquely reminded the economist of one of the manners in which he could pass the hours more efficiently. He had developed the peculiar habit of systematically archiving all of his electronic conversations, that he could save automatically thanks to the native communication application of his uDev. In view of his professional activities, he had deemed it an additional safety, and it had proved invaluable in quite a few instances. His transits afforded him the time to manage his collection and rewatch some of the chats, and in this fashion he had fished many pearls among the dregs, bits of information that, in hindsight, suddenly gained significance. Now was the perfect moment to peruse the ever increasing heap, and recapitulate the recent evolutions of his attempt at establishing a collaboration between the Community and the Alliance. »

As the episode unfolds, the quadragenarian reminisces one particular weekend in Triton Aeolus, providing us with an alternative perspective on some of the events of those determining few days.

This week's edition of the Threshold Bookcast, « No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed, » follows below. Wishing you an enjoyable reading !

Chapter 11 : The Preacher The Teacher

This week's instalment of The Threshold Series revolves around Bernard Sturn and features Veshtar, the almost barren land also known as the radioactive planet.

As the chapter begins, the illustrious physicist is enjoying a cup of green tea in his office, reviewing the events of the day while he waits for his newly hired assistant, Frank Evans, to join him for an informal evening meeting.

« At the beginning of the morning, Daniel Milton had sent him a long video mail which had revived the possibility that his new colleague could in fact be an industrial spy who had successfully infiltrated his team, in all likelihood in the pay of one of the independent nations. Obviously, the mere presence of a potential intruder in the Veshtari scientific facility constituted a threat that the security expert had to address, or at least report to the RDA. The space engineer had immediately recorded a brief response, arguing that he could probably clarify the matter on his own, and thus save everyone much time and energy. And at worst, should that request be denied, it yet afforded him the delay he needed to determine the safest way to proceed, and hopefully avoid a full-fledged investigation. Or at any rate, that had been the plan. »

The young programmer eventually enters the room, and the two men proceed to hold what could very well become a pivotal conversation in their developing relationship.

Here's « The Preacher The Teacher, » the eleventh episode of the Threshold Bookcast. Wishing you a most pleasant reading !

Chapter 10 : South Side Of The Sky

The tenth episode of the Threshold Bookcast focuses on Jake Harvey, the popular leader of the New Light Party.

At the start of the chapter, the rookie politician is enjoying a stargazing break on the observation deck of the space station his team and him are visiting.

« But life as an overly busy developing businessman had barely afforded him the leisure for socialization and entertainment, unless the activities served some work-related objective or another. As a somewhat less overly busy front running candidate, it was part of his duty to engage with people everyday and visit the far reaches of the Federation. And although he still had difficulty with the tedious travelling, he had recognized the value of savouring each one of the new spectacles offering themselves to his pale green eyes. Whether he were witnessing the often desolate landscapes of the sadly disfigured Ovel, or the lofty spacescapes which he had been awed to watch ever since the Progressive Parties had begun their tour of the stations, he would at least attempt to receive the beauty they conveyed. He had always thought he had seen stars in his youth, growing up in a remote farming community, away from the glitter and the greyness of the megapolises, yet this was nothing compared to the vista he was presently revelling in from one of the observation decks of Harmonia Eleven. The earnest and pragmatic administrator he used to be would not have dared to go sightseeing just prior to such a crucial meeting as the one he was about to attend. The wiser person he now was knew better. And given how off-worlders were generally significantly more respectful than their fellow Ovelians, there really was no reason to deprive himself of the pleasure. »

The pensive man is soon brought back to the reality of his agenda by his personal assistant. We then follow them as they proceed towards what could turn out to be a defining moment of the electoral campaign.

I hope you enjoy « South Side Of The Sky, » this week's instalment of The Threshold Series !

Chapter 9 : Careful With That Axe, Eugene

Richard Ramsay, the Federal Chancellor of Ovel, is once again the central character of the weekly instalment of The Threshold Series.

At the beginning of the chapter, the veteran Conservative is temporarily escaping the pressures of his functions, hastening undercover towards a secret destination.

« Manifestly, the megapolis had become one of extremes. In downtown Triton Aeolus, where he had been dropped off, which was far from being one of the disadvantaged neighbourhoods of the vast urban area, the disguised ruler had gone from a place of ostentatious wealth to one of abject poverty just by crossing a few streets. And so, only minutes after having parted ways with his trustworthy helper, he was rid of the hustle and bustle of the boulevard and surrounded by the raw, desolate, yet peaceful landscape so common to those who had to live in the daily company of scarcity. Regardless of grey clouds and bleak environment, behind his shades, his eyes were bright, and underneath his long, black leather raincoat, his heart was light. He was savouring each instant of the quiet time as he trod the drying sidewalks, once in a while using his cane to steady himself as he would step on an uneven slab of derelict pavement. »

As he proceeds on his way to his undisclosed objective, the experienced politician hopes his disguise will protect him against undesirable encounters.

The ninth episode of the Threshold Bookcast, « Careful With That Axe, Eugene, » follows below. Wishing you a most enjoyable reading !

Chapter 8 : Nous Sommes Du Soleil

This week's episode of the Threshold Bookcast revolves around members of a religious community living in a high-perched monastery located in the highest mountain range on Ovel.

As the narrative begins, two of the cenobites, a novice and his experienced teacher, are climbing up towards a hillside cave that the teenager will be allowed to enter for the first time.

« The young monk had seen with his own almond-shaped, dark brown eyes some of those who had attempted to disclose the mysteries of the Tähtsaim. First, they had suddenly become confused as they had started to relate their stories. Then, seemingly having great difficulty to utter even a single word, their throats hurting and burning, they had slowly lost their voices, forced to silence for weeks and even quarters on end in some instances. And once their ability to speak had ultimately returned, they had been unable to recollect their visits to the temple. In similar fashion, those who intended to communicate with gestures would lose motility, regaining it only as memories vanished. Just prior to being exposed, drawings and written accounts would incomprehensibly disappear or be destroyed, often by natural causes, regardless of the precautions taken to protect them. Pictures wouldn't come out right, recordings would be irremediably crippled by noise, and devices would generally behave erratically. Remarkable events inevitably occurred whenever somebody would want to reveal what they had discovered in the secluded place. »

We follow the younger monastic in his discoveries and find out how he is about to be thrust into the heart of an adventure that could turn out to be much bigger than him.

I hope you enjoy « Nous Sommes Du Soleil, » the eighth chapter of The Threshold Series !

Chapter 7 : Giants Under The Sun

The seventh chapter of The Threshold Series focuses on the Parker-Evanses, a young Neo Apollonian couple, on a weekend visit to Triton Aeolus from their hometown of Neo Delphi.

While Frank Evans is being interviewed, his wife, Celia Parker, enjoys a moment of tranquillity with her daughter Christina as they stroll down the trails of Pefki Park.

« The young mother recalled how even this hadn't been that bad, that is, until her dear spouse had stumbled upon this heavens forsaken once in a lifetime chance to assist the illustrious professor, Bernard Sturn. The renowned researcher had been looking for an engineer to help him conceive an artificial intelligence, and ever since finding out about the opportunity, Frank hadn't been the same. In fact, he had behaved like an out of control version of the passionate geek she had known and loved when they had originally met at Parnassus University. Becoming literally obsessed with the subject, he had learned anything and everything he could regarding cognition, neural networks, cyborgs, and robots. And when not reading or developing prototypes and who knew what else on their server, he had been getting back into shape to fulfil the criteria of the RDA. If at first it had relieved her to see him in such an enthusiastic mindset after the period of doubts and moodiness that his unanticipated unemployment had ushered in, in the long run it had grown increasingly unnerving to her. She had come to resent having to take care of her partner, their daughter, and their home, virtually by herself, while he acted like some kind of aspiring astronaut. »

As the episode progresses, we discover the challenging circumstances the family is confronted with.

Here's this week's edition of the Threshold Bookcast, « Giants Under The Sun. » Wishing you a most pleasant reading !

(« Scylla by William Pye » by mira66)

« In The Vortex » is an energetic instrumental put together while toying with  ideas leftover from « Informaëlstrom » and « Leftoverturned. »

The intent here was to communicate the experience of feeling enthusiastic and determined despite being faced with a demanding or overwhelming challenge.

The title refers to Esther Hicks' concept of the vortex, or to be more precise, to the experience of being in that vortex, a state of mind characterized by purposeful joy and focused forward motion.

The demo is a shorter version of the composition which was edited to fit the requirements of the Melodic Revolution Records Theme Song Contest held in 2009.

Here's the accompanying poetry :

where is that road unknown leading to the apex
so many paths outgrown, the memories perplex
bearing this cross of stone, this addictive reflex
to self-denial prone, self-fulfilling the wrecks

like an angel, fallen, caged behind bars of steel
competing with Chiron, uncongenial ideal
a praiseworthy healer who themselves cannot heal
a sought after teacher hankering for the real

no gain in lamenting, dwelling on what's unfair
better to keep going than fall prey to despair
reaching the objective is no simple affair
achievers, selective, of woes avoid the snare

discerning right and wrong is neither here nor there
one will not hear a song who finds fault with its air
if harder to summon, love stands beyond compare
neither couth nor common can do without their share

and therefore a gulf lies, obvious in plain sight
between doing what's wise and wielding what is right
those who have seen the prize, inspired by its delight
are watching from the skies, unhindered in their flight

building a momentum, unrestrained energy
rise ad infinitum, defying gravity
joy is summum bonum, ultimate therapy
live to the maximum in serendipity

forever on the mark, no cause for atonement
the flow maintains the spark, the zone yields attainment
angels cooperate, in perfect alignment
choices perpetuate eternal contentment

unburdened by concern, miracles allowing
fortunes occur in turn, signs are multiplying
the sun shines on the world, the lovers are smiling
bright banners are unfurled, cups are overflowing

all the blocks are released, living without complex
a neverending feast in the neocortex
grinning wide at Chronos, with eyebrows circumflex
at one with the cosmos, basking in the vortex

Chapter 6 : It Can Happen

In this week's edition of the Threshold Bookcast, we follow Jake Harvey as he visits the illustrious Mistress Aeira for a private consultation.

At the beginning of the episode, the former businessman reminisces some of the events that have lead him to the political arena, and ponders what awaits him should his bid for the Chancellery of the Ovelian Federation turn out to be successful.

« At a relatively young age, an excessively busy working life had brought the tall blond man the financial independence he had been seeking. But socially things had been more difficult, and indeed never truly rewarding, as if there had been a price to pay for his success. And then his circumstances had improved dramatically as he had chosen a new career. Or maybe had it been the new career that had chosen him ? Being elected leader of the New Light Party and voted in as representative in the Global Chamber had actually ushered in a very welcome change of pace. His responsibilities rarely amounted to the craziness he remembered from the time he had been directing his own venture. Yet, he was merely the chief of a secondary opposition party. The head of a Federation comprising no less than one hundred and twenty-seven states including colonies onboard stations orbiting the homeland and on a neighbouring planet surely couldn't enjoy such leisure. »

The story unfolds to reveal various relationships of influence between mentors and protégés.

« It Can Happen, » the sixth chapter of The Threshold Series, follows below. Wishing you all an enjoyable reading !

Chapter 5 : Space Oddity

As the title suggests, the fifth chapter of « 2206 : Window Onto A New World » reveals more details of the recently discovered spatial anomaly, the baffling phenomenon that has all of Ovel talking.

In this instalment, we meet the other two key figures of the Coalition of Progressives, namely, Laura-Sylvia Bauer, head of the Greens, and Edward Rogers, chief of the Liberals, who collaborate with Jake Harvey in order to remove the Conservatives at the helm of the Global Government.

« The Liberal mused that the public opinion had been rather cruel towards his troops since the launch of the campaign. The platform of the formation, or obvious lack thereof as its detractors had been saying, was clearly not attracting the sympathy of the voters. The performance of most of his candidates had been such that almost all of his counsellors had advised to accept the proposition of the New Light Party and officialize the projected union, even prior to election day, as it constituted the best hope of accessing power. »

At the beginning of the episode, the trio of politicians and some of their staff are gathered in a conference room wherein a scientific consultant proceeds to brief them about the mysterious discontinuity. The dynamics of the developing relationships between the three party leaders come to the fore as the presentation unfolds.

I hope you enjoy this week's edition of the Threshold Bookcast. Here's « Space Oddity » !

Chapter 4 : Machine Messiah

The central character of the fourth instalment of the Threshold Bookcast is none other than the Chancellor of the Ovelian Federation himself, Richard Ramsay.

As we join him in a conference room of the First Cruiser of the Federal Fleet, we find the experienced politician in deep reflection, mulling over past, present, and future.

« The veteran Conservative had never really planned to spend the majority of his lifetime in the political arena, nor had he envisaged being a member of the Global Government for eight consecutive mandates. And he surely never had dreamt of becoming the first Ovelian to be elected Chancellor of the Federation on three occasions, and in a row to top it all off. He could barely believe how quickly it had all gone by. His reign had lasted over sixteen years ! And he had been a representative for over forty years ! »

The story unfolds to reveal the preoccupations of the authoritarian statesman, allowing us a peek at what really goes on behind the scenes of the Global Government.

Here's « Machine Messiah, » the fourth chapter in The Threshold Series. Enjoy !

Chapter 3 : Togetherness

The third chapter of « 2206 : Window Onto A New World, » revolves around Aeira, a high profile soothsayer, often derided as a celebrity astrologer by her detractors.

As the narrative begins, the prophetess is enjoying post dinner conversations with three of her closest friends.

« The wise elder had understood a long time ago that, for the sake of being at peace with herself and her universe, to retain her sanity and preserve her integrity, it was essential for her to admit and own her supernatural gifts, as others were calling her prescience. Despite the ensuing ostracization, and the hurtful insinuations, accusations, and insults it frequently attracted her, she had gradually foregone all attempts at pretence, and decided instead to fully bloom into the spiritual adviser that she had always felt was latent within her. »

The influence the uncannily beautiful lady yields over her acolytes becomes obvious as the story progresses, hinting at her pivotal role in the Ovelian saga.

Hope you enjoy « Togetherness, » the third episode of the Threshold Bookcast ! Wishing you a pleasurable reading !

Chapter 2 : Going For The One

In « Going For The One, » we meet Jake Harvey, one of the key political players of the era, and members of his entourage.

At the beginning of the chapter, the former businessman is settling in his executive suite for a determining weekend in Triton Aeolus.

« The star candidate mused that if the political crusade was very demanding, his motivations were very strong. Possibly for the first time in over forty years, there was a real chance of removing the almighty Conservative Party from office and actually changing the Global Government. The last time any other formation had been in charge of the Federation, the Liberals in that specific instance, he had yet to be born, thus he had never known any other regime. Nonetheless, this time around he was standing right in the eye of the storm, as the New Light Party, of which he had recently become the chief, was in position to write a new chapter in the history of Ovelian politics as instigator of the first coalition to ever be entrusted with the reins of power. And as if the situation wasn't sufficiently stimulating already, his atypical and charismatic style was yielding impressive numbers in the polls, keeping him in the limelight as probable leader of the gathering. He could recognize the feeling, and he knew what it meant. He could legitimately aspire to be the next Chancellor. »

As he consults attendants, associates, and advisers of various horizons, we discover how, over the course of the sojourn, the communications will have a tremendous impact on the fate of the Ovelian dominion.

The second chapter of the Threshold Series follows below. Have a pleasant reading !

The Bookcast

I was more than surprised this morning when I googled the terms “bookcast” and “bookcasting.” I had imagined that what I was expecting to see in the results would have been common practice in this day and age, and yet I actually saw very little of what I had in mind. Moreover, I couldn't find entries for the words in Wikipedia, nor in the Wiktionary. In fact, this is the best definition I stumbled upon :

« The goal of a bookcast is to cast as in “to set forth or let loose” a response to the book that shares not the story of the book but something that the book brought out in you, perhaps what you felt or learned through the reading and reflecting. »  – BookHenge

I had supposed that bookcasting was closer in intent to other forms of webcasting, like podcasting for instance. That is to say, I had assumed that a bookcast was a means of broadcasting the story itself, and not merely impressions evoked by the story, just like music podcasts generally include the music itself, and not only comments about the music.

That being said, I haven't altered my plans one iota in light of the finding. Via this bookcast, I will thus release the first book of The Threshold series. Each episode will consist in a complete chapter that will be available for online reading.

This is obviously an experiment for me. Let's see where this leads to.

The Series

The Threshold relates the saga of the Ovelian civilization, a society very similar to our own, as it heads towards one of the most dramatic chain of events of its history.

The first book, « 2206 : Window Onto A New World, » focuses on the end of the year 2206, which culminates on an important federal election that will be impacted by the discovery of an anomaly in the nearby outer space.

Here's the synopsis of the first book, which also outlines some of the majors arcs of the entire series :

At the turn of the century, Ovel must face the consequences of its accelerated growth. One hundred and twenty seven federated countries and eleven sovereign nations, spread across the homeland and in colonies settled onboard orbiting stations and on a nearby planet. Fourteen billion inhabitants struggling to thrive under the rule of a corrupted Global Government, in power for over forty years.


Fuelled by a recent scientific finding, the once in a lifetime discovery of a discontinuity in the cosmic fabric of the neighbouring space, a coalition of politicians is willing to stand up for the people and radically change things.



Now relegated to the ranks of an obscure sect, the once dominant Community and its disciples must effectively handle the requirements of the Celestials to ensure that the most favourable of all possible destinies comes to pass.



Meanwhile, halfway across the world, a young monk must learn to collaborate with the Enlightened Ones in order to successfully discharge the essential task he has accepted to fulfil in behalf of his monastery.



Will the crucial 2206 electoral campaign climax on the emergence of a charismatic Progressive leader, or will the decried Chancellor prevail despite the many forces scheming for his downfall ?



On a background of environmental and financial crises, and religious influences intertwining with political manoeuvres to determine the fate of the overpopulated orb, The Threshold chronicles the evolution of the Ovelian civilization as it heads towards unprecedented upheaval.

For more details about the series and the bookcast, please see the introduction.

The Chapter

The first chapter, « Homeworld, » introduces one of the main protagonists of the story, Bernard Sturn. The famous physicist is currently working for the Research and Development Administration on Veshtar, the sole inhabited planet in the neighbourhood of Ovel. At the beginning of the narrative, the scientist arrives on the motherland.

As it is the first of the bookcast, the chapter is exceptionally preceded by a prologue.

Without further ado, here's « Homeworld. » I wish you an enjoyable reading !

Source: http://www.nme.com/news/gwar/60193

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We are pleased to announce that  "BORN TO ASHES"  is going into the studio at the  Art Institute Of Washington  this weekend to lay down tracks for their single, "ASHAMED", which will be available for promotional purposes to record labels and media outlets. Look for it here upon completion !