Mid-Week Flash Challenge - Week 104

This week's picture prompt was originally created by Zummerfish on Deviant Art, but they no longer appear to be active. They called this: "See No Evil"

Normally I find steampunk quite a struggle, but this story got away from me and, despite editing it down, it is still way over. And I could continue it too. Another one that one day I might carry on with.

The General Guidelines can be found here.

How to create a clickable link in Blogger comments can be found on lasts week's post here.

There is also a Facebook group for Mid-Week Flash, if you fancy getting the prompt there.

Brain Waves

Finally.  It had come.

He mused over it as he ate his breakfast. The delicately fashioned card with its fine bevelled edging, it was all the rage. But it was the small piece of artwork that captivated him: A woman’s face blindfolded by a new-age metal gadget, with a galaxy trapped in a sphere in the palm of her hand.

He’d been keeping his eye on this particular group, keeping up with their advancements in the technology of the future. Extracting information from the brain had become more technical than mere hypnosis; they were using some kind of headgear, encompassing the newly discovered steam energy. He was fascinated and repulsed at the same time.

The idea that you could extract information about the future from someone’s mind was outrageous, and yet here was their card: their invitation for him to come and meet with them. How did they know about his interest? The mind boggled – or steamed if they were to have their way.

He sniggered at his own joke, sipping his tea. What would they make of him? A man of hard science not fanciful ideas. But it niggled him: How had they known? He’d told no one.

When he arrived at the address on the card, it was nothing but a metal door in a side alley. Red brick and smog surrounded it, but the insignia of cogs engraved on it made it the right place.

He rapped on the door with his walking stick. A tiny click was heard and the door swung inward. There was no one to greet him. He stepped into a bright cavernous room, like a warehouse but with a wrought iron staircase leading up to a balcony that ran round the inside of it.

“Do come up!”

He looked up to see a woman leaning over the balcony above him. He climbed the stairs and walked towards her.

As he approached she put out her hand, “Doctor Peter Radcliffe, how nice of you to join us.”

He took the proffered hand. “And you are?” 

“Doctor Angela Makin, pleased to meet you.”

She swept out her arm, indicating for him to step into a room behind her. He did so cautiously.

It was a laboratory of some kind, with high ceilings and long wooden benches which ran in rows. They were covered in a variety of small gadgets, and jars were scattered among them, glowing with some kind of bright liquid. At the end were several reclining chairs.

“Feel free to browse while we wait for my colleague.”

“And who might that be?”

“Doctor Barnett.”

Of the group, he hadn’t expected the women to greet him.

“Not  Doctor Johanson or Doctor Privet?”

“Oh no, they don’t deal with clients, they only work on the products.”

He raised an eyebrow. This group really was different.

Doctor Makin walked with him along the tables, pointing out various objects until they reached the chairs.

“You’re welcome to take a seat; Doctor Barnett shouldn’t be much longer. I can show you how we link people up if you like.”

“That would be interesting.”

He lay back in the chair and Angela wheeled over a tray with helmets on it, similar to the ones in the artwork.

“Tell me, how is it you knew I was interested in your little group?”

She smiled. “Oh we know about all sorts of things, it’s not that difficult once you tap into it.”

“Tap into what?”

“The energy waves.” She placed the helmet over his head. It was musty inside and dark.

“What are energy waves?”

“Just a moment and you will see for yourself.”

He heard a door open.

“Ah, I see he’s already here and ready to go,” said a lady’s voice he presumed was Doctor Barnett.

“Yes, he’s been very pliant.”

That word made Peter suddenly feel very vulnerable. What were they planning?

“Are you ready to switch on?”

“Yes.”

“This should be interesting; very keen to capture this one.”

“Here I–” But his words were cut off as a bright light appeared inside the helmet on the eyeshield. It pulsed and swirled and he felt drawn into it. Then he was gone, he was flying free. 

 He could see everything and everyone but nothing was real; it was like watching a puppet show. The truth was the light surrounding them, which emitted information about who they were, what they liked, their past and their probable future. It was all there to be absorbed. He thought of someone and saw them, knowing instantly all about them. He went from one to another, taking in more and more.

Then, as though on a leash, he was pulled back and sucked back into the helmet, everything he’d learnt gone.

He blinked as the helmet raised, two women were standing there, one with a jar of glowing liquid in one hand.

“Thank you,” she said. “You’re free to go now.”

He couldn’t quite think why he was there, although there was a familiarity about the place. He got up and took up his hat and cane.

“Do pardon me ladies, I must be going.”

“That’s quite alright, Doctor Radcliffe. It was nice meeting you,” said the empty handed lady.

He gave her a half smile as he passed, keen to leave. She knew his name so he must know hers but he couldn’t bring it forward. He felt completely out of sorts, he needed to get home.

By the time he reached it, he was no longer sure where he’d been. He decided he must be overtired and chose to retire to his bed early. 

The A-Z Blog Challenge, Letter V

Letter V of My Favourite Books by title

Two authors - two genres

Political Fiction/Dystopian & Sci-Fi

The second letter I don't have any titles for, so here are some more significant favourites with numbers for titles.

The first is 1984, by George Orwell. Here's the blurb:

Hidden away in the Record Department of the sprawling Ministry of Truth, Winston Smith skilfully rewrites the past to suit the needs of the Party. Yet he inwardly rebels against the totalitarian world he lives in, which demands absolute obedience and controls him through the all-seeing telescreens and the watchful eye of Big Brother, symbolic head of the Party. In his longing for truth and liberty, Smith begins a secret love affair with a fellow-worker Julia, but soon discovers the true price of freedom is betrayal. 

This might be a classic but it's one I've only read recently, and after reading the heavily political Animal Farm by George Orwell, I wasn't expecting much. Plus having read other classics, The Handmaid's Tale and Lord of the Flies, and been extremely disappointed by the dreadful writing and storylines in those, I expected this to be another one of those 'read it for prosperity and not for enjoyment' kind of books. But man was I wrong, so very wrong!

It is political fiction and dystopian, and reading it in present times (it was published in 1949) it's like he could predict the future with how global politics are currently, but this is also a novel of horror - not just because of the torture scenes, but because of how it finishes. I kept waiting for there to be some kind of breakthrough; the hope that is built through the first two thirds of the book to come to something, but I will say - and maybe it's a bit of a spoiler - but it's destroyed, completely crushed and devastated. I was left with nothing but deep foreboding and powerlessness.

I haven't actually seen the film with John Hurt, and I can because it is there on Netflix waiting for me, but I am not sure I can put myself through that again. I mean, why would I want to?

It leaves an imprint and gives a perspective on the world that shouldn't be missed.

***

The second is 3001, by Arthur C Clarke. Here's the blurb: 

The body of Frank Poole, lost for a thousand years since the computer HAL caused his death en route to Jupiter, is retrieved, revived - and enhanced. In the most eagerly awaited sequel of all time, the terrifying truth of the Monolith's mission is a mystery only Poole can resolve. 

This is the fourth and last of the Odyssey series of books. This series was made famous by the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, which for some reason was hugely popular and been lorded as iconic and amazing, but which I personally found extremely boring. However I didn't find any of the books boring, I enjoyed them all: 2001, 2010 and 2060. But 3001 is my absolutely favourite. 

As is often the case in science fiction books set in a specific year in the future, the world they describe is always far in advance of how that actual world is when that year comes round. We were no where near 2001 or 2010 in our advancements by the time the years came to pass, and probably won't be in 2060. I have no idea if we will be in 3001, but what amazing advancements they would be if we were! Towers built right up through the atmosphere of our planet into space so we can build craft up there; using our minds directly to communicate, including things like sending email, and through this process being able to identify the psychopaths & killers among us, and neutralise them, using them as servants. It would be a true feat. 

As always Clarke offers fantastic ideas and imagery, and also plausibility to all his concept. I love his books.

 

The A-Z Blog Challenge, Letter U

Letter U of My Favourite Books by title

Two authors - two genres

Self-Help & Sci-fi/Horror

The first is, Unlimited Power, by Tony Robbins. Here's the blurb:

If you have ever dreamed of a better life, Unlimited Power will show you how to achieve the extraordinary quality of life you desire and deserve. Anthony Robbins has proven to millions through his books, tapes and seminars that by harnessing the power of your mind you can do, have, achieve and create anything you want for your life. Unlimited Power is a revolutionary fitness book for the mind. It will show you, step by step, how to perform at your peak while gaining emotional and financial freedom, attaining leadership and self-confidence and winning the co-operation of others. Unlimited Power is a guidebook to superior performance in an age of success. 

Now this book is the first to represent one of my guilty pleasures: self-help books. I love them and read a lot of them. Having had an abusive and traumatic childhood they've helped me a great deal, and really been the backbone of my healing.

Writers and readers alike scoff at them, thus they are something to be consumed in secret and not spoken about as many think it is all 'guff' and sneer at it, or argue its benefits. Personally that's for each individual to decide, but for me they have made the world of difference - especially this author, Tony Robbins.

For me, he is the top of all of them, mainly because he is all about helping people find the tools to help themselves, explaining how it's possible to change thinking and become successful in the ways they wish to become successful in life (not strictly material, but it can help). And this book is a great starting point and one of my top recommends for anyone asking where to start in this area.

It covers mostly NLP - Neuro Linguistic Programming, and is great for the layman, which was Tony's intention when he wrote it. It helps the reader understand how the mind works, how people communicate, and how to understand and communicate better yourself. It's a toolbox. And although Tony does huge workshops and events globally, which are off the scale in terms of cost for someone like myself, he wanted people to be able to access the same information at an affordable price. He succeeds with this one.

This is not a fast read, it is one to read and process over time or keep returning to - as I feel most self-help books are. Unlike fiction they are not stories to be read from cover to cover, they are toolboxes, to dip into. I usually read them over several months, and then return to them for refreshers on areas that I want to understand better.

No matter your personal take on these sorts of books or on self-help in general, there is plenty to learn in this book, which contains proven, science based information. You won't find any Law of Attraction stuff here.

***

The second is UR, by Stephen King. Here's the blurb:

Reeling from a painful break-up, English instructor and avid book lover Wesley Smith is haunted by his ex-girlfriend's parting shot: "Why can't you just read off the computer like everyone else?" He buys an e-book reader out of spite, but soon finds he can use the device to glimpse realities he had never before imagined, discovering literary riches beyond his wildest dreams...and all-too-human tragedies that surpass his most terrible nightmares. 

This is another short of Stephen King's, and another one of his forages into producing just ebooks - he wrote this one exclusively for kindle. And the amusing thing about that is the twist in the story itself, which is about an ebook and one that offers more than your average book.

I have a love and fascination for the surreal and the concepts of other dimensions and parallel universes, which my writing attests to, so this one was an immediate hit for me. 

Another Stephen King anecdote: I met him at a book signing in London in 2006, it was for the release of Lisey's Story. I started queuing at 9am - he was due to arrive at 1pm - I was No.100 in the queue (yes we were all given numbers). I had no idea what to say to him I was so nervous, so I ended up with the cheesy line of 'Thank you for all your writing' and he seemed surprised by me saying that and thanked me. I was totally star struck and delighted that one of my lifetime dreams had come true.  
 

The A-Z Blog Challenge, Letter T

Letter T of My Favourite Books by title

Three authors, three genres

Fantasy, Sci-fi and ... Alien Abuduction

The first one is The Talisman, by Stephen King. Here's the blurb:

On a brisk autumn day, a twelve-year-old boy stands on the shores of the gray Atlantic, near a silent amusement park and a fading ocean resort called the Alhambra. The past has driven Jack Sawyer here: his father is gone, his mother is dying, and the world no longer makes sense. But for Jack everything is about to change. For he has been chosen to make a journey back across America--and into another realm.

One of the most influential and heralded works of fantasy ever written, The Talisman is an extraordinary novel of loyalty, awakening, terror, and mystery. Jack Sawyer, on a desperate quest to save his mother's life, must search for a prize across an epic landscape of innocents and monsters, of incredible dangers and even more incredible truths. The prize is essential, but the journey means even more. Let the quest begin ...


If anyone asks me, what's your No.1 book by Stephen King? This is it. Hands down. And this is not really a book of horror, although it has plenty of dark edges. It is more a work of fantasy, of parallel universes and a boy called Jack trying to save his mother's life.

This novel has a sequel, The Black House, a book which ties directly into the Dark Tower series, so by association this book does too, as Jack has a lot more to find out than just how to try and save his mother.

For me this book offers the best character yet: Wolf. He befriends Jack in the other realm and is his companion and is absolutely beguiling. I loved him.

If you don't know where to start with Stephen King books, this is a great place. It shows you exactly how Stephen King captures his readers imaginations, and why he crosses genres with a lot of his writing. It's not to be missed.

Did you know that Stephen King was almost killed in a car accident back in 1999? The paramedic said there was an angel sitting on his shoulder, because he shouldn't have survived with all his injuries. He said it was like something out of one of his own books: when he came to, the guy who had hit him with the van was just sitting a rock nearby watching him, with his dog sitting next to him, calm as you like, and just tells him help is on his way. You can read more about it in his non-fiction book On Writing, which is mostly about the craft or writing, but he adds it in at the end.

***

The second is Transformation, by Whitley Strieber. Here's the blurb:

According to bestselling author Whitley Strieber, his contact with strange aliens did not end with the release of his controversial book, Communion. Instead, the "visitors" kept coming. In Transformation, Strieber challenges his own fear for a triumphant breakthrough in understanding.

This one has a tricky genre. I found it in the 'mythology' section of my book shop! It is not really fiction as it is Whitley Strieber's account of being 'visited' by alien life forms since he was small.

The first novel Communion, which this is sort of the sequel to, is an account of how he uncovered these visits, through a series of hypnosis sessions, and debates all the possibilities, including losing his mind and even having a medical problem.

Transformation was written and released about a year or  so later, and was sort of the outcome of the publication of Communion: all the people that had contacted him, including his siblings since its release, and how the aliens themselves had made themselves more known since his coming out about them. But also his upset and frustration that they were visiting his young son, and he was powerless to stop it. He also talks about being taught about astral projection by them, and the electric soul of all living things.

I found both books fascinating, and the jury is out for me as to whether he is spinning a tale or whether this is true. I have no reason not to believe it. But at the same time, unless it happens to you how can you conceive of such a thing? But I liked these books enough to keep them in my collection. And Whitley Strieber already being an author, has written them well - they are far from incoherent ramblings.

***

The third one is, Truckers by Terry Pratchett. Here's the blurb:

'Outside! What's it like?'
Masklin looked blank.
'Well,' he said. 'It's sort of big -'

To the thousands of tiny nomes who live under the floorboards of a large department store, there is no Outside. Things like Day and Night, Sun and Rain are just daft old legends.

Then a devastating piece of news shatters their existence: the Store - their whole world - is to be demolished. And it's up to Masklin, one of the last nomes to come into the Store, to mastermind an unbelievable escape plan that will take all the nomes into the dangers of the great Outside...  

 I couldn't pass the letter T without mentioning Truckers, which is the first part of a series called the Bromeliad Triology. 

You could say this is Terry Pratchett's spin on The Borrowers, as the characters are little gnomes or 'nomes' as he calls them, living under the floorboards of a department story. But I felt these little tales were far more colourful and fun and full of humour than that book. 

I recently read all three to my eldest son and we thoroughly enjoyed them. Again they can be seen as Terry Pratchett's children's book, but the humour in them is for all ages. If you don't fancy the discworld, these are worth a look.