Category Archives: fantasy

Choice

fantasy, Mars, science fiction

 

After they colonized Mars we humans left on Earth started to worry. Rumors flew. The food will run out and the fresh water will disappear.

There were right about the food.

Savage fighting has engulfed the world. Friends and relatives fight over scraps. Roaming bands of thugs hunt down weak and defenseless humans. Cannibalism is rife.

…

My mate found out yesterday that she is with child. We visited the doctor this afternoon and he gave us a choice.

“You look like reasonable people,” the doctor said. He scanned the genome map in front of him. “I can make him healthy and strong, if you agree,” he said.

My mate shook her head. “It isn’t natural,” she said.

The doctor smiled and pointed at a dark band on the screen. “All I have to do is delete this,” he said. “Your boy will never feel hunger. He will have a tremendous advantage.”

I didn’t know what to think. The doctor’s argument sounded reasonable.

“You have a choice,” the doctor said. “I need an answer. Now.”

Tears rolled down my mate’s cheeks and she looked up at me, hoping to find an ally. I shook my head.

“Do it,” I said.

“But,” my mate said.

I held her by the shoulders and stared into her eyes. “It’s the only way.”

The doctor tapped on the screen and a sinuous metal arm approached my mate and before we could react a silver needle darted forward into a blood vessel in the back of her hand.

My mate whimpered and her eyes closed.

The doctor turned to us. “There, it’s done. You can rest assured that you have made the correct decision.”

My mate turned to me in horror. “You monster,” she said.

“The child’s digestive organs will atrophy and eventually disappear,” the doctor said. “At the same time, the new autotrophic system will develop.”

My mate closed her eyes and squeezed both hands into fists.

“There is nothing to worry about,” the doctor said with a smile. “He will still be able to pass liquids and solids through his alimentary canal if he wishes, although I rather doubt he will make that decision.”

“Let’s go,” I said to my mate. “Our boy will live, that’s all that matters, isn’t it?”

My mate looked up at me and shook her head.

 

Mr. Neutrino

fantasy, From the Mind of Muggington, neutrinos

I was born in an exploding star.  A few seconds after the Big Bang I took off. Me and my buddies, trillions of us are on the journey of a lifetime.

You won’t believe what I’ve seen. I’ve zipped through stony meteorites and the icy tails of comets. I oohed and aahed with the others as we shot through planetary rings and thick, hot magma.

Planet Earth was a blip on our epic trip. As I moved through your planet it was nice to see all the fleshy things crawling about playing with their toys.

But that was long ago. We are at the beginning the most mind-blowing trip ever. Unfortunately the edge of the universe has a head start on us and unless something changes we will never catch up. We will never get to see what is beyond the edge.

Whatever is there I bet it is even more fantastic.  Who knows there might be a wild new universe on the other side? Maybe our universe is just rolling out the carpet for the entrance of an even cooler one.

I just had a thought. What if beyond the edge  of our universe there are other universes that are expanding towards us? What if there are zillions of neutrinos from those other universes racing in our direction?

I’m going to get ready. I’m going to have to be super fast if I want to say hello to my neutrino buddies as they zoom by on their way to who knows where.

Another sunny day

fantasy, From the Mind of Muggington

“Let’s get moving,” Orb said. “Sure, where do you want them?” Scept said. “Over North America, especially the East coast,” Orb said. “Again?” Scept said in a whiny voice. “They always get all the good stuff.” “Scept, you know as well as I do that they’ve been having a lot of problems this month,” Scept grumbled as he herded a flock of cirri. “Don’t forget the fronts,” Orb said. Scept nudged the cold front in the specified direction and sat back. “I still don’t think it’s fair,” Scept said. “That’s why I’m in charge and you are just pushing condensation,” Orb said.

Any second

fantasy, From the Mind of Muggington, Pomroy's World, science, science fiction

It could happen to any of us, any second.

Today I read about a thirty five year old man who had blood clot in his ankle. The next morning he was found dead.  It is so sad but also something all of us face.

Life is an incredibly fragile phenomenon. Life is also one of the most persistent, unusual, and mysterious forces in our Universe.

In my novel Pomroy’s World I attempted to explore this fear that hangs over all humans. A young teenager is on his skateboard and weaving his way down a street. All of us see teens like this every day. They don’t seem to have a care in the world.

At the same time, on the same street, I watch impatient drivers honk when the car in front of them slows down for a second. They race their engines and lean on their horns to show their hatred and anger at the unfair delay they are being subjected to.

It is only a matter of time and chance before the unthinkable happens.  A boy is hit by a racing vehicle and he either lives or dies. In Pomroy’s World, a third possibility is presented. The teen is in a coma and the doctors say he will never regain consciousness.

What happens next is my dream and my hope for Pomroy and everyone else like him.

pomroysworld.com

 

We needed it

fantasy, From the Mind of Muggington, nature is awe inspiring, nature is awesome, science

I woke this morning to a nice drizzle of rain. Our parched lawn needed a good soak. The only downside is that the mosquitoes are probably rubbing their limbs in glee anticipating all the great spots to drop clusters of eggs.

I can just imagine the revelry and chaos in plant cells right now. Water is rushing into root hairs and whooshing up xylem vessels. Cells are frantically trying to take in as much water as they can, their cell walls turgid to the point of bursting. Up in the leaves the palisade cells are grumbling, “Come on, get that good stuff up here,”  but they are going to have to be patient.

In order to get the water up that high, they are going to need to get some heat and a nice breeze.  Once the water molecules get jumpy enough they will hop out of the stomata and fling themselves into the air. Now, those long columns of water can start clawing their way up the insides of the zillions of tiny tubes. If all the leaves cooperate just right they can pull the water up a surprising height.

It’s those greedy little green guys that are desperate for the water. As soon as they get some water they will start tossing electrons around, breaking and making chemical bonds and churning out gooey carbohydrates that are destined to be the supposed bane of human dieters everywhere.

Back down at the roots, things are getting mushy. Earthworms are gasping for breath and squirming their way skyward. The fungal mycelia are happy. They just grow and grow and digest and absorb. It’s a great life being a decomposer.

I think I better take a closer look at the water, the main player in this morning’s drama. What this? It seems the hydrogen atoms won’t stay still. They are jumping from one water molecule to another, almost like they are doing the Lindy.  And they are throwing the electrons back and forth. Naughty polar molecules, I wish you could just sit still for a millisecond. Still, you’re all we’ve got in the liquids that make life possible category so I guess we will just have to put up with it.

We did really did need a good soaking today.

Landing

fantasy, From the Mind of Muggington

The spacecraft settled onto the surface and cheers erupted in the control room.  They did it.  If all the calculations were correct, humanity had successfully completed the first landing on an exoplanet.

Kapteyn B was an odd choice but eventually the scientific community gave it their blessing.  After all it was the closest exoplanet to Earth that could conceivably support life.

Reporters shouted questions at the flustered scientists. “When will we see pictures from the spacecraft?” “Do you think there is life there?” The team leader rose to his feet and asked the crowd for silence.

“This is a tremendous accomplishment and I would like to thank all the members of our team. The knowledge gained from this journey will be of benefit to all humanity. Some day we will send humans to planets such as this,” he said. “We want to see the pictures,” an insistent reporter said. The team leader cleared his throat. “As you may be aware, Kapteyn B is the closet exoplanet to Earth that could possibly sustain life. It happens to be located 13 light years away from us.” “So what,” the reporter said. “That means that it will take thirteen years for the first video feed to begin.”

“What? What’s the point then?” the reporter said. “This isn’t news, it’s history before it happens.” “Exactly,” the team leader said.

“There is a possibility that someday, someone will find a way around the laws of physics as we now know them but don’t hold your breath,” the team leader said.

…

They approached the shiny thing carefully. Light from their red dwarf sun glinted on the strange object and they could see parts of it moving. They picked up rocks and looked at each other. The first stone hit the spacecraft. Soon a shower of rocks shattered the glass camera lenses and bent the antennae. The solar collector lay in pieces on the ground. They turned as a group and returned to their waiting positions.

Official launch of the Pomroy’s World Online 3D virtual world

fantasy, From the Mind of Muggington, Majorana fermions, neutrinos, opensim, physics, Pomroy's World, virtual worlds, , , , , ,

Click here for information on how to connect to the Pomroy’s World online 3D virtual world.

Finally there is hope.  Don’t despair Pomroy, we are here for you.

As you may have heard, a young teen from Long Island is stranded on a world in a dark matter universe.  You can find out more by reading the novel, Pomroy’s World: Arrival, (paperback), (Kindle).

After you read Pomroy’s World: Arrival, you can help Pomroy find his way home.  The author of Pomroy’s World has set up a 3D virtual world using an open source application called OpenSim (Diva’s Distribution).

Volunteers are need to build the Pomroy’s World online simulation. If we work together it is possible that we might find a way to reach the dark matter universe and rescue Pomroy and his exotic sweetheart Nna.

Everyone is welcome in Pomroy’s World.  Please feel free to explore and build.  The only rule is that everything should be in the spirit of Pomroy’s World.

Click here for information on how to connect to the Pomroy’s World online 3D virtual world.

My new novel, “Pomroy’s World: Arrival” has just been released

fantasy, Pomroy's World, science fiction, ,

Pomroy’s World: Arrival is the first in a series.  It is a fantasy/science fiction novel set in both the real world and the world of dark matter and energy.  The hero is Pomroy, a teen from Long Island.

Pomroy’s World: Arrival is available now online.

You will also be able to obtain it online from other sources in a few days and the Kindle version should be in stores soon.

I hope you enjoy it.