Saturday, January 21, 2006

63. Vector Beacons or Back to Neraj

Rog’s body took over. Hands and feet instinctively made decisions. The small pod whipped in one direction and then another. Warning indicators blared, red lights lit up the panel, yet still he pushed the vessel. Better to die with your teeler boots on as his dad liked to say back on their ranch. And by Janus, if this storm was the end of them, if wouldn’t be because he didn’t do everything in his power to save them.

Besides, he had too many stories to tell on just how they had secured the needed medicine and Rog loved to tell stories. As a little boy, his dad had entertained him and his brothers around the campfire many a night. Rog picked up the skill without ever knowing how valuable a good story teller could be on a small vessel traveling through deep space. The last twenty-four hours had given him enough material to last for weeks.

Getting through the atmosphere, making contact with those little creatures called Nerajians, the secret medical base they had to find in the dark of night, deals brokered and negotiated, and now the complications of getting back to Bravo-Four-Zero. Saving Kieran was important, and sure would score a lot of points with Kyra, but these stories were just too good not to tell.

“Rog, Pandoras are requesting steering lock on our vessel,” said Snazzle, the pod’s onboard computer.

“Screw that, no time,” shouted Rog as he maneuvered the pod between electrical bands, any one of which would have destroyed the small vessel.

“Rog, the Pandoras say without their lock, we will be destroyed in this storm. They are demanding control now. Otherwise, our deaths will not be on their hands.” Snazzle almost sounded alive and his tone certainly implied he placed more trust in the Pandoras than in Rog’s skill. Emy couldn’t help but smile at the look of disbelief on Rog’s face.

“Rog,” Snazzle calmly repeated, I believe now means now. Shall I give them control of our vessel?”

About that time a bolt of electricity grazed the ship. Power blinked, lights flickered and Emy, who no one had ever heard raise her voice, shouted. “ROG!”

“Alright, alright damnit." Rog’s shoulders slumped in that fashion that said don’t blame me for what happens next. Nerajians knew these storms inside and out. They had established incredibly huge and powerful vectoring beacons around the planet. The storms were not common, but when they did occur, any vessel not immediately controlled by a vector tower had little to no chance of survival.

Rog and his crew were going to make it, make it back to the surface of Neraj. The blessing was mixed. They would survive but the clock was ticking for Kieran. Forty-eight hours was only an estimate and they had less than that now.

Commentary:
this is an audio post - click to play
Reading:
this is an audio post - click to play

63 comments:

Anonymous said...

Such a powerful story, such powerful images. Am on the edge of my seat dying to know if Rog will make it back in time to save Kieran. As usual can't wait for the next installment!

Trée said...

Wow, what a wonderful comment Jenni. If I can find the right image, the next chapter I would like to write is Kyra talking with Kieran, who is literally on his death-bed with neither of them knowing when or if Rog will make it back. There is that small clue in this chapter that there is more to Kyra and Kieran's relationship than we know so far so I'm looking forward to discovering just what that relationship is. Apparently, Rog knows something of this. :-D

Anonymous said...

Intensely stunning fractals with a chapter to match, most excellent! Will be back to listen to the audio, when time permits (urgh!) - can't wait!

Trée said...

Thank you Sunshine. Your comments are always deeply appreciated. Thanks for the very kind words.

Anonymous said...

I need to update myself on your story. I'm behind.

Trée said...

Mmm, Linny, sounds like you might need a private session to get up to speed. A lot has happened and I wouldn't want you to be in the dark. Let me know how I can be of service darlin'. :-)

Anonymous said...

Oh, boy, I was away and I feel a bit lost. Can you maybe give us a summary of what happened until now?

The fractals, as always are quite amazing. Especially that second one. How'd you do that???

Trée said...

Melly, if I do an audio summary of the story will you listen to it? Thanks for the kind words. I like both these images very much. Second one is kinda neat. :-)

Anonymous said...

Oh hon, these are incredible.
I'd read your wonderful story but I'm a few beers into the night - and since that's not like me at all (low tolerance) I can do nothing but sit here in awe of your beautiful designs.
Trust that they're even more amazing while spinning. LOL

XOXOXO

Anonymous said...

(word verification was particularly difficult though. ROFL)

Trée said...

Aggie, a few beers here too. I lift my bottle in a toast to love. Toast to my blogger babe who is off the scale of heart and sexyness. I toast you Aggie, my sweet sexy woman with a heart so dear I have no words to describe its depth. Kisses my dear.

Anonymous said...

All returned emphatically...as I pour that beer into a cold glass for you. Some Saturday nights just need to be...um...buzzed. LOL
I hope yours turns out to be surprisingly warm and wonderful.
XO

Trée said...

Aggie, my buzz is surprisingly warm and with you visiting tonight, quite wonderful too. I've got my tunes playing at full tilt, all 500 watts of surround sound goodness and I'm half out of my mind with Chris Issak. ;-)

Anonymous said...

I'm getting more and more hooked on the story :-)

I commented on the first fractle on the other page, but I didn't see the second one. Wow. You're creating such amazing things.

I hope you and Jack are having a great weekend LOL *HUGS*

Trée said...

Karen, you ain't seen nothing yet. I started crying over the next chapter and I haven't even written it yet. Not sure I should pour the emotional energy I feel about what could happen with Kieran in the next few hours. The Animus virus is a very bad thing and unpredictable. 48 hours is no guarentee. Not sure if he is going to pull out, not sure Rog is going to make it on time and I'm not sure how Kyra is going to react if things go downhill since I'm pretty sure she has strong feelings for him. The chapter I have in my mind is perhaps emotionally the most powerful to date. Since its not written all that could change. Stay tuned.

Anonymous said...

Oh I could just lose myself in some Chris Isaak tonight. Mmmmm....

"Two hearts
Two hearts they can mend it
Heartache
Heartaches can be ended by love
By love
Love's a heavy weight
Give to me don't hesitate
Love's a heavy thing
And heavy for one heart to bring me your love
Give me your love again
It's not too late
One heart can never win
It takes two hearts
Two hearts just to hold love

Trée said...

Aggie, you just cost me another dollar. LMAO. Actually two dollars since I just downloaded both versions of the song. Come here darlin'. I need that hug I've been holding back on.

Anonymous said...

Hugs have become the very source of all life lately. Come here and I'll show you what I mean.

Isn't it amazing? The energy that flows one to another?

Anonymous said...

Watch out...I have every Chris Isaak album. You could go broke. ;)

Trée said...

Aggie, with every year I age I believe more strongly that all we really have is each other. Life is relationship. You have touched my heart in ways few do. I feel blessed I stumbled upon your blog and decided to leave a comment so many months ago. I had no idea you would respond or I would find a soul as special as yours. Believe me, I am thankful.

I've got about 20 of his songs, but I would love to hear what your favorites are. I've downloaded every song you've recommended and I've been pleased with them all.

Trée said...

Aggie, do you listen to Rob Thomas? He is at the top of my playlist of late, esp his latest album "something to be."

I also love his iTune original studio versions. Listening to "Bent" the demo version right now. Wonderfully raw.

Trée said...

Oh, and the iTunes original version of "Ever the Same" is very, very good. Got it on right now. Wow, beautiful lyrics in this one. Kisses my dear. :-)


"We were drawn from the weeds
We were brave like soldiers
Falling down under the pale moonlight
You were holding to me
Like a someone broken
And I couldn't tell you but I'm telling you now

Just let me hold you while you're falling apart
Just let me hold you so we both fall down

Fall on me
Tell me everything you want me to be
Forever with you forever in me
Ever the same

We would stand in the wind
We were free like water
Flowing down
Under the warmth of the sun
Now it's cold and we're scared
And we've both been shaken
Look at us
Man, this doesn't need to be the end

Just let me hold you while you're falling apart
Just let me hold you so we both fall down

Fall on me tell me everything you want me to be
Forever with you
Forever in me
Ever the same
Call on me
I'll be there for you and you'll be there for me
Forever it's you
Forever in me
Ever the same

You may need me there
To carry all your weight
But you're no burden I assure
You tide me over
With a warmth I'll not forget
But I can only give you love"

Anonymous said...

Rob Thomas hits home like you just don't know.
She says baby
It's 3 am I must be lonely
When she says baby
Well I can't help but be scared of it all sometimes
And the rain's gonna wash away I believe

I could go on for hours and at least three albums.
But as much as I like his music, it's on the list of things I can't listen to right now.
Ah well - let's just stick to body heat. That's safe...for the moment.

Trée said...

Oh darlin' we are singing from the same sheet of music tonight. Speaking of sheets I hope you believe in high thread count cotton, 100% natural washed in pure spring water and dried on the line by a fresh spring breeze rolling off the warm ocean waters.

Trée said...

Aggie, have you listened to anything by Tristan Prettyman? I love her "Love, Love, Love" and the duet she did with Jason Mraz "Shy That Way."

Are you Shy that Way baby? :-D

Anonymous said...

Now that's what I'm talkin about. Sweet salt breeze off the ocean, crisp spring-clean sheets, warm body against cool night air.
I have officially left my body and I am now floating in a beautiful blue night.

Trée said...

Aggie, go to this post and you will know what I'm talking about:

http://tgeorge123.blogspot.com/2005/11/caribbean-canopy.html

Listen to the audio, esp the alt version at your own risk. :-D

Trée said...

Sweet dreams my love. I'm a patient man. Not going anywhere. See you soon darlin'. ;-)

Anonymous said...

Maybe tomorrow. As usual my time has been interrupted. If I ever get off this phone I'm going to go to bed and have wonderful Carribean dreams.
Goodnight love. Thanks for a fun evening.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic! What an incredible imagination you have to be able to write like that. Now I have Chris Isaac tunes stuck in my head after reading all these comments. Which is kinda cool...

Trée said...

Oliviah, I wish you were sitting beside me and I could tell you what is in my mind for the Kieran chapter. I literally started crying tonight as I started to put this piece together in my mind. Not sure where all this emotion is coming from and not sure this is where I want to take the story, which is why I would love to share what I'm thinking before I post it. As always, thanks for your very kind words sweetie.

Anonymous said...

Listen, I will :)

Trée said...

Melly, consider it done. I've had a few beers tonight so I probably shouldn't do the recording tonight, but the next post tomorrow will be a summary of the story to date. I aim to please. Each audio post has a maximum of five minutes so I may need a couple. :-)

Anonymous said...

Morning/evening
Wonderful reading.
Loving your characters and there is always more to learn in commentary. I like Rog :), reckon he could make me giggle.
Just read up on your comments here, which makes me eager to hear and a little fretful of what's to come - either way, please hurry :)
All in all, excellent job, not sure you could do anything other.

Agnes, go listen to Caribbean Canopy as soon as you get the chance! I have to admit, I've listened to it a dozen times since the first and its just wonderful - very hot! :-D

Trée said...

Sunshine, you are very sweet. The next post is going to be very moving on an emotional level. I think we are going to see a side of Kyra we haven't seen yet--a tender and vunerable side, an emotional side. Not quite sure of the details since it's not written yet, but Kieran is not in good shape and Rog's delay doesn't help. There will be a scene where Kyra is watching Kieran, who is in the isolation ward because of the level of his infection, that is very moving in my mind. Think of a parent watchin a newborn through the window and that is the image. Now think of something going wrong and as the parent you can't get into the room. That's the direction we are heading. Don't want to say more because it could all change by the time I write it. :-)

Anonymous said...

Well, I got behind again, but now caught up. The suspense is too great to bear. The second Fractal is my most favorite. STUNNING.

Trée said...

Thanks DJB. Melly and Jack and Linny have requested some sort of summary of the story to date so next post tomorrow will be an audio recap of what is what and who is who and where we are. Thanks for the kind words. That second image is special.

Anonymous said...

Patience is a virtue and for all my 'please hurrys', I have it in droves.
Best of luck with the writing, sweetheart, thrill us as only you can :)

Trée said...

Sunshine, this next chapter is a mood piece. Must have music playing and feel the writing for it to work. I felt it tonight and need to feel it again tomorrow to do it justice. Some will like it, some will love it, and some will wish they hadn't read it.

Heck, I hope I can live up to all this hype. Could be everyone experiences a major let down--LMAO.

Trée said...

I'm sitting here looking at this last post, now keep in mind I've had a few beers tonight, but I'm just looking at the images and the story wrapped around them and the thought occurs to me, "where the hell did this story come from?"

LMAO, and the answer back is, "I don't know."

All I can say is blame Holly.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Holly :-)
PS Its all you, you just didn't know it was there - a surprise, the pleasant kind :-)

Anonymous said...

Both of these are so cool, Tree. The top one looks like a dragon head and the bottom one looks like it could have come out of a sci-fi movie (with state of the art CGI of course).

Anonymous said...

Just want to thank you for this wonderful story, and the amazing images that enhance it even more.

Thank you for providing the names of the programs (in the commentary) you used to create the last two images. I am definitely going to check them out.

The images are beautiful, of course :)

Trée said...

Sunshine you are so kind to me. And I love you for it! :-)

Trée said...

Jack, good to see you visit again. I hope my summary above will get you up to speed on the story and help make sense of what is happening. Thanks as always for your kind words. Much appreciated my friend.

Trée said...

Deb, you are more than welcome. I have 8 to 10 different programs I switch between. I'll try and add some image commentary to each audio post and talk about the program and how the image was created. I know I enjoy learning how others create the images they post. Thanks for your kind words. Until I did the summary listing above I had no idea this story had so many postings. Looking back it sure does look like a lot of work LMAO.

Labor of love. :-)

Anonymous said...

Crying is not a good sign... that means I will cry. OK, where is it?! LOL

Trée said...

LMAO. Patience my dear. All in good time. :-)

Trée said...

Okay, here is what you say since you need a little help:

"Hon, I'm in the kitchen and I could use a third hand."

ROFLMAO!

I'm on my way darlin'.

That's what you say. :-D

Anonymous said...

you know, I just don't know what to say anymore, you are amazing, we will just have to leave it at that. The fracs, the story, everything is just wonderful!

can't wait to see where we go next, love being along for this ride :0)

Anonymous said...

LOL (I see blogger is being its normal weird self again)

you my dear are always welcome in my kitchen ;0)

did I tell you I got a new table? nice and sturdy, store assured me it would stand up to a lot of use LOL

Trée said...

Good woman. LOL

Always judge a woman by the kitchen table she buys. Glass is a big no-no. Solid oak with sturdy legs is a definate plus. :-)

Anonymous said...

Patience is not one of my virtues, but I suppose I'll give you a break ;-) LOL

Anonymous said...

Forty-eight hours was only an estimate and they had less than that now. . .

You bring us right up to the edge and keep us waiting and wondering. You know how I wonder. :)

Those frac work powerfully with this part of the story. Gosh will Rog make it back and then will that be enough?

Trée said...

Karen, I'm working on the next post right now but it's such a mood piece I really need to be able to get the emotion flowing to do it justice. With a little luck I hope to have it up tonight. Not much longer my sweet. :-)

Trée said...

Stay tuned Liz. We should know a little more soon. Not too much, but just a little. ;-)

Anonymous said...

Have I told you you're inspirational?

Trée said...

Oh sweetie, such kind words. But I must ask, in what way chicky? Not that I'm complaining, just asking. :-D

Anonymous said...

Your imagination knows no boundaries. That's inspirational to someone like me, who struggles at times to find a means of expression, whether it be through words or photography. Plus your images always make me dream...

Trée said...

Chicky, thanks for the explanation. I see you have discovered what is called around here "Fault #1" otherwise known as my overactive imagaination. Your kind and wonderful words are very much appreciated. :-)

Autumn Storm said...

Knowing full well what happens, not only next but in months to come, still I feel a great surge of excitement and apprehension reading this chapter, which is my way of indicating to you just how thrilling, how marvellous and talented your writing is.
Knowing what is up ahead, I'm taking a short breather too in preparation - this is what you did and do, play a symphony on the readers emotions, smiles and tears and laughter and distress and fear and love and every other emotion, you've evoked them all at some point and repeatedly and to the greatest of measures, pure, complete. Heartfelt thanks, again, for giving us all of this.

j said...

I was here Tonight! I read through this post and these buzzing comments...and that is the same picture, right? Feeling a little small, dejavu (sp)...any thoughts?

Trée said...

Jen, you are correct. I'm currently using his image of Snazzle for my header. I change the header image every few days with a different image from the story, so if you see it in the header, you'll know it has appeared somewhere in the story at some point. I often try and put images in the header that have some bearing on the current chapter, and since Snazzle plays a role, we are honored with his image. :-)