BJAllen
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The emerging science fiction futuristic story, 200 odd years from now, of life based on the trajectory of the current madness.
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September 21, 2021
Rule of Twelve, Double Take - Ch6 (Passage 1/5)

Chapter 6 - Saying goodbye

Marr and Luna watched Dukk as the server led him back up the stairs.
From where they sat, they could just see him settling into a table in the corner.
“He is cute,” Luna commented, breaking the silence that had prevailed since the interviews.
“He is.”
Luna turned her head to look at Marr. Luna was taken aback by the uncharacteristic comment.
“Interesting! Are you laying a claim, Marr?” Luna added cheekily.
Marr allowed the slightest smile as she ignored Luna and watched Dukk interacting with his comms.

Simultaneously, Marr and Luna’s comms sounded as a new message arrived.
It was a message from Dukk. He was letting them know they were on the crew.
The message included a list of items they needed to get. It also included the approximate time they were to be ready. And the message included the rig codes they would need to change their designations.
“Dinatha! It has a nice ring to it,” Marr shared casually as she absorbed the details in the message.
“He is way too efficient for my liking. He is all yours,” Luna added.
“Time for a drink,” Marr concluded.
“Absolutely, best make the most of our last night on this rock!” Luna announced as she signalled a server.

Dukk was struggling to concentrate. And it wasn’t just the tiredness and events of the last fourteen hours.
He had noticed the two new crew, Marr, and Luna, tracking his path from the bar to Wallace’s table.
He had noticed them chatting and doing their best not to look in his direction.
And he had noticed a brief and slight smile from Marr just as he pressed send on his messages to them.
An alert on his comms snapped him back to attention.
It was a message from Mentor accepting his crew offer. Messages from Marr and Luna followed shortly after.
Dukk looked back at the two again. They were ordering drinks. For a moment he thought about joining them.
“I could definitely do with a few more drinks,” Dukk muttered to himself.
“All in good time,” he concluded.
Instead, he waved the server over and ordered some food. It had just occurred to him that he hadn’t eaten since last night.

Ninety minutes later, Dukk was at the ID Gateway preparing to board the midnight VG back to Kuedia.
Before leaving The Triggerarti he had managed to stay reasonably focused.
He had mostly managed to avoid watching the girls as they drank and laughed, while he checked the contracts and details he had received from Wallace’s people.
Now, he was looking forward to getting into a seat and shutting his eyes for a time.

Meanwhile, Marr and Luna were stumbling up the stairs to their h-pod. Giggling and buzzing from the drinks.
“What do you think it will be like?” Luna asked.
“What are you talking about?” Marr replied.
“Sex in near zero-g,” Luna giggled.
Marr laughed too, not sure how to answer.
“Time for rest,” Marr said as they entered the h-pod.
“We’ll have a little lie in, then head to the stores to get the travel lockers and the other items on Dukk’s list,” Marr continued.
“After that, we’ll pack up the h-pod, then I’d like to jog out to the old hangers. It might be a long time before we can do that again. We can shower out there before we say goodbye. We’ll still have plenty of time to get back to the port for the Dinatha’s arrival,” Marr concluded.
“Oh, I nearly forgot! My monthly dosage appointment is in two days!” Luna slurred as they took off their boots.
“All under control. Our meds will now be injected while on the rig. Rigs carry adequate supplies of vaccines and supplements. If they don’t have a medical officer, Mentor is qualified to administer them,” Marr replied.

Seven hours later, Dukk was in Kuedia’s Port Authority offices.
He decided it was best to go in person rather than send messages. The timing was too tight. The heavily bureaucratic observers always responded a little faster when approached in person. It was still taking time. It had been nearly forty minutes thus far. He had filled in forms and answered a lot of questions.
And Dukk was nervous. It was nearly five p.m. And that was the time he was due at the rig for the formal hand-over. Before that he had to secure the departure permission. Wallace’s team had shared the access approval to get the rig into Utopiam, but he still needed to get it out of Kuedia. He had to have the rig in the air before the citadel’s outer doors closed for the evening. That would happen at seven p.m.
Then it would be a further nine hours before the rig would be on the ground in Utopiam. With the time difference, he would only have two hours to get loaded, refuelled and off the ground and space bound before the port doors in Utopiam closed for the night.
He had avoided any contact with the crew as he didn’t want to draw any attention from Thumpol. It was going to be a little crazy when they learned they were leaving immediately.
And, he had just realised that Larinette hadn’t made contact. He figured that it was possible she hadn’t even been back to their h-pod yet and noticed he wasn’t there. Dukk figured she was already acquainting herself with her new crew. Dukk was mildly intrigued that it wasn’t bothering him much. Perhaps he was tired, and the loss would hit him later, he concluded.
“I just hope she is at the hand-over so I can ensure her things are off the rig,” thought Dukk.

(to be continued...)

[Rule of Twelve, Double Take, Chapter 6 - Saying goodbye (Passage 1 of 5)]

All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2021 BJ Allen

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Rule of Twelve books to be narrated with the help of A.I.

I am investing in A.I. driven narration to bring the Rule of Twelve books to life.

It will be more than just narration in the traditional audio book sense. The A.I. will enable me to bring dialogue to life with character specific voices. This will create a rich and engaging narration.

Over the coming months I will be in catch-up mode, building the narration for already published material. Eventually, the aim will be to concurrently release chapters in both written and rich narrative form.

The narration will eventually make it to audiobook form for platforms like Audible and Spotify. However, to get it sooner, you will need a Locals subscription. The Locals App works just like your favourite audiobook app. So, you can listen on the go. Becoming a subscriber also helps keep this whole show on the road.

I look forward to sharing the journey with you.

BJ.

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September 22, 2022
Rule of Twelve, Book 2, Convergence

Read Book 2 right here in Locals.

Navigate to "Content", "Articles" and choose Book 2 from the playlist

https://bjallen.locals.com/content/articles/playlists/4467

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September 22, 2022
Rule of Twelve, Book 1, Double Take

Read Book 1 right here in Locals.

Navigate to "Content", "Articles" and choose Book 1 from the playlist

https://bjallen.locals.com/content/articles/playlists/4330/oldest

March 07, 2024
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Rule of Twelve, Book 3, Chapter 12
Regeneration - New ground

 

1

 

“What in the world is going on?” Craig demanded as the doors to the south banqueting hall, closed behind them.

   Dukk, Marr and Emeelie stood before him. Beyond was the atrium bathed in orange light from the setting sun.

   On the opposite side of the atrium the doors to the north banqueting hall were open. Music and chatter could be heard from within.

   The noise from the others disguised the deathly silence that engulfed the four.

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January 26, 2024
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Rule of Twelve, Book 3, Chapter 11
Regeneration - Levelling

 

1

 

“I am going to need a shower and change of clothes,” Marr announced as she put her helmet and goggles back on the rack in the garage.

   “Yes, the dust gets in everywhere,” Emeelie replied. “There are showers near the pool. Change of clothes too if you don’t want to go back to your suite all dusty.”

   “That is a good idea.”

   “Have you seen the pools below sea level yet?” Craig asked.

   “Nope.”

   “I was going to shower and change down there. Then use the sauna and take a swim. The pool up here can get quite hot in the afternoons.”

   “That sounds like a great idea,” Dukk said.

   “Absolutely, lead the way,” Marr added.

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January 09, 2024
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Choice is a journey - Doors and Keys

Dukk pulled himself away slightly so he could reach his wrist wraps. He then flicked a panel into the air above them. After a little searching, a passage appeared in a panel. He then read it aloud.

   “Choice is a journey. The choice is to engage or not to engage. That journey is not easy. Your journey is a path through many doors. The doors stand for the changes in who you are and your context. The experience of life happens between each door. The secret is to know which door is next. However, uncovering that secret isn’t enough. You now face another challenge. To open the door, you need the key, which you know you already have. You know that everything you ever need is already within arm’s reach. It makes sense therefore, that you already have the key. So, you have the key, and you have uncovered the secret to understanding which door. However, for so much of the journey you will find yourself dropping the key as you walk towards each door. You succumb to less-than-ideal behaviours, and you let yourself down. The added challenge then as you look for the key again, is not to lose focus of the door. You lose focus as you pick yourself up and return to the behaviours that serve you. This is the journey of life. You must accept that you will drop plenty more keys, lose focus of plenty more doors, and spend lots of time searching for both again. With acceptance comes engagement with what occurs between each door. Then only can you see the wonderful experience of who you truly are.”

   “This piece is brilliant. Exactly what I needed,” Marr said quietly.


Excerpt from Rule of Twelve, Book 3 - Regeneration, Chapter 5

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