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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December 17, 2021
Rule of Twelve, Double Take - Ch12 (Passage 5/5)

(… continuing)

A little later, Dukk re-entered the cockpit.
“How are you getting on?” he asked Marr as he sat into his seat.
“Still a little wobbly, but I am getting there. Everything sorted?”
“Yep, the two observers settled eventually. They are sleeping off the double hit. The seasoned passengers went back to bed. The rest of the crew are sleeping too.”
“Luna?”
“She is fine. I heard that she even tried to make the odd joke before heading to her cabin.”
“That is good. You, Annee and Bazzer were amazing. How do you do it?”
“Like a said before, fitness and mindfulness practices can help keep on top of it. And the more you do it, the easier it becomes. You’ll be flying by the time we reach Mayfield.”
“What? So, I only have to go through this morning’s experience eleven more times?” Marr answered laughing.
“I am glad you’ve got your sense of humour back. That is key too,” Dukk laughed.

“I see what you mean,” Marr said nodding at the view before them.
Dukk looked out. Patches of purple and red could be seen through the clouds that circulated the planet they now orbited.
“What did you learn?” Dukk asked pointing to the various information pages floating above Marr’s console.
“Teegarden C, or TC, is a young planet, rich in microscopic organisms. The planet life is primitive in Earth terms. The air is thin, the weather patterns unpredictable and it is susceptible to solar flares. This all makes it a relatively hostile environment. However, a small community of approximately twenty thousand has carved out an existence in the remnants of research stations and mining exploration camps. They are basically farmers now. The micro organisms they farm have some uses elsewhere and they trade them for essential supplies.”
“You’ve used your time well. Anything showing up on the system logs?”
“The rig is solid. Although, there is a lot of traffic. I’ve even had visuals on the odd rig.”
“Yes, this system is a key gateway in and out of the Solar System. Let’s see who is about.”

Dukk interacted with his console and put the hailing channel on speaker.
“Good morning hauliers. Dinatha. Local haul. Sailing on. Outlook is cloudy?” he said into the hail channel.
The was silence for a moment. Then a reply came.
“Hello Dinatha, Plinthat. Postal drop. Lifting the nose.”
“Plinthat, familiar territory?” Dukk added to the broadcast.
“Dinatha, you are on the numbers,” came a familiar voice but not the voice from before.
“Howdy people. Rimera II, long hall. Yes, cloudy weather. Dead calm ten. Looking forward to buying a round,” came another reply.
“Any hostiles on the path?” Dukk asked.
“All clear sailing,” came the voice from the Rimera II.
“Good to know. Sitting pretty,” Dukk finished with.

Dukk looked over at Marr, and smiled.
“Ok, I kind of got some of that. Let me see if I am right,” Marr stated.
“Go for it.”
“Two other rigs responded to the hail. The Plinthat and Rimera II. They are orbiting up here too. Rimera II is heading back to Earth. And they have been further afield than we plan to be.”
“Yep. And, what else?”
“Hostiles is raiders or pirates. And Rimera II hasn’t encountered any. And ‘sitting pretty’ means we are slow running and waiting to traverse.”
“Yep, that’s all spot on.”
“I am stuck on ‘postal drop’, ‘Lifting the nose’, the weather exchange and ‘familiar territory’.”
Dukk laughed.
“Firstly ‘familiar territory’ is a former colleague. The second voice on the Plinthat was until recently a crew member on the Dinatha. A weather conversation relates to delays. Cloudy indicates longer than hoped time spent in orbit. ‘Dead calm ten’, means they’ve been waiting for ten hours to traverse. ‘Postal drop’ means the rig is not travelling very far from Earth. Usually only a few traverses. And the ‘lifting the nose’ indicates the rig is planning to land on the planet and it is not passing through.”
“Of course. Clear as day,” Marr replied sarcastically.
Dukk laughed.
“Do you want to take a break, get something to eat and do a walk around on your way back up?”
“Absolutely, I am seriously hungry all of a sudden,” Marr answered.

(to be continued...in the next chapter)

[Rule of Twelve, Double Take, Chapter 12 - Traverse (Passage 5 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
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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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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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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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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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