Bradley Writes
Writing
The emerging science fiction futuristic story, 200 odd years from now, of life based on the trajectory of the current madness.
Interested? Want to learn more about the community?
Rule of Twelve, Double Take - Ch3 (Passage 1/5)

Chapter 3 - Grounding

The descent had been uneventful. They had made good time and didn’t see any further delays. Dukk had stayed in the cockpit for the slow and steady descent into Kuedia.
As they came over the large continent in the northern hemisphere, Dukk reflected on his favourite approach, the track into Utopiam.
The smallest of the five citadels was located in the eastern region of the massive island continent in the southern hemisphere. His fondness wasn't logical. Being smaller, it was less likely to produce the most lucrative business. The fondness wasn’t even the view that he enjoyed immensely as the rig tracked out of the upper atmosphere. This view included the vast western coastline with its crystal-clear blue water and bright white beaches. And the red dirt that stretched out from the coast. During certain descent paths, he would even get glimpses of the remains of a sprawling city that was long gone. Unlike the ruins in most other places, which were ugly and disturbing, here the vast coastal desert almost hid the destruction all together. He would look out and fantasize what life would have been like in the times before the war.
No, the fondness was something else. Something he couldn’t quite put a finger on.

Dukk had the cockpit to himself for much of the descent.
As advised, the passengers and observer had mostly stayed put in the passenger seating area. Whilst spread out over three hours, the return to full gravity and deceleration was unsettling to those who weren't familiar with it.
Bazzer had been determined to do another session of pumping iron before the mandatory overnight stay away from the rig.
Larinette kept busy in her cabin deciding on the outfit to wear for the evening’s celebration.
Annee caught up with Rachelle. Dukk sensed something wasn’t right. Annee had been distracted during the post reentry checklist review. He guessed that she and Rachelle had some important things to work out.
Being alone in the cockpit suited Dukk fine. The need to find a contract was weighing on him. He was keen to get started on his own terms. He didn’t want to get tied into some one-sided deal simply because he was the new kid on the block.
When the rest of the crew returned to the cockpit, for the final approach and set down, Dukk still found it hard to engage in the chatter about the plans for the evening.

The customs clearance only took an hour.
Rachelle had then given Dukk and Larinette the rest of the afternoon off to relax and get ready for the evening’s celebration. Rachelle felt she didn’t need their help to supervise Bazzer and Annee as they managed the disembarkment and unloading of her last payload.
They would also use the afternoon to prepare the rig for tomorrow morning’s inspection, a necessary condition of the intergalactic transport game. The observers were suspicious and insisted on thoroughly inspecting all systems. They also used the inspection to apply upgrades and install any further monitoring equipment. When unloaded and with everyone off the rig, a Squad of sentinels would be stationed to watch the rig overnight until the observers got there in the morning.

After packing Dukk’s belongings into lockers, ready to move to the master cabin, Dukk and Larinette left the Dinatha and checked in to a h-pod. They found one that was a stone’s throw away from the restaurant book for this evening’s celebration.
After a little downtime they headed out into the narrow streets that surrounded the port.

“You have to wear something nice tonight, Dukk,” Larinette pleaded as they approached the nearest Hyperloop station.
“My favourite red shirt and blue chinos will be fine,” Dukk replied.
“That shirt was fine two years ago, it isn’t fine anymore!” came the retort.
“Fine, if you see something that you think will suit me better, get it and I’ll pay you back! But I am not going shopping, I have work to do!” Dukk insisted.
“Fine!” Larinette stated as she entered a carriage and left him standing on the platform.
A slight smile touched his face as he watched the Hyperloop disappear around the corner. Dukk was quietly pleased with himself for standing up to her.
Larinette was heading to the outer ring’s retail district. The retail district was adjacent to the larger h-pods. These were typically occupied by older and retired deprivileged, who had accumulated influence and means. The streets were wider and there was less evidence of any trouble with sentinels. This was unlike the port area, where the streets were narrow, and the buildings stacked on top of each other. Also, the buildings near the port were often cracked or blackened following trouble.
Rachelle had her eye on a h-pod in the nicer area, which also had places to eat and socialise. Dukk found it odd that Rachelle had decided to stay within the port district for tonight’s celebration. Annee had said it was for old time’s sake. Dukk didn’t feel that fitted with what he knew of Rachelle.

(to be continued...)

[Rule of Twelve, Double Take, Chapter 3 - 3rd (Passage 1 of 5)]

All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2021 BJ Allen

post photo preview
Interested? Want to learn more about the community?
What else you may like…
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
Rule of Twelve, Book 1, Chapter 2

Double Take
Chapter 2 - Perspective

[Audiobook]

Rule of Twelve, Book 1, Chapter 2
Rule of Twelve, Book 1, Chapter 1

Double Take
Chapter 1 - A routine descent

[Audiobook]

Rule of Twelve, Book 1, Chapter 1
Rule of Twelve, Book 1, Chapter 3

Double Take
Chapter 3 - Grounding

[Audiobook]

Rule of Twelve, Book 1, Chapter 3
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.

Bradley.

post photo preview
Rule of Twelve, Book 2, Convergence

Read Book 2 right here in Locals.

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

post photo preview
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

post photo preview
post photo preview
Psychological Safety is a trojan horse

Marr nodded with a wink as she put her hands on the back of Luna’s chair and started to speak.

   “Emeelie, what if I have a room with a single door and I put you in it. The door isn’t locked, and you can leave at any time. The room represents a life experience. Now what if I dropped a lion into the room. What would happen?”

   “All things being equal, eventually the lion would get hungry and want to eat me.”

   “What are your options?”

   “Obviously I would leave via the door, immediately,” Emeelie answered.

   The others laughed.

   “Sure, and every other time a lion is dropped into the room you are in, you’d leave too?”

   “Yes,” Emeelie said with a hint of hesitation.

    “What if there was a possibility that a lion might be dropped into every room, from that moment on. How would your experience of life pan out?”

   “Dreadful. Limited. I wouldn’t be able to stay or even enter any room.”

   “Right. You’d spend your time running out of every room and miss every potential experience.”

   “Ok.”

   “What if I put a chain on the lion and anchor it to the wall?”

   “That would work. I would be able to enter the room again.”

   “Right. So, the lion would need to be chained down for every room you may enter.”

   “Great.”

   “This is the trojan horse.”

   “How?”

   “If I am controlling the lion with chains, I am controlling you.”

   “What! How?”

   “I can choose to use chains or not. I can determine which room you can enter and which you cannot. Your potential for life experiences is controlled by me. You allow yourself to be the victim.”

   “Of the lion’s hunger?”

   “No, my will. You are allowing me to depower you.”

   “Oh.”

   “Yes, oh. Your safety becomes dependent on me or somebody else putting chains on every lion.”

   “Not good.”

   “No. What else could you do that leaves you empowered, but not eaten.”

   “I could learn to defend myself against the lion.”

   “Yes, or even tame it. Put chains on it yourself, so to speak. That way you could go into any room you like, regardless of whether there is a lion in there or not. You’d be safe without anyone else’s intervention. You’d stay empowered. You would experience life to its fullest.”

   “So psychological safety is a trojan horse. It puts my safety in the hands of a third party. It depowers. It turns people into victims.”

    Marr nodded and smiled.

 

-------

Excerpt from Rule of Twelve, Book 3 - Regeneration, Chapter 17

Read full Article
post photo preview
Rule of Twelve, Book 3, Chapter 13
Regeneration - Power

 

1

 

Dukk opened his eyes. It was dark.

   “A dream. It must have been a dream,” he muttered as he tried to fathom where he was. He tried to digest the pre-dawn excursion with Craig.

   He swung himself out of bed. Marr was gone.

   He checked the time. Mid-afternoon.

Only for Supporters
To read the rest of this article and access other paid content, you must be a supporter
Read full Article
post photo preview
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.

Only for Supporters
To read the rest of this article and access other paid content, you must be a supporter
Read full Article
See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals