A Warning For Earth: Episode One

A Warning For Earth:

  Episode One

  A short story by

  Christian Cross

  Published by

  Christian Cross

  Copyrighted by

  Christian Cross

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is purely coincidental.

  This work is a copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied and distributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for commercial or non-commercial purposes.

  Copyright 2013 by Christian Cross

  All rights reserved

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  Of course, I would like to thank and praise God first and foremost for blessing me with this project. I could not even have the discipline and patience to finish it.

  I'd like to thank my Dad, who continuously puts up with all my idiosyncrasies that are most intolerable. He encouraged (and still does) me to write, being an author himself.

  To my younger brothers, thank you for taking care of me every time I get under the weather. You guys were more of the eldest brother than I could ever be. Know that I appreciate that. You guys rock.

  Lastly, I thank you readers for taking the time with this book. I know I have my mistakes, so thank you for your tolerance.

  INTRODUCTION

  I was writing a sci-fi espionage story, and realized I already have a chapter that is a short story in itself and decided to publish it. I’ve divided it into two parts – episodes one and two. This eBook contains the first episode. Since this is just only a first-draft part of that sci-fi espionage story, I don’t actually know how to end this short story, nor should this have follow-up sequel episodes. But for now, I hope it will be a good, enjoyable read.

  The major theme and setting of the story seem to be very futuristic, having to take place in the late 10th millennium (9917). Most sci-fi works discusses the idea of first human contact with extraterrestrials (as popularized by classic works such as Carl Sagan's "Contact", which was also adapted into a film). But this one takes on the idea of a "post-contact" era, where and when humanity has long established working and personal relationships with extraterrestrial races, and interacts with them both politically and economically, regarding them as mere foreigners.

  I feel as though as the writing of the story is heavy, being too much technical and scientific in its descriptions. So I am worried that readers might feel the same way and struggle through the technical passages. The first few paragraphs themselves were a challenge for me. I want to first set the story into this futuristic setting, and tell the reader what is going on and how life, civilization, and technologies have developed through the millennia. So I feel that this chunk of "opening" background might give the boring impression and drag the story backwards. So for all of these, I apologize.

  Regarding the science used in the story, I admit I'm not proud of it. Though they are based from actual current science and physics, many of the technologies and ideas used were largely "made up" (i.e. String Optics, “photon-stream filter”). When I wrote the story, I decided that I'm just going to have fun and be creative with it. Just let it roll and come out as I go along. This writing style is completely new and uncomfortable for me, as I'm used to doing extensive research and story outlines before I actually write. I always hope to make thing as plausible and natural as possible, even if it’s fiction. But anyway, this time I went out of my comfort zone, and just had fun with it. Additionally, I borrowed the term, “positronic”, and its technology from the all-time famous, classic science-fiction author, Isaac Asimov, who had coined the term.

  Regarding the “alien” language written in the story, I’ve considered borrowing from Star Trek’s original Klingon. Of course, one could just easily invent rubbish words to imitate such language, but I want to have a language that is systematic in its syntax, grammar, and vocabulary, instead of just using “gibberish” words. However, when I’ve translated my words to Klingon, the spelling was rather unreadable and unpronounceable. So I decided to stick with my original draft, of which I gave my best to have a kind of grammar system and make each word appropriate and fitting. I hope it all works well.

  Although there are indeed many galaxies in the entire cosmos, I used "Andromeda" primarily because it's the only galaxy I'm most familiar with, having to hear it many times in media. Additionally, I think it has also to do with the influence of Michael Crichton's early bestselling bio-thriller, "The Andromeda Strain", of which I've still been meaning to read. Indeed, Andromeda is popular in mainstream media.

  Regarding Andromeda, it is the largest galaxy in the Local Group, over the Milky Way and Triangulum galaxies, among other smaller ones. Also known as Messier 31 (M31), Andromeda is predicted to collide with our Milky Way galaxy in about 3.75 to 4.5 billion years, moving towards the Milky Way at 300 kilometers per second (that's only about a thousandth of the speed of light). Currently, the galaxy is about 2.5 million light-years away from us here on Earth. As the story takes place in the late year 9000s, the galaxy is depicted as torn apart between two political states - a recurring theme of ""west-versus-east" and "democracy-versus-tyranny".

  Overall, I hope readers may find it enjoyable to read, despite its inaccurate science, and amateur writing, all of which I humbly admit. Thank you.

  A Warning For Earth:

  Episode One