Science Fiction
I've been writing poetry since 1980, memoir since 1987, and fiction since 2003. I am currently at work on a science fiction novel and it's sequel, which I hope to publish. My Science Fiction writing blog is where you can find out about where I am in the process. Here is a snapshot:
The Casitian Universe
Background
The Casitian Universe is set in our galaxy, in particular, the stars of the Orion Arm. It is known by the “Galactics” (those that make up the civilization of the galaxy) that there are other civilizations in different parts of the larger galaxy, but they are not much in contact. Some species (particularly those species banned from galactic civilization because of problematic behavior) are in contact with a very ruthless civilization in the Centaurus Arm. The galactic community is made of a number of different species, and many, many star systems that are tied together by a series of wormholes that were created by a species that is no longer in the galaxy. This species would send sleeper ships to different stars, then create the wormholes. The wormholes are maintained by a species called the Keeelo.
The Casitians Return
Five thousand years ago, then thousand human beings were taken from earth, from twelve different regions, to provide slave labor for the Tud'scla, a species banned from the galactic community. Humans served the Tud'scla for two thousand years, and then were freed, and given the planet “Casiti” to live on, since returning the now 50 million humans to earth was considered by the galactic community to be too disruptive to earth human culture. Bottlenose Dolphins are known by the galactics to be more intelligent, and more civilized than humans. In the year 2011, when the novel starts, the environment is so damaged that the health and existence of the dolphins is threatened. The galactic council involves Casitian humans in the process of telling earth humans about the galactic civilization, and communicating to them a set of requirements for environmental cleanup. In addition, contact is being made with the dolphins to bring them into full status in the galactic community.
Marianne Michaelson is a software engineer for a small company that contracts with the space program to provide software for space missions. She is contacted by a Casitian, Ja'el, and together, along with other Casitian and earth humans, they begin the process of publicizing the existance of the galactic community, the dolphins as a new citizen species of the galactic community, and the new requirements of the galactic community.
Conflict ensues around authority over earth. Some countries join with the UN to enact the Galactics requirements. Other countries, notably the US, do not. Political and social battles around the culture and ethnicity of the Casitians, and the requirements of the Galactics. Economic upheavals happen. Benefits of greater galactic technology also make some lives on earth easier. Eventually, dissidents are given a new planet to settle.
This is the story of Marianne, and a number of Earth and Casitian human characters, and their roles in this process, and relationships with each other, and their social environments. It is the story of a clash of cultures and social norms.
The Story of New EarthThis is the story of what happens in varied communities in New Earth. Time frame 10 years from initial settlement. Follow Gerard, Yolanda and Leticia (who becomes the main character), and other new characters. Leticia travels around New Earth, mysterious visitors create havok, and everyone learns things about Casitians that they should have known from the beginning.