Cluster Map

Today I reveal the secret of the title of the collection. The Milleran Cluster is a collection of asteroids of moderate size and in close proximity to each other. The map is below.

Ceres

In 1801, Giuseppe Piazzi discovered a new star. At least that's what he thought it was at first. He called it a fixed star within the solar system. The problem was: it wasn't really fixed. It moved. How could a star move? Easy, it wasn't a star. But, what was it? At first, Piazzi called it a comet because it was too small to be called a planet. Eventually such small bodies were called asteroids (small stars). Piazzi had discovered one of the largest in our solar system and it was given the name Ceres. Soon after it was discovered that there were many asteroids - especially in the region between Mars and Jupiter.

Ceres became for me the model for the design of the planet of Pa'Kevutu and I am in the middle of a challenging but interesting design of the map of the Milleran Cluster.

Negotiations

Negotiations are a difficult thing between any two parties since both seek something in opposition to the other. According to a Wikipedia article

"Mediation is more likely to be successful when the parties are of equal power, when they have been friendly in the past, when there have been relatively few fatalities in the period before mediation, when the mediator is of high rank, and when mediation comes after a test of strength between the parties."

Unfortunately, none of these conditions exist for the people of Pa'Kevutu as they struggle to resolve the kidnapping situation on the island of Kethix. The people demand a more balanced government and the ceorans in charge are not likely to give up their power. The parties are clearly not of equal power, have not been on friendly terms, and the people have been moved by a recent suicide. Success seems limited.

The Grand Council

The government on the planet consists of the directors of all companies ("corps") be represented by one member from each region. Those ceorans (bosses) make up the Grand Council of Ceorans and create and enforce legislation for all others. Notice there is no voice or election from the people themselves. Controlling people through fear and power can only last as long as those people believe that their basic needs are met but on the planet of Kevutu the population is rising forcing great demands on the people and the land. Resources are getting scarce and open space is rare. There is mostly the ugly results of unhindered building. Like the lid of a steaming kettle there is only so much pressure that can be tolerated before the top must come off.

The Grand Council has gathered together to meet about the current situation. A revolt is at their doorstep.

Fight on the Floor

On May 22, 1856 Senator Preston Brooks attacked Senator Charles Sumner (from Massachusetts) with a cane on the floor of the U.S. Senate. The dispute was about slavery and some say it helped to lead to the civil war. After that incident, many senators resorted to packing weapons before they entered the esteemed chamber. We often think of Congress as a place for peaceful debate but anger and frustration are often a result when personal feelings get added to the mix of discussion. It is often too difficult for us humans to separate out our personal feelings when trying decide how best to lead a diverse nation.

On Kevutu, a small revolution has broken out and the ruling governmental structure is led by the directors of companies called ceorans. They too get into heated debates about how the situation should be handled. They are bosses, after all, and are used to people following orders without question. Some doubt that they may be able to handle such a crisis with level heads and calm emotions. Let us hope none will bring a cane to the meeting.

The Arab Spring

The so-called revolution called the "Arab Spring" began on December 18, 2010 when Moumad Bouazizi immolated himself in a central square in the country of Tunisia. The people were so shocked by this event that they demanded change from their government and, through persistence and anger, eventually were able to make significant changes. The people from other nearby Arab countries were inspired by their actions and took it upon themselves to begin their own revolutions. Some were more successful than others and the conflict in Syria reflects the ongoing consequences of these attempts at regime changes.

What was so impressive to me was that the act of one single person helped spark changes greater than even he could imagine. We often feel so helpless in the face of large corporations and massive government bureaucracies but, sometimes, the actions of a single person can inspire action from others. Note that is often actions and not words that are the greatest motivation.

The corps of Pa'Kevutu are even more menacing and manipulative in the lives of the people of the planet since rapid and unbridled growth has been allowed and encouraged as it has in Book 2. The act of one brave individual may change all of it and a struggle between the people of the planet versus the controlling business structures ensues.

First Signs

I really enjoyed my book signing event last night sponsored by the Serendipity Cafe in Mayanard, Mass. About 25 people showed up. I talked about the book and then read from sections of the first eight chapters. After that I took questions and then signed books. It was a good time.

Waiting for the gods

In the 16th century the Spanish headed to South America in the hopes of finding gold and new lands. When they arrived the natives thought they might be gods because they were light skinned and came from the sea. They, at first, submitted to the invaders' wishes but when they saw that these supposed gods ate, and drank, and fornicated, they decided that maybe they weren't gods after all but evil men. By then, of course, the damage had been done. The Spaniards brought with them horses and swords as well as the previously un-encountered disease of small pox. The natives not killed by disease stood standing in shock as strange devices like cannons and guns were fired at them.

The idea that an entire culture of people could be waiting for gods from beyond their shores became the inspiration for the people of Pa'Chot. For some as yet unexplained reason they are waiting for someone and their entire culture is focused on it.

4 Vesta

The new planet in Book 2 will be called Pa'Chot (by the Kevutians anyway). It is an underground society that surrounds a crater with a central mountain. The outer surface and some of its features are taken from the characteristics of the asteroid 4 Vesta. However, I added an ice core and some other unusual enhancements. Some of these include a rising and falling atmosphere that goes from about 1 foot to about 5 feet in height. The rise comes from the heat of the sun and acts as a kind of ocean wave of air. The heat of the sun added with these atmospheric gases greatly heat the surface of the planet and a layer of ice underneath. This creates a flow of heated water that travels with the motion of the sun. One effect this creates is a series of traveling steam geysers on the surface.

The Amish

I remember as a child growing up in Pennsylvania when we would drive out to the country. Sometimes we would see the Amish in their buggies as we passed by them in our noisy car. I wondered how the horses put up with our constant intrusions, much less the inhabitants of the buggy. Like a living museum piece they have to put up with our gawking and staring, or worse. All they want to do is live in peace they way they think they should. We cry about how our world of the almighty dollar is so void of spiritual connection yet we mock those that quietly go about their lives in accordance with their beliefs and in ways that do not require the earth to be ransacked in the process. How can this possibly be a focus for ridicule?

In Book Two, a new planet will be introduced with people that lead their lives similar to the Amish. I hope that in doing so I will honor their dedication and commitment and not mock them. They will provide a stark contrast to the Kevutians who are becoming increasingly chaotic in nature.

Continuity

Most book series focus on a single character throughout. That character is the connecting thread to the series itself. I also wanted to write a series but I am using a different tactic. Instead of a single character I have chosen to use place as the unifying thread. I have had several readers of Book 1 tell me they liked the characters and had hoped to see some of them return in another book but that is not what happens. Book 2 begins at a much later time from Book 1. All the characters of 1 have passed away and, in the meantime, the world of Pa'Kevutu has greatly changed. The connecting thread, of course, is Pa'Kevutu itself and its capital city, Yakrutich. My hope is that when you encounter the planet again in 2 that it will seem as familiar to you as any old favorite character.

Napoleon

In my second book there will be a coup over the government structure on the planet of Pa'Kevutu. I am still in the process of designing that structure but already knew there would be a major takeover of it. Although not strictly democratic, the government will have some democratic principles applied. It got me thinking about how people might be convinced to allow someone to take over a somewhat democratic governing structure. I thought of Napoleon and wondered how it was conceivably possible for people to overthrow their harsh ruling monarchs (1789), proclaim a revolutionary government, then allow someone to name himself emperor of the French empire (1804) within the span of less than 20 years! His actions became part of my inspiration.

Coming back to the blogosphere

I have never been very good at blogging but I'm going to try and give it a try. Much has happened in the world I call The Milleran Cluster since I last wrote. The first book: Of Eternal Light has been revised and completed. I thank the many people who agreed to read the "beta"copy and offered suggestions. The local coffee shop in Maynard, MA, Serendipity, is sponsoring a book reading and signing for me on June 17 at 7:00 pm.