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.