That didn't deter me. When I was charting out my future history for Rome's Revolution, I created two pockets of humanity. The bulk of the people to survive the Darwin Strain 4 virus ended up in Portugal. This is where the city of I-cimaci sprung up and is the home of the Vuduri.
But the mandasurte retreated to Hawaii, later called Havei and lived there quite happily. They fished and grew crops and maintained a culture that transcended the march of centuries. It was ostensibly the research into the migration patterns of the Red Opah (also known as a moonfish) that brought Fridone and Binoda, Rome's parents, together in the first place. Their story is spelled out in detail in the beginning of The Ark Lords.
When I decided to have a double climax, the destruction of MASAL followed by the return of the Stareaters, that second climax took place in Berlis Harbor which is just Vuduri for Pearl Harbor. I created a plaza there where Rome delivered her "people of Earth" speech. It overlooked the ocean and was inspired by the view shown above.
Tomorrow, let's go over to the Big Island of Hawaii.
Entry 3-228: August 11, 2015
The Big Island, part 1
Our trip to Hawaii for our honeymoon had a profound effect on me and the scenes and sights contained within Rome's Revolution. This is a summary of what we saw and how it made it into the novels.
After we made our requisite visit to the Pearl Harbor National Park, we found there really wasn't that much to do on Oahu. Sure, we went to the beach and we had some great meals but really, we were ready to leave even after two days.
Our next stop was the Big Island of Hawaii, home of Kona coffee. I love Kona coffee. I just checked and we still have some coffee beans in our freezer and they are seven years old! Still delicious!
The Big Island, also known as Hawaii, is only 800,000 years old. It is still growing and the source of this growth is the volcanic activity underneath. Kilauea is currently active. I was excited by the possibility of seeing rivers of molten lava pouring out but when we flew over the volcano in a helicopter, it wasn't quite as exciting as my imagination:
Nonetheless, I was so impressed by the concept that I had MASAL and his Onsira minions build their secret base beneath Kilauea although I postulated that it was completely dormant by the 35th century.
Tomorrow, black sands, dolphins and where I came up with the idea for The Hand, featured in Rome's Evolution.
Entry 3-229: August 12, 2015
The Big Island, part 2
Uur trip to Hawaii for our honeymoon had a profound effect on me and the scenes and sights contained within Rome's Revolution. This is a summary of what we saw and how it made it into the novels.
The black sands on the Big Island are very impressive. The graffiti there is done in tiny white rocks which lay in contrast to the black sand. We had Kona coffee every day and Mai-Tais every night. When we were on the Big Island, we took a swim with the dolphins and a helicopter ride over Kilauea, mentioned yesterday.
I cannot pick out any one scene or sight because they were all amazing but one in particular struck me as so interesting, it served as the inspiration for The Hand of Deucado, as feature in Rome's Evolution. Here is a picture of the "secret valley" otherwise known as Waipio Valley:
For some reason, my imagination took the black, volcanic rock of the rest of the Big Island and thought of it grafted on to the spectacular mountain enclosing the secret valley which is called Valley of the Kings by the residents.
You may not think they look alike and The Hand is supposed to be its own thing but this is where I got the idea.
In the end, it was Kilauea that captured my imagination so fully. More on that tomorrow.
Entry 3-230: August 13, 2015
Kilauea
Our trip to Hawaii for our honeymoon had a profound effect on me and the scenes and sights contained within Rome's Revolution. This is a summary of what we saw and how it made it into the novels.
There are actually currently three active volcanoes in Hawaii. On the Big Island, you have Maunaloa and Kilauea. Maunaloa last erupted in 1984 and Kilauea has been continuously erupting since 1983. The third volcano is called Loihi and it is located underwater off the southern coast of the Big Island. It has been erupting since 1996, and may break the surface in about 250,000 years.
In a previous post, I discussed MASAL's secret base underneath Kilauea but I figured by the 35th century, it would have probably run its course. MASAL figured he was safe because nobody would ever look down there for him. Also, the residual heat from the volcano would mask his activities and also provide, through thermocouples, unlimited power.
But it was the idea of having Kilauea erupt in all its glory that really got me going. I figured, what could be cooler. So I had Rome and Rei use some weaponized VIRUS units to burrow down until they could unleash the magma:
So while I did not see anything like it, I figured when the time came to make the movie, the volcano erupting would make for some spectacular imagery.
What do you think? Tomorrow, let's head on over to Maui and see what we see.
Entry 3-231: August 14, 2015
Maui, part 1
Our trip to Hawaii for our honeymoon had a profound effect on me and the scenes and sights contained within Rome's Revolution. This is a summary of what we saw and how it made it into the novels.
We only had three days on the Big Island and quite frankly, I could have spent more time there but we were anxious to get to Maui. Everyone told us that island was really the crown jewel. It was supposed to have even more of everything. More beautiful beaches, better food, rain forests, giant craters and so on.
Maui did not disappoint. We stayed at a place called Wailea which faced west along the southern portion of Maui:
Even though it looks like it is nowhere, Maui is not that big so we really could get everywhere on the island, quite easily, on any given day.
We went to a genuine luau in Lahaina, took a bicycle ride down the slopes of Haleakala, drove the rode to Hana and walked the bamboo forests there. We also ate at a restaurant called Mama's Fish House on the north shore. Click here for a picture. If you ever find yourself on Maui, if you only eat at one place, you must go there.
At Mama's, they literally have the freshest fish in the world. They don't even prepare their menu until the fishing boat captains radio what they caught that day on their way back. The menu not only tells you what the fish is, but who caught it, when and where. It was spectacular.
Anyway, you can see from the map that the beach at Wailea faces west. It was this very beach where I put Rome and Rei during their exile near the end of part 3 of Rome's Revolution. Even the green flash I mentioned in the book was inspired by the view facing west.
Tomorrow, I will show you Haleakala and how it inspired the moon of Dara.
Entry 3-232: August 15, 2015
Maui, part 2
Our trip to Hawaii for our honeymoon had a profound effect on me and the scenes and sights contained within Rome's Revolution. This is a summary of what we saw and how it made it into the novels.
On our second day on Maui, we got up at the crack of dawn and they took us in van, up the dormant volcano of Haleakala to its peak, over 10,000 feet up. We were so high up, we were above the clouds. You look out on the giant crater and you cannot help but be impressed by its size and desolation.
They gave us each a bicycle and we rode down the entire mountain and it was awesome but you can see from the image above, that is Dara. The color, the consistency of soil, all were taken directly from my time at the top of Haleakala, looking down into the crater.
Since it is a National Park, I don't think they'd let us film the first movie there but maybe there are parts that would be made available.
After our day on Haleakala and our dinner at Mama's Fish House, the next day we drove around the island and took the road to Hana. That one trip created the entire world of Deucado!
r /> More on that tomorrow.
Entry 3-233: August 16, 2015
Maui, part 3
Our trip to Hawaii for our honeymoon had a profound effect on me and the scenes and sights contained within Rome's Revolution. This is a summary of what we saw and how it made it into the novels.
We rented a convertible and took a drive around the northern part of Maui along the coast and down the western edge. Collectively, it is called the Road to Hana and is supposed to be one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
Let me tell you, it really is. What they don't tell you is it is also very scary. There are hairpin turns and the edge of the cliff is just a few feet away during much of the drive.
But the things you see from desert to beaches to flowered landscapes to a tropical rain forest come at you with such speed and diversity, you cannot help but be amazed.
When you finally get to Hana, there is an entrance to Haleakala National Park which leads to the Oheo Gulch. You have to hike waaay up but when you get to the top, there are spectacular waterfalls, more than you can believe. But the thing that impressed me the most was when we entered the Bamboo Forest. This forest literally created the world of Deucado in my mind. How? I'll explain tomorrow:
Entry 3-234: August 17, 2015
The Bamboo Forest
Our trip to Hawaii for our honeymoon had a profound effect on me and the scenes and sights contained within Rome's Revolution. This is a summary of what we saw and how it made it into the novels.
The Oheo Gulch is part of the Haleakala National Park. My wife and hiked up to the top and passed through the bamboo forest. It was probably one of the neatest experiences of my life.
The bamboo trees themselves were planted on Deucado and simply renamed cane trees but don't be fooled. They are just bamboo. In part 2 of Rome's Revolution, Rei had just learned about his sonar vision and the wind causes the cane trees to sway and make an ethereal, clacking noise.
This really happened to us. We were in the middle of the bamboo forest when the wind picked up and the sound was almost indescribable. We just stood there for a long while and took it all in.
There were other parts of the forest where the trees grew so thick that it became very dark. You will see a repetition of this scene over and over in many of my books. I copied it in Rome's Revolution, The Ark Lords and most recently in The Milk Run both on Hades and on Ay'den.
I guess you can tell that I loved the whole experience. This image doesn't do it justice but might give you hint:
Entry 3-235: August 18, 2015
Molokai and Lawlidon
Our trip to Hawaii for our honeymoon had a profound effect on me and the scenes and sights contained within Rome's Revolution. This is a summary of what we saw and how it made it into the novels.
We never got to the island of Molokai but I liked the name so much that I made it the name of the main god-like character at the center of The Milk Run.
When we were on Maui, my wife wanted a souvenir (jewelry, of course) of our trip there so I bought her a piece of black coral.
The short-lived Bridadira named Lawlidon was designed, stolen actually, right from this piece of jewelry.
There was a luau scene in the original long-form of Rome's Revolution back when it was still known as VIRUS 5 that was taken directly from one of the luaus we attended while on Maui. One of the interesting sidelights of that scene was that was the closest Rome and Rei ever got to having a fight. And over money, no less.
Rome and Rei had been drinking kefir, a blend of milk and fermented coconut juice that Rei found particularly enjoyable. Rome seemed to enjoy it too. But alcohol lowers inhibitions and Rei took affront at Rome saying money was stupid. She was right and he was wrong but at the time, he took it a bit too personally.
There are other tiny elements of the stories that have snuck in here and there but these are the major ones. Tomorrow, we will say goodbye to Hawaii. At least until the movies are made!
Entry 3-236: August 19, 2015
Goodbye to Hawaii
Our trip to Hawaii for our honeymoon had a profound effect on me and the scenes and sights contained within Rome's Revolution. This is a summary of what we saw and how it made it into the novels.
This post marks the end of our little tour of Hawaii. I hope you've enjoyed it. If I ever get Rome's Revolution made into movie, Part 1 would be filmed either within the confines of the crater of Haleakala or as close to the crater as we could get.
Part 2 would be filmed, for the most part, within one of the bamboo forests on Maui. There are plenty of places not in a National Park so it can be done.
Part 3 would be filmed on all three islands. They'd have to find a location that resembles Portugal for the first act. The second act would take place on Wailea on Maui. The first climax would take place with the exterior shots of Kilauea on the Big Island. Obviously the eruption of the volcano would have to be using CGI.
The final climax would be filmed on Oahu, at Pearl Harbor. From there, we'd go home back to the bamboo forest which is supposed to be Deucado.
If we ever got to filming The Ark Lords, we'd go back to Maui. We'd do it again for Rome's Evolution with a brief stop in southern California.
For The Milk Run, the scenes on Ay'den could be filmed anywhere in Hawaii. For Hades? Who knows? Bottom line: our trip to Hawaii was awesome and filled my head with enough imagery to last a lifetime. Thanks for coming along with me.
Entry 3-237: August 20, 2015
Rocket fuel
Now that we are back from our trip to Hawaii, it's time to resurrect MINIMCOM from certain death in the last portion of the original long-form version of Rome's Revolution. But before we do, I wanted to tell you a little bit about rocket fuel.
Specific impulse is a measure of the efficiency of rocket and jet engines. According to Wikipedia, it is the "impulse delivered per unit of propellant consumed, and is dimensionally equivalent to the thrust generated per unit propellant flow rate." Basically, it is a measure of how the fuel you carry is going to get you where you are going.
The following chart shows the specific impulse of some of the more efficient rocket fuels:
Liquid Hydrogen/Liquid Oxygen - Isp = 455
Liquid Oxygen/Kerosene - Isp = 358
Nitrogen Tetroxide/Hydrazine - Isp = 344
From this list, you can see that liquid hydrogen/oxygen mix would be the most powerful but it is also impractical to use to go to the stars because of volume of fuel you would require.
In the novel The Milk Run, OMCOM and Junior deduce where the invisible planet of Ay'den must be located by using specific impulse. Based upon the timing parameters, they knew the planet could only be as certain discrete locations in orbit around Nu2 Lupi.
To make the plot move along, I let the first combo, liquid hydrogen/oxygen be wrong so that Aason and Aroline could have enough time to complete Aason's training. But I made the second combo the correct one to make sure the story didn't get boring. I incorrectly had OMCOM state that the main fuel was hydrazine when I meant to say kerosene. However, hydrazine is a much cooler sounding fuel so just call it dramatic license!
Entry 3-238: August 21, 2015
Recycling Sussen
The character named Sussen, named after my cousin Susan, has had many lives leading up to the modern version of Rome's Revolution. In the original long-form version which was entitled VIRUS 5, she was just a kindly member of the Ibbrassati who helped Rome as she neared the end of her pregnancy. This was just before Rome and Rei flew to the Vuduri compound, or as Rei called it, the Lion's Den. I said she was kindly but really, was she? Even in that early, early version, she was still evil. She simply hid it better. This is from that long-discarded section:
“You cannot do that,” Paddy said. “It is forbidden for mandasurte to have access to Vuduri technology. They will kill you.”
“Not if
they see Rome is pregnant,” Rei said.
“They want children who are connected,” said the other woman, Sussen. “He is right. They should take their ship, and Rome, to the Vuduri.” Rei looked up at her. Something was different about Sussen. Her eyes perhaps? They were a light grey color, almost silver. With the dim light reflecting off of her tapetum, it looked almost as if she had no pupils at all. She looked like she might be blind but clearly she was not. He’d seen eyes like that before but had no time to recollect.
You can see I am hitting you over the head with the fact that she was in league with Estar, who has always been characterized as a member of the Onsiras. In this earlier version, I had the Reohne phenotype express itself through the silver eyes. In later versions, I made the eyes normal but mismatched in color to show that these Onsiras had split brains.
In the modern version of Rome's Revolution, Sussen was migrated from the Ibbrassati base to the Vuduri compound. She had integrated herself into Pegus' power structure but even he did not know she was in league with MASAL. In both versions, she escaped Deucado, making a run for it, hoping to get back to Earth and tip off the Onsiras that the mandasurte were being liberated. In the original version, she never made it. The events that transpired on Earth had occurred before she could even contact MASAL. By the time she got there, he was gone.