Selections from the art series illustrating the two Steampunk/Time travel/ Sci-fi adventures. PDF scripts are available from thetimemaster@live.com of both these stories. The Steampunk script “The Stella Destina” reached the finals of the Hollywood Screenwriting Competition and received very positive reviews from several others.CARE FREE
AUDIO
Hotel Serenity.
Based on a single audio file rendered from fractal composer software
and mixed with percussion/brass loops.
It was Lysander’s habit to take a shortcut through the old racecourse to hasten his journey between college and home. He was studious but restless also and had a desire to travel. The poster had been there for sometime, definitely from soon after the hostilities began, but had not attracted his interest. Something his sister, Athene had said to him, was still coming back. It was about our imprisonment in our culture. Not welcoming outside influences. Now we were being acted on by outside forces – very forcefully. In the end there wasn’t much thought involved, a kind of physical reaction that propelled him to the enlistment office.Athene and Crysenth pass the days in enjoyment, unconcerned with larger events that are swiftly moving to drastically change the course of their lives.The Confederation have broken through and invaded the island. Crys now knows real fear for the first time. There is nowhere safe in their small country.There is never enough time when you really need it. It seems to speed on by when you are really involved and drag endlessly when bored. Now it seems to last about a second and it is time to go. Lysander knows how much she is hurting. Her body shakes. He trys to smile convincingly, says he will be back, and climbs aboard. Zeno leans in close and says,” I will do everything I can do to make that happen. Trust in our future. We will come back”. She shakes his hand, hugs him and that’s it. Confed troops terrorise the countryside, killing and burning on impulse.
While rushing to an appointment with members of an underground group she is exposed to a new form of gas attack. The confederation have overrun Paris and gained control of the Pasteur institute. They now employ recently discovered micro organisms which render the victims unconscious. An unforeseen side effect is an awakening of the darker side of human nature in a nighttime fever. Each person is affected differently according to their personality and there are rumors of things at large after dark. Few respectable people venture out after sunset.
It is just a feeling but I am sure someone is following me.
With her husband gone and family dispersed, totally impoverished and under complete control of the fever, Athene lives from day to day, night to gruesome night, praying to any god that might listen for the waking dream to end.
The ability to enter the minds of animals, particularly birds, comes as a surprise and an extension of her awareness.Athene attempts to come to terms with her new powers. Translocation is both exhilarating and frightening. She fears where all this change may be headed.Each time she passes the mirror – a different scene. Alternate timelines are starting to manifest.1Travel and learning – Crysenth gains experience and knowledge of the new sciences. She hears rumors of amazing discoveries in distant places but has yet to find a solution to the disaster that is unfolding in her country. She knows that the answers are probably quite simple and a new approach is required, defences that change the way people act and think.In transit, Xenon catches up on some recent events. He realizes that living in a remote backwater has been keeping him in ignorance. The war was causing terrible suffering and enormous cultural upheaval. Some of these weapons are remarkable. I think I may be able to contribute to the defense of my country.Helena is on the last leg of her journey and looking forward to seeing her home again.Xenon introduces his friend to the delights of the Hellfire Club, without informing him about the ultimate cost. The imperious doorman holds back a smile as he informs the new member, “The cost of this visit will be deducted from your share of paradise”.Athene is already infected with the night fever but in daylight leads a comparatively normal life. She sometimes walks in the gardens to distract herself from the horrors of the night. She feels rather than hears a presence behind her and turns to see Helena approach. They both pause for a long moment to take stock of each other. “I didn’t mean to startle you” says Helena, “but I thought you looked a little lost.” Athene who feels more than a bit lost suddenly unburdens herself and tells all she can remember of her recent adventures. She expects judgement but receives acceptance and compassionate advice. They part hoping to meet again at the garden party.Uncountedthousands have died in this stupid war. All in the cause of the dictator Alexander.She vows to work to make a difference.In spite of the invasion the garden party goes ahead. The resistance decide on a double bluff. Who would expect such an outlandish character to be working for a hidden organisation. Lycus studies Athene before introducing himself. He does not think he will have to pretend to be attracted to her. She easily outshines everyone else there plus there is something apparent, a kind of latent power. It is time to move.Lycus introduces himself, and Athene joins the resistance.The impetuous Lycus aims and fires at the traitor Xenon, narrowly missing Galene on her lunchbreak walk.Xenon is not severely wounded but badly shaken and losing blood. He struggles home, many of the passing citizens apparently unaware of his plight. The priest gives him a penetrating look and Xenon shudders. “I feel someone has walked on my grave, I must be more careful with these lunatics running around loose in the city shooting at people.”They stalk him through the corridors and finally locate Xenon in the library. It is time to finish this.Lycus wants to finish it, but Athene senses more to the situation than they have been told. Xenon informs them that he has been working for the resistance from within the government. Surprisingly, over a couple of shots of brandy, they all become friends and agree to work together in the future.The nights were a blur and not often remembered.Intel.Clouds thicken and without warning massive bolts of lightning arrive. Tesla has not let them down. Glancing off the metal frame of a patrolling airship, they slam into the tyrants personal quarters and ignite a gas main, devastating the west wing. Many members of the Confed administration are killed and injured. The electrical activity suddenly ceases and leaves a stunning silence and the air charged with ozone. She quickly makes for the rendezvous and a hopefully quick departure with Athene. Will their airship arrive?In a remote alpine location the new recruits relay signals from home to the distant battlefields and back. They consider themselves lucky. Judging by the reports received from passing soldiers, things are not going well in the battles against the tyrant and his new machines. It is as comfortable as can be expected in the little hut and Lysander has been able to send some letters to Athene during the infrequent re-supply stopovers. Zeno is restless and uncommunicative. He does not wish to alarm his sensitive friend with his true feelings about the way the war will soon catch up with them.
Replacements are needed at the front. The two are assigned to a coastal gun emplacement trying to repel yet another invasion. When a soldier sees overwhelming force directed at him he knows that imminent death is almost a certainty. That is the pivot point. They cannot surrender without orders from above. The chain of communication has been broken. So it is assumed they will fight until crushed. There is no time for thought and last words are out of the question. The two have been deaf for some time. The distant ship has accurately ranged their position and fired.Zeno is blown clear. Lysander takes the full force of the blast and knows only a moment of fear, a thought of Athene and then nothing………………… There is then a strange twisting in the passage of time and a distortion of local space. Like a current drawing back before the next wave arrives. Something completely new has occurred, reaching past natural limitations.Zeno watches a Confed plane attempt an emergency landing from the POW camp.“Bonjour patriots, everything I own is yours,” says the boisterous French farmer, and introduces his daughter as an afterthought. “Come, come and dine with us.” After you have shares your stories, Lysander can sleep here and there is plenty of hay in the barn for your tall friend.She makes her way to the liason.Zeno wakes early and tries not to disturb her. He and Lysander must continue their journey.While hastening down a street in the Capital, she is instantly connected to the dying Lysander. The strength of her emotional connection breaks the bounds between timelines fusing several versions into one. The one containing a surviving Lysander dominates.
As the sun sets the new alignment rises and the potential grows. She reaches out through it to a new depth and twists a little – something moves in her and in the surrounding space. She almost feels a kind of compassionate smile echoing back from a distance plus a little humour. Then it fades and she is left alone again wondering what just occurred, really. Imagination? But something feels different.
After stealing a dilapidated boat, Lysander and Zeno return home.
The Elly May was just sitting there unguarded. Athene had had a premonition. The Confederation must have confiscated it, then forgotten about it. They climbed aboard and cast off. Lysander went to the engine room and stoked up. Athene looked after the helm.The airship is loosing gas. Time to lighten the load.
A small explosive carried by the bird ignites the hydrogen causing the airship to collide with another Confed airship. Athene will never give up her struggle against tyranny.Athar returns to Athene. The tide is turning and the Confed is retreating. Tyrants attract the masses but always leave devastation behind their uncompromising egos.Crysenth and Athene, companions across the timelines.
A Science Fiction Adventure.
AUDIO
Ethania – the 1000 year sleep.
Containing the genetic data of all known Earth species, including human, the seed ship is a genesis factory capable of starting a complete civilisation on a distant planet.
It also is a depository of all human knowledge.
Upon landing it imediately starts creating the lifeforms and preparing the locale for habitation using “Meckas”
to perform all work external to the ship.
The Genesis Seedship Site. The origin of contemporary life on Ethania and revered since its inception.Divina dances in her town’s central parklands during the annual Genesis Festival.Davina pays her respects to her mother on the day of her cremation. She is 18 and basically an orphan. Her father, whom she is close to, has recently disappeared. There has been gossip in the town about possible criminal activities. She decides to leave and travel to Ethania to find work and become independent.“The work on your father’s new palace is progressing,” observes the Queen. The princess casts a disapproving look over the construction, “I don’t understand. How many palaces do we need? People in the outer provinces are going hungry.” The Queen looks thoughtfully at her daughter “I know you mean well but the situation is very complicated. There are over 60 factions and groups who we rely upon to make the country function. The monarchy is the only way we can maintain order at this time and not have a repeat of the terrible anarchy years. The crafts people who are building that palace are among the groups who support us.”The Queen ponders the future of her daughter, part girl, part woman. The pace of her training must be stepped up so she can participate in the affairs of state. She believes the future is likely to be very challenging, and unless Devara brings positive word about the King, a challenge she will have to face alone.Devara confides in the Queen,” I must investigate the references in these religious manuscripts referring to the existence of another seed ship. It is generally accepted that there can only be one on a planet. Perhaps the damage to our ship masked our presence here. Can you hold onto this sample of the manuscript while I am away?” “Can you visit Galassa as well and find out anything you can about the condition of my husband the King?” she requests. “Certainly,” responds Devara. “I must also say that there have been reports from the province I am traveling to, of machines in the sky, far beyond our level of technology. Even reports of combat in the air between them. I believe a crisis point may be approaching for our civilization.”The outer airlock on the seedship responded to the human touch of the Minister and revealed a treasure. Not only are all the biological materials intact, that is genetic material from all known plant and animal species, but also in the memory, all of human history and accumulated knowledge. “There is enough here to keep thousands of scholars and biologists busy for that many years.” His culture has no means of transferring data other than writing. The information terminals understand his language and he communicates with the memory. The air is stale and lack of fresh food with drive him away so Devara makes copious notes.
Knowing the Queen will want to be alone after she hears the news about her husband, Devara recounts all that has occurred to him since his departure, starting with the seedship and flying machine encounter. He finally comes to the conclusion and pauses, for too long. The Queen now knows for sure what she has suspected. “Tell me”. “My Queen, the King is being held a virtual prisoner and my contacts say that he has been mistreated and is in poor health. Further, it seems obvious that it is a ploy to weaken us from within. One of the contacts witnessed military maneuvers outside the city. I sincerely regret having to burden you with news of these overwhelming conditions. I will take my leave.”
A large proportion of Ethania now witness a much larger perspective, as it intrudes on their mundane lives. The Traveler persues and fires plasma from its mining laser. The smaller vehicle spirals out of control and explodes in a fireball amongst the trees of the surrounding hills.“By my death the gods will look favorably upon us my Queen”, screams the demented woman as she plummets to the unforgiving stone courtyard below. The Queen is both fascinated and horrified by such fanaticism, “That’s the mystic woman who has been prophesising about the end of the world. I sincerely hope, if there is an after-life, she can find some peace there. The pace of change is exceeding my people’s ability to adapt to it and these incidents of hysteria are a symptom. To be at the center of huge historical events is both a privilege and burden – one I hope we can survive”.Amala has noticed her hand maiden’s distracted introversion but has chosen to ignore it. The Princess has found her to be honest, genuinely loyal and hopes she will eventually confide in her. Davina is trying to reason her way out of a terrible personal crisis. Political pressures in distant Galassa have set in motion plans to intimidate her with threats of violence toward her father. She must simply obtain information for them or risk reprisals against those she loves – betrayal of state or family. A recently opened letter is causing Amala some excitement. Friends in Galassa have promised, if she travels there, it may be possible to gain the release of her father.The Queen is furious with her daughter, “How could you be so naive as to believe this story. It is a ruse to trap you in Galassa. They would then have both the King and the heir. I absolutely forbid you to go on this escapade”.The Princess has made up her own mind, and travel arrangements, with a sympathetic trader. She will travel incognito and in defiance of the Queen. They leave that night. Assembling quietly and moving off across the dry regions – slowly.Camel caravan silhouette through the sand dunesThe traders are a simple and superstitious people. When a distant light in the sky starts moving toward them, first consternation, then a panicked flight. Amala’s prior acquaintance with the flying machines have left her curious rather than fearful. As it crosses in front of her the ring on her finger resonates in sympathy with the sound emanating from the machine – magnetism or something else? The ring is a combination of metals and inset with a form of stone only found on Ethania. The machine does not alter course and soon disappears.Amala is alone now. Supplies have gone. She follows a camel track and hopes it knew where it was going. Piles of bones along the way are not reassuring. It is too late for regrets about being stupid or never seeing what might have become of her life and world. She understands how truly precious was her day to day life – never to be repeated, each day unique and special. There is probably only a day left then the scavengers. She trudges on………..She collapses in the bones and waits for the end. Unconscious, the approaching roar goes unnoticed. The ship lands in a cloud of flying grit, bone fragments and greasy smoke. The Traveler cannot wait any longer. Contact restrictions be damned. They are not here. They are 1136 of his home world’s years in the past. They are dead and dust now. Intervention is required now, and a constant flexibility. He needs these people’s help and they need his guidance. He steps forward with determination and enthusiasm. A decision has been made and action will move inevitably on from that.
CAST AND CREDITS.
Unless otherwise credited, all the artworks, photos of models, music and stories used on this site were created by T.J.Redhead and were copyrighted on the day they were created.
All following videos from Pixabay. PIRO4D – astrolabe animation and earth rotation. tommyvideo – time, planet animation. andrey3dp – time is money animation. Big Ben.
—————————————————————————————– 1. Costumes for The Mirror, The Appointment, Fragility, Serene’s portrait, The Bridge, The Alignment and The Bounty are all by:
The Time Master 