Pegasus (Part 78)

I felt the ground shake or did it? Then it happened again. I opened my eyes and was hit by a cacophony of sounds. Our captives were under attack by aerial bombardment. They seemed very disorganized. This didn’t happen too often from their faces of astonishment. Then the thought struck me. It was us they were after and not them.

Tabitha was already taking action.

She was marshaling the other prisoners to try and push down the cell railings. I quickly got up and added my weight. At first, I thought it was hopeless but then I felt movement. I urged all those around me to keep going.

Then I suddenly lost my footing as the railings finally gave way. I looked up and saw the bikers had not noticed. But that wouldn’t last as other escapees ran right through them. Sure enough, some of them started collapsing to the ground under laser fire. I grabbed Tabitha’s hand and motioned for her to follow me.

The gang must have some of its own ships somewhere. And they were nowhere to be seen on the way in. So, we go deeper.

A hair, round biker suddenly appeared in front of us but realizing that he had no support, he let us scurry past. The ground continued shaking as we hurried down a tunnel.

Then we heard chatter over speakers that must have been installed in the tunnel.

Review of “War Bodies” by Neal Asher

First of all, one very big Happy Christmas to all my readers! I just love this time of year and hope you got lots of presents. If you haven’t already done so, please don’t forget to subscribe.

This novel is a real gem for sci-fi lovers. It is set in the Polity Universe. Piper has grown up in Founder’s World. It was created by a faction that rejected AI and left the rest of humanity many thousands of years ago. Still, they idolize machines and like to replace their body parts with machine parts. Many of them have only a few human parts left. They are ruled by a despot called Castron and as a people, they have somewhat stagnated having a much lower level of advancement and population than would otherwise be expected.

However, recently the Polity have made contact. They are made up of the humans who remained on Earth. AI was totally embraced, and now they even count AIs among their citizens. They are much more advanced and numerous in the Universe. They are also fighting against a great enemy called the Prador who threatens all of humanity.

Piper suffers a work accident that almost costs him his life. However, it unleashes a series of events that come thick and fast. You see, Piper has been created as a weapon using technology beyond even that of the Polity. He never knew but his parents were rebels. What follows is great science fiction and a journey through the entire Polity Universe. The story unfolds beautifully and you’re never really sure who can truly trusted until right up near the end.

The descriptions of space and land battles playing out are brilliant. It also makes you ask interesting questions like whether should AIs be counted as war dead. I’d strongly recommend you give this a read with four stars out of five.

Have you read anything by this author?

Let me know in the comments section below.

Pegasus (Part 77)

Then a bald, fat faced woman took center stage.

“What do you want?” Tabitha roared.

She and the rest of the crowd laughed in response. Then she began to speak.

“Well, well look what we have found. A pity about the ship but this fiery one should fetch a fine price in the sex slave markets. And then there is him of the Emperor’s lineage. Many will pay to watch him die as horrifically as possible.”

“I promised you riches, when I became leader. And riches you will have.”

There was a huge roar of approval.

“Take them to the cell.”

One more, we were pulled forward by the neck. Fortunately, the destination was to the rear of the large chamber, so our legs didn’t give up. The nooses around our necks were removed and we were pushed into a cell that swiftly clanked closed behind us.

It was dark, but we immediately sensed being surrounded by other bodies. A putrid smell hung in the air. Probably, other poor souls captured for the slave market. I clasped Tabitha’s hand and held it tightly as much for myself as her.

“What next?” she whispered.

“No idea,” I replied faintly.

I wished I could have replied something more hopeful. But I could not.

An armed guard was keeping watch so we decided it was best to try and rest,

Pegasus (Part 76)

Onwards we travelled through the wasteland. With each step, my hatred grew for what they they were doing to us. Those times that our feet slipped, they doubled back hitting us with a whip that pulled flesh from our bodies. I was worried about Tabitha, she had fallen more. I wondered if this mission was worth it. After all we had been through and now this. Perhaps, we should just have found a nice spot and lived out our lives. No, we could never have done, we could not have looked past all the injustice.

Then I saw a large, lighted tunnel in front of us. It made sense that they couldn’t survive on the surface. It was a relief to reach our destination, no matter what awaited us. I couldn’t have gone on much longer, not to mind Tabitha.

The tunnel brought us downwards to a great opening. We joined with a great many other people, none of which were young. Mostly, muscled men but there were also equally looking ferocious women. These were bandits and that is why they were occupying this fallen world. Scraping by on the margins, and then attacking vulnerable ships when the opportunities arose.

They formed a ring around us.

Pegasus (Part 75)

A few seconds later and we were surrounded by a group of bikers. Their faces almost completely covered by masks depicting white skulls. They roared like wild animals over the din of their powerful engines.

The next I knew was that I could feel a rope ripping me forward onto my knees. Tabitha cried out as the same happened to her. Now defenseless, we watched warily as some of our assailants left their bikes to inspect the ship, before angrily kicking it.

“There is nothing salvageable here,” one of them roared out from behind me.

With that, we were both pulled along like wild animals, struggling to keep up as they stayed on their bikes. This was unlike any habitat I had previously seen, they are usually optimized for human life but not this rotten world. It reeked of decay and death. Each breath was a struggle, the ground dry and lifeless. There were ruins everywhere hinting at a more prosperous past. If I hadn’t been so concerned by the fate that awaited us, I would have wondered what possibly could have happened here.

The group that captured us was about twenty strong. A mixture of men and women, all with a fair complexion. I noticed now too that their arms were covered in tattoos of red fists with insignia that was too difficult to make out.

Pegasus (Part 74)

I slowly opened my eyes. At first, I struggled to understand what I was looking at. It was the ruins of a city obscured by a thick white mist. I looked backward to see what state my companions were in.

Our newest companion’s eyes were set wide open. Rivers of blood flowed from her gashed head. I reached out to touch her but her body had already gone cold. I could just about look past her to see Tabitha who was slouched back.

Impulsively, I called out “Tabitha, Tabitha.”

She jostled slightly before responding “I am here, you okay?”

My heart which had been beating ferociously calmed.

“We need to get out of here,” I shouted.

I struggled left and right but was strapped in. I looked closely at the bright visual display. I knew there must be some button that I needed to press to get out of this predicament. It was just a matter of finding it. I thought I had it but merely and very briefly turned on some sort of alarm. Still, I persisted.

I pressed this option and then that one. Finally, the straps recoiled in place and the overhead hatch opened up.

Immediately, I was hit by a rotten smell. Myself and Tabitha gingerly made our way out of the ship. I could hear a motoring sound in the distance.

Tabitha looked at me, concern etched across her face.

Pegasus (Part 73)

But the Emperor’s fighters remained in hot pursuit. Their laser fire coming closer and closer. The devastating effects of being hit could be seen in the massive explosions when errant shots hit unintended space stations.

“Go there.”

Their new companion leaned forward and pointed to a massive space habitat in the distance. There was no time for questions. I just obeyed and hoped for the best. It was just one of those things.

I continued to weave this way and that as randomly as possible. Our destination was coming closer now. It was huge but looked somewhat ominous, its atmosphere an unhealthy-looking grey color. There were what looked like dilapidated mega-cities on its surface.

Then one of the laser shots grazed one of the ship’s wings. I nearly lost control of the ship but just regained control as we entered its atmosphere. The fighters pulled back and didn’t follow us. An emergency siren went off.

“Prepare for a crash landing,” I yelled.

And then things went blank. If it had been any other ship, we’d have been killed. Its emergency systems were legendary. It’s AI must have taken over to mitigate damage.

I can still remember regaining consciousness. It was a slow and painful experience. The first thing I felt was a throbbing headache.

Never Know Your Place

Well readers, fear not I am back again. It has been a while. I had an interview and stuff. Didn’t qualify, I apparently failed the Working Through People question. Which is ridiculous because I’m great at getting others to do stuff. I hate actually having to do things myself.

So, the above is the memoir of Martin Naughton. My last post was a review of a play about his life. First things first, the Kindle price was way too high, almost the same as the printed version. Like I purchased it, but I’m a fanatic. The price really needs to be reduced.

The book is much more thorough than the play. In fairness to the playwright he has to tell the whole story over a short time frame but it contains inaccuracies I find frustrating. This is a pivotal character and to me, his life must be detailed correctly. Likewise, the play mentioned occurrences the memoir may have left out. For instance, Martin decides not to go to America to live in the play but it omits the importance of a few visits that he did make. Also, the girlfriend goes to move to America without him in the play but this is not mentioned in the memoir. However, I feel that the incident in the play where the porter wouldn’t help Martin toilet, which is not mentioned in the book is the kind of thing that probably really did happen.

Although it is a memoir, certain aspects and periods of his life are almost completely omitted. It details his first romance, who becomes a lifelong friend but no other. In the notes at the end, it states that there were others but they are not included to protect the privacy of the women. This is somewhat disappointing for a memoir. He could have provided insight into why they didn’t work out or how his disability impacted them.

It starts with his early life in Spiddal. From an early age, he was a good organizer and he made many of the decisions during the construction of the new family home. Unfortunately, signs of his progressive disability were already clear. It appears that it ran in the family, with older sister Mairead, and younger sister Barbara also affected.

He was sent across the country to Baldoyle Hospital with his sister Barbara ostensibly to be rehabilitated but in truth to be institutionalized. This also meant moving from what would have been a very strong Gaeltacht at the time to an English-speaking world. Two major adjustments for any nine-year-old and he is clear about his nights of anguish.

Life in the institution was highly regimented and repetitive, and they were forced to be in their beds long before night had fallen. It was run by an order of nuns. These must have been very dark times for him psychologically. At least there are no allegations of sexual abuse though. Terrible things were happening to children in other institutions at the time.

Gradually his English improved and fortunately, some good volunteers came to the hospital. Two characters, Kitt and Dermot were to play a crucial role in his life. Dermot managed to get the Celtic European Cup-winning team to visit the hospital. This was to have a huge ripple effect leading Martin and others to create a soccer club.

Martin became the chief organizer. It was never really about the sport for him. It was about giving the children in the hospital a better life and their integration with the nondisabled children living in the wider community.

Gradually, his role becomes a paid role and he resides in the hospital as a staff member.

It is clear from the book that Martin has a keen intellect. He leaves that job and takes on a role in the “outside”. This necessitates organizing 24-hour volunteer support. A very formidable task that he managed to do.

His new job led him to pay for his own Assistant after some time.

During a visit to his sister in the States, he comes into contact with the Independent Living Movement. They explain the philosophy to Martin and he spreads it back to Ireland helping to create, although not officially a founder of the first Center for Independent Living in Ireland. He wanted to be free as an independent actor. They apply for European funding to employ Personal Assistants and after a well-run campaign the Irish Government rows in behind it to provide permanent funding. This is what he is justly renowned for.

But what of the movement now?

He admits that there are still problems. Too many are in institutional settings against their wishes. It’s about choice. Some may wish to remain. The likes of Cheshire Homes have changed significantly over the years and now allow more freedom. But many will want the freedom to choose their own lives and that was what Martin Naughton was about.

He stands out as a beacon, not just to those with a disability but to all Irish people.

The disability community now needs future leaders to step up.

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No Magic Pill

Ladies and gentlemen, you shouldn’t be reading this because well I’m supposed to be studying. I have a real problem with my mind jumping from place to place. And apparently, this is where it’s at, at the moment. Really I should be thinking about majestic topics such as the difference between revenue and capital accounts. Please give an example of each. Tell me about a time you should initiative. And no chasing skirt is not what they are thinking of.

I have an important interview coming up. All part of Project Mark. The Masterplan. Except my plans tend to be more meandering in nature. Anyways back to “No Magic Pill”.

It’s a play I went to yesterday in Longford in thick fog and down some very narrow roads. I think Google Maps wanted to build the suspense. Mr R and some mates accompanied me.

It tells the story of Martin Naughton, institutionalized from a young age, and the part he played in creating the first CIL or Centre for Independent Living. This was the first time Personal Assistants (PAs) were provided to people with disabilities. This is very pertinent to me as PAs have greatly helped me in my life. I consider him, and the others in those early days to be heroes. So, this post may be somewhat partisan.

Firstly the venue. The staff were courteous and pleasant. There were some drawbacks, lack of delineated wheelchair parking (I know Mr R, I know) and I had to go around the back and use temporary ramps. Not full marks for inclusion. More pointers for future improvements rather than criticism. Let’s call it a post-event review. I hate those things.

The play is about how the movement for independent living began and has a love story as somewhat of a subplot. The acting was excellent, especially by the actor playing Naughton. It’s mostly played by actors who actually have disabilities or else they should get Oscars. Something is intoxicating about plays. So much better than television.

It shows how he ended up in an institution, the effect it had on people, and how he strived to improve things for both himself and others, against considerable odds. I knew quite a lot about this before going in and have met some of the people depicted. The subplot revolves around a girl who likes pushing his wheelchair from place to place and becomes one of his first PAs. Then they start a relationship.

I do have some criticisms of the play.

The general understanding is that Naughton learned about Independent Living while visiting the US. However, in the play he never does. Instead, it’s held out as a mythical place, kind of like disability heaven where he’s stuck in a conundrum about whether to pursue his dream or save his friends. It might be to make the play more dynamic but I’m a stickler.

It indicates that the independent living movement was created by Vietnam Vets who lost limbs. This is a myth and underplays the role that those born with disabilities played in the movement. It was actually started by students at a California University. I’d recommend you read the biography of Judith Heumann if you want to learn more. I think that the distinction is important.

I didn’t like the ending. It’s too abrupt. There is too much left up in the air. The last few lines leave open whether the romance works out or not. And, it stops before the Government agrees to continue financing the services. I think it’s even worse for those who wouldn’t know the story as well as me.

I’m still recommending you go see it and learn about a true freedom fighter.

Now back to those budgets and Maslows Hierarchy of Needs.

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Pegasus (Part 72)

A few moments later we were traveling through the launch tunnel, under intense laser fire. Then just seconds after we were in the vacuum of space surrounded by a vast array of large space habitats and stars. It was with much amazement that I spotted the moon for the first time. I thought I could just about make out some of the settlements on its surface. Then Tabitha’s voice brought me back to reality and to the predicament we were now in.

“Where will we go?”

On the face of it, there were boundless opportunities but I knew that wasn’t the case.

“Any rebel bases near here? I asked in hope rather than expectation.

I looked back and she nodded “no”.

Much to my horror I could see one of the Emperor’s fighters with two large laser cannons on its wings behind us. It had his colors and his insignia, the crossed swords on its front.

“What’s wrong?” our new female companion asked.

I turned around and put the thrusters on. My head jolted back. For a moment I felt my body getting hot but I started to breathe more slowly to try to calm myself. The ship was easy to control and I was soon weaving my way in and out of the different space habitats and stations.

Left.

Then right and right again.