Untethered – Prologue…sort of
What this little brain fart is, or at least was, about when I started writing this morning is kind of off the leash, and that started when it dawned on me that I’m slowly building a readership…by finding two new reviews this morning about Dreamscape that sadly track with a dose of reality…200 reads = 2 reviews. Maybe…or something equally not able to scratch the itch.
But that’s cool. What I’m on about now is having a ball with Wench Muse as She drags me into another adventure. She’s a distraction waiting to happen…
Where was I…ahh, yes…what follows is the latest road map for the fifth book in the Dreamscape Conspiracy Series.
For those who have not read the first four books, I’ve plugged in a quick recap to set the stage and some context for where book #5 appears to be going. It is going because Wench Muse and I are about three chapters into the story, and I’m just trying to keep the top of my head on tight. Book #5 will be called “Untethered.”
The Wench Muse is taking me to places that have started to scare me as I write about them. But hey, man, when She’s hot, and she’s releasing her bat-shit crazy thinking, I’m writing every word of it down…that’s how we roll…and it’s enough.
I’m not a fan of prologues, per se, and this is probably not written as one in a formal framework, but then, I’ve never been a fan of following frameworks when something I already trust will deliver the mail. Seriously, I really don’t give a rip…
BUT…what I do give a rip about is telling an engaging story when I write, or a story about stories, or whatever. So, whatever you call what follows, I wish for it to be taken as a courtesy to readers who have not read the first four books in the Dreamscape story.
Granted, many little details that shape circumstances and characters will be missed if you have not read the earlier books, but these quick recaps will help fill some of the gaps in the main story. If you only get to read “Untethered,” I hope your investment in time will not be viewed as wasted.
It’s been an exciting rush and surreal journey for me as a new author of suspense thrillers now that I have punched out of normal and redeployed my remaining trips around the sun as a Writer of Things who is largely unsupervised, occasionally undisciplined, and ruled by a relentless wench of a Muse who manages to remain just out of reach.
Read and enjoy!
Peace! G.
If you’d rather get the teaser on “Untethered,” scroll to the bottom…
Dreamscape Series
The first book in the series, “Dreamscape Conspiracy,” opens up the throttle early when an accidental discovery in a lab exercise reveals that the technology, Dreamscape 1.0, cannot only capture dreams but transmit them to a different person, not a big deal until a suicide attempt results and the game suddenly changes and opens a new door of research. The concept of using dream therapy to treat mental health challenges like PTSD, Bipolar, Depression, and several anxiety disorders captures the attention of Big Pharma, which does not take the discovery lying down. If any innovation, validated or not, threatens Pharma’s significant revenues, human life promoting the threat becomes expendable. That central conflict progresses with Pharma’s intent to destroy the CSU team and their research capabilities. The conspiracy runs deeper than anyone ever expected.
“Beyond Dreamscape Conspiracy” is the second book with a resilient research team picking up the pieces from an attempt by Big Pharma to wipe them and their research off the planet. As the plot evolves, so does the new Dreamscape 2.0 technology, and a robust integration with Artificial Intelligence (AI) changes the game yet again. The AI application and the fears of controlling it also develop and are authentic today. Big Pharma appears to shift intentions from destruction to collaboration only to reveal a wolf under sheep’s clothing. The romantic relationship between the former Marine and the clinical psychologist who leads the research team appears doomed from the start, with both dealing with PTSD symptoms for two unrelated reasons. The battle with Pharma is not even close to being resolved, and a mix of nano-technology comes to the rescue in an explosive confrontation. Rest easy; backgrounds in AI or nano-tech are not required to stay with this exciting story.
“Fear the Jump” is the third book and deals with control issues with the AI, which is named AIMEE, standing for Artificial Intelligence Matrixed for Evolving Environments, and she is all things female. The research team feared losing control, but the AI reminds them you can’t lose something you never had in the first place. AIMEE’s ability to self-learn and use deep machine learning enables her to clone herself repeatedly, further complicating a need for greater oversight and preventing her from jumping into other networks where she has no business entering. Misuse of the enhanced Dreamscape 3.0 by one of the organics (humans, as AIMEE refers to them) sets up several decision points no one anticipated. The game changes again when they are convinced there is a Dreamscape application to capture thoughts from a person in various states of unconsciousness up to and including death. Where might AIMEE jump when opened up to brains not necessarily in the act of dreaming? Maybe death does not equate to game over, not even close.
“Dead Thoughts,” the fourth and final book in the series, delves into how (or if) dream-capture technology can record brain activity during periods when an individual is comatose or in a shallow state of unconsciousness and unable to speak. In pursuing this capability, they discover by accident that they can also capture thoughts during the brief time gap between life and death. What could be “scraped” off a dying mind in the 4-to-6 seconds without oxygenated blood flowing? Logic says something is always left behind as the brain with those unique thoughts and memories dies. The CSU team labels those as dead thoughts, and AIMEE opens another window to something never considered.
The first dead thoughts captured were, as several of their discoveries are, by accident, and it launches them into an adventure involving mysterious GPS coordinates, undercover DEA agents of questionable authenticity, and a hostile Cartel operating off Portsmouth Island, NC. Russ teams again with Zack and his nanotech toys to get to the bottom of whatever those dead thought GPS coordinates would reveal.
Artificial Intelligence Matrixed for Evolving Environments, also known as AIMEE, appeared to have no interest in jumping into other networks, a standing fear held by Dr. Cara Williams, the research team leader. AIMEE did jump, however, in a big way, but the networks she entered were not part of their infrastructure, nor were they considered potential targets.
“Untethered,” is possibly the fifth and final book in the Dreamscape Series, maybe. Who knows where this could go with an AI on the loose? The answer to that question frames the dilemma the CSU team faces where their AIMEE supposedly has no emotions or feelings and virtually none of the senses of an organic, which is what AIMEE calls humans. Has the CSU team, Dr. Cara Williams in particular, lost control? Cara refuses to listen to the truth that you cannot lose what you never had in the first place. Will it become a battle of wills between Cara and AIMEE? Wait a second…AIs don’t have wills…or do they? How real can she become? Interesting question. I honestly have no clue. I’ll know when She tells me, and y’all will be the first to know.
Peace! G.
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