As you may have surmised, we here at Mandated Memoranda Publishing are in the midst of a second draft rewrite for ‘Tiānmìng – Mandate of Heaven’. Our editor graciously pointed out that the text’s flow and tone were off and needed substantial changes (a long way off from tweaking, I’m afraid). Adolphus Writer has stepped in for the second draft rewrite. As a result, we have more material for ‘Horrors of the Heart’, our second offering. Our plan (bar the exigencies life throws in our paths) is to publish ‘Tiānmìng – Mandate of Heaven’ on Amazon by the end of August. We feel the book should appeal to those considering our choices in this year’s national election. Please stay tuned.
Big Data to the Rescue – Nomi Tareen Smith
In the White House West Wing headed towards a ground floor conference room, Washington, D.C.
“So what are you going to say?”
“To whom?”
“The President silly.”
“What do you mean?”
“You did prepare, I mean really, George. Where are your notes? Are they in here?”
“Made ya look, Marge.”
“It’s not funny; this one is for the money.”
….
“George, Margery? The President will be with us in a few minutes; why don’t you come in and have a seat at the table?”
“Thank you…”
“Peter Manheim, Presidential Science Advisor; I love those initials. Have a seat by me here, George. Margery, how about that seat there?”
“Geeeorge?”
“Got it, Marge.”
“So, George, is it real?”
“They both are Dr. Manheim; where do I hook in?”
“Here, the system will automatically query your machine.”
“But I have specialized protocols…”
“No matter, George, done. Can we see a preview?”
“Sure, here we have a four-dimensional record…”
“Is this real data?”
“Taken continuously over the past 7 weeks.”
“I see, using what network for the tomography?”
“All of them.”
“Really? And it shows…?”
“Both the Yellowstone and Canary Islands hotspots have 85 and 63 percent chances, respectively, of surface eruption in the next 5 to 10 years and lower but significant chances of erupting within the year.”
“What did you predict last year for the same time frames?”
“32 and 23 percent for the 5 to 10 years and negligible for the 1 year frame, Dr. Manheim.”
“Margery, how are we situated on funding?”
“Forty seven percent spent, Peter. The Constellation servers are paying off; we’d be out of money, otherwise.”
“Hmm, I’ll see what I can do about that, Margery.”
The President is twenty-five seconds out.
“Dr. Manheim, he’s on his way.”
“Thank you.”
….
“Mr. President.”
“I don’t believe I know everyone, Peter.”
“Mr. President, may I introduce Dr. Margery Wholecloud at your right hand and Dr. George Majorski at my side.”
“Glad to meet you both, Peter’s been telling me of your good work. Please sit. What am I going to see today Peter?”
“George, why don’t you start the video and I’ll summarize what you told me just now?”
“Sure.”
“Mr. President, this is a video of deep magma flow under Yellowstone, on the left of the screen, and the Canary Islands on the right. As you see, the flows become hotter over a 7 week period. We believe this indicates almost certain surface eruptions within three years and eleven months give or take a few months at both sites. It’s likely there will be a sustained super-eruption at Yellowstone that will obliterate flora and fauna across the Great Divide and saturate the stratosphere because of the anticipated volume, viscosity and gases. The Canary Islands event will also impact us and our Atlantic allies. Isn’t that right, George?”
“Sure.”
“Alright, so what are we to do, Peter?”
“As we discussed, Mr. President”
“Approved, anything else?”
“No, Mr. President.”
“Thank you everyone, good to meet you both.”
“Thank you Mr. President.”
….
“Okay, let’s take our seats. George, you did great.”
“Sure.”
Yellowstone – Nomi Tareen Smith
At the home of Scott and Lisa Bering in Cheyenne, Wyoming
The National Primary EAS system has issued an emergency action notification for: Cheyenne, Wyoming; at 2:00 p.m. on October 24, 2021, effective until ended by national emergency termination alert.
This is not a test.
As of 1:19 pm today, Yellowstone Caldera located in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming has erupted in what appears to be a rapidly expanding series of ash fountains and plumes. Devastating pyroclastic flows have occurred as a result of the collapse of several eruptive fountains. However, new fountains continue to establish themselves around the caldera. The plumes are coalescing and growing in extent and intensity.
Residents within a 100 mile radius are being ordered to flee north. Those residents within a 500 mile radius are being advised to prepare for an escape were one to be necessary. Cheyenne is in the 500 mile radius. All are advised to head north towards our settlements in Canada. All routes north have designations toward the reception centers. Transportation and/or medical attention for those who need it will be provided at collection points along main routes north.
Please stay tuned to this station for further news and instructions for your area.
-PAUSE-
The National Primary EAS system has issued….
“Scotty, what do you think?”
“I think we should pack up, Lisa. Get the kids inside and let’s load up the camper.”
“Where will we go?”
“Let’s head to your mother in Billings. Then we’ll all go into the mountains near Big Timber where we’ll be safe.”
“But the instructions on the TV say to head to Canada, Scotty.”
“Lisa, those feds never get it right; Bronschweiger gave us the straight scoop when he said this whole ‘national emergency’ thing was the way the federal government was going to finally impose totalitarian rule on us. When that Smith guy won, I knew our days in Wyoming were numbered and we had to head for the hills. Anyway, you see any ash out there? It’s a bright blue day…
We’ll take 25 North, then 90 West to Billings, pick Agnes up and take 94 West to Big Timber.”
“But that will bring us closer to Yellowstone, honey.”
“Never mind, kitten. The Big Horn Mountains will protect us most of the way.”
“Why don’t we call Agnes and meet up in Miles City. She can take 94 East and we’ll hook up with her there using the back roads. Then we can all head north to Canada together.”
“We can call her from the road, Lis. We gotta get moving before everyone else or we’ll miss out.”
Headed west on Interstate route 25 towards Casper, Wyoming.
“I can’t reach her.”
“Shush, I have to get right to stay on 25. Get out-of-the-way buddy…”
“Don’t shush me…”
“Tommy is pinching me Mom.”
“Tommy you get over to your side.”
“Aww, Mom, she always gets away with things; it’s not fair.”
“Are we there yet?”
“No Bridgette and stop taunting your brother.”
“I missed it.”
“You missed what, honey?”
“25, we’re now on a road headed for Shoshoni. I think it’s US 26.”
“Wait a minute, yes; we can pick up a northern route following US-20 and US-310 that takes us to Laurel and then catch I-90 to Billings; but we’re closer to Yellowstone, now.”
“Not what I wanted, can’t you keep them quiet back there?”
“Now it’s my fault?”
“Well, I gotta concentrate. Why don’t you see if you can reach Agnes, again?
….
After the Iminami – Nomi Tareen Smith
Near the memorial at McPherson Square, Washington, D.C.
“I don’t know how this happened.”
“What’s that?”
“These squirrels, they’re back in force. Grey ones, black ones and, hey, is that one red?”
“That is unusual…I thought they were numerous before because they were ‘seeded’ early in the twentieth century in an effort to provide some warmth and charm to the D.C. parks and public spaces.”
“Well the ‘seeds’ germinated into a marauding hoard; how did they ever survive the Iminami?”
“Why don’t you ask one?”
“Don’t encourage them; I do not consider these things charming. My guess, they climbed the trees and buildings during the flood and ate whatever floated by.”
“I bet you’re right, they do look well fed. Isn’t that one the cutest thing?”
“No…and hunting the pesky creatures was outlawed back then too, right?”
“Yep, and so was poisoning them. But, the next time you are in the UK, you can pick one up to roast if you like. They sell’em in supermarkets. What’s gotten into you lately?”
“Ever since we got back, the office has been hectic. My immediate supervisor is okay. I mean we all spent years in rented spaces carrying out our functions, a little travel, but…”
“But now the officials want face time and day long meetings, right?”
“Well even that is tamped down after the reconstitution. I guess, I don’t know…”
“You can tell me. Haven’t we corresponded over the years even when I was in the north? The times we were together were precious…uh-oh, look at the time, we better be heading back.”
“Yes, Izzy, we have, they were and soon. Move squirrel…”
“Why are you on your knee?”
“I have to get this out…will you marry me Izzy?”
“Yes, Peter, I’d be honored to marry you.”
Rule of Law – Bradon Wilchej
So you are willing to compromise?
Not capitulate.
So you want your way?
Our way.
Whatever do you mean?
Might does not make right. These laws we speak about are already ‘there’ to for us to discover and obey.
So you are a natural law proponent?
In that nature’s God has established them, yes.
There you go again, bringing up subjective superstitions.
My turn; does that mean you don’t believe in gravity and quantum mechanics?
What nonsense; every educated person believes in science.
Believes in ‘science’ or ‘truth’? ‘Science’ is a process of discovering the existent truth last time I checked.
Semantics, there is nothing else.
One can believe in the truth but there are many processes to discover it.
Really? I suppose you will bring up your pesky notion of religion.
Actually, I was going to bring up interpersonal conversation. We use it to discover all sorts of things: new friends during a conference, guilt or innocence in a court of law and where the nearest coffee bar is located; among other uses.
I bet you’ll say poetry and art are means of discovery as well? Not simply human invention to pass the time while we refrain from assaulting our neighbors.
I’d never accuse you of that, and yes, they are means of discovery. Not all truth is amenable to scientific process.
Any modern progressive human being knows better.
I don’t think you are right in what you say.
I’ll go so far as to say that your kinds’ time is over; we have surmounted the reaches of the north, to use your own poetry.
You can’t say that…
Sure I can; I can say anything I want, when I want and contradict myself to my heart’s content.
When you subject others to your pronouncements, it ceases to be whimsy and becomes tyranny.
There are no consequences, ultimately.
The townsfolk outside with the pitchforks beg to disagree.
Ah, but I said ultimately.
So you believe you are extinguished at death, do you?
Of course, and you believe in hellfire; what a quaint superstitious notion.
You may discover elsewise, I’m afraid.
Scare tactics, nothing more. Just to assert your control over me, but I’ll have none of that.
I think not; I just mean to communicate the truth. It is you who will have to deal with the consequences.
The Future – Carl Lee Wilson
You say you want a revelation? Well, you know, we all want to have hopeful futures. But we deny that the world 100, 1000 or, maybe, 10,000 years ago was the same as it is today. We claim to see progress but fail to notice that the measures have changed. Myth has it that, in antiquity, a philosopher with a lamp roamed his city in the daylight looking for an honest man. They called that man a dog in his death because he showed them their faults. Now, without having all the toys this life offers, who would gladly die and call it gain?
Which will it be: virtue or concupiscence? How can we contemplate the Singularity, galactic conquest or dystopian ruin without first addressing what is in our self-interest? Yes, self-interest, not ‘greed’; for they are decidedly different. Self-interest decides to give to others assuring their welfare and knowing that, by the act, it provides for its own. Whereas greed withholds hoping to hoard benefits to itself which it knows cannot last long enough.
Are not our current contemplations lacking in humanity and society? We want to live forever on our own terms or die trying. Preferably, of course, someone else will die trying and not us. All the while, we do not recognize the smear over our eyes preventing us from seeing the truth. From where does that unhealing salve come? Could it result from our continual and deliberate confusion of our conscience’s reprobations and approbations? What will it take for our eyes to be opened? Only with open eyes can we see the hope set before us.
What might that hopeful future entail? Everything that is good and pleasurable: all knowledge, industry and accomplishment. Perhaps it would include robots, starships and universal communications if they were necessary. Certainly, it will include creation, discovery and enjoyment as a matter of course. And, best of all, it will include rest from toil and turmoil. We will all be strong, good-looking and above average as a modern-day philosopher once observed. But this good outcome takes a reversal of direction here and now.
The future starts this very moment. Will you be greedy or self-interested? Go your own way or deny yourself? The harsh alternative is a dystopian future with no end. We all would rather change the world than change our own selves.
Snails From Space – Marianne Bouchard
“They don’t believe me; none of them. But I saw those THINGS eat? Absorb? Tommy and Sam.”
“Yes, now tell me more, Missy.”
“Do you believe me?”
“I told you I would listen.”
“But you have to believe me.”
“Tell me the whole story from the beginning.”
“It was a beautiful summer’s evening; Tommy and I met Sam at the corner store and Tommy drove us out to Lookout Point. The sun was nearly set. You could see it between the trees and reflecting off the lake. It was twilight behind us. I don’t know why I looked behind us.”
“Go on.”
“All of a sudden, I see a flash. Like when a jet liner or a satellite catches the sun just right. But it wasn’t. IT WAS THEM.”
“Calm down dear, now you didn’t know it was them, did you?”
“Not right then, no… So it starts toward where we were laying on top of the car hood, one of those 70’s boat-like cars, I forget what kind.”
“Doesn’t matter, now please continue.”
“Well, it passes over us and over the edge of the point. It was silent, round and hovering in front of us right beyond the edge.”
“Cold, dear?”
“No, just remembering what happened next.”
“Tell me, dear.”
Do you think she knows where she is?
No, the vapors make these forget
Will we find out why these don’t mature (?) into those we digest?
I am coming to the settled opinion that these are not like the ones we had before
So, we’ll have to go to another [unintelligible]
Ever onward for our race to live
Why can’t we find more cooperative and robust food?
“What was that dear?”
“I said, so we were transported, er, we just appeared aboard the craft.”
“What happened next, dear?”
New Title in the Works
Now that Ms. Smith’s work is done and in production, we at Mandated Memoranda Publishing LLC are taking on a new fiction book. This is a collection of short stories with the tentative title: “Horrors of the Heart”. Adolphus Writer will again explore how we deal justly or unjustly with the experiences we are dealt in this life. He has a stable of contributors that are composing horror and science fiction stories plus specific essays on this theme. The authors will post excerpts from their stories and essays over the next few months. Please read them and comment. Thank you.
Nomi Smith Finishes Novella
A status update from Adolphus Writer – Ms Smith finished the first draft of Tiānmìng, Mandate of Heaven, a memoir of our once and future Republic. We are on track for a late spring or early summer publication. The novella chronicles the rise of the United States after befalling a “natural” cataclysm. Ms. Smith takes a tough look at us as Americans and us as citizens of the world. She asks us to look at ourselves through the lens of the story and ponder what we would do in these circumstances. Through it, we are asked to consider what we are doing right now and whether it makes a difference for good. I urge you to take her message to heart, especially during this crucial election season. The liberty and wellbeing of our posterity is at stake.
An excerpt from Tiānmìng, Mandate of Heaven – the future President of the United States, Moses Orestes, says in his famous speech:
“…Our scientists aver that we face a geologic crisis of calamitous proportions. I say that we, as a nation, have felt the ground shifting beneath our feet for too many decades. We have sold our birthright for mean porridge and left nothing but the empty bowl for our posterity to clean after us. That will stop today. We will face our moral and spiritual crisis as we combat the physical one. We establish plans today that will secure those promised blessings of liberty for our posterity. We dedicate ourselves today to return to the attitudes and actions of our forefathers who established this Republic.”
National Novel Writing Month
NaNoWriMo was harder than I expected. My author, Nomi Tareen Smith, has 22,000 words of a historical fiction novel framed as a ‘memoir of the Republic’ set in the near future. The title is Tiānmìng, Mandate of Heaven. It chronicles the fall and rise of the United States of America. The novel structure is conventional but the presentation consists of materials from fictional transcripts, interviews and personal recollections of the participants with lead ins by Ms. Smith.
The novel’s major sections are Portents, Run Up for Protection, Run Up for Conquest, Crisis, War and Aftermath. The general synopsis is: Subordinates play roles on the world stage leading to a new order not yet revealed to them or us. These have to grapple with what obligations they have to themselves, to others (past, present and future) and to Heaven. Some will succeed and some will fail. The outcome is left to the reader to decide.
Ms. Smith will finish the novel by early January (we hope). My editorial staff will review and revise the novel with Ms. Smith’s consultation and consent. Then, we will publish to Amazon and Barnes and Noble directly using their tools.
Mandated Memoranda 