“Slingshot,” by Gary Young, employs science fiction, strong character development, humor and innovation in a story about revenge, betrayal, and great plans that go awry where least expected, and come together in a way that is even less expected.
SLINGSHOT
Science Fiction driven strongly by plot and character development.
The year is 2099. We have survived “population wars,” “water wars,” and technology has progressed beyond imagination, due to nano technology, bio-technology and genetic re-structuring. Some of the ripples from all of this, of course, could not be predicted. Much of this technology is still classified, and human genetic re-structuring has already proven to be more of a hindrance than a help, and therefore has been outlawed. But human nature persists. And curiosity has moved us deeply into the exploration of quantum physics and as SLINGSHOT presents it, plausible quantum fiction.
We have found a way to re-play our dreams to anyone who might want to view them. Rudimentary contact with at least one other civilization millions of miles from Earth has not presented any serious conflicts with religion, nor have we been able to establish who the inhabitants are and it they still exist. The potential life-span of a few chosen individuals has been lengthened to 150 useful years.
And we have seen the past in a way that no one had ever seen it before. As observers – cameras only, no people. It’s the law. No human contact of any kind.
We have solved riddles, proved and disproved faith-based beliefs, and as unseen observers, we found Amelia Earhart and Judge Crater, among others. This has filled in our knowledge of history, and as troubling as many of the discoveries have been, especially in the world of religion, knowledge can lead to a positive space, if you can get people to believe the facts. But we are human, and we cannot leave it at that. We have our own agendas, and next to the human trait of curiosity, revenge is a strong motivator.
Aaron and Tighe, a blind scientist, and his assistant join forces to perfect time travel for humans, not just cameras. And as with any powerful force, corruption is probable, and never where you expect to find it.
A work in progress, not yet available for purchase.
The excerpt below is a little creepy, for sure. This quirky novel often has a whimsical tone, especially in the interactions between the characters, and does get serious. The story will be serialized in part on my blog very soon.
