A devious manipulation….

  • Billionaire’s Agenda

    Mr. Smith watched in relaxed amusement as the panic ensued at NASA. His monitor erupted with sounds of chaos and concerned agitation. Tense faces scanning their screens were working desperately to uncover the problem. The cause of the distress could not be deciphered through the commotion for several moments. “Where are they?”, “We should have communication back by now!” and “Try again!” filtered through the confusion. Then, it became clear. A single unknown voice stated in fact and sorrow… “We’re out of options. It is confirmed. We’ve lost all contact with Encounter.”

    Mr. Smith smiled to himself and reached into his desk drawer for a cigar. Propping his feet on his desk, he lit the expensive Cuban with his gold lighter. Raising it in a quiet toast, he enjoyed a flavorful drag while savoring his success.

  • World of Trouble

    Ted looked warily at both of his subordinates. “We don’t know precisely where we are or how to get home. The information is not forthcoming. We need to be smart and vigilant until we uncover what they’re not saying. It is imperative that we get the answers that we must have.”

    Responding to the sense of authority he emanated, both Jack and Jeff nodded in acquiescence.

    “Men, I think it’s fair to say,” he went on. “We’re in a world of trouble here!”

  • Danger in Cultural Clash

    “The situation is dangerous. If they return to their world, we have no control over what they do or say about us. At the very least, we would be an irresistible curiosity. But, more than that, we have greater things luring them - resources, advanced technologies, land.” Sterling ran a hand over his troubled head. “Their world is not a peaceful one. They could be a serious threat to us.”

    “But they seem like nice people.” Nadia offered, trying to ease his worry.

    “Yes, of course they are, individually.” Sterling agreed. “But, their culture is based on very different ideologies from ours. They believe in warfare to achieve what they want.” He paused for a moment, considering his agitated thoughts. “They may perceive us as weaker because we are peaceful. That could encourage aggression, invasion, or attempts at domination.”

    “Maybe, if they returned home, they could talk about the benefits we have, living in peace.” She ventured.

    “After such a short stay here, it is doubtful that we would have that much impact. That is what concerns me.”

 discovers an unexpected world in Protiva….

  • Proactivity

    “We figure out what we need to live well. Then, we create proactive structures to meet those needs,” Mia elaborated.

    “It sounds simple enough in theory.” Jeff said.

    “The particulars of how these needs are organized are merely details to resolve. The crucial part is knowing what is needed, and having the underlining value toward addressing it early.”

    “So, you try to prevent some problems from occurring?”

    “Right.” Mia smiled. “There are some problems that can occur over and over and drive you crazy, if you let them. If you take a step back from them, you can get perspective on how to manage them better. So, we think proactively, and develop tactics that can make a difference. Sometimes even small changes can have significant impact.”

  • Positivity

    “In any given moment, our experience can be altered, depending on how we choose to view things. There is nothing in life, not even love, that can’t be viewed positively or negatively. We determine how we will define even the smallest thing, and this has huge implications for the impact it will have on us. When you choose to see the positive in a situation and maintain a strong focus on joyful interpretation in your life, you feel lighter, happier, and more energetic.”

  • Alliance

    “We see each other as allies.” Mia explained. “We live together very consciously as allies. We know that the only way to survive as a planet, grow, and live well is to be aligned on the same side.”

    “But, being allies usually means there is something you are allied against. If you’re all allies, which is still hard for me to believe, who are you fighting against?”

    “Alliance is a way of life. Approaching people as allies sets the stage for better relationships from the start. It creates respect and cooperation.” Mia took a breath. “But, to answer your question, I’d say we are allied against chaos, dysfunction, war, brutality, poverty, to name a few. Without a solid structure, those things are inevitable.

finding a wealth of…

  • Laughter

    Devray shook her head in a pretense of concern. “Cohorts, we’ve got to raise some hormone levels here! This can’t be healthy!”

    “I don’t know,” Lily laughed, “that man seems perfectly capable of raising hormones on his own!”

    “I’ll sing to that!” Ralia jumped in.

    “Ooooh, write me some music in that key!!” Elana enthused.

    “Yeah, and there’ll be a great big crescendo in that symphony!!” Nadia burst forth in her classic exuberant style.

    “Maybe more than one!!”

    Mia found herself laughing with them. “Okay, okay…I did say that I find him attractive.”

    “Crescendo, Baby!” Elana’s playfulness was in full swing. “Yum!!”

    Lily started fanning herself. “Please! I may not be able to get through my lunch!”

    “Now there’s a tough choice for lunch!” Devray chuckled. “Salad or delicious man!” Turning briefly to Lily and Ralia, she added, “or woman, as the case may be.”

    “It’s not the gender, is it? “ Elana laughed. “It’s the cres-cen-do!”

    Mia leaned into her sister. “You just love saying that, don’t you?”

    “Oh yeah…” Elana drawled with teasing exaggeration.

    “It’s really just a question of what kind of terrain you like.” Devray grinned. “Some like to explore flatter regions and some like rising peaks!”

  • Romance

    “I’m rather glad you don’t have roommates right now.”

    “Really?” Hearing his provocative tone, she responded in kind. “And, why is that?”

    “Well, you know how roommates can be.” He drawled, setting down his wine glass. “Always around… it can be so inconvenient sometimes…” he took her glass and set it next to his, “when one wishes… to have… privacy.”

    Mia let out a breathless whisper, “yes”, as her heart beat faster and her body melted in anticipation.

    Turning toward each other, their eyes met and held for a lingering moment, igniting passion’s magnetic pull. Their mouths came together by their own volition, touching ever so gently at first, and sending ripples of tingling shivers through their bodies. Soft lips began melding more eagerly with firmer ones, exploring the contours, the smoothness, the heat.

    Jeff’s arms enfolded Mia’s lush frame and she slid closer to him, raising her hands to encircle his neck and press herself to him. Their eyelids slipped closed, as their tongues tested and tasted, creating a tiny insulated world where only their entwined enchantment existed.

    “Would you like to get more comfortable?” Either of them may have said it, as they were equally motivated to take things further in a more conducive setting. “Yes!” They rose together and, Mia, holding on to Jeff’s hand, led the way into her bedroom.

  • Festival Rivalry

    “This is what you’ve been waiting for - the Strands Rivalry! Today we have two teams of 3 tilters each. Their objective is to get their entire team up to the top of the Strands, and out, with the most points. Two points are received for getting oneself out of a snag, and one point is awarded for helping others out. One point can also be received by capturing a static bubble. Two points are achieved by reaching the top first, and getting out with all your teammates.

    We’ve seen how our cables can become shafts, and that is where bubbles are found. Shafts and snags will erupt without warning. Tilters can maneuver inside shafts, but snags will trap them inside. Other conditions will add challenges to our tilters’ efforts. Wind may knock them off their strands. They might encounter thick heavy goo making it difficult to move. There will be alterations in light, and the strands will change direction, so that a tilter may become disoriented.

    The strands will also create emotional states for our tilters. Snags may feel difficult or they may become ‘pleasure pockets’. Pleasure pockets will feel wonderful, but our tilters must beware of getting too tempted to stay in their hedonistic holds!