The Chelyabinsk Meteor
Notes 3/14/2017:
This event, on 2/15/2013, inspired much of what became the book CONCUSSION. I remember watching the news that day, and hearing the incredible reports coming from a place called Chelyabinsk in Russia. I wondered, what if what exploded in the sky wasn’t a meteor? What if what we thought was a meteor was actually a device, sent back in time from our future selves, designed to help the human race in some way? What if the meteor was actually a nanotech machine, a “Thought Virus” designed to communicate a message and change history?
Book Excerpt:
…
While Ivan’s thinking these thoughts,
at that exact moment:
A massive meteorite streaks across the sky;
an airburst explosion followed by a massive concussion,
shattering,
many windows in the Chelyabinsk Oblast.
Time: 9:26 A.M.
Friday,
February 15th 2013.
Ivan pulls his vehicle over;
records the exact time in his journal.
What the fuck was that?
Ivan looks at the sky;
studies trajectory of the object;
calculates:
It will take about 23 minutes to get to the meteorite landing-site.
Ivan hesitates-
I must be the first to get there;
this meteorite could be very valuable.
Ivan stomps the gas;
500 horse-power Mercedes engine roars to life;
calls his cousin David.
David: “You OK?”
Ivan: “Ya,
you?”
David: “I’m OK.
My house’s windows were blown out,
so were the restaurant’s windows.
I was heading home.”
Ivan: “I was headed to work,
but I’m going to find that meteorite.
I want it.”
David pauses-
then speaks,
“I know this is something you have to do;
I’m not going to argue,
professor.
I’ll open the restaurant today;
get the windows boarded up;
call in another manager.
If you get rich on whatever you find;
I want a piece of the action,
OK?”
Ivan: “Deal.”
David: “I bet this makes CNN.”
Ivan: “Many will google the Chelyabinsk meteor for years to come.”
…
Notes 3/14/2017 Continued:
I began researching Chelyabinsk, its people, culture, weather, history- If humans from the future wanted to communicate with a brilliant scientist from the past, Chelyabinsk would be a place of great interest. The device was aimed right at the scientist Ivan. Did Ivan’s future self design it?
Also of note, the word CONCUSSION is woven throughout the book:
- The Chelyabinsk meteor explodes in midair, and its concussion knocks out windows.
- Ray receives a concussion from his severe beating.
- Concussion is the word used by the Furai to describe the phenomena of powerful thoughts, transmitted using focus, energy, and emotion, having ability to supernaturally bend the universe.
Book Excerpt:
…
Cynthia: “Imagine a small pond,
on a day with no wind.
Picture it in your mind now.”
Ray: “OK sifu.”
Cynthia: “Now,
imagine dropping a tiny pebble into the pond.
Describe what you see.”
Ray: “The water ripples for a moment,
after the pebble hits the pond.
Ripples continue for a-while,
then stop,
sifu.”
Cynthia: “Excellent.
Now,
imagine what would happen,
if,
you picked up a heavy cinderblock over your head,
then,
cast it into this same small-pond with ALL your force.”
Ray: “The cinder block creates a huge splash,
followed by a wave sifu;
the entire pond is affected.”
Cynthia: “Perfect.
Your universe:
the pond.
A normal thought:
a pebble dropped.
A CONCUSSION:
a cinderblock CAST with ALL your might.
CONCUSSION a thought-form,
cast with:
such emotion,
such energy,
such focus:
it rips open the universe;
creates supernatural-change.
…
This visual imagery of a focussed-electrically-charged thought causing ripples through The Ether – and also through time – inspired the cover of the series:
The three sigils above RICHARD SKEET: Focus (target site,) Energy (chi,) and Emotion (dynamite.)
