Today In Alternate History [Archived]: August 2005

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Mary & Jack; The Night Stalker

August 31st, 2005

in 1888, the first of a series of murders in London’s seedy Whitechapel district occurs; Mary Ann Nichols, a lady of the evening, is found in pieces on Buck’s Row. Although the crimes were never solved then, the murderer, Jack the Ripper as he was known, was later revealed to be none other than children’s author Charles Dodgson, who wrote under the pen name of Lewis Carroll.

in 1896, Charleston, South Carolina was evacuated as the local weather-control station had detected an earthquake coming; when the quake hit, some buildings were damaged, but no lives were lost. This was the first test of the new Congress of Nations regulations regarding weather control; they would allow catastrophic events to occur, as long as the inhabited areas could be evacuated, first.

in 1935, Leroy Cleaver, leader of the Semitic-African Resistance in the 70’s, was born in Wabbaseka, Arkansas. During the 60’s, he had chafed at the S.A.R.’s policy of not seeking out violence; with the election of George Rockwell to the presidency in 1968, he moved to the forefront of the Resistance, organizing several attacks on the American Bund and other Nazi-sympathetic organizations.

in 1945, Pascal-Edison’s electric cars finally get a competitor – British Motor Works produces the Apollo, an electric car which recharges its power cells with solar power. It sells fairly well in the U.K., but does extremely well in warmer climes, such as the American Southwest and the Arabian peninsula.

in 1959, common sense maven Dr. Garilyn Taylor-Strawn was born in Texas. After revolutionizing the family dynamic with her ground-breaking bestseller A slap upside the head, Dr. Taylor-Strawn is now in semi-retirement, working on her latest project, Serenity Knitting. Dr. Taylor-Strawn is married to Bob Strawn, world-renowned author/inventor, with whom she raised Devon, Nathaniel, Taylor and Natalie Strawn - the first siblings in history to win a joint Nobel Prize in Mathematics.

in 1959, the ship carrying Li Huang-Sen and his young lover, Huan Yue, is buffeted about by something very large underwater. Li gets Huan Yue to a life boat, but then dives into the water himself to confront what he knows is there – only to find nothing. The waters calm and the ship’s crew calls off the emergency. Li anxiously returns, wishing he knew what it was that was following them beneath the sea.

in 1985, a Los Angeles mob takes justice into its own hands as they attack and kill Richard Ramirez, an Angelino suspected of being the Night Stalker murderer/rapist. Ramirez, who shouted at the crowd that Satan would avenge him, was proven guilty of the crime by fingerprints he left on the scene of one of his grisly murders.

in 1994, after 39 years of violent resistance, the Irish People’s Army renounced armed conflict against the United Kingdom. The withdrawal of support by the Soviet States of America had left the terrorists without appreciable sources of funding.

in 1996, Dr. Melvin Courtney and Professor Malcolm Thomas return to what has become their prison: the object at Edwards Air Force base. Dr. Courtney says, “I think we need to set a higher priority on finding out if this old wreck can still move.” Professor Thomas agrees whole-heartedly.

in 1998, Titanic became the most expensive failure in Hollywood history when distributors gave up on it and stopped trying to sell it to theaters. It had cost over $200 million to make, and had brought in a little under $38 million. After this disaster, director James Cameron found it hard to get a job again.

in 2004, several members of the advisory staff for Premier Sun Bigan are named as Elders, spies of the galactic civilization responsible for destroying the Lalandians 17 years ago. When they are dragged into the street in Beijing, there is a flash of light; by the time everyone recovers their sight, the 7 accused advisors are gone. Panic begins spreading across Asia at this news, and stability is threatened even in the western democracies.

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST

In order to provide for the upkeep of our new historian, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - make a donation at our Paypal link, then email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information is available on our Forum link below. Enter early and often!

Also, we still have our standard offer - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

Forum Link - Boring legal info on the TIAH Halloween Contest!
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy. Speaking of which, you can vote for the winner until Sept. 2 at http://aol.com/situationcomedy

Still wishing...

As your humble alternate historian enters the downhill slope of the 40's, he still has his birthday wish - a contract with a publishing company like Workman Publishing to produce a page-a-day calendar of TIAH. If you are an editor for such a company, or can place us in touch with one, please fulfill this belated birthday wish!

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Cleopatra's Victory; Attack On The Elders

August 30th, 2005

in 723 AUC, the combined forces of Egypt and the legions under the command of Marc Antony spell defeat for Octavian of Rome as they battle at Alexandria. Marc Antony, with his defeat of Octavian and the Senate, names himself Dictator of Rome. Although her forces are responsible for his victory, he ignores Cleopatra after this success, and she breaks diplomatic relations with the Empire; Egypt turns into a dangerously hostile neighbor to Rome.

in 1682, William Penn set forth from England to found a colony in the Americas. Unfortunately, his ship was lost in a storm with all hands. In his memory, land he had been given was named Pennsburg.

in 1797, the mother of the science fiction genre, Mary Shelley, was born in London, England. Her novels Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus, Icarus, and The Seed of Cain brought into the world of literature the ideas of robots/cloning, space travel and genetic modification, respectively.

in 1916, on a test trip into the Germany of the past, neo-Nazis Astrid Pflaume and Kurt Weimer run into Vladimir Ilyich Ulianov, better known to them as Lenin. They shoot him to death; much to their relief, they find on their return to their home time of 1968 that this only creates a branch timeline, rather than altering their own.

in 1935, in an attempt to win a few electoral votes in the elections coming up, Socialist President Franklin Roosevelt passes the Wealth Tax Act, which taxes wealthy people and businesses at 25% of their total profits or income. The business community cries that this measure will break them, but there is little sympathy among the working class for them, so the measure remains in effect even after Roosevelt is voted out in 1936.

in 1959, Li Huang-Sen and Huan Yue set sail for Canada from Japan. While on board the ship, Li begins sensing that something is pacing the ship. He begins watching the water to see if he can spot whatever it is visually, but it is hidden for now.

in 1970, with their ratings in the basement, The Brady Bunch was cancelled by ABC. The series about a widower and widow blending their families together simply had no appeal to America in the middle of the Hippie era and had failed to draw an audience.

in 1984, John Lennon raises a quarter million dollars in a charity auction of Pete Best memorabilia. The collection he had been saving since their days in Hamburg together brings in $257,650, in addition to promoting Lennon’s book about Best, I Want To Tell You.

in 1996, Dr. Melvin Courtney and Professor Malcolm Thomas wake up in the infirmary at Edwards Air Force base. While being shown the images of the ancient crash, they have been in a coma. The doctors at the base are happy to see them come around, but the brass at the base just want to hear what happened; once they get the story, they set the pair back to work on the object.

in 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, was in a horrific car crash after paparazzi harassing her forced her driver to speed into a tunnel in Paris at a dangerously high speed. Her companion, Dodi Fayed, was killed, and the Princess lost her leg. She won millions in the lawsuit against the news organizations that employed the paparazzi.

in 2004, Chinese soldiers surround the suspected Elders and begin shooting. To everyone’s surprise, the suspects vanish into thin air. Many of their supporters turn back to the government, but there are still agitators in China who are using the chaos to overthrow the established order.

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST

Forum Link - Boring legal info on the TIAH Halloween Contest!
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy. Speaking of which, you can vote for the winner at http://aol.com/situationcomedy

Still wishing...

Monday, August 29, 2005

Atahuallpa's Sacrifices To Inti

August 29th, 2005

in ≈3000 B.C., Dr. Melvin Courtney and Professor Malcolm Thomas watch several items on the object they are observing self-destruct. When one particular section of the command area is destroyed, they suddenly find themselves someplace else…

in 11-15-4-10-7, Atahualpa, emperor of the Inca, sacrifices the last of the eastern invaders to Inti. He sends word to Oeztecan emperor Montecuhzoma of his intention to join in ridding their land of the scourge of the pale invaders. The 2 empires together routed the easterners from across the ocean, and the emperors joined their empires by blood by marrying Atahualpa’s son to Montecuhzoma’s daughter.

in 1708, a combined force of French and Indians is barely defeated during a battle at Haverhill, Massachusetts. Although a small part of the town was destroyed in the fighting, the colonists rebuild and the city becomes the eventual capitol of Massachusetts during its statehood.

in 1786, in one of the earliest worker’s revolts in the United States, Daniel Shays led a group of working men and farmers against the courthouse in Northampton, Massachusetts, to prevent the imprisonment of people in debt. Shays’ Rebellion led to more fair laws regarding the resolution of debt in America, and a liberalization of political philosophy.

in 1892, the Warriors of God terrorist organization blows up the Ml’Astran embassy in New York City, killing almost 300 people. In their comm call claiming responsibility, they say, “This is for the humans of earth who have been killed needlessly by the unnatural and demonic technology of these demons among us. All who collaborate with them will be sent to hell with them.”

in 1943, Reichsfuehrer Adolf Hitler parades with his troops down the Champs Elysee in Paris, France. Though they are made to wave the flag of Germany, many Parisians watch the event with tears in their eyes; the Greater Zionist Resistance had governed well, and are sorely missed by the French.

in 1957, while in the middle of one of the longest filibusters in Senate history, Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina has a heart attack and dies on the Senate floor. Taking this as a sign, the Senate passes the civil rights measure he was opposing with a quick vote.

in 1959, in a small Japanese village, Li Huang-Sen and Huan Yue rest for the night in a small inn. Huan Yue has a dream that night in which she is running from something terrifying that is unspeakably powerful and fast; when it catches her, it turns into Li. She tells him hesitatingly of this dream, and he reassures her that he will never be anything she needs to fear.

in 1977, 3 people were arrested digging up Elvis Presley’s grave. When no body was found inside, mourners outside Graceland began shouting, “He is risen!” Several people declared that they had seen him walking among them; some even claimed that they had been cured of various maladies by the singer.

in 4697, a Star Fleet detachment of 5 Shen-class ships set out for the Yang Gao colony to see why they had lost communication. The fleet was under the command of Admiral Hu Jintao, a veteran of several interstellar missions.

in 2004, President Gore meets with the Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. and carefully informs him that Elders may be behind the chaos currently happening in China. The ambassador is somewhat skeptical at first, but Gore shares the data from ELS-3 with him. “We will destroy them,” the ambassador says, leaving the White House and heading to his embassy.

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST

Forum Link - Boring legal info on the TIAH Halloween Contest!
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy

Still wishing...

Sunday, August 28, 2005

King Cetshwayo's Ruse; Dr. King's Dream

August 28th, 2005

in @3000 B.C., Dr. Melvin Courtney and Professor Malcolm Thomas witness the crash of the object from Edwards Air Force base crash into the New Mexican desert. Most of the creatures inside are killed by the crash; the two witnesses find themselves following one survivor of the crash through the object as it sends off a distress signal and then locates the Chimanimani object and fires at it one last time. It then seems to die.

in 1249, Caliph Amal bin-Yusuph convenes the Conference of Cairo to recodify Sharia law in Islam. bin-Yusuph favors a more liberal interpretation of the Koran, and hopes to change the Sharia to reflect this.

in 1879, King Cetshwayo of the Zulu allows himself to be captured in a daring ruse that allows his warriors to fall on and decimate a company of British soldiers. He continues to be a thorn in the side of the British occupation of southern Africa for several years more.

in 1938, Northwestern University awards an honorary degree to Edgar Bergen’s dummy Charlie McCarthy. The jocular mood of the occasion is broken when the “dummy” comes to life and flees the stage, leaving a dead Edgar Bergen behind.

in 1959, having left China behind, Li Huang-Sen and Huan Yue journey through Japan, avoiding any place where they might be asked for official documents of Huan Yue’s citizenship. Li speaks fluent Japanese, and is able to pass Huan Yue off as a young bride, too shy to speak.

in 1961, Robert A. Heinlein’s novel Stranger in a Strange Land becomes the first science fiction novel to reach the top of the New York Times’ bestseller list. Literary critics begin reexamining a genre that they had disdained for many years and the field experienced a renaissance in popularity, both critical and commercial.

in 1963, Martin Luther King, chairman of the Semitic-African Resistance organization in America, gave his stirring I have a dream speech in Washington, D.C. As he called for the nation not to fall under the sway of the European New Reich at the end of the speech, Chairman King was arrested.

in 1963, President Kennedy himself made a surprise visit to Martin Luther King’s rally on the Washington Mall, and is so deeply moved by Dr. King’s speech that he immediately runs up to the podium and embraces the reverend before the gathered multitudes. Promising that he will do more for American blacks, he introduces the Civil Rights Act of 1963 before Congress as soon as they come back from their summer recess.

in 1996, Prince Charles of England reconciles with his estranged wife, Princess Diana, before their divorce can be finalized. In what has been repeated in countless recreations of the moment, he met her at the entrance to a subway station, and while both were in disguise, rode a train for 3 hours while they talked out their differences.

in 4697, contact between the Chinese Empire and its Yang Gao colony in the Tchou star system is lost. Imperial officials press for a fleet to be sent to the system to see what has happened to Yang Gao, and Emperor Xiao Yang authorizes his Star Fleet to send one out with all possible speed.

in 2004, searching for the power signature of the Elders on earth, the ELS-3 picks up a very strong signature in China. This one doesn’t fade out. They alert the other two ships patrolling the outer system, ELS-1 and ELS-2, and the captain of the ELS-1, Jeffrey Bainbridge, uses one of his old school contacts, a senator from Idaho, to inform President Gore that their lines have already been breached by the Elders.

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST

Forum Link - Boring legal info on the TIAH Halloween Contest!
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy

Still wishing...

Saturday, August 27, 2005

Birth Of Master K'ung; Indra's Land-Speed Record

August 27th, 2005

in @3000 B.C., the two objects that will eventually end up in Chimanimani National Park in Zimbabwe and Edwards Air Force base in California met up with each other at lunar orbit and proceeded to get into a firefight. Dr. Melvin Courtney and Professor Malcolm Thomas, who feel like they are standing inside the Edwards’ object, see strange creatures crewing the object and directing the fight against the other object. Both of them are damaged by the fight and are forced down onto the earth below; before their own object enters the atmosphere and loses track, they see the other object heading to Chimanimani. They seem to be crashing down in the southwestern U.S.

in 2145, philosopher/scientist K’ung-Fu-Tzu was born in China. Master K’ung defined the role of benevolent monarch that the Chinese Emperor should aspire to be; as his philosophies were studied and followed by the nobility, they also adopted his patronage of the sciences, especially after the Shen Dynasty declared its goal of mastery of the sky.

in 1864, the Congress of Nations publishes The Declaration of the Rights of Sentients, written by North American Stephen Douglas, Ml’Astran Mandawuy Yunupingu and Britain’s Tlal’Min. This became the foundation for world government, and the standard by which all governments were judged.

in 1937, George E.T. Eyston, driving Pascal-Edison’s Indra electric car, sets a world land-speed record of 347.18 miles per hour. While the Indra is not an automobile for sale to the public, Pascal-Edison’s electric car sales soar by association with the Indra.

in 1947, actor Herbert Streicher was born in the Bronx. Despite appearing in some films of questionable morals in his youth, Streicher went on to a great comic career, starring in such films as M*A*S*H and Love & Death before landing the role of Jack on the hit TV series Three’s Company.

in 1953, aristocratic young actress Audrey Hepburn-Ruston is introduced to the world in Roman Holiday, a romantic comedy co-starring Eldred Gregory. Her slim frame was considered too thin by many executives, and after Roman Holiday, she was put on a weight-gain regimen, and soon grew to very voluptuous proportions, rivaling even Norma Jean Mortensen.

in 1954, Gospel and EZ listening star Georgia Bishop is born in Bryan, Texas. First discovered in Bethany College’s choir, Mrs. Bishop went solo with her album Keep Your Eyes On Him in 1975, and was a regular feature thereafter on the Gospel circuit. She had some secular appeal with her 1982 album, Guantanamera, some of which she sang in Spanish, but her fame still rests on her solid Gospel roots.

in 1968, while the Democratic Party’s National Convention rages in Chicago, President Lyndon Johnson makes a secret trip to Hanoi to speak with President Nguyen Van Thieu of South Vietnam. He personally convinces Thieu to accept a solution like the Korea’s have, and Johnson is able to end the fighting in Vietnam before leaving office, albeit with a sizeable force protecting the newly-created Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone.

in 1979, Lord Mountbatten was assassinated by the Irish People’s Army, a terrorist organization with ties to the Soviet States of America. Although the killing was denounced by Comrade President John Anderson, he refused to give the British any information on the I.P.A.

in 2000, after leaving young Xiu Juan with a Chinese family in Vancouver, British Columbia, Li Huang-Sen, Mikhail von Heflin and Velma Porter have a night out on the town. Li is particularly interested in getting very drunk and insensible, and the Baron and his new Baroness practically have to drag him away from the bars. Once they get him into a hotel room, he begins to tell them what happened to young Huan Yue…

in 2004, the Lalandian-style ship designated ELS-3, containing a crew of scientists, scans the system for some line of communication between earth and the Elders. They believe that the Elders are already influencing what’s happening in China to soften earth up before they arrive. Meanwhile, ELS-1 and ELS-2 continue to patrol the outer reaches of the solar system, looking for any signs of the Elders showing up.

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST

Forum Link - Boring legal info on the TIAH Halloween Contest!
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy

Still wishing...

Friday, August 26, 2005

English Defeat At Crecy

August 26th, 2005

in 698 AUC, Julius Caesar attempted to add Britannia to his list of conquests. Fresh from his conquest of Gaul, he felt the island-bound Britannians would be easier, but he’s met with unexpectedly tough resistance from a Welsh chieftain named Artorius. Caesar was driven off the island in 704 AUC, and Britannia remained free until the 10th century AUC.

in 1346, King Edward III of England led a force of 10,000 longbowmen against a larger force of the French at Crecy. Although they caused intense devastation in the French ranks, a tactical error let the French knights flank the English and the bowmen were forced to withdraw. Although it was a victory for the French, it was costly; a third of their force lay dead on the field.

in 1883, Krakatoa, a volcano near the island of Java, was prevented from erupting by Mlosh weather-control technology, but a brief earthquake still hit the island, causing over a hundred deaths. For some reason, this concerned the vulcanologists who had stopped the eruption.

in 1920, the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing men the right to vote, is formally adopted into the Constitution by Secretary of State Carrie Chapman Catt. The record of the 36th state legislature to ratify the amendment had arrived from Tennessee that day, and President Edith Wilson had Secretary Catt perform her duties as quietly as possible, with no reporters present.

in 1933, the last patent issued to Thomas Edison is made for the Radiometric Compass, a device that allows the user to position himself on a globe using radio waves bounced off the horizon. Edison had died 2 years before the patent was issued.

in 1968, radical activists rioting around the Democratic National Convention in Chicago are quieted briefly when President Lyndon Johnson pays a surprise visit to them. Johnson meets with Yippie organizer Abbie Hoffman and Black Panther leader Bobby Seale for almost 7 hours while nervous Secret Service agents and peace activists eye each other on the street. At the end of the historic meeting, Johnson announces that the Vietnam War will be ended before he leaves office.

in 1971, fascist defector Charles Lindbergh dies at his home in Nice, France. When the Fascist Control Act was enacted, Lindbergh fled the Soviet States of America for the country that had loved him since he had been the first man to make a solo flight across the Atlantic.

in 4687, Prince Zeng-Hou of the Yang Gao colony starts using the alien Y’T’T’li as servants in his household. When they seem to pose no threat, other elected officials also begin using the Y’T’T’li in this manner. The Y’T’T’li seem to have no problem fulfilling this function, often claiming that they are born to serve.

in 1996, after much trial and error, Dr. Melvin Courtney and Professor Malcolm Thomas get the controls they have translated as archives to function on the object hidden in Edwards Air Force base. Suddenly, the two of them begin receiving images in their minds of things that happened long ago…

in 2000, Li Huang-Sen, Mikhail von Heflin and Velma Porter smuggle young Po Xiu Juan into Canada. Li finishes the tale of his debt to Po cryptically; “Huan Yue isn’t with me anymore, obviously.” Pressed to tell them what happened to her, he doesn’t say. They head down to Vancouver, where Li knows some people in the Chinese community who will take in young Xiu Juan.

in 2004, the three Lalandian-style ships that have been manufactured rendezvous around Neptune and discuss what has been happening on earth. On the ship staffed with scientists, there has been some speculation that the Elders might have the ability to communicate with earth before they arrive. Dr. G. Madhavan Nair, an Indian scientist, says, “I think they may be influencing what’s happening in China.”

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST

Forum Link - Boring legal info on the TIAH Halloween Contest!
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy

Still wishing...

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Council At Nicaea; Chaos In China

August 25th, 2005

in 1078 AUC, a council of the Christian cult at Nicaea in the eastern empire broke apart due to wrangling about which part of their triumvirate god was more equal than the other. The religion, which had been quite popular in some of the eastern cities the century before, was now in its death throes and soon faded from Roman history.

in 1849, Mlosh crooner P’Tako’K recorded his first vid, Sounds of Love from Above, a collection of love poems set to music by Brahe colonist Benjamin Starkweather. Starkweather and P’Tako’K had a number of successful collaborations afterwards, including the classic No One For Me in 1856.

in 1943, the Greater Zionist Resistance lost Paris to the German Underground. They let the city go rather than have it be destroyed in combat, earning them a great degree of gratitude from the French; in the dark days that followed, many French people hid Zionists from the Nazis.

in 1949, famous educational advocate Chaim Witz was born in Haifa, Israel. After emigrating with his parents to the U.S., Witz became an elementary school teacher in New York, where he soon took up the cause of poor children in this country. His outspoken criticism of segregation and the sorry state of schools in poor districts led to a national system of public education.

in 1950, President Truman’s daughter, Margaret, releases her jazz album, Swingin’ the White House, which she recorded with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. It is a surprise hit, critically as well as commercially, and Miss Truman follows it up with 10 solid albums before retiring in 1977.

in 1954, one of London’s most popular folk artists, Declan McManus, was born. Although rock and roll was all the rage during McManus’ youth, he turned to the more traditional sounds of Britain and Ireland when he began making his own music, and created a large following with songs that were as old as the hills of the Emerald Isle themselves.

in 1959, Li Huang-Sen and Huan Yue leave the land of her birth with saddened hearts at the curses her father had thrown at them. Huan Yue says, “I want nothing more now than to be far away from Shanghai, Huang-Sen.” He promises her that they will travel the world now, and never look back at Shanghai.

in 4691, monarchist Liu Wu was arrested at the home he had been hiding at in the eastern province of Lakota. Wu had been bombing voting precincts throughout the furthest regions of the Chinese Empire, and was imprisoned for life after he was caught.

in 1996, Dr. Melvin Courtney thinks that he has translated the majority of the writings on the object at Edwards Air Force base. The writings are mainly routine markings such as bridge, helm, attitude control, and the like. The one that most interests him is the one that he believes says records or archives. He wonders if these controls are still functioning, and plans to try them the next day.

in 2004, China descends into the chaos of a civil war as mediators desperately attempt to bring order to the situation. Several astronomers who had been working on the cloaking program of Dr. Emilio Carrera’s design are spirited out of the country so that they can continue work, but the manufacture of the long-range ships of Lalandian design is halted.

Still wishing...

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

We have raised a lot from your donations, for which we are VERY grateful! Our situation is no longer as dire, so we don't need to beg for help - thanks so much! Because we like including our readers into the site, though, we will still keep our offer open - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Vesuvius Warning; Brief Panic Of 1857

August 24th, 2005

in 832 AUC, Vesuvius begins spewing smoke and small streams of lava. Alarmed by this, the citizens of Pompeii and Herculaneum flee the region. This turns out to be a wise move, because Vesuvius erupts the next day, burying the two cities.

in 1572, Pope Charles IX orders the Protestant city of Rouen destroyed. The Protestant leader Alexander Martine had called for popular election of cardinals throughout the Holy British Empire, and this angered Charles so much that he called out the Templars to crush Martine’s home. Thousands died in the purge.

in 1814, the young American nation suffers a tragedy as British forces take Washington and captured President Madison, who had delayed leaving the city too long. With this leverage, British General Robert Ross was able to force the Americans to surrender; he was feted in England as one of the greatest military minds the empire had ever produced.

in 1853, Chef George Crum of Saratoga Springs, New York, created a side dish he called the potato chip. It was a thin slice of potato, fried and salted, made especially for a customer who complained that Crum’s fried potatoes were too thick for him. While this one customer enjoyed the dish, it never caught on with the general public.

in 1857, the Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company’s New York branch closed, taking much of the economy with it. New Communist President Walt Whitman used this as an excuse to institute several reforms, which passed Congress easily as the people panicked about their future. One of these reforms was the nationalization of the insurance industry, which halted the dangerous slide that Ohio Life’s closing had started.

in 1950, thousands of Jews escape to Yemen from territory conquered by the New Reich. This has the unfortunate consequence of bringing Nazi attacks on their Arab brothers; Islam mobilizes against the New Reich after Nazis take and desecrate Mecca.

in 1954, the U.S. Congress, in a rare fit of rationality, narrowly defeats the Communist Control Act, in spite of dire warnings from such anti-Communist Senators as Joseph McCarthy. This marked the end of McCarthy’s influence in the Senate, as well as the anti-Communist hysteria that had swept the capitol since the end of World War II.

in 1955, Pascal-Edison rolled out its new operating system for the Univac series of Eddies, OS 55. The new system featured a dazzling vocal interface and artificial intelligence-created response. It became the best-selling difference engine program in history.

in 1959, arriving back at Po Zhizuan’s farm, Li Huang-Sen and Po’s daughter Huan Yue inform him that they are leaving China. Po is furious with Li, and rails about his ingratitude as well as his daughter’s. To appease the farmer, Li promises him a service when he returns to China. Po says he will never take him up on this service, but Li insists. The pair of lovers leaves the house amid stony silence from Huan Yue’s family.

in 1996, after shakily describing what he has seen in the specimen room, Professor Malcolm Thomas tells Dr. Melvin Courtney that he doesn’t think he can work on the object they have been assigned much longer. Dr. Courtney says, “I don’t believe the Americans consider us as guests, Malcolm; I’m afraid that we’ve seen too much.” The pair glumly return to their translation of the writings on the object in Edwards Air Force base.

in 2004, the Chinese government is overthrown virtually overnight in a palace coup as several hard-liners take control. Their leader, a new minister named Sun Bigan, announces China’s withdrawal from the world-wide effort to find a way to combat or hide from the Elders. This is a serious blow to the international space program as well, since much of the manufacturing had been done in China. Negotiators arrive in Beijing immediately to ask them to reconsider.

Still wishing...

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Lutheran Empire; Travolta Defects To Britain

August 23rd, 2005

in 1861, Allen Pinkerton, having discovered that Washington socialite Rose Greenhow was a Confederate spy, suggests using her to feed false information to Johnny Reb rather than arrest her outright. With her unwitting assistance, the Union is able to cripple Confederate spy operations and trick the southern rebels in such important battles as Bull Run.

in 1866, in the middle of the Austro-Prussian war, Johannes Bittlemeyer, a young Lutheran minister, began encouraging soldiers on both sides to lay down their arms in the name of God. The widespread success of the peace movement threatened to topple the Austrian and Prussian governments, and they sent assassins to kill Bittlemeyer; unfortunately for them, the assassins joined the other side. The theocracy that became known as the Lutheran Empire took complete control of the central European nations in 1871 and was overthrown at the end of the Great War in 1947 when a long-suppressed democratic movement gained power.

in 1892, in a world-wide address, (and across hyperspace to the ships fleeing earth’s recent seismic troubles), the Executive Council of the Congress of Nations announces that henceforth, Mlosh weather-control technology will only be used in extreme circumstances. “This should save us a repeat of these circumstances,” First Chancellor Rabah told the world. In the aftermath of the disturbances, terrorist activity against the Mlosh picks up again.

in 4610, the Japanese province began its secession struggle against the Chinese Empire. Emperor Chengzu, grandson of Min-Yuan, was reluctant to war against his own subjects, and employed a different strategy, instead. The Eastern Fleet formed a blockade around the island, and the Empire used economic sanctions against the rebellious Japanese. While slower than conventional war, the strategy was effective – the Japanese begged for return to the Empire by 4618.

in 1934, actress Barbara Jean Moorhead was born in Tucson, Arizona. After several years of bit parts, she became a star when she landed the role of Samantha on the TV series Bewitched, due in part to having a similar name to the actress who played Samantha’s mother, Oscar-nominee Agnes Moorehead.

in 1959, Li Huang-Sen and Huan Yue find themselves on the coast after evading a group of soldiers. Huan Yue was suddenly seized with the desire to leave China, and she asked Li if he could get them away. Although he wanted to fulfill her wish, he felt that he shouldn’t spirit her out of the country without at least informing her father, and he tells her that they must go back to Po’s farm before departing the country.

in 1968, drummer Ringo Starr left the band the Silver Beatles, which had only been trading on their history as Pete Best’s band for the last 6 years. His solo career was somewhat better, and he was able to make a few movie appearances over the years. He even played for Pete Best, himself, on Best’s Reconciliation tour in ‘77.

in 1979, American actor John Travolta defected to Great Britain during a publicity tour for his latest film, Grease, a hard-hitting musical about the harsh life of auto-mechanics in capitalist countries. Travolta denounced life in the Soviet States of America as controlled by the two political parties, with little freedom left for the artistically or politically inclined. Travolta was declared a traitor by Comrade President John Anderson of the Socialist Party.

in 1363, Said Aouita of the Caliphate of Morocco won the Trials of Sport in Al-Meshuk. Aouita defeated infidels of the freed European nations, proving the glory of Allah over their blasphemous ways.

in 1989, after assurances that the United States would not interfere in an “Arab-Arab conflict”, Iraq took control of the tiny but oil-rich nation of Kuwait. When the stock markets posted a hefty gain, based mostly on oil stocks, the U.S. issued a statement that there would be no action to free Kuwait.

in 1996, Professor Malcolm Thomas, working late on the object at Edwards Air Force Base in California, stumbles into a room that has some very strange specimens preserved in a clear liquid. He runs from the room and tries to forget what he has seen there.

in 2004, a diagnostic of the Elder early-warning system reveals no flaws. Many scientists begin to wonder if the earlier “false” positives were actually true. They make a few quiet recommendations to their respective governments about searching the local populations. As discreetly as possible, governments around the world begin screening their people to see if any of them are Elders in disguise.

Still wishing...

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy

Monday, August 22, 2005

Carla Lambert's Diva; Standoff Ends In Idaho

August 22nd, 2005

in 1485, the destruction of King Richard III at Bosworth Field leaves Henry Tudor with the largest army in England. When he reaches London to take the crown for himself, he finds that his distant cousins, Edward and Richard, are in fact still alive in the Tower of London. Since their “deaths” had been a rationale behind his own invasion, he would have had them killed, but his soldiers spread the news too quickly; he was forced to crown Edward instead of himself, and pledged his allegiance to the young king.

in 1750, Captain Lionel Greystoke, using a new Mlosh naval vessel, landed on the continent of Australia, and established a brutal British colony there. The natives were often hunted for sport by the British. When the Mlosh liberated the continent a quarter-century later, the Aboriginal population was universally allied with them.

in the Dreaming, Wandjina descends to the land and speaks with the wise among the people. They have much to rebuild, trust being chief among these things. Wandjina begins by telling them that he will trust them again if they simply build no more webs into the Heavens.

in 1931, Carla Lambert delivers her Oscar-winning performance in Diva, the tragic story of an opera singer stricken with throat cancer. Lambert does her own singing for the movie, and is offered many musical roles afterwards, but found the singing so tiring that she declines any musical roles after this.

in 1942, American poet Langston Hughes publishes his epic poem, Whitman In Repose, an unflinching portrayal of the first Communist president, Walt Whitman. Although the work is flattering in the extreme to Whitman, many Communists object to Hughes’ references to Whitman’s alleged homosexuality, and in the first few editions of the poem, these parts are excised by government censors.

in 1959, Huan Yue and Li Huang-Sen, while chasing down a chicken that has escaped from Huan Yue’s father’s farm, run into a small group of soldiers. Although he has promised to hide rather than fight, Li cannot help himself when they try to separate the two of them. He uses his power to blur the minds of the soldiers, though, rather than kill them, and he escapes with Huan Yue. Rather than go back to her father’s farm, they run in a different direction, hoping to lead any soldiers that follow them away from the Po family farm.

in 1968, Cynthia Lennon is sued for divorce by former Pete Best bandmate, John Lennon. Mrs. Lennon, apparently unsatisfied by her husband’s lack of musical success, had begun seeing other musicians, and Lennon had had enough. The bitter court battle was eagerly watched by Bestmaniacs, because several salacious details about Pete Best’s time in Germany came spilling out during the hearings.

in 1989, the Texas-based improvisational comedy troupe Deranged Durang appeared on The Tonight Show. Their routine was bleeped out so many times that only half their act was heard; but it generated so much interest that HBO gave them an uncensored special, which became its top-rated show of the year. This sparked a wave of improvisational comedy across the U.S.

in 1992, during an FBI standoff with a white separatist family in Idaho, an FBI sharpshooter gets a clear shot at the separatist leader, Randy Weaver, and takes him down. Weaver’s family comes out of their cabin, firing wildly around them, and are cut down in a blaze of return fire. The only survivors were Weaver’s wife, Vicki, and their daughters, who had stayed behind in the cabin when they men rushed out.

in 1996, Dr. Melvin Courtney and Professor Malcolm Thomas confirm that the object being kept at Edwards Air Force base in California is virtually the same as the object they found in the Chimanimani National Park in Zimbabwe. There is some writing that is very similar to a few ancient African languages, and they work on translating those. Their host, Colonel Jim Carver, tells them, “If you can figure this one out, we may be able to go after the other one.”

in 2004, the probe at the edge of the solar system sends another signal back; it has been watching for the power signal of the Elders. Having been through a false positive once, the scientists monitoring the signal examine it carefully. It seems to be false as well, which leads them to wonder why they are getting another false signal. They begin a diagnostic of their entire process.

Still wishing...

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy

Sunday, August 21, 2005

Black Spartacus

August 21st, 2005

in 1831, the African Insurrection is started by the Virginian slave, Nat Turner. After killing his owner, Turner and the other former slaves on that plantation traveled to Jerusalem, Virginia, gathering hundreds of other African slaves into their ranks. When 3000 whites met them after their raid on the Jerusalem armory, the African ranks had swelled from escaped slaves across the south, and they continued their quest for freedom until November, when they were decimated in Florida as they prepared to set sail for Africa.

in the Dreaming, the people who have allied themselves with the enemies of Wandjina are now known as the Hunted, and they are hated above all others. The people who have repented their actions remain on the land and leave Heaven to the great spirits and their enemies.

in 11-15-3-9-13, the Pueblo, allies of Ouezteca, fought off an invasion on their northeastern frontier by pale-skinned barbarians. The barbarians claimed that they were fleeing an empire across the Eastern Ocean that enslaved their kind. The Pueblo sent word to Emperor Intlitlatl that this foreign empire might pose a danger to their land.

in 1892, seismic and volcanic activity returned to normal levels; the surviving members of the Bandai group were feted as world saviors. At the Congress of Nations, though, the Executive Committee began a meeting in which they discussed the possibility of scaling back the use of Mlosh technology on earth.

in 1911, a priceless treasure was taken from public view forever when the Mona Lisa, DaVinci’s masterpiece, was stolen from the Louvre. Though much suspicion fell on a guard who disappeared the same day, neither he nor the painting were ever seen again. One can only hope that the maestro’s most famous work is suitably appreciated by whatever thief currently possesses it.

in 1946, Reichsfuehrer Adolf Hitler of the New Reich dealt with a nascent pacifist movement in Germany by arresting and executing all of its leaders. “Pacifism is simply undisguised cowardice,” he said by way of justification.

in 1959, when Li Huang-Sen and Huan Yue leave Po Zhizuan’s farm, he has a change of heart, and tells them that they can stay. But the farmer wishes no more trouble, and asks that Li merely hide if more soldiers come. Li agrees, but insists that Huan Yue hide with him if that situation arises.

in 1961, in yet another example of the new unrelenting colonialism the British enacted after World War II, Kenyan independence leader Jomo Kenyatta is executed. Although they were still fighting Indian unrest after the Gandhi execution, the British insisted on killing the leaders of any resistance movements, and Kenya, like India before it, erupted in chaos.

in 1968, after a flirtation with communism known as the Red Summer, Czechoslovakia was invaded by fascist troops to bring them back in line with the White governments of Western Europe. The move was roundly denounced by the Soviet States of America, which sent several planes to assist the Czechs, but who didn’t feel moved enough to bring any further aid, which might have sparked a war in Europe.

in 4684, the Chinese Empire was rocked by a huge earthquake around the Himalayas. Hundreds were killed amid the first true test of the new, democratic China – Emperor Chou En-Lai dispatched aid for the citizens and troops to restore order. The disaster proved that democratic processes worked well – people were assisted without the need for martial law.

in 1994, aging acid rocker John Denver, stoned and drunk, plowed his Porsche into a tree, killing himself. He had been on a comeback, having played a few major tours in the 90’s due to younger acts remaking his old hits.

in 1996, Dr. Melvin Courtney and one of his few remaining academic associates, Professor Malcolm Thomas, arrive in America, landing in Los Angeles. A military escort is waiting for them when they arrive, and they are driven out to Edwards Air Force base, where Colonel Jim Carver is waiting for them. “Doctor, I believe we found something that will look quite familiar to you.” He shows them to a hangar where an object very similar to the Chimanimani object is sitting. At the request of the Air Force, he begins work on the writing found on the object, comparing it to his notes on the Chimanimani object.

in 2004, the 3rd Lalandian-style ship is produced by Boeing’s Washington shipyard, and this one is claimed by the world’s astronomical community. Although it will eventually be stationed outside the Oort cloud, they take the opportunity of the long trip there to study the planets on the way; some of the astronomers joke that they’ll brave the Elders for such a close look at the rest of the solar system.

Still wishing...

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy

Saturday, August 20, 2005

Cauvin Executed By Edward VI; Menendez Slaying

August 20th, 2005

in 1564, Protestant leader Jean Cauvin is executed by Pope Edward VI of the Holy British Empire. As the noose is slipped around his neck, Cauvin was asked by the hangman if he was afraid, to which Cauvin replied, “Seeing that a Pilot steers the ship in which we sail, who will never allow us to perish even in the midst of shipwrecks, there is no reason why our minds should be overwhelmed with fear and overcome with weariness.”

in 1739, Mlosh colonists settled Alaska, merging with the Inuit people there. They also began a trade route in the North Pacific among the North Americans, Russians, Japanese and Chinese. In 1779, the Union of the North Pacific enjoyed a brief period as an independent nation before being subsumed again in 1821 by Russia, Japan, and the North American Confederation.

in the Dreaming, the people, stranded on the land, cry out to the enemies of Wandjina for aid. The enemies climb down their own ladder to the land below and gather up most of the people; some, who repent their actions, remain behind and sue for peace with Wandjina. Those who leave the land become a hunted race.

in 4572, the Star Sailor program manages to send a panda into space and return it alive. A monkey previously rocketed into space had been dead on splashdown. This cleared the way for the Chinese Space Program to finally do what it had been created for – fly a human being to the stars and return him safely to earth.

in 1882, Tchaikovsky’s 1862 Overture premiered in Moscow. Commemorating the unsuccessful Southern Rebellion against American President Walt Whitman, this incredibly percussive piece made musical history by the use of cannons as instruments. It was wildly successful, especially in the U.S., where it is still played at patriotic occasions.

in 1890, H. Philip Lovecraft was born in Providence, Rhode Island. Phil, as he was known to his friends, inherited a mysterious mansion from relatives while in his 20’s, and spent most of the rest of his short life there. He only surfaced to send manuscripts to the world of the strange goings-on at the mansion; in 1929, Phil and the mansion disappeared altogether.

in 1940, Leon Trotsky, Russian sympathizer of the Greater Zionist Resistance, is killed by stormtroopers as he attempts to assassinate Heinrich Himmler, security chief of the German Underground. Trotsky had been recruited by Astrid Pflaume herself, back in the 20’s, and had been successful on many other missions; his luck simply failed him this day.

in 1959, when more government soldiers arrive to see what happened to the others, Li Huang-Sen makes Po Zhizuan’s farm invisible to them. They leave, unable to explain the mystery of these deaths. Po is furious with Li and tells him he must leave the farm. His daughter, Huan Yue, says that she will be leaving with Li when he goes.

in 1968, in spite of intense pressure from the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia’s First Secretary Alexander Dubcek continued to reform and liberalize life in the satellite state. Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev, remembering the world’s condemnation of the Soviet invasion of Hungary the decade before, decided that diplomacy was the best way to bring this errant sheep back into the fold, and negotiated with the Czechs to slow down their movement towards democracy.

in 1989, Jose and Kitty Menendez of Beverly Hills, California, were shot and killed by Michael Walters, a drifter who had come to the house for a handout. The Menendez’ sons, Lyle and Eric, wrestled the intruder to the ground, but tragically too late to save their parents. In the struggle, Walters’ gun went off and killed him, wounding Lyle at the same time. The brothers’ heroic story was made into a TV movie, starring real-life brothers Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen.

in 1996, using a few contacts he made in his youth, Dr. Melvin Courtney manages to track down an American military officer who works in the space program, Colonel Jim Carver. “Colonel Carver, I understand that you might be able to shed some light on my situation,” he says. “Indeed I can, Dr. Courtney,” the colonel says, much to Courtney’s surprise. “There’s a plane waiting for you at Heathrow. You’re coming to America.”

in 2004, the first Lalandian-style ship is fully staffed and sent to the outer reaches of the solar system to patrol. The next ship come off the line at Boeing, is tested, and then sent to join its companion. Boeing estimates that, with the assistance they’re receiving from around the world, they should have a sizable fleet out by the end of the year.

Still wishing...

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy

Friday, August 19, 2005

King James Embraces Judaism

August 19th, 2005

in 477, Saracens armed with the one true faith defeated Christian infidels in the Battle of Ascalon. Combined with the defeat of the Crusaders at Jerusalem, this served to push Christians out of the Holy Land altogether.

in 1263, King James of Aragon embraces Judaism, and announces his conversion to the ancient faith. The shock of this announcement sends ripples throughout Europe; James is excommunicated immediately, but Jews flocking to Aragon swell his land into one of the mightiest on the continent.

in the Dreaming, all the great powers of Heaven descend upon the people, both on the land and in Heaven. Unprepared for this assault, they are unable to fight off the powers, even with the aid of the enemies of Wandjina. The powers force them back to the land and cut off all of the webs connecting the people to Heaven.

in 1892, the Curies lead a last-ditch effort to repair the earth’s mantle, with the last ships working on the North American continent. During this heroic effort, both of the Curies are killed as their ship is swallowed by magma in a sudden violent explosion. The rest of the team manages to finish, though, and the remaining population of the earth waits to see if their work was successful.

in 1913, author H.G. Wells releases the followup to his game Little Wars, Little Warriors. In this game, the players are able to take on the role of the individual warriors in a battle, while a War Master plays the part of enemy combatants. It is even more successful than Little Wars, and spawns a new genre of games called role-playing games.

in 1921, television producer Bob Wesley was born Eugene Roddenberry in El Paso, Texas. After serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II, Wesley came back to civilian life with a vision of a Wagon Train to the stars, which he turned into his hit series, Star Trek (1964-1973). He is credited with starting the sci-fi craze of 70’s television, as well as bringing real issues and morals to the genre. He died in 1991, and is sorely missed.

in 1959, government soldiers come to Po Zhizuan’s farm, and he hides Li Huang-Sen from them. While Li is hiding, they accost Po’s daughter, Huan Yue, and Li is forced to come to her rescue. He kills the soldiers in his rage; this display of naked power frightens the Po family, but Huan Yue is now even more in love with him.

in 1967, another song by international superstar Pete Best hits #1. She’s not the only girl in town, a mournful tune of lost love, stays on top of the charts until it is knocked down 3 weeks later by another Best song, I can’t do without you, now.

in 1977, art impresario Julius Marx dies in New York City. The brother of famed harpist Adolph Marx, he had managed his brother for many years before opening his first gallery. His keen eye for new artists such as Andrew Warhol placed his galleries at the top of New York’s art scene.

in 1996, Dr. Melvin Courtney is informed by the professional organizations that he belongs to that they no longer consider him a member; he is also contacted by a solicitor from the BBC, telling him that the network is considering charges against him for the hoax. Professor Malcolm Thomas visits him at his home to let him know that his reputation is being trashed throughout the British academia. “I’m sorry, Melvin,” Thomas says. “I don’t know what to do.” Courtney replies, “I do.”

in 2004, the first ship based on Lalandian designs capable of carrying passengers comes off the assembly line at Boeing’s new plant in Washington. A small international crew takes it for a test run; it is capable of a full quarter of the speed of light. For their test, they fly to Mars and back in a day. Virtually every astronomer and astronaut in the world applies for positions on the next ship.

Still wishing...

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy

Thursday, August 18, 2005

Temujin Dies; Begin Captured

August 18th, 2005

in 3923, the Mongol wise man, Temujin, dies in camp with his tribe around him. The son of a chief, Temujin was forced out of his tribe at his father’s death, and his wanderings in exile led him to the seat of learning in Beijing. He brought the teachings of the Chinese to the Mongols, and led them to join the empire.

in 1590, the governor of Roanoke colony in the Americas, John White, returns from a trip to England to find his home completely bereft of human life. His 100 fellow colonists seemed to have just vanished into thin air; the only clue they left behind was a carving in a tree that read fnord.

in 1750, Antonio Salieri was born in Italy. The famed composer of Tatare, Salieri also taught legendary composers Beethoven, Liszt and Schubert. Beethoven, in particular, called him the greatest musical talent of his era, and much of Beethoven’s music shows Salieri’s influence.

in the Dreaming, the people dare to move a star from Heaven and drain it of its power for their desires. A native race of Heaven dies when they do it, but they are far from remorseful; indeed, they are proud of what they have done, and the enemies of Wandjina rejoice with them. The great spirits of Heaven gather to decide what can be done about the people.

in 1892, transport ships began evacuating Great Britain, the North American Confederation, Japan and Ml’Astra as the Bandai Group’s mantle repair appears to be unsuccessful. French scientists Pierre and Marie Curie beg the Congress of Nations for more time to rebuild; the Executive Committee votes, narrowly, to give it to them.

in 1914, Socialist President Woodrow Wilson declares that the United States will remain neutral in the European war. The Communists in Congress hold him to his pledge, in spite of much pressure from Great Britain and France to join the war on their side.

in 1937, Charles Redford, Jr. was born in Santa Monica, California. The good-looking actor originally played pretty-boy fluff roles in such films as The Sting and Barefoot in the Park, but used the money he gained in these roles to finance later projects such as the Sundance Film Festival, which he started to bring attention to independent film.

in 1949, Menachem Begin and his personal bodyguard are captured as they are attempting to plant bombs at the New Reich Embassy in Salonika, Greece. They are taken to Berlin, where Hitler shoots Begin himself. “This is what we shall do with all of your kind,” he shouts at Begin’s men, before they are executed themselves. With Begin’s death, the Greater Zionist Resistance is practically destroyed; only a few holdouts remain to fight against the Reich in Eurasia.

in 1952, dancer Patrick Swayze was born. Hailed as the greatest talent in ballet since Nureyev, Swayze’s movie-star good looks and subtle moves made him the most famous dancer in the world by his 30’s. He even had a few small movie roles, usually as a dancer of some kind.

in 1959, Li Huang-Sen, working at the farm of Po Zhizuan, begins charming Po’s daughter, Huan Yue. The young girl is completely taken with Li, who has had centuries to master the art of seduction. This time, though, Li is himself smitten, and falls in love with Huan Yue. The two carry on their love in spite of Po’s disapproval; Li is fairly certain he can win over the farmer.

in 1996, Dr. Melvin Courtney wakes up in his own bed, feeling very sore and disoriented. He bathes, then eats some breakfast, then turns on his television. After watching for a few minutes, a news program announces that evidence has been uncovered that proves the Chimanimani object was a hoax. Dr. Courtney watches in stunned disbelief as the program makes him out to be a fraud.

in 2004, in one of the many continuing emergency meetings of the U.N. these days, the ambassador from Egypt announces that he is being withdrawn back to his country, and that Egypt will no longer participate in U.N. deliberations until some sense of order can be restored to the country. It is one of many nations thrown into disarray since the translations of the Lalandian signals have become public knowledge. Even some of the western democracies are having problems, and many of them are considering declaring martial law.

Still wishing...

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

American Capitol Moves; Dr. Courtney Is Questioned

August 17th, 2005

in 1786, statesman David Crockett was born in Tennessee. Woodsman, legislator and hero of the successful battle of Texican forces at the Alamo, Crockett returned to Tennessee and American politics in 1838 by winning the governorship of his home state. The Whigs nominated him for president in 1840, but he lost by a narrow margin to Martin Van Buren, who was widely considered one of the worst presidents America has ever elected. Crockett was nominated again in 1844, and won, but died before taking office. His vice-president, John Tyler, took office in his place.

in 1790, the young United States of America moved its capitol from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Richmond, Virginia. The southerners in power, including President George Washington, had pressed hard for the capitol to be in the south, and there was much rejoicing when the new president rode into his home state.

in the Dreaming, the enemies of Wandjina show the people places in Heaven that were previously unknown to them; places that increase their knowledge and power, if not their wisdom. The people bask in this new power and curse the spirits that formerly guarded and guided them.

in 1892, the Mlosh scientist Cen’dlast dies as he is directing the mantle rebuilding project in southeast Asia. Several other Bandai members perish as they try to save him, and more importantly, the equipment they need to repair the mantle. Many of the Bandai members are ready to give up at this point, and broach the suggestion to their respective governments that it might be in everyone’s best interests to evacuate the earth.

in 1274, Menelik II became King of Ethiopa, the unconquered country. As the only Christian nation within Islam, Ethiopa maintained its place by strength of arms, and Menelik ensured that his nation need not fear during his reign – he traded with the Chinese for the new firearms they had invented, and was feared across Africa for the skill his warriors displayed with them.

in 1938, citing the importance of the field in virtually all scientific endeavors, the Nobel Prize Committee in Sweden announces a new category, a Nobel Prize in Mathematics. Scientists around the world applaud the decision, especially mathematicians.

in 1948, Alger Hiss denies being a fascist spy in front of Congress. In spite of his strong denial, and profession of loyalty to Communist ideals, Congress finds him guilty of un-American activities, and orders him jailed. Ironically, when the reactionary intelligence networks open their books at the end of the Cold War, Hiss is vindicated; he had never been employed by any of the capitalist nations.

in 1959, Po Zhizuan, a farmer outside of Shanghai, sees a young traveler coming up the road to his house. This traveler introduces himself as Li Huang-Sen, and offers to work for the farmer in exchange for lodging for a few days. Po looks the stranger over, then decides to take a chance on him; “You will sleep with the animals, though.” Li agrees, although there is a funny look in his eye when he sees Po’s daughter, Huan Yue.

in 1962, the Silver Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein, meets with their former drummer, Pete Best, and begs him to rejoin the band. Best, infuriated, tells Epstein, “They missed out on their chance at stardom, mate,” and storms out of Epstein’s office. Best’s 1st album had just gone gold in the U.K., and the Silver Beatles were having a hard time selling anything.

in 1965, Deputy Reichsfuehrer Rudolph Hess commits suicide after speaking with a mysterious visitor. The stranger had barged his way into Hess’s office in Berlin, and spoke with Hess for a few moments as Gestapo waited to take him away. Hess closed the door on the Gestapo, and continued speaking with the stranger for over an hour. The Gestapo heard a shot, and rushed into the room to find only the Deputy Reichsfuehrer, with a gun in his hand, dead from a bullet to the head.

in 4687, the Yang Gao colony of China in the Tchou star system makes contact with the alien species the Y’T’T’li, a race of robotic individuals. Prince Zeng-Hou of Yang Gao, in negotiations with the Y’T’T’li, finds them easily manipulated, and eager to please their new friends.

in 1996, Dr. Melvin Courtney wakes up in a darkened room, highly disoriented and feeling sluggish. A man dressed in black walks into the room and shakes him. “You’ve been drugged, doctor,” the man tells him. “You’ll be giving us answers to a lot of questions, now.” Over the next few hours, Dr. Courtney goes over every detail of the Chimanimani object and the day it was taken from him.

in 2004, the probe at edge of the solar system sends back a blip that resembles the Elder power signature; all of humanity holds its breath as scientists nervously study the reading. After intense examination, they determine that it’s a false positive, and everyone relaxes.

Still wishing...

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Detroit Massacre; Jesse Presley Dies

August 16th, 2005

in 1812, in the bloodiest massacre of the War of 1812, American General William Hull, a veteran of the American Revolution, refuses to surrender Fort Detroit to the overwhelming English and Native force surrounding him. He had managed to spirit his daughter and grandchildren out of the fort just before the enemy arrived, and was determined not to go down without a fight. The British destroyed the fort and everyone inside it was put to the death.

in the Dreaming, the overthrow of Wandjina brings out many enemies that he had been keeping down. They feign friendship with the people, saying that Wandjina had been jealous of them, and wanted to keep them from giving the people the secrets of Heaven. Drunk with their own power, the people took the enemies in among them.

in 1892, as the Bandai group is about to rebuild the mantle around it, the Hawaiian island chain erupts in a series of volcanic explosions and earthquakes. Ships quickly evacuate most of the residents, but thousands die before the Bandai group can finish its work.

in 1904, Thomas Edison established his Edison Endowment for the Electronic Arts at Princeton University. This scholarship helped develop the best and brightest minds in the electronic fields in America.

in 1913, Menachem Begin was born in BrestLitovsk, Russia. When the Greater Zionist Resistance took BrestLitovsk in 1925, Begin joined the movement and proved an able leader. In 1935, when Astrid Pflaume was assassinated, he assumed leadership of the GZR.

in 1948, Herman Ruth, greatest player in the history of Town Ball, died in New York. Ruth left behind a legacy of home runs that wouldn’t be broken for decades. In his own lifetime, was such an impact on the game that other Town Ballers in his own time couldn’t even approach the half-way mark of his home runs.

in 1948, the United States of America, after a national referendum on the subject, was renamed the Soviet States of America, to reflect the deep connection of the nation with its workers and people. The move was denounced by Socialists and other right-wingers as part of the Communist agenda to turn America into a one-party state, but those reactionaries were ignored in the general celebrations.

in 1977, the most famous singer in the world, Jesse Garon Presley, died of a heart attack at his mansion in Tennessee. Jesse, as he was known to his fans around the world, had been in worsening shape over the last few years, succumbing to drug addiction. He was buried next to his mother and his twin, Elvis Aron, who had died as an infant.

in 1987, Northwest Airlines Flight 188 crashed on takeoff from Detroit. Everyone on board was killed, except for one small boy, who emerged from the wreckage with burned clothing, but not a scratch on him. He also survived a car crash that killed his grandparents in 1995; a fire that burned down his foster parents’ house in 1998; and the collapse of his apartment building in 2001 in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was taken into custody by the U.S. military shortly after this.

in 1996, Dr. Melvin Courtney appears on parapsychologist Brian Acevedo’s BBC television show, with all the copies of his evidence, including photographs of the Chimanimani object. “I never thought I’d say something like this,” he tells the studio audience, “but it appears as if someone is trying to suppress this evidence.” As Dr. Courtney is leaving the studio, three men jump out of a black van, overpower him, and shove him inside.

in 2000, somewhat curious as to the debt that Li owes the old man, Velma Porter asks, “What did he do for you that you’re willing to smuggle his granddaughter out of the country?” Li tells her that is a long story, which he begins by saying that 40 years before, the old man had a very beautiful daughter…

in 2004, after a very realistic, if depressing, discussion, it is generally agreed among the space agencies that a good 20 years is needed to prepare earth for the Elders. Dr. Emilio Carrera’s masking program is the only thing that stands a chance of being completed in less time, and Carrera’s most optimistic projections place implementation of his program at the end of 2010. They take no time to dwell on the hopelessness of their cause, but simply get to work.

Still wishing...

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy

Monday, August 15, 2005

No Man Born Of Woman...

August 15th, 2005

in 1057, Macbeth, King of the Scots, proves that you can’t use semantics against prophesy; he defeats Malcolm Canmore in battle, proving no man born of woman could defeat him, securing his throne for the next 20 years.

in 1769, Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Ajaccio, Corsica. He rose from somewhat humble beginnings to unite Italy under him as Napoleon I. He conquered virtually all of continental Europe during his 13-year reign of the Italian Empire.

in the Dreaming, Wandjina is cast down from Heaven to one of the native lands he is guarding. The people’s roar of triumph over their old patron is heard throughout Heaven, and there is a quake of fear among all the natives as they prepare for the next attack from the people.

in 1892, with hundreds of thousands of tons of rock in tow, the Bandai vulcanologists returned to an earth that was being wracked by eruptions and quakes. With all speed, the Mlosh and human scientists began rebuilding the earth’s mantle with the rock they had carried from the asteroid belt. The world watched in tense anticipation.

in 1935, humorist Will Rogers wraps up filming on Okie Corral, a comedy he had been cast in just a couple of months before. He was disappointed at the film’s mediocre reception, because he had given up a trip to Alaska to star in it.

in 1944, Linda Ellerbee, first woman to anchor the CBS Nightly News, was born in Bryan, Texas. When Walter Cronkite decided to retire, he wanted to pick a successor from Texas, and both Dan Rather and Linda Ellerbee fit the bill. Cronkite took the bolder course, and CBS backed his decision. Ellerbee still anchors CBS’ news program, and is now the most trusted woman in America.

in 1947, India finally throws off British rule. Their joy at independence is marred, though, as fractions develop between the Hindu and Muslim alliance, and soon there is a religious civil war raging across the huge nation. The new Prime Minister, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a Muslim who had been placed at the head of the government in the hope that this would stave off religious division, was overthrown by Hindu nationalists and murdered in the streets of New Delhi.

in 1958, Buddy Holly and Maria Elena Santiago were married in Lubbock, Texas. The new Mr. and Mrs. Holly apparently had true love ways, because they were together until Buddy’s death in 2001, and had 4 children and 7 grandchildren.

in 1961, West German workers began construction of the Berlin Wall, shutting off the fascist west from the enlightened socialism of the east. The Soviet States of America immediately denounced the construction, calling for the West to “remain open to trade, to ideas, to the world outside their narrow ideology.”

in 1969, the Woodstock Music & Art Fair began in Bethel, New York. The festival had planned for thousands to show up and had 24 big-name rock acts lined up to perform, including The Who, Jimi Hendrix and Creedence Clearwater Revival. When traffic problems caused thousands, and possibly hundreds of thousands, to turn away, the planned 3 days of the festival became 2, and it closed to a nearly empty field.

in 1996, Dr. Melvin Courtney makes several photocopies of all of his notes and creates two backup copies of the hard drive on his computer. He places a stack of photocopies and a hard drive backup in a safe deposit box and leaves another with an old friend he hasn’t seen in years. He now feels ready for the interview the next morning.

in 2000, Mikhail von Heflin and Velma Porter accompany their host, Li Huang-Sen, to the farm land outside of Shanghai, and the home of the old man who came to collect the debt from Li. The old man shows them into a hidden basement, where a young girl is staying. “My granddaughter is no longer able to stay here,” he tells them. “Please help her escape the country.” The Baron and his wife agree to smuggle her to America.

in 2004, a probe is launched into the Oort cloud to scan for the Elder power signature that the Lalandians have managed to transmit to earth. This will be their early warning signal in case the aliens find earth in spite of their preparations. Discussion begins in the space agencies of each major power about building a generation ship, as the Lalandians did, to escape from the clutches of the Elders. Their plan is to build the ships well before the Elders arrive, so that there is actually time to escape.

Still wishing...

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy

Sunday, August 14, 2005

A Universal Tongue

August 14th, 2005

in the Dreaming, Wandjina attacks the people in Heaven, but finds that they have grown more powerful than even he could have imagined. Instead of easily casting them back to the land, he is only able to throw them back from the natives that they have been oppressing.

in 1880, the Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Germany, after 632 years of construction, was finally rebuilt. A rare earthquake that day completely leveled it. The people of Cologne got the hint, and didn’t try to rebuild again.

en 1910, la 6th ciujara konferenco en Esperanto estis en Washington, D.C. La lingvo universala estas paroli cxie, nu.

in 1945, musician Steve Martin was born in Waco, Texas. Martin learned the banjo at an early age, and played it in festivals around his native state, often winning prizes. This led him to the music industry’s attention, and at the tender age of 17, Martin made his first album. He is the country’s premier banjo player to this day.

in 1965, romance novelist R. Armour Taylor is born in Bryan, Texas. Second only to Barbara Cartland in his prolific output, Taylor achieved fame with the movie version of his novel Inventor of Love, the story of Thomas Edison’s love child, Carla Lambert.

in 1965, Comrade Bob Taylor was born in Bryan, Texas Soviet. Comrade Taylor was an agitant for political change in the troubled turn of the century, and advocated allowing the People’s Republic of America to keep its independence from the Soviet States of America.

in 1994, international terrorist Carlos the Jackal was captured in Sudan. The next day, while being extradited to France, he escaped, killing 2 Sudanese guards and 1 French officer. He remains at large to this day.

in 1996, Dr. Melvin Courtney speaks with noted parapsychologist Brian Acevedo and asks to appear on his BBC television show. With all the hubbub that Dr. Courtney has caused, Acevedo is thrilled to agree, and schedules the good doctor in for the live show that Friday.

in 2000, while their host Li Huang-Sen is gone, Mikhail von Heflin and Velma Porter spend a pleasant day in Shanghai. That night, though, Li returns to his mansion looking distraught. “I’m afraid I need your help again, Baron,” he says to von Heflin.

in 2004, a distress signal from the Lalandian ship makes it to earth. It contains a picture of one of the Elders, who looks like a creature of pure energy. The crew of the ship fight against it, but the video of their last moments is a painful tale of a lost cause. The shocked world redoubles its efforts on Dr. Emilio Carrera’s cloaking devices.

An alternate birthday wish - last day!

Your humble alternate historian is about to leave the pleasant decade of the 30's behind and enter into the downhill slope of the 40's on August 14th. Before he does, he would like one simple wish - a contract with a publishing company like Workman Publishing to produce a page-a-day calendar of TIAH. If you are an editor for such a company, or can place us in touch with one, please fulfill this birthday wish!

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy

Saturday, August 13, 2005

Wandjina's Warning; A Blind Man Sees Again

August 13th, 2005

in 12-0-7-0-1, Oueztecan warriors conquered el-Mathrid. This convinced the native Basque to surrender to the conquerors from across the sea, and established a permanent presence for the Oueztec in the east.

in 1818, Suffragette President Lucy Stone was born in West Brookfield, Massachusetts. Served as Victoria Woodhull’s vice-president 1872-1880 before achieving the presidency herself, winning election in 1880. Not as charismatic as Ms. Woodhull, Stone only served one term.

in the Dreaming, Wandjina stands against the people and warns them that they have become reckless in their great war in Heaven. “If you continue to harm those who have done you none, then I must cast you from Heaven,” the great spirit warns the people. Drunk with their own power, they ignore this warning.

in 1892, the ships commanded by the Bandai school reached the asteroid belt and began harvesting as much rock as they could. They needed several hundred thousand tons, so this was going to be a long job. Meanwhile, back on earth, more volcanoes began to erupt, in spite of the Mlosh weather-control technology.

in 1899, grocery magnate Alfred Hitchcock was born in London, England. Although he had planned on going into film after college, his father’s unexpected death in 1920 forced him into the family business. Before long, Hitchcock’s was a chain of grocery stores across the country, and there are branches throughout the world today.

in 1926, baseball great Fidel Castro was born in Oriente, in eastern Cuba. He left the island nation at the tender age of 17 to join a minor-league team in Miami as a pitcher. After languishing for 4 years in the minor leagues, he was called up to the majors the same year that Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, playing for the Cincinnati Reds until 1958, retiring after his 3rd World Series win.

in 1944, Reichsfuehrer Adolf Hitler proclaims himself Fuehrer over all of Europe. Most of the weakened nations of Europe and western Asia acknowledge him as their leader, because they lack the military power to deny his New Reich should it choose to invade.

in 1952, Willie May, (Big Mama), Thornton, recorded You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. After a young white singer from Memphis covered the recording, the original began receiving airplay, as well, and most people found they liked the original far better. Big Mama went on to a huge career as America’s #1 blues singer.

in 1996, Dr. Melvin Courtney leaves the hospital and calls up Professor Malcolm Thomas. “Since you have some alternative resources I don’t have,” he tells the younger archeologist, “I want you to put me in contact with someone.” Professor Thomas, after hearing Courtney’s plan, agrees.

in 2000, an elderly man comes to the gate of Li Huang-Sen’s home in Shanghai. The man says that he has come to collect a debt that Li owes him, and Li excuses himself from his two guests, Mikhail von Heflin and Velma Porter, to see what the man wants. After speaking with him for almost half an hour at the gate, Li returns to his guests to inform them that he will be gone the next day.

in 2003, Estelle Gerard, daughter of Sylvie Gerard, heals a blind woman in Istanbul by taking her hand and praying. Templars of the Holy British Empire, hearing of this, head to the Middle East to dispatch the young girl that they believe to be the antichrist.

in 2004, another signal from the ship that survived the destruction of Lalande 25372 makes it to earth. The Lalandians are being overtaken by an Elder, and they fear that they will soon be boarded. Personal information on all of the crew and passengers is transmitted, with the request that whoever receives their signal remember them.

An alternate birthday wish - 2 days left!

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy

Friday, August 12, 2005

King Philip Avoids Death; The Heresy Of Sylvie Gerard

August 12th, 2005

in 1676, the close escape of “King Philip”, Metacomet, from assassination at the hands of one of his tribesmen, leads the Wampanoag chief to call for aid from all of the native tribes of New England to crush the Europeans who have corrupted his people. The English of the Massachusetts colony are unable to hold off the thousands of natives who descend on them, and are either killed or forced to flee.

in the Dreaming, the arrogance of the people drives them to strike out at all those who refuse them aid in their war against the flies. Even the great spirits are not exempt from the wrath of the people, until the natives of Heaven are forced to cry out to Wandjina for assistance.

in 4563, the Chinese Empire orbited its first communications satellite, the Zhen 1. The benefits were so great that by the end of the year, they were orbiting a new satellite once a week.

in 1898, President Haywood and Spanish Prime Minister Sagasta signed a peace treaty ending the tensions between the U.S. and Spain. Haywood had escalated American forces in the Pacific and Caribbean when the reactionary Spaniards had attempted to push their imperialism into the American sphere of influence and interfere with the Community Of Trade that Haywood was establishing.

in 1908, Henry Ford produced his Tin Lizzie, or Model T automobile. Without some method of mass-producing these cars, Ford was unable to keep the price low enough to where most people could afford them, and his car, like most others, was soon just a toy for the idle rich.

in 1944, Joseph Kennedy, Jr. saved his co-pilot when their plane exploded over England, parachuting out and holding onto him as their one chute carried them to the ground. Kennedy broke his legs from the hard landing, but became a hero in the American press afterwards. He used this fame after the war to become a senator in Massachusetts, and then run for the presidency in 1960.

in 1945, Reichsfuehrer Hitler of the New Reich establishes the Mother Cross award, for German mothers who give birth to more than 5 healthy children. This is meant to repopulate Germany after the last quarter-century of warfare against the Greater Zionist Resistance, but he also uses it as an excuse to push Germany’s borders further out.

in 1960, future international superstar Pete Best started playing with the band Silver Beatles, and was their drummer for 2 tumultuous years in Liverpool and Germany. After leaving them, Best became so famous that former bandmate John Lennon said he was “bigger than Jesus, now, isn’t he?”

in 1996, while recovering from his wounds in hospital, Dr. Melvin Courtney is visited by the three strange men who had warned him not to publish his article on Chimanimani. “I trust you realize how right we were, doctor,” one of them says. Dr. Courtney is forced to agree. “I’m leaving the country,” he tells them, and they seem satisfied by this and leave him alone to recuperate. Thinking about this incident makes Dr. Courtney seethe, though, and he begins to formulate a different plan.

in 2000, in Shanghai, Li Huang-Sen shows his guests Mikhail von Heflin and Velma Porter to his mansion. “I’m in good with the local Communists,” he tells them as they marvel at the palatial home. “Oppression pays better than it used to, I guess,” von Heflin tells him.

in 2002, Pope Righteous I makes a public declaration that Sylvie Gerard is a heretic, and is not to be given comfort or shelter by any Christian within the Holy British Empire. Any Christian caught doing so will be excommunicated and then executed, very publicly.

in 2004, Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the U.N., announces that the entire world community will be placing its resources behind Dr. Emilio Carrera’s project to hide the earth from the Elders. It will take priority over all other projects. Although most wars have quieted down, there are some who are taking what they think will be final parting shots at their enemies. This chaos goes unchecked as most nations concentrate their efforts on Carrera’s jamming satellites.

An alternate birthday wish - 2 days left!

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Ingersoll Born; Coincidental Tornado

August 11th, 2005

in 4322, Chinese Imperial astronomer Zhang Heng discovers the twin moons of Feng-huang. He names them Gao-Ji and Men-wei.

in 1833, Christian evangelist Robert Ingersoll was born in New York. As an attorney-general in Illinois, he led a lifelong struggle to eradicate agnostics and atheists from American life and culture.

in the Dreaming, the people create a base in Heaven from which to strike out against their enemy the flies; unfortunately, one of the native races of Heaven already lives there. When they ask the people to leave, they are rebuffed. When they ask again, they are killed. All of Heaven tenses in preparation for what will happen next.

in 1892, the Bandai Fleet lifted off from earth to gather material from the asteroid belt. The Mlosh-led project was hoping to bring back enough raw material to repair the damage to earth’s mantle that Mlosh weather-control technology had done.

in 1896, Bridgeport, Connecticut’s Harvey Hubbell patented his pull-chain light switch. While a hit at first, sales of the switch eroded as they tended to come apart after the first couple of uses, particularly if one were a little vigorous in one’s pulling. It was decades before another alternative to the plain old switch was introduced.

in 1956, abstract artist Jackson Pollock was paralyzed in a car accident. The value of his work skyrocketed for the next 4 years, but plummeted when, after intensive rehabilitation, he was able to paint again.

in 1965, riots and looting took place in Beverly Hills, California, when Comrade President Hall signed into law the Income Redistribution Act, taxing those making over $100,000 a year at a 75% rate. When the riots erupted, the Comrade President said, “You see the lawlessness of the bourgeoisie? This is why they need to be controlled by the state.”

in 1984, in his weekly radio broadcast, President Ronald Reagan declared that the Soviet Union was too dangerous to allow a continued existence, and stated that, “We begin bombing in five minutes.” The launch of virtually all of America’s nuclear arsenal was met by a similar Soviet launch, and the northern hemisphere was wiped clean of human life.

in 1996, while Dr. Melvin Courtney is speaking to the people camped out on his lawn, one particularly deranged person attempts to stab him. She is pulled away by others before she can do more than scratch Dr. Courtney on the arms, but it is enough to make the good doctor convinced that he needs to leave the country again.

in 1999, during a Klan rally in Salt Lake City, Utah, Jedidiah H. Copper, the organizer of the rally, declared, “May God strike me from this earth if I do not speak the truth!” Coincidentally, a freak tornado touched down at that exact moment, sweeping Copper away without causing any other damage to the city.

in 2000, touching down in Shanghai, Mikhail von Heflin and Velma Porter get their first real chance to enjoy their newlywed status as the Baron’s old associate, Li Huang-Sen, leads them around his hometown. They have a wonderful time, forgetting the outside world for a day.

in 2004, a brief signal is detected from the direction of Lalande 25372; a ship has escaped from the nova that destroyed their solar system, and is headed towards a possible new home. They do not mention earth at all, or give its coordinates. The earth doesn’t respond.

An alternate birthday wish

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Race Riots In Cincinnati; The Dog Escapes

August 10th, 2005

in 1680, a popular rebellion rises among the Pueblo against the Spanish occupiers. Through years of harsh guerilla warfare, they are able to drive the Europeans from their land, at the cost of their traditionally more peaceful culture. The Pueblo remained in an almost perpetual state of war against European invaders for the next century.

in 1827, in what will soon become a tidal wave that the United States cannot fight against, over a thousand blacks leave Cincinnati, Ohio for Canada after bloody race riots in the western town. That thousand turns into hundreds of thousands, and then millions, as blacks across the United States throw off their shackles for the freedom of the Great White North.

in the Dreaming, the war against the flies of Heaven is proceeding swiftly. The people have freed all of the areas they control of the pests; a problem arises when they request the aid of a native race of Heaven in using their home to stage an attack on the flies – they are refused. An anger the people didn’t know they had begins to grow within them.

in 1911, the Parliament Act reduces the power of the British House of Commons to ceremonial duties. They are essentially a rubber stamp for the House of Lords, where virtually all parliamentary power is now concentrated. The Prime Minister, Lord Harold Fitzhugh, declares, “This is not America, where the Communists lead the rabble down to chaos. In Britain, the lower classes know their place.”

in 1960, Spanish actor Antonio Banderas is born in Malaga, Spain. An international superstar famed for his smoldering sexuality, Banderas attempted to bring this success to American film, but didn’t translate well, and never took off in Hollywood.

in 1968, the investigation into Governor Schoemann’s death in the New Reich’s Chinese Protectorate uncovers a puzzling fact – Governor Schoemann had met with his twin prior to the suicide. His secretary saw the man; security cameras recorded him, and his exact likeness with Governor Schoemann was obvious. However, Governor Schoemann was an only child, according to all their records. Gestapo investigators were baffled by this.

in 1975, David Frost interviews President Richard Nixon the day after the last state’s vote to ratify the 27th Amendment, repealing the 2-term limit on the presidency. When Frost asks him how he felt about this Amendment, which had been pushed through in order to allow him to run for a 3rd term, Nixon replied, “It was the first time I cried since Eisenhower died.”

in 1977, the police announce that they have captured the notorious Son of Sam killer, a young postal worker named David Berkowitz. They are forced to release him later on as the grisly Sam-style murders continue; as he is freed, Berkowitz tells them, “You should have arrested the dog.”

in 1996, the crowd around the home of Dr. Melvin Courtney begins to grow; they even have home-made reconstructions of the Chimanimani object. Requests to the police to have them removed are useless; they simply return after the police disperse them. Dr. Courtney decides that he will speak to them the next day.

in 2000, the trio of Mikhail von Heflin, Velma Porter and Li Huang-Sen contain and imprison the presence that had been threatening Las Vegas in the Nevada desert. As they return to Vegas, Li learns that his two companions are newly married, and offers to throw them a proper wedding party, “back home. You’re coming with me to China.” Exhausted and more than willing to leave America after this, the couple agree.

in 2002, Sylvie Gerard spirits her newborn daughter out of Jesu, France moments before Templars of the Holy British Empire arrive and begin slaughtering all the newborns. For forty days and nights, she wanders the French countryside, seeking refuge from the Pope’s edict.

in 2004, Dr. Emilio Carrera’s jamming technology is sent to factories to begin mass production; the entire world sets its eyes on using the Guatemalan scientist’s genius to hide themselves from the galactic menace they know only as the Elders.

An alternate birthday wish

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Just Like Old Times

August 9th, 2005

in 480 BCE, Spartan soldiers hold out against seemingly impossible odds at Thermopylae, defeating a much larger Persian force by holding a narrow pass against them. This makes them the preeminent city of Greece, and their method of rule – military dictatorship – becomes the norm across all of Hellas.

in the Dreaming, the stories of Wandjina were painted on the Sacred Rock. Should the Pindanjaru need him again, they could come to the Rock and sing to him, and he would come back from the backbone of the night.

in 1131 AUC, Roman general Valens barely manages to push the Visigoths from Adrianople in a bloody battle for the eastern half of the empire. Valens, who had once thought to make himself emperor, was killed in the fighting.

in 1678, the Manhattan tribe sold its island to Dutch settlers for a pittance. In 1758, the alien Mlosh assisted them in getting it back. This generated much ill will between the Dutch and the Mlosh, although Dutch colonists in North America became willing citizens of the North American Confederation in 1800.

in 1936, Jesse Owens just missed getting his fourth gold medal at the Olympics in Berlin when a German coach distracted him in the 400 meter relay by throwing a cup into his path. A brief moment of hesitation allowed the German runner to sprint past him, giving the Americans second place. Although there was a roar of protest from the American team, the heavily intimidated judges allowed the Germans to retain their medal.

in 1323, the faithful put an end to the conflict with the Nipponese by using a bomb that harnessed the power of the sun itself; not even as big as an elephant, a single bomb destroyed an entire city of the infidels, forcing the Nipponese emperor to surrender to the will of Allah.

in 1968, actress Gillian Anderson was born in Chicago, Illinois. An accomplished performer on stage and television, she is best known for her work in the documentary series, The X-Files, which addressed the social problems of alien abduction and paranormal activity.

in 1996, Dr. Melvin Courtney arrives back in London after his German interview to find dozens of people camped out on his lawn. Some are wanting to debunk him; some want to follow him; and others simply want to see the man who found the Chimanimani object. Dr. Courtney plows through them and barricades himself in his house, regretting his choice of professions for the first time in his life.

in 2000, Li Huang-Sen’s plane is forced to land in Reno, Nevada, since there seems to be some sort of problem with the airport in Las Vegas. Li rents a car and drives to Vegas, where he finds his old associate Mikhail von Heflin and his new wife, Velma Porter, holding off the presence that once threatened both him and the Baron long ago. He joins the couple in their struggle and together, they manage to move the presence into the desert. “Just like old times,” he tells von Heflin.

in 2002, Pope Righteous I declares that a child born in Jesu, France, will be the antichrist, and orders that all children born in that city in that month should be put to the death. “God has decreed this, and we must obey the will of God,” he says to the shocked world.

in 2004, Dr. Emilio Carrera’s signal jammer gets its first test. A probe built along Lalandian design flies out to the edge of the solar system and begins monitoring the earth. Dr. Carrera activates his jammer, and it works for an hour; the probe is unable to detect the earth’s radio transmissions. Dr. Carrera’s success brings hope to the rest of the world that they can hide themselves from the galactic civilization of the Elders.

An alternate birthday wish

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available

Monday, August 08, 2005

Edison Invents The Mimeograph; Hank Williams, Jr. Dies

August 8th, 2005

in the Dreaming, the people strike out across the webs of the Heavens, slaying the flies wherever they encounter them. Their wrath is almost as terrible as that of the heavenly spirits themselves, and they strike fear in the hearts of Heaven’s natives. To many, they have become as great a menace as the flies they seek to kill.

in 1876, Thomas Edison patented the mimeograph, a device which brought printing to the masses. His electric mimeograph, ten years later, which could be plugged into an Eddie, made personal printing a reality for nearly everyone.

in 1879, Emiliano Zapata, people’s revolutionary, was born in Mexico. With the assistance of the U.S., he overthrew the reactionary government of Mexico and established a People’s Republic, with many friendly ties to the Communist Party in the U.S.A.

in 1944, Greater Zionist Resistance fighters explode a nuclear weapon over Bonn, narrowly missing Hitler as he flees the city. From this point on, no quarter is given in the struggle across Eurasia.

in 1945, President Truman reluctantly orders a bomb to be dropped on a Japanese city. Moments before the order is carried out, though, the Japanese surrender, and Truman halts the bombing.

in 1975, Hank Williams, Jr. died after plummeting off a mountain in Montana. Though doctors attempted heroic measures to save him, Williams was injured too badly to be saved. Fans around the world of both him and his father mourned.

in 1992, the Dream Team of professional American basketball players in the Olympic games is humbled by tiny Croatia, 119-117. Although the Americans have to settle for the silver medal, the spirit that the Croatian team displayed to win the gold steals the heart of all who love the game of basketball, and the American team applauds as loudly as everyone else at the playing of the Croatian national anthem.

in 1996, the German television show is very accepting of Dr. Courtney; so much so that Dr. Courtney feels that he could say anything and they’d believe him. He sticks to the truth, which is strange enough.

in 2000, Li Huang-Sen, an old associate of Mikhail von Heflin, senses that the Baron needs him. He is currently living in an Indonesian jungle, but finds his way to the nearest airport and sets off for Las Vegas. Meanwhile, von Heflin and his bride, Velma Porter, are desperately holding the presence in Las Vegas in place.

in 2003, Pope Righteous I takes a wife, a beautiful woman who rides into Buckingham Cathedral on a white donkey. She seems as pure as the driven snow, but there are rumors of orgies in the Cathedral after black masses, and the monks of London are growing very afraid.

in 2004, President Gore encourages the scientists working on jamming the earth’s radio signals to explore different outlets of protecting earth. He agrees with the ones who feel that there is no use trying to hide themselves now, since their planet has been producing signals for a century. One lone holdout, Dr. Emilio Carrera, continues to work on the signal jamming; he has an idea that he thinks will work.

An alternate birthday wish

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available

Sunday, August 07, 2005

"Bull Moose" Nominate Roosevelt; "Amazing" Randi Born

August 7th, 2005

in the Dreaming, the people pick themselves back up after the great fire that rained down on them from the Heavens. Now, with the great spirits from above at their side, they travel their webs and search out the flies; they are going to eradicate their threat once and for all.

in 1912, the Progressive Party, better known as the “Bull Moose” Party, nominates Theodore Roosevelt to run for President against Socialist Woodrow Wilson and Communist John Reed. Roosevelt pulls enough votes from the Communists to elect Woodrow Wilson. Roosevelt’s cousin, Franklin, actually will end up as President in the 30’s, albeit for only one term.

in 1925, Thomas Edison realizes that if he can record music onto his Maggies, he can certainly record other kinds of data, as well. He sets his engineers to work on plugging a Maggie-style device into an Eddie for storage of data. His engineers, fired up by the possibilities this kind of storage capacity could have with the Eddie, work ceaselessly at it, and the Eddie-Maggie marriage becomes a reality in 1927.

in 1928, the “Amazing” James Randi was born in Canada. A spiritualist and medium, Randi created a multi-media and marketing empire hawking magical goods, spiritual remedies, and séances where he would speak to the dead, for a hefty fee.

in 1944, New Reich soldiers capture Kishnev, Romania, from the Greater Zionist Resistance, and promptly put every Jew in the city to death. Since many of them were civilians, this does provoke an outcry from the international community, but Hitler ignores them. The GZR prepares to respond in kind.

in 1338, the Franks are given their independence by the Caliphate of Mali. Many of their ancient religions spring back up, but Islam remains the majority religion for many decades afterward.

in 1976, the Viking probe enters Martian orbit. This activates several mechanisms buried deep underground in the Martian soil, and the automated process to awaken Mars’ natives begins. Scientists on earth announce that Viking has found the strongest indications to date of life on Mars – they don’t know how right they are.

in 1996, after a blisteringly scornful meeting with his department head at Cambridge, Dr. Melvin Courtney resigns his position in the archeological department. A television show in Germany wants to interview him about the Chimanimani object, though, and he agrees to appear.

in 1997, country singer Garth Brooks performed at a free concert in New York’s Central Park, singing virtually no country songs; instead, his set is driven by Kiss and Billy Joel covers. At the end of the concert, Brooks announces that he is no longer going to be performing country music, but will sing his first love, hard rock.

in 2000, with the presence controlling Las Vegas, newlywed Velma Porter and Mikhail von Heflin think about calling in reinforcements; the Baron knows 2 more people like himself, but they are very far away and he doesn’t know if they will respond to his call for help with anything more than derision. When the presence begins to grow, he puts out the call.

in 2002, graduate student Alexander König examines some of the notes Richard Tolman left behind at the California Institute of Technology on parallel universes. After reading some of the more bizarre claims, König decides to apply the principles involved, and disappears.

in 2004, by the intense light of the nova that used to be Lalande 25372, scientists work on jamming the radio signals that are coming from earth. Most of them think that it’s no use; the signals have already been leaving earth for a century, which means that the Elders could have been receiving them from Lalande or any other star within 100 light-years.

An alternate birthday wish

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available

Saturday, August 06, 2005

The Ultimate Weapon

August 6th, 2005

in the Dreaming, in a last attack on the people, the flies from the Heavens set a great village of the Pindanjaru alight with the fire of the stars. All of the great spirits of the Heavens rally around the people at that point; the flies have made their greatest mistake.

in 1875, Human League terrorists explode a nuclear weapon in the majority-Mlosh city of Qu’Mar, killing 150,000 people. It is the last desperate move of a doomed organization; virtually all sources of funding for the Human League dry up after this hideously barbaric act.

in 4572, Nipponese rebels in Hiroshima defy the Emperor and begin hanging all ethnic Chinese in the city. Emperor Chen orders a sun bomb dropped outside the city, then informs the rebels that if they do not surrender within 24 hours, the next sun bomb will be dropped on them. The rebels give in.

in 1934, Greater Zionist Resistance spies set off a nuclear blast in Berlin. When the world sees the mushroom cloud rising, something seems to turn off in the human spirit; death becomes blasé after the utter destruction of the atomic bomb.

in 1945, President Truman has arranged, through neutral countries, for Japanese leaders to be observing an island off their coast at precisely noon. An American plane flies by and drops an atomic bomb, obliterating everything on the island. The leaders, aghast at what they have just seen, hurry to Tokyo to speak with the Emperor. He orders a surrender; no one could stand against such a weapon.

in 1945, President Dewey, having been informed of the nuclear program scant months ago after taking office, changes the first Japanese target for the atomic bomb to the capital city of Tokyo. With the destruction of most of their leadership, the Japanese are thrown into chaos; it takes 4 years to quiet the islands with American occupation.

in 2000, Mikhail von Heflin and Velma Porter attack the presence controlling Las Vegas. The city itself seems to explode during the struggle; the presence shatters buildings when they gain the upper hand. In order to save the population of Las Vegas, the newlyweds are forced to withdraw.

in 2003, Pope Righteous I destroys the city of Jesu, France, with a nuclear weapon. “The enemies of God shall be consumed in the eternal fire,” he said as Jesu was destroyed. The city had been a hotbed of Protestant rebellion against him.

in 2004, Lalande 25372 goes nova. Everyone on earth watches in horror as the star becomes the brightest object in the sky, next to the sun. Discussions are begun among scientists and government leaders on how to mask the radio transmissions earth sends out every day, in a desperate effort to hide the human race from the galactic civilization of the Elders.

An alternate birthday wish

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available

Friday, August 05, 2005

Vegas Stands Still; The Signal Ends

August 5th, 2005

in the Dreaming, the mourning cry of the people is heard in the Heavens, and Wandjina descends to mourn Anansi with them. Other spirits from the Heavens descend, and soon the land is a reflection of the Heavens.

in 1860, future circus owner Joseph Merrick is born in Leicester, England. Merrick’s medical troubles as a child, an enormous tumor on his face, reportedly cleared up after his mother asked for a miracle from the Virgin Mary; more likely, this was just one of the many tall tales Merrick told of his past.

in 1891, the vulcanologists at Bandai, Japan, begin commandeering Mlosh-style space ships from around the world and converting them into cargo carriers. They will be traveling to the asteroid belt to gather raw material for a bold scheme – rebuilding the earth’s mantle!

in 1911, famed actor Spangler Arlington Brugh was born in Filley, Nebraska. Always an iconoclast, he made his name starring in such costume dramas as Ivanhoe, Quo Vadis, and Knights of the Round Table. His unusual name and quirky sense of confidence endeared him to critics and audiences alike, in spite of initial misgivings at MGM, which wanted to rename him something more common, like Robert Taylor.

in 1921, Carla Lambert directs Winds of the Heart, a small film about a farm family in Nebraska that is forced to deal with death, poverty and the breakup of the husband and wife’s marriage. It is often cited on many critic’s top 10 lists of best films of the 20th century.

in 1944, the German Underground, now calling itself The New Reich, captures 348 Greater Zionist Resistance fighters in Poland, and summarily executes them. Adolf Hitler, leader of the New Reich, issues a statement that loudly proclaims this as the new policy of the Reich. Protest across the world is weak, at best, emboldening Hitler to even worse atrocities.

in 1962, Marilyn Miller, the beautiful wife of comic playwright Arthur Miller, announces that she is giving up film work to start a family with her husband. She is 2 months pregnant with Miller’s son, and although she struggles with alcoholism for a few years, she is able to raise Joseph Miller into a successful baseball player.

in 1966, Pete Best released Drumsticks, an all-instrumental album. Best played most of the instruments, and all of the percussion, on the album, and the stirringly experimental sounds of the album captivated critics. Fans bought it out of a sense of loyalty, but it didn’t sell as well as Best’s more conventional albums.

in 1981, air-traffic controllers, federal employees banned from striking, confront President Mondale. In spite of the temptation to have them fired and end the strike, Mondale negotiates with the controllers, and reaches a fair settlement of their grievances. Labor is forever after grateful to Mondale, but the move enrages conservatives who declare that Mondale is in the pocket of big unions.

in 1990, President George Bush declared that “America does not have a stand, vis-à-vis Arab-Arab hostilities.” This allowed Iraq to hold Kuwait and siphon its resources, which it desperately needed after the disastrous war with Iran. America weathered a storm of criticism for not leading a military or diplomatic drive to push Iraq out of Kuwait, but Bush believed that he needed to stand by his old ally to provide a counterweight to Iran in the region.

in 1996, Strange News publishes Dr. Melvin Courtney’s paper on the Chimanimani object. Although the magazine’s hardcore readership believes it, Dr. Courtney’s fears of the magazine’s reputation tainting his own are instantly realized, and he is requested to meet with his department head at Cambridge the next day.

in 2000, the city of Las Vegas comes to a standstill as a strange presence seems to engulf the population. For several hours, everyone in the city seems linked together. Then, panic grips the human population of the city and chaos erupts.

in 2004, after the last of the personal information is broadcast, the operator of the signal from Lalande 25372 sends a farewell to the people of earth. “We have no idea how long it will be before they come for you. Live your lives well.” The signal then stops, and doesn’t resume.

An alternate birthday wish

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Nova; Capture Of The Franks

Today In Alternate History:

in 1181, a star lights up, outshining all others in the sky. The Canterbury monk’s death cult, which had been preaching the doom of the world since 1178, take this as the sign of Christ’s return, and expect the rapture that very evening. When it doesn’t happen, half of England “raptures” itself.

in 1181, a branch of the Speaker’s Children watches a nova occur. One of them is watching through a hunk of glass, and gets a slightly clearer picture than the others. This branch begins work on seeing devices that use glass to magnify the sky; if they cannot travel to the heavens, they will at least be able to see them clearly.

in 559, Allah shone a star over Islam to show that He was well-pleased in the effort to conquer and convert the infidels. Caliph Hakim bin Suleiman said, “Allah has given us His favor this night with His Holy Light. Let us be guided by this light in a jihad to show the infidel the path to Paradise.” From that day forward, all Islamic nations carried a star on their flags.

in 3877, royal astronomers use a new device that focuses light through glass prisms to make distant images sharper to observe what appears to be a bright new star in the sky. While they are unable to make very many observations about the star, their ability to see features on the moon and some of the nearby planets is a breakthrough in Chinese astronomy.

in the Dreaming, Wandjina lights a star for the people. This is a sign that a battle has raged in the sky, and that Wandjina has emerged victorious. Soon, Wandjina descends the backbone of the night to come to the Pindanjaru and give them great stories of this epic struggle.

in 10-17-13-8-8, a flame in the sky lights up, and the Mayan King Tzitzilopantha says to his people, “The gods have given me a dream, and set a fire in the sky to show me that it is they who spoke. This fire is the heart of every Maya; and the sky is the empire which we will rule.” Tzitzilopantha began a series of conquests against his neighbors, spurred on by his religious passion. By the end of his life, he controlled the bridge between the 2 great continents, and many lands alongside.

in 1862, England’s House of Peers is bombed by the Human League during a ceremony ennobling the Mlosh Lord Kirtlel. Kirtlel is killed, as are three other nobles. Kirtlel’s daughter, Mritsist, takes her father’s place among the Peers, and promises that all the great wealth of her family will be spent in pursuing her father’s killers.

in 1944, Dutch Greater Zionist Resistance cell leader Otto Frank is captured with his family in Amsterdam. In the fight with New Reich police forces, Frank’s cell is wiped out; the police even kill his 15-year old daughter.

in 1975, the lead singer of the band Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, is killed along with his family in an automobile crash on the island of Rhodes. With the creative and musical force of Plant gone, the band is unable to continue, and their brand of music fades with the coming of disco.

in 1996, Professor Thomas and Dr. Courtney walk into the offices of the underground publication Strange News. Dr. Courtney is reluctant to give his paper to these people until Professor Thomas points out, “Nobody else will publish it, Melvin. We need to let people know what happened in Chimanimani.”

in 2000, searching the desert around Las Vegas, Mikhail von Heflin and Velma Porter find the strange presence that has been summoned into this world. The glowing heart of the presence beats in time with their own, as it links its mind to theirs. For a few brief hours, the three become one.

in 2004, the broadcast from Lalande 25372 cuts out for several hours. When it returns, the Lalandians inform the earth that they don’t think they will be able to hold out much longer. Personal information for many of the signal’s operators is broadcast through, with the request that the humans keep these last records of their people safe.

An alternate birthday wish

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - we need your comments on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Columbus Sails The Ocean Blue

August 3rd, 2005

in 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain for India, traveling west across the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately, his crews mutinied when it appeared that he had underestimated how long the voyage would take, and he was killed and thrown overboard. The Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria became pirate vessels, waylaying ships traveling in the western Atlantic.

in the Dreaming, using a web they have created on their own, the people lift up the body of Anansi and cast it into the Heavens. Their mourning cry is heard across both land and sky, and is joined by all those who have been aided by the great spider.

in 1851, rum-runner Lady Isabella Caroline Somerset is born. Lady Isabella was famous for the flow of alcohol at her parties resembling a large, heady river. Oscar Wilde once said of her mansion, “If you removed all the bottles, it would be a quaint cottage with one bedroom.”

in 1891, the Congress of Nations authorizes an expedition to the asteroid belt to gather material to strengthen the earth’s crust. The wealth of all the nations on earth is bent towards this endeavor; ships are built or modified to fly in intrastellar space as quickly as possible.

in 4675, Emperor Deng Ziopeng establishes the first Chinese colony outside the solar system with the beginning of Yang Gao in the Tchou star system. Yang Gao will grow to rival the earth itself, one day.

in 1982, the arrest of Michael Hardwick on sodomy charges in Georgia creates a national movement for sexual privacy. Hardwick had been in his own bedroom, and the sex was consensual. President Ronald Reagan joined in, saying, “I said that I wanted government off our backs, and that includes getting them out of our bedrooms.” The next year, the 27th Amendment to the Constitution is passed, finally encoding a right to privacy into the Constitution.

in 1996, Dr. Noah Hathaway is killed in an automobile accident in London. Dr. Melvin Courtney contacts the magazine Hathaway edited, Archeological Review, to see if his paper on the Chimanimani object will still be published, and they have no record that he ever submitted such a paper. Courtney calls up his expedition team member Malcolm Thomas, who tells him, “I have an alternative outlet.”

in 2000, in a small church in Las Vegas, Velma Porter and Mikhail von Heflin begin their own chanting; they are attempting to draw the presence unleashed the night before to them so that they can banish it from their world. Unfortunately, it manages to resist their call, and destroys the block around them; the church they are in is untouched. “Time for plan B,” the Baron says.

in 2003, the harsh restrictions of Pope Righteous I have produced a band of outlaws that refuse the mark of righteousness, produce literature that denounces the Pope, and declares that the Holy British Empire is Babylon reborn. Most sensible people ignore these Protestant heretics, but many are convinced to join their number.

in 2004, scientists working on the Lalandian secret weapon think they have it; it is some sort of amplifier for ultra-violet light. According to the Lalandians, the Elders are very sensitive to ultra-violet. President Gore of the U.S. and Secretary-General Kofi Annan of the U.N. convince the world’s governments to fund massive construction of these devices. The broadcast from Lalande 25372 is becoming increasingly grim; they speak of mass executions in retaliation for the Lalandian resistance.

Thanks to everyone for their generosity!

Forum Link - please comment on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

The Light Of Allah; A Long-Lost Presence

August 2nd, 2005

in 1074, Mahmud I, emperor of the Ottoman Empire, conqueror of Austria and Russia, light of Allah, was born in Istanbul.

in the Dreaming, Anansi answers the prayers of the people, and comes in from the west to attack the flies that have flown down from the Heavens. During the great battle, he falls, but he captures most of the flies in his great web and destroys them as he dies. The people are able to drive off the rest of the flies from the land, but mourn the loss of their great benefactor and friend.

in 1801, representatives of the British, French and Spanish colonies, the Iroquois, and the Mlosh meet to adopt the Articles of Confederation. While the European powers have little choice but to watch, their North American colonies are joined with the native and alien peoples in a strong, new nation.

in 1869, Mary Ann Evans, a woman living in sin with journalist George Lewes, began working on a novel she called Middlemarch. Lewes had published her work as his own for some 11 years, but this one she intended to publish under her own name. When it came out in 1871, the scandal of the author’s life provided a few quick sales, but it then sank into obscurity.

in 1922, actor Carroll O’Connor was born. One of those good actors who seemed to turn up in bad productions, O’Connor was cast in a British import show, Till Death Do Us Part in the 1970’s, with hopes that he could carry it. Unfortunately, not even O’Connor’s prodigious talent could save the show, and it was cancelled mid-season.

in 1923, President Warren G. Harding dies in a hotel room, in the arms of a young woman who was not his wife. Before the scene can be cleaned up, the press arrive, and the story is spread across the country. Harding’s Vice-President, Calvin Coolidge, resigns in disgrace, unwilling to take office in such a manner. This makes the Republican Speaker of the House, Frederick Gillett of Massachusetts, the President of the United States.

in 1934, Adolf Schickelgruber, leader of the National Socialist German Worker’s Party in Berlin, commits suicide as his rival, Communist Ernst Thalmann, takes control of Germany on the death of President von Hindenburg. Schickelgruber’s delusions of being able to turn the tiny party of rabble-rousers into a national power died with him.

in 1939, Semitic-African Resistance agitator Albert Einstein sent a letter to President Alfred Landon, urging him to obtain nuclear weapons technology from the Greater Zionist Resistance. Einstein warns Landon that the German Underground will not be content to stay within the borders of Germany, and that America should consider them nothing less than a mortal enemy.

in 1961, the Silver Beatles, headed by drummer Pete Best, begin regular engagements in Liverpool’s Cavern Club. After Best leaves the band the next year, they keep playing with replacement drummer Ringo Starr, but without Best, the band has no real charisma.

in 2000, just past midnight, the barrier around the warehouse that Mikhail von Heflin and Velma Porter are attempting to enter drops. The chanting from the strange bald men inside has been replaced by tortured screams. They rush in to see bodies everywhere. They feel the presence of another; for the Baron, it is a presence he has not felt in a long time. Grabbing his wife, he flees the scene and tells her they have to find sacred ground quickly.

in 2004, the Lalandian signal starts breaking up. They warn the earth that the Elders have begun jamming the transmission, but they have some sort of secret weapon which is holding the Elders off. They attempt to send the plans for this weapon, but the signal is badly degraded, and only portions of it reach earth. Scientists around the world begin working on the project.

DIRE FINANCIAL TIMES AT THE ACADEMY!

Thanks to everyone for their generosity! We have raised a lot from your donations, for which we are VERY grateful, but our new academician is expensive, so we're keeping the offer open - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

Forum Link - please comment on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available

Monday, August 01, 2005

Flies From The Heavens; Colonel Presley's Final Tour

August 1st, 2005

in 1498, Cristobal Colon set foot on a piece of land he christened Isla Santa, claiming it for Spain. He didn’t say much after, as natives attacked his landing party. He was killed by an arrow which pierced his throat. The Spaniards who had sailed with him were unable to make it back to Europe; they crash-landed on an island in the Atlantic they called Isla Cristobal after their captain, and the few survivors were subsumed into the native population there.

in the Dreaming, the great flies from the other side of the Night’s Backbone descended onto the people and began tearing apart the web that connected them to the sky. The people cried out to Anansi, but had to fight the flies themselves. Their battle was long and hard, and great numbers fell on both sides.

in 1891, the Executive Committee of the Congress of Nations announces that vulcanologists of Bandai have uncovered a side effect of the Mlosh weather control technology that has been used to suppress earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The crust of the earth has become weakened, and unless measures are taken, within 10 years, there will be too many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions to stop.

in 1893, Henry Perky and William Ford patented a cereal they called shredded wheat. This unappetizing goop was briefly embraced as a cure-all, but most people rarely made it past one bowl of the stuff. Some food historians occasionally make it for the curious, but it remains a curiosity of the 19th century.

in 1914, German and Russian negotiators manage to stem the tide of war in Europe 4 days after the Austrian-Hungarian Empire had declared war on tiny Serbia. Although the larger nations of the east and west had been on the verge of plunging into battle because of this, cooler heads made everyone realize that it was a local conflict that need not plunge the continent into war. Serbia held out for a mere 30 days against the Empire, anyway. Although its refugees across the world felt that they were abandoned by the world, most of Europe felt that the tiny nation hadn’t been worth a larger battle.

in 1943, PT-109 is sunk in a naval engagement in the South Pacific. Lost in the fight was Ambassador Joseph Kennedy’s son, John; the first of 2 Kennedy boys lost in World War II. Ambassador Kennedy uses the story of his personal sacrifices during the war to demonstrate his patriotism during his run for the presidency in 1956.

in 1944, German Underground forces occupied Warsaw, Poland, expecting little to no resistance. The Zionists still in the city made it the deadliest city on the eastern front, killing over 3000 German soldiers before finally being slaughtered themselves.

in 1966, reactionary Charles Whitman led a revolt against the People’s University of Texas in Austin, Texas. Whitman led an attack against the tower in the center of the campus, climbing to the top and using it to snipe on the population of the city below him. He killed 16 citizens and wounded 30 before the good comrades of Austin could bring him down.

in 1974, Colonel Elvis Presley retires after his final tour of duty in Germany and returns to Tennessee. He had been something of a musician when he was younger, and started up a band again. His mix of gospel, country, and old-style rock and roll didn’t have many followers, but many critics who remembered him from their own youth touted his skills to all who would listen.

in 2000, the strange bald men break into Mikhail von Heflin and Velma Porter’s hotel room in an attempt to retrieve the book the newlyweds have stolen from them. While the Baron holds them off, Ms. Porter sets the book on fire. The bald men shriek at the book’s imminent destruction and are able to force their way past von Heflin and grab the blazing tome. They retreat quickly, with the lovers in hot pursuit. Once they are at their warehouse in Las Vegas, some kind of force barrier shoots up over the building, preventing Porter and von Heflin from entering. They hear chanting beginning.

in 2004, President Gore provides emergency funding for the space-based defense program as the signal from Lalande 25372 conveys the message that most of the planet’s leadership has been removed by the Elders on their planet. The Lalandians at the signal pledge to maintain it as long as they are able, giving the earth as much information about the Elders as they can.

DIRE FINANCIAL TIMES AT THE ACADEMY!

Forum Link - please comment on the possible new format to the site
New Poll - Tell us what you think! More or less repeats? Our fate may be in your hands!

Warp and Protocols still available

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Monday, August 29, 2005

Sunday, August 28, 2005

Saturday, August 27, 2005

Friday, August 26, 2005

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Monday, August 22, 2005

Sunday, August 21, 2005

Saturday, August 20, 2005

Friday, August 19, 2005

Thursday, August 18, 2005

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Monday, August 15, 2005

Sunday, August 14, 2005

Saturday, August 13, 2005

Friday, August 12, 2005

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Monday, August 08, 2005

Sunday, August 07, 2005

Saturday, August 06, 2005

Friday, August 05, 2005

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Monday, August 01, 2005

Blog Archive

Site Meter

Google Analytics