Greetings, lovely humans!
This is unusual. I’m sitting here writing this newsletter about 30 minutes before I’m going to hit “send” and about a day after I was *SUPPOSED* to hit “send.”
I’ll explain why (there’s a reason that’s both legal and spacey) in a minute.
Because first I need to do my usual plug for all the books and stories I have out there, with their links:
Links: Lunar Logic | Robot Galaxy Series | Final Orbit | Objective Reality
Also make sure to read to the end of this newsletter and check out other Indie writings! (And my bonus pic at the end.)
A month ago, I mentioned that I was working on a paper regarding planetary protection from asteroid strikes for my law class and mentioned that it was a story for another day.
Today is that day.
Because my law class made me miss my personal deadline for this newsletter!!
“Adeena, why are you angsting over that if it’s a personal deadline? Who cares? We’re all okay that this was a day late!”
Well, you know how I participate in group promos and promoting Indie Authors? (That’s always towards the end so this newsletter.) When I sign up for those, I post the date that my newsletter comes out. Those authors are expecting that I honor that commitment. Now, I have an excellent record of getting my newsletter out when I say I will, so the fact that I’m one day late once will be fine. But it does mean I’m doing this instead of taking a break altogether!
The next piece… law class.
Almost two years ago, I read a book, “A City on Mars” by Kelly and Zach Weinersmith. Really good book. Definitely recommend. It’s about all the problems with settling Mars (and the Moon). The first half goes over the technical challenges. The second half goes into all the *legal* ones! Short version: The Outer Space Treaty that 117 countries are party to, with another 22 signatories prevents any nation from claiming any part of the Moon, Mars, or other celestial body as sovereign territory.
The book goes into more detail of course, but the point here is: this sparked my interest in space law. I was like, “hey, I wonder if I could take a class in it?” And one thing led to another and I learned that the University of Mississippi has a Graduate Certificate program in Air & Space Law intended for aerospace professionals like me! (If you’re newish here… in addition to being a sci-fi author and podcaster, my day job/career is in the space industry).
The program is only 4 classes and as of last night, when I hit “send” to hand my paper in to my professor, I’m 75% done with the program! One more class to go this spring!
Everything I do in life informs my writing in some way or other… my first class last fall was in International Space Law, and because of that, the sequel to Lunar Logic will have a significant space law component!
This semester, I took Space Security Law, and as I mentioned last time, my paper is on planetary defense from asteroid strikes.
I was talking about it to some friends and they said, “it should be a simple, straightforward legal issue, right?”
<sigh> No.
If an asteroid is headed our way… who’s responsible to act? Who is liable is something goes wrong while trying to act? Some of the technology that many scientists agree would be the best to use—specifically nuclear explosive devices—are explicitly prohibited under several treaties. But could there be exceptions to using that tech if the goal is planetary defense?
The other thing to know about me (if you didn’t) is that I’m a huge Trekkie and one of the things about Earth in the future is that all the countries are united. And that’s kind of a condition for letting new planets into the United Federation of Planets in that universe… that a planet be united.
All this gets me thinking… an pending asteroid strike could unite nations. And what if that pending strike was deliberately set up by an alien race with the goal of *forcing us* to unite?
Hence today’s story.
Well, the start of the story.
Because I **had** to finish my paper—that deadline was non-negotiable—I couldn’t finish the story I started for today.
So I decided to turn it into a “choose your own adventure” with a poll!
Please read on, “vote” in the polls, and let me know what you think! (Either send me an email, or post a comment on Substack)
[Editorial note: In the image I should have written, “by Adeena Mignogna AND YOU” lol]
Vennoc looked at his monitor. “There is no shortage of asteroids we can use,” he said, hoping to grab the attention of his supervisor, Onrav.
“So we can pick up where the other team left off,” Onrav responded. He looked over Vennoc’s pointed shoulder to validate Vennoc’s statement. Satisfied, he spoke to the entire room. “This is textbook, everyone. We’re here to do this by the book. The scouting team identified the third planet as being nearly ready to join the intergalactic community. We’re here to nudge them to that next step—planetary unity.”
There were murmurs of approval as the entire crew was eager to get to work. This part of the galaxy had few sentient species, and fewer promising candidates.
The one dissenting voice spoke up. Edreeson, who sat at a station to Vennoc’s left, spoke up. “First Chair,” she addressed Onrav, “but their governance is fragmented. Our data collection shows endless conflict.”
Onrav turned up the corners of his under-mouth slightly to show he was not discouraged by Edreeson’s observations.
“Remember, Edreeson,” Onrav said. “This is exactly why the program was established. Give a species that has reached the appropriate level of technological advancement an extinction-level motivator. It motivates cooperation. We’ve seen this work for several other species… the Kir-ruin, the Ventiok, the Uthreers. And now these…”
“Humans,” Vennoc offered. “They call themselves humans.”
“Thank you, Vennoc.” Onrav continued. “These humans are next. We’ve established they have the ability to identify a threat in sufficient time to do something about it.
…based on your answers, I’ll write the rest of this for January!
Simply reply and let me know what you think! (I treasure feedback!) Or do any of these things:
And of course, subscribe so you get notified when I post new stories/newsletters!
Indie authors love helping out other indie authors. Which means we cross-promote in each other’s newsletters in the hope that we’ll find readers for each other! I’m promoting two of my fellow Indies today!
First, take a look at Time Burrito by Aaron Frale! Based on the cover alone, I wanna read this one!
Next, check out Red Storm by Bradley James:
And here group promotions with other Indie Authors. This is one of the ways we help each other get the word our about our books. There are two this month!
I hope my co-hosts don’t hate me… but I’m so short on time today, to tell you about the recent episode on The BIG Sci-Fi podcast, I’m just taking a screenshot of them on Spotify (we’re on all the major platforms):
This past few weeks were all about interviewing some awesome people!! Check us and our interviewees out wherever you listen to podcasts!
Are you on Facebook? Come join our private FB group where we discuss episodes, host weekly polls, and other fun! Just make sure to agree to the group rules when you send in the join request!
I will take a breath, for one.
And continue with the upcoming books (remember those cover reveals I sent out in the last newsletter)!
Today’s bonus picture… over our US Thanksgiving Holiday, I might have taken advantage of a buy 2, get 2 free sale at our local used book store. This is the haul I came away with:
Bonus points for anyone who can spot the problem in that picture… LOL
All always, thanks for being here and reading all of stuff. Remember you can reply anytime with questions/comments/feedback!
Until next time… be kind, be well!
-Adeena
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