AHNN

AHNN (Futuristic SF/Satire)

By T.E. Mark

Independent Publishing Platform

ISBN #978-1539552949

Price $11.99 (paperback)

Price $3.99 (Kindle)

232 Pages

Rating 5-Stars

“At Times It Is Hilarious”

In the early 21st century, in an effort to increase human productivity, science granted mankind wearable AI headsets. By 2o16, these early versions were cast aside and replaced with more reliable, Nano-sized, implantable devices tuned to human thought. Infants received their implants at birth. Total human connectivity was achieved in March of 2201. Governments, militaries and schools were abolished, and the world was handed over to a network of intelligent computers called AHNN. Now in the 31st century, or 9th, depending on who you talk to, AHNN has pretty much had it with running the world and has decided to give it back. This is AHNN’s story.

In 2014 mankind was on the brink of higher technology. With the advancement of computer technology, we soon created and inserted the Augmented Human Neural Network into our brains, so that all data and information was at a mere thought. AHNN was rocketed into space as satellites, forever available, and for a thousand years AHNN was mankind’s god. You see, AHNN decided that man was not able to control his own destinies since he always wanted to go to war and kill each other. So the easy thing was for AHNN to control mankind. He had them procreate until they became one race. No money was needed, as everything was supplied that was needed. The police became guides – or helpers, since crime was eliminated. Man did not have to think for himself, AHNN did that for him, and since man wanted a god, AHNN became their god, too. But now, in the 31^st Century, AHNN felt that mankind was too quiet. AHNN wanted to shake things up a bit, so slowly AHNN began disconnecting certain individuals to make them think on their own.

We follow five such individuals in Seattle: Bert, Lisa, Joy, Vin, and Kirk. They start searching for answers. No longer connected to other minds, they have to learn to speak again. Meanwhile Captain Rudy Glick takes over command of the Seattle TSAP (police), and his two detectives, Lt. Ellis Travers and Lt. Amy Rip, are assigned to investigate the strange behavior of some of the people and find out what is going on. And all across the world AHNN continues to disconnect others, slowly.

Written as a satire, the author has fun with this futuristic science fiction yarn about a highly advanced society suddenly turned on their heels, and must learn all over again. Plus, discover how the world ended up the way it did in the first place, and that’s not an easy task since everything beyond one thousand years is prehistory with no records available through AHNN. Their god is surely up there in the sky laughing at the problems his creation is now facing, and they want to blow him up – at least blow up AHNN’s guarded Earth-based facilities. Here it is the 31^st Century and the disconnected are reliving the 1960s, trying to act like hippies and rebels, and don’t know how to go about it. At times it is hilarious. You can tell the author is having fun, and the reader can’t help but laugh at their antics. Highly recommended.

Tom Johnson

Author of WORLDS OF TOMORROW

Cobalt

Combine a hidden sadistic puppet-master, a hijacked American population, a wounded soldier, plenty of ‘Pseudos’, and you have Cobalt. What is an Artificial Intelligence that’s reached singularity secretly trying to achieve before humanity can stop it? In this first twisted novel in our Pseudoverse, a genetically modified re-engineered wounded patriot finds herself thrust forward into a world surrounded by greed, corruption, and tyranny. This is a twisting, turning, story of regeneration, retribution, and renewal. Fans of historical science fiction and lovers of satire will be turning pages quickly to find out what happened to the world they once knew so well. Is everyone who they seem to be in this tale of humanity’s last stand? The mystery deepens as First Lieutenant Petra Kayden Dace sets out to discover who or 'what' is behind the takeover of the United States, the world, and its citizens. Cobalt is an action packed thriller sure to entertain and keep you guessing until the very end. Filled with humor, hidden clues, and new technology, this is a one-of-a-kind science fiction mystery that you will never forget. Step into a world of political corruption as Cobalt becomes a lethal weapon in an arsenal against pure technological evil.

Cobalt (SF Spy Satire)

By CG Blade

“Trinity Series #1”

Independent Publishing Platform

ISBN #978-1520220196

Price $8.99

261 Pages

Rating 5-Stars

“Cobalt Is Our Captain America Of The Future.”

Army 1^st Lieutenant Petra Kayden Dace is critically injured on a combat mission, and her father’s best friend, General James Cooper, head of NIB has his lab synthesize her DNA to replicate her memory cells within the DNA, and grow a new body with the capability of using her mind like a computer. She trains her body to super human abilities, making her a formidable spy. It is 2076, and the world is a much different place. Our government consists of a tri-presidency, with three presidents in office, Helen Long, Mark Sheehan, and Dave Keller. It appears there is a government conspiracy with the aid of industrialist, Raymond Nelson.  It’s up to super spy Petra Dace to uncover the plot, and neutralize the situation.

This was a fun read, and well written, though the story was slow. It could have been a much smoother read, but was a bit wordy and technical. The author could have included the action scenes of Petra’s training, which would have moved the story a little faster in the beginning; we’re told she put a couple martial arts instructors in the hospital. Don’t tell us. Show us. Think about Modesty Blaise and Willie Garvin training at the beginning of each story, moves that Modesty will use in a final fight scene at the end. That’s what we want to see. Action. Instead we were bogged down with too much detail and not enough action.  There was a bit of humor, as Petra has an implant in her head that talks to her, and they have a running commentary throughout the assignment. Reminded me a lot of the old SF series, AGENT OF T.E.R.R.A by Larry Maddock (Jack Jardine); the main characters are Hannibal Fortune and his android, Webbley, a shape shifter who shoots barbs back and forth. Another fun thing about COBALT, the author leaves little Easter Eggs for the reader to watch for, like naming authors, and other little secrets. For instance, the main character, Petra Kayden Dace’s initials are PKD (Philip K. Dick, naturally). Since this is the first in the Trinity series, I’m hoping all the detail is used in this one, and we have more action in the rest of the series. Over all, it is a darn good read. Cobalt is our Captain America of the future. Highly recommended.

Tom Johnson

Author of WORLDS OF TOMORROW