|
On their website, they claim that this is the most unique science fiction novel ever written.
Maybe. I don’t know.
It is certainly captivating.
The plot revolves around a three-way conflict between Originals (that would be us), Clones, and God. God is not shown, nor heard, but His presence is definitely felt throughout.
The story goes like this (I don’t think I’ll spoil much for other readers by revealing a few points, the book is really full of interesting turns and twists and people) - Sometime in the future, human cloning reached a certain well-developed stage, after which a global ban was instituted and enforced everywhere except Australia. When it was finally ratified in Australia as well, a colony of human Clones was already in place there. They were intelligent, logical, calculating, and looked like Greek gods, all of them. Some time passed. It was established that Clones and Originals were psychologically incompatible. The Clones took the initiative. With the help of the Originals, they built spaceships capable of quantum leaps (banned on Earth), using Unified Field technology (also banned). They discovered a planet suitable for colonization and took off - all of them.
They colonized the planet. They built cities. They altered the atmosphere and the climate to make living confortable.
Their own genetic research went on. Eventually, they discovered the code responsible for the psychological differences between men and women. The next generation of Clones were TRULY equal - in everything. Then catastrophe struck.
The new generation Clone men turned out to be incomplete. They could only conceive one child, very early in life, after which their semen would mutate. By the time they were forty, they were old and impotent, and died shortly after. The Clone civilization was on the brink of extinction.
Attempts were made to reverse the process, and to restore the initial code - to no avail. Clone women were healthy and lived long. Clone men weren’t and didn’t.
The Clone council came up with the idea that the one thing they lacked in their scientific research was human genius. In theory, geniuses only existed among the Originals. The plan was to get a few brilliant Original scientists to help the Clones with the problem.
The problem with THAT was that the two civilizations had not been in touch for three hundred years.
And that’s where the story begins.
An enormous space liner (carrying two full-sized spaceships in its hangars) travels over to planet Earth - to seek help. The one in charge is Admiral Diana - a stunning-looking woman of thirty-seven (but then, all Clone women are stunning-looking, and Clone men, too). On board, they have scientists, psychologists, historians, military people, astronomers, etc. They are determined to get help at any cost. They have weapons capable of annihilating entire planets (Unified Field technology).
Just outside Pluto’s orbit, they meet with an Earth centinel ship, captained by Elizabeth Kern, a feisty, intelligent woman married to a younger man named Fred. Negotiations begin. With the approval of the Earth Council, the two space vessels exchange embassarods - and Fred is appointed to be the Earth’s embassador.
The Clones are surprised to learn about the changes that have taken place on Earth in their absence. One of the changes is, the entire population of the planet is now thoroughly religious. There is a VERY good reason for it, though (it is explained in the book).
At one point, the destiny of the Clone’s planet becomes dependent on the affair Admiral Diana is having with Fred. However, the moral dimention is always present. The Originals might WANT to help the Clones (the Clones think of them as illogical, silly, irresponsible, etc, and are annoyed) - and yet they have doubts or the moral/religious order. At one point one of the Clones shouts, “I’ve had it with those hyporcites! They might BELIEVE in the existence of their Creator; but we KNOW who created US!”
And it shows. When Diana finds she is inclined to actually WORSHIP her creators, especially one of them, in a way that has NOTHING to do with ordinary human love, she becomes frightened - and very, very determined. She has to save her planet and her kind.
I purchased the book two weeks ago. I’ve already read it twice. I’m going to read it again. It’s unbelievable!
You can find it here -
Admiral Diana by Anthony Anchor
There’s a VERY GENEROUS excerpt attached to the page. You’ll see what I mean.
|