Soft Power

Jonny Sutton

Plot Summary
This is an idea for a novel, plot is not central, and characters can be killed on a whim. I wouldn't like to write this in a linear fashion, but instead have lots of different times and events, interlinking with each other and correlating to the main plot.

The book follows a small group of lowly characters who dissipate and each have their own tales to tell in a novel about Power, Control and Misfortune.

Written in vignettes and not tied down to the usual constraints of a novel, Soft Power visualises 'the machine' and the cogs that turn inside it. Each small action takes its turn and inputs to the greater cause, although, no single action can have enough weight to be effective alone.

The characters in the book all convey some form of stereotype and parody the real world; although the world in which they live is not distant from our own. Using the resources of Magic, Ritual and Technology this mature novel outlines a world gone wrong and those who fight for change.

The novel shouldn't take itself too seriously, and doesn't even have to reach the length of a novel. What is important I feel is that all the characters are well defined and real exaggerations. All genres can be borrowed from, but must be adapted to fit the novel - elements of sci-fi, western, adventure and crime are all appreciated in small doses

Character List
Fitna Leesey and Francis Marcus the editor the vigilante ??? Mr (Michael) Conroy

Story
PLEASE NOTE: This story is a work in progress. Some of this story may read in a controversial way, while this may or may not have been intended, it has no connection to the views of the authors.

Telepathy
Every human being shares the same vast web of knowledge with every other human being. Most of this knowledge is old, and repeated, continually chattering away between us, while a small fraction is new and fresh. We can all access this web, and those who have developed the best methods of accessing it are perceived to be the most intelligent. Generally, we can only access our share pot of knowledge by communicating with one another. So communication you see, becomes vital; how we communicate defines our ability to gather this knowledge. Speech is the most common method of communication, while writing is another favoured form, and art another. While these admittedly do the job, I consider them somewhat archaic. They are slow and tiresome, they only transmit part of the data, that which we consider of importance. This is the downfall of our world. The whole operation becomes Chinese whispers and the web becomes only as strong as the weakest link. Telepathy is not magic. There is no secret to what I do. Nor can it be taught, at least not directly. Telepathy must be learnt by instinct, most of the population are capable of learning, but they do not realise the fact. A baby learns to talk by mimicking others, but isolated from society it will remain mute, as the need to talk is extinguished. As you might expect, in a world were telepathy is relatively unused, few have the chance to pick it up from others. Its like our web. Common data becomes even more common, while the mysterious eventually becomes the unknown. This is how our game of Chinese whispers has turned the ancient world into mythology and legend. I digress. With age one loses the ability to learn, and to grasp a new idea becomes harder with age. Being in the presence of those with telepathic ability is the easiest way to become adept in their language; the younger you are exposed, the greater your chances. Telepathy is a two way street. It can be manipulated of course - what can't these days - but a one sided conversation becomes a little dry. Ideally, to learn something of value, both subjects should be familiar with the language, otherwise, things are lost in translation. However. Drawbacks are minimal. Once implemented telepathy is an amazing medium. Knowledge is instantaneous. Conversations can happen in the blink of an eye. The possibilities are endless. We could all share the web without a moments thought. That said, I'm not going to teach the world to sing, not even if I wanted to. It would take many lifetimes. What interests me though, are these possibilities. The two way street is not the only way. When a man sleeps he allows himself to become passive. With the right skills it is possible to walk into his dreams and take his knowledge from him. When he wakes he has little memory of the event and what he does have soon fades. We call this dream eating. To eat a man's dreams is not the same as talking to him. The information pours around you; suffocating. You must separate the wheat from the chaff. You must avoid being consumed by his unconscious mind. Whilst this may sound like a great idea - and a breakthrough in spying - some caution must be taken. Beside the obvious pitfall of becoming trapped in another man's mind and forever being a dream, there is the risk that you take too much. You leave nothing but an empty shell of a man, who exists only in an animal form. The brain remains alive, but all knowledge is gone. The human becomes and instinctive animal, interesting you may think; just remember that it is instinctive to defend yourself when attacked. Telepathy of course, is not the only method of communication, but it is the least abstract and perhaps the simplest to explain to a modern audience. Other techniques exist, and I am in no doubt that they could be equally, if not, more useful. We must remember. This is not a weapon. It is a tool. How we use this tool is up to us.

Awake
I awake to a soft red mist which fogs my eyes. The window blinds cast bars of light to the floor, piercing the mist and capturing the faint glow of fallen angels. The room is clinical, yet the smell of death is upon me. I see I have outstayed my welcome once again. I step into a small room, four white walls and a single bed. A buxom lass sits before me. Offering her milk. Naturally, I oblige. A siren sounds. "Alert, alert! A patient has escaped. It is thought he is dressed as a woman." I look down at the skirt I have taken from the floor of the ward I ponder. Doubt it. I think about the milk maid. Doubt that too. Either way, I'd rather not edge my bets. I take off down a flight of stairs and begin to navigate the maze of corridors. Glancing through the small round windows I see scores of them. All tied in by cables and connectors. ...connected, connected, connected... ...I'm so dirty and the light blinds my eyes... Jumping isn't my only option, but it certainly looks like fun but time is of the essence, there is no time for time travel here; so I leave my noose inside. I step gracefully step to the floor, thirty feet below. A good magician never reveals his tricks. And so I escape... ...escape to Oz... once again I am the fugitive "there has to be a balance". No more holding thin hands.

The Freedom Party
There has to be a balance, trouble is, there generally isn't. Fitna, stands before me, her face displaying the usual strife. "What is it?" "They commit a gross sin, then say, "We found our parents doing this, and GOD has commanded us to do it." Say, "GOD never advocates sin. Are you saying about GOD what you do not know?" "Ah, I see," "It's not unlike them." "I'm aware of that, what makes this special." "Nothing." "I don't follow." "If you can't keep up, then I suggest you pull out. Things aren't going to get any easier." "How can I help" "Anyone who spares a life, it shall be as if he spared the lives of all the people." "Who?" "I was told you would understand. His name cannot be mentioned here." "If I am to do this for you, I must know why." "Anyone who murders any person who had not committed murder or horrendous crimes, it shall be as if he murdered all the people" "All the more reason for me not to save him?" "You don't see the bigger picture. Sparing his life - Our Lord will see this humble gesture - and ours will also be spared." "It will be done."

The Freedom Party has called for the Koran to be banned along with Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf. Dutch culture is declared superior to the 'retarded Islamic culture' and believes 'immigrants must assimilate' by getting rid of what he calls the intolerant and fascist parts of the Koran. Mr Van Gogh's film Submission included verses from the Koran shown against a naked female body. They hate freedom; that's what they hate. They hate the fact that we worship freely. They don't like the thought of us living side by side in peace, Christian, Jew and Muslim. They don't like that at all. They, since they resent our freedoms, they destroy innocent lives. we will not be free until we put our trust in Allah and the ones that are elected by us and not the ones elected by others. We will not be free until we are all free. We will not be free until Egypt becomes a Muslim state

The Editor
And so I have been summoned. Four walls and a large oak desk. Atop the desk sits a tarnished gold plaque, engraved Marcus Potter. A short fat bald man with spectacles. You know the sort - no life in the world outside his office. His pot belly props up the table, and a grey halo sits atop his head. Clearly he was installed here by some rich uncle - as payback for a childhood of buggery. His piercing glare sets and he walls are closing in. Convention must be followed to the letter. No deviation. Deadlines will be met, and deviants will be dismissed. Creativity is banned. The ban amounts to using a sledgehammer to crack a nut; but who am I to judge. My office. typewritter. font. etc. I stand for freedom. Praise Freedom. Praise Allah

Mr. Fox
Dinner with the fox. Not wishing to edge my bets I politely say goodbye. Crossbow.

Last
Sometimes, things don't go as expected. You have got to be the last one standing. I kiss you in vein. No more holding thin hands. I'm not drowning, I'm simply waving goodbye.

The Bureau
Of course, we all know a functioning police state needs no police. "This is probably the largest alleged syndicate that we have smashed," Immigration Secretary said. Destroying the corruption to deport the immigrants. In a statement, a spokesman for the office said: "We are currently reviewing this information. We are also in contact with people who are working with people and we are discussing this issue those people."

Ideas
Leesey and Francis the psychic twins give a lecture on telepathy?

thought that time stopped moving when you last walked out my door said you felt so sorry but it didn't matter any more wonder why you spend so long, pretending you still care the more I rub my eyes the more you were not there did you notice the welcome sign when you walked through my path. under the bushes we nestle in the long grass being in hiding i want to shout it out 'darling i've found it all that i've ever wanted wish that it hadn't taken so long to figure out' When we talk about freedom We will not be free until we have incarcerated those I have a dream