Star Trails Compendium

by Marcha Fox

  He accepted the others were gone and decided that he would honor their memory by doing something to help the cause they cared about. Stress and grief fog the thought process so when he got past his emotional turmoil he was able to finally think clearly and find the solution.

  2. Which trait of Creena's did Dirck change his mind about?

  That she refused to give up when she was committed to something, in this case bringing back their father.

  Chapter 11 (R&D)

  1. R&D stands for "research" and "development." How are the two related?

  Before a new technology can be developed, it needs to be researched and thoroughly understood.

  2. The most expensive part of any endeavor can be the research phase. Why?

  It's difficult if not impossible to predict how long it will take to make a scientific breakthrough. Meanwhile, scientists and engineers need to be paid for their services while their sponsor isn't receiving any income from their efforts. This is why something that may seem like a relatively inexpensive device as far as its parts are concerned may be expensive as the company tries to make up for its investment developing it.

  3. What are the advantages of using a table to record what you know or don't know about something?

  It helps you organize your thoughts and recognize what you know and what you don't. It also helps you set goals and define the tasks which need to be done.

  4. What is "synergy?"

  Synergy refers to the ability derived from two or more substances which none could achieve individually. It can relate to people working together as a team or physical or chemical substances.

  5. How do you think telepathy and other psychic phenomena work?

  Scientist, Dean Radin, PhD, has done a substantial amount of work on these subjects which he has reported in his books "The Conscious Universe" and "Entangled Minds."

  While science still cannot explain exactly how it works, they are beginning to finally accept it along with other paranormal phenomena as worthy of legitimate research. In what may appear to be psi, much progress has been made toward such devices as prosthetic limbs (artificial arms, hands, legs, etc.) which are operated seemingly by the user's thoughts while they are actually driven by electrical impulses to their muscles driven by their brain and consciously thinking about making the device respond.

  Chapter 12 (Discoveries)

  1. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to do something, even if it was wrong? How did you decide what to do?

  2. Why did it get warmer as Deven went deeper into the cavern?

  Geothermal energy, possibly the planet's molten core heating the aquifers, i.e. underground rivers.

  3. What is Deven's most important trait?

  Optimism. He always sees the positive side of any situation and believes that unfortunate ones will turn around. He never stops believing in a favorable outcome.

  Chapter 13 (Contact)

  Why is it important that Creena, Dirck and Win figure out the communication abilities of the crystals before the Integrator does?

  If the Integrator solves the problem first they will use those capabilities against them. Whichever side has them first is nearly assured of victory.

  Chapter 14 (Ethics)

  1. Why did Laren tell them to abandon the crystal research related to time travel?

  He considered it immoral.

  2. Why didn't Laren tell them what he was trying to do onboard the Bezarna Express?

  He wasn't entirely sure their conversation wasn't being monitored and he didn't want them to get their hopes up in case his efforts failed.

  3. Troy and Spoigan have entirely different opinions regarding the incident where several test subjects were killed by Integration's research. Which claim do you think is more valid, that people are important resources or that the trouble makers will be too much of a problem? Why? Is there a compromise that incorporates both arguments?

  4. What is the advantage of having opposing views?

  Seeing a problem from different sides fully defines the issue which often helps find the best solution.

  Chapter 15 (Connecting)

  1. What do you think of the concept of connecting with some people mentally and others emotionally?

  Paul Pearsall, M.D. is a cardiology who has written "The Heart's Code" based us his experience with heart transplant patients. There were numerous instances where the recipient mysteriously acquired memories of the donor, particularly such things as favorite foods. Do you think there are some things you remember with your brain and others with your heart? What type of memories would you store in your heart?

  2. Would you like to have a c-com? Which feature would you like the most? Do you think that "smart phones" will eventually evolve to have the same capabilities?

  Chapter 16 (News)

  Have you ever tried to protect someone's feelings by not telling them something they really needed to know? How did it turn out? Why is it difficult to give a person unfortunate news? Is it to protect them or because you fear dealing with their reaction?

  Chapter 17 (Orders)

  Have you ever been in a position where you had conflicting directives from two people? How did you decide what to do? Sometimes it's a matter of deciding which one needs to be done immediately and which one can wait but other times it's like one person telling you to turn left at the stop sign while another tells you to go right. How do you solve the dilemma?

  Chapter 18 (Motives)

  1. Do you think Sharra's suspicions are accurate? Have you ever suspected someone of doing something that turned out to be untrue? Did your incorrect thoughts cause any problems which could have been avoided if you'd discussed the matter with the person involved?

  2. Why is Spoigan so intrigued by Antara?

  She is not intimidated by him.

  3. Do you think that Antara did the right thing by making her c-com disappear? Or could it cause additional problems? What would you have done?

  Chapter 19 (A Matter of Time)

  Have you ever misunderstood a concept which resulted in coming to an incorrect conclusion? It's also easy to make mistakes and miscalculations. Even computers can make mistakes if they're programmed incorrectly. What mistakes have you made because you didn't understand something?

  Chapter 20 (Waves)

  1. How do you think devenite would react to negative energy? Would it respond to a person's intent if it were selfish or would harm another person? Or would it take them back to the point where the negative energy originated and give the person an opportunity to see things differently?

  2. Sharra has a dilemma. She wants her bondling back. Yet, if he returns, she's afraid she'll have to share him with Bryl. How (if at all) could she resolve the situation?

  3. Scientist Roger Nelson has conducted experiments using a random number generator (RNG), a device that does as its name implies, i.e. picking numbers at random. He has these devices placed in various cities where they are monitored. When an event occurs which affects a large number of people, the random character of the numbers changes. Before the World Trade Center Twin Towers were attacked on September 11, 2001, the RNGs indicated something was going to happen even before it occurred. The RNGs also registered effects for such things as a sports event held in a massive stadium. What do you think the RNGs are picking up?

  Chapter 21 (A Bit of a Break)

  Aggie stated that the c-com was "a communication device that operates by connecting and synching with the encephalographic glial cells of the brain via quantum photon entanglement." This concept has been explored scientifically as part of quantum theory and states that when a photon is split the parts are nonetheless forever tied together. Thus, when something affects one of the parts, all of the others are likewise influenced. Communication occurs instantaneously between them, i.e. faster than the speed of light, which suggests time does not exist. Dean Radin, PhD (mentioned previously in the questions for Chapter
11) has found this to be the case for psychic phenomena as well. When science figures out how this works, what do you think is one application it could be used for besides communicating with other people?

  Chapter 22 (Actions)

  "Action Items" are often assigned at meetings like the ones I attended when I worked for NASA. They consist of a specific assignment given to a person with a deadline as well as instruction regarding to whom they should report the information. Keeping track of actions as well as when they're completed holds the assignees accountable.

  This relates indirectly to whether or not a person is dependable. How many times have you been let down by someone you counted on to help? How many times have you let someone down by not doing what you were expected to do? Why is being a reliable person important?

  Chapter 23 - 24 (Customer Service and Charging)

  1. Bernie and Antara communicate in code which comprises certain phrases which sound one way but mean something entirely different. Have you ever been in a situation where you used some form of a code? What other means of communication can convey a message without saying it directly? Body language and your facial expression are two of the obvious ones, but if you didn't want someone to know what you were saying what are some other means to do so? Would it require making arrangements beforehand for the person to understand or not?

  2. Why do you think Spoigan was bothered by Friar Johann's prayer? Do you think he felt guilty for his intent or was more worried about his own well-being?

  Chapter 25 (Intrusions)

  1. Why do you think Sharra was defensive about Zahra's message?

  2. What does it mean, "Sometimes it's easier to get forgiveness than permission?"

  Doing something you're not supposed to for a good reason may result in not being in trouble with whomever you defied.

  Chapter 26 (Brain Storms)

  1. The world has less and less privacy due to the development of electronic surveillance. This applies to devices such as computers and cell phones as well as actual observing using such things as drones which in some cases can mimic the appearance of a flying insect. Is this a good or bad thing? What are the pros and cons of knowing what people are doing?

  2. Many believe that "thoughts become things." This can be viewed in two ways. First of all, before you accomplish anything it starts with a thought followed by action.

  The other way that it's interpreted is that a thought has metaphysical powers. The philosopher Johann von Goethe stated: "Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now."

  What dream would you like to come true?

  Chapter 27 (Anticipation)

  1. Your subconscious is aware of numerous things your conscious mind misses. Hypnosis is one way to access your subconscious which is sometimes used so people can remember something they have forgotten or perhaps wasn't aware of at the time it occurred. You can tell your subconscious to help you solve a problem when you go to sleep and the next day it's likely you'll find the solution. Why do you think your subconscious is so powerful? Is it a part of your brain or something else? Do you think your consciousness is strictly linked to your physical body? Why or why not?

  2. What would it be like to interact with an intelligent alien species? In this chapter you get a glimpse inside Igni and learn a few things you didn't before. What would the world be like if each community or even city operated like a colony of ants?

  3. What are some of the qualities of Igni's culture?

  Lack of competition in favor of teamwork; Merging thoughts, ideas and ambitions into a single consciousness; No individual was expected to do anything alone; Swarming to assist anyone in trouble; Telepathic communications to name a few.

  Chapter 28 (Ascending)

  1. Why did the Quadrumvirate question Troy about his knowledge regarding Spoigan's visit to Esheron?

  They needed to determine if he was involved in any way with his death.

  2. The "truth disk" used to determine whether or not he was telling the truth is a more advanced version of a lie detector which monitors a person's physical reactions to discern whether or not they are lying. How do you feel when you don't tell the truth? Are there some people you can never fool with a lie? How do you think they can tell?

  Chapter 29 (Light and Dark)

  1. Have you ever been in a situation where you thought you might die? What was your first thought? Were you at peace or terrified?

  2. One thing that technology attempts to do is increase our knowledge and comfort levels. The nanobots in the chairs described in the Star Trails Tetralogy stories sense a person's tension and then give them targeted massage and trigger point therapy to relax the muscles. A long time ago recliner chairs used to vibrate attempting to do the same thing but they were noisy and ineffective. How do you think they might work with nanobots? Nanobots are microscopic size devices which can be programmed. Considering that your muscles operate with electrical signals from your brain, what do you think the nanobots might do to tell a muscle to relax?

  Chapter 30 (Negativity)

  1. What would you think if you were driving a car or piloting an airplane and it suddenly took off in a direction other than where you intended it to go? Would you panic? Someday automobiles may be under the control of some government agency where you program in your destination like you do now with a GPS but instead of driving there yourself, your vehicle would automatically go there? What are the pros and cons of such a system?

  Pros: Would help avoid collisions and other types of accidents; Individual driver abilities would no longer be an issue in traffic safety as well as distractions. You could sit back, do what you want and enjoy the ride; You wouldn't have to worry about getting to your destination, getting lost, etc. Cons: If there were any bugs in the system it could be even worse than current traffic issues; If the government wanted you to be somewhere it could take you there whether or not you wanted to go; Knowing where you are and how you got there would be compromised.

  2. If you have a cell phone are you aware of everything it is capable of doing? How long did it take you to figure out how to do everything you wanted? How many things do you think it can do that you haven't yet discovered? Spend some time exploring its functions and see what handy new app you can find.

  3. What do you think of Deven's insistence that having good on their side is enough? Do you think there are good and bad energies in the Universe? Can you sense when something is good or bad in a moral sense? Do you think that perhaps your conscience is driven by this energy?

  Chapter 31 (Attitude)

  1. What do you think Deven discovered about Cranium Cavern? What were its walls reflecting back? Why does he think the others have to experience it like he did or they might not believe him?

  2. Do you think Bryl was justified not telling everyone of the plans she was putting in place? Is it always good for everyone to know all the facts? Or is leadership sometimes justified in planning for emergencies? Would you panic if you found out something bad was going to happen? What would make you feel better about confronting such a situation?

  Chapter 32 (Karma)

  1. When you are scared or upset can you think clearly? Most people cannot, mostly due to a blast of adrenaline in their system which promotes the "fight or flight" reaction to an emergency. Why would this affect your reasoning?

  All y
our energy needs to be directed toward dealing with the immediate situation. It's past the time to deal with it logically. However, if it's something you've expected or prepared for you will know what to do. This is one of the reasons that First Aid training is so important. When someone is hurt is not the time to learn what to do, it's a time for action and time is critical.

  2. Why do you think that after all the time that Laren has had his c-com that it suddenly requests that he give it a name?

  The device is intelligent and can read his mind. It suspects that he will be more comfortable with it himself if it's more personalized. Furthermore, naming something is considered acceptance of responsibility in various cultures. Thus naming the c-com takes his relationship with it to a different, more intimate level, allowing him to access more capabilities than previously.

  3. What is karma? Why is it an appropriate name for the c-com?

  Karma is the principle that good and bad deeds will always be reciprocated. In other words, if you do good deeds, you will likewise be the beneficiary of goodness and if you do bad deeds, you will have misfortune of the same degree. It's an appropriate name for the c-com since it has the ability to execute Laren's commands which, if good, will bring benefit, and if bad, will bring misfortune.

  Chapter 33 (Refractions)

  1. What do you do when you have a big problem? Do you want to be alone or do you prefer to talk it over with someone you trust? Do you address it with your heart or head?

  2. They say that pessimists are more realistic but optimists accomplish more. Which one are you? Do you always see the bright side of a situation or are you inclined to lean toward gloom and doom whenever anything goes wrong? Do you ever overreact? One way to gauge the importance of a problem is to consider whether in a day, week, month or year it will matter anymore. How can you improve how you deal with problems and challenges?

  3. Can you sense other people's feelings? Those who can feel other's emotions are called empaths, which can be challenging because you can't always tell whether they're your feelings or someone else's. What are the pros and cons of such a sensitivity?

  Chapter 34 (Results)

  1. Have you ever had a dream that came true or other impression that made a difference in your life? What about your conscious dreams, what you want to happen or accomplish? Do you think that they'll come true just because you want them to or do you think you have to take action and work for them? How would having a plan help?