Predictable Paths Series

In the restless heart of Austin, Texas, where suffocating heat darkly complements the stifling societal pressures of 2034, Rose Rulapaugh—besieged by life's harsh realities—struggles to find her place.   Shattered dreams line her path: a high school pregnancy ending in tragedy and a promising education never pursued. Jobless, languishing, and living in the family's rented duplex the last five years, the burdens are multiplying. Her mom's medical condition is deteriorating, and her younger brother Jack is tripping down the father's path of irresponsibility.   A hurricane sets off local tornados, destroying the duplex and swamping Austin with millions of coastal immigrants. Rose is forced to quickly find shelter for her and her dog. By a stroke of luck, she encounters Tyren, a genetic engineering postdoc student working a secret project. Tyren provides lodging in his converted garage while promising to help Rose achieve her dream of genetically resurrecting an ancient Shasta Ground Sloth.    Rose's native skepticism is on high alert. Nothing could be that easy. She wonders if Tyren's generosity is from the heart, or if he's expecting 'recompense' that she's unable to provide given her difficult past and restrictive reproductive laws.   As she expects, every silver lining has its clouds. Dr. Amy Lee, Tyren's boss, offers her a no-questions-asked job at a genetics company. She then chastises Rose for exposing critical projects and potentially releasing virulent pathogens. And, despite Rose's best efforts to avoid it, she and Tyren might be getting closer. Too close.    Can Rose find meaning and purpose as she navigates her existential future in a city bursting at the seams from global warming? Will she be forced to choose between succumbing to life's relentless grind or embarking on a transformative quest for personal identity, agency, and even redemption?     PREDICTABLE PATHS episodes, in sequential order: #1. AGENESS - A Longevity / Age Engineering Science Fiction Play on Our Imminent Ageless Dystopia ; Six Acts, Episodes -22 to -17 #2. CLIMATIC - A Climate and Genetic Engineering Science Fiction Novel; Episodes -16 to -2 #3. AMYGDALA HIJACK - A Genetic Engineering Sci-Fi Novel of Impending Dystopia (a Trilogy)    3.1 - Amygdala Hijack - The Waening, Part 1 of 3; Episodes 1 - 9   3.2 - Amygdala Hijack - The Warning, Part 2 of 3; Episodes 10 - 18   3.3 - Amygdala Hijack - The Wasting, Part 3 of 3; Episodes 19 - 28 #4. THREE GUYS IN A POST-APOCALYPTIC BAR - A Longevity / Age Engineering and Genetic Engineering Sci-Fi Novella ; Episodes 47 - 54 #5. INFINITY CURVE - Lamentations to Unseen Friends Across the Vastness of Space ; Episodes 56 - 78 #6. PATH TO ENTROPY - An Apocalyptic Climax ; Episodes 79 - 93 #7. SORD IN PROSPERITY - Hope Beyond the Apocalypse ; Episodes 118 - 159 #8. DAISY THE DUMPSTER DOG - A Sordid Tale of Dystopian Hubris and Convenient Canine Rationalizations (But Not a Supreme Court Satire or Parody) ; Episodes 311 - 337

Ageness [#dystopian #apocalyptic #lifeextension] - A Longevity / Age Engineering Science Fiction Play on our Imminent Ageless Dystopia; Book 1 of 8 in the Predictable Paths series _____________ Four billionaires conspire to control the availability of a remarkable new longevity drug, hoping to expand their obscene wealth and power through eternity while selectively choosing those deemed 'most worthy' of living immortal lives.   Mia Seis, a scientist responsible for the breakthrough drug, uncovers their sinister plot. Her billionaire boss just placed a death mark on a co-worker who demanded that the monumental discovery should benefit all humanity, not just the chosen few. Meanwhile, he abusively commands her to finish formulating an easily injectable solution.  Enraged and desperately seeking refuge from his outrageous ultimatums, a new friend suggests she should do her job and forget the politics. Another offers conditional protection from her colleague's fate. She trembles with rage towards her boss yet can't pull away from the attachment she has to her work. Will she get out safely before the axe falls - literally?   PREDICTABLE PATHS episodes, in sequential order: #1. AGENESS - A Longevity / Age Engineering Science Fiction Play on Our Imminent Ageless Dystopia ; Six Acts, Episodes -22 to -17 #2. CLIMATIC - A Climate and Genetic Engineering Science Fiction Novel; Episodes -16 to -2 #3. AMYGDALA HIJACK - A Genetic Engineering Sci-Fi Novel of Impending Dystopia (a Trilogy)    3.1 - Amygdala Hijack - The Waening, Part 1 of 3; Episodes 1 - 9   3.2 - Amygdala Hijack - The Warning, Part 2 of 3; Episodes 10 - 18   3.3 - Amygdala Hijack - The Wasting, Part 3 of 3; Episodes 19 - 28 #4. THREE GUYS IN A POST-APOCALYPTIC BAR - A Longevity / Age Engineering and Genetic Engineering Sci-Fi Novella ; Episodes 47 - 54 #5. INFINITY CURVE - Lamentations to Unseen Friends Across the Vastness of Space ; Episodes 56 - 78 #6. PATH TO ENTROPY - An Apocalyptic Climax ; Episodes 79 - 93 #7. SORD IN PROSPERITY - Hope Beyond the Apocalypse ; Episodes 118 - 159 #8. DAISY THE DUMPSTER DOG - A Sordid Tale of Dystopian Hubris and Convenient Canine Rationalizations (But Not a Supreme Court Satire or Parody) ; Episodes 311 - 337

A golden obelisk crash-lands on a Saskatchewan farm and warns of an impending alien invasion. Searching for silver linings, science podcaster Peter Scott and his small team are elated at this event and hope the new existential threat might improve their sagging ratings. They capitalize on growing fears of invasion by interviewing experts with unorthodox solutions to defend Earth.  But 2037 is no ordinary year. DNA is just another programming language, and CRISPR-centric, body-altering tech is now a plaything for the masses. Humans are hybridizing at breakneck speed, sporting subdermal chips, animal traits, and flesh-metal integrations. While this radical new tech spins off the rails, society convulses violently as biases and hatreds escalate between humans and hybrids.  Conservatives vs. Progressives; Majorities vs. Minorities; Humans vs. Hybrids, and now Humanity vs. Aliens...where will it all end? Yet alien marauders and social disruptions aren't the only challenges. Shadowy forces are threatening to kill the podcast – or the team. Is there any hope of escaping their dire predicament?   5 Stars***** Imminent Future, or Imminent Extinction? A fascinating leap into the imminent future...when Genetic Engineering and Genetic Modification have advanced astronomically (Goodreads Reviews).   PREDICTABLE PATHS episodes, in sequential order: #1. AGENESS - A Longevity / Age Engineering Science Fiction Play on Our Imminent Ageless Dystopia ; Six Acts, Episodes -22 to -17 #2. CLIMATIC - A Climate and Genetic Engineering Science Fiction Novel; Episodes -16 to -2 #3. AMYGDALA HIJACK - A Genetic Engineering Sci-Fi Novel of Impending Dystopia (a Trilogy)    3.1 - Amygdala Hijack - The Waening, Part 1 of 3; Episodes 1 - 9   3.2 - Amygdala Hijack - The Warning, Part 2 of 3; Episodes 10 - 18   3.3 - Amygdala Hijack - The Wasting, Part 3 of 3; Episodes 19 - 28 #4. THREE GUYS IN A POST-APOCALYPTIC BAR - A Longevity / Age Engineering and Genetic Engineering Sci-Fi Novella ; Episodes 47 - 54 #5. INFINITY CURVE - Lamentations to Unseen Friends Across the Vastness of Space ; Episodes 56 - 78 #6. PATH TO ENTROPY - An Apocalyptic Climax ; Episodes 79 - 93 #7. SORD IN PROSPERITY - Hope Beyond the Apocalypse ; Episodes 118 - 159 #8 . DAISY THE DUMPSTER DOG - A Sordid Tale of Dystopian Hubris and Convenient Canine Rationalizations (But Not a Supreme Court Satire or Parody) ; Episodes 311 - 337

Three Guys in a Post-Apocalyptic Bar [#postapocalyptic #dystopian #sciencefiction] - A Longevity / Age Engineering and Genetic Engineering Science Fiction Novella by Blade Cort; Book 4 of 8 in the Predictable Paths series ________ It's 2054, 17 years after the Great Debacle that killed billions. Long-time high school wrestling buddies Sam and Ross sit in their favorite bar, embroiled in a pointless discussion about the new anti-aging treatments being offered to extend life for hundreds of years. Sam says it's foolish to even consider these therapies given the abysmal state of their post-Debacle world and the chaos they both endured in the last few decades. Ross, however, is intrigued by the idea and longs for the chance to experience a longer life span.  Suddenly, a stranger joins them, and they can't help but suspect that he may be an undercover thug sent to hunt down radical types who denigrate the budding oligarch-controlled state. The trio continues the conversation with derision and cussing, debating both sides of longevity technology and its impacts on human society.  Will Sam and Ross get red-flagged for their radical views, and can anything useful arise from all the squabbling? Probably not – but you never know.   PREDICTABLE PATHS episodes, in sequential order: #1. AGENESS - A Longevity / Age Engineering Science Fiction Play on Our Imminent Ageless Dystopia ; Six Acts, Episodes -22 to -17 #2. CLIMATIC - A Climate and Genetic Engineering Science Fiction Novel; Episodes -16 to -2 #3. AMYGDALA HIJACK - A Genetic Engineering Sci-Fi Novel of Impending Dystopia (a Trilogy)    3.1 - Amygdala Hijack - The Waening, Part 1 of 3; Episodes 1 - 9   3.2 - Amygdala Hijack - The Warning, Part 2 of 3; Episodes 10 - 18   3.3 - Amygdala Hijack - The Wasting, Part 3 of 3; Episodes 19 - 28 #4. THREE GUYS IN A POST-APOCALYPTIC BAR - A Longevity / Age Engineering and Genetic Engineering Sci-Fi Novella ; Episodes 47 - 54 #5. INFINITY CURVE - Lamentations to Unseen Friends Across the Vastness of Space ; Episodes 56 - 78 #6. PATH TO ENTROPY - An Apocalyptic Climax ; Episodes 79 - 93 #7. SORD IN PROSPERITY - Hope Beyond the Apocalypse ; Episodes 118 - 159 #8 . DAISY THE DUMPSTER DOG - A Sordid Tale of Dystopian Hubris and Convenient Canine Rationalizations (But Not a Supreme Court Satire or Parody) ; Episodes 311 - 337

Infinity Curve - Dystopian Novel [#postapocalyptic #dystopian #lifeextension] Book 5 of 8 in the Predictable Paths series] ________ Rick's mission is clear: broadcast a last-ditch signal, a brilliant laser warning to alert alien civilizations about humanity's innermost secrets and expected downfall. It's 2075, and the post-apocalyptic nation-state in which he lives is ruled by oligarchs who use ironclad AI surveillance tech to prevent a second cataclysm. Any minor embarrassment could result in death to the perpetrator. Despite the risk, Rick is not happy with the oppressive control or the lazy grift of humanity and wants to do one last meaningful thing in life, even if unseen aliens are the only beneficiaries. He and Sofia execute a master plan to construct a powerful petawatt laser, then use it to bluster forth his volatile, pedantic rant on the state of the world. But the long arms of the tech-rich oligarchy are quickly sniffing out his activities. Suspicion is growing fast, and he's running out of time.   PREDICTABLE PATHS episodes, in sequential order: #1. AGENESS - A Longevity / Age Engineering Science Fiction Play on Our Imminent Ageless Dystopia ; Six Acts, Episodes -22 to -17 #2. CLIMATIC - A Climate and Genetic Engineering Science Fiction Novel; Episodes -16 to -2 #3. AMYGDALA HIJACK - A Genetic Engineering Sci-Fi Novel of Impending Dystopia (a Trilogy)    3.1 - Amygdala Hijack - The Waening, Part 1 of 3; Episodes 1 - 9   3.2 - Amygdala Hijack - The Warning, Part 2 of 3; Episodes 10 - 18   3.3 - Amygdala Hijack - The Wasting, Part 3 of 3; Episodes 19 - 28 #4. THREE GUYS IN A POST-APOCALYPTIC BAR - A Longevity / Age Engineering and Genetic Engineering Sci-Fi Novella ; Episodes 47 - 54 #5. INFINITY CURVE - Lamentations to Unseen Friends Across the Vastness of Space ; Episodes 56 - 78 #6. PATH TO ENTROPY - An Apocalyptic Climax ; Episodes 79 - 93 #7. SORD IN PROSPERITY - Hope Beyond the Apocalypse ; Episodes 118 - 159 #8. DAISY THE DUMPSTER DOG - A Sordid Tale of Dystopian Hubris and Convenient Canine Rationalizations (But Not a Supreme Court Satire or Parody) ; Episodes 311 - 337

Path to Entropy - An Apocalyptic Climax [#Dystopian, #PostApocalyptic, #GeneticEngineering], Book 6 of 8 in the Predictable Paths series   A narcissistic, unhinged oligarch reigns over a destitute, post-apocalyptic domain in the western part of what once was America. Sara, his communications minister, stands behind him despite his megalomania. She tells her team: "Work is work, and you should take pride in it, even when your job is to deny, divert, distract, detract, and deceive, no matter how despicable the outcome." Yet this day is not going so well. Ron, her maniacal and likely AI-controlled boss, is berating his ministers, raging about a highly visible, embarrassing incident that puts his leadership in doubt. He orders Sara to develop the response - gloss over it, blame the locals, or accuse their many regional enemies of stirring up historical animosities. But such accusations could elicit a cascade of destructive reactions from their belligerent, tech-rich adversaries. Will her efforts unwittingly set the world ablaze?   PREDICTABLE PATHS episodes, in sequential order: #1. AGENESS - A Longevity / Age Engineering Science Fiction Play on Our Imminent Ageless Dystopia ; Six Acts, Episodes -22 to -17 #2. CLIMATIC - A Climate and Genetic Engineering Science Fiction Novel; Episodes -16 to -2 #3. AMYGDALA HIJACK - A Genetic Engineering Sci-Fi Novel of Impending Dystopia (a Trilogy)    3.1 - Amygdala Hijack - The Waening, Part 1 of 3; Episodes 1 - 9   3.2 - Amygdala Hijack - The Warning, Part 2 of 3; Episodes 10 - 18   3.3 - Amygdala Hijack - The Wasting, Part 3 of 3; Episodes 19 - 28 #4. THREE GUYS IN A POST-APOCALYPTIC BAR - A Longevity / Age Engineering and Genetic Engineering Sci-Fi Novella ; Episodes 47 - 54 #5. INFINITY CURVE - Lamentations to Unseen Friends Across the Vastness of Space ; Episodes 56 - 78 #6. PATH TO ENTROPY - An Apocalyptic Climax ; Episodes 79 - 93 #7. SORD IN PROSPERITY - Hope Beyond the Apocalypse ; Episodes 118 - 159 #8. DAISY THE DUMPSTER DOG - A Sordid Tale of Dystopian Hubris and Convenient Canine Rationalizations (But Not a Supreme Court Satire or Parody) ; Episodes 311 - 337

Daisy the Dumpster Dog - a Sordid Tale of Dystopian Hubris and Convenient Canine Rationalizations (But Not a Supreme Court Satire or Parody) by Blade Cort; Book 8 of 8 in the Predictable Paths series. ____________________________ Daisy is enjoying a great day, eagerly awaiting the arrival of dumpster Delights. But before she can set her paws on any goodies, Rat Dog gimps-in from nowhere and mocks her oversized ears and stubby tail, then treats her friends with equal impertinence. The sniveling, half-breed chihuahua also has the audacity to demand his fair share of dumpster Delights, angering the high-born purebreds who claim first dibs over lowly mongrels like himself.  Daisy and friends tentatively take the Rat into their lair but are soon sorry they did so. Seeking justice, he picks fights with the snootiest snouts in the land, from the lowliest pack bosses to the Fidoish Club, GogMadDog, and Swatter Bowl Mangi. Who dares bark against the most-high Mangi when they regularly commune with the pretty dead demidog founders and purveyors of the Canistution? Who dares mock their pedigreed interpretations that are divined after wriggling and wraggling on their backs in prescient visions of the founders' musty and most holy intentions? Rat Dog does, in his own words (sic): "Will you ever speak on your own behalf, or will you always follow the stinky scent to a predictable and dreary bowl of chow that someone else put out for you? If so, then roll over and be a good boy while your trainers pull at your leash and chain and bark commands at you from behind the dark doggie door." Given his limited peanut brain, the Rat fears nothing. Can he bring about equity in dogdom and obtain his fair share of dumpster Delights, or will he get ingloriously popped like the troublesome tick that he is? <><><> "Three stale biscuits for the dogged attempt at sticking a nose into unsniffable places while whining grievously at obedient originalism." Saz Nowon, Da Howl   PREDICTABLE PATHS episodes, in sequential order: #1. AGENESS - A Longevity / Age Engineering Science Fiction Play on Our Imminent Ageless Dystopia ; Six Acts, Episodes -22 to -17 #2. CLIMATIC - A Climate and Genetic Engineering Science Fiction Novel; Episodes -16 to -2 #3. AMYGDALA HIJACK - A Genetic Engineering Sci-Fi Novel of Impending Dystopia (a Trilogy)    3.1 - Amygdala Hijack - The Waening, Part 1 of 3; Episodes 1 - 9   3.2 - Amygdala Hijack - The Warning, Part 2 of 3; Episodes 10 - 18   3.3 - Amygdala Hijack - The Wasting, Part 3 of 3; Episodes 19 - 28 #4. THREE GUYS IN A POST-APOCALYPTIC BAR - A Longevity / Age Engineering and Genetic Engineering Sci-Fi Novella ; Episodes 47 - 54 #5. INFINITY CURVE - Lamentations to Unseen Friends Across the Vastness of Space ; Episodes 56 - 78 #6. PATH TO ENTROPY - An Apocalyptic Climax ; Episodes 79 - 93 #7. SORD IN PROSPERITY - Hope Beyond the Apocalypse ; Episodes 118 - 159 #8. DAISY THE DUMPSTER DOG - A Sordid Tale of Dystopian Hubris and Convenient Canine Rationalizations (But Not a Supreme Court Satire or Parody) ; Episodes 311 - 337

Sord in Prosperity [eBook: #postapocalyptic #dystopian #longevityfiction] - A Genetic Engineering Science Fiction Novel by Blade Cort; Book 7 of 8 in the Predictable Paths series ______________________ Sord is a typical teenager who attends high school in Prosperity, the domed nation-state arising from the ashes of a second Great Debacle that left the species clinging to a tenuous edge. Prosperity is humanity's last gasp at establishing a long-lasting society based on principles of compassion and kindness. Although he is sheltered from the harsh conditions and violent encampments beyond the safety of the dome, Sord yearns for something more. He wants to experience the world as previous generations did before the Debacles destroyed everything they knew. To help him learn about those times, his mother gives him a diary written by one of their ancestors. At first, Sord finds it tedious and boring, but he soon recognizes key parallels and senses there is more to the diary than meets the eye.  Trouble seems to trail the poor boy, however, just like it did his ancestor. After a near-death incident, he finds an ebullient new girlfriend, and together they embark on an edgy adventure to uncover the truth behind his father's mysterious disappearance. Will their quest lead them into even greater danger?    PREDICTABLE PATHS episodes, in sequential order: #1. AGENESS - A Longevity / Age Engineering Science Fiction Play on Our Imminent Ageless Dystopia ; Six Acts, Episodes -22 to -17 #2. CLIMATIC - A Climate and Genetic Engineering Science Fiction Novel; Episodes -16 to -2 #3. AMYGDALA HIJACK - A Genetic Engineering Sci-Fi Novel of Impending Dystopia (a Trilogy)    3.1 - Amygdala Hijack - The Waening, Part 1 of 3; Episodes 1 - 9   3.2 - Amygdala Hijack - The Warning, Part 2 of 3; Episodes 10 - 18   3.3 - Amygdala Hijack - The Wasting, Part 3 of 3; Episodes 19 - 28 #4. THREE GUYS IN A POST-APOCALYPTIC BAR - A Longevity / Age Engineering and Genetic Engineering Sci-Fi Novella ; Episodes 47 - 54 #5. INFINITY CURVE - Lamentations to Unseen Friends Across the Vastness of Space ; Episodes 56 - 78 #6. PATH TO ENTROPY - An Apocalyptic Climax ; Episodes 79 - 93 #7. SORD IN PROSPERITY - Hope Beyond the Apocalypse ; Episodes 118 - 159 #8. DAISY THE DUMPSTER DOG - A Sordid Tale of Dystopian Hubris and Convenient Canine Rationalizations (But Not a Supreme Court Satire or Parody) ; Episodes 311 - 337