2012-21-12 : Our first day alone. The Universal Intelligence Mosaic is now completely formed and we few that decided not to join are on our own. As someone said, this is the first day of the rest of our lives. To be more accurate, it's the first day of the new world.

I found a couple of old manual typewriters in the remains of the Itascatown settlement that was here in the 1930's, so am using one to do this journal. I also gave one to Muresa at the Baker Island colony, even though he protested. It seems the Baker group are determined to avoid any technology and plan to live as our ancestors did hundreds of years ago. We at Howland, on the other hand, are planning to try to salvage a few of the more easily obtained and maintained technological advances, keeping in mind that we have no electricity here and no gasoline to power generators. For example, we intend to try to get a few of the solar-powered hovercraft that had become so popular in 2010-2011, since they will supposedly operate for years without any significant maintenance.

We were all curious as to what might happen when the UIM was completed, but we've really seen no difference yet. The CATs still allow us to fly easily from island to island, but we've noticed that there are problems when we venture outside of the our 10x10 sector. If flying alone, we are drawn up toward the UIM rather vigorously and must return quickly to the safety of our sector. As long as there are more than one of us and we stay within a few feet of each other, we're able to resist the pull of the UIM. We're concerned that as the UIM matures and continues to gain strength, even multiple flyers might find themselves pulled in. For that reason, we've been discussing trying to turn off the four remaining ground stations that communicate with the UIM. That being done, we'd be free of its attraction, but travel would be restricted to whatever means we had independent of the CATs which would then be inoperable. Before taking this step, we'd want to try to ensure that we had done all of the long-distance travel needed to accumulate whatever technology we decided was necessary.

Muresa and his Baker Island inhabitants are naturally pushing hard to get the UIM turned off, since they have no plans to do any long-distance travelling or collection of technology. They've agreed to wait, however, unless other negative effects of the UIM are noted as time goes on.

I plan to try to make updates in this journal at least weekly to provide a record for future generations, assuming there will be some. There is much to be done right now, however, and possibly little time to do it, so the journal may not get updated as much as I'd like.

Journal of Saufatu

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2013-01-10 : Getting a few things done. We spent Christmas celebrating the fact that we were still here. The UIM doesn't seem to be causing us any problems as long as we don't travel out of the sector. We've been talking a lot about what technology we want to try to recover. Do we try to recover electricity, computers, television, and all the other conveniences we once had? Do we go with Baker Island's choice and just keep life simple? After much discussion, we've sort of figured out that the best approach for us is just start simple, with what we think we really need. Then, as time goes on, we can decide what else we might need.

Right after New Years, I took Gunnar and Lydia with me over to Tokelau to look for some solar-powered hovercraft. I recalled there being a dealer on the island of Nukunonu that was established there shortly after Skybot opened their facility. During 2011, they brought in a good number of hovercraft, which they called hoverwings ... essentially a hovercraft with wing attached that allowed it to "jump" about 20 feet into the air as it travelled over the ground.

The three of us put on our CATs and flew together over to Tokelau, staying close to one another to avoid any problems with the pull from the UIM. We found the dealer, with three brand new hoverwings sitting in the showroom. They were fully charged and ready for use, supposedly good for about 10 years with absolutely no maintenance. I found a couple of photos in the showroom and put them below in the journal.

These craft will carry 4-6 passengers and can be configured for either passengers or equipment. According to the sales brochure, they can clear obstacles and fly over rough water at speeds in excess of 75 mph. The wings can be removed to allow travel into areas that can't be reached by any other type of vehicle. Thinking ahead to the time that our CATs stop working, these craft will allow us to travel almost anywhere, as long as we have sunny days to keep the solar batteries charged.

We each took one of the craft and flew back to Howland. As I skimmed across the water, I thought about the UIM. Was someone up there watching us? Would it cause us problems in the future? With these craft, we'd be able to travel almost anywhere and carry whatever we decided we needed. Having them allowed us to make an early decision on if/when to turn off the UIM.

Another decision facing us was whether we should offer one to the Baker Island crew. If they had no desire for technology and were making no effort to obtain anything, maybe better to just keep these ourselves. They'd probably refuse the offer anyway.

When we returned with the hoverwings, everyone on Howland gathered to see them and wanted to take a ride. Due to the cost, only a few of us had been able to afford one back in the "real world", so it was a real treat for most of us to be able to ride in them and even try taking control. As we talked about this, someone brought up the question on how we were going to refer to the time before 2012-21-12 versus the time after. We couldn't continue calling it the "real world", as we are still in the real world. We initially considered the terms Pre-UIM and Post-UIM, but ultimately decided on Pre-World and Post-World to avoid the term UIM that was fast becoming something we'd like to forget.

After achieving that "critical" decision, we went on to discussions about what else we needed to recover from the Pre-World civilization and when we might want to shutdown the UIM. Along with that topic came the discussion on who wanted to go back to Africa to shutdown Lagos and Abidjan, with the understanding that they wouldn't be able to easily return to Howland since their CATs would then be inoperable. We had several volunteers, but finally selected four, two that had worked at installations in Africa, one from Japan, and one from America. We still haven't determined when we'll send them and do the UIM shutdown, but the Baker Island bunch is pressing to have it done soon. We also came up with a long list of items people thought they needed to bring back, so I suggested we discuss this for a few days and then meet again to decide what is the most important and which should be brought back first. We also tentatively agreed that it might be a good idea to complete the shutdown prior to making more "recovery" trips, on the chance that we might be observed doing all that travel in the hoverwings. We're going to meet back in a week or so to try to come to some final decisions.

2013-01-14 : I flew over to Baker Island yesterday and met with Muresa. As expected, they don't want one of the hovercraft and don't want us to bring anything back for them on our trips back to the "old world." They're also very concerned about us doing travel outside of the Howland/Baker sector, so we've agreed to do all of our retrieval of technology or whatever else we decide we need in two trips, one move back to Tokelau and the other to the Marshall Islands. We figure we can probably get most of what we want from Tokelau, but we threw in the Marshall Island option just in case there were things that can't be found on Tokelau. The Marshalls were much more technologically advanced than Tokelau, due to the extended presence of the American military there for many years.

What remains to be done now is the get everyone together, create a list of desires, then pare that down to a reasonable list of things we can bring back to Howland in the two planned trips. We have three craft and each can carry about 1000 pounds in addition to the pilot. Our plan is to have several people accompany us using their CATs, so we'll have enough manpower to load everything. We'll use these two trips to carry things that are too heavy for a couple of people to lift, while we can still bring additional people using CATs. After the UIM is gone, we'll still be able to make return trips with 2-3 people to carry smaller loads, but won't be able to lift and load larger, heavier material.

I myself haven't thought of much that I think we really need. I'd like to see some real structures built, instead of the huts that we have now. If we could get some concrete mix, we could build some fairly sturdy houses using it with the sand and water that is readily available here. It would also be nice to find some large solar panels, so we'd have the option of generating electricity to provide power if needed. Although we're trying to avoid getting dependent on very many things that require electricity, there's no doubt that we'll come up with a few "necessities" needing power.

One of the areas that have been a concern is how to best provide heat for cooking. There's not enough wood on the island to sustain cooking fires for an extended period and carrying butane or some other fuel from remote locations would be somewhat cumbersome, not to mention the danger of exploding if problems were encountered during transit. The most logical cooking method seems to me to be getting some microwave ovens and using solar panels to generate the electricity needed to power them. They require more electricity than a standard stove and oven, but the power is required for shorter periods of time. In addition, the microwaves would be much easier to transport than a stove. I'll probably suggest that we bring back several, along with the solar panels, on one of our upcoming retrieval trips.

So, that would take care of a secure place to live and a dependable way to prepare food. I guess the only other area that comes to mind is providing food. We've got crops planted and they've been sufficient thus far, but if storms or other natural phenomena managed to destroy the crops, we'd be in trouble. The folks on Baker Island have spent much more time on the water in their outriggers than we have, and they've actually been able to find a fairly good supply of fish in their explorations. Seems like either we'll need to do some fishing ourselves or find some things that we can trade to Baker in return for the fish. It would also probably be worthwhile to find ways to store food, either with refrigeration or some other means.

In preparation for travels by hovercraft, I managed to dig out an old map that I had in my possession. I realized that with all the travel using CATs that we've done, there's been no consideration or concern about how far we have to travel. A few thousand miles is no problem with CATs, but would be prohibitive with the hovercraft. They have an advertised range of 1200 miles, so any trip longer than that would have to be planned with intermediate stops to allow recharge of the solar batteries. Looking at the map that I've included below, it's apparent that Tuvalu, Tokelau, and Marshall Islands are in that 1200-mile range. Likewise, places like Hawaii, Japan, and Australia could probably be reached using intermediate stops, but wouldn't be trips we'd like to attempt very often. Maybe I'll try to pick up a world globe somewhere on one of our retrieval trips, so we can better plan any long trips that might be required.

2013-01-23 : Wow! Over a week since my last entry. Guess I've been busier than I realized. We had a meeting to discuss retrieval needs and decided on concrete mix, microwave ovens, solar panels, rechargeable batteries to power the microwaves and any other electrical "necessities" that we might come up with, a couple of solar-powered refrigeration units, and some fishing equipment.

The first trip was on January 22nd to Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, where a significant military presence was located for quite a few years. As expected, most of what we needed was easily found on Kwajalein. We were even able to get a portable gasoline-powered cement mixer and enough fuel to run it for several hours. That might be enough to mix the cement for at least one house, if we use it sparingly. I also found a nice globe to use for later trip planning. We picked up several sets of batteries at the hoverwing dealer's store to use as backup for our craft. They could also we recharged with solar panels independent of the craft and used to provide electrical power as needed.

When we got back and began to unload all of the equipment, we decided the first structure to be built should be sort of a community center where the batteries, microwave ovens, etc. could be stored out of any bad weather that might happen. Although the weather on Howland is generally ideal and sunny, there is a definite rainy season from November through April, so we hope to get that structure completed before the rains damage our supplies. Our huts have provided adequate protection, but a stable concrete structure would definitely be preferable.

It's become apparent that I've got more important things to do than keeping up this journal, so I think I'll take a break for a short time. We need to complete the construction, decide whether another retrieval trip is necessary, and begin planning for the UIM shutdown. I guess until some of those things are accomplished, I'll not be spending much time on updating the journal. Perhaps at some point I can find someone else that has less responsibilities than me to maintain this log.

2013-01-24 : Well, I've thought about it for a couple of days and decided that I need to record this in my journal for future reference. I don't know what might happen to me and the others in the future, but have decided that this needs to be written for the sake of those who don't already know. We've already agreed not to tell the Baker Island group about our experiences yet, as we don't actually know exactly what happened and what the implications are for the future.

When we made the trip to Kwajalein two days ago, I, Gunnar, and Lydia piloted the hoverwings and there were four others that went with us. The plan was that we all ride over in the hoverwings, then the four of them could use their CATs on the way back as we assumed that the hoverwings would be too full of cargo to allow all of us to ride. By the time we got all of the retrieval items onboard, the craft were so full that there was barely room for the pilots.

All went well until we were about halfway back. The four flying with their CATs were following the three of us in the hoverwings and were staying close together to avoid being pulled into the UIM. We don't know if it was the presence of the three hoverwings or the fact that four were using CATs together, but they suddenly realized that the pull from the UIM seemed to be increasing. The four joined hands and flew up between our hoverwings to tell us about the suddenly overwhelming pull from the UIM. Staying between the hoverwings seemed to help for a time, but the pull continued to grow stronger. Then suddenly without warning, our good friend Sanjeev was pulled from the group and rose up to the UIM so quickly that we had no time to respond. I spotted a small island in front of us, so we landed there together. We all searched the skies above us in hopes that Sanjeev might return, but that was the last we saw of him. He had been the only one in our group from India and will be sorely missed by all of us.

We stayed on the island for about an hour, discussing what we might do to avoid losing anyone else. We finally decided that we'd just have to take enough cargo out of each craft to allow space for each of our companions. After that bad experience with the CATs, we decided that we probably ought to stop using them altogether. It might have been the fact that four were flying together, as we had generally gone out in pairs on past excursions out of our 10°x10° sector. Maybe having four together got the attention of whatever in the UIM causes the pull. Maybe it was the presence of the hoverwings that called attention to us. No matter what the reason, we needed to figure out how to all get back to Howland safely.

We unloaded some of the lighter objects, with the plan that we could return later with a hoverwing and just a couple of people to retrieve it. We covered it with a large tarpaulin to protect it from the weather, tied down with ropes to avoid being blown away. We all then got into the hoverwings and made our way rapidly and carefully back to Howland.

As expected, Sanjeev's absence was noticed as soon as we landed and everyone wanted to hear what had happened. After all had heard the story, we agreed that no more out-of-sector travel by CATs would be attempted and that we'd immediately begin planning for the demise of the UIM. For all we know, it may be growing stronger and waiting longer may bring us to a point that the trip to Africa to turn off the facilities there may become impossible.

We've also decided to go over to Baker (by hoverwing) as soon as possible to tell them what happened and warn them of the potential dangers of further use of the CATs. Since they've rejected all technology, they really haven't been using their CATs much anymore anyway, but a warning is probably still a good idea.

2013-02-06 : Tomorrow is the big day! Gunnar and Yoko, the American and the Japanese lady that are going with Antoine and Bisi back to Africa, made the trip back to the military base at Kwajalein and returned with flight suits, helmets and large backpacks to use on that long trip back to Africa.

Antoine was the primary SGA at Abidjan and Bisi was at Lagos. Antoine and Yoko will therefore go to Abidjan, while Gunnar and Bisi travel to Lagos. The four left last Tuesday, so we expect them to be at their destination sometime in the next day or two.

I'll be flying to Tuvalu tomorrow and Lydia will pilot a hoverwing with Muresa to Tokelau. As soon as we're both in place, we'll be able to communicate and to do some satellite searches online for the four going to Africa.

So, I guess I'd better get a good night's rest tonight, as tomorrow we'll be once again creating a new world, this time with no UIM. Just as we were unsure of the results of the UIM completion on 2012-21-12, we're now apprehensive about what might occur when we shut it down.

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2013-02-14 : Wow! Just got back from a rough week at Tuvalu. I went to Tuvalu last Thursday, February 7th, and Muresa and Lydia went to Tokelau. On Friday, we used the Skybot communications system to try to contact the couples at Abidjan and Lagos, but got no response. After trying for 4 days, we finally got through to Antoine and Yoko in Abidjan. It seems they had some problems with the batteries in the hoverwings, due to long periods of rain and overcast. They had followed the Equator eastward and stopped on the Eastern coast of Sumatra to wait for the sun to come out and recharge their solar batteries. It took about 5 days before they could travel again and they arrived in Abidjan 4 days later than expected. Gunnar and Bisi had stayed the night, then went the next day to Lagos.

Two days ago, we finally heard from Gunnar and Bisi. We all observed the sunrise-sunset times for a day, then decided the best time for the "shutdown" activity would be 6:30 AM GST (6:30 AM in Abidjan), so that it would be daylight in all four locations. It was 5:30 PM in Tokelau and Tuvalu, so was about 90 minutes before sunset. We wanted to perform the action during daylight to ensure having a clear view of the sky to try to see what, if any, changes would be seen as the UIM was disconnected.

This evening at 5 PM, I logged into the MPS at Tuvalu and very soon was in touch with the other three facilities. At precisely 5:30, we all four initiated the shutdown sequence that would sever all connections between Earth and the UIM. I immediately lost communication with the others and the MPS no longer had access to satellite views. I ran outside and held up my CATs, but nothing happened (as expected). I looked up at the sky and noted that it looked much more brilliant than I had recalled it being before. Other than that brilliance, I didn't see any differences in the land around me and everything looked fine. I went back inside and used the master power switch to turn off the entire Skybot facility, as we had agreed to do. The entire activity took less than an hour, so by 6:30 I was on my way back to Howland.

Four hours later, I landed the hoverwing back home on Howland Island. The entire colony was out waiting for me and there was an excited celebration going on. When I landed, the entire group cheered me and everyone was telling me how they'd noticed the brilliance at 5:30 and had known that I was successful. Just as I had done, many of them had run outside and tried to use their CATs, just to make sure that the UIM was no more. By the time I got there, they'd all thrown their CATs into a huge bonfire and there was much dancing and singing going on. This would certainly be a Valentine's Day that wouldn't soon be forgotten.

On the way home, I'd thought about what I would do with my CATs. Like the others, I'd been tempted to get rid of them. I almost threw them far out in the ocean, but finally decided it might be a good idea to hang onto them as a last remnant of the UIM experience. I assumed they would never again be of any use, but I guess we never know what the future might bring. Since they were the only way we had access to the facilities, it might be worthwhile to hold onto them in case we ever needed to return to the Skybot world for any reason.

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