Posted by Kelly Steed on November 11, 2001 at 20:42:24:
Stasis by Kelly Steed and Colleen Elliott
An old adage warns if you don’t know your history, you will be forever condemned to repeat it. Likewise, if you don’t know your science fiction, and heed its warnings, you could condemn the Earth to future catastrophe. History has noted that science fiction authors have been visionaries of future realities. Their work should be studied as vigorously as a historian’s to prevent such dire consequences.
Just suppose the Pagan faiths are correct and reincarnation is a natural part of a soul’s life cycle on its quest for perfection. What happens to this cycle if a person, declared clinically dead and placed in cryonic suspension, is brought back to life twenty years later? Would that person’s soul return or would someone, or something else take advantage of that empty vessel, something that was never meant to be human? Most novels deal with cryogenics, the freezing of a living person for purposes of space travel. Stasis is different because it focuses on the revival of the long dead. In Stasis, the authors sought to explore one possible outcome cryonics technology could have on society.
Illinois 2027: Brad Harris is shocked to learn that his grandfather James, declared clinically dead twenty years ago, has been revived from cryonic suspension. James was the black sheep of the family and is a complete enigma to Brad, who was four when he died. James’ death was caused by a brain tumor; but does cellular damage totally account for his strange behavior?
Brad discovers that the world is an infinitely more complex and dangerous place than his Catholic upbringing led him to believe. He finds himself immersed in the paranormal realm of ancient Pagan religions where problems were solved through complex rituals. He must put aside his fear of the unknown and unite with a parapsychologist and an adept mage, risk his life and those of his friends, to stop a force that was never meant to be human or the Earth will forever be plunged into chaos. Stasis is the story of religious belief versus scientific reality and cryonics gone awry.