Black Rain: Absorb or die Chapter 1: Author's Notes, a revolution fanfic

BLACK RAIN

Absorb or die

A REVOLUTION FAN-FICTION

By:

A.E. Staten

Part One

1. Author's Notes

Character profiles

Canon alterations/biographies

2. Epigraph

3. Prologue: Hibakusha

4. Despair

5. Bravo

6. Lithium

7. Lampshade

III

Author's notes

My whole life I have loved the art of storytelling. Revolution was concept that resonated with me, however there were issues I had with the show's direction. So, for many reasons I decided to omit the entirety of season two, and focus on a story that I had envisioned, anchored by a strong character-driven narrative and a thirst for authenticity.

Realistically if the events of season one were to happen — the affect on a human heart would be horrific — dramatically shifting a person in a number of ways. Much of which is wrenching and difficult. Because of that, Black Rain takes the story darker than the show portrayed, in an effort to dive into the core of who these characters really are, in response to what they lived through in season one and the events they have yet to face..

Though a darker story at times, as in real life, we are never without hope. And there will be smiles. Essentially that's what this story is: the struggle of reality within themselves and striving for life and redemption amongst the ruin and the rage.

Key points:

— I treat each chapter as an episode of the cable version of Revolution — on HBO or alike, that allows for grittier language and imagery. (I've transitioned this as consistently with the characters themselves, as I believe it would be.)

— Black Rain is structured in three parts.

— My version of the story will not contain the Sci-Fi elements that were a focal in season two. So, if you are here for a story about Nanites, this isn't the story for you.

— As with most TV shows, I introduce new characters and build on ones you may not expect.

— Not all season one characters have main roles in my rewrite.

— I have known many military veterans and have a background as part of a military family. PTSD is something I know first hand and I myself have struggled with some of this. I use a great deal of personal experience to paint the picture of each character's path.

— I'm not going to coddle you and be TELLING you everything. Example: The prologue is not going to be spelled out. I trust you are smart. That you can put pieces together and go with the mystery!

— GOOGLE! If there is terminology you are not familiar with etc., just like any film or book you read.

— CODA: at the end of a chapter, you may find a scene of the following chapter, as a teaser.

— If you have any concerns or questions feel free to ask!

— It's good idea to be fresh on season one!

— I LOVE Easter eggs, foreshadowing, and hidden symbolism... so pro-tip! Titles too!

— The quotes for each chapter mark its theme.

With that said, I also have Neurological Lyme Disease that unfortunately makes this process very difficult. I will do my best to present this story but I may be delayed by pain or function — in error grammatically or alike — so, please be kind!

Character Profiles and Images

Visual storytelling is a big component of my story. Unfortunately this site does not support that. Please view my profile on this site, for links to character profiles and key images! They are important!

Canon Alterations

Just a couple of details of season one, will be amended and/or elaborated on from the canon, to serve the story — but not so much that it takes from the foundation season one laid. They are as follows, including biographies.

1) Bass' affair with Emma:

The flashback scenes in "Home" show Miles and his girlfriend Emma, as well as Bass, hanging out together one night, around 2000-ish in time frame. Later in the episode, in present time, Bass has Emma at gunpoint. She tells him she has a son. We learn through another flashback to that night, that Emma and Bass had an affair. Due to this, we are led to believe that night was the time of pregnancy.

My alteration here is that you walk away — very aware there was an affair, that there is a child, but not 100% of WHEN the child was conceived. Did the affair continue? A later date? How old is this kid? Where is he? That is the mentality I ask you to have.

How does this change the story? It doesn't. At this point in the story, we know very little. The affair still holds weight and has the same consequences. The back story will just unfold differently than what season two made of it. And this will be told in my fiction at some point.

2) Season one ending:

My fiction ends as the following: Aaron disables the program running the Nanities; power restores; Flynn's bombs are launched and he commits suicide, right after speaking the words, "I'm a patriot." Bass witnesses an electrical storm; Power dies. Fade back.

What does that mean?

• "Mr. President."
This ending of season one, is omitted. There is no phone and no president. There is no Cuba.

• NOTE: Power. This is a biggie. REALITY is, even if the Nanities stopped absorbing power, years of war and time, would break electricity's infrastructure — power plants, telephone poles, etc., power would not poof turn on, as the show depicted in the global shots. So, Tom's wife seeing a light go on... it's not reality. I do not want to alter your season one base very much. But authentically, as I re-write season two, just remember the electrical storm and power going out.

• The motivation by Randall Flynn to commit the acts of season one, will be addressed.

Biographies

Miles:

• Miles is three years older than Bass; an older brother figure, which is shown in Bass' attachment to Miles.

• Miles graduated high school in 2000.

• He went to college and upon graduation in 2004 went into the Marine Corps as an officer at the age of 22.

• He was in the Corps for 8 years and deployed twice.

• At time of blackout, he was 30-years-old.

• At the start of season one he was 45-years-old.

(Military side note: In the show Bass/Miles were stationed at Paris Island Marine Base in South Carolina. This is not accurate in accordance to the story or the Marine Corps. It is a recruiting depot, where you go for boot camp, not a base they would be stationed, based on the billet of the type of marines the show made of them. In my story, they were stationed at Camp Lejune in North Carolina.]

Bass:

• Bass graduated high school in 2003.

• He did not go to college, so he enlisted as a infantryman in 2004, at the age of 18.

• At time of blackout, he was 27-years-old.

• At the start of season one he was 42-years-old.

Charlie:

• Born 2005.

• 7-years-old at blackout. This fits the story more accurately, given flashbacks and Danny's stated age of 19, in season one.

• 22 at start of season one and entering into my fiction she is in her mid-20s.

A special thank you and dedication to my dear friend "VampFan" (conceal her real name for privacy). You have been not just an amazing sounding board in this process, but a great friend! I can't thank you enough!

Also included is several people that read and gave notes, some full-on edits. (AMAZING!) Willow Black, Christy, MotherRunner, Loveforthestory, and several others. THANK YOU so very much for your time and heart!

Disclaimer: I have a background in writing for public relations and marketing. I've worked within television production, but I have never written full-length fiction. Again, with that said, I also have Neurological Lyme Disease that unfortunately makes this process very difficult and I fear I may not be running at full brain capacity for this to be all I'd want it to be. Hoping I don't suck!

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions! I'd love to answer! You can find me on Tumblr BlondieTvJunkie or on email: blondietvjunkie

Thank you,

A.E.