Brayn
by Wiel Baaten
Most of his childhood, Frank Todd felt like a grownup trapped in a child’s body. He had hoped that Chesterfield High would finally welcome him into the ranks of adulthood. Much to his grief, however, he discovers that most teachers treat their students as no better than juvenile delinquents and that most kids act as such. In the final year of Chesterfield High, he meets Ray Chandier, a kindred soul and only child of the founder of multi-national Chandier Chemicals. Frank and Ray become good friends, until a horrific incident in the last term ends their friendship. After graduation, Ray leaves for Switzerland to study biochemistry and Frank signs up for computer science at the university in his home town.
Years later, Ray, who is researching a cure for Alzheimer’s, contacts Frank with the intention to renew their friendship. Frank, who is employed by Electron International and participates in the development of an Artificial Intelligence computer system, is reluctant at first. Ray not only convinces Frank to try and revive their friendship, but also manages to become part of Frank’s AI development team. Ray hopes to find a cure for Alzheimer’s in the complicated world of electronic relays and expects Frank and his teammates to teach him the tricks of the trade. Shortly after Ray joins the AI team, he builds a laboratory facility in the basement of the Electron building and resumes his Alzheimer’s research.
Ray is consumed by his work in the laboratory and after two years is on the verge of a breakdown. He goes on a trip to Switzerland and returns changed, for the better, it seems. Not only has he lost all of the mad-scientist symptoms, but on several occasions he demonstrates an increase of his mental abilities: telekinesis, telepathy, and foresight.
When Frank discovers that Ray has been experimenting on Alzheimer’s patients and that his former high school buddy is involved in the death of his father, Ray appears in his dreams and warns him to back off. Together with the help of Bill Rankon, a friend who used to work for Army Intelligence, Frank wants to expose Ray for what he is, a power-hungry messiah on a mission to change the world.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born and raised in the Netherlands, Wiel got a bachelor’s degree in surveying in 1986. In 1994, Wiel, his wife, and his son emigrated to Canada, where he works as a computer programmer. Writing has been a hobby of Wiel’s since high school. In 2004, he felt confident enough to write a novel in the English language, as opposed to short stories in Dutch. Hesitant about the quality of his writings, which was extensively edited by his wife, he handed his manuscript to a number of friends and colleagues. Amazingly, the majority of the reactions he received were positive and constructive. After implementing some of the suggested changes and numerous reviews of the manuscript, he decided to self-publish the book.
(2006, paperback, 128 pages)
Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days.
Most of his childhood, Frank Todd felt like a grownup trapped in a child’s body. He had hoped that Chesterfield High would finally welcome him into the ranks of adulthood. Much to his grief, however, he discovers that most teachers treat their students as no better than juvenile delinquents and that most kids act as such. In the final year of Chesterfield High, he meets Ray Chandier, a kindred soul and only child of the founder of multi-national Chandier Chemicals. Frank and Ray become good friends, until a horrific incident in the last term ends their friendship. After graduation, Ray leaves for Switzerland to study biochemistry and Frank signs up for computer science at the university in his home town.
Years later, Ray, who is researching a cure for Alzheimer’s, contacts Frank with the intention to renew their friendship. Frank, who is employed by Electron International and participates in the development of an Artificial Intelligence computer system, is reluctant at first. Ray not only convinces Frank to try and revive their friendship, but also manages to become part of Frank’s AI development team. Ray hopes to find a cure for Alzheimer’s in the complicated world of electronic relays and expects Frank and his teammates to teach him the tricks of the trade. Shortly after Ray joins the AI team, he builds a laboratory facility in the basement of the Electron building and resumes his Alzheimer’s research.
Ray is consumed by his work in the laboratory and after two years is on the verge of a breakdown. He goes on a trip to Switzerland and returns changed, for the better, it seems. Not only has he lost all of the mad-scientist symptoms, but on several occasions he demonstrates an increase of his mental abilities: telekinesis, telepathy, and foresight.
When Frank discovers that Ray has been experimenting on Alzheimer’s patients and that his former high school buddy is involved in the death of his father, Ray appears in his dreams and warns him to back off. Together with the help of Bill Rankon, a friend who used to work for Army Intelligence, Frank wants to expose Ray for what he is, a power-hungry messiah on a mission to change the world.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born and raised in the Netherlands, Wiel got a bachelor’s degree in surveying in 1986. In 1994, Wiel, his wife, and his son emigrated to Canada, where he works as a computer programmer. Writing has been a hobby of Wiel’s since high school. In 2004, he felt confident enough to write a novel in the English language, as opposed to short stories in Dutch. Hesitant about the quality of his writings, which was extensively edited by his wife, he handed his manuscript to a number of friends and colleagues. Amazingly, the majority of the reactions he received were positive and constructive. After implementing some of the suggested changes and numerous reviews of the manuscript, he decided to self-publish the book.
(2006, paperback, 128 pages)
Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days.
Accessories
This book is also available for download as an E-Book in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. Get the same great book to read on your computer or PDA! It's less expensive and it saves paper! NOTE: In order to view this e-book, your computer will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. Many computers are sold with the program already installed, but if you don't have it, you can download it for free: CLICK HERE $10.00 | “In 2004, I quit a job that no longer was able to challenge my restless mind,” Baaten recalls. “Inspired by my love for writing and at a loss of how to continue my professional career, I decided to put my skills as a writer to the test.” - - Stony Plain Reporter/Grove Examiner, Shawn Hamm, Contributing Writer, April 13, 2007 |
