March 23, 1997

The NO FATE shows are the result of my inheriting the "Executive Director In Exile" responsibilities of the Center, and they were, as promised, like nothing Colorado Springs had ever seen.... Though I could not have known the changes committing to such a concept would have on my life, I did not hesitate, knowing that some day I would write this update to the original declaration of intent I wrote on July 11, 1992. In fact, in spite of the mist that obscures the future of much Contemporary Art, I am truly proud of the precedent set by the first three (Garden Of The Gods) NO FATE shows. I am perhaps even prouder to be able to finally list all seven events; by title, and in order:

The retroversary (NO FATE / WAR'S END) of the final victory over SKYNET, as you'll see, has been moved up (why wait?), while the remaining events were tied to 5 deg conjunctions of the Moon and Mars. Landing Area One (August 29-31, 1995), and Second Site (December 31,1996) are history, and SHIFT HAPPENS (August 9, 1997), will complete the Tactical and Strategic (though not necessarily in that order) phases of pre-Judgment Day resistance efforts... with 18>9 days to spare!

Though ALX & I had left the FILM CAN at the Crater in 1984, it was Michael Georges (the only ART PUNK I ever met in Colorado), who first suggested leaving a message for someone in the future who might have the capability of traveling back in time to meet you. From that one casual remark grew T3: The Battle For Cheyenne Mountain; the real-time role-playing game introduced at NO FATE / Shan Kive. T3 not only exposes OpTube ET101; SKYNET's ultimate conspiracy theory / BLACK OP, but opened the door to the creation of STOPTUBE ET101A. 

Something else that could not have been counted on in 1992 was the Internet. Using a global computer network now, to disable SKYNET in 2029, is an elegant solution that only a human mind could have come up with. So..... NO FATE / WAR'S END will be celebrated on Judgment day itself. The fact that we wake up to a new day on August 29, 1997, will be proof that the role-playing game begun in 1992 achieved it's ultimate goal, and future Resistance members DID find STOPTUBE ET101A deep within the Internet archives at NORAD / Andromeda in 2029, and The Book WAS able to upload it into the SKYNET mainframe. We will know that as a result of the new data from our world, introduced into SKYNET's mechanized consciousness by the Resistance in theirs, the original TERMINATION command was rescinded, and the Human Race will have been given yet another chance to rise above the limitations it alone continues to put upon itself. What we do then will be up to us, but at least we'll have a shot at 2K+1 (It IS closer than you think.....). 

If you are reading this, my job is truly finished. The future was not set, and there was NO FATE but that which we made for ourseves. 

"I need a vacation.....". 

Thanks Tim*,

 Michael Sterling
Prime Director
TERMINUS / ULTIMATION

*Georges!!!!! If you're reading this, contact me! / herofx@hotmail.com