The short stories that form the lead up to the main book are all separate pieces of fiction, based upon the way the nations of the world are responding to current issues and various crises. They form the beginning of what could be an unlimited number of events, leading to the downward spiral of society, the necessary destruction of all digital infrastructure and the subsequent breakdown of the rule of law and order across the globe; the ultimate result of which is depicted in the main novel, Set in Stone. The ability of humans to govern peacefully and ethically over sustained periods has proven impossible, and asking for ingrained institutions and bureaucratic leviathans to amend their sclerotic ways, elicits massive uproar from the vocal fringe groups, who see change as a capitalist plot to make workers redundant and line the pockets of the wealthy: so there has to be one or more catalysts that forces the hand, with the inevitable upheaval affecting everyone. The book will evolve over time, but i trust it will always maintain its original concept of depicting events from the world stage.