Dhungwana 2117: A captivating sci-fi novel: The Dhungwana Chronicles (2117-3451) Part 1 by Baibin Nighthawk, Dominick Fencer Read Free Book Online

tomorrow night?”
    “There’ll be about three hundred people. The exhibition vernissage will begin at 6 pm. Our group will be the second to enter. We’ll also visit the museum, but you won’t get bored: the whole twentieth floor is dedicated to the European avant-garde of the twentieth century, the period that you love” Dayla replied. She couldn’t wait to wear her evening gown again and put on her five-inch heels: “I want to dance with you, Ian. I'm going to make sure you don't run away! Be prepared, I'm going to romance you!”
    Ian made a face, he just didn’t like dancing, but the idea of doing something retro tickled him, and besides it would please Dayla who attached so much importance to these events.
    “Ian,” Dayla said, changing the subject: “they have closed yet another shop near my home! Now I have to drive miles to buy food. They speak of a food crisis, but the food costs less than last year, and even less than two years ago. I don’t understand what has happened in the last year: statistics and institutional reports don’t point to any issues related to crops or food speculation.”
    “Yes, you’re right” said Ian: “I noticed that myself. Now I have to go shopping at lunchtime near the BlueGray Corporation; in fact, around my house there are no stores left... It’s also true that the Health Tutor has become very strict with people who break healthy eating regulations or do little physical activity. We’re careful with our diet and exercise routines but not everyone wants to do the necessary hard work.” Ian looked thoughtful, and then continued: “Even BlueGray Corporation has followed the trend changing its strategy on food sourcing, processing and distribution: they have drastically cut back on research in the field, focusing just on biotech and human bionics.”
    “Luckily for us, Ian... otherwise you and I wouldn’t be here tonight celebrating our promotion up three levels… a jump of three levels! That has happened only once before… ten years ago!”
    Ian smiled and got up from his chair to kiss her; he found her incredibly attractive and sexy and, though he still wasn’t ready for marriage, he couldn’t stand even a day going by without seeing her.
    “You're so beautiful, Dayla... I want you, right now” he said in her ear. Then he sat down again.
    “The sand dunes and the waves will hide us” she said, looking over toward the beach behind them and discreetly putting Ian’s hand between her already wet thighs.

20
     
    Ian Lonvell got ready to go out for lunch. He asked several colleagues on the floor if they wanted to join him, but none of them accepted: they were all too busy in their labs or simply not hungry. They openly admitted that they’d rather skip lunch to leave work earlier.
    Ian had now become accustomed to this reply, but, undaunted, every day he asked again anyway.
    He got on the external elevator and looked at his wristsynk, he began a countdown aloud and when he reached zero, he smiled: Mrs. Zebra, as he called her because of the black and white striped pants she wore every day, was passing at that moment in front of the BlueGray Corporation’s entrance with her basset hound, while he looked down from the thirtieth floor. Mrs. Zebra was as usual very punctual, she always stopped to wait for the shuttle and then boarded it greeting the driver invariably with the same gestures.
    Ian left the corporation and headed to the only Eat & Meet that remained open on the block. He ordered a vegetarian sandwich and tap water.
    As he ate, four men at a nearby table caught his eye, they were talking about the weather and Ian had the feeling of having already experienced this same scene; the youngest was talking about a sandstorm that had struck District 3998 causing several deaths and injuries.
    Ian turned to listen to their conversation, and the feeling of having already experienced the moment became even more intense, so much so he could mentally anticipate the