The Last World by CP Bialois Read Free Book Online Page A

you?” He didn’t ask how someone he didn’t know got his direct line , but Doug could imagine the line was being traced as they spoke.
    “I’m sorry to disturb you , sir, but I thought you should know your son’s at Tarken Heights Memorial Hospital. There’s been an accident.”
    The general’s voice tightened . “Is he alright?”
    Doug nodded, though he knew the general couldn’t see him. “He’s doing well. We’re holding him for observation until tomorrow.” He paused, thinking the general wanted to ask something. When he didn’t, Doug continued, “He was found semi-conscious, so we suspect a concussion but he hasn’t shown the usual symptoms.”
    “I see.” Doug could imagine the wheels turning in the general’s head. Fathers tended to worry more than mothers, they just did a better job at hiding it. “So he’s alright?”
    “Yes.”
    Another pause. “Where is your hospital? I’m in D.C. now , but I can be there by morning.”
    Doug smiled . The man wasn’t as aloof as he heard other military parents were. It wasn’t a pleasant stereotype. Doug gave him the address, Tarken Heights was about sixty miles from Washington D.C., and he told the general he’d be back on duty at eight if he had any questions. After thanking him, the general disconnected. Not surprising . Someone as important as a general couldn’t just walk away .
    With his daily duty finished, Doug signed the file and placed it back in the appropriate slot. While their filing system was rather outdated —a nurse would transcribe the notes in the morning—their patient care was not. Doug closed his office door behind him and went to find the evening doctor.

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 6
     
    “This was the world in which we originated from.” Tanok stood off to the side, allowing Franklin to see it.
    Their view was from orbit but he could see every detail and feature on the people’s faces. The cities were orderly and clean, no one ran from place to place in a hurry to go nowhere. Even the cylindrical spacecraft and smaller transportation craft traveled at unbelievable, yet not hurried , speeds. Franklin stared at everything in wild amazement. He never dreamed of something so orderly and un-chaotic. The closest example he could think of was Star Trek , but even that paled in comparison to what he was witnessing.
    While the cities on the planet’s surface astounded him, he marveled at the sight of floating cities thousands of feet above the surface. Built in rectangular or oval shapes, each city was at least four times as large as New York. “What… are those?” He thought for sure they were in his imagination.
    Tanok nodded, his face held a whimsical expression. “Our answer to over-population. Instead of destroying our planet’s life forms by building, we simply moved into cloud cities.”
    “You simply do what?” Try as he might, Franklin couldn’t understand the scientific principles behind such things.
    Tanok looked at him. “I am sorry. I cannot explain it in simpler terms.”
    Franklin stared back, he knew the man wasn’t lying but could he believe him and his own eyes?
    “You are not insane, Franklin. We share a greater understanding those on your world won’t achieve for a thousand years.”
    Franklin watched Tanok for a moment until he realized what he was being told. “We’re a colony.”
    Tanok nodded . “You understand now.”
    No, but I’m beginning to . Franklin looked back toward the planet and the peaceful existence the people enjoyed. “Will we be like them?”
    Tanok didn’t smile or nod, all emotion left his face before he spoke. “That is why I am here.”
    “To help?”
    “Yes.”
    A brilliant white light engulfed Franklin. “No! Not now! Not again!” His cries went unanswered as the light swallowed everything , including himself.
    He opened his eyes to find he was staring at the ceiling of the hospital. Once more , there was no pain aside that which was caused from being ripped