The New World: A Step Backward by Andy Skrzynski Read Free Book Online Page A

home.
    "In follow-up lessons, you'll learn a part of the history about the transformation of the Old World powers, which created the need for such settlements."  Intellulka pulled out an old, dust-coated map and pinned it to the wall.
    Thoruk recalled seeing a similar layout a couple of years back.
    Not skipping a beat, the determined instructor plowed along.  "Some of your previous educators may have taught you a bit of the topics I'm going to cover today.  That's okay.  I'm sure you're going to hear plenty you haven't heard before.
    "I'll speak for awhile, then we'll be more interactive, and I'll ask questions occasionally.  Hopefully you'll provide intelligent responses or guesses.  I'll fill in the blanks.  Raise your hand if you want to ask a question or make a comment.
    "Before I get started with our quaint village, I will briefly summarize what happened during the World Annihilation Period, or WAP, as it's referred to."
    Stormulka's arm shot skyward with a big smile on his face.
    "Already, what do you want young man?"
    "Hey, Teach, you used a dangling preposition."
    The professor's face flushed bright red as he scowled with a heart-stopping look of death.  "First of all, my name isn't 'Teach.'  It never will be!"
    Stormulka squirmed a hundred times in an instant.  "Yes, sir!  I meant to say 'teacher,' sir."
    Leaning forward, Intellulka squinted at the youngster who had squished down in his seat to the size of a large pumpkin, barely peeking over the top of the table.  "Second, you're right.  I did use a dangling preposition.  But when I'm talking, I AIN'T worried about it.  In fact, the only time I care about specific rules is when you are writing.
    "When chatting among friends or a small party, just say what you feel with a sprinkle of common sense.  Don't fret if it doesn't come out exactly right.  But, when you put words to paper, often seen by many, always use correct grammar.  Are we clear on that point?"
    "Yes, sir.  I AIN'T going to mention it again."
    "Good.  Now where was I?  Oh, yea, Ukkiville.  Many of the values and practices our town upholds today stem from what was learned during the transformation of the Old World powers as a result of the World Annihilation Period from 2019 to 2025.
    "There was a coordinated attack on the Western world, by several allied terrorist organizations, along with Old World countries: Russia, China, and Iran.  They destroyed much of the technology and infrastructure the world relied on up to that point.  Businesses, governments, and financial markets were highly dependent on electronic devices called cell phones, computers, televisions, and satellites.
    "Electrical grids supplied much of the energy used by the vast majority of land-based equipment.  Even satellites, orbiting about our atmosphere, required communications from computers reliant on such grids.  Unfortunately, the small, portable nuclear bombs and EMP generators used as weapons wiped out all of that."
    Mercivil raised her arm.  "What is a nuclear bomb — or EMP?"
    "Electromagnetic pulse generator — weapons causing massive destruction and loss of life, but I'll discuss more details about that in later lessons.  For now, just focus on the broader points.  WAP led to a global, financial collapse.
    "The combination of these ruinous catastrophes, in conjunction with an epidemic outbreak of advanced forms of the Ebola and avian flu viruses during the same period, reduced the earth's population by a third.  The whole world, including the devious perpetrators, was drastically affected by the devastation.  Nobody was left untouched.
    "Many government officials thought they would be safe in bunkers, but it wasn't the case.  The attackers used cutting-edge nuclear bombs from Old Iran, suspended by cables in the enclosure of large, shielded rental trucks parked in the vicinity of important defense and commerce control locales.
    "The terrorists and countries involved synchronized the explosion