Trans-Human (Post-Human Sequel) by David Simpson Read Free Book Online

from James at the same time that every other human in the solar system received it: the aliens would arrive in a matter of minutes and their intent was to kill.
    There was a steady stream of screams now.
    Their home wasn’t ready yet, but it didn’t matter. “Everyone, get on the ship now!” Rich shouted as he scooped his great grandchild into his arms and guided one of his granddaughters inside.
    He turned and took one last look at the surface. This was it. He inhaled his last breath of fresh air before floating up into the ship.
    “Richard, the ship isn’t finished yet!” Linda exclaimed.
    “We don’t have a choice,” he said. “Our only chance is to scatter. Even with the numbers they have, they can’t be everywhere at once. Every second we stay behind, we’re increasing the chances that they’ll find us and James says they’re killing on contact.”
    “Is everyone on board?” she asked.
    Rich checked his mind’s eye to see if everyone was accounted for. They were.
    “We’re ready to go,” Rich announced. The crudely constructed ship lifted off into the sky.

20
    With only minutes left until contact, James watched the frantic building of the Purist ship. He had selected a design and the ship was forming before his eyes, but the intricate design of a spacecraft that could keep the Purists alive meant that the building was taking time. It wouldn’t be finished by the time the invasion arrived.
    Thousands of Purists were streaming into the hangar, only to be mortified by the bewildering technological wonder that was taking place before their eyes. The nans churned in black tornadoes and formed colossal metallic shapes out of seemingly thin air.
    “This nightmare is endless,” Governor Wong said as he set eyes upon the construction for the first time.
    “We had no choice, Governor,” Old-timer said in an attempt to console the Purist leader, who appeared to be nearing his wit’s end. “The only way to give us a fighting chance is if we are underground. The surface will be compromised in a matter of minutes.”
    “This all sounds too familiar,” Governor Wong replied tersely.
    As the Governor walked towards his people so that he could be with them during the construction, Alejandra held up and stayed close to Old-timer. “You’re worried for your wife,” she observed.
    Old-timer nodded. “I thought she’d have more time. We spoke. She’ll get off the planet with her family. I’ll meet them when we’re finished here.”
    Alejandra sensed the conflict within Old-timer. Even he wasn’t sure if he was helping the Purists because it was the right thing to do—or because of Alejandra. “You don’t have to stay to help us, you know,” she said to him. She didn’t want to tell him that she was glad he was staying. Sometimes, she felt it was a good thing that other people couldn’t read her emotions the way she could read theirs.
    Their eyes met once again. “Alejandra... you told me once that feelings can never be wrong—only actions can be wrong.”
    “I remember,” she replied.
    “Well, I don’t know if what I am doing is right. I’m not sure of where I should be. I hope my actions are the right ones.”
    “If you’re following what feels right, then you are doing the right thing, Craig.”
    There was a long pause as Old-timer tried to find the right words. “Alejandra, you are aware of how I feel right now, aren’t you?”
    She nodded. “I am.”
    “I can’t change it,” he said with resignation.
    She smiled. “I’m glad you can’t change it. I’m glad that I get to be with you for a little while longer.”

21
    “How do I stop it?” James demanded of the A.I..
    “There’s no stopping this,” the A.I. replied.
    “If it destroys me, then it destroys you,” James pointed out.
    “I rather doubt it,” the A.I. replied. “I am, after all, one of them.”
    “No you’re not,” James countered. “The alien is interested in the knowledge stored in your mainframe. It