The Miserable Planet 4: Plug Me In by Jacob Lindaman
This book or the parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form stored in retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise – without prior written permission of the author except as provided by United States of America copyright law.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarities to actual people, organizations, and/or events are purely coincidental.
ISBN: 9781311876584
Copyright © 2015 by Jacob Lindaman
All rights reserved
THE MISERABLE PLANET
#4
PLUG ME IN
“This is how it’s going to be,” Cassidy said from behind the desk in his home office. He leaned back on his chair until Tuck thought he was about to fall through the glass wall behind him. He proved gracious in his hospitality, unknowingly, but still he listened to their request. Firmly situated he said, “I will inform an associate of mine. A one General Cavalcade. Head of the Department of the Battery. He’ll be able to respond appropriately to your plea. It sounds horrendous. Believe me; an entire nation unknown to the world on the brink of extinction from not only their quarrelsome neighbors, but to Martians. Just incredible.”
“We’re not Martians,” Avers said.
“Not in the sense you’re thinking,” the Cassidy replied. Tuck sat next to her. He had never thought of himself as a Martian. He had lived there his whole life. At least that is what his scattered memories told him, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t human anymore.
“We are from Mars, but before that, hundreds of years ago after the volcano eruption, there was a mass exodus from Earth. Civilization failed. Earth failed. Those who didn’t abandon the Earth were likely to die.”
“And many did. I just find it odd that you’ve returned. That’s all.” Cassidy was amused.
The moisture from Tuck’s fingers dissipated as he moved it along the chrome armrest. He looked to Avers, “Reminds me of home.”
Her normally dour eyes went soft and she too looked at the shiny chair.
“Well then, if you agree I’ll have someone escort you directly to the general in Ospita. Whatever aid we can provide you will best be given from his arm I’m certain. ”
Attempting to be gracious guests they picked up after themselves. They moved the furniture back, cleaned up their trash which they made plenty of and folded the used blankets. The maid would be proud of their consideration.
As Tuck stuffed his last blanket into the hallway closet the professor handed his over.
“What do you think of all this?” Tuck asked.
“First of all this hallway is too cramped. How can anyone maneuver around here?” He sucked in his belly careful not to knock over a delicate ceramic figurine setting on a little table. “There are a great many wonders in this place. Nothing runs on steam. Oh, that is quite quite interesting. I cannot wrap my mind around such a splendid idea. I have been wondering if there is some way I might improve upon my Brunhilda. If I could replace her steam powered heart with…a…with one that they use here. I’m not sure what form of energy they use, but I would love to poke around a little.”
“Good to see you haven’t forgotten good ole Brunhilda.”
“Oh, no. I could never forget such a woman.”
“Neither could I.”
“Neither could I,” Avers said coming up behind the professor with a stack of blankets.
“Pardon me young miss,” the professor said. “Allow me to get out of your way.”
As they shuffled around each other they collided. The professor dropped to the ground, a colorful barrage of towels rained from above and avoiding a crash with the figurine Avers fell clumsily into Tuck’s catch.
“Oh…I…um.”
“Are you OK?” Tuck asked.
“What is that?” she patted his chest.
“Shoot. I forgot to deliver this.”
“What is it?”
“Do you think Cassidy is still here?” He looked down the hallway. “It hasn’t been that long has it?” He took off looking for Cassidy.
“Argh! That man. Just tell me what it is!”
He heard her yell, but kept on. Cassidy was no longer in his office, so, he looked for a place to leave it.
“What is that?” Avers entered the room.
“A message from fish lady to Earth guy.” He held up the sealed envelope for her to see.
“No, I mean outside.”
Tuck set the envelope on Cassidy’s desk then turned to look out the window. Just on the outskirt of town someone shot fireworks. Tuck could not hear them, but he could see them now that he was looking.
“Who shoots fireworks during the day?” Avers asked.
“Or in the morning?”
“Do you think it’s a holiday for them? I wonder if that is why Cassidy was away.”
“Holidays are stupid.” Tuck started towards the door. “I think everyone else is just about ready.”
Staring at the distant celebration Avers quietly said, “I’ll be there in a minute.”
The escort arrived taking care to ensure that all six people fit comfortably into his carriage. It did not hover as the ones on Mars did. This plus the absence of any evidence of flight made Tuck think these people had not yet discovered, or rather rediscovered the means to produce lift. Rather than fly or meander through the streets until they reached the highway the escort led them down to a tunnel that ended on a long platform. There they waited for not a subway train, but for a current of water to bring them empty glass capsules. A series of chains moved through the river to deliver and carry of the capsules. The professor was most impressed. He stroked his beard hastily watching the capsules arrive. One by one they fit into their own little tube until finally, Tuck was the last one left.
Inside was packed with soft linens and padding, but smelled horribly of urine and sweat. The blunders of public transportation must be universal. But soon enough his olfaction was overtaken by the visual orchestra before him. Slowly, his little glass tube rotated as it was pulled out from under the ground and into the sea. Not far above him the sunlight beamed along the surface of the water highlighting colorful coral and radiant fish. Manmade creations sat anchored into the ground along the side of the path. They were bright and dotted with catchy slogans like, ‘Eat more meat, less feet,’ an ad to promote some sort of new meat product. Tuck wondered if feet were the preferred source of protein. The next sign read, ‘First in flight, second in history.’ So they did know how to fly. And they remember a little something too about their history.
The chain clinked on. More fish. More colors. The tubes descended into the darkness of a little hole up ahead in the side of the rocky coast. Someone on the shore dumped gravel into the sea. Tuck watched as the dust trickled down through the water until he too disappeared into the rock.
He was released from his vessel after he came to a stop. The whole trip did not take more than thirty minutes.
Pepla grabbed his arm, “Let’s go again. Wasn’t that fun!”
For a moment he thought it was a good idea, but as she led him back to a capsule his senses returned.
“We’re here for another purpose Pepla. C’mon, let’s go.”
“Come on little girl,” Avers snapped. “Did you forget why you’re here?”
“I just wanted to go on another ride. What’s the harm in that?”
Avers grabbed her wrist and took her aside speaking to her quietly, but with great animation. Tuck watched as she shook her finger in Pepla’s face.
“Are you ready sir?” the escort asked. “The general is not far from the station entrance once we are street side.”
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