by Herb Hughes
Epilog
Jack knew the attack would come as soon as the posthumans discovered what had happened to their space station, so he directed the construction of a barricade around Borderton, tirelessly working to get it done as quickly as possible. He also knew the battle against posthuman technology would be hopeless, but, once again, Mac was his inspiration. He was not going to give up without a fight. He had bought his world a few more weeks, maybe months, by blowing up the space station. Every additional hour he could delay the inevitable would be precious. In the meantime, perhaps Braindon could come up with weapons that would better allow them to fight against posthuman technology.
Weeks turned into months and months turned into a year. Then a second year passed. The posthuman attack never came. In the meantime, the barricade had slowly vanished. It began to come down within a few months of being erected. Estel needed the slightly cracked wagon wheel. It was old, but it would be good enough for his feed wagon. Tom needed the long boards to repair his barn. Tan Su needed the iron rods to use as construction stakes. By the end of the second year, the barricade was little more than a memory.
Thanks to Braindon and Avery, Agrilot hurtled forward in a breakneck effort to recapture a technological future that was once their ancestor’s past. Braindon’s first focus was to neutralize the Rhino eggs, but he also found time to work on other things such as electric light bulbs and planes and televisions and the myriad of things the residents of Agrilot were demanding. They knew they were possible. With Braindon, all these things were now doable.
Braindon remained nothing more than a brain in a box, but he fastidiously directed the efforts to keep Ethan’s body alive. After all, once Agrilot’s technology advanced far enough, he could have his brain implanted into Ethan’s body. Then he would be free to move about and to do all the things that would make him feel truly alive again, including having real, live sex. These humans were so ugly, but, hey, sex was sex. Besides, he knew how to turn off the brand new electric lights he had invented!
Jack and Sheffie lived happily ever after… for about a month. Two weeks after the wedding the walls of the library became too confining for someone who was used to living in the wide open. He lasted another two weeks after that, but then he had to go. At first, Sheffie traveled with him, but she quickly became weary of the endless hours in the saddle and sleeping on the ground.
Sure, Jack could have purchased one of the new automobiles that were becoming common, and they could have stayed at the hotels that were popping up everywhere now that the population was more mobile. But Jack claimed it “wasn’t his style.”
And Sheffie could never break up the team that was Jack and Killer.
Eventually, she stayed at home and kept the library open. Jack was traveling around the globe, seeing the world and talking to people, helping out where he could. Where there was no land passage, he and Killer would ride the new ocean liners Braindon had designed. They were powered by energy pulled straight from water.
The trips were fun, but it was always wonderful to get back home and see his wife and stay in Borderton for a short time while he wrote about his travels in his new diary. Sheffie had encouraged him to start one. After some time she began to collect and edit the writings. Eventually, she compiled them into books. She loved books so.
To Jack’s astonishment, she began to publish the books in a series entitled, “The Far Corners.” The books proved to be popular, selling quite well over all of Agrilot. For a few years. When the new troubles came, Jack no longer had time for writing.
Acknowledgements
As always, it took the work of a lot of people to make this book a reality. I am indebted to all of them more than I can ever repay.
Mutt Suttles is the most talented artist I have ever met. I can only hope that my stories are half as good as his covers. For this book, he also took Jack Wheat’s roughly drawn map of Agrilot and turned it into a thing of beauty by adding a background that is appropriate for the book. I am both thrilled and honored to have Mutt’s work adorn the covers of my books.
Author Myra Singleton Johnson is not only a good friend, she is also a great inspiration. Her encouragement keeps my hopes up. Watching her work tirelessly helps me to continue pecking away at my keyboard. Reading her books always gets my imagination working overtime.
Marilyn Parker, who is also a good friend, combs each book for grammar, continuity, clarity, and anything else that might get in the way of a reader’s enjoyment. She has saved me many an embarrassing moment by catching things I have inadvertently allowed to slip by.
Sherry Hughes Garner, a cousin and a friend, also helps with editing and story continuity of the early drafts. And she provides me with ideas. Some I use, some I don’t. (One of these days I’m going to throw a vampire in just for her.)
Dr. Charlotte Hughes, my beautiful wife, best friend, and co-conspirator, has gone through numerous drafts of this novel since the original concept way back in the nineties. She never complains when I ask her to read something, she believes in me when I sometimes doubt myself, and she sets an example that I can never live up to but continue to try.
A great big THANK YOU to everyone who has purchased one of my books, gone to the trouble to write a review, shared my posts with others, forwarded my author emails to friends and family, promoted my books among their friends, and made the encouraging statements that keep me working. You are all greatly appreciated.
HERB HUGHES worked in the computer industry for over two decades then built a successful private business before retiring to write novels.
Killing Rhinos is his third novel. He has also authored four nonfiction books as well as numerous articles and short stories. His first two novels are:
Tennessee Yankee
The Joystick Murders
All three novels are available from Amazon and other book outlets.
www.herbhughesnovels.com
Available from:
BOOKS FROM THE POND
Athens, Alabama
www.booksfromthepond.com