The World Ahead

by Chucho Jones

  Chucho Jones, Gentry Race

  The World Ahead

  Book 2 of The Shattered Cosmos

  First published by Gentrifiction in 2018

  Copyright © Chucho Jones, Gentry Race, 2018

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

  This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy

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  Contents

  Dedication

  Suscribe

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Acknowledgements

  Suscribe

  Dedication

  To my beloved daughters Victoria and Mia. May you never lose the sense of wonder. ~ Author Chucho Jones

  * * *

  1

  To Cherise, Cai and my family. May you never wonder your common sense. ~ Author Gentry Race

  Suscribe

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  Mailing list: http://eepurl.com/cnRw6H

  Twitter: @gentry_race

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  Webpage: gentryrace.mywriting.network/

  Email: gentrydavidson@gmail.com

  The World Ahead - Book 2 available March 25th

  Preorder now:

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BFGZ54G?ref_=pe_2427780_160035660

  1

  Chapter 1

  The skies dawned a misty red as if to foreshadow the death coming to the ancient continent Pangaea. The ambiance of the atmosphere, a balmy heat, tinged with particulate dust in the air. Thick green foliage filled the surroundings while ancient insects chippered away their instinctual calls. Herds of large reptiles gathered close by a lake where other variations of prehistoric animals rested, respecting the water hole law, and freshening up beneath the soothing sunset.

  Amidst the heat and moisture, the skies above turned a blinding white, shattering the calm and sunny breeze of the horizon. A giant spherical object approached fast, followed by a massive tail of fire three lengths a continent. The shrieking sound wreaked havoc amongst the primitive creatures. Herds of rampant brachiosaurus ran amok along velociraptors, parasaurolophus, and stegosaurus as they felt the heat of the giant fireball approaching.

  The eminent collusion of the sphere pounded the planet. Everything lit up, followed by a wave of fire, smoke, and ash –

  consuming the valley in full destruction. At the epicenter, a giant metal marble from the stars lay there. The world became stale as this alien object became lost forever, into the depths of the ocean. Time would continue its natural evolution, progressing onward, soon forgetting the newest addition to the planet.

  * * *

  Kha Tse, the alien mistress, free fell after a jolting sensation rushed through her body. Everything went numb for a moment as she lost consciousness, then abruptly came back to her senses. She was free falling as her vessel followed close behind. She looked around, seeming to be the sole survivor. She tried to connect to her hive mind, but every single connection felt lost. No debris, no forefather’s vessel, and no human interlopers were seen falling from the sky with her; her mind was in turmoil. She felt the speed bursting her body into flames. Entering Earth’s atmosphere she shrieked in pain. Her vessel came next. She tangled down in flames, wailing in pain. Stumbling inside her broken cockpit, and grabbed a few armor add-ons, she expanded, gliding out like a vulture. The flames dissipated as she began to reach the ground. She was quickly swallowed by the thick rainforest. Her vessel followed while debris and splotches of vitro-plasma dispersed around the jungle. She began to grasp control of her gliding as the flames decreased. Kha Tse couldn’t think at the moment from the pain, merely act. She had to focus and push through. Suddenly the human emotions began to dissipate.

  She moved her sizzling fingers in a coordinated fashion, the red-hot mercuranium rings around her tips soon began to glow. Vitro-plasma covered her wounded body like a second skin. The flames began to change in color and intensity. Human natives ogled at the struggling alien amidst the colorful display. Kha Tse spotted the hidden tribe and saw her chance of survival. She quickly felt the relief from the vitro-plasma treatment. She glided down towards the crowd, her skin was glowing while the pink viscosity, regenerating her wounded body. Already, she felt much better. A chill down her spine gave her enough strength to focus on the pitiful beings before her. She gazed at the eldest of the tribe and focused her thoughts. She was hearing an ancient language that seemed somewhat familiar, Mayan or Sumerian of origin. She realized she was on the planet of humans, but something was off. Her mind focused on the mind of the eldest as she kept gliding and quickly the group became perplexed. Mind-melding with the elder and she quickly had him at her will. The mistress landed softly with the last bit of strength she had left; quickly, the group came around her, led by the old man, and carried her like a human chariot. She had them under her control, the eldest looked at her deep gaze and succumbed as he waited for orders. Her fallen ship torpedoed above them as she pointed at the distance, predicting the vessel’s landing. Kha Tse, thought to embed the humans with her name.

  “Quetzalcoatl,” said the eldest.

  “Quetzalcoatl,” repeated the crowd.

  The mob carried Kha Tse all through the rainforest and down the valley across the river chanting what they interpreted as her name. The humans were weak and their feet blistered, it was a long trek with no rest for the men, women, and children. The alien tyrant had been resting and eating some of the native fruits and rodents along the way while her human slaves weakened and got hurt carrying their new goddess. Her skin felt much better, but she was weary. She was becoming intoxicated with Earth’s atmosphere.

  She had no time to waste. She got off her human chariot and stumbled toward her vessel. The alien mistress’ heart beat rapidly. She remained calm so that she wouldn’t lose her link to the mob. The elder began to drop tears from his eyes uncontrollably while he kept a soft sob. Kha Tse approached her vessel anticipating the worse. She looked among the debris, approaching the glowing control panel. She reached out and activated the terraform unit from her vessel. The ship began to decompose. Her heart pounded with joy. The old man went from sorrow to laughter within a second. The crowd followed. Quickly she turned toward the men, women, and children and whipped her silver lassoes and stung every single human in the neck with them. Her lassoes serviced as needles to infuse her human hive with vitro-plasma. The humans’ eyes went blank. A colorful lighting frenzy took over the environment for seconds, she had felt it. All of them were suddenly enlightened. Eons of knowledge encrypted in their brain – for them to ponder and solve over the years to come. She turned towards her terraform. She knew she had minutes, she felt weak. A rushing sensation came to her up from her gut to her throat. She felt her knees weaken and began to gag uncontrollably. Fluids came out of her flower-like bottom lips.

  She grabbed her gut in pain and stumbled into the middle of her ship where an array of cables and mercuranium frames awaited to embrace her. She placed herself in a resting position, a vitro-plasma cocoon manifested before her. S
he became dormant, yet remained awake. She was going into hibernation, until her body completely healed. Uncertain how long the process might take, using a terraform unit in an alien planet, she kept her new hive mind in control. Her body tightened and her eyes went shut. The alien structure enclosed the new goddess and she slumbered. A titling bright light took over. She opened her eyes once more and looked around, the rainforest surrounded her, she was among the humans. Her weary body was that of an old human male, she had successfully bonded with her new hive.

  The few enlightened began to use their new-found knowledge.

  “Quetzalcoatl,” the mob chanted, as the terraform manifested around them. With time, they became a thriving civilization and ruled the lands in the name of the mandate – which to them was to solve the riddles of unknown knowledge, to fulfill the gods’ destiny.

  From sand and stone, they created mathematical marvels and formed civilizations; they quickly spread the message and their numbers grew.

  2

  Chapter 2

  The chilled air crept through the rescue convoy grating making its way to Laura. She stood in front of her crew on the ship holding her rank with pride. Her heart rate raised, as she watched the approaching light. Then, she felt a subside, she was daydreaming about spending time with Oliver, her son, especially after cheating death. She looked at Oliver and her homecoming crew, comprised of a group of misfits, against all odds they had managed to make it back safely to Earth. The team looked in awe at the approaching lights as they waited for its arrival. Laura gazed over her shoulder.

  Strenuous air drafts billowed up with dust, shimmering lights cleared out some of the mist. A metallic frame resembling an airship with atom-like propellers spinning at an inconceivably rate, was approaching with great speed. Taking a second look, they realized that they’d had not yet landed in Auroville.

  “What the hell is this? Where are we?” she asked. Leon shrugged his shoulders in amazement.

  “I think it’s an airship, this isn’t home, is it? What happened?” he asked, eyes wide open at the site. Victoria grabbed hold of Chuggy, the creature coiled at the sight of the new threat. Oliver looked down at the cockpit to see if GR-3G would respond, but the broken robot was done for. His alien arm’s power was drained as well.

  “Mom, I don’t think we’re home. Something must have happened when we hit the Quantessence,” the boy said, looking down, as if searching for an answer in his arm’s display panel. Laura’s heart raised, she felt the agony of this everlasting mission: keeping her boy safe.

  One of the cargo door slides down, lowering into a walking platform, jutting out from the center of the airship. A beautiful maiden with a glittery membrane of skin and biotechnology running all throughout her translucent body floats toward them. At the same time Laura holds her alien rifle, aiming at the floating woman; yet, she felt a soothing equanimity in the presence of the maiden. She immediately thought about her brother, the possibility of him being distracted by the artificial beauty. Two escorts held what seemed to be winged phatasfas with Silverwing logos on their chest. Menacingly, they got close to the crew. Leon noticed the Silverwing logo on their chest, he hesitated to act.

  “Leon stay on your feet and be ready,” Laura barked the order as if anticipating the worst.

  “You got it sister,” the scoundrel replied, readying his phatasfa for combat.

  “Children stay behind us,” she said in an affirmative tone. Leon, impetuous as ever, raised his arm to attack one of the maiden’s escorts; he was brutally shocked and neutralized. Laura cocked her weapon and before she could do anything the floating maiden waved her arm and pried the weapon off her hands. The weapon flew across and into the maiden’s hand. With just a stroke of her fingers, the weapon broke apart into its mechanical components.

  “Relax Laura Quail-Hawke,” said the maiden, with a calm demeanor. Laura felt distraught at the fact that the female figure knew her name.

  “How do you know my full name? Who are you?” she yelled desperately as Leon’s body shook in the ground from the neutralizing attacks.

  “We are F.A.M.I.L.Y., and we’ve been waiting for you, and we mean you no harm, I deeply apologize for your brother. He will be alright,” said the maiden in a soothing tone. Laura took a step back to protect the kids.

  “Fine we’ll comply,” she responded. Oliver seemed surprised and worried at his mother’s answer.

  “Mom, what are you doing? They knocked Leon out,” he said.

  “It’s the only lead we’ve got until we find out what’s going on. Don’t worry honey, let me handle this one,” she said with mild confidence.

  “Just follow me,” she added; trusting her instinct. They boarded the airship while Leon was being carried on to it by the winged goons. The insides of the ship had a familiar resemblance to the Gorgazon-X, the alien mothership they just had escaped. Laura’s guts revolted for a full minute. She began to second-guess trusting the ominous floating maiden, but the crew had no choice at this point other than to play along. She felt the swift gain in elevation of the carrier as it took off, ascending from the ground. The sleek walls reflected the outside in a panoramic fashion around the large hull of a ship. The place had a center mezzanine that lobbied three floors of glass cubicles to the sides, here various men and women wore colored leotards as they worked on different areas of the vessel. Holographic projections coming from minimalistic structures attached to both the ground and ceiling dressed each of the cubicles and gave the room a calming aura. The cool inside contrasted with the warm and bleak colors of the future sky. The city was unrecognizable, sustainable buildings reached for the clouds, some resembled something out of a futuristic Mesopotamia and others just looked like futuristic marvels that could only have been seen in one of Oliver’s “Atomic Comics.” Oliver and Victoria stayed close together while the girl held Chuggy’s hand. Laura knew she had to protect her children.

  Mercuramiun platforms displaced up and down the floors and into the corridors. The General entered, looked back at the children, they too had a worrisome expression.

  “Why do I get the feeling that we just left this place?” said Victoria in a sardonic tone. She was holding tightly on to Chuggy.

  “We need to stay calm and alert, this thing is out of power, and there’s nothing I can do,” announced Oliver to the crew in almost a whisper, referring to his alien arm. The crew saw how Leon was being examined and placed inside a medical cocoon, it mirrored the alien technology which they had just escaped from. A man in an overall and lab coat read a holographic display, then referred to the winged goon.

  “Oh man, I think you overdid the electric charges, he’ll be out for a while,” the doctor said – his cadence sounded sharp and patronizing.

  “Do you know who he is? I couldn’t risk it,” said the Silverwing goon. The conversation carried on in the background as Laura turned to the ominous maiden.

  “What the hell are you doing to him?” she asked.

  “Please all your heart rates are elevated and you’re experiencing disorientation from switching realities. I could explain further… but right now you are all in desperate need of medical attention. According to our records, you just have been exposed to alien activity without a proper detox. Dr. Dicken has left intricate instruction as to how you must be treated,” added the lady.

  “Just tell us what’s going on, now!” Laura said in a threatening tone.

  “You had best comply, it’s a new hostile environment, this Earth, and all of you will need to be prepared for what’s coming.” Said the maiden once more with a soothing tone. Laura was getting sick of being treated like a child; for a moment she lost it. She released herself from the maiden’s crew and with a sudden jolt confronted the maiden.

  “Listen to me you floating hag, I’ve seen what’s coming, and you’re not part of it. There’s an alien race threatening the galaxy with power beyond anything we can understand, so either you tell me where we can find Dr. Dickens or I’ll have my son bring
your airship down like the Hindenburg,” said Laura. Her voice was empty of any hesitation, recognizable or otherwise. Oliver remained google-eyed at his mother’s threat. The maiden gestured her winged agents to retreat.

  “Fair. Please, give them some space. They’ve been through enough. I can account for their primitive behavior. I will give you answers Laura Hawke… if you feel you need them before your medical treatment.” The maiden stretched her arm from the ground and up came a mercuranium control panel, stopping when it reached her hand. Similarly, a circular indentation on the ground began to extrude itself. Miniature chunks of mercuranium formed an instant hologram table in front of the crew.

  “I was just following the good doctor’s protocol, we have… for over a hundred and eleven years. My father was really close to him.” The maiden said with a calm smile on her face.

  “You personally knew Dr. Dickens?” Oliver asked curiously. The maiden seemed charmed by the boy’s question.

  “No young master Hawke, how could I? I was born years after his passing, but thanks to him, my father became the man he was.” she said with pride in her glittery stare.

  “You were born?” Victoria asked as if pointing the maiden’s obvious synthetic frame. The maiden smirked at her.

  “We’re all born my child,” said the maiden, while ignoring the snarky remark. “Now, this is where Auroville used to lay, today it’s just an extension of Prime City.” She cut straight to the matter.

  “What do you mean where Auroville used to lay? You mentioned earlier something about disrupted realities.” Oliver asked in a tone of wonder.

  “The date today is October thirty-one, twenty-one sixty-six, but this is not your rightful future.”