He went on to give John a brief tour of the plants. There was an impressive variety: food plants, medicinal plants, a tree whose every part could provide sustenance, a collection of genetically engineered fungi. John’s head was spinning with new information when his comm chirped.
“Excuse me,” murmured John. Turning away, he tapped his earpiece. “This is Epcott.”
“John Epcott.” The voice was synthesized, or manipulated to the point where it sounded blatantly artificial. “You are being watched.”
John frowned. “Excuse me? Who is this?”
“A friend,” said the voice. “That is all you need to know. That and to be aware that you are under scrutiny.”
“By who?” Epcott demanded, but there was no response. The caller had broken the connection.
“Is everything all right, First?” Nozeta asked.
“Everything’s fine. A bad comm, that’s all.” John waved at the plants. “You were explaining about the fungi.”
Nozeta launched into a long and complex history of genetically engineered mushrooms. John listened with half an ear, nodding in the appropriate places, but his mind was elsewhere.
I’m being watched, he thought. By who? For what?
John waited until Nozeta had completed his lecture, then made his excuses and left the arboretum. His good mood was spoiled and he couldn’t stop thinking about the mystery caller’s words.
You are being watched.
Frowning, he wondered what was going on.
* * * * *
Fleet Officer Lujo removed the encrypted comm from behind his ear and tossed it into a recycler port. Behind him, the observation parlor was filling up as guardsmen came off their duty shifts. Lujo ignored the merrymakers and looked at the image of Dawnwind, filling the wallscreen.
Well, Epcott, I’ve done everything I can for you, thought Lujo. You know you’re being watched. The rest is up to you.
To Be Continued
in
Dawnwind: Resurrection
(2013)
Dear Reader,
Thanks for downloading my book.
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George R. Shirer
About the Author:
George R. Shirer was born and raised in South Carolina, but has lived in Alaska, Ohio, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Highlights from his life include a brief career as a professional fortuneteller, testifying in an honest-to-God murder trial and accidentally peeing on a bear.
Recently, George returned to his native South Carolina to pursue a career as a writer. However, he thinks he spends far more time staring at his computer screen than actually writing.
Dawnwind: Last Man Standing is his first full-length novel.
# # #
Other Works by the Author:
Capetales
The Death of Faith
Firekeeper
The Finishers
Hellbound on the Sugar Train
Surprise Vignettes
# # #
Connect With the Author Online:
http://grshirer.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/grshirer
Dawnwind 1: Last Man Standing Page 29