by Vicky Savage
“Fine. Just go slow,” I say.
“The year is the same as in your world, and technically you are on the planet known as earth, but this earth is vastly different from the one you are used to.”
“Different, how?”
“An astronomical event, commonly known as the Great Disaster, took place more than three hundred years ago. It wiped out the majority of this earth’s population and drastically altered its atmosphere, making it hostile to all but the hardiest forms of life. Consequently, most of this earth’s population now lives inside domes.”
“Domes? You mean like geodesic domes?”
“No, I mean like enormous domes with their own ecosystems, capable of housing entire countries.”
I gape at him. “You mean we’re in a dome?”
“Yes, we are. Domerica to be exact, one of the three existing dome nations. It is roughly the size of your state of Massachusetts and is located at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains. Domerica houses most of the surviving North American population—approximately five million people. Cupola de Vita stands where Peru once existed and domiciles the South American survivors. On the European continent is Dome Noir, located roughly where Paris, France, used to be.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “That’s it? Only three?”
He nods.
“What happened to Africa? Asia? Australia?”
“They, and Antarctica, were mostly wiped out. The land that didn’t fall away into the oceans was destroyed by thermal heat, tidal waves, dust clouds, fire storms or noxious gases. You name it. Every possible catastrophe occurred.”
“That really sucks. What caused all that to happen?”
“Back in 1758, a small celestial body, known on your planet as Halley’s Comet, was supposed to pass so close to the earth it could be seen with the naked eye. Instead of making its peaceful journey 50 million kilometers outside the earth’s atmosphere, it collided with another asteroid, which altered its trajectory and caused it to slam into the Pacific Ocean.”
“A comet hit the ocean? But that would wipe out the entire earth. I mean, that’s what all the disaster movies want you to believe.”
“Most of the comet burned up before it ever reached earth, but what was left was enough to destroy eighty percent of the earth’s surface and permanently rip a hole in its atmosphere, making the rest of the planet uninhabitable.”
It takes me a few minutes to wrap my mind around that. It’s straight out of a fantasy novel—global destruction, scorched earth. Knowing that it really happened is seriously disturbing.
Ralston sits quietly sipping his tea and watching me.
When I find my voice again, I ask, “How did anyone survive? These domes couldn’t have been around in the 1700s. I mean they have their own ecosystems, so they must be climate controlled, right? That’s pretty sophisticated technology.”
He half-smiles. “Actually, IUGA interceded.”
“Agents? Like you?”
“Yes. You see, the asteroid that collided with Halley’s Comet was a cosmic accident, a fluke, something which was not foreseen. It threatened the entire galactic order and put the destiny of this universe in jeopardy. So, when the Agency became aware of the rogue asteroid, it felt compelled to step in quickly in an attempt to minimize the inevitable catastrophic consequences.
Erecting the domes and stocking them with all the essentials to begin a new society was the easy part. Convincing the people they needed to take shelter in the domes was something all together different.”
“So how did you manage that?”
“Not very well at first. We tried telling them the truth—that a cataclysmic event was about to occur which would annihilate the world’s population. That was a mistake. We convinced some people, others believed we were instruments of the devil—witches or heretics—trying to capture their bodies or souls for evil purposes. A public outcry went up for the arrest and imprisonment of all IUGA agents. It was a chaotic time.”
“What happened?”
“Actually it was rumor and superstition, with a bit of religion thrown in, that saved much of the population. To this day, we don’t know how the rumor originated, but the story began to circulate in South America that the end of days as foretold by the Bible was coming, and we agents were actually angels of mercy, emissaries of God so to speak, sent to save the chosen ones. Some even likened the domes to Noah’s Ark.” He laughs, shaking his head.
“Soon people were flocking to the Dome in Peru faster than we could accommodate them. The word quickly spread, and the domes began to fill up. I have to admit, when we saw how well the story resonated with the people, we did nothing to quell the rumor or convince the populous otherwise. Grateful for our good fortune, we heartily welcomed all those who wished to be saved and did our best to appear angelic.”
“That’s wild.” I shake my head in wonder.
“Yes. It was a little frenzied. When the comet actually hit, the survivors were at once horrified and relieved. Equal amounts of grieving and rejoicing ensued in the domes. A new church was formed shortly thereafter—the Church of the Chosen, or the COC. Its doctrines are based on the myth that the people in the domes were hand-picked to survive because they were somehow more worthy.” He chuckles. “It is the largest religious denomination in the world today. Membership in the church is mandatory in Domerica.”
“People in Domerica are required to attend the COC?”
“Yes, they are,” Ralston replies.
“And my mother is okay with this?”
“She’s the one who made it mandatory.”
I have to chew on that for a minute. It doesn’t sound like Mom. The whole idea of freedom of religion was a big deal to her.
This is all so enormous and so implausible, and all at once, I’m very fatigued. I have no idea what time it is or how long Ralston and I have been talking. More than anything at this moment I just want to close my eyes and go to sleep right here on the grimy floor of the cave.
“Ralston, are we almost finished? I’m beat, and I’m not sure how much more information my head can hold tonight.”
“I know, old girl,” he says. “You’ve had a pretty eventful day. We’ve only a few more things to go over. I need to fill you in on what to expect at the palace, so you won’t be completely overwhelmed. Why don’t you get up and move your legs a little. I’ll make some more tea—without any additives, this time.”
I stand up and shake out my legs, then I do a few jumping jacks to get my circulation going. It occurs to me that although I’ve spent several hours on a horse, I don’t feel saddle sore at all.
“Hey Ralston, the princess must ride horses all the time, huh?” I say.
“Actually she’s an accomplished horsewoman. Why do you ask?”
“I can tell her saddle muscles are in shape.” I pat my thigh. “Where’s her horse?”
“I’m afraid he didn’t survive the fall,” Ralston says. “A beautiful animal… such a shame.”
“They went over the cliff together?”
He nods.
“Oh man, that’s depressing. And by the way, when it comes to horses, I don’t know the first thing. That beast I was on today was as close as I’ve ever been to one.”
“That’s all right. I can teach you enough to get you through. Toning the muscles is fifty percent of the battle, so you are already half-way there.”
I’m not sure I believe him, but I’m too tired to argue. Instead, I wander around the cave wondering how far it extends into the hill. I peer into a long, dark hallway.
“ARGGHHH!” I let out a loud shriek.
Ralston drops the teapot with a clunk and a splash. “What is it? What’s wrong?” He’s at my side instantly. I’m impressed the old guy can move so fast.
“I saw something. Some eyes back there.”
Ralston squints into the darkness. “It’s just a Hillcat, Jade. They’re harmless. They live in the caves. Probably looking for a morsel of our dinner.”
He retriev
es his fallen teapot and checks to see how much water is left. “By the way, may I remind you that we are being pursued by your kidnappers. Please keep your blood-curdling screams to a minimum.”
“Yeah, sorry about that.” I break off a piece of cheese from the remains of my meal and go back to hunt for the Hillcat. “Here kitty, kitty,” I call softly. I crouch near the spot where I saw the eyes. The cat doesn’t reappear.
“Tea’s ready,” Ralston says. I leave the cheese and rejoin him at the rock pit. “The cat’s probably long gone by now. Many of these caves are interconnected.”
I pick up my tea, and we settle ourselves on the ground again.
“We have only a half-cup each,” Ralston says. “We must conserve the remainder of our water for morning. I’m not certain how long it will take us to find a search party or one of your mother’s patrols.”
He regards me thoughtfully. “How are you holding up?”
“Oh just great, for someone who’s been dropped into the middle of a bizarre sci-fi nightmare.”
He offers an indulgent smile. “Jaden, my best advice for you is to look at this as a grand adventure—one that few humans ever get to experience.”
I respond with an exaggerated eye roll.
“It’s not that bad, really. You’re a princess here. Something most girls can only dream of.”
“Yeah, that’s another thing. Why am I a princess? Why of all people is my mom the queen?”
“Surely you are familiar with your mother’s lineage? Your ancestors were British, as were mine. But yours were part of the House of Hanover—the British royal family. When the disaster occurred, your five-times great grandfather, Lord Malcolm, happened to be the highest ranking member of the royal family present in the British Colonies. At the time, he was Governor of New York. Consequently, he was the natural choice to become the first King of Domerica.
“Unfortunately, he died two years later, and his eldest child, Prince Richard, became king. I’m afraid it was something of a calamity. Richard was a notorious alcoholic and gambler. He nearly brought the newly formed country to its knees, before finally drinking himself to death a few years after his coronation. His mother Lady Amelia and sister, Princess Mary—later Queen Mary—were the only reasons the country did not fall into chaos. So, rather than ousting the House of Hanover altogether, it was decreed that thenceforth only female heirs of the queen could succeed to the throne of Domerica.”
“Are you serious? I always thought my mom was exaggerating with all that stuff about Queen Victoria. So the Revolutionary War never happened? This country’s still a monarchy?”
“Actually, no wars have occurred since the time of the disaster, but I’m afraid you will find this world quite backward compared with your own. The disaster caused quite a set-back for the advancement of enlightened forms of government, as well as for industry and technology. Many of the greatest inventors, scientists, and statesmen of your time were never born in this world, their ancestors having been wiped out.”
“You mean no Alexander Graham Bell, Albert Einstein, or Steve Jobs?”
“That’s right. Even though Henry Ford was born and lived his entire life in Domerica, combustible engines, and all other machinery or industry that pollutes the air, are strictly prohibited within the domes. Any type of flame or fire is banned completely in Domerica. The risks are too great. A large fire could potentially destroy all life in the dome.”
“For real? So it’s kind of like living in the dark ages?”
“It’s not quite as bad as that. In fact, the inhabitants of this earth have a few things that have not yet been developed on your earth.”
“Like what?”
“The domes are quite complex technologically, requiring a significant power source to keep them operating optimally. Each dome is equipped with a completely self-regenerating, perpetual power source called an Xtron energy cell. It works on a concept called x-fusion. Nothing even approaching this type of natural, self-perpetrating power has yet been developed on your earth. It has many uses here. Although I suspect you may be more impressed by the lack of uses developed to date.” He shrugs. “More’s the pity.”
“Ralston, how am I going to keep all this stuff straight? What if my mom sees right through me or thinks I have permanent brain damage or something?”
“Not to worry, we’ll have time to review everything later. In fact that’s enough Domerican history for tonight.” He gets up and begins to clear away our tea things. “I should tell you a few things about Princess Jaden, though. Enough for you to finesse it through the next few days until we have a better idea when you will be going home.”
“Is she anything like me?” I ask. “Or is she some prissy, stuck-up diva who says things like ‘let them eat cake’?” I sit on top of my bedroll and pull off my decimated boots.
“Fortunately she looks and sounds just like you.” He chuckles at his own joke. “But, of course Princess Jaden has been groomed from an early age to inherit the throne. She is gracious and articulate; fluent in both French and Spanish; an excellent swordswoman. She can outride anyone in Domerica, man or woman. Social causes are high on her agenda, making her truly beloved by the people of Domerica.”
“And I’m supposed to be her? You’re kidding, right?” My stomach suddenly hits the spin cycle.
“No, Jaden, I am quite serious. I know you can do it.” His eyes tell me I have no choice.
“Well, that’s just insane! I suck at Spanish, I don’t know any French, I’ve never held a sword in my life and I’ve already shared my vast knowledge of horses with you.”
“That’s another thing we need to work on,” he says shaking a finger at me, “your language.”
“What do you mean?” I don’t remember cursing in front of him.
“You must try not to use American slang while you are here. First of all, princesses do not employ the word ‘suck’ as a descriptive term. Secondly, wellborn young people say mother and father, not mom and dad. And please use the word man or gentleman where appropriate, not dude or guy. If you make an effort to stick to proper English, you’ll be fine.”
“Okay! I never asked to be a princess, you know.”
“I know, Jaden, but even the word ‘okay’ is out. It has no meaning here. In fact, I’m not sure where it originated on your earth. Just say ‘all right’ instead.”
“All right,” I say. “What about everything else?”
“Well, I plan to ask your mother to let me stay on in some capacity at the palace. I have every reason to believe she will grant my request. We can work on some elementary French. I can give you riding lessons without her knowledge.” He scratches his head thoughtfully. “We won’t worry about the swordsmanship. As regards your royal demeanor, the best advice I can give you is to stand up straight and pretend you are an actress playing the part of a princess.”
“Oh man, I don’t think I can pull this off,” I say, holding my stomach.
“You’ll be fine, Jade. Nobody will be the wiser. If you get into trouble, I shall be right beside you.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” I say, although I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have a clue.
“I do. Just get some sleep. We can talk more in the morning.”
I climb into my bedroll and pull the thin blanket up to my chin.
Ralston putters quietly, repacking his saddlebags.
I close my eyes and my head swims, like I’ve spent the whole day on a rollercoaster ride. Gradually my tensed-up muscles begin to relax, and my stomach settles a bit. No sense trying to compose my thoughts tonight, though. Tomorrow promises to be another mind-blowing day.
SEVEN
The good news is I slept like a rock. The bad news is I slept on a rock—a rock bench. In the morning, my whole body throbs like a toothache, and my mouth tastes like I’ve been sucking on fargen fur. I need two Tylenol and some Listerine badly. But, oh yeah, I’m stuck in some backwoods dome-world where pain reliever and mouthwash don’t exist.
“Do they actually have real beds in this god-forsaken place?” I ask.
“I think you’ll find Warrington Palace much to your liking.”
He nods toward the foot of my bed. “I believe you’ve made a friend.”
A pile of dirty straw lies at the end of my bed. On closer scrutiny, I realize it’s an animal. “The Hillcat?” I ask softly.
He nods.
“Hey buddy.” The cat turns her head toward me and twitches her bushy tail. Traces of old scars mar her otherwise noble face. She has a proud nose, piercing amber eyes, and she’s about double the size of a normal house cat. “Aren’t you a pretty girl,” I say, reaching out to pet her. She darts out of my reach and back into the dark recesses of the cave.