Independence Day: Crucible (The Official Prequel) by Greg Keyes

Author:Greg Keyes [Keyes, Greg]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Science Fiction, Space Opera, Thriller
ISBN: 9781785651304
Amazon: 1785651307
Publisher: Titan Books
Published: 2016-05-23T23:00:00+00:00

21

The town of 51 was bustling as people arrived from all over the country, there for the ESD Spring Expo. The event had begun in 2004, in the months following the Army’s adoption of alien weaponry, partly as an attempt to quell public reservations about use of alien tech. It had been successful, and in the following years had developed into both a showcase of the latest advancements and a conference at which scientists, engineers, and mathematicians came to put their heads together.

Attendance by the general public had been down the last few years, but following the announcement that the Expo would feature the test flight of the first fully operational hybrid fighter, it quickly became a sold-out event. Many who couldn’t get tickets were camping out in the surrounding desert, hoping to get a glimpse of the ship taking flight.

Due to the crowds, it took Dylan a little longer to reach the hotel where most of the dignitaries were staying. The lobby was awhirl with color and alive with the sounds of languages from around the world. It took him a few minutes to pick out Patricia, dressed casually in jeans and a halter top. She had been cornered by a reporter and seemed to be giving an interview. She saw him at about the same time, and her expression said “Help me.”

As he closed the distance, one of the camera crew noticed him. He said something into his face microphone, and the camera turned.

“And here’s Dylan Hiller,” the reporter said. She was a young woman with short red hair. “You two have been friends since childhood,” she said. “How does it feel to be reunited for this momentous occasion?”

“Well, we keep in touch,” Dylan said, “but we’ve got some catching up to do.”

“Has your father made a decision about who is going to pilot the alien-hybrid prototype?” the reporter asked.

“I don’t know,” Dylan said, “but if you want to ask him, he’s right over there.”

She turned to look, as did the cameraman. Dylan grabbed Patricia’s hand and began to move away quickly.

They were both laughing as they burst out onto the street.

“Hey, you,” Patricia said. They exchanged a hug that felt way more awkward than it should have.

“Place has changed a little since we were kids, huh?” he said.

“To say the least,” she said. “I don’t recognize anything.”

“Well, anything you would recognize is probably off-limits to us these days,” he said, “but I can give you a tour of the new stuff.”

“That sounds fun,” she said. “I’ve got until five, and then Dad is giving some sort of press conference, and he wants me there.”

“Sure,” he responded. “Come on.”

They congratulated each other on getting into the Academy, and talked a little about what they thought it would be like. Now and then he pointed out a new landmark, but quickly realized that although a lot of building had taken place, most of the most interesting stuff was underground.

“So, I guess your dad is proud you’re going to be a pilot?” she said.

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