The New World: A Step Backward by Skrzynski Andy

Author:Skrzynski, Andy [Skrzynski, Andy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-07-09T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

Blood, Blood Everywhere

Wednesday ~ August 14 ~ 8:00 am

Stretching outside the village, Thoruk spotted Fluf and his lovely friend approaching. She's always so perky, even this early in the morning. "Hey."

Mercivil smiled while twisting her disheveled hair in a tight ponytail. "Hi, I'm glad you remembered to show up today. You've been — let's just say — preoccupied."

He frowned. "I know, I've been lousy company lately. I hope you understand."

"I do. There's a lot on your mind. Maybe this jog will help?"

Thoruk grinned. "It will. I really need the exercise. With all that's been going on, I almost forgot that we need to begin chopping wood within a few weeks before the snowstorms arrive. Let's do it together. It will also strengthen our upper bodies before the battle. We can start with your stack first."

Her eyes lit up. "Sounds great! I'll sharpen my axes."

Rubbing his chin, Thoruk raised a brow. "I'll bring my own. Yours are too light for me."

Itching to get going, Fluf lumbered back and forth.

Thoruk finished his routine quickly and glanced at his lightly-muscled partner. "Ready?"

"Yep, let's get going." She ran in place. "Should I keep the pace slow today?"

"Funny, I'm not Storm. Besides, I'm always easing up so you two won't get worn out."

His buddy took off with her trusty guardian following her heels. "We'll see who tuckers out first."

After running hard for a half hour through the winding trails in Wolverine Forest, Thoruk slowed to a jog. "The upcoming battle's still nagging me. I've been thinking about what Intellulka and Protuk taught us."

"Me too; things I haven't thought of in years. You getting tired, Old Man? You've been eating my dust the last quarter mile."

"I was trying not to show you up, but..." He sprinted to the front. "...hurry, catch up!"

Running hard, neither talked much, but Thoruk's mind raced. I've got to avoid the mistakes countries made during WAP. He recalled Intellulka's leadership lecture the day it snowed a foot in Ukkiville when he was a kid. ...initial strike against the Old Western world occurred Easter, 2019 — they hated Christians and Western ways. Old China and Iran used something called nanotechnology — created smaller, portable nukes, and electromagnetic pulse generators. What were they called? His eyes darted. EMPs!

He slowed a bit. Whew — having a hard time breathing — but glad we're running.

His recollections resumed. China and Russia stole account numbers and passwords — hacked utility and defense systems — robbed millions of savings accounts, and shut down electric grids and defense control centers. Terrorists detonated EMPs and nukes — destroyed Western cities and most of the technological advances of the 1900s and early 2000s.

During the 50-minute run, his mind continuously swirled with learnings of that era. Mercivil's voice interrupted. "You're falling behind. Come on, slowpoke! You better not be thinking of the battle!"

Gasping for air, he slowed to a walk. "Hey, let's take a break."

His friend glared at him. "I can tell. You ARE thinking of the battle!"

"Not exactly. The old professor's lessons about the World Annihilation Period keep popping in my head!"

He creased his forehead.

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