The Rise of Daan by Ward Cornell D

Author:Ward Cornell, D.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-03-02T00:00:00+00:00

OFFICE

I get back to the office and find the real estate offer sitting on my desk awaiting signature. Summer printed it out and brought it up. There’s a message from Macy complaining that it hasn’t been returned yet. I do a quick read, then sign. It’s 3:00. There’s still time for Macy to submit it today. Summer comes to get it. She’ll have a scanned copy in Macy’s hand momentarily.

Next on my list is the irrigation directive. I finished it yesterday and am disappointed with myself for not getting it sent until now.

I’m just about finished for the day when a call comes in from Warden Glenn.

“I hear you’ve had a busy week.”

“I have.” I give him a quick update on all the camp business.

“I also hear that you’re buying the old alcohol distillery that never got put into service.” I can tell from his tone of voice that he disapproves.

“Attempting to, yes. But it isn’t my intention to make alcohol.”

I hear something of an exasperated noise on the other end of the line.

“It doesn’t matter what you call it. Stills are used to make alcohol.”

I can’t believe I’m having this conversation.

“Or ethanol; or perfume; or flavoring ingredients. Or in my case a natural dietary supplement that I think people will want.”

“A dietary supplement? Why are you making dietary supplements?”

I let the question sit there for a second, then ask one of my own.

“How many days’ supply does Jaredaan have of basic pain killers, blood thinners, all the other drugs we take for granted? There are numerous herbal remedies that are easy to make and don’t require governmental approval.

“I’m using my resources to do what no one else on this planet seems to be doing. Finding a path to survival on a quarantined world.”

It’s me who’s exasperated now.

“One of our meetings today was on that topic. If we can get people to pool their supplies, we might have three months. We’re hoping this will all blow over by then.” His voice is a bit more contrite.

The stupidity of this statement almost sends me over the edge. I calm myself.

“You mean someone’s found a cure?”

“No. But it has to end at some point.”

“You realize that they quarantined Doffenplod for 7,000 years, then lifted it so scientists could go do some research. I would bet that the quarantine of Jaredaan will be closer to 7,000 years than 3 months.”

There’s silence on the other end of the line. It lasts an uncomfortably long time.

“Do you know when you might be able to return?”

More silence.

“Hello? Are you still there, sir?”

There’s a sigh. “No. The fusion system that powers the shuttle is almost out of fuel. The fuel we need is stuck in the shipment floating in orbit. The Jaredstown lightning capture system is down to one-third capacity. Without the means to evacuate Jaredstown, they need to divert the power remaining in the fusion system to Jaredstown. So, we’re stuck. I should never have agreed to come up here. But I didn’t know what was going on until I got here, so had no reason to suspect that we’d get stuck.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.