Transport 2_The Flood by Phillip P. Peterson

Author:Phillip P. Peterson [Peterson, Phillip P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-09-11T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

“Not long now, and we’ll be able to see the ocean from here,” said Russell.

“Whatever the consequences, it will be a fantastic view.” Ellen linked arms with Russell as they walked along the rim of the plateau. Eridu was still covered in gray mist, but on the distant horizon a red line indicated that the sun was about to rise. The lowlands, thousands of feet below them, were also covered in mist. Only a few treetops, like a sprinkling of dark-brown spots, peeked out of the blanket of gray. On the other side of the firmament, beyond the mountaintops, the moon of New California was getting ready to rise, even if up to now only a tiny corner of it had been visible.

Russell had gotten up early to prepare for the expedition to the oil spring. Ellen had woken up too, and they had decided to take a little walk before Russell had to set off.

“It all looks so peaceful,” he said. “It’s hard to believe that there are hordes of deadly animals down there just waiting to attack us.”

“We’ll stop them,” said Ellen emphatically.

“Yes, we will. We’ll definitely be able to defend the pass entrance until we detonate the bomb. We’ll . . .” Russell was suddenly overcome by a coughing fit. He held his hand over his mouth. When the rattling subsided, his hand was full of blood.

“Shit,” he muttered.

Ellen took a piece of cloth out of her jacket pocket and handed it to him. “It’s getting worse.”

Russell nodded. He knew that he looked awful. He couldn’t sleep properly, because he had to cough constantly. And he had chest pains, which at least weren’t unbearable. He had burst out laughing that morning when he had seen the dark rings around his eyes in the mirror. He looked in a worse state than a junkie. Although of course . . . now he was one.

“The effect of the medication is wearing off,” he said flatly.

“Which shouldn’t stop you from finishing off the dose of stimulants that Dr. Lindwall gave you,” said Ellen.

“I’ve already asked for more.”

“I think you should take it easy.”

Russell rolled his eyes. They had talked about it at length the night before. “They need everyone they can get for this expedition.”

“But not people who are terminally ill!”

“As long as I can stand up and hold a weapon in my hand, I will continue to help out,” replied Russell. Of course he knew that Ellen was right. He ought to be in bed, not in battle. On the other hand, he couldn’t be cured, so what was the point of resting? And in fact, secretly, he still hoped to die on a mission instead of slowly suffocating to death.

“You nearly died on your last adventure. And not just you, but our son as well!”

Russell put an arm around her shoulder. “You know that I hadn’t intended to come back. That was the whole point. I’m sorry about what happened with Greg. I should have guessed. Planning the adventure wasn’t the problem, but I should have been more careful.

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