Transport 4: Moonquake by Phillip P. Peterson

Author:Phillip P. Peterson [Peterson, Phillip P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-01-25T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

“He’s coming round,” Dr. Payne said. She picked up the flashlight and looked into the patient’s eyes. The mask supplying the man with oxygen hissed softly.

Russell and Sammy hurried over. “That’s the man I spoke to in the canteen,” Russell said. There were so many questions he wanted to ask, but Dr. Payne pushed him aside. “Let him wake up first!”

Russell swallowed, took a step back, and surveyed the scene. All thirty-two of the unconscious men and women had been brought to the big tent that had been set up next to the transporter. They were lying on cots that hadn’t been used since the time on Russell’s Planet, and had been in storage for over twenty years.

Outside a light drizzle fell, but it was just warm enough for the damp weather to feel pleasant and refreshing. Russell spotted Dr. Lindwall at the back of the tent. The doctor was scurrying from one cot to the next, checking the breathing and pulse of his patients. The only oxygen apparatus still in existence on New California was set up next to the cot in front of which Russell was standing. No wonder this man was the first to come round. His eyes were open and he was looking around in confusion. With shaking fingers he fumbled with the mask on his face and tried to get it away from his mouth. Dr. Payne helped him remove it.

The man’s gaze lingered on Russell. “You came back,” he croaked. “You saved me.”

Russell nodded. He kneeled on the sandy ground and touched the man’s arm lightly. “What’s your name?”

“Adam. Adam Lang,” the man answered. “What about the others?”

“They’re all doing well, considering the circumstances,” Dr. Payne said. “You’re the first to regain consciousness.” She waved to Dr. Lindwall and indicated that he should use the oxygen mask on someone else.

“Thanks,” Adam whispered.

“How do you feel?” Dr. Payne asked.

Adam’s eyes flickered between Russell, Dr. Payne, and Sammy, as if he were considering how to answer. Then he shrugged weakly. “OK I guess. Dizzy, and I have a headache.”

“Can you remember everything?” Dr. Payne asked. “What’s your date of birth?”

“October fifteenth, 1990,” Adam said.

“What year is it now?”

“2042,” Adam answered, without hesitation.

Dr. Payne turned to Sammy and Russell. “I don’t think he has suffered any brain damage from the lack of oxygen. The dizziness and the headache will pass. You can talk to him, but he should remain lying down.”

“OK, Dr. Payne, thanks,” Sammy said and flashed the doctor his widest smile. She looked at him as if she wanted to strangle him, then turned on her heel and stalked off.

“There’s no point even trying …” Russell murmured before turning back to Adam. He had so many questions for the stranger and didn’t know where to start.

“So Jeremy did find you,” Adam coughed. “When he didn’t come back, we thought he hadn’t made it.”

“Jeremy?” Sammy repeated.

“That must be the man who came out of the transporter,” Russell whispered.

“You don’t know his name?” Adam asked. “Where

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