The Never War by D. J. Machale

Author:D. J. Machale [Machale, D. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Adventure, Childrens
ISBN: 9781597372558
Goodreads: 536982
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Published: 2003-05-01T00:00:00+00:00

THIRD EARTH

ThiswaslikenolibraryIhadeverseenbecause,well,there were no books. Actually, I take that back. There was one book, but it was in the lobby of the building, encased in a heavy glass box like a museum exhibit. I figured this was a book that was here to remind people of the past and the way things used to be. As I walked over to it, I wondered what would be the one book chosen to take this place of honor. Was it a dictionary? A Bible?

Maybe the complete works of Shakespeare or some famous poet.

"Green Eggs and Ham?"Gunny said with surprise. "What kind of doctor writes about green eggs and ham?"

"Dr. Seuss," I answered with a big smile on my face. "It's my favorite book of all time." Patrick joined us and said, "We took a vote. It was pretty mucheverybody'sfavorite. Landslide victory. I'm partial toHorton Hears a Who,but this is okay too." The people of Third Earth still had a sense of humor.

Patrick led us through the large, marble-floored lobby where several people sat in comfortable chairs, reading from flat computer screens. Since space was a problem, this was a

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good way to go. Still, I loved to read and couldn't imagine not being able to hold a book and turn the pages.

There were several long corridors leading off from the lobby. Patrick led us down one that was lined with doors on either side. Some were open and I could see people inside. I glanced into one room and saw something that made me stop short. Three people were seated around a silver platform that was raised about a foot in the air. Standing in the center of the platform, speaking to them, was Abraham Lincoln! I swear. He was right there. Honest Abe.

"... and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth," Abe declared.

"Th-That's Abraham Lincoln!" I said to nobody in particular.

"Yup, Gettysburg Address. Want to listen in?" Patrick asked.

"That's some guy dressed up like Abe, right?"

At that instant Abraham Lincoln disappeared. Zap. Just like that, he faded out and the platform was empty. I shot a quick, questioning look to Patrick. He put an arm around my shoulder and led me farther down the hall.

"Think of how the caveman felt the first time he saw fire," he chuckled. "It probably wasn't much different than you're feeling right now."

"That was no fire, and I'm no caveman," I said in shock. "Whatwasthat?"

"I'll show you," Patrick said, and led us into one of the rooms off the corridor. This room was pretty much like the one with Abe Lincoln's ghost, but bigger. There were six simple chairs circling a silver platform that was about eight feet across.

"I'm a teacher," Patrick explained. "So I have access to this super deluxe room." 198

I looked at Gunny. "Have you seen this before?"

"Yeah," Gunny said with a smile. "Like I said, it's magic."

"Take a seat," Patrick said. We did and he closed the door behind us so we had privacy.

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