Spirits of the Earth: The Complete Series: (A Post-Apocalyptic Series Box Set: Books 1-3) by Milo Fowler (paper ebook reader .TXT) 📕

And phrased that way, it sounds kind of crazy even to ponder such a thing.

"Did he bring us here?" I nod toward the screen where the live-captured image of Dr. Wong beams at us like a proud parent, tilting his head to one side, then the other.

"The Creator?" One of my siblings looks over her shoulder at the screen and nods serenely as if she's a devoted follower. "Yes, of course. We are so important to him, Sera. He has argued for years that we should be better protected, in case of a situation just like this one."

"What situation?" I frown. "Martial law is in effect across the Domes. The terrorists have been contained."

The Seventeen murmur among themselves, shaking their heads slowly at my ignorance.

"Now that these dangerous individuals have brazenly acted out against the Governors, and attacked the Chancellor's own tower, they will become emboldened. Today's uprising is only the beginning. It is foolish to think law enforcement can protect citizens from the hatred these so-called patriots have been stirring up in the outlying domes for years. Things will only deteriorate into more violence, going forward. We cannot allow ourselves to be caught in waves of unrest. We are the Twenty. There is no reason for us to remain in such a hostile environment."

Sounds like she memorized that word for word.

"So you just left Eurasia—flying outside the Domes into this forbidden zone and risking contamination?"

"We are safe here, Sera." Three of them think it's a good idea to pat me on the arms and both shoulders. Like that will calm me down. "Dr. Wong knows what is best for all of us. He has seen the future and our place in it. The Domes have been governed by politicians and military-minded individuals from the start. It is time for science and logic to rule Eurasia. And we will rule alongside the greatest scientist who has ever lived!"

Solomon Wong wants to usurp Hawthorne's throne.

Drasko mentioned the possibility of a coup, but I dismissed the idea as a conspiracy theorist's nonsense. Now I'm not so sure.

I can't allow myself to lose my cool. I'm a law enforcer, a professional. I know how to deal with irrational curfew violators. This easygoing bunch should be no problem.

Taking a breath to steady my nerves, I dive in with, "Tell me about yourselves. Where are you from?"

They take turns sharing, complete with smiles and coy little glances at one another. It's just as Erik said. All seventeen are from Domes 1 through 9, and those of us who happen to hail from the same dome never had an opportunity to run into each other, due to our strictly enforced alternating shifts.

"What were your responsibilities, in each of your domes?" I put on a friendly mask that looks eager to get to know them better.

By now the Dr. Wong screen has receded into the wall, but I'm under no delusion that we aren't still being monitored and recorded. This place has a clinical feel to it, and these people sure look like test subjects.

I'm one of them now. Except for my attire and lack of augments, we're all in the same boat.

Listening intently as they share their stories, I learn that my Dome 1 counterpart worked the day shift at an education camp, teaching the young. Arienna's night shift counterpart in Dome 2 shared her tree maintenance responsibilities along the dome's soaring plexicon interior. Erik's counterpart in Dome 9 was an agricultural planner, organizing the planting and harvesting of crops on a rotating schedule. The only dome not hosting any of the Twenty is Dome 10. For obvious reasons, having just visited the place.

"Why have we been brought here?" I know what they're going to say. To keep us safe. But I need time to strategize while they repeat their pat answers. Seriously, they sound like they've been brainwashed.

Maybe that's the purpose of the VR program they were enjoying earlier.

How do I get through to them? How do you show someone the truth who has no frame of reference for it? With their neural implants active, they have no concept of the past. No citizen does. Only now and looking forward, that's the Eurasian way.

So why take us out of Eurasia? Does Dr. Wong intend to expose us to the truth? That our parents were from an obliterated continent across the sea? How long ago did Wong have this facility built out here in the middle of nowhere—and for what purpose?

We're on the seventh floor, but there are nine others. Ten floors. Ten domes. Connection?

"Sera?"

They're all staring at me. Probably because I'm staring at them, and I have no idea how long I've been doing that.

"It's wonderful to meet you again. After so long apart." I force a smile. "Do any of you...remember growing up together as kids?"

Here we go. Deep-diving into the truth. My first attempt is met with blank expressions and a few confused looks cast at one another. Then their responses cascade my way.

"This is the first time we've ever been together."

"All thanks to Dr. Wong!"

"It never would have been possible without him."

I feign my own bout of confusion. "But I was told by the security clones that Chancellor Hawthorne authorized our capture—" Wrong word. I try not to grimace at the mistake. "Collection, I mean."

They look at each other and smile.

"Would we have gone with them otherwise?"

"Dr. Wong had to make it seem like an official act."

"Once we arrived, he explained everything to us, of course!"

In VR, I assume. But that won't work for me. "When do I get to meet him?"

"Soon!" they cheer and laugh. "Once the final two members of the Twenty arrive, the Creator will reveal himself in real-time, and he will teach us everything we need to know about our Ascension."

There's that word again, the one D1-436 used earlier. It's like they've all been programmed with the same phraseology.

"Until then, Sera, let's get you a change of clothes and