EarthFall

Chap 34. Sanctuary.

Carson woke to find Doc looming over him.

"You got lucky, Carson, you have the perfect blood donor. Abel saved your life. There were no... lethal internal injuries. But you won't be able to walk without assistance for a minimum of 4 months, and don't think of using your left arm for anything during the next 6.

As far as recreational activities are concerned... I'd recommend against those entirely for the next 3 months. On your side, 2 of the ribs were shattered. I've pulled the bullet, and patched the bleeding, but try not to move. You're on a lot of pain pills right now, and you could tear something if you're not careful.

Carson held his hand up. His pinky finger was bandaged. But it was shorter. That was strangely the most depressing affair of his current state. Like he was missing a part of himself. Maybe he just hadn't processed everything yet?

"How long was I out? Did you fix the Director? Stalfon? Where is he?"

"It's only been a few hours. I'm very surprised you're up so soon, honestly. And yes, I 'fixed' Stalfon. After I patched you up, I stabbed that sorry piece of shit in the trachea with a sharpened hollow metal rod. He's breathing fine. He may not be comfortable, but he will live."

"Good."

"I want him to do something for us. It should save a lot of time."

"You think he'd ever do anything for us?"

"No. He'll do it for himself. We'll promise him no trial, no death, and no pain will come to him if he does as we say."

Doc looked like he was going to throw up.

"Trust me."

1 hour later, Carson watched as Stalfon gave the order to evacuate. He talked, his voice barely recognizable over the speakers with his ruined windpipe. But there were certain areas where people could see visual displays and read the subtitles. He told them that terrorists had infiltrated the bubble, and they all had to evacuate, that a nuclear threat was a real concern.

2 hours after that, Carson watched as over a thousand men and a few women piled into the gigantic loading bay. They bustled about in confusion. All the ships were locked...

"Is that all of them?"

"All the support staff are under lock down.... All other Animals are accounted for... Checking for other signatures... I think it's safe to assume this is the rest of them."

"...You dont consider this a genocide?" Carson just wanted to make sure. None of this would have been possible without her.

Maia didn't even hesitate.

"I consider this a mercy, Carson."

He looked at Brianna.

"Greed is the king of sins." Was all she said.

"They knew what they were doing." Tucker agreed.

"My arm was getting sore anyways." Cornelius complained..

"Just do it already." Doc growled.

He hit the release for the Cargo bay doors. The oxygen swept out and into the abyss. Along with over 1200 humans wearing... robes, for some reason.

Tucker and Maia found the other Quancell, the Old World Communicator. Tucker was immensely curious about it.

After that, there was no reason to stay. The place creeped them out. The frivolous decorations, the tasteless landscapes and square angles. If they were trying to mimic Earth, they were doing a horrible job.

After a day of recovering, they began to make preparations for going to Earth. They would have to stop off at Mars for supplies, and that was sure to be exciting.

"The big ship in cargo hull 3 will be able to fit us and our rations for the flight home. I don't know what the Wolves eat yet though.." Doc began.

"If I might... offer a suggestion?" Maia said.

"Well by all means!" Doc said. He had taken a liking to her quicker than Carson had expected.

"We... teleport?" She said.

"I thought you said you used the last one? Or that there were no more?" Carson said.

"Me too! I thought this was going to be a suicide mission!" Cornelius stated. Tucker pat him on the shoulder reassuringly.

"I believe my original statement was that I have enough... 'juice'... to Get the job done and return to Earth... Safely... was it not? Well... we have gotten the job done. And now I propose we return to Earth... safely? Yes? I will need to stock up on more... fuel."

There had been no arguments.

They loaded all the children, the support staff, the Canis and it's puppies, and all the supplies they could pack onto one of the cargo freighters.

Maia rolled aboard, situated herself in the center of the ship, and then proceeded to drill into the steel floor with a special spoke that none of them had seen before.

The air shimmered, barely noticeably.

"Where are we going?"A little girl asked Maia.

"Sanctuary."

"When will we get there?"

"We're already there..." Maia replied.

Doc hit the switch and opened the hatch bay doors. Sunshine and warm air drifted through the cockpit. It smelled of flowers. The doors slid open, revealing a paradise on Earth.