The Bubbled Illusion

By James Aa. Keister

a set of bubbles holding hundreds of people who learned to farm, survive, love , share was supposed to open after ten years but failed to do so after ffteen years and began to reset itself causing destruction. one was destroyed with a bomb, another burned another produced cannabalism. causing fear to rear its ugly head among the survivors, some of which wanted a way out, one couple found a way out and found a way to survive, avoid cannabals, military men, finding obstacles along the way that challanged them radiation deformity, lack of food supplies, military chasing them and fear for their lives kept them going but trust in one of their teachers led them back into the same situation and they were determined to bide their time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Aa. Keister
• Release date: May 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311439611

James Aa. Keister

James Aa. Keister, was born and lives in Monroe, Michigan. An artist in both the arts and music. Letting this strong sense of talent flourish over into his writings. With an imaginative endorsement of realism that brings forth an ever flowing twist to his novels.

Book preview

Preface

Where will it ever end? Better yet, when? A world gone insane with the lust of over indulgence. Over farming, over polluted, over use of production and all the earth's natural resources. Needed medications, used to the brink of non existence. The sick and dying now lay long in mass graves that never seem to quench their hunger. Not one building or structure had been built in more than half a century. There simply was not enough material to maintain the ones that already existed now. And those were becoming heaps of disarray. Humans crowded together in what was left. Hiding from the world around them, now turned to dust by their own hand. Which only helped to breed disease and famine. Spreading until they had turned on themselves as food. A government crumbling, needing to act fast. So they built what they called, The 'Gardez la foi', a french word that meant, to keep faith. In hopes to preserve the human race.

This 'Gardez la foi', was a series of connected bubble shaped bio domes that were designed to house one thousand men, women, and children. And with every last available resource, the government had at their greedy disposal, they built the 'Gardez la foi' garden houses. More like human aquariums. Aqua cultured bio domes designed to save what was left of a species so determined on self annihilation. Each of the ten gardens were self sufficient, self powered, self sustained. And separate from the others. Each garden bio dome bubbled covered a half square mile circle. Placed side by side, one fused to the next in two rows of five. Nestled in a valley between two mountainous ranges. Somewhere in the far norther territories of Canada. The last remaining region that held any sort of vegetation. Dwindling fast.

The 'Gardez la foi's' were built and those selected were sorted by age, gender, health, knowledge...more over, lack of. Status held no factor in who got selected. Rich and poor were considered equally qualified. Having excellent health earned more favor than all the gold on earth. Even the very young earned their way in. Middle aged and older held very little chance, unless that person had a great deal of knowledge in any field that ended in 'ology' as well as mechanics. And teachers. Which also had their limits. After all, it was all this learned knowledge that had lead mankind to the brink they now stand upon. Certain things were not allowed to be used or taught within certain bubbles, so that each new generation lost the knowledge of what had once been used to bring about such destruction. Some thought to reach for the stars, find a new world, just to find yet another lost failure. Returning with nothing to show for their efforts. So mankind had to look within themselves for answers. Finding but one. One solution. They either annihilate themselves or devolve to a point where they could all peaceably live and learn as they once did thousands of years ago. Back before any sign of alien technology interfered with their development.

Each 'Gardez la foi' was filled with one hundred men, women, and children. Sealed shut and left to their own devices. Yet they were closely monitored. Ten gardens in two rows of five. Each able to see the others next to them. Each numbered. But a number had no meaning to any of those inside these bubbles. Outside, they meant everything. At least they did for a while. Inside these bubbles one hundred human lives were placed. Garden bubble number One, held only young males, most in their twenties. Bubble Two, held only young females same ages as the males. Three, Four, Five, and Six, held small families. One or two children each. Seven and Eight, held only infant children. Males in one, females in the other. Watched over by two adults. Nine and Ten, held those with the greatest knowledge and wisdom. Totaling one thousand in all. The doors were shut and sealed tight. As those inside, their lives fell into a slow motion picture, while the world outside seemed to speed up. While it all was falling apart out in that same cruel world, those inside these gardens, lived as best they could. Without care, without component.

The bubbled bio domes were constructed of a component designed to with stand even the harshest of weathered conditions. Never fading, never deteriorating. Unable to be broken. A force field untouched as those outside wanted in. Having gone to cannibalism. Searching for food. Human food. Slamming their broken tools at the garden domes. Trying their best to get in at what lay within. With no success. Their world was already predestined. A fate unchangeable. And a government uncaring. As death loomed over their heads. And as their world fell to utter ruin, those left to fight onward, may soon fall to that same fate...death. Until none remained, save those within the bubbles.

Not even those in power would exist. They too may turn in on themselves if they fail to find a solution. Some that were on their way to falling, tried returning to the domes, trying to gain entry. But they had locked themselves out with no way in. The military knew long ago, that this may happen. Which could jeopardize the whole mission. Leaving not one fail safe to save themselves as they too watched their government leaders die at the steps of their own device. Fallen to deaths sleeping. Their skeletal remains stacked in heaps. Knowing the world outside the 'Gardez la foi' would do what it has always done. It began to heal itself. A deadly wound inflicted by a virus that tried to consume it...mankind.

Chapter One

The first few days inside the 'Gardez la foi' domes seemed to fly by like a blur as everyone in their perspective bubbles settled in. they had a half square mile plot of fertile land in which to tend and till. Enough seed to grow what was needed to survive. Fruit trees and some small game. In the center of the bubbles were their living quarters. Rooms built just big enough to sleep in. Lights that automatically came to life, whenever they entered or walked the walkways at night, to light their way. Inside their domes, they had nothing to fear except themselves. And in only four short years, those in the two garden domes numbered Nine and Ten had fallen to just that. Each thinking themselves superior over the others with them. Until an interior war broke out and each dome fell to their own demise. In bubble Nine, they had poisoned their food and water supplies. Then their air filtration system until all fell to death's sad embrace. Inside Ten, they fought with home made weapons. Everyone using what resources there was left and fighting over those until only one took control. Soon to fall to something darker.

In the four bubbles set aside for only families, all but a few fell to the same demise leaving those five domes dark and the other five to try and last. It took only ten more years for the last family unit to over populate itself into utter existence. Their one hundred grew to more than two hundred in no time. Where starvation and cannibalism took over. Leaving their lights to go dark. While inside the other bubbles people stood helpless as they witnessed the deaths of those around them. And with no way of communicating with anyone, in any other domed bubble, they were powerless to stop them. Another five years, the men' dome fell to the same, as did the women'. Whom most vowed to starve rather than to eat one another. Now leaving only the two bubbles, Seven and Eight. The ones that were full of very young children. Much too young to understand what their elders had once knew. Much too young to hopefully avoid repeating what their elders had done. It was then, some fifteen years after the doors had been sealed shut that Axen, who was once a three year old, now eighteen, became the curious boy. He began to search his surroundings. For what? He was still unsure.

Axen! Harris, the boy' teacher, called to the boy he had found wandering around the western side of the bubble, where he wasn't supposed to be. Over to where the females lived. You've got a garden to tend to. I don't understand why your always pacing around the edge. The teacher who had been assigned to watch over the one hundred boys had said. Now down to a mere thirty or so, due to illness, sickness, injuries, disease, or simple accidents that took the lives of the others. Even losing one of the two teachers assigned. Their number had dwindled. But at the same time, may have very well saved the rest. Being their supplies also dwindled.

Did you see the other domes? Axen asked. There' never any lights no more. Why? He wanted to understand.

I'm not sure why. Besides, there's nothing we can do for any of them. We've got only us to look out for. Harris explained.

I know. But what if we could get over there? Then we could find out what happened." Axen said.

Maybe. Or you could get killed or bring back some disease that could kill us all.

Yeah, but if you look, you can't see anything but plants. Huge plants with lots of fruit and vegetables we could use over here.

Yeah well, we can't get in. It's been tried.

Not by me! Axen grinned.

Then use that energy to tend your garden. Harris pointed with authority. Axen sighed and went off to do his chores. But all Axen could think of was how to breach that barrier between bubbles. He could see that all the other bubbles were dark and had gone silent around him except for the female dome next to his. His teacher had questioned him once on how he knew all the domes were dark. He told the teacher that he had set up on top their sleeping quarters during the night and watched for any lights to come on, which never shined. Wondering what had happened to the domes. Not once seeing any signs of life except for the plant life that seemed to over take those enclosures. He would lay up on the sleeping quarters roof and stare up at the stars each night, trying to see beyond the thick foliage that had over grown the outside of the 'Gardez la foi'. The over growth of foliage out along the bubbles perimeters was so thick that it appeared to be nothing but a blackened forest of emerald greens. He was barely able to see the peaks of the mountainous ranges on either side of his circular home.

He got his chores done in record time and disappeared to the farthest reaches of his spherical domain. Over to where the locked door stood between him and bubble number "Five. He had taken with him a few items he thought might be useful. A hammer, a nail, a long piece of thick wire, and a knife. He was determined to find his way inside that dome. Even though he had been warned to stay away from those doors, by the teacher. Axen stood in silence at the door's panel. Glanced over his shoulder to make sure he had not been followed or that no one was coming. He had only a few minutes to work before the teacher did his rounds. Mostly to search for him, and that was only because of his curious adventured displays of wanting to know. Other wise, the teacher cared less to walk the perimeter. So Axen hoped for at least a half hour. Being the evenings meal wasn't for another hour or two and all his chores. Were done. He stood at the doors old control panel and began to push buttons on it's key pad. He would push five numbers and then the enter button. But all he got was an annoying buzz for his failure to press the right combination. He had already began with single numbers, then went to two digit combinations. Then three, four, and now he was on the fives. Using every possible combination he could use on the six digit panel. Now he was in the middle of the five digit combos and was somewhere in his forty thousand, seven hundred, twenty six range which should give some idea of how long he had been at this. But not today.

He had wrote the last number combination he had just used on the end of his long list of numbers he had written on the wall next to the panel. His way of keeping track. Then went to using his knife to unscrew the four screws that held the panel cover to the wall. It took him a few minutes to remove the covering. Grinning at his success, then let frustration take over at what he saw next. There was a maze of wires. What and where they went...was a total mystery. So he traced each one with care. Trying to figure out what each one was for. But he was no electrician. And he had no such luck with this. But he was not going to give up. He replaced the panel cover and finger tightened the four screws back into place. He had used up his allotted time and knew that Harris would be around at any time. So he left his tools over in a corner and tried one more number combination. He punched in the numbers and was about to press enter when he heard Harris' voice calling for him.

Shoot! Axen said as he pushed the enter button and ran off for cover in some trees. Slid to a stop behind a tree and lay on the ground as still as a cat watching it's prey. But Axen had never seen a cat. So he had no concept of what such a creature was capable of. He lay watching as the teacher saw his tools and picked them up. Putting them into his pocket. Looked around and paced off. Axen waited until the next opportunity as the man left the area. Most likely headed over to where bubble Nine' door stood, to the far side of the dome. Axen slowly got up. Making sure the teacher had not doubled back, which he was known to do. Ran over to the door and saw a strange light lit up on the panel. Instead of the usual red light, it was now green. Which surprised him. What to do? He thought to himself. Staring at the panel. Did I get the right number? He asked in a whisper. Then pressed the open door button. Heard a click and felt a gush of foul air hit his face as the door slid open an inch or two. It was stuck and he could not get it to open completely. So he closed it. Hoping the foul scent did not make it's way to the teacher' nose.

Axen headed back to his quarters and lay down. Was almost asleep when he felt his arm being jerked. Almost pulling him from his bed. It was Harris, wanting answers. Axen sat up in his bed, looked around at the face' of his brothers that stared back at him.

Where you been? Harris demanded.

Right here. Axen shrugged. But Harris laughed. I don't think so. Besides, you'd be up on the roof at this time of night. You've missed dinner. Now where you been? He raised his brows. Axen knew he was right.

I was out doing what I always do...walking. Axen stated.

Didn't feel like being up on the roof, huh? The teacher asked.

Something like that. I was tired. What's wrong with that? Axen asked his own question in defense.

Nothing, I guess. Just isn't like you to act like this. And I hope for your sake, that it is as you say.

Why would it be any different? Axen asked.

Again Harris laughed. Look around Axen. You are the only one here who looks for trouble to get into. Always defying my rules, my word. Now all of a sudden, you want to be on the straight and narrow. Harris narrowed his eyes. Don't let me find out other wise. He was about to turn. Oh, He said as he pulled out Axen' tools and tossed them on the floor. Here's your things. I found them over by Five' door. Wonder how they got there?" The man grinned. Axen shrugged. Harris left the sleeping quarters with heavy steps. After the teacher was gone, it got so quiet he could hear his heart beat pounding in his ears. Looked down at his tools then back up at the others, who sat staring wide eyed.

What? He scowled. They all knew that the last boy who defied Harris was beaten to death. Then buried beneath the gardens. And Axen was on that list of...'who's next'.

Chapter Two

She sat beneath an apple tree in all her blond haired beauty. Crunching into the sweet fruit with hungered intent. Staring out at her friends as they worked their gardens they had been growing. Some were picking vegetables, while others carried their bushel baskets to the kitchen. It was a large building just off the sleeping quarters used for preparing food and as a dining area. Every bubble was built exactly the same. She watched the few chickens they had left as they pecked at the ground. It had been almost two years since she had seen any chickens over in the boy' bubble.

They must have eaten them all. She was thinking to herself as she took another bite of her apple. Happily chewing away.

Quelen! You'll get scolded if you don't get back to work. Miriam told the day dreaming girl. Just turning seventeen. Quelen finished her apple and threw the core at Miriam, who dodged it and paced off. Quelen got up and gathered her basket just in time to miss another scolding by Darlene. Who was the girl's assigned teacher. She too used to have the help of Jolene, her twin sister. But Jolene passed away some years ago. Leaving Darlene to raise and teach the girls everything they would need to know to live and survive.

Girls! She called out. Let's get our baskets to the kitchen. Then I'll need my Alphas to meet me in the school room while you Betas help the Gammas with the cleaning. Darlene had divided her girls into the three groups, Alphas, Betas, and Gammas to better teach, control, and divide the work load. Each group consisting of twenty-two girls, aging from fifteen to twenty five years of age. Depending on what age they started when the doors were first sealed shut. Having the three groups made life in bubble Eight that much easier. Especially with chores, which Darlene rotated their duties. It kept them from becoming bored.

Yes Ma'am. She heard from her girls as they followed one another to the kitchen.

Quelen. Darlene called for the girl. I'd like a word with you. She