Devolution

By Clabe Polk

Derek 100771 lives in a far future world where the human population has long exceeded the ability of the Earth to support it. Derek is a person who needs human contact and communication in a world where human interaction is controlled by computers and even sex is virtual. But Derek is a rebel. He is willing to risk correction and attitude adjustment, even recycling in order to maintain a little human contact. He is even willing to risk the fear and animosity of his virtual female companion in order to dream.

In Derek’s time disease and unexpected death have been eradicated and births must be supported one to one by deaths; life is lived exclusively to support the lives of the whole. And then an accident occurs that changes everything!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Clabe Polk
• Release date: Mar 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310372377

Clabe Polk

CLABE POLK is into a second career as a writer of fiction. So far, he has written four novels, three novellas, several short stories, and has a couple of other novels in process. He is a lifelong reader with a great variety of life experience.With a background in biology and natural sciences, Mr. Polk has more than thirty-seven years in professional environmental protection program management and law enforcement.He lives in Powder Springs, Georgia with his wife, two daughters, and the family’s Cockapoo named Annie.

Book preview

Devolution

By

Clabe R. Polk

Published by Clabe R. Polk, Powder Springs, GA

USA

Devolution is a work of fiction. All events, characters, locations and activities are products of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual events, locations, activities or persons either living or dead are coincidental.

CDC is referenced only for the purpose of providing a fictional storyline. CDC has the necessary expertise, resources and ability to ensure containment of any potential release of disease organism cultures from their facilities due to a natural disaster.

Copyright © 2014 by Clabe R. Polk. All rights reserved. Except as permitted by the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976 (Title 17, United States Code, as amended), no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or information retrieval system without the written permission of the author.

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite e-book retailer and purchase your own copy.

Devolution

Derek slid his right hand into the scanner and winced a little as the scanner checked his skin cell DNA. The scanner took a few seconds to separate his DNA from the 20 billion other sets of DNA data in its files. He fidgeted nervously; impatiently.

Derek 100771, your work shift is not complete. You may not leave the work area, said the monitor.

Damn, cursed Derek, "I thought the maintenance schedule would have this thing all screwed up today!

Derek 100771, cursing is not permitted. Please submit to pacification, said the monitor clamping a restraint on Derek’s hand. Derek felt his implanted organizer flood his brain with pacification drugs and in a few seconds he was in a walking daydream. Derek 100771, this is your third violation in thirty diurnal cycles. One more infraction will result in mandatory re-education and any subsequent violation will result in recycling, do you understand?

Screw you! said Derek.

The question requires a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.

Yes…I understand. Give me my hand back!

The machine paused briefly. Your answer is acceptable. The machine released his hand. You may return to work by the quickest possible route; routes and travel times have been calculated and downloaded to your personal organizer for your benefit.

Derek looked around at the ocean of people standing shoulder to shoulder as far as his eyes could see in every direction; people that had long since reproduced themselves well beyond the ability of the world’s resources to sustain them; people living exclusively on recycled,