The Timeline: New Earth Chronicles, #5

By Victoria Lehrer

Past the stargate, Captain Jack Merrick welcomes the sight of beautiful Gaia Earth, but the starship Stella Lumina cruises a gray, bleak world that is anything but welcoming.

When Jack conferred with Moira and Zeb, recently rescued from a Dark Planet, he didn't expect to be returning them to a wall-enclosed cell of forced labor. Yet in this timeline, cells like the one he gazes upon near Washington D.C. are all over the planet. Surrounded by dying forests, citizens filled with nanobots walk the streets like robots.

Jolene Ashberg works in a biolab to restore distressed ecosystems, with a robot who claims not to be one. Their reclamation project rapidly loses ground against William Doors, the aspiring god of Earth who relentlessly dispatches planes to rain from the skies trails of poison lethal to living systems.

Moira and Zeb's revelation of trafficked children here, including their own, stalls Jack's plans to return home. In this dismal, locked-down timeline of Earth, Stella Lumina and her crew may offer the children held in tunnels beneath the streets of Washington D.C. their only hope for rescue.

EVOLVED PUBLISHING PRESENTS a compelling visionary sci-fi tale, with post-apocalyptic elements, to bring the past full circle into the future, in this fifth book in the "New Earth Chronicles" series.

"The narrative was perfect, the descriptions were succinct but effective, and the imagery was remarkable." ~ Readers' Favorite Book Reviews, Rabia Tanveer (5 STARS)

"...an absolutely fascinating blend of science fiction, fantasy aspects, interpersonal drama, and all-out action in this rich work of high-stakes space drama." ~ Readers' Favorite Book Reviews, K.C. Finn (5 STARS)

"...an immersive retreat into expansive world-building and a layered universe." ~ Readers' Favorite Book Reviews, Jamie Michele (5 STARS)

"Victoria Lehrer's 'New Earth Chronicles' series has become one of my favorites." ~ Readers' Favorite Book Reviews, Staphanie Chapman (5 STARS)

"Very highly recommended." ~ Readers' Favorite Book Reviews, Asher Sayed (5 STARS)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evolved Publishing LLC
• Release date: Oct 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9781622533817

Victoria Lehrer

In seventh grade, Mrs. Trader inspired me both as a writer and a teacher. In her class, I learned I loved to write and that my classmates liked to hear my stories. Her spirited students engaged in dramatic performances, hands-on projects, and lively discussions—nothing like the poor subdued souls across the hall, managed by the teacher with long green eyes. So Mrs. Trader was my model when I started a school and set aside my writing—that is, until it dawned on me that tribes of children have loved learning by listening to stories for thousands of years. So I wrote about a million words that speak to head and heart, which I am still reading to my child listeners. But now I’m writing stories, my second million words, to speak to the heads and hearts of adult readers and listeners, and hoping my classmates will like them.

Book preview

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THE TIMELINE

New Earth Chronicles – Book 5

Copyright © 2022 Victoria Lehrer

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ISBN (EPUB Version): 162253381X

ISBN-13 (EPUB Version): 978-1-62253-381-7

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Editor: Becky Stephens

Cover Artist: Richard Tran

Interior Designer: Lane Diamond

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE:

At the end of this novel of approximately 111,880 words, you will find two Special Sneak Previews: 1) TRANSFORMATION by Victoria Lehrer, the next book (sixth) in this multiple award-winning New Earth Chronicles series of visionary sci-fi adventures, and; 2) TRAMPLING IN THE LAND OF WOE by William LJ Galaini, the award-winning, critically-acclaimed first book in the metaphysical religious fantasy adventure through Purgatory and Hell in the Hellbound series. We think you’ll enjoy these books, too, and provide these previews as a FREE extra service, which you should in no way consider a part of the price you paid for this book. We hope you will both appreciate and enjoy the opportunity. Thank you.

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eBook License Notes:

You may not use, reproduce or transmit in any manner, any part of this book without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations used in critical articles and reviews, or in accordance with federal Fair Use laws. All rights are reserved.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only; it may not be resold 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, please return to your eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Disclaimer:

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or the author has used them fictitiously.

THE NEW EARTH CHRONICLES

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Book 1: The Augur’s View

Book 2: The Triskelion

Book 3: On Winged Gossamer

Book 4: Tall-ah Earth

Book 5: The Timeline

Book 6: Transformation [Coming Winter 2022/2023]

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www.NewEarthChronicles.net

THE AUGUR’S VIEW

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"The Augur’s View by Victoria Lehrer is a spellbinding introduction to the ‘New Earth Chronicles,’ a compelling science fiction tale with post-apocalyptic undertones and a setting in 2034. ... This novel is a strong opening to a promising series that marks the author apart as one to watch. It begins with a compelling premise, an apocalyptic moment, but then when Earth is devastated, something new emerges, something even more powerful and deadlier. Victoria Lehrer is a great storyteller and she succeeds in creating different levels in the story, with a complex plot that is packed with action and surprising moments. The characters are elaborately developed. The plot is enriched by covert activities and intrigue. There is a powerful sense of mystery—secrets hidden in ancient manuscripts and other worlds to explore. The Augur’s View is exciting, featuring an imaginary setting that goes far beyond the world we know."

~ Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews, Romuald Dzemo (5 STARS)

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"The Augur’s View by Victoria Lehrer is a thrilling science fiction story, parts of it closer to the truth than we may ever know! The story jumps right into the action on the first page and there is no let up for the entire read. Victoria has created a compelling story, filled with action, suspense and intrigue. Her characters are wonderful, developed fully with enough backstory to give them an air of reality. The story is paced well; no dead spots where nothing happens, just steady thrilling adventure all the way. A reader could probably draw a number of parallels between this story and what might happen in real-life should nuclear war erupt. Great story, you won’t put it down."

~ Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews, Anne-Marie Reynolds (5 STARS)

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"What makes this novel unique? First, it is the dystopian setting and the dramatic images against the backdrop of a splintering Union of the Americas in 2034. This setting and the phenomenal event of the Solar Flash create the environment where intrigue and the quest for power develops, a conflict that is fueled by secrets associated with an ancient manuscript. The plot has many levels and it is interesting how the author allows the conflict to evolve in the different points of the plot. The Augur’s View features memorable characters, an ingeniously plotted story, a phenomenal conflict, and a world that is exciting to navigate, a blend of a dying Earth and another dimension. The Augur’s View by Victoria Lehrer is a riveting, exceptional story for fans of dystopian and science fiction novels."

~ Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews, Ruffina Oserio (5 STARS)

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"Victoria Lehrer has written a compelling kickoff to the ‘New Earth Chronicles’ series with The Augur’s View. She presents a dystopian world as it exists post Solar Blast, a coronal mass ejection which fries the electronics of every unshielded device in the world. Victoria Lehrer has tackled a story with a huge number of initial plot elements in play, and done it well. The Augur’s View sets the stage for what will almost certainly be a worthy series. I particularly liked Gavin and his heroic quest struggles to fit into the augur rider community. Dora’s serendipitous introduction was handled adroitly and she will also be an interesting character to follow. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the second installment."

~ Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews, Dan M. Kalin (5 STARS)

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THE TRISKELION

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"A romance set in the heart of a complex, political dystopian drama, this is a beautiful game of chess which author Victoria Lehrer plays out in her new society. I love how the storyline and genre elements are totally different to The Augur’s View, but the overall tone and strict new world feels just the same. It’s excellent to have a new central heroine to follow with a strong emotional arc, but there’s also the wider politics of the rebel movement to consider and the connections to old characters we know, as well as powerful new symbols we have yet to understand. Overall, The Triskelion is an accomplished science fiction novel of high literary quality, expanding a fantastically developed new world whilst also providing a new kind of plot for us to follow within it."

~ Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews, K.C. Finn (5 STARS)

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"The tight plotting, clear prose, engaging storytelling and Victoria Lehrer’s creation of characters as well as world-building are impeccable. The Triskelion is as impressive as its predecessor, where the strength of the characterization deftly moves the well-paced plot with a potent blend of sci-fi, suspense, intrigue, and drama. Dora’s determination to save Caellum and do her part for the Sovereign Movement while keeping her role as a royal under the watchful eye of Charles Scholtz is easily rootable and will keep readers on edge. All in all, The Triskelion is a gripping read and a solid continuation for the ‘New Earth Chronicles.’ Fans of the series will truly enjoy this commendable work from Lehrer."

~ Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews, Lit Amri (5 STARS)

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Although I did not read the first novel in the series, I had no issue with becoming invested and interested in the characters. The story itself is very captivating; the highs and lows of the plot had me riveted and wanting more. Dora and Caellum were going through some tough times in this novel, but their growth and development were amazing. Dora was not helpless or desperate; Caellum was fearless and ready to fight. They made a very strong couple that makes you want to cheer them on. I loved the story, the characters, and even the villains. There was nothing I would wish for the author to change in the story. It is perfect the way it is! A very interesting and entertaining novel.

~ Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews, Rabia Tanveer (5 STARS)

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"Victoria Lehrer has created an interesting story with The Triskelion. The book is set in the not so distant future of 2037. The world has been destroyed, but people are trying to rebuild it. The author has included so much detail that I could really picture this futuristic world. There is a lot going on and there is a lot of futuristic tech involved, like nanites, and the plan to inject people was intriguing. I thought the story flowed well, and I enjoyed reading about the characters. I have not read book 1, but I understood what was going on from this book. I liked how the characters interacted with each other, the dialogue was natural and the story kept me turning the pages. I think that this book could fall under science fiction too, although the cover makes it seem like high fantasy. There is a mix of everything in here. I would recommend The Triskelion by Victoria Lehrer. I enjoyed this book and would read the whole series to see what happens."

~ Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews, Samantha Gregory (5 STARS)

We’re pleased to offer you not one, but two Special Sneak Previews at the end of this book.

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In the first preview, you’ll enjoy the first chapter of Victoria Lehrer’s TRANSFORMATION, the next (sixth) book in this multiple award-winning New Earth Chronicles series of visionary sci-fi adventures.

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[Cover Image Coming Soon]

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TO STAY UP-TO-DATE ON THIS SERIES,

PLEASE STAY TUNED TO OUR WEBSITE HERE:

NEW EARTH CHRONICLES Series at Evolved Publishing

In the second preview, you’ll enjoy the first three chapters of William LJ Galaini’s TRAMPLING IN THE LAND OF WOE, the award-winning, critically-acclaimed first book in the metaphysical religious fantasy adventure through Purgatory and Hell in the Hellbound series.

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OR GRAB THE FULL EBOOK TODAY!

FIND LINKS TO YOUR FAVORITE RETAILER HERE:

HELLBOUND Series at Evolved Publishing

Alternate timeline? Stella, what are you talking about? Jack Merrick, captain of the starship Stella Lumina, hopes the ship’s persona can explain the anomalies on Gaia Earth.

Stella’s brown chin length hair bobs as she answers. In the enduring timeline of your beloved Gaia, the one you recall, humanity saved themselves from the attempted global coup of a totalitarian regime. The battle, unknown to many, was intense. In the 2020s, a spiritual warfare raged with apocalyptic intensity—not just with guns, but between the forces of darkness and light, the culmination of thousands of years of struggle.

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In The Timeline the plight of Moira and Zeb, desperate to rescue their kidnapped children, draws Jack Merrick, captain of the starship Stella Lumina, into a dark future on his beloved Gaia Earth.

In this alternate reality, overlords, reptiloid/humanoid hybrids, direct the AI controller of nanobots that course the population’s brains and numb consciousness. In this future foretold in plain sight on the very real Georgia Guidestones, the population has been reduced to 500 million. As outlined in the also very real Agenda 2030, couched in evocative terms like ‘sustainability,’ and ‘no more hunger,’ humanity has been stacked in small cells to free Earth of the human blight.

I want to be clear. Though in 2022 we are navigating rough—and getting rougher—seas, I don’t envision humanity anchoring our ship of dreams on the shore of that nightmarish timeline. Nor do I want to divert your attention from our collective birthing of the New Earth, the newborn world imbued with prosperity, creativity and brotherhood. However, I’m convinced that the keys to co-creating a future governed by the good, the true and the beautiful, are discernment and heart—the means to save the children.

What children? you may ask.

I would assert, The trafficked ones carefully hidden from public scrutiny.

As a child, I watched The Wizard of Oz every Halloween. As an adult, I learned the wizard and Oz are key elements of a metaphor for screens that hide disturbing revelations from public scrutiny. Tentatively, this book dips its toe into a heartbreaking maze hidden beneath our feet—tunnels that crisscross our planet, until recently, filled with caged humans. Thankfully, the Earth Alliance, a joining of militaries around the world, has rescued thousands of children. But the struggle to free them to the very last one has also been screened from your view.

You might scoff, Sounds like the stuff of conspiracy theories to me.

My best response is, Good-hearted people are often trusting people, convinced screened wizards wield power in humanity’s best interest.

Since the storyline implicates certain elites, politicians and corporations in cover-ups of dark secrets, you might ask, Why would they lie to us?

How about this example: Ever seen someone who seeks your good opinion sweep shameful behavior under a rug?

Kicking and screaming, No this can’t be true. It’s too awful, this author, a conspiracy researcher, has tunneled into cunningly hidden usuary. This most alarming rabbit hole, entered tentatively, has disclosed underground holding cells for trafficked children.

To shake off impressions of such violations as only a bad nightmare would be preferable to being haunted by images of caged desperation. To learn that behind global curtains, fabulously rich and powerful elites do not pull corporate, political and military strings on the world stage, but are instead well-intentioned benefactors of the rest of us—such a realization would bring relief.

On the other hand, if it’s true that trafficked children have provided a lucrative enterprise, raking in millions, to satisfy elite madness; if it’s true the rich and famous crave an addictive elixir carried in young blood, then who’s hiding these despicable truths from good-hearted, trusting people worldwide?

Hint: Wizards of this modern Oz curtain misdeeds by employing extortion and bribes of their minions, and AI-generated censorship of truthtellers. When people of conscience learn the extent to which powerful entities script the news and employ look over here diversionary tactics, they won’t like it, to say the least.

In The Timeline, so as not to trigger censors, the spellings of well-known bloodlines are scrambled, and key terms and names have been replaced with suggestive substitutes. But many of you will enjoy figuring out the real names and terms.

This visionary journey through an imagined Oz allowed me to employ the courageous hearts of Captain Jack Merrick and others on behalf of a group of trafficked children. Thankfully, though in 2022, media lips are sealed, real-life courageous and caring warriors have rescued, and continue to rescue, thousands of children. Currently, truth-speakers are dispersing the smoke-shield, and it’s said exposed perpetrators are panicked.

This fifth book in the New Earth Chronicles descends into dark revelations. Nonetheless, the author envisions our ascent to an enlightened future, scripted and co-created by awake and aware humanity. Acts of courage by groups like the Earth Alliance presage the dawn of a New Earth. In Gaia’s emergent timeline, a world in which sovereign humanity protects all children already brightens the horizon.

From my Heart to Yours,

Victoria

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LIST OF CHARACTERS, TERMS AND LOCATIONS

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LEADING CHARACTERS

Bruce Johnson – Shuttle driver married to Jolene

Des-2-48/Andrew Simmons – A man trapped in a robot body

Jack Merrick – Captain of the ship Stella Lumina

Jolene Ashberg – Naturalist, heads BioRenewal Labs

Moira and Zeb Ratcliffe – Workers from Cell 51-66

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SUPPORTING CHARACTERS

Alfred Moore/Alfie – Former shuttle driver turned playwright

Captain Terrance Reis – Governs Cell 51-66

Doctor Strangess – Surgeon

Judith – Child therapist

Roger – Captain Reis’s aide

*Sheriff Mack – Namesake son of the 2020s hero

Stacy – Head cook for Cell 51-66

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*As of December 2020, Sheriff Mack, a great American hero, has gone from state to state growing an organization of Constitutional Sheriffs, who have agreed to defend our divine rights, rather than participate in Nazi-style tactics to wrest complete control in defiance of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, the Nuremberg Code and our God-given freedoms.

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MINOR CHARACTERS

Admiral Mark Jacobson – Space Force Commander

Brighton and Rachel – Jack and Renae’s children on Tall-ah Earth

Captain Denare – Jacobson’s adjunct

Captain Wang – Police captain

Katie – Student at The Institute

Ms. Latham – Headmistress of The Institute

Nurse Adams – Overseer of trafficking tunnels

Rose and Tanzan – Moira and Zeb’s children

Renae – Jack’s wife on Tall-ah Earth

Sergeant Davis – Shuttle co-pilot

Topaz Haglihakte – Female reptilian

Zetlich Haglihakte – Male reptilian

Admiral Jacobson – Earth Space Force

Admiral Rotae – Commander of Galactic Council Space Force

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THE OVERLORDS (Pseudonyms)

Fausti – Fraudulent doctor; co-financier of the C-19 bio weapon

George Rosos – Dark cult overlord

Klausen Schwaben – Dark cult overlord

The Dorthlichs – Dark cult overlords

The Kellercorfes – Dark cult overlords

William Doors – Dark cult overlord; father of chemtrails; father of depopulation ‘injections;’ co-financier of C-19 bio weapon

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CREW OF STELLA LUMINA

Commander Click

Ensign Coney

Ensign Wrasser

Doctor Geolode

Lieutenant Commander Dave

Lieutenant Daisy

Lieutenant Akenaton

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TERMS & LOCATIONS

Adren-chromium – Pseudonym for the highly addictive drug extracted from trafficked children in a state of adrenaline-generating terror. Means of extortion of Hollywood stars, politicians and corporate moguls.

Cell 51-66 – Houses enslaved ‘workers’

Chemtrails – Trails that began noticeably crisscrossing the skies around 1990. For several years, officialdom denied their existence, and networks fired weather forecasters for mentioning them. Finally, the general public learned of them as benign ‘geo-engineering’ trails.

Unlike contrails which dissipate several lengths behind the jets that emit them, chemtrails crisscross the entire sky for hours, increasing in number, and spread until they form a gray haze. Strangely, many people simply do not see chemtrails, while a few have researched the composition of metal particulates poisonous to all life. But the majority still scoff at the possibility of mal-intent.

Earth Alliance – Alliance of the Galactic Federation of Worlds and Gaian militaries

Khazarian Hills – Gated neighborhood of overlord mansions

The Alliance – Alliance of Gaian militaries

Washington, D.C. – Rebuilt overlord domain

Table of Contents

Copyright

Books by Victoria Lehrer

What Others Are Saying

BONUS CONTENT

Introduction

Table of Contents

THE TIMELINE

Chapter 1 – The Robot

Chapter 2 – Gaia Earth

Chapter 3 – Alfie’s Job

Chapter 4 – The Cargo

Chapter 5 – William Doors

Chapter 6 – Cell 51-66

Chapter 7 – Ailing Brains

Chapter 8 – Hansel & Gretel

Chapter 9 – The Hole

Chapter 10 – The Chase

Chapter 11 – Captain Reis

Chapter 12 – The Ceremony

Chapter 13 – Conspirators

Chapter 14 – Aditi

Chapter 15 – Moira

Chapter 16 – Shells

Chapter 17 – Robot Reflections

Chapter 18 – Yami

Chapter 19 – The Towers

Chapter 20 – Doctor Strangess

Chapter 21 – The Dorthlich Event

Chapter 22 – Hope’s Run

Chapter 23 – The Groundnet

Chapter 24 – Sheriff Mack

Chapter 25 – The Twins

Chapter 26 – The Institute

Chapter 27 – The Performance

Chapter 28 – The Manhole

Chapter 29 – Shipments

Chapter 30 – Scaffolding

Chapter 31 – Forced Hands

Chapter 32 – Rescue Plans

Chapter 33 – Aditi/Yami

Chapter 34 – Moreau’s Island

Chapter 35 – Placement Plans

Chapter 36 – Under Arrest

Chapter 37 – The Hostage

Chapter 38 – Mandates

Chapter 39 – The Rescue

Chapter 40 – The Waltz

Chapter 41 – Changes

Chapter 42 – Connections

Chapter 43 – Confrontations

Chapter 44 – Lily

Chapter 45 – Resolutions

EPILOGUE

Acknowledgements

About the Author

What’s Next?

More from Victoria Lehrer

More from Evolved Publishing

Special Sneak Preview: TRANSFORMATION by Victoria Lehrer

Special Sneak Preview: TRAMPLING IN THE LAND OF WOE by William LJ Galaini

You probably think I’m just a robot.

Rainforest butterflies, each a stunning specimen, flitted inside the hatchery as Jolene stared at the speaker. Startled by the robot’s statement of the obvious, she extended her arm, and an electric blue rhetus fluttered to her finger. The new wings opened and closed while she grappled with the bizarre statement of the robot checked out from the dispatch. Watching the rhetus fly to the hatchery wall, she replied, Yes... of course. You’re designation two-thirteen-forty-eight.

But I was not born February 13, 2048.

Born. The robot’s use of the term in connection with itself irritated Jolene. Listen, you were not ‘born’ at all. Mesmerized by pale green wings streaked with black, she shook away the robot’s absurd implication. As the kite swallowtail drank from a puddle, she corrected Des-2-48. You came online two years ago.

Actually, I was born in 2005.

Fluttering wings, breathtakingly gorgeous, held Jolene’s mute stare as she processed what she could hardly believe she had just heard. As far as she knew, robots didn’t lie. Yet, for a robot to be delusional was equally impossible. Captivated by a glasswing perched on her shoulder, she replied, Surely, you’re not implying you’re a cyborg.

In a sense, yes, I am.

Close, uncomfortable, the humid air in the hatch house dampened Jolene’s skin. Besides, the environment had become too confining for the newly-hatched species, and the surrounding rainforest beckoned. Before these beauties damage their wings in this enclosure, we need to release them. She signaled Des-2-48 to pull back the flaps and urged, Go for it, you exquisite creatures. Beyond this cramped environment, rotting fruit and flowers and moist poop await you.

Amid vine-looped rainforest limbs, wings fluttered in every direction, several flitting out of sight as Jolene followed the robot into the biosphere. "Des-2, you know as well as I do, the cyborgs, the techno/biological humans of Klausen Schwaben’s fourth industrial revolution, are all out there. She gestured with a broad sweep of her arm. They don’t await checkout in the robot dispatch. They’re walking the streets of Washington, D.C."

Jolene, a few people of means, like myself, are not necessarily filled with implants. We’re a different kind of cyborg.

People of means?

Billionaires. You may have heard of me, Andrew Simmons.

Jolene laughed. Of course I’ve heard of him. An avid supporter of the transhumanist agenda, his money helped fund the science departments of major universities. She paused to add thoughtfully, "Ironically, he also helped fund my Natural Nature documentaries. Surely you’re not claiming to be him."

I am him.

Jolene’s frustration was reaching the boiling point. She’d never come across a robot with such pretense to grandeur. You done checking those bromeliads in the grow room?

I am. All healthy. Tadpoles are swimming in their tiny pools.

Good. Then you’re off duty, Des-2. Thank God. I can’t take much more of this. "I believe you’re due back at the dispatch."

Des-2 turned and stared at her—oddly for a robot. A green snake hanging from the lowest limb of a young ceiba tree drew Jolene’s attention. But she couldn’t free her mind of her presumptive assistant. He spoke and behaved unlike any other robot she had checked out.

And he still wasn’t gone. Jolene, I know you think my claim is crazy, but I’d like a chance to explain to you what was going on behind the scenes in the late 2020s.

Why do I not want to hear what he has to say? She shifted her gaze from Des–2 to a herd of peccaries passing single file through the darkened understory. Nearby, a flock of noisy parrots flashed a stunning array of reds and blues as they landed on the limbs of a kapok tree.

The robot had the gall to continue. You and I both know robots don’t lie, unless they’re programed with false information.

Exactly. How do I know your programming isn’t false?

You don’t. But if you hear me out, you can better decide whether I’m a robot or a man.

Des-2, are you or are you not on loan from the robot dispatch?

I am on loan as a robot assistant.

Is your body not composed of synthetic blood, bones and tissues?

It is, mostly.

Aren’t all your organs synthetic?

All but one.

And that is?

My brain.

Her own brain failed to process his statement. Complete synaptic failure. "Des-2, that’s absurd. Your designer definitely programmed you with that false information."

After Des-2 finally left, Jolene closed up the biosphere and returned to her third-story office to stand at the window. Across the street, people with glazed expressions moved along the sidewalks of City Park. The surrounding landscape was manicured, pristine, not a leaf or blade of grass out of place, no evidence of human intrusion. She usually denigrated the sterile scene, but at this moment, viewing the robotic procession of people helped settle Jolene’s nerves.

She recalled her childhood, the era of the riots, the four square miles of park across the street filled with landscaped business centers. Like many districts around the U.S., unchallenged, violent gangs had burned it to the ground, leaving behind a wasteland of charred rubble. Frustrated youths, funded by the billionaire Rosos, had helped bring the constitutional republic to its knees.

Eventually, the new regime of billionaire overlords put to death their instruments of destruction. Establishing Washington, D.C. at the epicenter of their lair, the oligarchs had the debris cleared and City Park installed. The original Capitol and White House were no more, but the new buildings stood stalwart and strong assuring all that the Union of the Americas stood staunchly rooted in well-ordered totalitarian governance.

Jolene’s fingers brushed the featherlike leaves of a fern. At its base, a spider clutched the center of its web as a fly landed, and the web trembled at the arrival of the food source. She recalled the childhood nursery rhyme that began with, ‘Come into my parlor,’ said the spider to the fly. Of course, as a child, she thought the rhyme was only about a spider and a fly. Her teacher probably did too. Who would connect it to overlords residing at the center of a web for the entrapment of humanity?

In the 2020s, corporate-owned media and corrupted government wove silken strands of frightening, falsified statistics concerning a lab-produced pandemic. As planned the prior decade by the Kellercorfes and their cronies, scripted news entrapped the masses in the grip of fear. During ever-extended lockdowns, masked people willingly abandoned constitutional guarantees in favor of increasingly stringent mandates. Censorship and ‘suicides’ silenced doctors who offered cures. Ridicule and fact-checkers pounced on ‘conspiracy theorists’ who exposed the scheme to ensnare humanity through alarm-generating deceptions.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, written and touted by Klausen Schwaben, seduced millions with descriptions of the wonders of technology injected in humans. He declared humans had become dead weight on the planet and in the future should be replaced by cyborgs and robots. Beyond the window moved the outcome: mind-controlled people—cyborgs—intermingling with robots, the difference between them barely discernable. As Jolene left her office, she shook away the web of impressions, including her unsettling interchange with Des-2.

The next morning, determined to override Des-2’s claims of a transferred brain with focused work, Jolene greeted the robot with, Three doors down the hall is the holographic immersion room. She led him into the simulation, a complex and stunningly beautiful rainforest, where the sensations of sound, scent, texture, warmth and humidity brought the experience to life.

The deafening roars of howler monkeys, their calls answered on distant branches, surrounded the pair as a blue morpho butterfly with an eight-inch wingspan flitted by. While the creature’s beauty in the realm of burgeoning life excited Jolene’s passion to save the world’s forests, Des-2 fulfilled his function as a walking catalogue. Adult Morpho, peleides butterflies don’t sip nectar. Therefore, they do not visit flowers. They are frugivores, fruit feeders, and often feed on rotting fruit.

Jolene’s mind turned to her college days and discussions of the destruction of rainforests. On vast swathes of cleared land ranchers overgrazed pastures, and farmers depleted the soil with petroleum-based fertilizers. After the already poor soil was ravaged, they moved on, leaving it fit only for scrub.

A decade later, in the 2030s, while the overlord William Doors was designing bio/tech realms to replace organic biomes, Jolene dedicated her life to the reclamation of devastated forests. Fortunately, the majority of overlords shared her alarm and supported efforts to restore dying ecosystems—a process that, without intervention, would have taken centuries. New breakthroughs were speeding up the revival of the world’s forests. By inserting proper subterranean organisms in the soil, along with insects, ferns and small animals, scientists could jumpstart the biological complexity of the life cycle. Jolene loved her work.

As she and Des-2 made observations and took notes, a coiled pattern, olive green with black blotches, drew her gaze. Inches from her foot was the head of a green anaconda, the largest snake in the world, a species capable of squeezing a human to death as it consumed the entire body. My God, it’s after me.

Des-2 stepped between her and the giant reptile, lifted it and deposited it several feet away, facing in the opposite direction. Though shaking, Jolene managed to laugh at herself for forgetting the snake wasn’t flesh and blood.

When Des-2 indicated a male tree frog headed up a trunk with its young on its back, Jolene inserted a holographic ladder and climbed it to reach a bromeliad perched in the crotch of a tree limb. Piggybacked on its parent, the tiny frog rode to the bromeliad pool that would be its home and source of food. Leaves and debris fell into these reservoirs and nourished algae and single-celled organisms. These, in turn, fed the mosquito larvae on which the frog would thrive.

As the young frog hopped into its new home, tiny waves rippled Jolene’s joy. Next week, a huge airborne craft would transport a crew armed with organisms, insects, small amphibians, reptiles and mammals, and they would plant seedlings and even small trees to establish a tiny thriving ecosystem in the midst of the ailing Amazon Rainforest. Within a decade, the goal was to revitalize thousands of acres.

When Jolene and Des-2 returned to the grow lab where they experimented with plants, soil and micro-organisms, she sighed. Our part of the rainforest project is complete. I won’t need further assistance today.

As the robot gave her that strange look she had noticed the day before, he stood unmoving. Jolene, I would appreciate a chance to tell you my story.

Again, his manner, his phrasing, so un-robot-like, unnerved her. Of course, Des-2. When we have a chance.

I read your biography. Des-2’s words, spoken out of the blue, stunned her. "You read my history?"

Yes. I know about your horse-jumping days in your youth.

And?

Someday, I’d like a chance to tell you about my jumping horses and training camps.

As though she were the robot, his words shorted her out. Speechless, she returned the stare of the incomprehensible assemblage of circuits and synthetics. He knows about my horse-jumping days? He’s implying he owned jumping horses? Her silence forestalled more conversation.

I’ll be going for now. Thanks for the day, Jolene.

As Des-2 walked away, she decided, I will not have him back. He gives me the willies. This weird episode is over.

Closing the door on the rainforest plants that would be hauled away soon, Jolene was excited to begin the next project—to revitalize the dying coastal forests of northeast America, beginning with those surrounding Washington, D.C. Knowing a major cause of the die-off, she pondered the urgency of a visit to her former boss, William Doors. The mad instigator of the destruction of biological biomes had become obsessed with playing god by means of the chemtrail onslaught and his self-designed synthetic world. The BioRenew labs, with Jolene at the helm, were his fellow overlords’ countermove to undo the damage that threatened the organic forests’ future existence.

After making an appointment with Doors, Jolene left the lab to enter the elevator of a nearby high-rise. Her spacious tenth-floor apartment with luxurious furnishings was allotted to her thanks to her scientific pedigree and years of experience. Eager to see her husband, she called for him as she entered their home. Bruce was her real home, her respite from the world’s insanity. Of all his admirable traits, it was his kind and generous heart she valued most. She had treasured their relationship since the day they met.

While she sat on the sofa waiting for Bruce to arrive, orange juice in hand, she recalled the day they all but collided on the sidewalk. They met at the corner where a man stood hunched over, an old-fashioned handheld comm tentatively extended as though in readiness to hide it at a moment’s notice. Vagrants were practically non-existent in Washington, D.C., and definitely not seen in the downtown district.

As long as citizens behaved, followed the laws and dictates, each had an assigned job and sufficient credits allotted to their accounts to sustain them with adequate food, lodging, transportation and clothing. Of course, for the citizenry to enjoy these benefits, the government did require proper spending of electronic funds. Similarly, quitting one’s job was an offense punishable by all funds withdrawn and ejection from one’s lodging.

The beggar leaning against the wall was sure to be reported by a drone and apprehended by robot-flanked police. However, sharing funds with homeless people was not included in ‘allowable expenditures.’ Nonetheless, looking around furtively, Jolene calculated how to help the vagrant with the least backlash on herself. Since all monetary exchanges were tracked, she knew by transferring credits from her comm to his, she would accrue a penalty. Shared credits would be flagged as a bad spending choice. She’d be denied equivalent funds the following month.

After a moment’s hesitation, she decided to incur the penalty. As she tapped her wrist to engage the holographic screen and code a week’s food buying privileges into the man’s comm, another man approached. Casually dressed, tall and strongly built, his black curls had resisted a comb’s flattening.

Hey, man, was all the newcomer said. No questions. No warnings.

The comm quickly disappeared behind the beggar’s gaunt frame. His bleary eyes blinked as though in need of sleep while his boney frame screamed starvation. A threadbare shirt hung on his thin shoulders, and his hand trembled slightly.

Name’s Bruce, the new arrival said, and his smile included both her and the vagrant. Bruce extended his hand, large, golden brown to the man’s pale boney one.

Standing taller, the man replied, Alfred.

Hand still extended, Bruce turned to Jolene. And?

Blood rushed to Jolene’s cheeks as the strong hand held hers gently but firm and warm, and she said her name. When Bruce invited Alfred to breakfast, the sunken gray eyes widened and the thin body moved away from the wall. Bruce’s liquid brown eyes probed Jolene’s. I’d love for you to join us.

Well, I, thank you, but... okay, sounds nice. Though she wasn’t hungry, the time on her hands made the offer irresistible. Not to mention her fascination with Bruce. She shut off the screen at her wrist.

Then let’s go. How about Glenda’s Café across the street? Bruce motioned her and Alfred ahead.

They stepped from the sidewalk, and the self-driven cars from either direction stopped as they crossed the intersection.

When they were seated in the café, Alfred explained the obvious. I’m out of work. As though it were a crime to be jobless, he looked down, shamefaced.

You lost your job? Jolene asked. He was the first jobless person she had met in Washington, D.C.

I left it.

She struggled to hide her surprise. No one decided from one day to the next to quit their job. Such a rash move equated suicide. And no one was allowed to help a ‘deserter,’ as they were called, without a severe penalty to themselves. A disgruntled worker could request a transfer and, with luck and persistence, might receive one within six months or so. But what kind of person would risk being penniless, ejected from their living quarters and ostracized by the uncaring Department of Labor on which everyone depended? What job complaint was worth such consequences?

Before she could ask him why, Bruce, who had the grace not to pry, said, Sounds like you could use some help obtaining work.

Tears sprang to the man’s eyes. At that moment, the robot server appeared at their table to take their orders. Before Alfie responded, he waited for the robot to move away and glanced around the room. As long as I can find an assignment that is morally acceptable, yes, I desperately need one.

Jolene mulled over the term he had used. I know of jobs that are unpleasant, but I have no idea what you mean by ‘morally acceptable.’

The pale, red-rimmed eyes, spoke volumes as Alfie glanced at Jolene’s and Bruce’s technologically enhanced wrists and