Escape the Chambers

By Dr. Thomas Coleman

Eons into the future, the Titans develop a perfect society with no jails or hospitals. Tithonus, a medical researcher, triumphs over a myriad of viruses, plagues, and other biological degradations. At the height of his distinguished career, his wife dies and he descends into unproductiveness and depression.

In response to Tithonus' dilemma, young Dawn is extracted from the chambers to ascertain if she can revive Tithonus back to vitality and productivity. Not only does Dawn help Tithonus revitalize, but he also learns values that are antithetical to Titan teachings.

Dawn and Tithonus flee the addictive confines of Titan society in search of freedom, survival, and true immortality. The Park to which the duo escape is an untamed world of savagery, along with mountainous splendor and hope. As their existence unravels around them, does the couple achieve victory in a quest for redemption and life's ultimate purpose?

"Timely, provocative, and controversial. Is society really heading in this direction?" John R.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098070984

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Escape the Chambers

Dr. Thomas Coleman

Copyright © 2021 by Dr. Thomas Coleman

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Acknowledgements

I thank my amazingly industrious wife for all of the encouragement and hard work she invested into editing and polishing this manuscript. Bev Funk for typing the initial manuscript from a previous format. Additionally, I am very grateful to Bev Funk, Lois Kraft, Susan Lyons, and Susan Tramaglini for reading the manuscript, and making editorial suggestions.

Escape The Chambers

You shall know the truth…

Chapter 1

The frozen sun shone crisp and brilliant as Dawn glided on cross-country skis through the snow dunes down a slight hill onto Lost Lake. Oblivious of their parents, her five-year-old twins Emmitt and Malina floundered on their tiny boards as they sprawled into the snow at mama’s feet.

What’s going on here? Dad laughed, poling up and setting each giggling child upright. He then reached into the fluffy snow to fetch their lost ski poles.

Daddy, that was fun, Malina tittered, reaching to grasp the edge of mama’s furry parka to pull herself more upright.

I have snow in my eyes, Emmitt cried, as he rubbed his frosted sunglasses.

Reaching down, Dawn said, Here you go! Let me clean your goggles.

With the family upright and slowly making grooves in the wintery fluff on the lake, Dawn cocked her head, surveying the remote Alaskan wilderness with its cragged mountains. I love it here, Leo. They can’t find us. Nothing but our family and perfect freedom and serenity.

Leo smiled. A fluffy white arctic fox leapt in arcs through the drifts on the crystalline ice. The fox seemed to be as fascinated by the white fluff as were the children. The furry creature froze mid leap and his eyes shot skyward.

An ominous dark shadow glided over them. Leo and Dawn glanced up to see what they most feared streaking over their heads and landing onto the frozen lake.

What is that mommy? Emmitt shrieked, as he watched the black ship break through the ice and sink into the water. White foam splashed into the air. When it seemed as if the amorphous blob would sink to the bottom, it levitated back out of the water and glided quietly toward them to set down about fifty feet away.

Dawn, they found us! Leo said, twisting his neck around in search of an escape.

Come on, turn around, let’s go! Dawn said hysterically.

Fleeing with the children in tow, they heard the sound of a motor. Twisting around, Leo saw a door open on the side of the ship and a gang plank slide out.

The opening revealed six large Titan soldiers dressed in full black battle armor. They leaped down the incline. As their feet hit the lake’s ice, they tumbled into each other and skidded on their backs into a large snow drift.

Both Leo and Dawn abandoned their skis, and casting their children’s equipment aside, they struggled through the deep snow toward the thick bushes on the shore.

Stop! Leo heard a man yell, simultaneously feeling the full weight of a Titan crashing down on his back. Leo sprawled to the ground and Emmitt tumbled with him; both he and Malina started to wail.

It’s no use, Leo, Dawn said, putting Malina down and turning to Leo who was banging his fists on the Titan’s armor. Blood from Leo’s gloveless hand was streaking the Titan’s armor as two others grabbed Leo’s muscular arms.

What do you want? Dawn screamed, throwing herself at the soldiers. The threesome sprawled into the snow, but another two Titans pulled Dawn by the legs from the fray and held her immobile. The air vibrated with the shrieking of the children. Both crawled toward Dawn and threw themselves on her body, hugging her with all of their strength.

Mommy, Mommy! was all that the children could cry as they clung to her furry coat.

Okay, Okay! Leo yelled, Leave her alone! What do you want?

You have evaded the draft into the UWR’s army and we have come to arrest you, the largest Titan said in a deep voice, as he snapped cuffs onto Leo’s arms. Emmitt let go of his mother and plowed through the snow to rescue his father. While clinging to his dad’s neck, an armored hand started to pry the boy away. While being yanked from his father, Emmitt held tenaciously to the black cross and silver chain around his dad’s neck. The youngster disengaged the pennant as the Titan muscled him away.

Dragged aboard the Titan ship, the children were still screaming as all four were forced inside. The door slammed shut and the ship levitated into the sky.

Eons later, Rachael, floating down the dim underground corridor, had a celestial smile on her radiant face. Her flowing red silk dress fluttered while passing thousands of honey-combed glass tubes that each contained a stored body. She stopped, surveyed the empty corridor and then reached for the chrome wheel on one of the cells, and turned it. She heard the outside air rush in as she pulled open the portal of the chamber. Bending down, she spied the long brunette hair of an attractive woman inside. Slipping her hands under the woman’s unconscious body, she grasped her arms and pulled her out onto the floor. Wake up, Dawn, she whispered, caressing the sleeping woman’s cheek. After some minutes of gently shaking Dawn, Rachael said impishly, Maybe if I take you outside, fresh air will wake you up!

The dainty servant picked up Dawn’s slender body and carried her to a metal door a few feet away. Pushing the latch down with her elbow, Rachael watched the portal fly open to the myriad of noises from the outside world. Bright sunlight shone as she laid Dawn on the floor of the platform that protruded high above the green trees and bushes below. Towering snow streaked summits of the San Juan Colorado Mountains looming all around. Birds flitted everywhere, raising their voices in a cacophony of chatter. Rachael glanced up to see a startled half-naked man crouching a few feet away, hugging the steel railing of the balcony.

Are you a Titan? the man shrieked as he jumped up, leaped over the railing and slid down a pipe that supported the platform.

Rachael watched the man bound into the bushes. Birds flew everywhere and loud barking sounds were heard. Looking into the forest, Rachael spied a large pack of wolves bounding their way directly toward the fleeing man. Turning quickly to avoid the army of sharp fanged invaders, the man leaped toward a tree, but the demon dogs were upon him and trampled him under their paws as they tore great chunks of flesh from his body. Before long, the eating frenzy was over. Even the remnants of the man’s clothing were ingested. Blood drooled from the voracious dogs’ jowls.

Returning her attention to Dawn, Rachael noticed her eyes opening.

Good morning! Rachael said in a pleasant voice. Welcome to the new world. Adding, to herself, I’m glad you didn’t see what just happened down there!

Where am I? Squinting in the bright light, Dawn slowly sat upright and cautiously looked around.

You just woke up from a long slumber, Snow White, Rachael giggled. You have been away a long time.

Where am I? Dawn demanded, looking at Rachael, who was tenderly drawing Dawn’s hair away from her eyes.

You were asleep in the chambers. Right now, we are outside looking at the Park in the snowy mountains of Southwestern Colorado.

Oh, yes, now I am starting to remember. They put me to sleep. You are not going to put me back in that tomb, are you?

Certainly not, Rachael replied, softly tugging at Dawn’s arm, and showing an assuring smile. I will take good care of you. First, we need to get you comfortable and then you will learn more about this new society.

Dawn gazed mystified at the cragged peaks that rose starkly from the valley floor and for a minute her mind flitted to happier days with her husband and children.

Rachael touched her and her reverie evaporated.

While guiding Dawn’s trembling hand, Rachael reentered the dark chambers. They found a single subway capsule and rode it less than two minutes. When the car lurched to a stop, the door opened to a small apartment with two chairs and one couch.

Where are my husband and children? Dawn gasped frantically, as she regained more of her memory. I must find them. Tell me where they are! Dawn clutched at Rachael’s dress.

I am sorry, my dear, I don’t have that information. I will try to find out and let you know at a later date. Rachael got Dawn settled and gave her a sandwich and drink of orange juice. She watched Dawn voraciously devour the food.

Shortly, Rachael started explaining, You are in the United World Republic or UWR run by the Titans. It seems like eons since the Constitutional Republic collapsed from pandemics, anarchy, micro-science, and spiritual and moral decay. The Titans are humans who have been engineering biology and genetics with the hope that they can live forever. They have also altered the human body so that they can control the Titan society. In the Constitutional Republic the people lost their spiritual and cooperative values. They became out of control and divisive. Scientists found ways to get the population dependent and addicted to the new Titan society. They lost the gift of choice and must now cooperate with the Titan government. Jails were eliminated by putting lawbreakers into the chambers. The Titans had their digestive systems disconnected and continued to survive on an injected formula called Summa. Pharma has refined Summa so well that it has extended the longevity of the Titans and has granted them immunity from pandemics. However, Titans have no choice but to be on Summa their whole life.

Are you a Titan? Dawn inquired, gazing into Rachel’s impish face.

No, I am not. I am an invention of the Titans. I am an I-Bot. My specialty is to be a medical I-Bot. I can be incredibly microscopic. Even smaller than Tinkerbell.

What? Dawn exclaimed, astonished.

Yes, I am engineered to be so miniscule that I can do exploration and surgery for doctors. I can travel through the human veins and arteries.

Now I know you are lying. You look as human as I do.

Well, thank you for that, Sweetheart, Rachael smiled and gently tweaked Dawn’s cheek.

Yes, prove it! Dawn blurted.

Ok, touch me. Rachael held out her arm to Dawn.

It feels like a normal arm to me.

Rachael spun quickly around and then said, Touch me now.

Dawn reached to touch Rachael’s arm and her hand went right through. Reaching for Rachael’s waist, again her hand felt nothing.

How is that possible? Dawn inquired incredulously.

Science, my dear, micro-science!

But you seem so human. If you are so microscopic how come I can touch you sometimes and not others, and how can I see you? You seem so human!

Well, thank you again, Rachael replied. I guess in your day they would call it Virtual Reality. You’ve heard of x-rays or microwaves. Well, the Titans went far beyond Einstein and harnessed electron energy. I run on ionic energy. Well, enough of that. I see you don’t understand anyway; so, let’s talk about what we are here for, Dawn. When you went to the university, what did you major in?

Biology!

Correct. And why were you placed in the chambers?

I guess because I had the wrong spiritual beliefs, and also, I contracted an incurable disease.

Correct again, said Rachael smiling.

What about my Pandora Disease? Won’t it kill me soon now that you have awakened me?

Not at all! Rachael explained pleasantly. They found a cure and we cured it while you were still asleep.

Wow! That is great news. So why am I here?

I never thought you would ask. It seems as if the Titans have found a place for you. There is a famous medical researcher who had a wife. She was also his lab assistant. Her name was Eos but she passed, leaving Tithonus alone. He has been irascible and despondent since.

"So, what does that have to