DUST: A science fiction short story

By Preston K. de Laura

Despite lingering disagreements, and simmering hostilities, mankind grapples with survival in the wake of a devastating war. Corporal Wallach, Sergeant McIver, and Captain Farino must navigate through the realities of recent nuclear conflict consequences. Thanks to the Agreement, a glimmer of hope that lasting peace is not a mirage and may one day eventually be attained, makes the future look less bleak.

But amidst the ruins of this shattered world, a silent threat lurks in the shadows, poised to seize control of what remains. Faced with new challenges, the soldiers must tackle an enemy unlike any they have encountered before.

"DUST" is a thrilling post-apocalyptic tale, where humanity faces the challenge of either managing the force threatening to extinguish its last flicker of hope or being wiped out by it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Preston K. de Laura
• Release date: Feb 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224266210

Preston K. de Laura

Guided by the visionary works of authors like Isaac Asimov, Philip K. Dick, and the Strugatsky brothers, I've been immersed in the world of science fiction for many years. A chance meeting with Robert Sheckley in 2004 further fueled my passion for the genre. I share my life with a wonderful family, including my wife and a grown-up daughter, who inspire my storytelling with their own adventures. My focus is on crafting imaginative stories that transport readers to uncharted dimensions and evoke the wonder of speculative fiction.

Book preview

DUST: A science fiction short story

Preston K. de Laura

Published by Preston K. de Laura, 2024.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

DUST: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY

First edition. February 28, 2024.

Copyright © 2024 Preston K. de Laura.

ISBN: 979-8224266210

Written by Preston K. de Laura.

The exact count of the rats remains elusive. Statistics are a subject of debate, but for New York alone, media reports suggest a range between 15 and 100 million rats living in its area.

The murky, crimson disc of the setting sun cast its final, searing glow for the day and vanished, dissolving into the ocean's expanse. The sweltering air close to the ground, coupled with the evaporating moisture, gave rise to the illusion that the objects were floating above the surface. Their otherwise austere outlines swayed in unison, to the rhythm of a bizarre trance-like dance.

The long and stifling day was finally relenting.

A subtle stir ran through the tightly packed ranks. Almost stuck to one another, the bodies that formed the rows appeared relaxed, yet this languor was deceptive. They stood poised to spring into action as soon as they got a command. The eyes, weary from prolonged gazing, absorbed the residual light and, whether from its radiance or suppressed excitement, gleamed softly. It was still very hot and dust clung to the sweaty bodies, but no one paid it any heed.

At last, the oppressive, fiery grip of the heat waned and a cool breeze blew in from the north. Gradually, as