Sean's Desire

[kevin398]

Discovery of a Lifetime


Chapter 1: Sean’s Desire


Sean Phillips was a normal kid...more or less. He liked fishing, hunting and climbing rocks...big rocks...he also liked crawling through caves, sometimes so small that he barely fit through. But to him seeing new places and things were their own reward, and once his friends saw him go missing for 2 days and found him stuck inside a cave where he tried to force his way through. They never left him forget that one, and to this day he laughed at the chance to die stuck between two rocks walls somewhere.

But he went on and left messages saying where he was going...just in case...and as he walked through a new cave some one told him about lately, the air seemed to whistle past, telling him that there was an opening ahead, and that was exciting, because it basically meant this was a short cut through the mountain, and he’d never heard of anything like that before.

But he went on and as he stepped into a larger opening, his eyes popped at the sight ahead. There, not 5 steps further, was a path, well worn and open and it went down a tunnel and out of sight into the distance. The tunnel was brightly lit, how he didn’t have a clue, but the blue light held his attention like some moth watching a flame.He stepped onto the path and the air whistled around him and he smiled and walked on and after maybe 100 yards, he stepped out into an open field of green grass, and a brilliantly blue sky.

He tried to remember what was on this side of the mountain, but try as he might he swore that a highway and some old oil fields were over here, but this was not that place at all. A person walking through the field below him looked up and rushed to see who this new person was, and as Sean watched him come running up he decided then and there he had walked into a movie set, and he decided to apologize if he messed up their shooting, even though he didn’t see a cameraman anywhere around.

The man was older, maybe 40 and was tall, and had bright blond hair and large pointy ears, so large and pointy that Sean decided they had to be fake, and that maybe this was some cos play movie or something, and he looked around for anyone else to try and explain this.

“Welcome stranger.” The man said with his hand out, as Sean smiled his best smile and shook it.” Did you come through the Tunnel just now?” He asked as Sean admitted he had.

“Then welcome indeed! Its been ages since anyone came through, my village elders will want to meet you right away, please follow me.” he said and he led Sean down the hill and into a small valley where a town sat next to a river, and people looked around in awe to see this young man walking along, with his big smile and a large backpack on his back with his belongings in it.

They were all like this one, tall and good looking with those pointy ears. Dozens of people who went about doing their normal routine and watched him walk past out of the corner of their eyes.

He was led to the center of town, and a meeting with 4 older males who looked very surprised to see him.

One old man stepped out and put out his hand and smiled and Sean smiled back and shook it, as a few others gathered to see this oddity.

“I am called Pen...” the man said as Sean smiled and said he was called Sean, and everyone there nodded happily. “Did you come through the caves just now or have you been wandering around for a while?” he asked as Sean admitted he just now came through.

“Did you see anyone else or touch anything coming through?” One man asked as Sean said he didn’t, he was exploring a cave and just ended up here. “Another oddity then.” The man said softly as the group around him gave him a sour look.

“ Where am I anyways?” Sean asked, “ I don’t remember ever seeing any people like you before.” He admitted as one man nodded sadly and they took him inside for a long talk.

“We are the Lost Ones...” He started as everyone agreed.” we came here hundreds of years ago, when a mine on our world opened up into a cave with bright lights in it. The temptation to see where it led was incredible, so many of us came through to see for ourselves. We found this new world and went back and brought others through to explore. But then when we returned after some time...the cave was gone. Our side now only opens on rare occasions and only one or two come through from other worlds. Usually...” he admitted as everyone looked sad.

“Usually? So others have come through in greater numbers?” Sean asked as the oldest man stood and told him of the time that a few humans came through, and saw the new world and the friends there, and went back and returned in full force, with horses and wagons and dozens of people both men and women and now they have their own city, New Hades...some 20 miles further inland from their town.

“They thought they could come and go as they pleased, but they too got caught here.” Another added as everyone agreed. “So now they have a big city, hundreds of people, and their military is something to behold. They gave us the task of watching the cave, and if anyone comes through we need to tell them at once, or face their wrath.” He said as Sean looked sad, but agreed.

“So..they’ll be coming then.” Sean said like it was a fact, and the oldest man apologized, saying they were always looking for new people, and being a Human he would probably be treated well by them.

“But what if the cave is still open, wont that cause troubles for my people then?” Sean asked as the older man admitted they should check, just to be sure. So together they marched up the hill and he and Sean stepped inside to see the cave lit up blue and leading back the way he came.

“This is you last chance...” The man said pointing, if you don’t go now it’ll close and you’ll be trapped here too.” he sad softly as Sean saw him giving him a chance, and he shook his hand and smiled, and ran back the way he came.

The lights started to flicker and the man stepped back outside to see a group of men on horseback riding up to them.

“Where is the new comer?” One man demanded,as the old man just smiled and said he was just a boy, and when he found out they were here he ran back through, and the cave closed behind him. The officer didn’t like that a bit, but he walked up to check and behold, the lights were gone and he nodded it was true.

“Just a boy huh?” He asked as everyone there admitted it was true.” Very well then, continue to watch this place. I’ll return and report to the King.” He said and they rode away and the other men gave the older man a dirty look and asked why he didnt stop Sean from leaving.

“This is not his world.” was all he said as he turned and walked back down the path and everyone else followed him down to the village once more.

Chapter 2: Wheel of Fortune

Sean ran back a few meters and looked back to see the lights starting to go out, from the other end first and working towards him. But he wanted to know something for himself. He felt he was being watched, and so he stood there watching as the lights went out and a wall of rock was now where the lights had been. but as it approached he turned and stood, very stubbornly watching it come until it got just 10 feet from him....and it stopped.

“I thought so!” Sean said loudly and his voice echoed through the cave behind him.” this is all too easy... too convenient.” He said as the wall moved a tad, and he stepped forward then and it fell back a tad.

“I know you’re here, come out!” He called and after a long minute a light approached him from off to the side and a old man with white hair and thick glasses walked up, glowing from head to toe.

“You’re a different type aren’t you?” He asked softly looking Sean up and down.

“You run this place?” Sean asked as the man admitted he did.” Why do you trap people on that other world where they have it hard, and even fight each other for control? Why not let them return to their own worlds instead?” He asked as the old man sat down on a rock and Sean leaned against the wall waiting.

“They have no worlds to return to.” he said softly as Sean looked surprised.”I find people from worlds on the brink of disaster and let them find their way there. Its a fine little world, lots of food, water, good air to breath, so its not too hard on anyone really. What they do once they get there is not my problem.” He said as Sean looked surprised.

“Their worlds are gone?” He asked as the man cleared his throat to explain.

“The worlds are THERE... but not in any condition to hold life...at the moment.” He said as Sean looked shocked. “One, from a series of volcanic explosions, hot ash fell from the skies for weeks killing everything. The other, a collision with a comet...half their world was wiped out instantly, and the atmosphere hasn’t had time to settle back to normal yet, maybe another few hundred years for each of them, then I’ll let them return if they want.” He said as Sean looked very thoughtful. This man gave the survivors some place to go, and watched over them from here...some place out of Time and Space...if Sean was right.

“And you’re sure you’ll be here when the time comes?” He asked as the man just smiled and nodded he would be.

“My people control Time, or did, even we have some fools in our midst, and now my world is beyond sustaining life as well.” He admitted as Sean just nodded he understood, if he did or not.

“So my being here was just a fluke then?” Sean whispered to himself, while the old man looked sadly away.” I mean my world has people watching things, for asteroids or comets and volcanic activity even.” he said as the man nodded that was true.

“I see it all...” He mentioned as Sean looked sick.” in two years your world will undergo a massive war, and will not support life for hundreds of years after that.” He admitted as Sean felt like throwing up.

“Who will start it?” Sean asked as the man shook his head no.

“I can not tell you. It’s written in Time and I am not allowed to do anything to change an entire world. Saving a few people is all I am allowed , even that was stretching it a bit as I’ve been told.” he said as Sean looked him up and down again, and then smiled.

“How many of your people are here?” He asked as the old man laughed saying he wouldn’t let his own die for no reason, but he got yelled at for it even now, when they knew he was right.

“Enough...” he admitted as Sean got a huge grin. This man saved his own people and then spent God knows how many centuries watching and helping others. “Go tell your people the End is coming and that there is a way to escape the disaster. Many will not listen but some will, better a few then none.” he said as Sean agreed asking if he could come and go as he wished for a while and the man stood and started disappearing right in front of him.

“For a while, but not for long.” He said and was gone.

“And only open it for me, no one else.” Sean called after him, as he heard a soft, uh,huh.

Sean turned and walked back towards the mouth of the cave and as he did it got darker behind him. But he knew now he could return later, maybe a few times, and his only thought now was: How do you tell a world the End is coming, without seeming like a fool or a crazy person?

And even now, he had no idea.

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[kevin398]

Chapter 3: Game of Chance
The world had one chance and Sean had a small idea...or the beginning of an idea at least. Some had said for years the government was hiding all kinds of things, but was it true? Were there jobs where government people just sit around and wait on aliens, or portals to form? He didn’t know, but he had seen enough movies to know how to get things started if there was. He went home... got a good nights sleep then went online and sent a message to the local National Guard station one city over, it read:

“Hi I’m Sean Phillips, and I live one city over from you. I found a portal to another world inside the mountain where I explore all the time, and an old man who says our world is coming to an end. If you want to know more, come see me and I’ll show you.” and he signed it and waited to see if anyone took him seriously.

“Fat chance..” He thought but it was one way to get attention, even if it meant being called a loon.

At noon that day the Sargent in charge of the local online site was rolling in the isles when his Commander walked by and asked him what was so funny. He pointed to the message and said this kid must be on something, and laughed all the harder. Captain Holdings took the time to read it and got a big smile and nodded saying yep he must be high, and went back to his office and shut the door.

Once there he opened the lower drawer on his desk, took out a small metal box and opened it with a key he had hidden in an envelope taped to the bottom of the drawer. He had been given all this when he became a Captain, along with many others that day. It was said that unknown things happened from time to time, UFO sightings, unidentified creatures and maybe even aliens. The government has people who waited to hear all the nonsense and they got paid for it, and he called the number inside and read the code he was supposed to use if this ever happened.

The phone on the other end rang and an automated operator ask what his message was, and he cleared his throat and read...” Ark needs Noah, Captain James Holdings, Colorado Springs, Colorado.” he said and hung up, and the automated signal got sent out, and a finely dressed Colonel in Washington, DC got buzzed...he was in a dinner party dressed to the nines... and when he saw the message, he sat his drink down, apologized to everyone there and left the building.

His car was brought around and he jumped in as his driver gave him a big smile.

“Where to this time?” He asked as the older man looked tired.

“Colorado.” He said and he rushed home, got changed into his every day uniform, and was met at the airport by a team of two specialists who followed him everywhere. They climbed into a plane and were gone in less than an hour, and as Sean slept that night, the weight of the world was coming down on him, and he didn’t even know it.

9 am Saturday May 12th, Sean was sitting at the local Burger King with some friends when a big suv pulled in out front and two military men got out and walked inside. No one really noticed since they had a National Guard unit in the city, but they didn’t order, they stopped at the door looking at ones cell phone and then pointed and Sean saw trouble coming his way.
“You Sean Phillips?” One man asked as Sean agreed.”you’ll be coming with us.” He said and dragged him to his feet.

“Hey! whats going on?” On friend screamed as Sean just waved him away saying he had planned for this...and no one knew what he meant by it.

“Right this way...” the man said and they all walked out and Sean didn’t even get to finish his lunch. They went to the car and opened the door to see a middle aged man with lots of decorations on his uniform and Sean got shoved inside and the two men jumped in and away they went, as Sean’s friends looked on, dumbfounded.

“So you’re the young man who pulled this little prank?” The officer said, but he wasn’t smiling much when he said it.

“Sean Phillips...” Sean said with his hand out but the man refused it, and so Sean just sat back while they drove on.

“Where did you find this so called portal?” He asked as Sean got a good chuckle, and the man looked more upset.

“It’s not a portal..well maybe it is...but to me it’s a tunnel right into the mountain. I followed it and came out into a field of green grass, and if that went through the mountain in that direction then it should have opened onto a major highway instead.” Sean said as the man nodded and looked tired hearing it.” I then talked to a tall thin man with big pointy ears, and he took me to his village and told me they were called the Lost People, because they came through the tunnel hundreds of years ago and could never go back. I was told if I hurried I could come back home before the tunnel closed, and so I did.” Sean added as the man looked a little less annoyed but still upset.

“And this tunnel closed then like they said?” He asked as Sean said it did, and the man nodded thinking seriously. It seemed the kid was telling the truth or at least the truth as he saw it, but even if this did happen the proof was closed again, but maybe some evidence might still be found there.”Can you show us where this happened?” He asked as Sean laughed and agreed.

“And you are who again?” Sean asked with his hand out again and the older man tried his best to smile as he shook it.

“Colonel Mathis, U.S. Airforce.” he said as they shook hands and Sean gave him a big grin.

“With this thing we can be there in half an hour,” Sean said as the man nodded agreement.” I hiked it but this 4x4 will be a breeze.” he added and told the man driving which way to go and the two up front looked at each other and smiled. If this kid was a fake, he sure as hell was making it easy to prove, and one winked at the other who just looked sour and went on driving.


Chapter 4: Game Master


They stopped right out in front of the cave,and as they all got out the two men up front gathered some odd machines they strapped on and followed Sean and the Colonel inside. They had lights with them, and Sean walked to the back wall and laid a hand on it saying the tunnel was right here, and the men scanned everything but found nothing, no radiation, no odd minerals, nothing to show it had ever been there.

“Gee, what a surprise.” The one big man said as the Colonel gave him a growl that made him be quiet again.

“So this is the way to another world?” He asked Sean, who admitted it was.”Who told you about this all then son?” he asked as Sean said nobody told him, he saw it for himself.

“Father Time came when I called and we talked,and he gave me his blessing. I can come and go for a short while, but only if its soon, since our world ends in just under 2 years.” Sean said as even the colonel got a big shock out of that one.

“That wasn’t in the message you sent.” he said as Sean admitted he saved it to tell only him, and the officer looked a lot more interested than before. “ Father Time?” He asked as Sean said thats what he called him... he was a nice old man... and he saved people from worlds that were being destroyed, and thats why the Lost People were there. Their world was hit by some disaster and wasn’t capable of sustaining life any longer.

“You should write a book.” The one big man said, laughing out loud,” I bet it would sell.”

“Having money isn’t going to mean a thing in 2 years.” Sean reminded him as the man looked a lot more serious after that.

“And you control the tunnel, and only you?” Colonel Mathis asked as Sean agreed,saying he had a deal going, and he wanted to make sure enough people got saved to keep Humans from dieing out here. “You show me a way to another world, and I’ll put millions there.” He said seriously, as Sean shook his head no... and the Colonel stopped dead.

“No politicians, no tyrants, no rich CEO’s that never worked a day in their lives.” Sean said seriously.” only people who can be dropped into a pristine new world and get along...with everyone...or they don’t go. They need to be hunters, fishermen, and farmers, not military nuts or people looking to be a King or worse.” he added as the two big men looked impressed he had thought it out so much.

“First, you need to show me you are telling the truth, then we’ll talk about who controls colonization.” The Colonel said as Sean just smiled, and he turned to the wall and laid his hands on it, making it look as good as he could, and called loudly...’open says me’ and the two big men laughed ...but the wall fell, and fell, and fell until light was seen at the other end, and even the soldiers there were astounded, as Sean walked down the tunnel and waved for them to follow.

“Right this way gentlemen.” He said and then he laughed, as the two soldiers scanned everything, took pictures and finally agreed it was safe. They stepped out into bright sun and it didn’t take a scientist to see they weren’t in Colorado anymore. One very tall man ran up and shook Sean’s hand saying they never expected to see him again, and the Colonel stood back...thinking as fast as his mind could run.

Here was a new world, just as promised by a young man with high ideals and some sort of power to control the entrance, if he told his bosses in the Pentagon about this Sean would be killed instantly, while the tunnel was opened, and they would rush in to take this new world. The US certainly could use all this: new lands, water, pure air, but once the word got out it would mean war...trying to hold it from everyone else who wanted to control it... and the tunnel coming here.

And Sean’s warning, 2 years, maybe less...was this because they came here and found this, or from some entirely different reason? His head hurt, and as Sean introduced him to the tall man he whispered they needed to go, and Sean said maybe they’d come back again and waved as they all walked back to the car, and as they looked back and tunnel closed again, and Sean didn’t say a word to do it, and now the Colonel knew. He opened it, but it closed automatically, so without him...no one would return to see this new planet after all.

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[kevin398]

Chapter 5: Game of Thrones

Colonel Mathis spent the next day getting a meeting organized, and when it started, people from all walks of life were there. Famous scholars, scientists from Biology research centers, doctors and of course the military. The President himself was watching via a visual up link, and when the Colonel showed the pictures of the tunnel, and the man they met outside, the room went dead quiet.

“It was there all this time, in Colorado...” he said softly as many cheered and started planning for research to this new land as even the President agreed he’d see it was all paid for.

“There’s just one catch, the tunnel can only be opened by one young man..him..” He said as a picture came up of Sean shaking the tall man’s hand, all smiles.” Don’t let his appearance fool you, see’s a very serious young man and he has rules for anyone that wants to go through the tunnel.” He said as one general jumped up screaming he was just a kid so order him to do it, or throw his family into prison or worse, as the President got very loud after that, and the room got quiet.

“Who is he really?” The President asked, as Colonel Mathis cleared his throat loudly and the room got quiet again.

“ Sean Phillips, 18 a first year student at Colorado State University majoring in Agriculture. He believes we over used the planet, and so we need to fix it. He likes to climb mountains and do caves, which is how he found the tunnel. He also says he talked to an old man who controls it. He named him Father Time because of his abilities. He controls the tunnel and has for centuries. He uses it to help people who are going to lose their worlds due to natural disasters or war. So there are several groups on the planet now he left in, all because their worlds ended one way or another.” He said as the President asked why Sean was allowed in then, and the Colonel got pretty quiet for a second there.

“Because it is his job to save a few of us...since our world will end in 2 years.” he said as softly as he could, and as expected the room went into a screaming frenzy.

“I can have a hundred men at the tunnel by noon tomorrow, we don’t need some stuck up kid! We can force this old man into doing what we want, and then save our families before this disaster comes, if it ever does.” One officer screamed as everyone there yelled and screamed and only on man stood up and was calm at the moment.

“There’s no way of knowing if ANY of this is true.” he yelled as everyone else stopped screaming for a second.” But if it is..what possible rules could this young man have that would stop us from colonizing before the end comes?” he asked as Mathis said he asked that very question.

“No politicians, no military tyrants, no corrupt CEO’s or Billionares. Only farmers, fishermen, and hunters. Maybe a few soldiers can go for protection, but no big military force of any kind.” He said as even the President had to stay quiet while he thought about this.

“So actual colonists then?” He said after a minute, as Colonel Mathis agreed.

“Ridiculous!” Was screamed all around the room as even some scientists screamed that they were teachers and they would be needed there too, as a lot of others got their two cents in and the room was very noisy for a few minutes.

“I want to talk to him, please bring him to the White House at once.” He said as Colonel Mathis agreed and the meeting was declared over, as many still stayed to argue whither the old man could really tell their future or not, and some seriously upset faces showed that Sean wasn’t going to get his way as long as they were alive.

Sean and the Colonel were on their way to Washington before sunrise the next day. By 9 am they were sitting at the White House as the president had coffee and pastries placed before them and they all sat back to relax a bit as he started to talk.

“I hear you have concerns about how we might try to abuse this new world?” He asked as Sean nodded he did without a second thought.”Farmers, fishermen, and hunters, all needed for sure, but there are others there already, right? If they don’t accept us, there could be fighting...” He hinted as Sean just smiled wider still and said he wasn’t against the military, he was against tyrants and officers that thought more of themselves then their men or jobs, as the President almost choked on his drink, while Sean sat back smiling all the wider.

“And soldiers who have their families along, have to work to support them, so what’s to say soldiers cant be hunters?” Mathis hinted as Sean had to admit that was possible.

“Especially if they hunt already as a hobby.” Sean hinted as Mathis smiled wide.

“Glad to see you’re at least willing to negotiate about this.” The President said as Sean made it clear that he wasn’t trying to be difficult, but he knew full well what was going on right now, elsewhere, as other generals and admirals all were screaming that someone needed to be in charge over there, and Sean knew they would be the worst people for the job, since many of them had never seen a pristine world or cared about the land they currently lived on, only killing to protect themselves and their families.

“Those people will NOT be going.” he said seriously as even the President had to be quiet thinking about that for a minute.”Yes, I heard some scientists want to go and I’m fine with that, educated people will be needed to get an economy started and educate the kids that will eventually come. But businessmen who are seeing profits already? Pass.. we will treat this new world as kindly as we can. There are no cars there and wont be after we get set up. No oil drilling... wind power, solar, yes nothing polluting.” Sean added as even Colonel Mathis had to sit back to consider this one.”Maybe electric vehicles though? I’ve seen some quads that have a range of 10 miles, and electric motocross bikes, all non-polluting.”

“That’s quite a list of demands.” The President said softly as Sean just smiled and said if they treated this world better it wouldn’t be in the shape it was in today, and everyone did agree to that. “So..one group containing scientists from different specialties, and their families. Some soldiers with their families to act as guards and hunters.” The President asked as Sean agreed.

“Enough solar cells and necessary equipment to set up a working town power system, and some wind chargers for wind power, and all the necessities for them.” Sean added as Colonel Mathis asked what vehicles they could take through, and Sean agreed to some jeeps and a few small trucks to haul things and enough fuel to last them for a while if they conserved.

“How many soldiers do you think?” Mathis hinted as Sean gave him a wink and said they’d need enough to protect their town from raiders, wild animals and maybe the militant group of humans that had a middle ages style military about 30 miles from the tunnel.

“One soldier with an automatic weapon can take down how many middle age knights in armor with swords?” Sean asked as Mathis just nodded and smiled to himself.

“Sounds like around 100 people already.” The President said as Sean agreed, and after some thought he looks up seriously.

“ 250-300 is probably about it, thats all we’ll be able to feed and take care of for that first year or two, before we become self-sufficient.” he said as even the President looked tired thinking about explaining that to his people on the national news, because as sure as there’s sun tomorrow the word was getting out even as they spoke. “ And I suggest Colonel Mathis puts an armed guard on the tunnel entrance immediately.” Sean remarked as the President agreed, and a call was made and a truck full of National Guardsman was sitting there, on guard duty by noon that day.


Chapter 6: Blame Game

The President held a news conference and told the world what was going on. Sean was introduced as the official Gatekeeper, since there was no real name for what he was doing. The President made it clear that this was a first contact situation, and that only a small group was going through, including scientists and some ‘naturalists’ to see what the new world was like and to see what could be grown there. Of course he never mentioned the 2 year deadline as was suggested. The shock of seeing a new world so soon was enough for now, and he was sure that his private line was ringing off the hook even now, while he answered questions from the reporters, and Sean and Colonel Mathis started their trip back to Colorado.

And they were all certainly right about that. In Russia the conference they held immediately was to see about forcing some Russian scientists on the trip, some who just coincidentally worked for the government of course.China’s Leader was in a fury demanding that someone tell him why the tunnel didn’t open in HIS country, and of course no one could.

“We need it more than they do! We could send a million or more through in a week and help our economy immensely!” He screamed, but of course that wasn’t the point since they didn’t control the tunnel and to be sure it seemed that even the military of the US wasn’t really in charge, which gave them some ideas of their own.

“There’s no way they’ll let some kid run this show...he’s a pawn...to throw us off.!” He screamed as even his assistants didn’t say a word now because he was just looking for someone to blame.

And as all this was going on Sean went home and was greeted by every person he ever met, wanting him to tell them all about the new world, and Colonel Mathis appointed a guard for him to keep him out of trouble until he was needed.

“It’s like a dream.” The President said softly as his Cabinet members looked shocked he wasn’t screaming too.”The greatest discovery of our generation...and we cant do a thing about it.” He said as a few people there mentioned there absolutely WAS things they could do about it..and he ordered them to wait...to see of things worked out on their own.

“Even if the time limit is a farce, we still have 2 years of discovery and exploration within Sean’s rules and ideals, and I’ll allow that.” He said, as everyone got quiet for a while, but a few weren’t at all sure they were ready to risk it all on some young man who seemed to hate them.

“If thats your decision, Mr. President.” The speaker said, as the meeting was adjourned and as they left one man pulled another to the side and said he wanted eyes on this starting today, and Intelligence sent their best man to Colorado to see what really was going on.

By now the town Sean lived in was being swarmed with reporters and tourists. The Mayor made a big thing out of Sean living there...even though they had never met each other even now. The school he went to had a sign out front saying he graduated there too, and Sean started felling like this was all too much for him to handle. But he talked to a lot of people, and some of his friends , people he had known for years, asked to go and see the new world,and Sean told them his rules, and one by one they agreed and he sent their names in as future residents of the new colony.

Fishermen he had known for ever, kids he grew up with, and hunters he hunted with all wanted to go, and Sean stopped short of telling them about the End, because that would just be too cruel for everyone else to think he hadn’t thought enough of them to take them along as well.

He was just getting ready to go back through to let a team of scouts look for a place to start their camp, as one of his friends walked up with two cases for fishing poles and two boxes full of small equipment like hooks and flies. Sean looked surprised and told him that they hadn’t even found a place for their camp yet, but he just motioned to the backpack he had on too and Sean laughed.

“When in doubt...bring everything.” The man said as Sean laughed too but reminded him their were wild animals, and maybe some other people that might not like them being there. And the man nodded and lifted his jacket to show a small revolver and Sean looked sad and the guy slapped him on the back and said he knew he wasn’t gun nuts, so not to worry.

“For self defense only.” He said as Sean agreed.” if there’s a river thats never been fished by Humans I HAVE to be the first one there, and if there are good fish to eat, you’ll need to know that too right?” He asked as Sean agreed, and the Colonel assigned him to one jeep that was going in, so he wouldn’t have to walk for miles to get to the river.

“We’ll be inside all day, so if you want we’ll pick you up on our way back out.” The driver said as Frank, Sean’s friend just laughed and said that he’d get them samples for the scientists to check today for sure and he’d decide if he was coming back out tonight or fishing under the stars.

“We cant be responsible for you after we’re gone, remember.” Colonel Mathis said as Sean just laughed and said he had full faith in him, and the first real ‘colonist’ went through that day with lots of fishing equipment and two jeeps loaded with marines and mapping equipment.

“You sure about this?” Mathis asked as they watched the jeep rolling slowly out the other side.

“He’s fresh back from Army training, put in his 4 years and then came home to look for work and fish the rivers and lakes. There’s no fisherman I know better than him, and with what he’s carrying, he could disappear in there for months and be perfectly safe.” Sean said and Mathis looked surprised he had thought it out so well, and smiled that another trained soldier was on the planet already.

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[kevin398]

Chapter 7: Name Game


When the team came back out that evening they had found a perfect spot for their first camp. Miles from the tunnel and tens of miles from the military nuts the Lost Ones told them about. With any luck at all it would be months or years before they ever found them, and by then they’d be set up for life.

But as Sean walked around his hometown people came up to him asking if it was true that Frank never returned, and Sean admitted it was.

“He found a river twice as wide as this street that Humans had never fished, and he stayed behind to check it out. The scientists even gave him a job getting them samples so we can be sure they are all eatable before the camp gets finished.” he said as many looked relieved and a few laughed that Frank got a job fishing, saying he must be in Heaven right now, and Sean agreed.

“But...is he safe over there?” one young woman asked, and Sean saw she was truly worried for him.

“If you were going to worry so badly..why didn’t you go along?” Sean asked as she looked shocked it might be allowed.

“I... can?” She asked as Sean just laughed... these two had been dating for a long time and everyone knew they were getting married as soon as Frank found work.

“You plan on living with him forever don’t you?” He asked as she admitted she did.” Then go get ready, if you understand its not just for a camping trip right?” He asked and after a second to think she agreed.

“Then go on... get packed... nothing fancy there aren’t any stores over there and wont be for a long time. Just good warm cloths,” he said as she turned to go,” and Sherry? Take Franks shotgun too and shells...lots and lots of shells.” He said and laughed as she nodded and ran to get ready.

“Thats another one...” His guard mentioned as Sean agreed.”what does that make now? Maybe 20 or so?” He hinted as Sean agreed.”The camp guards and their families will be another 50...so its getting close isn’t it?” he hinted as Sean looked sad, but agreed.

“Construction of the solar arrays and wind chargers starts tomorrow,” Sean added and the guard agreed.” In another week the prefab emergency shelters will go up, so...3 months maybe we’ll be ready.” He said as they went on back to his house to rest for the evening, and the message went out silently that they had only 3 months left, not more than a year.

Everything went as planned for a week more, and as buildings got finished and power started running, four wheeled suvs went through carrying a dozen at a time, and the first colonists settled in while Sean gathered his things, and Colonel Mathis got his family ready to go, but even a man as serious and reliable as the President had a limit he would soon reach, holding the world at bay while they prepared, and they all knew it up front.

“He’s got nearly the total number now you allowed... ready to go.” The President was told, as he nodded and looked sad.” We cant allow this travesty! There are important people here that must be saved!” The Speaker screamed, as the man before him just nodded sadly, exhausted from all the harassment and lack of sleep, and the man ran from the room with what he accepted as permission to crash their party. But as he disappeared down the hall the President made a call and said time was up, and Colonel Mathis and his family were waiting on Sean early the next morning, and as he saw them there he agreed, and two vans full of people walked in, and as the last vehicle passed the entrance to the fields, it was Sean on his electric motocross bike, and the tunnel closed behind them.

He went right to the settlement and saw guards with rifles out front and a wall of logs surrounding the place, and it reminded him of old fashioned forts like during the wild west, and he smiled as he was let in.

People all over waved and smiled as Sean put the last of his things in his cabin, really nothing much more than a large storage shed, but it kept them out of the weather and with the add ons, like small electric heaters, it would serve them well for a long time, they hoped.

Everyone had good quality sleeping bags and blankets and whatever their specialty was, the tools to do it. He had his climbing gear, and his shotgun just like he said and several boxes of ammo, enough to let him hunt for small game for many years to come.

Frank also had his, and Sherry brought warmer cloths for him too and some of the others had rifles with scopes and other weapons for hunting. Frank and Sean both fished, so Sean had sent in a large tackle box with spinners,hooks, extra lines, and everything else he could think of when he made his trip to the sporting goods store.

Now they had really arrived, and everyone was happy with this new world so far. Of course they didn’t know their old world was going to end, Sean and Mathis decided that that pressure would be too much for some to bear, so they held that back, knowing at some point it would get out. But by then running wildly to the cave would do no one any good, and they’d have to live with the fact some of their friends had not been chosen to come along.

And outside the cave, soldiers ran in and scanned everywhere for the opening, and when they didn’t find it they tried everything from explosives to mining equipment to open the tunnel and nothing worked, as the old man sat back watching and shaking his head in sadness.

“They always act like this...” he said as his granddaughter walked in to watch, and nodded her head sadly.” there’s no such thing as a civilization that will take their demise quietly, I guess.” he said as she looked over his records and figures and finally decided that his theories were correct after all. The world was on a razors edge and had been for a while, now seeing what was happening here, people would go wild. Demanding to know things no one out there knew, and war would occur and before anyone knew it...death...of an entire species.

“I promised Him 2 years...” The old man said as she agreed she had heard him say it.” But these fools wont even make it that long.” he said as he shut down the scanners and went back to his family while a world of fools blamed each other for missing this chance and ,finally, ended each other in flames and heat that rushed across the surface like a flaming wall,and burned nearly every monument they had ever erected to the very ground.


Chapter 8: The Game of Survival Begins

Sean was sitting by a deep hole doing some fishing one evening when a glow appeared across the river from him. But he wasn’t afraid, he smiled and waited but was surprised to see an attractive young woman with shoulder length brown hair walk right across the water and stand in front of him, smiling.
“Todays the day...” She mentioned as Sean’s face fell into sadness.” On August 25th, in the year of your Lord at 5 pm, your civilization officially ceased to exist. Grandfather thought the exact date might be useful to you...for History’s sake.” She added as Sean thanked her for taking the time to tell him.

“He’s quite taken by you, and thats strange, so don’t think we wont talk to you again from time to time.” She said and went right back the way she came, and he smiled a sad smile thinking he had made a few friends at least.

He went back to camp just before dark, and dropped off a stringer full of fish at the little store they set up in the center of the settlement. Food being brought in got deposited here, and then handed out to those that couldn’t... or didn’t know how... to hunt or fish. Large animals got brought here too, and there was a crew that saw to cutting them up, and then keeping them cold until someone came for it.

They were set up pretty well now and his idea for both wind and solar power was working well too. They actually had enough power to run everything they brought, and that helped with things like refrigeration of their food to preserve it.

But he had a sad job to do, and he knocked on the Mathis’s house door and as the Colonel came to answer he saw the look on Sean’s face and excused himself as they walked out around the edge of camp, talking.

“So it finally happened?” He whispered as Sean nodded agreement.

“At 5 pm today..” Sean said with a cold chuckle.Old Man Time thought the exact date and time might be wanted for the History books.” He said shaking his head, in sadness and maybe a little disgust.

“He might be right, we started a whole new civilization here, 210 people that magically appeared here out of nowhere, with new rules and a different political structure then ever before. In the future people might want to know where we originally came from.” He hinted as Sean agreed, saying they should check around to see if anyone would be interested in the job.

“We should tell them then...” Mathis added softly and Sean looked like he’d cry, but he agreed.

They called a town meeting and when everyone got there, Sean made the official announcement, to many shocked faces... and a lot of tears.

“The Old Man officially told me tonight, a war started right after we left... and it went Nuclear, our world is gone.” Sean said as a lot of people looked faint, and one or two got really angry screaming that they left friends, and family behind.

“You knew didn’t you?” One man screamed as everyone stopped to hear. “That’s why we’re here, you brought us here under false pretenses, and now all our families are dead because of you!” He screamed as Colonel Mathis stepped up to say that Sean had nothing to do with the War, but he was told to save people, and the President agreed to let him ( under certain conditions) . So they were all saved because he was man enough to take on such a huge job, and still managed to save as many as he could in time.

“We were still figuring out who could come.” he said, as Sean looked away and tried not to smile at the little white lie being told.” The time ran out on us that’s all, be happy you and many of your friends are alive today because of him.” He said loudly, and a few did agree to that, and even the hot heads got quiet after a minute.

“We are alive and well here and we’ll start our own civilization, and after many generations it will be better than the one we left behind. Work hard and love one another, and we’ll become a strong and happy people.” he said and adjourned the meeting as everyone went their way trying to wrap their heads around what they heard, and Jim Mathis took Sean by the arm and walked him home and said they did the right thing, as Sean agreed and they went to bed for the night.

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[kevin398]

Chapter 9: Crime and Punishment


A few weeks went by and things seemed to settle down to a nice,friendly rut. Sean hunted and fished to help out the town, others did the same and no one ever went hungry. Many people came up to him at one time or another and thanked him for saving them, even though a few were still not happy that they had left others behind. But over all, things looked pretty good and as Fall came and the temperature dropped a bit and the rainy season started, people had less time to get out so orders were given, and a few of the better dressed military men did the hunting in such foul weather.

But every decent day other ran out to help, and as Sean stood by the river running spinners one warm day a few of the local men walked up and he smiled and waved and went back to fishing. What happened next was a total surprise. He was grabbed and thrown to the ground and beaten. His face was bloodied and his arms broken by repeated stomping while the main man in charge screamed that he had left his wife behind because Sean wasn’t man enough to tell him up front. While Sean never knew what he meant, because he had a wife with him, but not his FIRST wife whom he still loved dearly.

“You had no right to make that decision...NO RIGHT!” The man screamed as tears ran down his face and his friends tried to stop him, but he pounded Sean’s face to a pulp with a rock and only then could they force him to stop, saying people were coming, and someone would see.

They dragged him away crying and screaming back at the dead body and finally they escaped into the woods, and out of sight.

It got dark early because of black clouds moving in fast, but Sean never returned from fishing and when it started to rain heavily, Colonel Mathis sent mer out to search. They found the body and it was clear as day what happened. So they picked him up by the arms and legs and brought him back to town, to the gasps and shocked looks of nearly everyone there.

Mathis ran out to see and it nearly turned his stomach seeing this young man who had saved them all, looking like this. Many cried, and some looked too shocked to speak, but one or two seemed to smile all too wide, and he had an idea what happened.

“Guards, take those two for questioning.” He said pointing, and one man ran and the leader started screaming the second they touched him that Sean ‘got what he deserved’ as many there stepped as far away from him as they could, acting like his guilt might be contagious.

“He had no right to bring us here, we would rather have died with our families!” He was screaming as they locked him up inside a storage shed while they hunted down the one who ran.

It took a day but questioning and threats got the truth out. The leader got them all fired up because people they knew were not brought along. Friends, lovers, ex wives, there was always going to be someone they lost or didn’t invite when they had the chance, so hate was easy to stoke when you weren’t man enough to do it yourself. But they all agreed that kicking Sean’s ass was enough for them... but not him. He alone smashed Sean’s face and head in while they tried to stop him, but to no avail.

“He was like a mad man, the two of us couldn’t stop him.” The one man admitted while the leader said they helped, and so they needed punished too.

“Tomorrow we will have a town meeting and the town will decide what to do with you, but if they let you off for something this heinous...then I’ll see to your punishment myself.” Mathis said seriously, as it looked like one man might have wet himself in fright.

The meeting was held, and Colonel Mathis explained what happened, and people asked the men a few questions too, and they were surprised that even now the one man screamed that it needed done... and a few in the crowd didn’t look too sure he might not be right. But when the verdict came down two men got 6 months at hard labor, but the killer got death...as quick and painless as they could make it...but death regardless as he was finally silent, looking like he couldn’t believe they could do this to him.

Two guards took some special equipment and a shovel out into the forest with the man, screaming the whole way, and when they found a spot they thought was far enough from camp, they pulled out a electro-rod and placed to the back of his head.

120,000 volts crackled for about a second, and he fell to the ground, and after checking him they agreed he was dead. They gave him a proper burial, and went back to let his family know that they could put up a stone if they wanted, but because of his crimes the town would have nothing to do with taking care of the site, and his wife nodded agreement as the men went away.

“Sad...” The old man said watching the screen as they picked out a spot for Sean’s grave.” There was only a 10% chance of this, so I didn’t warn him in advance.” he mentioned as his granddaughter nodded sadly.

“He was a fine young man, it’s rare to find someone so willing to put himself out to help others.” She agreed as she walked away, and the old man sat there watching the little ceremony, and when it was over he too went to pay his respects...in a slightly different way.


Chapter 10: Rare Chance...in any Game


The town lived on, and many years past. One of the soldiers got Sean’s little house when he and his wife split up and she refused to let him live there any longer.They met, fought and then signed a treaty with the King that had his little Army and castle 50 miles down the river, and they became and stayed friends with the Lost Ones for all time.

Their History was recorded first by Jim Mathis himself, then by a member of his family for generations after that, and it was well written that Sean Phillips had brought them all through a magical tunnel to a new world and his name was mentioned forever in their history as their first King.

The King of the People, became the title, and while it was a lifetime job, they left options to throw out corrupt and cruel Kings by vote of the People, and so even Kings that had their own troubles, took time to walk the land and see what was really going on outside the Capitol, as it should have been all along, according to their History.

They were never allowed to forget their place, or what the First King had done for his people. He had paid the ultimate price for their safety and survival, and the History books stated it clearly, while never mentioning the killers name, in order to protect his family through time.

“Killers don’t deserve being named and remembered.” Was the rule they made that first time, and it stayed for all time there after. Once proven beyond a shadow of a doubt guilty, the killers name was struck from any official records forever, like they never existed, and so they got no fame or fortune like was mentioned from times long past.

Their civilization grew and joined with their less advanced neighbors down river. Now, there were 20,000 Humans alive here, just a few generations after their joining. 210 from Sean’s village and another 600 from the old castle. So doing what Humans do best, they had children and set up schools and retirement plans for the elderly and their cities become like those of ancient Rome from a world long gone, with brilliant cities and columns and arches like none other.

And while all this was going on the Old Man watched, and finally retired, and his grandson took his place, watching and helping others. He had been trained to do the task for many years and was more than ready, since his wife, the old mans granddaughter took him in and claimed him for her own.

He sat there daily watching the controls and seeing where they might be needed, and years and centuries past as he worked on until he heard a call one day from his wife saying hat the kids were calling and he better hurry home.

“Yes dear...” he said as he shut down the scanners for another day, and she met him at the door of their home and kissed him softly.

“You work too hard and we miss you.” She hinted as he gave her a tight hug and then pinched her behind, as she laughed and swatted him lightly for it.

“SEAN! Not in front of the kids!” She screamed as his son ran up, now 6 years old, teasing that mommy and daddy were being ‘lovey dovey’ again, and his older sister screamed for him to let them alone, and Sean laughed and went to the living room to spend the night with his loving family once more, until once again...somewhere outside this Timeless City... he would be needed.

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[kevin398]

A new friend wanted to read something I wrote so added this here, enjoy friends.

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