Green Horizon - 1- Broken Silence
Green Horizon
Chapter 1 - Broken Silence
Written by Leo_Todrius
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The silence was broken... The enduring quiet, the timeless stillness that had domain over such a vast expanse was punctuated by the gentle muffled rumble of thunder in the distance. Slowly a pair of rich brown eyes slipped open, gazing upwards to the glass dome high above. The eyes didn't move, merely blinking, watching the swirling brown and black in the heavens above. A flash of light rippled through the dark dense swirling mass of storm clouds as enduring as the quiet. Another day... Another day without direction.
Elijah's eyes drifted to the underside of the catwalk that covered his resting place... Everything in the dome was made of glass and metal if not cement and as he gazed up at his reflection he felt for a moment as if he wasn't alone. Above him was a seventeen year old boy with shaggy brown hair, rich caramel eyes, a round face caught between youthful innocence and physical maturity. The dusty brown continued down along his cheeks to his jaw bone, following the edge around in a faint beard that merely outlined his face and nothing more, more sideburns than anything. Then the fleeting feeling faded, leaving Eli alone once more. He had changed so much.
Again Eli's eyes moved, lowering to his immediate surroundings. The youth pulled the mass of blankets off of himself as he sat up, slipping on ragged treadles boots that had seen their fair share of walking. After another moment he slipped off of the support beam that ran between two buildings behind the stairs leading to the catwalk, a shelf out of the way that he had chosen for the view. Without ceremony he was on his way.
Block after block Elijah passed through the empty city; past restaurants, apartment buildings, grocery stores, laundromats. So many signs of life and yet there was nothing but silence. Elijah came to a stop outside one of the grocery stores, reaching into a case that sat outside promising fresh fruit. Instead the contents were foil wrapped ration packs, placed for ease. Eli ripped the top off of one and tipped it back, drinking the contents down for energy. There was no sorrow, this was the routine. He tucked the foil away in his pocket and moved to the spiral stairs leading upwards to the elevated pathways that meandered around the city.
Minutes passed, even hours... But Eli had passed months in this place by himself. Every day he walked to where it had started for him... Past the residential blocks, the entertainment district all of the way to the edge of the dome. He paused, leaning against the guardrail to gaze outside. The view never changed, bleak and lifeless. It was a barren wasteland of acid soaked mud and blanched rocks, pools of chemicals caught from the rain that fell from the Climate Cascade, the endless storm swirling high above... But it was life. Eli turned to his left and moved along the path out of the sight of the storm and the city, the street lights and the lightning flashes.
The inner corridors of the dome seemed like a tomb, a memorial of the past. Like scales of a dragon the half circles stretched from floor to ceiling, following the curve of the halls and going on for miles. Elijah stopped; eyes falling to the floor for a minute, wondering what might have been if everything had gone to plan... if he had not awoken. After a moment he did what he always did and moved on. He found his place and rested his hand on the suspension chamber before he rested his hand on the chambers of his mother, his father, his brother...
Eli whispered a silent prayer for them to keep sleeping and then he resumed his walk. Every day he took a different path, looked at the different people all asleep, all escaping the past. He wondered if he would have known them if the Climate Cascade had never been used, if his world had not come to an end. When he closed his eyes he could still remember it... Walking home from school when that terrible flash came, a shockwave following in its wake.
The shockwave had activated the dome's safeties, it was perfectly automatic. If it hadn't been they all would have died, thousands of people. The city sealed itself off as the sky turned to obsidian and the hills burned, the water boiled... As civilization around the dome collapsed those inside watched the barriers rise, a field of energy trapping the storm in its place so it couldn't spread... and that was when everything disappeared. No video, no audio... That is when the city went to sleep.
It was all automatic, it was all planned. The city would sleep until the storm wore itself out, until the land healed, until the barriers were lowered... Everything would wait and everyone would pick up right where they had left off. The food systems would resume, the dome would unlock. There was no resistance, it was all thought out. It went as planned for eighty years and then... Elijah woke up. He simply woke up.
At first Eli had been excited, glad time had passed so quickly... But no one else had woken. He'd looked for days until he was too hungry. Then he found food and looked again. Over and over again, always a new section... Always the same result. It had been a simple fluke, the system deciding to save his life rather than let him die in his sleep... but Elijah didn't feel lucky. A life alone was no kind of life... and it wasn't the way he was going to keep on living. He'd already started growing up, growing older and leaving his family behind. There was no way to wake anyone else, he had tried.
Elijah emerged from a bank of the suspension chambers, moving out along the walkway that met in a large ring over the center of the city. Cascades of water spayed into the air before falling into the center of the pool, a pool rimmed by stairs spiraling down into the under city. Eli had ventured down into the metal heart of the dome as often as he'd searched the stasis banks but what he found down there filled him with both terror and hope... Every day he knew he was coming closer to the point of no return. Elijah paused, turning to gaze out of the dome again, looking to the south.
Across the acid barrens, beneath the brown clouds he could just barely see it, the faintest of lines... The pearl glow of the barriers and behind that open sky. Off in the corner of the horizon came a growing glow, the joy of Elijah's day... the green dawn of a new day. Elijah gave a gentle grin at the sight before he moved down the steps, heading into the under city to face the future.
A rare cool breeze moved across the plains, sweeping from horizon to horizon. Dusty stalks of grain waved back and forth, rustling ever so gently as if everything in the world was alright. The breeze continued its advance, blowing along paper lanterns that still glowed with the last vestiges of night although one by one they turned out, bobbing around in lines connecting poles to a circular cement gazebo guarding steps that led downwards. The breeze had no need for settlements and continued on even further, heading along until it began gliding over tanned flesh, whipping sun bleached hair around.
Deagan let out a sigh of gentle relief, closing his eyes. Day or night, this was the best feeling... Standing on the ground, inhaling the cool air and letting it wash over him. The teenager stood in nothing but a pair of black jeans, his feet resting on the dry ground. His skin was tanned, darkened to a light brown like the dirt itself while his hair was bleached nearly as white as the grasses that covered the plains. The cooling caress of the breeze was like heaven, the silence bliss until it was broken.
"Deagan, come inside. Its dawn, time for bed." The voice of an elder came. Deagan's eyes opened, crystal blue orbs surveying the landscape, devoid of the laughing children and chatting people of just a few minutes ago... No one stayed out for the dawn anymore. Deagan looked into the distance, watching the glimmering orb of the sun rising up through the green haze... The glow that stretched from one end of the world to the other. The breeze continued although it was starting to get a bit warmer. Deagan heaved a sigh and turned, walking under the guard of the cement dome and down the stairs.
The under city of the Thunder Bay dome was a completely different place from the surface, buzzing with artificial activity. Computer screens pulsated with readouts and schematics, pumps circulated water and air, generators buzzed away with power. There was always so much life and sound it practically put a spring in Elijah's step as he moved, boots treading across the metal grills that ran along the floor, light glowing from tracks in the wall to bottom light the halls. Elijah caught his reflection again but this time he ignored it, moving out into a cavernous room.
The station was at the core of the dome, a regal place with marble tile floors, stone steps as wide as a house leading up to the street level, blocked by a smooth metal bulkhead that had slid shut at a forty five degree angle. Still, Elijah had bypassed the security door and gotten in the side ages ago. The station fascinated Eli to no end. Across from the stairs across the marble foyer was a wide wall with a map, a map of the world that had existed before the cascade; vast continents, territories, countries and oceans. Most of the map was offline, the lights dark... But there was one part that still worked; the most important part. As if in protest to the silent night a solitary blue dot glowed strong for the Thunder Bay sleeper dome. Radiating outwards from the dot red lines stretched out to Seattle, Vancouver and New York but there was also a single green line that jutted deep into the Midwest, the line to Eli's future.
Eli moved over to the map, coming to a stop right beneath it. To his sides sat a backpack and a luggage case. They had been packed for almost two months with all the food and supplies he could find that would help him start a new life. It would be a gamble to leave behind his home, his family, to venture out into the unknown... But he couldn't stay on his own, he couldn't be alone anymore. If the barriers were still getting power then someone had to be keeping the power going, and if someone was out there he would find them. Eli looked at the map one more time, resting his hand on the yellow dot at the end of the green passage. It wouldn't be much longer.
Deagan settled back onto his hammock slowly, lifting his legs before sliding onto the mesh that cradled him. Fiber optic cables ran up the wall at one end of the hammock and circled around the ceiling above before dropping down the wall by Deagan's feet, giving off a warm cream colored glow. It wasn't much but it made Deagan feel like he was home. He smiled to himself as he always did at bed time, enjoying the rare luxury of having his spot just out of eye shot of anyone, enjoying the rare precious bit of privacy he had come across by accident.
Deagan's hand slid down his abdomen, tracing the contours of his skin before moving over the groin of his jeans. He slowly started circling his hand over the fabric, the pressure and the friction feeling so good. The jeans started to feel more and more constrained, tightening as the teen aroused himself more and more. Deagan let his mind wander to distant and far off places. Deagan imagined boys of the past... All the advantages of technology and civilization... Wild hair, strange clothes, doing whatever they wanted with their bodies. Deagan grunted gently imagining, slowly popping the button of his pants open before sliding his zipper down. The bulge of his underwear pushed through the new gap.
Deagan's hand attentively massaged the bulge before sliding beneath the waistband, feeling his hot hard flesh. He breathed deeply as he gave his length a long squeeze before sliding it out from under the fabric. He grinned in pleasure, watching himself stand tall and proud before he squeezed the shaft again, working his hand from the tip down to the base... and then again. Slowly the lights dimmed in all the hallways, signaling the start of the sleep cycle. It was a generous sleep cycle with the surface hot for so much of the day, Deagan was in no hurry.
The boy's warm hand pressed against a wall panel, pushing it in just enough before sliding it to the right and then down. It retracted to reveal a small hidden compartment. Deagan grinned like a cat with all the cream, or at least that's what the elders said. Inside was a cache of treasures... Trinkets, bobbles... But most oddly was a long piece of silicone rubber in the shape of what appeared to be a tentacle. Deagan gently hoisted it out, caressing the two foot length. He examined the base of the rubber and the slit that was there. Then he looked at the tip and slowly slid it into his mouth, giving the rubber a few licks.
As Deagan licked the tip of the tentacle the rubber inside shifted, mimicking his tongue. Slowly the rubber grew more and more moist. Deagan moved the base of the tentacle to his hard shaft. He inhaled gently and began sliding his cock into the rubber sheath. He hissed as the pressure increased for him until the flesh colored tentacle appeared to be his manhood. It nestled tightly to his groin. Deagan slowly wrapped his hand around the tentacle and inside it mimicked his movements, only to scale so it felt as if this huge behemoth was really his.
Deagan stroked his monster for several minutes, writhing and gyrating, grunting ever so slightly until he began stuffing the tip into his mouth. He shuddered as he felt his hot tongue on 'his' shaft, the saliva running down it. If his moans hadn't been muffled by the toy he would have woken those bedding a few short meters from him. The risk of being caught only turned the boy on more, his hands stroking his cock faster and harder as he sucked himself off.
Steam jets erupted from the floor vent as Elijah redirected the hydraulics and associated systems. It had been harder work than most of the fixes he attempted but the inner door to the train system had been sealed for eighty years. Elijah stood up, wiping the grease on his hands onto his pants. Next to the door the terminal snapped on showing a rolling gear with the letters "GCS" hovering over them.
"System Rebooted. Welcome to Grand Central Systems, your number one rapid transit option. Updating travel information." The computer announced.
"Good luck." Elijah muttered.
"Warning: Serious delays are to be expected, the magnetic levitation system is experiencing technical difficulties. Technicians are hard at work to rectify the situation." The computer announced.
"They're a little late." Eli said, lifting his left hand, "I hope you still work." He whispered to himself. He placed the tip of his right index finger onto his upper left palm. He slowly moved the finger in a counter clockwise circle and as he did beneath the surface of the skin a circle of glowing blue line segments appeared. Elijah inhaled softly as the implant came back to life after so long. He moved over to the screen and placed his hand onto it. The display changed, showing more options.
"Echo interface activated. Welcome Elijah Tennant. You last utilized GCS eighty two years ago. Do you wish to load your last travel plans?" The computer asked.
"No. Please confirm that the route to relay point one is still active." Eli said. The same system map appeared from the foyer, showing the various tunnels leaving the station and heading in different directions, only one of which was green. The computer ran a system diagnostic, tracing the route to the yellow dot in the far distance.
"Confirmed. A quarantine lockdown was unsuccessful at the Thunder Bay station due to improper placement of car twenty five. Atmospheric seals have not been breached. Do you wish to cancel lockdown?" The computer asked. Elijah considered for a long moment.
"No, but I want to... check the integrity of the tunnel. Please unlock this door to allow me passage and prepare car twenty five for an inspection run to relay point one." Eli said hopefully. The computer processed for a moment.
"Security clearance required." The computer replied. Eli sighed, lowering his hand. He concentrated for a long moment. The blue lights in his hand cycled before they turned red. He placed his hand back onto the screen. Random code fragments flashed over the glass for a few moments. "Security Clearance accepted." The computer stated.
"Alright, process orders." Eli said. The door clicked and slowly lumbered open. Eli lowered his hand. Three of the segments had gone out but they would recharge. Eli ran to grab his bags from the foyer, listening to the long dormant train backing up to wait at the gate.
Deagan's hammock was swinging back and forth in the dim light, the boy lost to incredible pleasure. His eyes were squeezed tight as he entered hour two of his ministrations. It was almost hard to tell where the toy ended and he began in the dim light, his hands working the tentacle with love and care, his eyes squeezed shut, a thin slime coating the skin around his mouth and the upper half of the tentacle. He'd been sucking himself off for ages, slathering the juices all over himself. He would have prolonged the pleasure all day if he could have but it wasn't meant to be.
Deagan gasped gently before inhaling more, his back arching as his orgasm raced through his body. He shuddered just before the tentacle let out a spray of his own juices, the spray landing mostly in his own mouth. He accepted it greedily, letting it splatter on his tongue before it died out. Deagan swallowed his own seed down and murmured, giving his tentacle one last stroke before he collapsed back into the hammock. He laid there for several moments feeling his racing heart pounding in his chest.
As his mind started to clear and his body decided it was time for a rest Deagan slid the sex toy off his shaft with a gentle plop. He coiled it up and set it back in the compartment in the wall, sliding the cover shut silently. His long arm reached down, fumbling for a light cover. Deagan snatched a hold of the cover and pulled it up over him, rolling onto his side. After such long play it wasn't hard to give into sleep. His eyes drifted shut, his last thoughts drifting to his imaginary lover before Deagan entered the world of dreams.
Eli looked around the train, familiarizing himself as best he could. His backpack and bag sat on one row of chairs, the rest of the train oddly empty. Elijah had wedged the door to the operation room open for easy access and had used his Echo to activate the systems. Eli double checked everything before he took a deep breath, sliding the door shut. The train lights dimmed somewhat.
"Thank you for riding GCS Twenty Five. We hope your trip is memorable." The system announced.
"I'm sure it will be." Elijah whispered to himself. The train began moving forward seamlessly, not a bump or a jerk as it moved along. Elijah looked out of the window at the long tunnel and the ribbed lights that ran along the length, flashing by the windows as the train picked up speed. He knew he could be wandering to his death... but he could also be starting on the adventure of his life, finding out what happened to the rest of the world when his had ended. The possibilities were endless, all he had to do was get there... and he was on his way. A smile slowly crept across Eli's lips at that thought.