I’m back with the next installment of New Earth! Chapter three continues as the protagonist, Tao, finds himself awakening on the Welcoming Station. Maxwell Rhodes, the tech and business genius, has decided that he would run New Earth, no government needed, astonishing the delegation sent from Earth who are trapped. Tao seeks help back on Earth.
To read all entries for New Earth, click here.
New Earth, Chapter 3 (continued)
Tao was confused, suddenly back on the Welcoming Station. Why was Maxwell Rhodes in sitting in front of him, frozen? He scanned the conference room and the rest of the delegation was physically here, while mentally still on the tour of Rhodes, the capital city. The tour that he had suddenly been forced to leave.
Whatever the reason, Tao wasn’t going to waste this opportunity. He was free. He could walk and move around. Maxwell Rhodes may think he can keep the entire delegations on this space station for five years, but Tao had other plans.
He sat down on the stage, crossed his legs, set his arms on his knees and shut his eyes. His breathing slowed. His mind focused. He was connected.
Tao was back home in the house he grew up in. Wild birds and monkeys sounded off in the background.
A man walked into the room. “Why have you returned? The Delegation just reached New Earth.”
“Father,” Tao said, “Maxwell Rhodes has taken the entire delegation captive. I have managed to break free. But I’m still on the space station.”
Tao’s father thought for a moment. This complicates things. The Formation had not foreseen this. How can this be? He said, “We must Unify.”
Father and son lowered their heads and slowly raised them. Opening their eyes, they see that a woman has joined them.
“Hello, mother,” Tao said. “It is good to see you. I’m afraid there are complications on my mission.”
“It is expected,” Tao’s mother said. “But so soon?”
“Unfortunately, yes,” Tao said. “I must inform The Formation that the political structure of New Earth has been chosen. And Maxwell Rhodes is the Supreme Ruler.”
“This is exactly what you were sent to prevent!” she said. “We have prepared you to save humanity, not to help enslave it.”
“Leez,” Tao’s father said, “Tao is merely keeping us informed. This is far from final.”
“Yes, Father,” Tao said. “Far from final. I will report more when I can. I ask for your assistance to slow Maxwell Rhodes progress. Perhaps there are some things you can bring to light on Earth?”
Tao’s mother looked at each of them for a moment. “His new energy system is under review by the governments. I will slow this review down.”
The three of them nod.
Tao’s father said, “Very well, Leez.”
“However,” she continued, “I have found it difficult affecting things.”
“Yes,” Tao’s father said, “something else has entered into the equation. You must move fast but thoughtfully.”
They all say, “May The Formation bring The Truth.”
Tao opens his eyes and is back on the stage at the Welcoming Station. In the large glass room outside the conference room, he looked down at New Earth. His eyes fixated on exactly the spot where the minds of The Delegation are trapped. How was he going to stop Maxwell Rhodes and help them?
Suddenly, an answer entered his mind. Tao ran back inside the conference room. He had to find Reed.