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While he’s waiting for the water to drain, he picks out brown chunks, the worm
casts, and puts them in another collection basket at the side. He also grabs
mature worms, placing them in yet another collection basket fixed at the side.
He works quickly, not being exacting so much as doing the obvious – worm egg
casts here, mature worms there.
The boys have just been watching him as he goes though these moves, taking it
all in. They’re edging forward to stand by his side. He says,
And glancing over his shoulder at the boys, seeing that he has raised their
interest.
The boys all say, in unison,
_______________________________
Inside the dome city, at night, the iridescent glow of the dome ceiling has
been dimmed to simulate night. All is quiet except for the occasional
splashing of the fountain. A chipmunki is nibbling a piece of cracker on one
of the pathways in the center of the dome. Some ducks next to the fountain in
the center of the dome are tucking their heads under their wings. A small
monkey drops out of the trees and lopes across the grass. There is wildlife
pets here in the biodome, living naturally in the open space. The ceiling is
lit from lights along the edge of the dome top pram layer, setting off a
nighttime glow in the soft material sprayed on the ceiling. The wildlife, as
do the human residents, accepts this night and day as their world, without
distress, so natural as to slip from notice after a day or two.
Suddenly a Zeta materializes in the center of the grassy area, startling the
chipmunk who scampers away. He is joined by two others, and the three stride
toward the ramp/stairway. They simply levitate up to the top tier of
residences, rather than take the stairs. This levitation is done mid-stride,
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without missing a beat, as though a natural occurrence and something all three
understood they would do, simultaneously, without a word spoken. They land on
the continuous patio area that circles in front of all the residences on a
level, shared by all on the level.
The three Zetas stride along the patio that runs continuously in front of all
the residences running around the circumference of the dome and facing inward
toward the dome center. The three Zetas stride for a few steps, then stop in
front of a closed door. Though they haven't knocked or made noise, the door
opens, a sleepy Jonah emerging in his pajama bottoms. They all seem to just
stare at each other for a moment. Jonah asks,
One of the Zetas moves his hand slightly, and then Jonah panics, with some
alarm in his voice.
A Zeta puts his hand up slightly, palm down in a dampening gesture.
But the Zeta changes his gesture to run his fingers in a half circle in front
of him.
Jonah is clearly nervous about whatever has been discussed.
_______________________________
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Outside the dome city, the dull gray dome can barely be seen in the moonlight.
Insects are thrumming in the humid summer night, which is enshrouded in mist
General Flood and his sidekick, the diminutive and ever compliant Sergeant
Hammond, are emerging from the woods. They are surveying the scene silently,
and then the General quietly brags.
_______________________________
Daybreak outside the dome city is brilliant, caused by the thick volcanic dust
reflecting sunlight. A bird clinging to a reed along the river is welcoming
the dawn with his song. There are sucking and splashing sounds as a boot pulls
out of and lands again in the mud. A column of soldiers is moving toward the
dome city.
_______________________________
The entry way of the dome city is opened but no one is coming or going. This
is a maneuver, inviting the attack. A helicopter comes into view, and a
booming voice is heard, through a bullhorn.
