Adam's Choice: In the not-too distant future, #3

By Adriana Karvaiová

Adam and Leo meet on a spaceship headed for Planet B after Earth has been destroyed by humans and become completely uninhabitable. They face unexpected technical and psychological pitfalls. Is there any hope for the human race at all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adriana Karvaiová
• Release date: Dec 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9788835458098

Adriana Karvaiová

Adriana Karvaiová je učiteľkou anglického jazyka a prekladá z a do angličtiny, maďarčiny a slovenčiny. Venuje sa aj hudbe a posledných päť rokov pracovala ako muzikoterapeut v domovoch dôchodcov. Po dvoch desaťročiach strávených prevažne starostlivosťou o rodinu a prácou sa rozhodla vrátiť k písaniu. Výsledkom je niekoľko diel literatúry faktu, ako aj zopár románov a poviedok, ktoré milého čitateľa pobavia a zároveň mu dajú podnet na zamyslenie. Voľný čas Adriana rada trávi so svojou rodinou, píše, spieva, hrá na gitare s manželom, ktorý je vynikajúci klavirista (navštívte www.pianoterapia.sk) a rybárči.

Book preview

Welcome on board

To be honest, I'm happy that my nursery duty is over, Leo admitted bluntly as he and Adam were walking down the long, narrow corridor to the bridge. I'm not fit for this sort of things, I've never been. I'm a mechanic, after all.

I see. But once that malfunction has occurred, we've gotta deal with it. And more and more embryos are developing, Adam warned him that there was no point in complaining.

And what's worse, these little ones will start talking soon, Leo acknowledged, picking up on Adam's train of thought. Kids keep asking why, why, why. It'll be a nightmare when we ourselves don't know what's happened or what's about to come. In addition, they need to grow up in a family environment - at least that was the original plan. At this age, they are not supposed to be still staying in the incubator, what kind of generation will they grow up to be?

You've got a point. You should tell the commander about it, suggested Adam.

Me? To have her bite my head off? Leo objected hastily.

Well...someone should as the paediatric team is still asleep.

"Let's mind our own business instead. If we don't find and fix the error quickly, our entire mission might fail. It's uncertain how long the way of ahead of us is, and look at us, how much we've aged.'

Adam nodded. He couldn't help himself, he discreetly examined the wrinkles on his forehead in the galvanized sheet wall coverings. The hard contours of the face seemed alien. The slightly sagging skin under the chin and under the eyes gave him an unhappy expression. Plus, Leo was right. If the process doesn't get reversed and the entire crew gradually awakens, they may not even make it to the end of the journey, and it was more than questionable with the new generation. Moreover, the supplies had been planned to last for several centuries, however, they were supposed to be serve for survival upon reaching their destination.

Leo was far better off. Not only because he'd boarded ten years younger, but above all because he woke up an eternity later. At least it seemed to Adam that he had already spent an eternity in the chambers which did not at all look like the vast halls known from science fiction movies, but rather resembled the interior of a submarine.

As always, the sensor detected their brain waves, granting access to the bridge. As soon as the door disappeared for a moment, a beautiful young woman appeared in front of them. Thick hair, shining with health, falling on athletic shoulders. A drab jumpsuit, the same as everyone else's, trying in vain to hide her perfect curves. Huge blue-green eyes staring at them from a perfectly symmetrical face, and, as always, the look almost swept the guys off their feet.

You're almost late. I said that no tardiness would be tolerated. At least you took it to heart, she barked coldly and disgustedly. It was not easy for Leo to keep his eyes at bay, so eager were they to admire the beauty of the ceiling. Tardiness, here, where they have been merely surviving for years? Where the only work is tracking devices? The only real and truly urgent job was brought to them when the malfunction affected the artificial wombs as well.

Hello ma'am, he said instead.

Report from the nursery? came from her mouth in response to the greeting.

Everything is fine, said Adam hurriedly.

She looked at them suspiciously. Ready to accept their brief report, lifting her chin slightly to nod in agreement and send them to the chairs facing the monitors, Adam changed his mind.

"No, not really. The four oldest children are already eight months old. According to the