Read Online Beast Planet 2: Captive Salvation by Angela Castle - Free Book Online
Authors: Angela Castle
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My stomach growled in complaint.
“Correct, please remain resting. I have assessed your injuries. Your body requires rest and nutrients.”
I could hardly believe it. I’d made it to the city. “Are there any other Zakiu in the city?”
“There are no Zakiu in Morradi City Prime.”
“So…you’re some kind of computer program looking after things?”
“Word computer is not understood. Please rephrase your question.”
“Am I talking to an automated machine?”
“Essence is the central core program of Morradi City Prime.” The voice repeated.
Okay . “Essence, what is your primary function?”
“Essence has been programmed to maintain and care for Morradi City Prime and its inhabitants.”
“But there is no one here.”
“Negative. There are now two inhabitants of Morradi City Prime.”
“Two?” I could only guess I was one. But was there another?
“Affirmative.”
“Who is the other one?”
“The Zakiu bud within female body.”
“Oh.” I rubbed my belly and smiled, liking how the computer counted us both. “How did I get into this room if there is no one here?”
“Essence used an anti-gravity platform, to move you from the city’s shield dome, to the healing center.”
I remembered the beam of light and something gripping me before I passed out.
“Just how long have you been guardian of Morradi City Prime?
“Eight thousand six hundred and fifty two cycles.”
I had no idea how long that was, but I’m guessing it was more than a few years. But there were so many other questions, I needed to ask. Before I could open my mouth to ask another question, a shimmering blue light appeared around a small table near the bed, leaving behind a large covered bowl on a tray and a tall pitcher of water.
I got up and lifted the lid of the first bowl. I couldn’t identify the wobbly, green gelatinous substance, but the spicy aroma was mouthwatering. Even before I knew what I was doing, I’d picked up the spoon and shoveled it into my mouth. It was sweet—like sugary cinnamon tapioca.
I swallowed. “How come you have food if the city’s been abandoned for so long?”
“Essence meal particle optimizer. Female’s food contains all the required nutrients to restore health.”
“Thank you,” I mumbled and cleaned the bowl. Suddenly I remembered Lucky. I hoped he wasn’t hurt when Essence brought me down into the city.
“Where’s Lucky?”
“Word Lucky is not understood.”
“My bonded Wuzzle. I hope he wasn’t hurt.”
“The animal is in the next room, resting.”
By the time I’d finished the third bowl, I was feeling very drowsy. My head started to swim. I stared down at the empty bowl and glanced up to the blue light beam above me.
“What was in that food?”
“All the required nutrients to restore your body to health and a calming agent to help you rest. You will come to no harm. Essence will protect you and guard the city.”
“It was drugged!” I only managed a few seconds of disbelief before I slumped back onto the bed as the drug took effect.
* * * *
I bolted upright, blinking rapidly in the dimmed light, disturbing a sleeping Lucky, who chirped unhappily at being woken.
I glanced down, scooping up my Wuzzle. “Oh Lucky, I am ever so glad to see you.”
I felt remarkably better. The aches and pains from sleeping on the ground were gone. I pushed off the blanket and stood up. My feet were no longer sore. Instead I felt pressure on my bladder.
I remembered the Essence had put something in my food to help me sleep. Although I felt it was ethically wrong, it had done the trick to heal me.
“Essence?”
“I am here, female.”
“Anna, my name is Anna. Never mind about that now. Is there a bathroom I can use nearby?”
“Word bathroom does not translate.”
“Wash, bath, I need to…relieve myself.”
“Walk into the corridor, turn left and walk six hundred paces, there is a chamber door on your right.”
I hurried out, noting the grand spacious
“Correct, please remain resting. I have assessed your injuries. Your body requires rest and nutrients.”
I could hardly believe it. I’d made it to the city. “Are there any other Zakiu in the city?”
“There are no Zakiu in Morradi City Prime.”
“So…you’re some kind of computer program looking after things?”
“Word computer is not understood. Please rephrase your question.”
“Am I talking to an automated machine?”
“Essence is the central core program of Morradi City Prime.” The voice repeated.
Okay . “Essence, what is your primary function?”
“Essence has been programmed to maintain and care for Morradi City Prime and its inhabitants.”
“But there is no one here.”
“Negative. There are now two inhabitants of Morradi City Prime.”
“Two?” I could only guess I was one. But was there another?
“Affirmative.”
“Who is the other one?”
“The Zakiu bud within female body.”
“Oh.” I rubbed my belly and smiled, liking how the computer counted us both. “How did I get into this room if there is no one here?”
“Essence used an anti-gravity platform, to move you from the city’s shield dome, to the healing center.”
I remembered the beam of light and something gripping me before I passed out.
“Just how long have you been guardian of Morradi City Prime?
“Eight thousand six hundred and fifty two cycles.”
I had no idea how long that was, but I’m guessing it was more than a few years. But there were so many other questions, I needed to ask. Before I could open my mouth to ask another question, a shimmering blue light appeared around a small table near the bed, leaving behind a large covered bowl on a tray and a tall pitcher of water.
I got up and lifted the lid of the first bowl. I couldn’t identify the wobbly, green gelatinous substance, but the spicy aroma was mouthwatering. Even before I knew what I was doing, I’d picked up the spoon and shoveled it into my mouth. It was sweet—like sugary cinnamon tapioca.
I swallowed. “How come you have food if the city’s been abandoned for so long?”
“Essence meal particle optimizer. Female’s food contains all the required nutrients to restore health.”
“Thank you,” I mumbled and cleaned the bowl. Suddenly I remembered Lucky. I hoped he wasn’t hurt when Essence brought me down into the city.
“Where’s Lucky?”
“Word Lucky is not understood.”
“My bonded Wuzzle. I hope he wasn’t hurt.”
“The animal is in the next room, resting.”
By the time I’d finished the third bowl, I was feeling very drowsy. My head started to swim. I stared down at the empty bowl and glanced up to the blue light beam above me.
“What was in that food?”
“All the required nutrients to restore your body to health and a calming agent to help you rest. You will come to no harm. Essence will protect you and guard the city.”
“It was drugged!” I only managed a few seconds of disbelief before I slumped back onto the bed as the drug took effect.
* * * *
I bolted upright, blinking rapidly in the dimmed light, disturbing a sleeping Lucky, who chirped unhappily at being woken.
I glanced down, scooping up my Wuzzle. “Oh Lucky, I am ever so glad to see you.”
I felt remarkably better. The aches and pains from sleeping on the ground were gone. I pushed off the blanket and stood up. My feet were no longer sore. Instead I felt pressure on my bladder.
I remembered the Essence had put something in my food to help me sleep. Although I felt it was ethically wrong, it had done the trick to heal me.
“Essence?”
“I am here, female.”
“Anna, my name is Anna. Never mind about that now. Is there a bathroom I can use nearby?”
“Word bathroom does not translate.”
“Wash, bath, I need to…relieve myself.”
“Walk into the corridor, turn left and walk six hundred paces, there is a chamber door on your right.”
I hurried out, noting the grand spacious
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