Read Online The Hunt by Everette Morgan - Free Book Online Page A

earlier generations were on the verge of total depletion and industries were struggling for an alternative.  Solar Force became almost an overnight mega corporation and was the richest company in the world.  All Marcus could do was give silent thanks as he jumped on his ATV, took off, and sped through the trail he had blazed pushing the engine to its limits.  The ATV had some kick to it and didn’t struggle at all the way the older type gas powered machines normally did. What was even better was that the engine was almost silent and had no exhaust.  He flew down the trail for about five miles and then turned off into some underbrush, which to the naked eye looked like a dead end.  It wasn’t a dead end.  Marcus had camouflaged the trail for the next 100 yards or so.  As he cleared the edge of the trees he could slightly feel the resistance as he drove through the edge of the Force Canopy into a large clearing.  To his left was a large two story cabin and on his right was a large barn, small shed, and a greenhouse.  Further on to the right, you could see the shimmering moonlight coming off the surface of a beautiful lake.  Everything was just as he left it, not that he was expecting anything to have changed considering the Solar Force Canopy was still doing its job.  The canopy was an extremely marvelous invention.  It could be programmed to block everything down to the smallest insect and could withstand and repel everything up to a nuclear blast.  Marcus had programmed all his vehicles into it and set it to only allow him or any of the various non-dangerous game animals through it. He drove the ATV over to one of the out buildings and parked it beside an identical ATV on the left and a large four wheel drive military type SUV vehicle on the right. He liked to call it the MAV.  Majorly Armed Vehicle. Rising out of the top of the MAV was a 20mm Korak cannon mounted on a robotic arm.  Upon closer inspection you could see the vehicle was loaded with various other armaments.  Marcus stepped off the ATV and strode across the courtyard, up the steps, and stopped at the front door.
    “Dragon, one, nine, six, six,” he spoke as if talking to himself.
    As soon as he finished speaking there was an audible click and you could hear metal doors moving and the front door swung inward. A two story log cabin on the outside, military style reinforcements on the inside…
    “Welcome home Marcus”, a soft female voice spoke from within as he entered. 
    “Well, hello to you too, Jocelyn” he said cheerfully.  Jocelyn was the computer that controlled everything in his little compound.  She controlled everything from the upkeep and maintenance of the canopy down to making coffee for him every morning.  He stored his weaponry that he had with him and came back to the main living room. “Anything happen that I should be aware of Jocelyn?” he asked inquisitively.  He walked over and launched onto the large U-shaped couch.
    “Weather patterns are changing and there should be a significant temperature change by the beginning of next week.  Slight radio traffic was observed.  These signals were located in the northwestern area of the United States.”
    Marcus had been monitoring some radio traffic for the last few months.  These were usually bands of marauders or small colonies that were beginning to form.  For the sake of the marauders, Marcus had yet to make any contact with anyone.  Hopefully these fledgling colonies were being set up with some kind of defense.  “How is the perimeter, Jocelyn?” he asked.
    “Perimeter is secure. Barrier entries today, 1942 various insects, 300 fish, 8 deer, 30 rabbits, 63 various birds, 22 squirrels, 18 wild turkeys, and 20 various rodent type creatures,” Jocelyn quoted statistically.
    “Are you sure you didn’t miss anything there sweetheart?” Marcus said laughingly.
    “I’m sorry Marcus, but I don’t understand the question.”
    “Nevermind.  Anything notable