I rushed after the armored vehicle, shifting back into Dogboy as I ran. Once completed, I leapt and grabbed hold of the vehicle just as it was turning. My nails dug in and I held on as the vehicle took another hard right.

When it stopped for a red light, I was finally able to climb to the roof. But I was still nearly knocked off when the truck jerked forward.

The wind blew at my fur as the armored vehicle made its way through town. If circumstances had been different, I might've enjoyed the ride.

And it wasn't just the feeling of the wind on my fur; the smells ticked my nose as we drove by. Truthfully, I didn't smell smells the way people (or dogs) normally smell things—they were psychic smells. It was kind of like smelling something with your head instead of your nose.

I slowly began to get lost in the smell of food and the smell of life. A nervous young man was about to ask out his dream girl. A father and son ate hot dogs after taking in a game. A woman hummed a sweet tune while preparing for her date. Friends greeted each other in warm embraces after having not seen each other for years.

Suddenly, the smells disappeared and were replaced by the all-encompassing scent of authority. It was a dangerous smell telling me that I did not belong there.

A pleasant computerized voice spoke over a public speaker. "In 200 yards you will reach the city limits. If you wish to exit the city, please turn around and go to the nearest border gate."

The smell of aggression only grew as we continued down the darkening road. The buildings became less friendly and more militant. The smell of an alpha washed over me. All my instincts screamed to turn back—not only my dog instincts but my human ones as well.

It wasn't until this moment that I realized the smell of disobedient fear rose not only from me, but from the people in the truck. They, like me, knew they were going against the wishes of the Powers That Be. Yet, we pressed onward.

"In fifty yards," the AI alerted us, "you will reach the city limits." Its tone then took on a more threatening edge, "This is your final warning. Pass this point you risk radiation exposure from the Wastelands."

Now that we were this close to the dome-shield, I could see the hexagon energy cells that made up the force field. The dome made a slight sound similar to a bug zapper. Every fiber of my being cried out to run. THIS IS WRONG!! How could I be so foolish as to willingly go into the Wastelands? Only death waited for me out there!

"Get it together, Rover," I whispered. "Brain needs you."

I gripped the roof tighter. For some reason, I held my breath as the vehicle passed through the veil.

A slight tingling feeling passed through me, kind of like when your foot falls asleep. It also seemed for a moment that we passed through a long tunnel.

The next thing I knew, we were on the other side and what I saw brought a fear that shook me to my black boots. Though at the time I didn't quite comprehend why it scared me so.

The Wastelands were not a barren desert full of decay and ruin like we'd been told. It was a lush and vibrant forest. There were trees everywhere...and animals! Birds, deer, foxes, rabbits, you name it. I could hear and smell water nearby. The only sign of anything "unnatural" was the small paved road we now traveled on.

I checked the HUD readings in my sunglasses. There were no radiation readings, minus the normal radiation of everyday life. There was no sign of a nuclear holocaust...at all.

It was impossible that the area could be cleaned of radiation this quickly.

Why'd we been told that everything outside of the domes was uninhabitable?

***

Within a few minutes, we arrived at the UnPlug base. But unlike the cold warehouse of the UnPlugs who abducted Brain, this place looked like a small community. They had farms and running water. Modest homes dotted the landscape. A marketplace, school district, and movie theater were within my view. They even had indoor plumbing!

This was a far cry from the uncaring, savage terrorist image that the governments depicted. The UnPlugs were supposed to be barely human beasts that couldn't operate a pencil little alone a computer. But from what I could see riding atop that armored vehicle, they seemed just as smart, possibly smarter, than any of us.

Finally, the vehicle stopped and I slipped off. I ducked into a hiding spot as the driver and passenger exited. A couple seconds later, other UnPlugs joined at the back of the truck.

"What could they need money for?" I whispered. UnPlugs stay away from the cities, except for the occasional terror attack. I glanced at the sprawling community; they seemed to have everything they could need right here.

Actually...come to think of it, what could be in that truck? People don't use money anymore; it's all electronic.

The truck's back doors opened. A woman in the crowd covered her small gasp. Some of the crowd climbed into the truck. A few seconds later they returned; but not with money, gold, or jewels, but with paintings and statues and paper books.

"They stole priceless works of art?" I growled. "But what was it doing in an armored truck in the first place?"

My question would have to wait. A soft click alerted me to my guest. I turned to face the UnPlug soldier pointing an old fashioned revolver (one that used bullets) at me. With a sigh, I slowly raised my hands.

Thanks for taking a look at this brief opening to a forthcoming eBook. If you enjoyed the story make sure you vote and share it and check out my other eBooks which can be purchased at most online retailers.

Until the next wormhole...

End Transmission.