Time of Isolation oleh F. D. Brant

Rumors continued to come from the North, followed by silence. Not the types of silence of a temporary kind, but of permanence that spoke of never hearing anything again. It was as if what always had been never was. How could that be? Theirs was a peaceful advanced society. Even though overall they were a small population, and quite spread out, their ability to communicate between their settlements eliminated any one settlement truly feeling isolated. But as the time flowed by them, one by one those lights and voices disappeared and were heard or seen no more. Each extinguished without an outward cry. Each without a sound leaving a darkness behind that was complete. There should have been something explaining why, anything would have been better than the deathly silence. It was time to act. It was time to find out what had happened to their brothers and sisters. What tragedy had befallen their people? How were they to go about it? * * * . . . Looking directly at him Shana asked. “Under supervisor Sampson may I inquire, why are you here?” Again looking directly at her, he was at a loss for words. The directive had been explicit, nothing could be said to any others just his boss. “I have something that must be given to you, but only to you." He stammered. “What’s so important that it couldn’t be communicated over the circuits?” Now what, Sampson thought, the mandate had been specific. No one but his supervisor could hear what he had to say. Then he remembered that he could specify a color to let her know. Now if only he could remember the color. Blue! Blue was that color. “Ma’am, ah color it blue.” Was all he said. “Under Supervisor Sampson may enter.” Sitting back down at her desk, she motioned him to a seat, and then pushed a few buttons. “Okay, I have activated the security. Again what is it that required you to use the code word?” “Ma’am we’ve lost communications with another city. It has gone silent without warning.