Chapter 16
Technology and Magic
Ryan and Regan explored for hour after hour as their hunger and thirst mounted—and their desperation.
They went into several structures and discovered artifacts of every size, shape and kind. They inspected several very cautiously but couldn’t figure out how to operate any of them—or even if they could be operated. It was maddening. For all they knew they had held the key to leaving the city in their hands and hadn’t recognized it.
Dr. Harris had said current human technology would seem like magic to earlier ages. So what would a prehistoric man make of the inside of their house? Would he think a telephone hanging on a wall was art? That a computer was something used for hunting—to throw at animals? What would he make of a microwave oven? He could be in total darkness, searching frantically for some flint to hit together to make a fire, not knowing that all he had to do was push the small white switches sticking out from the walls and he could have all the light he needed. What if he was hungry? He could find a can of soup and never know there was food inside. Even if he did, he wouldn’t know what a can-opener was or how to use it. A feast could be waiting inside the refrigerator but he wouldn’t guess it, and he wouldn’t even know for sure that a refrigerator could even be opened.
Ryan and Regan knew that in this case, they were the ignorant primitives stumbling around in the dark, not advanced enough to have any idea of what they were seeing within the astonishing alien buildings.
Ryan continued to try to put on a brave face for his sister but he was getting more worried by the hour. “If we ever get out of here,” he said and then quickly amended, “I mean—when we get out of here, I promise to never complain about being bored again.”
Regan smiled weakly as they exited another building after yet another fruitless search. “Yeah. I’d give anything to be bored right now. This could have been the greatest day of our lives. Getting to see this amazing city. Learning about the most important discovery of all time. But instead, it’s turned into a nightmare. How could things—”
“Down!” screamed Ryan.
Before Regan could react he dove on her and threw her forcefully to the soft ground, covering her with his body.
Regan looked up in terror to find the reason for her brother’s action.
An immense alien bird of prey was flying directly toward them! It had the sleek, dangerous lines of an eagle, but it was the size of a minivan.
The swooping predator extended its razor sharp talons as it prepared to complete its attack.