Heirs of the New Earth Read Online Free Page A

would be a difficult chore. The same laws prevented paternal surnames from being passed from generation to generation. Except in rare cases, most people took their surnames from their mothers in the thirtieth century.
    "I didn't find out,” said Williams, his brow creased. “I was just thinking about my father and suddenly the name Timothy Gibbs came to my mind. Without thinking about it, I found myself dialing your teleholo. I live in the Los Angeles sector.” Williams looked down, as though seeing the number he'd input for the first time. “You're in Southern Arizona, aren't you? I don't know anyone in Southern Arizona."
    "I don't know if you're my son,” said Gibbs, shaking his head. “How could I know?"
    Williams held out his arms, imploring. “You must be. I feel it. I've never felt anything so strongly in my life! Don't you feel it?"
    Gibbs rapidly shook his head. This was too much at the moment. He wanted very desperately to believe—to know the child he was never allowed to know. If Williams was his child, were there more? “I don't know...” Gibbs hugged himself, guarding against the holographic arms reaching toward him even though the hologram was just empty air—an illusion.
    Williams’ arms dropped to his side and he looked toward the ground. The young man gathered resolve, then looked up again. He typed something into his console on the other end. “I'm a computer programmer in the L.A. Sector. I'm transmitting my number. You can call me anytime.” He paused. “Do you want me to give you a location where you can check my DNA? You could find out if I really am your son?"
    Gibbs shook his head, more slowly. “No, that won't be necessary. Give me some time. I'll try to call in a few days, once I've sorted out my feelings."
    Williams nodded, accepting the verdict—saddened, but understanding. “I know you're my dad,” he said. “I don't know how, but I know. My emotions have never been so strong about anything before.” With that, Williams terminated the call.
    The image of the Clusters reappeared over the dais. With the volume up, Gibbs was able to hear what the announcer was saying. “Four Cluster ships entered Earth space today. There has been no evidence of personnel from the ships trying to land. Based on evidence of the Cluster's appearance at the planet Sufiro, we believe they are just here to observe. There is no cause for panic or alarm. We will keep you updated. In the meantime, we advise the citizens of the Earth to go about their daily business."
    Timothy Gibbs continued watching the teleholo, hugging himself. First, a son he never knew called out of the blue. Now the distant, mysterious Cluster had appeared around Earth. Military ships had gone to a state of emergency. As he watched the images of the Clusters on the teleholo, Timothy Gibbs—a man who had never really loved; never really been loved; a man who didn't feel strongly about much of anything aside from his own survival—began to feel regret for the lost opportunities in his life. A tear eased its way down Gibbs’ cheek followed by another. His emotions turned from regret to anger as he brusquely rubbed the tears from his face.
    "What do I have to feel bad about?” growled Gibbs to the empty room. “I'm no different than most people on this miserable planet. Just a guy trying to make ends meet.” With that, he stood and returned to his dinner that was growing cold.
    After finishing dinner, Gibbs gathered the old plates from the table and placed them in the recycler. Mindlessly, he puttered around the apartment, cleaning. Were one to ask him what he was doing or why, he wouldn't have been able to answer. He simply felt compelled to put his life in some order.
    A while later, Gibbs dropped onto his cot, exhausted. The teleholo continued to play news updates about the Cluster. In the meantime, he dreamed he was married to Louise Sinclair. Their grown son, Jeremy Williams—no Jeremy Sinclair-Gibbs—was home for a visit.