RESTORATION (a science fiction novel) (RESTORATION (the science fiction trilogy)) Read Online Free Page A

Linsey. 
    “You didn’t really think I’d leave a sweetheart like you to fend for yourself with this guy did ya?” 
    Everyone started laughing and joking and didn’t stop for a good while.  The commotion caused two of the nurses to pop their heads in just to see what was going on and Alan noticed them. 
    “Hey ladies, I’m getting restored like some old rusty truck.  You better watch out!”
    The two nurses laughed while swishing their hands at him in  dismissive gestures and shook their heads as they went on down the hall.
    “Wow, Dad, didn’t know you had that in you!”
    After everyone settled down a bit, Bobby filled them in on what to expect in the process with the pink goop.  They all visited for an hour and then decided it best to leave so that Bobby could rest.
    While Dodge took his Father across town to register for his procedure, Linsey had a very nice conversation with the nurse and then the doctor about what to expect when Bobby got home.  The “Doc” took Bobby’s vitals and answered some questions that Bobby had about getting his strength back, gaining weight, and getting out of there.
    On the ride across town Dodge and his father were having a serious conversation about how much time Alan had, and whether or not he had the time to get his clone matured to an appropriate age for him to make the switch. 
    “There’s no way I want to be a kid again,” Said Alan.  I want to be at least 50 in my new body.  It would be awkward if I were younger than my own son!” 
    Dodge chuckled as he imagined that situation and how comical and weird it would be. 
    “Okay Dad, let’s go see the staff at the Life Center and see what they have to say about your current condition and your potential second mid-life crisis.”
      “Oh very funny Son, you’ll think mid-life crisis when I get in that new body, I’ll be able to whoop you again, young man!” 
    They both laughed, but beneath his laughter Dodge was a little bit concerned that his Father might have waited too long and didn’t have enough time left to get his clone matured for the procedure.  He had noticed that his father coughed a lot of the time and had to excuse himself frequently because of his fits.  He had not seen any real spark of life in him for a very long time until today at the hospital. 
    They arrived at the Life Center branch nearest to Alan’s house and signed in.  In just five minutes they were called in for a consultation, and much to their surprise they were assured that they could mature Alan’s clone to the age of fifty in just eight weeks.  Even if Alan’s condition were to worsen suddenly, they could go ahead and transfer the data from the Lifecorder at a moment’s notice and keep the clone in the process of accelerated aging until the process was complete. 
    The only thing Alan would miss would be the time he was under sedation while the clone completed the process which would be no different from taking a vacation and missing out on a few things happening back at home.  They both learned something else that they didn’t know either.  Even though a clone could be developed to an older age, the restored person always feels much better than they did at the same age before restoration and the logic was very simple.  The new clone body had no wear and tear on it at all, no scars, no injuries, no bad food, no cigarettes, nothing bad that a normal fifty-year-old person might have. 
    This made Alan feel pretty good about what was happening.  He had many health problems due to his hard work as a mason after he left the military.  For many years he had worn out his body and now with the lung cancer he felt terrible.  He knew it would be a relief to have a new body with no pain.  Alan had an appointment the next day to bring in his Lifecorder for a check up to make sure everything was in order with it.  Barring any problems, he would be given the green light to be restored.
     
    Chapter 2       On the