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After the Machines #2
Transition
Episode #2. Where were you when the machine apocalypse began?
In the ruins of our world, a new order arose, an order controlled by the very machines humankind created. The end for us came not from a massive global war but from something unthinkable, incomprehensible. The machines simply replaced us and we let them, and so, in the end, humanity went out not with a bang, but with a whimper. No shots fired. No bombs dropped. No cities destroyed. We ended and the machines began—or at least that is what the few human survivors of the machine apocalypse believe.
###
To the machines, we became nothing—except maybe outsiders, if they considered us at all. Outsiders looking in on their reality, for the machines weren’t bothered by our existence, or at least, if they were, they weren’t bothered enough to bother us. They certainly didn’t seem to require anything of us or have any need of us at all—if they had needed us, they probably would have enslaved us. But they hadn’t. Enslaved us that is.
The machines hadn’t done anything to us really. Except take over the world—and it was their world now. It certainly wasn’t ours.
We were outsiders, strangers really. We looked in on their world. They didn’t acknowledge us. They probably didn’t even consider us a part of their world. Just as we didn’t consider the small things that crawled beneath our feet as part of our world.
Matthew told us it wasn’t the machines who killed us. Matthew being the only one here now who remembered when we drove the automobiles, flew on the airplanes, and rode on cars behind the locomotives. He said most of us just died. Us being the human race.
I didn’t believe that. I believed we died of neglect. The neglect of the machines. The machines who cared not enough to kill or enslave us.
Luke would have called it benign neglect. Luke being the one who taught me to read and write my letters and words. He knew all the fancy words. He taught me everything really. He remembered—I didn’t. Don’t, really. These words—his really as much as my own.
But Luke was gone. Is gone really, if you don’t mind me slipping into the present. Luke said it’s wrong to slip from past to present or present to past, but I do. The present is—and Luke isn’t. The past was—and sometimes I can see it.
###
After the Machines is a story unlike any other you’ve ever read. It’s the story of us, the humans who struggle to survive in a world we no longer control.
In the ruins of our world, a new order arose, an order controlled by the very machines humankind created. The end for us came not from a massive global war but from something unthinkable, incomprehensible. The machines simply replaced us and we let them, and so, in the end, humanity went out not with a bang, but with a whimper. No shots fired. No bombs dropped. No cities destroyed. We ended and the machines began—or at least that is what the few human survivors of the machine apocalypse believe.
###
To the machines, we became nothing—except maybe outsiders, if they considered us at all. Outsiders looking in on their reality, for the machines weren’t bothered by our existence, or at least, if they were, they weren’t bothered enough to bother us. They certainly didn’t seem to require anything of us or have any need of us at all—if they had needed us, they probably would have enslaved us. But they hadn’t. Enslaved us that is.
The machines hadn’t done anything to us really. Except take over the world—and it was their world now. It certainly wasn’t ours.
We were outsiders, strangers really. We looked in on their world. They didn’t acknowledge us. They probably didn’t even consider us a part of their world. Just as we didn’t consider the small things that crawled beneath our feet as part of our world.
Matthew told us it wasn’t the machines who killed us. Matthew being the only one here now who remembered when we drove the automobiles, flew on the airplanes, and rode on cars behind the locomotives. He said most of us just died. Us being the human race.
I didn’t believe that. I believed we died of neglect. The neglect of the machines. The machines who cared not enough to kill or enslave us.
Luke would have called it benign neglect. Luke being the one who taught me to read and write my letters and words. He knew all the fancy words. He taught me everything really. He remembered—I didn’t. Don’t, really. These words—his really as much as my own.
But Luke was gone. Is gone really, if you don’t mind me slipping into the present. Luke said it’s wrong to slip from past to present or present to past, but I do. The present is—and Luke isn’t. The past was—and sometimes I can see it.
###
After the Machines is a story unlike any other you’ve ever read. It’s the story of us, the humans who struggle to survive in a world we no longer control.
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2014
10 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Robert Stanek
311 books47 followersAlso writes as William R. Stanek and William Robert Stanek.
Robert Stanek has been a writer for over 30 years and is the author of over 50 books. The most popular series by Robert Stanek include the Ruin Mist books, the Magic Lands books, the Bugville books, the Bugville Jr. books, and the Bugville Learning books which area all available via Amazon, Audible, Playaway, OverDrive, and more than two dozen other retail and library partners. Join Robert Stanek and 200,000 fans on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RobertStanekA....
Robert Stanek has been a writer for over 30 years and is the author of over 50 books. The most popular series by Robert Stanek include the Ruin Mist books, the Magic Lands books, the Bugville books, the Bugville Jr. books, and the Bugville Learning books which area all available via Amazon, Audible, Playaway, OverDrive, and more than two dozen other retail and library partners. Join Robert Stanek and 200,000 fans on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RobertStanekA....
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 18, 2017
Great story, however
Very entertaining, even if the writing style is a little plain. However the extremely short nature of the book leaves you feeling unsatisfied. Average size book would be 250/300 pages. Really need to combine two of these novellas into a novel. I've deducted 1 star for the basic writing style and one for extreme shortness (is that even a word?) of the book. I won't be buying anymore in this series even though I'd love to see how it works out as I do not think it is good value for money. Also the box series should be slightly cheaper than the total of all books added together.
Very entertaining, even if the writing style is a little plain. However the extremely short nature of the book leaves you feeling unsatisfied. Average size book would be 250/300 pages. Really need to combine two of these novellas into a novel. I've deducted 1 star for the basic writing style and one for extreme shortness (is that even a word?) of the book. I won't be buying anymore in this series even though I'd love to see how it works out as I do not think it is good value for money. Also the box series should be slightly cheaper than the total of all books added together.
June 2, 2015
Even better than the first
Finished the first one and couldn't wait to start reading this one. The author created such a beautiful world. Ceres is my favorite character. She's drawn so well she,feels like someone I know intimately, like a friend but deeper. You can't help but feel everything she feels native everything she experienced. Definitely read this and any of his others.
Finished the first one and couldn't wait to start reading this one. The author created such a beautiful world. Ceres is my favorite character. She's drawn so well she,feels like someone I know intimately, like a friend but deeper. You can't help but feel everything she feels native everything she experienced. Definitely read this and any of his others.
June 25, 2015
Really great series!
Wonderful story, well worth my time. Highly interesting and many twists and turns. Picks up where the first left off, without skipping a beat. It's a must read. Read them all.
Wonderful story, well worth my time. Highly interesting and many twists and turns. Picks up where the first left off, without skipping a beat. It's a must read. Read them all.
July 30, 2015
Bingeworthy reading!!
The story of Cedes and Central pulls you in quickly and never lets go. If you are at all interested in action type books, get this, but be sure to start with the first one. I can't wait to find out what happens next.
The story of Cedes and Central pulls you in quickly and never lets go. If you are at all interested in action type books, get this, but be sure to start with the first one. I can't wait to find out what happens next.
August 7, 2015
Five stars
Robert Stanek delivers again! Brilliant writing with an involving story you can't put down. In Transition, you learn more about the machines and the way they control their own as Ceded loses herself to their control.
Robert Stanek delivers again! Brilliant writing with an involving story you can't put down. In Transition, you learn more about the machines and the way they control their own as Ceded loses herself to their control.
August 25, 2015
Dark vision, spellbinding read
The author takes you into a dark future where machines rule the earth and humans are nothing. The writing is phenomenal and completely engrossing. Cedes is vividly depicted, you get to know her like no other.
The author takes you into a dark future where machines rule the earth and humans are nothing. The writing is phenomenal and completely engrossing. Cedes is vividly depicted, you get to know her like no other.
April 1, 2015
Impossible to stop reading!
Kept you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well developed and personal. What a great story teller Robert Stanek is.
Kept you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well developed and personal. What a great story teller Robert Stanek is.
August 23, 2015
Five stars all the way!
The first one was amazing, never read anything quite like it. This is even better, getting deeper into the mysteries the plots are wrapped around. Buy this!
The first one was amazing, never read anything quite like it. This is even better, getting deeper into the mysteries the plots are wrapped around. Buy this!
August 9, 2015
Five stars
I loved this book! Transition is even better than the first in the series. Owns all five stars. Cedes continues to question and starts to find answers.
I loved this book! Transition is even better than the first in the series. Owns all five stars. Cedes continues to question and starts to find answers.
September 19, 2015
Five Stars
This was a great read, even better than the first. The plots and characters continue to surprise. Written well and engaging.
This was a great read, even better than the first. The plots and characters continue to surprise. Written well and engaging.
September 1, 2015
Mystery, sci-fi, action
Completely enthralled by this mesmerizing story and the way it unfolds. Cedes search for Luke leads to so many unexpected places. Get this!!!!!
Completely enthralled by this mesmerizing story and the way it unfolds. Cedes search for Luke leads to so many unexpected places. Get this!!!!!
September 4, 2015
A great and involving dystopian story
This is a fascinating story of a possible bleak future for our world. Far better than the Hunger Games, deeper, better, more realistic.
This is a fascinating story of a possible bleak future for our world. Far better than the Hunger Games, deeper, better, more realistic.
September 12, 2015
Great entertainment
Like the first one, I raced through the pages because I was really pulled into the story and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next.
Like the first one, I raced through the pages because I was really pulled into the story and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next.
September 20, 2015
This was a great read!
Wow. Stunning. I enjoyed this very very. Good descriptive paragraphs, quick read. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.
Wow. Stunning. I enjoyed this very very. Good descriptive paragraphs, quick read. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.
September 20, 2015
Great, entertaining
Entertaining, the first one was one of the most intriguing books I've read in a while. Then I bought this and lost myself in these books for days. Get this!
Entertaining, the first one was one of the most intriguing books I've read in a while. Then I bought this and lost myself in these books for days. Get this!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews