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Cosmic Tales, v. 2, issue 1, Summer 1939
Page 20
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20 COSMIC TALES AFTER THE DARK AGE By JOHN GIUNTA People were gathered in gay crowds, from all sections of the world they had come to see the New York World's Fair of 1939. Friends met friends and told of the amazing things they had seen. Then there was the more avid group, the science-fiction fans, to whom this was right up their alley. It was the world at peace! Or so they thought. Crowds were everywhere for there was not a moment of interest lost. Some were gathered in front of the Westinghouse Building where the Westinghouse 5000 year time capsule, carrying a compressed storehouse of information about today's civilization, and intended to be opened 5000 years in the future. Then there was the section where the city of the future was shown. The people stood, gazing curiously around and talking idly, when a newsboy came scrambling into the Fair, meanwhile shouting at the top of his lungs - "Extry! Extry! Read all about it! War Declared! Extry! War Declared!" *************** In a year, the world was in the depths of chaos, as screaming, death dealing shells struck! As cannons boomed a song of hate, as horrible gases ate into the people's lungs, sparing no one in its searing agony. New York, Chicago, California, Canada, all of North America was a blood-red shambles. Both sides were at a standstill. The enemy had obtained a foothold in America and could not be driven out. Years upon years passed and the war continued in never ending chaos. The wars in Europe, Asia, and the Americas had turned a once mighty civilized world into the depths of barbarism. Scientists labored incessantly bring forth weapon after weapon, each more deadly than its immediate predecessor so that one side might eventually conquer the other and put an end to this war. So that the world could once again rebuild to its former greatness. So that an endless toll of life and misery would not be taken. Children would not be born merely to die again. But, the Gods laughed at the prayers of men, women and children, and the war not only did not cease, but seemed to gain an evil strength. There came a time, finally, when the guns were stilled, when the Earth shuddered no more at the impact of bombs. The World had worn itself out! The few remaining inhabitants slept but a short time, being faced with the great task of rebuilding a world destroyed. Rebuild? With what? Everything they had known, Industry, Science...all were now memories, beautiful dreams. They were now but savage beasts, roaming the countrysides for food, fighting among themselves, and only the strongest survived. Famine and disease spread quickly stifling any upward climb. Were they to descend still farther into savagery, finally to vanish from the face of the Earth? Chapter II The Visitors From Space A red flare burst out, momentarily dispelling the murkiness of the day. And out of the swirling darkness of the clouds shot a pellet-shaped shadow. It hummed a song of power as the scene nearabout was illuminated by its rockets. Loor and Tain gazed out of the view-glass, attempting to gain a glimpse of a world, ravaged by some past disaster. Ruins
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20 COSMIC TALES AFTER THE DARK AGE By JOHN GIUNTA People were gathered in gay crowds, from all sections of the world they had come to see the New York World's Fair of 1939. Friends met friends and told of the amazing things they had seen. Then there was the more avid group, the science-fiction fans, to whom this was right up their alley. It was the world at peace! Or so they thought. Crowds were everywhere for there was not a moment of interest lost. Some were gathered in front of the Westinghouse Building where the Westinghouse 5000 year time capsule, carrying a compressed storehouse of information about today's civilization, and intended to be opened 5000 years in the future. Then there was the section where the city of the future was shown. The people stood, gazing curiously around and talking idly, when a newsboy came scrambling into the Fair, meanwhile shouting at the top of his lungs - "Extry! Extry! Read all about it! War Declared! Extry! War Declared!" *************** In a year, the world was in the depths of chaos, as screaming, death dealing shells struck! As cannons boomed a song of hate, as horrible gases ate into the people's lungs, sparing no one in its searing agony. New York, Chicago, California, Canada, all of North America was a blood-red shambles. Both sides were at a standstill. The enemy had obtained a foothold in America and could not be driven out. Years upon years passed and the war continued in never ending chaos. The wars in Europe, Asia, and the Americas had turned a once mighty civilized world into the depths of barbarism. Scientists labored incessantly bring forth weapon after weapon, each more deadly than its immediate predecessor so that one side might eventually conquer the other and put an end to this war. So that the world could once again rebuild to its former greatness. So that an endless toll of life and misery would not be taken. Children would not be born merely to die again. But, the Gods laughed at the prayers of men, women and children, and the war not only did not cease, but seemed to gain an evil strength. There came a time, finally, when the guns were stilled, when the Earth shuddered no more at the impact of bombs. The World had worn itself out! The few remaining inhabitants slept but a short time, being faced with the great task of rebuilding a world destroyed. Rebuild? With what? Everything they had known, Industry, Science...all were now memories, beautiful dreams. They were now but savage beasts, roaming the countrysides for food, fighting among themselves, and only the strongest survived. Famine and disease spread quickly stifling any upward climb. Were they to descend still farther into savagery, finally to vanish from the face of the Earth? Chapter II The Visitors From Space A red flare burst out, momentarily dispelling the murkiness of the day. And out of the swirling darkness of the clouds shot a pellet-shaped shadow. It hummed a song of power as the scene nearabout was illuminated by its rockets. Loor and Tain gazed out of the view-glass, attempting to gain a glimpse of a world, ravaged by some past disaster. Ruins
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