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The Survival Series #1
Time of Isolation
. . . “Susan, I need to have a conversation with Supervisor Shana, and no before you ask, this cannot wait.”
Looking down at him she said, “Who are you to just barge in here? You do not have any right to demand anything, ah . . . let’s see . . . underling supervisor Sampson. Do I have it right?”
When she said these things it seemed as if she was attempting to get something out of her mouth such as a bad taste. Shaking his head he could tell that things were going from bad to worse. But what could he do? What he had was critical and they had been told that if another incident happened that he, or any of the under supervisors, had to go to their supervisors immediately and inform no one but them. He wasn’t even supposed to inform the underworkers for the lead supervisors. It was to be for their eyes and ears only. Carefully holding his anger in control he gritted his teeth and said. “Yes, you have it right. I must see Lead Supervisor Shana now without delay.”
“Without delay? What is it that could be so important from your minor position that could even require a minute of Supervisor Shana? Her time is always filled, so, if you please, make an appointment and come back later. You are interrupting my work and I for one will not allow you to interrupt hers. Now get out of here before I report you!”
About this time Lead Supervisor Shana hearing the loud conversation in the outer office went to investigate. Catching the ending conversation from her underworker, and seeing one of the under supervisors from the communications section, she became curious. Underworker Susan catching the gaze of Sampson turned and saw Shana there and started apologizing for interrupting her work and that she had everything in control and this minor supervisor was just leaving. Why was he here? Then she saw that under supervisor Sampson was looking intently at her. She also knew that he had never liked her, so again why was he here? Looking directly at him Shana asked. “Under supervisor Sampson may I inquire, why are you here?”
Now what, Sampson thought, the mandate had been specific. No one but his supervisor could hear what he had to say. Then he remembered that if there was a situation like this, that he could specify a color to let her know. Now if only he could remember the color. Blue! Blue was that color. “Ma’am, ah color it blue.” Was all he said.
When he stated the color, she immediately paused. He had given her a code color that reflected an emergency of some kind and could be private and for her eyes and ears only. She then turned to her underworker and said, “Under Supervisor Sampson may enter.” She then turned around and went back inside of her office wondering now what could be so important for him to have used that code. She didn’t have to wait long as he entered her office right behind her. “I don’t have much time, what is it that is so important?”
“Ma’am, do you have this room secured for silence? The directive said that before this information was to be given that all security features must be activated.”
Sitting back down at her desk, she motioned him to a seat, and then pushed a few buttons. “Okay, I have activated the security. Again what is it that required you to use the code word?”
Looking down at him she said, “Who are you to just barge in here? You do not have any right to demand anything, ah . . . let’s see . . . underling supervisor Sampson. Do I have it right?”
When she said these things it seemed as if she was attempting to get something out of her mouth such as a bad taste. Shaking his head he could tell that things were going from bad to worse. But what could he do? What he had was critical and they had been told that if another incident happened that he, or any of the under supervisors, had to go to their supervisors immediately and inform no one but them. He wasn’t even supposed to inform the underworkers for the lead supervisors. It was to be for their eyes and ears only. Carefully holding his anger in control he gritted his teeth and said. “Yes, you have it right. I must see Lead Supervisor Shana now without delay.”
“Without delay? What is it that could be so important from your minor position that could even require a minute of Supervisor Shana? Her time is always filled, so, if you please, make an appointment and come back later. You are interrupting my work and I for one will not allow you to interrupt hers. Now get out of here before I report you!”
About this time Lead Supervisor Shana hearing the loud conversation in the outer office went to investigate. Catching the ending conversation from her underworker, and seeing one of the under supervisors from the communications section, she became curious. Underworker Susan catching the gaze of Sampson turned and saw Shana there and started apologizing for interrupting her work and that she had everything in control and this minor supervisor was just leaving. Why was he here? Then she saw that under supervisor Sampson was looking intently at her. She also knew that he had never liked her, so again why was he here? Looking directly at him Shana asked. “Under supervisor Sampson may I inquire, why are you here?”
Now what, Sampson thought, the mandate had been specific. No one but his supervisor could hear what he had to say. Then he remembered that if there was a situation like this, that he could specify a color to let her know. Now if only he could remember the color. Blue! Blue was that color. “Ma’am, ah color it blue.” Was all he said.
When he stated the color, she immediately paused. He had given her a code color that reflected an emergency of some kind and could be private and for her eyes and ears only. She then turned to her underworker and said, “Under Supervisor Sampson may enter.” She then turned around and went back inside of her office wondering now what could be so important for him to have used that code. She didn’t have to wait long as he entered her office right behind her. “I don’t have much time, what is it that is so important?”
“Ma’am, do you have this room secured for silence? The directive said that before this information was to be given that all security features must be activated.”
Sitting back down at her desk, she motioned him to a seat, and then pushed a few buttons. “Okay, I have activated the security. Again what is it that required you to use the code word?”
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2012
11 people want to read
About the author
F.D. Brant
20 books4 followersF.D. Brant always wanted to write, but life got in the way. Finally after retiring he got his chance.
Storytelling and writing has always been F.D. Brant’s passion, but responsibilities took preference. And because of those responsibilities it took retiring to allow those passions to come to fruition. Since retiring he has written 8 books, and maintains a weekly eclectic blog, Words in the Wind.
Growing up in the backcountry he learned the appreciation of “doing things for yourself”. Because it was impossible to call in someone to repair anything one either did it themselves or went without. This led to the appreciation of the natural world, and the daily struggles that one faced as nature threw problems at the family that had to be overcome, leading to confidence and self-sufficiency. This led to the strong characters that populate his stories and books. And his female protagonists are strong willed and confident – something that he saw in both in his mother and sister.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 18, 2018
Every now and then I come across an excellent novel that I have never heard of and end up pleasantly surprised. Time of Isolation is such a book. F.D. Brant has written an undiscovered gem of a novel. His writing style is both clear, concise and is not verbose adding waste to the prose. It is a very enjoyable read.
Two aspects really stand out with the novel is his characters feel natural and the dialogue feels genuine. When the characters speak to each other it emotionally feels like natural conversations I have had and not as if someone put words into their mouth. It is a nifty turn of words to pull this off with alacrity. it is a very nice job.
Time of Isolation also pulls off an even harder trick. F.D. Brant writes about hard times, tough conditions, and survival, but does not go into gory details. The reader knows exactly what is happening, but he avoids the mistake of explaining every detail and leaves it to the readers imagination. It is quite a feat to pull off and he does so with dexterity. It is almost as if F.D. Brant is a gentlemen, but wants you to know the details without going into them.
As great as the story is, there is deeper meaning to be found. Time of Isolation is a study of human society and the complexities there within. Studies about the nature of leadership, power, religion, and the search for truth are all here as well as how fragile a society may be. With a nod to Star Treks prime directive, a "civilized" society falls to barbarians at the gates. A small select group well trained in survival skills escapes and the adventure follows when they find out how badly they are really prepared. There is a criticism of bureaucracy and how it ultimately causes collapse from its own weight as well is how thin the veneer of civility when it is under assault. Petty jealousies and rivalries have to be contended with as the group is hunted.
Time of Isolation is a great read. The easy to read prose is both fun and a joy. It can be read just for the story or for the deeper meaning written into the novel.
Two aspects really stand out with the novel is his characters feel natural and the dialogue feels genuine. When the characters speak to each other it emotionally feels like natural conversations I have had and not as if someone put words into their mouth. It is a nifty turn of words to pull this off with alacrity. it is a very nice job.
Time of Isolation also pulls off an even harder trick. F.D. Brant writes about hard times, tough conditions, and survival, but does not go into gory details. The reader knows exactly what is happening, but he avoids the mistake of explaining every detail and leaves it to the readers imagination. It is quite a feat to pull off and he does so with dexterity. It is almost as if F.D. Brant is a gentlemen, but wants you to know the details without going into them.
As great as the story is, there is deeper meaning to be found. Time of Isolation is a study of human society and the complexities there within. Studies about the nature of leadership, power, religion, and the search for truth are all here as well as how fragile a society may be. With a nod to Star Treks prime directive, a "civilized" society falls to barbarians at the gates. A small select group well trained in survival skills escapes and the adventure follows when they find out how badly they are really prepared. There is a criticism of bureaucracy and how it ultimately causes collapse from its own weight as well is how thin the veneer of civility when it is under assault. Petty jealousies and rivalries have to be contended with as the group is hunted.
Time of Isolation is a great read. The easy to read prose is both fun and a joy. It can be read just for the story or for the deeper meaning written into the novel.
Displaying 1 of 1 review