“At what age does abortion become infanticide?’’
In The Terminal Option, John Thomas Rogers paints a frightening vision of the future in America. Wrestling with current issues like abortion, eugenics, and population control, this dystopian science fiction novel paints a grim picture of the future that is all too possible.
The year is 2106. Science has achieved its grandest goals: nuclear war is a fear of the past, the cruel diseases of the previous century are nearly forgotten, and world hunger is rapidly disappearing. But beneath the sleek façade of this modern utopia, the ruthlessly efficient abortion and senicide clinics kill off society’s “unwanted” – infants, children, and the aged.
In response to these horrors, a rebel faction has risen up. These armed extremists fight for the protection of children and seniors–and for a better society. Number Seven, the mysterious leader of the Resistance, guides his followers in a desperate challenge of the Grand Council. The story’s heroine, the beautiful young Maria, has dedicated her life to fighting for the precious lives of children.
In this excerpt, Maria has been kidnapped. In an attempt to extract information about the Resistance, Rachel (the story’s villain), forces Maria to witness the abortion of a four-year old girl…
12:30 p.m.
Rachel walked into the Termination Room of the clinic. She was followed by several SBI agents and a very despondent Maria.‘‘Set her down over there where she will have a clear view,’’ Rachel ordered. After the men led her to a chair near the termination area, Rachel walked over to her, leaned close to her ear and began to speak soothingly. ‘‘Give it up. I can spare your life. Why die for those men when they deserted you and let you walk into this trap?’’
When there was no response from Maria of any kind, Rachel seemed a little annoyed. She spoke again. ‘‘We have captured Number Seven. We already have all the information we need from him,’’ she lied. Maria looked up, but she did not speak.
Rachel sighed, and made a mock gesture of defeat. ‘‘Send in the next patient who is scheduled for an abortion,’’ she told an elderly nurse who was standing by the door. Rachel turned to Maria and smiled. ‘‘I have decided to give you a ringside seat for the rest of the day’s performance. If you decide to talk, let me know, and we’ll cut the show short!’’
‘‘What do we have coming in?’’ a doctor asked as he scrubbed his hands. ‘‘A female fetus of the fourth cycle,’’ replied an efficient young nurse.
‘‘Has it been checked for infections?’’ the doctor inquired casually.
‘‘Yes, the blood work was completed ten minutes ago. Nothing irregular.’’ The nurse took her position next to the table. She added, ‘‘There is no reason why we cannot do the incision method.’’
‘‘Good.’’ The doctor said as he picked up his favorite scalpel, an antique 1997 model made from rare virgin surgical steel. He’d almost built his entire practice with this fine medical tool.
Maria started whining. Terrible fear and sorrow overwhelmed her. She had never witnessed an actual abortion of the Class II level before, but she knew what was coming.
The Terminal Option: A Future Fiction Novel
‘Please,’’ she said. ‘‘Don’t.’’
‘‘Quit whimpering,’’ Rachel ordered.
The door opened. The elderly nurse entered the room leading a frightened little four-year-old girl by the hand. A woman in her twenties followed. The efficient young nurse walked over to the woman and held out her clipboard for her signature.
‘‘I don’t know,’’ the woman said in a hesitant manner. ‘‘It’s all right,’’ the young nurse replied. ‘‘You’re doing the right thing. Everyone gets a little shaky at this point–especially the first time. Just sign the release and you will be able to leave. Go ahead.
’’The young mother reached down for the clipboard and pen, and wrote her name. The elderly nurse put her arms around her, and began to escort her from the room.
‘‘Where are you going, Mommy?’’ the little girl asked. The child started to sob. ‘‘Don’t leave me here by myself!’’
‘‘Come with me, dear,’’ the elderly nurse said as she led the mother through the door. ‘‘It will be all right. Don’t pay attention. We have everything under control.’’ The nurse pulled the door closed behind her. The little girl ran toward the door, but the younger nurse caught her and picked her up. She brought the child over and laid her down on the operating table.
Maria broke into total panic. She started to jump up when one of the SBI agents pulled her down again, holding a hand tightly on her mouth.
On the operating table, the little girl became increasingly agitated, and started to squirm. The nurse held her tight. The doctor reached down with the scalpel…
12:45 p.m.
A lonely, despairing Maria was led from the abortion clinic’s rear doors to a waiting SBI patrol vehicle resting by the curb. There were only two guards with her and none of them had their arms handcuffed to her, revealing their total confidence in their victory.
They opened the rear door of the hovercraft and forcibly set her inside. Then they slammed the door shut and signed over the prisoner to the driver and another man who sat in the front seat. As the vehicle moved away from the curb, Maria noticed that the protective cage divider between the front and back seat was lowering. In shock, she watched as Number Seven turned around and spoke to her.
‘‘Sorry to have rescued you in such an undramatic manner,’’ he said, ‘‘but I’m getting too old for the action sequences.’’
Maria let out a sigh of relief. Then sadness overwhelmed her again. She watched the people of the city through the glass window as the vehicle moved along. None of them out there understand what is happening, or really even care, she thought. Despair and sadness overwhelmed her, tears sliding down her cheeks. She shut out the rest of the universe—except for one tiny four-year-old child—clear vision, etched into her mind’s eye. I will never forget you, little girl, Maria promised. I will never forget you, and I will never give up. I keep my promises.
The Terminal Option: A Future Fiction Novel
In a future where selfishness trumps morality, abortion, and euthanasia become the norm.
In this dystopian science fiction novel, John Thomas Rogers casts a frightening vision of America in the next century. Wrestling with real, modern-day moral issues like abortion and fetal rights, population control, and gender roles, this gritty thriller paints a grim picture of a reality that is all too possible—unless something is done to change the status quo.
The year is 2106. Science has achieved its grandest goals: nuclear war is a fear of the past, the cruel diseases of the previous century are nearly forgotten, and world hunger is rapidly disappearing. But beneath the sleek façade of this modern utopia, the ruthlessly efficient abortion and senicide clinics kill off society’s “unwanted”—the unborn, children, and the aged.
In response to these horrors, a rebel, pro-life faction has risen up. These extremists fight for the protection of children and seniors, and for a society governed by a consistent life ethic. Number Seven, the mysterious leader of the Resistance, guides his followers in a desperate challenge of the Grand Council. The story’s heroine, the beautiful young Maria, has dedicated her life to fighting for these precious lives.
This glimpse into our nation’s future will both horrify you and rouse you to action against the real injustice, so present in America today. Join the fight!