The Wastelanders by Tim Hemlin
The Wastelanders is a Cli-Fi book written by Tim Hemlin. The
story is set in a dystopian future in the Houston area of Texas in the year
2116. The globe is currently suffering from a drought brought about by climate
change predictions from scientist in the mid-twentieth century. The Water Cartel
controls America as a corporate oligarchy run by The President and his
Sub-Czars. In 2089 a global pandemic known as the Yellow Plague originated in
Asia and claimed half of the population of China and India as well as many
Americans. Due to the outbreak, countries have isolated themselves by closing
their borders.
Previously in the story, Joey was rescued from a pack of
wild dogs in the Wasteland by Scrapman Hunter Graves. Hunter escorts priest-warrior
Joey Hawke back to his encampment, where Joey meets Moonshine Graves, Hunter’s
estranged niece. Born in the Wasteland, Moon is accustomed to the savage life
in the Wastes. Joey lowers his guard to enjoy drinks with Hunter and passes
out, when he comes to he discovers he’s been bound and Hunter plans to turn him
in to the Water Cartel for a reward. Joey pleads with Moon to release him,
offering to take her with him to Sophia Settlement; a sanctuary in the
Wasteland. Joey’s conviction and Moon’s curiosity to see prosperous trees and
running water convinces her to release him and they escape from Hunter’s camp.
As Bear attempts to reunite Bernie Hawke with his son they
approach the ruins of Zen-Res, a Zen Buddhist encampment. Bear attempts to look
for survivors and is injured in a shootout with some scavenging Rads. Bear
bunkers down with Sisters Judith, Sarah, and Rachel, elderly Buddhists whom
Bear knows tend to his wounds, hoping to remain hidden from the army while
Bernie Hawke continues ahead to Sophia Settlement to look for Joey.
Simultaneously, Si-Ting, who was believed to be sent back to the bubble, finds
herself kidnapped by Dr. Eagleton, a scientist working with the Water Cartel to
discover the location of Joey Hawke.
Hunter enlists the assistance of Duke Hughes and his crew to
track down Joey and kill the traitorous Moon, while pursuing Hawke, Hunter
learns that Salvador Pena, a Wasteland kingpin, is fortifying his compound in
preparation for an army invasion. Hunter engages Joey, Moon and Brother
Bartholomew in a chase and blinded by rage is ambushed by Bernie Hawke. Foiled
Hunter retreats and seeks out Pena for refuge and another attempt at revenge.
Meanwhile, President Bishop’s purge of the Wasteland sends Rex
Fielder and his imperial like armada of hovertanks, speeders and ground troops
to clear any resistance, laying waste to everything that crosses their path. In
an attempted Water Cartel coup, First Lady, Isabel Bishop disappears,
intentionally vilifying President Bishop. Bishop conscripts Chief Inspector O’Hare
to siege Number One Cartel Center and bring in conspirators, failing Isabel
escapes and O’Hare and many others die in an explosion.
As the characters converge on Salvador Pena’s compound they
are involved in small skirmishes with clones preparing a mass exodus into the Wasteland.
The enigmatic Pena divulges a secret with Joey Hawke. The synthetic clone of
Leonard Litz is a perfect replication and is truly immortal, except for one
flaw, secretly Pena encoded a failsafe in the event that the Water Cartel didn’t
hold up their end of his deal. A Mother-Goddess figurine held they key that
would reintroduce the same cancer genes that originally killed Litz. Joey
plants the icon on Litz body as the military attacks the compound.
After an
intense battle with Hunter involving time loops, Moon sacrifices herself to
save Joey Hawke.
Pena flees with a number of his clones and Joey Hawke and
company are forced to evacuate before destroying the body. In the aftermath of
the attempted coup and the Wasteland purge Fielder is promoted to Home Sec
general and President Bishop removes the Water Cartel from power. Martial Law
essential ensues in the bubble societies and Bernie Hawke and Si-Ting join Joey
to live in the Wasteland at Sophia Settlement. Litz rises from the rubble and
is picked up by a leader of a Cartel Cell before quickly disappearing into the
wind, a ghost revitalized.
This story of a dystopian America depicts humans as having
fallen fate to their own actions. The political agenda is one that claims to
address the people but openly oppresses them and is more interested in the
affairs of elite members of society. The struggle to survive in a desolate land
leads people to turn against one another, in some cases family, and brings out
the animalistic nature of mankind. I believe it is imperative to remain
compassionate and endearing, especially in troubled times, to one another and I
believe that may be one of the key themes the author illustrates in this book.
Quiz Questions
¨ Who
is the Geneticist responsible for the clone army and Litz Ressurection?
¨ What
is the name of the group that attempts the coup?
¨ What
year does the story take place?
¨ What
provokes the Wasteland purge?
Discussion Questions
- Is it
possible for governments to have too much power? If so, is it possible to
prevent corruption?
- Human
nature is egotistic. Is it futile to believe that human nature will
someday transcend the idea of ego or is it forever bound in its definition
of mankind?
"Human nature is egotistic" - I think the verdict is still out on this. Sure, there are countless examples of naked egoism in history and all around us today. But we tend, in our darker moments, to selectively notice those while overlooking the countless other instances of kinder and gentler (can you tell I've been watching the Bush state funeral?) altruistic behavior. But you still pose a crucial question: while egoism ultimately prevail? Verdict's still out on that too, but I'm just Existential enough to think that no static "definition of mankind" can lock us in to self-destruction. Fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteThis story set up one of the most fascinating world to live it. I enjoy the conspiracy aspect of the story and how it tackles the inequality of elite versus the wastelanders. The distrust in the government and social class treatment are very much problems we see in our current society and it's interesting that the author believes these traits would carry on in a disaster ridden world.
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